13 of 31

Write now Article Tools

Today's economy is extremely volatile. Just as we were recovering from the tech crash that began at the dawn of the new millennium, a larger crisis was brewing in the financial sector. The popping of the housing bubble shook Wall Street to the core and the entire country felt its dire consequences in the form of foreclosures and mass layoffs.

Despite all the economic gloom and doom, several sectors of the economy are showing surprising resilience. While the financial, housing, construction, retail, and technology sectors are caught in a severe downturn with layoffs across the board, other sectors have continued to prosper and to add jobs. In this article, we'll take a look at the Top 5 recession-proof careers.

5) Government. With a growing wave of baby boom retirees, the Federal Government is in need of a few good men and women. While no job is ever guaranteed, our government generally offers greater job security and a coveted benefits package. Additionally, some government jobs offer transit and cost of living subsidies. State and local government is another option.

4) Security and Intelligence Jobs. In our day and age, security and intelligence are both a top priority. A poor economy and the threat of terrorism makes these occupations even more critical. Security jobs include police officers; security personnel in hotels, government offices, schools, and retail establishments; investigators; loss prevention specialists; and electronic security specialists. Intelligence jobs are in demand particularly in Federal Government agencies (e.g., CIA and FBI) and the military.

3) Education. As long as babies fill maternity wards in hospitals worldwide, the need for skilled educators will never abate. But it's not just children who need schooling; the market for adult education is growing stronger each day. And in today's environment of job losses, adults who find themselves suddenly without a job often opt for retraining in their field or education in a new field altogether.

2) Healthcare. Healthcare jobs can be demanding and stressful, with long hours and lots of time on your feet. But the fact of the matter is that these jobs are in hot demand, and the need for skilled healthcare workers is growing each day. Healthcare careers such as dental assistants, nurses, doctors, technicians, office assistants, health insurance specialists, physician assistants, nursing home workers, receptionists, and home health care workers will grow exponentially with the baby boom generation beginning to retire.

1) Green Jobs. As part of his plan to fix the U.S. economy, President Barack Obama has promised to add five million new "green collar" jobs. These jobs include positions in green technology, renewable energy production, green building, conservation, and research and development. The goal is to increase the role of renewables in America's energy mix in addition to reducing global warming and our reliance on fossil fuels.

While other sectors of the U.S. economy falter, these recession-proof career fields will continue to add jobs in the years to come.

Learn more about this author, Daniel J. Gansle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Recession-proof careers?
We want to hear your view. Write now!