Source: http://nigerianbeacon.com
If you're pursuing one of these careers, you may want to think about changing your focus. Check out these five alternatives instead.

It's been said that if you're not growing, you're dying. Well, that seems true when it comes to careers, too. Unfortunately, in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, sometimes it's hard to predict which jobs will be winners and which will be losers. But understanding the likely trajectory of your chosen field will be crucial to your professional success.

"People need to ensure that they're in an industry, or working to enter one, that has long-term potential and security," says Debra Wheatman, a certified professional career coach and president of Careers Done Write. She says that if you're not careful, you could find yourself putting your best earning years into a dead-end job.

Or worse: By the time you do see the light, you might be stuck. "A career change often times means you have to start over at a more junior level," says Wheatman, "If you have a family or other debt obligations, it could be really difficult. These things have to be considered."

With your professional future in mind, we combed the U.S. Department of Labor, the authority on the nation's job trends, to find five common careers that may not be so common by 2020. And while they might not be completely phased out by then, they'll likely be either on their last legs or barely staying afloat.

And yet there is a silver lining. We also identified five alternatives that the Department of Labor says have a more promising future. Read on to see if your career goals are destined for success, or headed to the unemployment line.

* Dying Career #1: Desktop Publisher

Desktop publishing was revolutionary during the printed media era, helping organizations avoid the cost and complications of using large printing presses to print everything from advertisements to magazines. Today, desktop publishers still design layouts with computer software for newspapers, books, and other printed media, says the U.S. Department of Labor, but the printing party has come to an end.

Projected decline: According to the Department of Labor, desktop publisher jobs are expected to decline by 15 percent from 2010 to 2020. That's a total of 3,300 lost jobs, which is sizable considering the profession had only 22,600 jobs in 2010.

Why it's dying: The Department says that advances in user-friendly desktop publishing software will allow other workers, such as graphic designers and copyeditors, to perform the tasks desktop publishers do now. Automation will also lead to job loss. Finally, the Department says, opportunities in desktop publishing will be stronger "for those with a degree in graphic design or a related field."

Which begs the question: Why not consider...

Alternative Career: Graphic Designer

Not only does the career of graphic designer have a better outlook for job growth, according to the Department, it also gives you the opportunity to be more creative. That's because graphic designers use computer software, and sometimes even draw by hand, to create visual concepts for logos, websites, or product illustrations.

Projected Growth: The Department projects graphic designer jobs to grow by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, which translates to 37,300 possible new jobs.

Why it's growing: The Department says that due to the increased use of the Internet, graphic designers will be needed to create layouts and images for such things as websites, electronic publications, portable devices, and video entertainment media.

"Companies need artists to create packaging, branding, marketing/PR materials, trade show/billboard signage, online and print ...

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