Recession Proof Jobs

We need to be honest, there are no jobs that are recession or depression proof. No position is guaranteed to survive cutbacks, changes in economic policy or social evolution. There are, however, positions which are highly resistant to these elements and which provide the most secure employment opportunities. The down side of this is that if you are already established in a profession that finds itself at risk, the act of changing to one of the safer careers is more than a bit difficult. For instance, one of the professions which makes everyone's list is health care. If you are a doctor, nurse or physical therapist your position is considered relatively safe. If you aren't one of these, you only need to attend medical school or other intense training for a few years and you are in, no problem. We all realize it is not that easy, but if you are just starting out and are undecided about which profession to pursue, here are a few solid options. In almost every case this remains only opinion, as things continue to change and the U.S. economy reinvents itself. It is quite possible the economy and environment that emerges from this recession will have no resemblance to what we knew before.

As mentioned, the health care industry is one of the safest. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others are currently in demand and are very likely to remain so. While some medical facilities will be affected by the downturned economy, people will still need to receive medical care, and someone has to be there to provide it.

Another thriving field is the area of computer programmer. Cisco recently released statistics which showed there is a shortage of computer network designers to the tune of 60,000 positions. This shortage is expected to last through 2011 or beyond. People who can work on and program computers will remain in high demand for the foreseeable future.

Teachers will remain in high demand, and bilingual teachers most especially. While the teaching field in general will be solid, the best positions are those in higher education. More and more a collage education is required in order to obtain any upper paying job. Someone has to be there to provide this education and training.

The energy sector as well as certain portions of the environmental sector will also remain strong career opportunities. With emphasis on alternate energy sources and making a more efficient energy grid, there will be a high demand for skilled and talented people.

With money being tight and the financial world in turmoil, there will still remain a strong need for accountants and financial planners to help people who still have money to hang onto it. This field has been strong in the past and should remain so as people and corporations will continue to have a need which cannot be easily outsourced.

You will need to do your research, but one sector expected to have above average needs is in the area of engineering. While all elements of this sector will not be strong there will be areas in demand and which should provide stable and dependable long term employment opportunities.

What can you hope for if you don't have a degree and you can't afford to go back to school just now. There are opportunities for you to earn a living, although the selections available may not be at the top of your list. These jobs are not for everyone, but if you can fill the need, the jobs are there and they are reasonably secure.

Police Officer - with the poor economy the crime rate is expected to rise. While cities may cut back on certain city services, it will be rare for a city to eliminate officers during a time of high crime.

Detention Officer - as more people are arrested and put in jail, the more the need for detention officers. Nearly all detention facilities are in a constant higher mode and are always looking for a solid job candidate. The work can be rough and is not for everyone, but it is there, and it is not likely to be going anywhere any time soon.

Sales person - If you are a good sales person you will always be in demand. When times are hard the your pay may suffer, but companies will still need sales reps. This is also a career you can take classes by which to better prepare yourself. You should be assertive, confident, and know your product. Good money in good times, and a safe position which times get a little harder.

Other positions which will remain in demand include auto mechanic, small engine repair, and Morticians, though the last one will require considerably more training and is again one of those professions which is not for everyone. Overall you want to stay away from jobs which can be easily outsourced to overseas. You should also be leery of careers in construction, restaurants and in general retail. Manufacturing positions are down at this time, and not expected to rebound any time soon. Another strong area will be the entertainment arena. The United States should remain a strong global supplier to the world in this area for quite some time to come. Another area people turn too in bad economic times is the military. There are obvious drawbacks here, but the work is steady and you can get valuable training which will help you when you get out. The fact it looks as though we may be exiting Iraq brings makes this opportunity a bit more appealing for many.

Whichever path you choose, make your decision carefully, it could well affect the rest of your life.