At 55, Michelle McKenney Jones retired from a 31-year career in corporate human resources and is pursuing her passion for higher education.

Fewer workers may be needed in stores as online shopping and automation make gains. Retail jobs have fallen as a result.

Hourly earnings have hovered at 4% annually. That’s not an inflation threat, but some workers say their income can’t keep up with their costs.

“Secular” sectors like health care and education, which are less economically sensitive, have been responsible for a lot of hiring.

While layoffs have been low over the last few months, the uptick signals that the labor market may be starting to lose momentum.

At 5.3%, the unemployment rate for young university graduates is at its highest in around three years, said New York Fed economist Richard Deitz.

Roughly half of international students are from China or India — and many are grad students or recent graduates permitted to work on a student visa for a time after graduation.

After hitting a peak in March 2022, the temp industry has come back down to earth.

Friday’s jobs report showed the percentage of working age people in a job or looking for one was holding at 62.7% last month.

“Marketplace Morning Report” is exploring the odd, unusual and downright weird jobs that help prop up our economy.