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15 Jobs to Consider for a Career Change

These jobs offer strong salaries, good work-life balance and stable career prospects.

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Switching your career path? Consider these jobs

If you’ve been toiling away at the same job for years and are daydreaming of something more, it may be time for a career switch.

We've compiled a list of jobs offering a strong salary and relatively stable job prospects to give you ideas on career paths to explore. Note that these careers don’t require more than a bachelor’s degree and should land you a salary of $60,000 a year or more.

All jobs on this list are selected from the U.S. News Best Jobs ranking . Salary data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Work-life balance scores come from U.S. News interviews and research .

15. Market Research Analyst

Median salary: $68,230 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Average

Market research analysts gather and study data related to market conditions to help organizations determine their target demographics, consumer buying habits, shopper preferences and product prices.

While most market research analysts have a four-year college degree in social science or business administration, the industry is open to anyone interested in understanding marketing and research methods. Plus, the BLS projects 13.4% employment growth for market research analysts between 2022 and 2032, which is higher than for many other professions.

Learn more about market research analysts .

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14. Dental Hygienist

Median salary: $81,400 Education required: Associate degree Work-life balance score: High

Dental hygienists work alongside doctors to clean teeth, examine oral health and educate patients on proper dental care. Some of their daily tasks include applying sealants and fluorides, removing plaque, and taking dental X-rays.

Most hygienists have at least graduated from an associate degree program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. These programs typically take two to three years to complete. With a median salary of over $80,000, pursuing a new career as a dental hygienist could be worth the investment.

Learn more about dental hygienists .

13. Sales Manager

Median salary: $130,600 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Average

Sales managers oversee a company’s sales team by setting targets, developing strategies and training staff to improve sales performance. If you already have sales experience, making a career transition into this role means more responsibility, a chance to shape strategies and the potential to earn a six-figure salary.

According to the BLS, sales managers typically have a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s degree or a Master of Business Administration could open doors to more opportunities.

Learn more about sales managers .

12. Web Developer

Median salary: $78,580 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: High

Web developers are the architects of the internet. They build and maintain websites, making sure everything looks good and works seamlessly on the front end and back end. With coding boot camps, web development courses on Coursera, Codecademy and other resources available online, the barrier to entry in web development is relatively low.

Web developer ranks No. 5 among the Best Technology Jobs and is estimated to experience 17% employment growth between 2022 and 2032, according to the BLS.

Learn more about web developers .

11. Mechanical Engineer

Median salary: $96,310 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Average

Mechanical engineers apply their knowledge of mechanics, thermodynamics, structural analysis and other fields to design, develop, build and test all kinds of mechanical devices. Since their expertise is required in almost every industry, they can work anywhere.

Mechanical engineering ranks No. 1 among the Best Engineering Jobs. Plus, with an estimated 28,500 jobs opening up between 2022 and 2032 and a projected 10% employment growth over that period, a career in mechanical engineering could offer a promising future.

Learn more about mechanical engineers .

10. Operations Research Analyst

Median salary: $85,720 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Above average

Operations research analysts use their expertise in data mining, statistical analysis and mathematical modeling to come up with solutions that help businesses operate more cost-effectively and efficiently. The BLS projects 22.5% employment growth for operations research analysts between 2022 and 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing professions.

Most companies require an entry-level operations research analyst to have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as mathematics or statistics.

Learn more about operations research analysts .

9. Management Analyst

Median salary: $95,290 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Average

Also known as management consultants, management analysts advise managers on how to make their organizations more profitable by identifying ways to increase efficiency and revenue while reducing costs.

Management analyst ranks No. 5 among the Best Business Jobs and offers great opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries. Most entry-level positions only require a bachelor's degree, but some employers may prefer those with an MBA.

Learn more about management analysts .

8. Marketing Manager

Median salary: $140,040 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: High

Marketing managers rank No. 11 in both the 100 Best Jobs and Best-Paying Jobs rankings. Marketing managers plan and execute campaigns that communicate a brand’s message to its target audience. Some of their responsibilities include performing market research, understanding trends, figuring out customer preferences and creating marketing budgets.

If you’re interested in switching to this career path, it’s a good idea to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field. Having a deep understanding of digital marketing and social media can also be helpful.

Learn more about marketing managers .

Median salary: $113,990 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Above average

Actuaries use database and statistical modeling software to help businesses like insurance companies evaluate risk and calculate the cost of related claims. They rank No. 3 among the Best Business Jobs, and the BLS projects 23.2% employment growth for actuaries between 2022 and 2032.

If you’re considering this career path, gaining internship experience can help you decide which actuarial path to follow since actuaries practice in various industries, including health insurance, enterprise risk management and retirement benefits. While a bachelor's degree is required to enter this career, actuaries need to pass a series of exams to progress in the field.

Learn more about actuaries .

6. Data Scientist

Median salary: $103,500 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Average

Data scientists collect, analyze and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. They can work in many industries, including health care, entertainment and technology. If you’re interested in this profession, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as statistics or mathematics. However, some employers may require a master’s or a doctorate for more senior positions.

Learn more about data scientists .

5. Information Security Analyst

Median salary: $112,000 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Average

An information security analyst’s primary responsibility is to safeguard an organization's computer systems and networks against cyber threats and unauthorized access. Their duties include staying up to date on security best practices, keeping an eye out for system threats and making recommendations for security improvements.

Information security analyst ranks No. 3 among the Best Technology Jobs and No. 7 in the 100 Best Jobs ranking. If you’re a tech-savvy person who studied computer science or a related field in college, information security analyst can be a career path worth exploring. The pay is lucrative as well.

Learn more about information security analysts .

4. Medical and Health Services Manager

Median salary: $104,830 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Below average

Medical and health services managers keep hospitals and other health care facilities running efficiently. They’re responsible for creating work schedules for the medical staff, overseeing billing and fees for patients, recruiting workers, establishing goals for each department, and other tasks.

You should consider becoming a medical and health service manager if you’re thinking about a career change because it’s in high demand. The BLS projects 28.4% employment growth for medical and health services managers between 2022 and 2032.

Certification isn't a requirement to enter the field, although most medical and health services managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in health administration.

Learn more about medical and health services managers .

3. IT Manager

Median salary: $164,070 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: High

IT managers lead and coordinate technology-related activities within organizations. They oversee teams, manage projects, ensure system security, budget for IT resources and align technology strategies with business goals.

Most IT managers have a master’s degree, but they can get started with a bachelor’s degree in a related field and additional work experience. If you already have several years of experience in an IT occupation, transitioning into a managerial role can be a strategic career move that significantly boosts your earning potential.

Learn more about IT managers .

2. Software Developer

Median salary: $127,260 Education required: Bachelor’s Degree Work-life balance score: Average

Software developers work with clients to produce software applications and upgrades. The job ranks No. 2 among the Best STEM Jobs and No. 1 among the Best Technology Jobs.

You can get started in this role with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer and information technology. Some employers are also open to self-taught individuals or those who’ve graduated from a coding boot camp. So even if you don’t have a traditional four-year college degree, making a career switch to become a software developer is still possible.

Learn more about software developers .

1. Financial Manager

Median salary: $139,790 Education required: Bachelor’s degree Work-life balance score: Above average

Financial managers oversee an organization's financial health. Their responsibilities include preparing and analyzing financial reports, managing the organization's cash flow, developing financial plans to achieve organizational goals, and recommending cost-saving measures to boost profitability.

Financial manager ranks No. 1 among the Best Business Jobs and No. 2 in the 100 Best Jobs ranking. Plus, the median pay is lucrative. You could be a good fit for this role if you have experience working in a related occupation, such as a financial analyst or accountant.

Learn more about financial managers .

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Career Navigation: Navigating a career path for success

by Pathstream | Dec 20, 2022 | Career Advice

The career path is a journey each person must take to find their passion, purpose, and ultimate career. It’s a challenging yet rewarding process that can help you discover what type of work makes you feel fulfilled, engaged, and excited about life. However, it can be challenging to navigate this path on your own. This post will explore the topic of career navigation by answering the following questions: What is a career path? How do I successfully navigate my career path? And more!

Table of Contents

What is career navigation?

What is a career path.

How to find your career path?

How do I successfully navigate my career path?

What are career navigation programs.

Many people wander from career to career, job to job, always looking for work that uses their talents and interests. Many also cannot get the education they need, let alone pay for it.

Effective career navigation helps individuals identify their strengths, understand the requirements for a particular job and obtain the educational credentials required to succeed in that position. Furthermore, it can help individuals succeed in their current organization and achieve their professional goals. 

As students and individual workers face the uncertainty of an unstable economy and rising demand for skilled employees, they increasingly turn to career navigation strategies. Employers are also increasingly seeking  creative ways to develop a skilled workforce  that is available when needed.

Career navigation is a process that helps you find your career path. Many people need clarification about career navigation and how it works, so let’s start with some basics.

Career navigation is not necessarily a one-time event but a process that can take place over many years. This process will help you identify what kind of job or company will suit your needs, strengths, and weaknesses.

These steps will also help you determine which  jobs  appeal to you most (and least). Productive career navigation includes ensuring that workers of all ages and at every stage in their careers can get information about the possible paths they might take. 

For some, the assistance is self-directed. For others, it involves working one on one with a professional.

Career navigation involves asking yourself several questions: What do I want to do with my life? What am I passionate about? What makes me happy? Why does my current job make me happy or unhappy? Do these things align with my strengths and weaknesses? Will this job/company give me opportunities for growth/promotion within the organization I work for now?

You can use assessment tools to help you better understand your strengths, weaknesses, skills, and interests. You can find information about a broad range of career options, local labor market demand, required education and skills, and typical compensation. Then you need to find information on specific  education and training programs , including course offerings, graduation rates, and financial aid.

Watch this video to get actionable tips and strategies for making your next career move:

A career path is a series of steps you take to get from where you are now to where you want to be. You can think of a career path as an imaginary road or highway that leads from point A (your current job) through several different stops along the way (other positions) and ultimately ends up at point B (the job that makes you happy and makes your life meaningful).

For a career path to be successful, it needs three main things:

• A destination— This is the end result that you’re working towards, like a dream job or a specific position.
• A route—or more specifically, opportunities for growth,  education, experience, and training along the way
• The right tools for navigation— This includes everything from self-awareness and self-management skills to the right resources and mentors to make sure your career path doesn’t veer off course.

How to find your career path

Navigating the career path is a journey that starts with knowing yourself and continues with learning about careers, jobs, and the world of work. Your career path is flexible, but having a map is helpful.

A career is more than just a job. It includes everything you do throughout your working life to earn money and achieve personal satisfaction. It also includes how you plan for the future and what you want out of life.

• Identify your skills and interests by reviewing your resume or CV. Reviewing these documents will remind you of what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing, and how people perceive you. This can help identify which occupations may be a good fit for you based on those factors.
• Identify potential career paths that are a good fit for your skills and interests by  exploring different fields  through informational interviews with professionals in those fields or online research using industry-specific job boards or websites. It’s important to remember that no matter how much research you do on the internet, no one knows exactly what will make you happy in a particular career field until they try it out firsthand. Take some classes or volunteer at an organization that helps people in your desired field
• Research the requirements of each potential career path to ensure it aligns with your desires and  identify any gaps  between what they require and what is currently available on your resume/CV.

Finding your career path is a process that doesn’t have an exact formula. There are many factors to consider when planning a career, including your interests, skills, personality, and values. But it also requires setting some concrete goals and making a plan to reach those goals.

Navigating your career path is more than just getting a job. It requires you to envision where you want to go and how you want to get there.

Develop a career plan.

The first step in successfully navigating your career path is to create a plan for how you will get there. This can be as simple as writing out what you want to achieve and how long it might take. It’s also important to consider how you will achieve those goals, including what skills or qualifications you’ll need, where you can learn them, and who can help you along the way.

Use your network to get feedback, advice, and support.

Once you have a career plan, getting feedback on your ideas and decisions from others in your network is essential. This can be as simple as asking people for their opinion when considering a job offer or promotion. You can also reach out to professionals in your field who are further along in their careers than you are and ask them how they got there.

Check out our workshop on how to conduct informational interviews and network virtually:

Stay focused on your goals.

Keep  them in the front of your mind  by writing them down so you can see them every day. Remember to review them regularly. This will help you stay focused on what you want to achieve.

Keep your career plan updated as things change.

It’s important to revisit your plan regularly to ensure it still reflects where you are now and how that fits into your overall vision for the future.

Be resilient.

It’s easy to give up during difficult times, but it takes a lot of resilience to  push through those moments  and keep going down the path that will lead you to success in your career.

Be flexible.

Your career is a journey, meaning there will be times when you need to change direction or try something new. It’s important to stay open-minded and adaptable so you can take advantage of opportunities as they come up.

Let’s look at what a career navigation program is and how it can help you in your job search. A career navigation program can be defined as a system of services that helps individuals explore their interests and talents, identify specific career goals, develop action plans for achieving those goals and make informed decisions about the next steps in their lives.

A career navigation program is an educational or professional development opportunity offered by a university or organization that helps students or workers identify their strengths and interests to make more informed decisions about their future.

Career Navigation Programs typically consist of several components, including self-assessment tools like personality assessments, situational exercises, and  interviews  with professionals specializing in careers relevant to your interests.

Some common types of programs include:

• On-campus counseling centers (some may offer free services)
• Online resources from educational institutions
• Professional organizations like the  Project Management Institute  (PMI)

People move around in their careers all the time. Some people change jobs every few years, while others stay in one role for decades. And some people still need to figure out what they want to do next.

Whether you’re planning to stay put or are looking for a new opportunity, it’s important to have clarity on where you want to go next.

A career navigation program helps people make important career decisions by providing information, support, and guidance. It can be as simple as helping someone decide if they want to stay in their current job or move on to something else. But if they want to change careers, it may help them figure out what kind of work would be most satisfying.

Key takeaways

• The key to a successful career is having clarity on where you want to go next.
• A career navigation program can help fill in the gaps between where you are now and where you want to be.
• A customized approach allows you to explore multiple career paths at once, making it easier to find what excites you most about working.

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100 Farewell Messages that Make Saying Goodbye Easier

100 farewell messages to make saying goodbye a bit easier, farewell messages frequently asked questions, crafting your own handwritten message.

Saying goodbye is never easy, whether it’s to colleagues, friends, or loved ones. But a thoughtful farewell message can make the transition smoother and leave a lasting impression. At Handwrytten, we understand the power of words and the importance of expressing your feelings genuinely. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 100 heartfelt farewell messages to help you convey your sentiments perfectly. Let’s dive in!

Farewell messages for colleagues

When a colleague decides to move on to new opportunities, it’s important to acknowledge their contributions and wish them well. Here are some messages to get you started:

• “Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors! You’ve been an incredible part of our team.”
• “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Best of luck on your new adventure!”
• “Your dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring. Farewell and good luck!”
• “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you. Wishing you success in your new role!”
• “Though we’re sad to see you go, we’re excited for your new journey. Keep in touch!”

Farewell messages for friends

Saying goodbye to a friend is tough, but these messages can help convey your heartfelt wishes:

• “Goodbyes are not forever, my friend. Until we meet again, take care!”
• “Thank you for the memories and the good times. Farewell, but not goodbye!”
• “Distance may separate us, but our friendship will remain strong. Wishing you all the best!”
• “Life’s journey is taking you to new places. Enjoy every moment and stay in touch!”
• “You’ve been a true friend, and I’ll miss you dearly. Best of luck on your new path!”

Farewell messages for loved ones

When it’s time to say goodbye to a loved one, it’s essential to express your emotions sincerely:

• “Your presence will be missed more than words can say. Farewell, and take care always.”
• “Though we’re apart, you’ll always be in my heart. Wishing you happiness in your new chapter.”
• “Saying goodbye is hard, but knowing you’re happy makes it easier. Stay blessed!”
• “Thank you for being a part of my life. Farewell, and remember to cherish the memories we made.”
• “This isn’t a goodbye, just a ‘see you later.’ Take care and enjoy your journey!”

Farewell messages for retirement

Retirement is a significant milestone! Here are some messages to celebrate this new phase:

• “Congratulations on your retirement! Wishing you endless days of relaxation and fun.”
• “You’ve earned this time to relax and enjoy life. Happy retirement!”
• “We’ll miss your wisdom and guidance. Enjoy every moment of your well-deserved retirement!”
• “Cheers to your retirement! May it be filled with joy and happiness.”
• “You’ve been a fantastic mentor and colleague. Enjoy your retirement to the fullest!”

Farewell messages for moving away

Moving to a new place is both exciting and challenging. Send your best wishes with these messages:

• “Wishing you all the best in your new home. May it bring you joy and new adventures!”
• “Good luck with your move! Keep in touch and let us know how you’re settling in.”
• “Your new home is lucky to have you. Safe travels and best wishes!”
• “Moving is a big change, but I know you’ll handle it with grace. All the best!”
• “Here’s to new beginnings! Wishing you happiness and success in your new location.”

Farewell messages with a personal touch

Sometimes, adding a personal touch can make a farewell message even more special:

• “Remember that time we [share a personal anecdote]? I’ll always cherish that memory. Wishing you the best!”
• “Your [specific quality] has always inspired me. Though you’re leaving, your impact remains.”
• “I’m grateful for the laughs and lessons we’ve shared. Farewell, and see you soon!”
• “From [mention a shared experience] to now—what a journey we’ve had! Good luck on your next one.”
• “Your [specific contribution] has been invaluable. Wishing you success and happiness ahead.”

Inspirational farewell messages

Encourage and inspire with these uplifting farewell messages:

• “Every end is a new beginning. Embrace the future with open arms!”
• “As you embark on this new journey, remember that the best is yet to come.”
• “Change brings growth. May your future be filled with endless possibilities!”
• “Believe in yourself and all that you are. You’ll achieve great things!”
• “Your journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning of something amazing.”

Farewell messages for teachers

Show appreciation to teachers who have made a difference in your life:

• “Thank you for your guidance and wisdom. Wishing you a fulfilling future!”
• “You’ve been an incredible teacher and mentor. Best of luck in your new endeavors!”
• “Your passion for teaching has left a lasting impact. Farewell, and thank you!”
• “You’ve shaped so many minds, including mine. Wishing you the best in your next chapter.”
• “Goodbye, and thank you for being a phenomenal teacher. Your legacy will live on.”

Farewell messages for clients

Maintaining a positive relationship with clients, even when parting ways, is crucial:

• “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Wishing you success in your future projects!”
• “Thank you for your trust and support. Farewell, and best of luck!”
• “We value our partnership and hope to work together again. Until then, take care!”
• “Your collaboration has been invaluable. Best wishes for your continued success!”
• “Saying goodbye is hard, but the memories we’ve created will last. Farewell!”

Farewell messages for employees

When an employee leaves, it’s important to recognize their efforts and contributions:

• “Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Wishing you success in your new role!”
• “You’ve been an asset to our team. Farewell, and best of luck on your journey!”
• “Your contributions have made a difference. Good luck in your future endeavors!”
• “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Best wishes for your next adventure!”
• **”Your presence will be missed, but your impact will remain. Farewell and take care!”

Farewell messages for bosses

Show gratitude and respect to a departing boss with these messages:

• “Thank you for your leadership and guidance. Wishing you success in your next role!”
• “You’ve been an excellent mentor. Farewell, and best of luck on your journey!”
• “Your vision and direction have been invaluable. All the best in your future endeavors!”
• “It’s been an honor working under your leadership. Farewell, and thank you!”
• “Your impact as a leader will be felt long after you leave. Best wishes for the future!”

Farewell messages for coworkers

Strengthen ties with departing coworkers by expressing your heartfelt wishes:

• “Working with you has been a pleasure. Wishing you success in your future endeavors!”
• “Your contributions have made a difference. Farewell, and good luck!”
• “It’s been great working with you. Best wishes for your next chapter!”
• “Thank you for being a wonderful coworker. Farewell and take care!”
• “Your presence will be missed, but your impact will remain. Good luck!”

Farewell messages for business partners

Maintain positive relations with departing business partners with these messages:

• “Thank you for your collaboration and support. Wishing you success in your next ventures!”
• “It’s been a pleasure working together. Farewell, and best of luck!”
• “Your partnership has been invaluable. All the best in your future endeavors!”
• “We’re grateful for your contributions. Farewell, and stay in touch!”
• “Wishing you success and happiness in your new journey. Farewell!”

Farewell messages for students

Encourage and support departing students with these messages:

• “Wishing you success and happiness in your future endeavors. Farewell!”
• “It’s been a pleasure teaching you. Best of luck in your next chapter!”
• “You’ve been a wonderful student. Farewell, and keep striving for greatness!”
• “Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Wishing you the best!”
• “Your journey is just beginning. Farewell, and good luck!”

Farewell messages for team members

Recognize the efforts of departing team members with these messages:

• “Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Wishing you success in your future endeavors!”
• “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Farewell, and best of luck!”
• “Your contributions have made a difference. Good luck in your next role!”
• “Thank you for being a valuable team member. Farewell, and take care!”
• “Your presence will be missed, but your impact will remain. Best wishes!”

Farewell messages for neighbors

Say goodbye to departing neighbors with these heartfelt messages:

• “Wishing you happiness and success in your new home. Farewell, neighbor!”
• “It’s been a pleasure knowing you. Best of luck in your new journey!”
• “Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor. Farewell, and take care!”
• “We’ll miss you in the neighborhood. Good luck in your new home!”

Farewell messages for family

Express your love and support to departing family members with these messages:

• “It’s been a pleasure having you in our lives. Best of luck in your next chapter!”
• “Thank you for your love and support. Farewell, and take care!”
• “We’ll always cherish the memories we’ve made. Farewell and best wishes!”

Farewell messages for graduates

Celebrate the achievements of departing graduates with these messages:

• “Congratulations on your graduation! Wishing you success in your future endeavors!”
• “It’s been a pleasure watching you grow. Best of luck in your next chapter!”
• “Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Farewell, and take care!”
• “Wishing you happiness and success in your new journey. Farewell!”

Farewell messages for volunteers

Show appreciation to departing volunteers with these messages:

• “Thank you for being a valuable volunteer. Farewell, and take care!”

Farewell messages for customers

Maintain positive relations with departing customers with these messages:

• “Thank you for your support and loyalty. Wishing you success in your future endeavors!”
• “It’s been a pleasure serving you. Farewell, and best of luck!”
• “Your patronage has been invaluable. All the best in your future endeavors!”
• “We’re grateful for your support. Farewell, and stay in touch!”

Experience the personal touch of Handwrytten and make every farewell, congratulations, or celebratory message truly special! With our easy-to-use platform, you can send beautiful, handwritten notes that leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a heartfelt goodbye to a beloved colleague or a warm welcome to a new partner, Handwrytten adds that extra touch of sincerity and charm to every message.

Don’t just say it—handwrite it with Handwrytten today and create unforgettable moments! Try it now and see the difference a personal note can make.

What is the best way to write a heartfelt farewell message?

The best way to write a heartfelt farewell message is to be genuine and personal. Reflect on your experiences with the person, mention specific memories or contributions, and express your well wishes for their future. Using a service like Handwrytten ensures your sincerity shines through in a handwritten note.

How long should a farewell message be?

The length of a farewell message can vary, but it’s important to be concise while expressing your sentiments. A few thoughtful sentences or a short paragraph that captures your appreciation and well wishes is usually sufficient.

Can I include a quote in my farewell message?

Absolutely! Including a relevant quote can add depth and meaning to your message. Choose a quote that resonates with the nature of your relationship and the journey ahead for the recipient.

What tone should I use in a farewell message?

The tone of your farewell message should be warm, positive, and supportive. Aim for a balance between professionalism and friendliness, reflecting the nature of your relationship with the recipient.

Should I mention future contact in my farewell message?

Yes, it’s a good idea to mention staying in touch if you truly intend to do so. Offering your contact information or expressing a desire to meet up in the future can provide comfort and strengthen your ongoing relationship.

Saying goodbye doesn’t have to be difficult. With these 100 thoughtful farewell messages, you can express your sentiments sincerely and help make the transition smoother for everyone involved. Remember, the key to a memorable farewell message is authenticity and personalization.

At Handwrytten, we believe in the power of handwritten notes to convey genuine emotions. Whether it’s a farewell, thank you, or any other occasion, our services can help you deliver your message in a heartfelt and memorable way. Try Handwrytten today and experience the difference a personal touch can make!

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Pat Sajak Reflects on 'Gratifying' Journey Hosting Wheel of Fortune Ahead of His Last Episode: 'A Great 40 Years'

The game show host will be retiring after the season 41 finale on Friday, June 7

Gabrielle Rockson is a staff writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2023 and covers entertainment and human interest stories. She's interviewed David Beckham, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and many others. Her previous work can be found in OK! Magazine, MyLondon, GRM Daily, and more.

Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty 

Pat Sajak is opening up about his time as the host of Wheel of Fortune .

In a video shared with Good Morning America on Monday, June 3, Pat spoke about his career journey on the show ahead of his final episode airing on Friday, June 7.

Wheel of Fortune , which follows contestants as they compete against each other in word quizzes to win cash prizes, has seen Pat host the show since 1981.

"It’s surprisingly okay,” he said of how he felt during his last week of shows.

Speaking to his daughter Maggie Sajak , who has served as Wheel of Fortune ’s social correspondent since 2021, Pat said: “This was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago. So I've had time to sort of get used to it.”

“And it's been a little bit wistful and all that, but I'm enjoying it and taking it all in and reflecting on the great run," the game show host added. "Somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show. We became part of the popular culture. And more importantly, we became part of people's lives. And, that's been awfully gratifying.”

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Pat went on to tell his 29-year-old daughter that he’s always believed in leaving “a couple years too early than a couple of years too late,” adding that "it's been a great 40 years, and I'm looking forward to whatever's ahead."

The TV veteran said that there were other things he wanted to focus on.

"I'm perfectly happy if it just means that I'll continue with my crossword puzzles and play with grandchildren. Hint hint hint. No pressure,” he jokingly told his daughter, who he shares with wife Lesly Brown . The couple also share son Patrick Michael, 33.

Pat has hosted Wheel of Fortune alongside Vanna White since she joined in 1982. In the wake of his exit, he will be replaced by Ryan Seacrest .

"Well, no one can ever do what Pat has done. He is incredible," Seacrest, 49, told PEOPLE in April. "He has made that show just something so very special for so long, and he has done such a seamless, remarkable job, so no one can be him."

" So do I feel pressure? Sure ," he added. "People love watching him. I want them to keep love watching it, and I hope to do a great job as well."

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Wheel of Fortune  airs weeknights (check local listings).

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On D-Day, they changed the world. 80 years later, an incredible journey takes them back.

EN ROUTE TO FRANCE – Robert Pedigo had a hunch.

He and his bomber crew, based in England, had been flying missions against the Nazis. Then, on a late spring evening in 1944, a commander took each squadron into a nearby wheat field to give them special instruction.

“Men, go get a good night’s rest,” he said, “because we have an important mission tomorrow.”

The commander, he has always remembered, was Jimmy Stewart, the star who had left Hollywood to lead air attacks throughout World War II. Pedigo and the rest of the flight crew bedded down. The wakeup call would come at 2:30 the next morning, June 6. 

Pedigo, from Indianapolis, had sold scrap metal and worked other jobs during the Great Depression to help support his family before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. Now he was a nose gunner and air bomber on a crew of 10 in the 453rd Bombardment group. Their B-24J Liberator, nicknamed the Silent Yokum, took off into the morning sky.

As they crossed the English Channel, Pedigo looked down and couldn’t believe his eyes. He had been right. It was something big.  

Instead of just water, he saw ships, so many that he could have walked across the channel, using the boats as stepping stones. 

Instead of just sky, he saw fighters, heavy bombers, C-47 troop transports, every kind of plane imaginable. 

It was June 6, 1944, the day the rest of the world would soon know as D-Day .

From his seat at the nose gun, Pedigo could see it happening. Above, below and all around him, every boat and plane was headed in the same direction he was. Toward Normandy.

May 30, 2024: Fort Worth, Texas

With the ballroom lights dim, a 50-member choir of cadets from the U.S. military academies assembled on stage. They launched into a patriotic number, the closing event of the evening.

Spread out in front of them was a crowd of hundreds, but 66 were particularly important. 

World War II veterans, each was accompanied by a family member or guardian. Eight decades after D-Day, they were gathering in Texas for the start of a new mission. 

They were chosen to make an honor flight aboard a chartered Boeing 787 provided by American Airlines. The party also included six Medal of Honor winners from wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam and two “Rosie the Riveters,” women who made invaluable contributions to the war effort by working in factories and shipyards. In total, some 280 people would make up the entourage.

Together, they would be headed back to France, back to the scene of D-Day itself.

The journey would lead them to the beaches once code-named Omaha and Utah, where several of the men among the 66 had fought in some of the bloodiest combat of D-Day.

Atop the steep cliffs above Omaha Beach, President Joe Biden and other world leaders will mark the 80th anniversary of the invasion on Thursday. 

The 66 vets will be there, too, at Normandy American Cemetery, where more than 9,000 fallen Americans – people who were once just like them – rest forever beneath French soil. 

The trip to get there required more than a year of planning. But its official beginning was with a gala ball on May 30, the night before departure. 

One or two at a time, the vets entered. People pulled out their phones and snapped pictures. David Yoho, 95, from Vienna, Virginia, did an animated bow as the crowd cheered. 

Behind him, some rode in wheelchairs. Others, slightly stooped, leaned on canes. A few wore military uniforms decorated with medals.

Inside the ballroom at American Airlines’ headquarters, the veterans exchanged war stories and dined on Provencal short ribs, lump crab cakes and apple pie topped with creamy French brie. A few got up from their tables and slow danced to bands covering Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and the Andrews Sisters. 

Dan Dougherty, an Army veteran who was on the first ship to go directly from the United States to France during the war, celebrated his 99 th birthday. The entire room serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.”

The mood was celebratory, but statistics added some poignancy to the pageantry. 

The youngest of the 66 making the journey was 95; the oldest 107. Their average age: 100.8.

About a third of the adult male population of the United States served at some point during World War II . The armed forces included about 16.5 million men and women in all.

Today, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, less than 1% of them are still alive.  

For some of the 66 veterans, this flight would be their first trip to Normandy since the war. For all of them, it would most likely be their last.

“You launched the largest wave of freedom across our world,” former President George W. Bush said in a videotaped message. “Billions of people have lived in liberty because of what you did 80 years ago.” 

Watching him was Dominick Critelli, 103, an Army veteran who landed on Utah Beach a few days after the D-Day invasion and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. 

Critelli had immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was only 8, during the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini, “where they were shooting everybody and giving them poison.”

“I can’t forget that,” he said.

In America, he found a new home, one he would later fight for. 

Finally, the choir took to the stage. The song filled the room.  

From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam.  

From his table at the back, Critelli silently mouthed the words.

1944: D-Day at Omaha Beach, France

Sid Edson got up early and went from breakfast to a briefing and then to his bomber.

“My God,” he thought just before he climbed into his plane. “Today is the day.”

Edson had been a welder in Brooklyn before he was drafted into the Air Force in 1943. He worked as a radio operator and a gunner in a B-24 Liberator as part of Bomb Squadron 491. On the morning of June 6, the squadron’s mission was to bomb a German airfield in France.

“We were hoping it would help the soldiers invading all of the beaches,” recalls Edson, who now lives  in Lake Worth, Florida.

Edson wouldn’t remember much about the flight to France that day. He was too focused on doing his job. A radio operator had to make sure the flight crew was monitoring correct frequencies. And that the bomber's complex intercom system was functioning properly so the crew could communicate with each other. Edson also doubled as a gunner. He had to be prepared, on a moment’s notice, to man the bomber’s giant machine guns and open fire. 

An eerie radio silence filled the plane as it neared its target. The approaching Americans didn’t want to say anything that might tip off the Germans about what was about to hit them.

May 31, 2024: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

By 5 p.m. Friday, a sizable crowd had begun to form in Terminal D to watch the parade pass by.

Boy Scouts in tan-and-green uniforms waved American flags. Travelers hurrying to catch a flight slowed to check out the commotion. Others squatted beside the white-haired men and asked for permission to take selfies. 

American Airlines began planning the trip 18 months ago. The Old Glory Honor Flight, a nonprofit group that has arranged other trips for veterans, helped recruit applicants, train their guardians and provide the medical staff volunteers. A foundation led by actor Gary Sinise also helped put the trip together.

Veterans selected to make the trip were required to get a medical exam to determine that they were healthy enough to travel. Seventy-five wheelchairs were available if needed – enough for every veteran on board.

Most of the veterans stayed in wheelchairs for the short ride from gate D24 to D29, where they would board a plane for the 5,000-mile, 8½-hour flight to Paris. 

Willie Clemons, 96, who joined the Navy after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , saluted the cheering crowd that swelled with each passing minute.

Passengers waiting at gate D27 for a flight to Barcelona jumped from their seats and applauded. A woman working the counter at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit collected orders while keeping her eyes on the festivities. 

Andi Goldsticker of Dallas stood off to the side and held a sign thanking the veterans for their bravery and sacrifices in service to the country. “Because of YOU,” it read, “we are safe and free.”

Goldsticker’s father-in-law, Ralph Goldsticker, 102, a bombardier who flew missions on D-Day, was making the trip to France. His son, Andi’s husband Larry, was accompanying him. 

As she watched, she recalled the way her father-in-law had described the war. “Every time I dropped a bomb,” he would say, “I thought I was going to die.”  

At the boarding gate, the wheelchairs turned down the jetway. 

The 66 made their way down the plane’s double aisles. Above them, a photo and bio of each was taped to the overhead luggage bins. 

Festoons of red, white and blue stars were draped across cabin walls. Small American flags were tucked behind the passenger seat headrests.

Over the intercom, the announcements were tailored to the century-old travelers. 

Take your medicines. Drink plenty of liquids. Be sure to change sitting positions every few hours. 

In the rows behind the vets was a 12-member volunteer medical team. Emergency room doctors and nurses, a paramedic and nurse practitioners would roam the plane throughout the flight. 

Anyone experiencing a health issue should alert the crew right away.

The orange Texas sunset glared through the cabin windows as the plane rolled, lifted off and pointed toward France. 

1944: Omaha Beach, France

Dead bodies lay scattered on Omaha Beach when Vernon Mitchell landed. 

Mitchell, a gunner, had known precious little about the military before he enlisted in the Army in 1940. But jobs were hard to come by in St. Augustine, Texas, after the Great Depression. After working his entire young life on a farm, he signed up for the service at age 19. A few short years later, he was wading ashore in France. 

It was Wednesday, June 7. The first wave of the Allied invasion – and the most intense fighting – had taken place the day before. Over the course of the invasion, about 2,400 U.S. soldiers, more than 1,400 British and nearly 1,100 Canadians would be killed. 

Countless German soldiers died, too, but the Germans had already picked up many of their corpses by the time Mitchell landed. Dead soldiers were bad for morale.

When Mitchell and other members of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division stepped onto the shore, they were smacked by German artillery fire.

“They were still bombarding the place,” Mitchell remembers. “It was terrible.” 

Mitchell and his comrades fought their way out of Omaha Beach. Days later, however, Mitchell was heavily wounded when a German shell hit his squad. Two of his fellow soldiers died.  

June 1, 2024: Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean

The overhead lights in the first-class cabin were on dim as the airliner zipped across the Atlantic Ocean at 37,000 feet. A little past midnight, there were still 2,300 miles to go – roughly the halfway point to Paris.

Several veterans dozed quietly as a medical crew roamed periodically through the cabin. John Gleeson, however, was wide awake.

A blanket thrown over his legs to stay warm, Gleeson, 100, of Honolulu, was recalling the story of how he ended up among these 66 veterans. 

His midnight memories were snippets of the entire war.

How the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor had enraged him as a teenager in Long Beach, California. 

How he couldn’t pick out Oahu on a map, but the day after Dec. 7, 1941, he enlisted in the Army. How he qualified for the Air Corps. 

How he was sitting on a bluff overlooking the beach three years later when the radio blared with the news about D-Day. The feeling when he realized so many of the men being killed were the same age as he was. 

Gleeson recalled going to his commanding officer and asking to go to gunnery school. How he was finally sent to fly combat missions over Europe.

“I just had a feeling,” he remembered, as the 787 soared through the night. “I’ve got to do something to help save the world, or save the United States.”

1944: Utah Beach, France

The landing craft pitched and swayed on the choppy water as it approached Utah Beach. But Martin Sylvester never got seasick.

The Brooklyn native had always been prone to carsickness. Around him, other soldiers from the Army’s 4th Infantry Division had grown sick from the turbulent tossing of their amphibious military vessel and were throwing up. Not Sylvester. Maybe, he surmised in his 2009 memoir, he was just too frightened.

The son of a tailor and a stay-at-home mom, Sylvester landed as part of the third wave of Allied forces on June 7. He and the other troops could hear gunfire in the distance as they waded through 3 feet of water and approached the shore. Yet they encountered no resistance from the Germans.

They walked to the top of a hill, where they came across a cement bunker with dead Germans inside and a field strewn with the corpses of animals – cows, horses, pigs and dogs, all killed by Navy artillery fire that had overshot the beach.

The crackle of small rifle fire suddenly filled the air. The Germans were shooting at them. The soldiers quickly ducked into a patch of hedgerows about seven feet apart and fired back. “When we fired, we went from hedgerow to hedgerow,” Sylvester recalled in an interview.

Sylvester and his comrades suffered only minimal casualties. The following January, however, he was hit by a sniper and taken as a prisoner of war in Fuhren, Germany. He escaped a couple of months later and hid in the basement of a one-room schoolhouse until he was picked up by an American armored unit that came through the town. He was recuperating in a Paris hospital when, on May 8, 1945, he heard loud noises and celebrations in the street.

The Germans had surrendered. The war would soon be over.

June 1, 2024: Paris

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Paris,” a member of the flight crew announced as the plane touched down at 11:48 a.m. Saturday at Charles de Gaulle Airport, named after the French general and World War II hero. The exhausted passengers applauded and cheered.

One at a time, the veterans disembarked with the help of family members and assistants, who pushed their wheelchairs down the narrow jetway. Inside the terminal, a long line of spectators held up photos of the veterans, waved French and American flags and shouted “thank you” in French accents. 

At a brief airport ceremony, a handful of veterans slowly rose from their wheelchairs as young students in blue sweaters sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise.” Others, too tired to rise, stayed seated, hands over their hearts.

In France, veterans who had a role in the D-Day landings are not only considered honored guests, but are embraced as “cherished heroes,” Denise Campbell Bauer, the U.S. ambassador to France, told the gathering.

“Your presence here reminds us that behind the monumental scale of D-Day are real people, individuals with their own stories,” she said.

The last surviving World War II veterans are “the living witnesses to an era that shaped our world,” said Philippe Étienne, the former French ambassador to the United States.

From the back row, Pedigo was overwhelmed as he silently listened to the accolades. 

“I have a tremendous connection, tremendous feelings for the buddies I lost there,” he said. “Tremendous feelings for people worldwide, especially the French people.”

While in Paris, the veterans would attend a ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery and another beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Then on Monday, they would board buses to Normandy for the final leg of their journey, to stand where thousands of other Americans – people who were once just like them – rest forever beneath French soil.

Aboard the buses would be Martin Sylvester, 98, who had endured each day as a POW on two slices of bread and a cup of watery soup. 

Vernon Mitchell, 103, who survived the shelling that killed two of his comrades, and was later awarded with the Purple Heart, Bronze star and the French Legion of Honor. 

Sid Edson, 100 , who dropped his bombs successfully that day and only later pondered the fact that he had been in the air the entire time – and never set foot on French soil.

And 100-year-old Robert Pedigo, who always had the feeling that on June 6, something important was going to happen. 

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS.

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Mud Bay's Good Jobs Journey

Feb 19, 2019

This 2019 MIT Sloan case by Zeynep Ton and Katie Bach describes how the executive team at Mud Bay, a privately held pet store chain based in Olympia, Washington, implemented a good jobs strategy by offering better wages and benefits and seeking to recoup the costs by increasing sales growth and lowering other expenses. The case also presents a decision that the company faced about store hours.

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Stock market today: US stocks rise ahead of big week for economic data

• US stocks kicked off the week with a slight gain on Monday as investors await a deluge of economic data.
• Manufacturing data, job openings and initial claims, and the May jobs report are set to be released throughout the week.
• The median forecast for the number of jobs added to the economy in May is 178,000.

US stocks edged higher on Monday ahead of a busy week of economic data releases.

Investors will sift through manufacturing and services data via the ISM and PMI index releases on Monday and Wednesday. 

The state of the jobs market will be in focus as well, with job openings data to be released on Tuesday, initial jobless claims set to be published on Thursday, and the May jobs report scheduled for Friday. 

Economists expect 178,000 jobs to have been added to the US economy in May, about in line with the April jobs report.

The sweet spot would be between 125,000 and 175,000 jobs added last month, according to Bank of America, as it would leave the door open for interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve without scaring investors about a potential recession. 

"Bad news has been good news for equities over the past two months (-78% correlation between the S&P 500 and USD), but if growth deteriorates too much, bad news can turn into bad news," Bank of America said in a note on Monday.

Here's where US indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. opening bell on Monday: 

• S&P 500 : 5,295.42, up 0.33%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average : 38,689.02, up 0.02% (+8.23 points)
• Nasdaq composite : 16,863.36, up 0.76%

Here's what else is going on today:

• Cathie Wood's Ark Invest missed out on a $1 billion return by selling more than 1 million shares of Nvidia at prices significantly below its current level.
• Bank of America says its second half of the year trading playbook for investors should include buying the dips in bonds.
• GameStop stock soared after Keith Gill's Reddit account posted a screenshot that suggests he owns more than $100 million worth of the video game retailer.
• Global powers are helping Ukraine by giving it money frozen from Russia. That spells bad news for companies still doing business there.

In commodities, bonds, and crypto: 

• West Texas Intermediate crude oil dropped 0.53% to $76.58 a barrel. Brent crude , the international benchmark, was lower by 0.46% to $80.74 a barrel. 
• Gold edged higher by 0.39% to $2,355.00 per ounce. 
• The 10-year Treasury yield dropped three basis points to 4.46%. 
• Bitcoin jumped 2.77% to $69,614. 

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PG&E Spotlight

Search radius Radius 5 miles 15 miles 25 miles 35 miles 50 miles 75 miles 100 miles

Electrician-General Construction, Journey-Level (Central Valley Region)

Requisition ID # 157280 

Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Electric Operations

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: Bakersfield

This job posting will be utilized to fill open Journey-level Electrician positions within the  Central Valley Region of our service territory. Open positions could become available at any time based on business needs. 

Department Overview

The people of Electric Operations ensure the delivery of safe and reliable electric service to our customers. Electric Operations is responsible for every aspect of PG&E's electric distribution and transmission operations, including planning, engineering, maintenance and construction, asset management, business planning, restoration, and emergency response.

Position Summary

This classification is represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 1245, which has over 100 years of experience representing employees at PG&E.

This position may be subject to Joint Apprentice Training Committee (JATC) review and approval. Provisional hires will be required to participate in targeted training to achieve journey-level knowledge of electrician roles and responsibilities.

General Construction (GC)

For GC positions individuals must be able to travel and transfer to a new headquarters upon request at any time, throughout the entire PG&E service territory with no guarantees as to how long you will be away from home.

• Reviews, verifies, and modifies prints and electric schematics. Lays out materials for installation, such as conduit, steel, wires, junction boxes, tools, etc. Places orders for supplies as needed.
• Moves equipment to staging area. Performs safety preparation including performing high voltage protective grounding.
• Uses power tools and hand tools to install equipment and systems, such as wire terminations, high voltage equipment, overhead and underground electrical and conduit systems, steel structures, control panels, metering and protection systems, air switches. Sets up rigging. Pulls wire.
• May operate construction equipment, if qualified, such as crane truck, man lift, boom truck, bucket truck as part of installation, excavation, and compaction. Operates forklift to move and reposition equipment.
• Uses hand and power tools, such as jackhammers, whackers, and shovels to remove and replace soil.
• Removes old high voltage equipment, structures and other impediments prior to installation using heavy equipment, rigging and other tools.
• Drives equipment on the job site (substation). May drive equipment from one job site to another. May drive a company vehicle to pick up tools or other equipment away from the job site.
• Maintains work area in a clean and safe condition. Removes trash, debris, and excess materials. Picks up and reorganizes tools.
• Overtime may be required.  

PG&E is providing the hourly rate that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This position is subject to collectively bargained hourly wage rates and increases. The starting wage rate for this position is $66.08 per hour.  This wage rate is specific to the locality of the job. The wage rate is based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess a High School diploma or GED.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver’s License
• Must show proof of  successful completion of a Union Sanctioned Inside Wireman Electrician Apprenticeship
• Ability to work in all types of weather extremes.
• Ability to drive safely in all weather and road conditions.
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If A.I. Can Do Your Job, Maybe It Can Also Replace Your C.E.O.

Chief executives are vulnerable to the same forces buffeting their employees. Leadership is important, but so is efficiency — and cost-cutting.

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By David Streitfeld

Reporting from San Francisco

As artificial intelligence programs shake up the office, potentially making millions of jobs obsolete, one group of perpetually stressed workers seems especially vulnerable.

These employees analyze new markets and discern trends, both tasks a computer could do more efficiently. They spend much of their time communicating with colleagues, a laborious activity that is being automated with voice and image generators. Sometimes they must make difficult decisions — and who is better at being dispassionate than a machine?

Finally, these jobs are very well paid, which means the cost savings of eliminating them is considerable.

The chief executive is increasingly imperiled by A.I., just like the writer of news releases and the customer service representative. Dark factories, which are entirely automated, may soon have a counterpart at the top of the corporation: dark suites.

This is not just a prediction. A few successful companies have begun to publicly experiment with the notion of an A.I. leader, even if at the moment it might largely be a branding exercise.

A.I. has been hyped as the solution to all corporate problems for about 18 months now, ever since OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT in November 2022. Silicon Valley put $29 billion last year into generative A.I. and is selling it hard. Even in its current rudimentary form, A.I. that mimics human reasoning is finding a foothold among distressed companies with little to lose and lacking strong leadership.

“In struggling companies, you’ll be replacing operational management first but probably keep a few humans to think beyond the machines,” said Saul J. Berman, a former senior consulting partner with IBM. Overall, he said, “the change delivered by A.I. in corporations will be as great or greater at the higher strategic levels of management as the lower ranks.”

Chief executives themselves seem enthusiastic about the prospect — or maybe just fatalistic.

EdX, the online learning platform created by administrators at Harvard and M.I.T. that is now a part of publicly traded 2U Inc., surveyed hundreds of chief executives and other executives last summer about the issue. Respondents were invited to take part and given what edX called “a small monetary incentive” to do so.

The response was striking. Nearly half — 47 percent — of the executives surveyed said they believed “most” or “all” of the chief executive role should be completely automated or replaced by A.I. Even executives believe executives are superfluous in the late digital age.

When Anant Agarwal, the founder of edX and a former director of M.I.T.’s Computer Science and A.I. Lab, first saw the 47 percent, his initial response was that the executives should be saying something else entirely.

“My first instinct is they would say, ‘Replace all the employees but not me,’” he said. “But I thought more deeply and would say 80 percent of the work that a C.E.O. does can be replaced by A.I.”

That includes writing, synthesizing, exhorting the employees. More subtly, A.I. — if it reaches any of the levels its salespeople are promising — will democratize the job of top management even while scaling it back.

“There used to be a curve of people who were good with numerical skills and those who were not,” Mr. Agarwal said. “Then the calculator came along and was the great equalizer. I believe A.I. will do the same thing for literacy. Everybody could be C.E.O.”

Working for the robots has been a long time coming, at least in the realm of popular culture. Perhaps the first use of the phrase “robot-boss” was in 1939 in a story by David C. Cooke in a pulp magazine called simply Science Fiction. It was not an empowering tale of mentorship and mutual support.

“Remember,” the robot-boss says, “my photon gun will shoot faster than you can run, so don’t try to get away.”

Many science fiction stories and movies followed that portrayed the human-machine relationship in an equally dark light. Nevertheless, real people seemed to perversely warm to the idea. In a 2017 survey of 1,000 British workers commissioned by an online accounting firm, 42 percent said they would be “comfortable” taking orders from a computer.

Long before the current A.I. boom, Jack Ma, then the chief executive of the Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba, predicted that in 30 years “a robot will likely be on the cover of Time magazine as the best C.E.O.” He pointed out that robots were quicker and more rational than humans, and were not driven by emotions like anger.

The Chinese online game company NetDragon Websoft, which has 5,000 employees, appointed what it calls an “A.I.-driven rotating C.E.O.” named Tang Yu in 2022. “We believe A.I. is the future of corporate management,” said the company’s founder, Dejian Liu, adding that it was part of NetDragon’s move into the “metaverse-based working community.”

Tang Yu, who is personified as a woman, does not appear on an online chart of NetDragon’s management team, but the company announced last month that she had won “the coveted title of ‘China’s Best Virtual Employee of the Year’” at the China Digital Human Industry Forum. Another executive picked up the award for her. NetDragon’s A.I. employee team is in charge of performance evaluations and mentoring, among other duties, the company says.

On the other side of the world, the upscale Polish rum company Dictador announced in November that it had an A.I. humanoid C.E.O., Mika. She proclaimed on LinkedIn that she was “devoid of personal bias, ensuring unbiased and strategic choices that prioritize the organization’s best interests.”

Executives with the National Association of Chief Executive Officers might have something to say about this trend — if only to deny it — but its website does not list any actual human beings affiliated with the group. A message sent through a “contact us” prompt received no reply.

A.I. experts, the human kind, cautioned that we are still at the beginning of any transition but said this is a natural progression.

“We’ve always outsourced effort. Now we’re outsourcing intelligence,” said Vinay Menon, who leads the global A.I. practice at the consultant Korn Ferry. He warned that “while you may not need the same number of leaders, you will still need leadership.”

For one thing, humans provide accountability in a way that machines do not. “A.I. may be exploited by some as a way to shield folks from having to take fiduciary responsibility,” said Sean Earley, a managing director of the executive consulting firm Teneo. “At what point does it become culpable for a mistake?”

“Never” was the position one company took in court recently. A customer brought a case against Air Canada for declining to give the bereavement fare reduction that a chatbot on the airline’s site had promised. The customer took his complaint to a small claims tribunal. Air Canada argued in its defense that it cannot be held liable for information provided by one of its agents, servants or representatives — including a chatbot.

The judge ruled against the airline and in favor of the passenger in February, but the specter of a company’s arguing that its own A.I. could not be trusted did not bode well for A.I. management teams. Air Canada declined to comment.

Much of the discussion over the last year about A.I. in the workplace has revolved around how rank-and-file employees are at risk unless they incorporate new technology into their jobs — without, of course, letting their jobs become A.I. Automation historically puts workers at risk even as it benefits investors and managers.

Now the tables are turned. Researchers speculate that automation on the executive level could even help lower-level workers.

“Someone who is already quite advanced in their career and is already fairly self-motivated may not need a human boss anymore,” said Phoebe V. Moore, professor of management and the futures of work at the University of Essex Business School. “In that case, software for self-management can even enhance worker agency.”

The pandemic prepared people for this. Many office workers worked from home in 2020, and quite a few still do, at least several days a week. Communication with colleagues and executives is done through machines. It’s just a small step to communicating with a machine that doesn’t have a person at the other end of it.

“Some people like the social aspects of having a human boss,” Ms. Moore said. “But after Covid, many are also fine with not having one.”

David Streitfeld writes about technology and the people who make it and how it affects the world around them. He is based in San Francisco. More about David Streitfeld

Explore Our Coverage of Artificial Intelligence

News  and Analysis

Google appears to have rolled back its new A.I. Overviews  after the technology produced a litany of untruths and errors.

OpenAI said that it has begun training a new flagship A.I. model  that would succeed the GPT-4 technology that drives its popular online chatbot, ChatGPT.

Elon Musk’s A.I. company, xAI, said that it had raised $6 billion , helping to close the funding gap with OpenAI, Anthropic and other rivals.

The Age of A.I.

After some trying years during which Mark Zuckerberg could do little right, many developers and technologists have embraced the Meta chief  as their champion of “open-source” A.I.

D’Youville University in Buffalo had an A.I. robot speak at its commencement . Not everyone was happy about it.

A new program, backed by Cornell Tech, M.I.T. and U.C.L.A., helps prepare lower-income, Latina and Black female computing majors  for A.I. careers.

The Biden Administration's labor department is hitting the road for 'Good Jobs Summer'

• Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su is launching a nationwide tour to promote good jobs.
• The tour aims to highlight the importance of good jobs in pivotal swing states.
• The initiative addresses job quality through equitable hiring, better pay, benefits, and job security.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su is hitting the road — and wants good jobs to follow.

Su is bringing the Department of Labor's " Good Jobs Principles " — a national framework for better working conditions and positions — across the country. And she's hitting several states that may prove pivotal in the 2024 election , with her first stop scheduled in Phoenix. Other stops include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Michigan.

"A good job is one that not only pays family-sustaining wages and benefits, but also one in which workers have a voice, where every worker goes home healthy and safe every day, and where families can get — in the President's words, 'some breathing room,'" Su told BI. "Throughout this summer nationwide tour, I will be highlighting the work that the Department of Labor has done with community partners on the ground to help ensure that every job is a good one, and that every worker feels the commitment that this Administration has made to fight for them."

The tour comes as the Biden Administration faces a continued mismatch between economic reality and perceptions. While the labor market is booming, and wages are still going up, many Americans have felt continually dreary about their economic outlooks over the past few years — what some have termed the vibecession.

But the labor market has emerged as one bright spot and bolstered Americans' perception of the economy in the latest reading of the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index .

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"The Biden Administration has made improving job quality for this country's workers a priority—and we're seeing those efforts pay off," Su said.

As part of the tour kickoff, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will also announce the city's commitment to the Good Jobs Principles. When city officials sign on to the initiative, they commit to the framework as they seek federal funding for different types of projects.

It's the DOL's latest attempt at promoting the idea of "good jobs," and making them more widespread. Part of Su's guiding edicts is to fill the economy with jobs that provide workers security, stability, good pay, and benefits. The Good Jobs Principles framework outlines eight hallmarks of what makes a job good quality; that includes hiring and recruitment from underrepresented backgrounds and doing away with unnecessary educational or credential requirements — a major barrier for many workers. It also includes better pay, benefits, job security, and access.

"It's not just good enough that we have created these jobs when a lot of people can't get to them. So it's embedding equity in the way that we're creating these jobs, " Teresa Acuna, the senior policy advisor and deputy director of the Good Jobs Initiative, said. That could mean everything from training to a transportation voucher to childcare.

"It means taking the more comprehensive look of some of the obstacles that workers have as to why we have a lot of over-representation of people in certain types of jobs versus others," she said.

The tour stops are cities and communities that have already been actively working with the Good Jobs Initiative, as workers receive training and get to work.

"We're not parachuting in," Acuna said. "These are places we have relationships and we're probably going to be revisiting a few times in the next couple of months, but the tour is a snapshot in time of what a lot of this work has been happening already. And that's pretty exciting to us."

Are good jobs a key issue for you in this upcoming election? Contact this reporter at [email protected] .

Watch: Biden and Trump bet on Michigan for 2024, vying for union support

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