As wise-beyond-her-adolescent-years Diane remarked to her chemically challenged love interest in the 1996 film classic Trainspotting, "You're not getting any younger, Mark. The world is changing, music is changing, even drugs are changing. You can't stay in here all day, dreaming about heroin and Ziggy Pop." Even though Diane was wrong about the name of punk's godfather, her words ring true nine years later. And as the world changes, so do the jobs needed in the ever-shifting labor market.

As of September, the number of people unemployed due to job loss stood at 3.7 million (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics). Another 362,000 have simply stopped looking for work in the belief that jobs in their fields have dried up. And no, not all of them are wondering why no one is throwing buckets of cash at their Irish-lit degrees. Let's start with some basic economics. You don't have to be Alan Greenspan to know that job availability comes down to the basic principle of supply and demand. And outsourcing has keenly affected that balance. Although seemingly cold and anti-American, seeking cheap labor is actually all-too American, even if it means outsourcing jobs to other countries. In the '90s, a host of new jobs with fancy titles and super-cool office furniture opened up, thanks to the Internet. But along with all the new work created by the tech boom, a number of jobs, such as typesetting, drafting, and a good number of administrative positions changed dramatically or went out the door entirely. Those with old-school jobs either had to learn new skills or find new careers altogether. And before anyone got too comfortable, many of the newly created jobs evaporated when the Internet bubble popped. Now, the Web is not only changing jobs yet again, but shipping them off.

Take IT for instance. Experts estimate that by the year 2010, 25 to 50 percent of IT jobs in the US will be outsourced and done more cheaply overseas. Diane Morello, a vice-president and research director at the Gartner Group (a leading provider of research and analysis about the global information-technology industry), predicts that those who remain in the field will become "IT 'versatilists', equally at ease with technical and business issues." IT companies aren't going to look at local value alone anymore. They need to compete globally, so candidates for these jobs need to recognize this trend and add necessary business skills to their repertoire.

Sure you'd like to see that arrogant IT guy - you know, the one who makes fun of your circa-1998 laptop - get laid off. But the trend will fly across the entire science and technology spectrum.

"I think we face a real issue," says Frank Levy, professor of economics at MIT. "On the one hand, science/technology/engineering jobs are the key to the kind of innovation that keeps the economy growing and living standards rising. On the other hand, kids are terrified of those jobs going overseas and so are afraid to train for those jobs." The National Academy of Science issued a report at the beginning of October, calling for significantly boosting scholarships for science/engineering to encourage enrollment since, in recent years American students have been entering these fields in dwindling numbers. What your mother told you growing up, as cliché as it sounds, may be the key to success in acquiring a job of the future, according to Professor Levy. "You can say that you want your kids to take as much math, science, and reading/writing as they possibly can - all of those are foundations for the kind of work that high-end jobs require."

Still, if math is not your strong point, no need to jump out the window. Jobs are out there, and some of them may surprise you. Here are five professions that should be safe for the next 20 years - or at least until they come up with a robot that can do Brando.

1) Creativity will survive
Victor Hugo once said, "There is nothing like a dream to create the future." He may have been on to something. The one human resource computers and technology cannot duplicate is creativity. Positions requiring a high level of originality should still be highly valued way down the road, because we all need the escape writers, entertainers, artists, and musicians can provide.

2) Yes, lawyers will, too
The creative work force will need protection in the next five to 10 years (you know, for when the robots take over), which is why having a law degree is likely to ensure stable employment in the coming years. Defending and securing intellectual property, among other legal endeavors, makes the field of law a thriving profession that will only become more so in time.

3) Sales and service
As online sales continue to climb, members of the service and delivery industries are more needed than ever. This is good news for professions such as drivers, pilots, airplane mechanics, and mail deliverers. The competition in these industries makes for better-paying jobs and competitive benefits. With online purchases a mouse click away, home-delivery services look like a very stable profession for a long time to come - until they invent Star Trek-like transporters.

4) Skilled labor
Another broad area technology can assist but never replace is skilled labor. Plumbers, carpenters, construction workers, painters, dental hygienists, auto mechanics - all are safe and secure.

5) Health care
As the baby boomers grow older and live longer, tending to their health-care needs will be a priority in the future. Two fields in particular are promising: home health care and nursing/retirement housing. Health care in general, whether for a hospital or an insurance company, will also see employment growth five to 10 years from now.

Jobs with positive job-growth potential for the years 2010-2020:
Marketing management
Financial services
Internet marketing
Buyer/Merchandiser
Sales
Real estate
Business-development management
Market research
Recruitment
MARCOM specialization
Teaching assistants
Adult education
Math and science teaching
Dance
Film production and direction
Acting
Content creation
Music
Art and commercial art
Writing
Reporting
Surgery
Nursing
Medical assistance
Psychotherapy
Computer-systems analysis
IT management
Web development
Database administration
Security-guard work
Intellectual-property law
Social work
Hair styling
Child-care assistance
Chef work
Waiting on tables
Physical training
Electrical engineering
Electronic-technician work
Product design
Plumbing
Flight attendance
Carpentry
Taxi driving and chauffeuring
Package delivery
Hotel and restaurant management
Driving
(* Source: www.careerplanner.com)