15 Hot Jobs in a Depression - Even in the worst of times, some career fields will thrive

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

A depression spells bad news for workers. The last time this country's economy saw such a painful downturn, 1 in 4 American workers was unemployed and looking for work. The unemployment rate was 24.9 percent in 1933, according to Labor Department data.

Of course, that means that 75 percent of workers were employed. So, while most Americans would suffer in a depression, some careers should remain strong, maybe even be bolstered. Here's a look at 15 career fields with particular resilience:

Accounting: Bad economic times increase businesses' and individuals' desire to wisely account for every last dollar.

Education: Even in the current slowdown, our political leaders seem committed to education spending, and voters continue to pass education bonds to upgrade facilities.

Entertainment: During the Great Depression, the movie industry boomed as people craved escapism and had time to burn. That would very likely be the same today: The film, video game, sports, and creative arts industries should remain viable.

Utilities: This is the classic defensive stock investment. Even in the worst of times, utilities stay cranking.

Home, car, commercial, and industrial repair: In a bad economy, the rule is—don't replace, repair. It doesn't just go for you and your 12-year-old sedan or your leaky toilet. In a depression, struggling car manufacturers will more often opt to repair than replace a balky welding robot.

Alternative energy: Despite all the media attention to solar and wind energy, it's possible that the nuclear industry would, over the next decade, create the most jobs.

Health care: The jobs with the most security include registered nurses, physician assistants, internal medicine physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, and physical therapy assistants.

Law firms: If they specialize in discrimination law, immigration law, or sexual harassment—they'll still need plenty of employees.

Law enforcement: In tough times, the level of crime tends to increase.

Community colleges: Many people return to school for retraining when they're unable to land a good job. Even people with college degrees will turn to community colleges because they typically teach technical skills and offer practical, career-related training at a price that's affordable—even in a depression.

Senior services: There's a wide range of industries and fields that will most likely continue to benefit from baby boomers getting older, including senior housing, home retrofitting, geriatric care management, and, of course, the aforementioned healthcare.

Vice industries: Sex tends to sell well in a depression, as does liquor.

Clergy: People seek spiritual support in tough times.

Repossession, foreclosure, and debt collection: When borrowers can't pay back their loans on homes or cars or credit cards, someone has to collect and evict. If you're a car person, there will be jobs repossessing giant SUVs from borrowers who took advantage of no-qualification loans even when they knew it was more than they could afford.

Government (especially homeland security, health care, accounting/auditing, information technology, and taxes): Government has the power to collect taxes in good times and bad. It may be the last bastion of secure employment, requiring 40-hour workweeks and offering ample sick days, holidays, and vacation days.

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/ca...depression.html

[Y's_habibitk 2]

I was just tellign some co workers today "thank god we're in healthcare". Thank god im in the accounting piece of it..doubley safe lol

[Teacher Mark 53]

Entertainment: During the Great Depression, the movie industry boomed as people craved escapism and had time to burn. That would very likely be the same today: The film, video game, sports, and creative arts industries should remain viable.

America always needs truckers too.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Entertainment: During the Great Depression, the movie industry boomed as people craved escapism and had time to burn. That would very likely be the same today: The film, video game, sports, and creative arts industries should remain viable.

I read an article a few weeks ago that stated NYC Broadway was down substantially though. I'm with the Movin' Out tour now. The producer told me they are holding steady and have plans to tour through 2010.

America always needs truckers too.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Joe Six-Pack

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

America always needs truckers too.

Yeah, the teleporter is still a few decades away

[Teacher Mark 53]

America always needs truckers too.

Yeah, the teleporter is still a few decades away

If our civilization doesn't destroy itself I can see that becoming reality. I would think robotic land crawlers would be the next logical step though.

[jundp 191]

I'm always grateful to be a teacher, more because I don't consider it a "job" since I really love it. Hate the pay and the extensive grading, but love the job. It's true that it's pretty much always a safe job. There is always a need for good teacher.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I would think robotic land crawlers would be the next logical step though.

Perhaps. Where would they crawl though? On our highways? I don't think I'd wanna drive next to a robotic land crawler

I'm always grateful to be a teacher, more because I don't consider it a "job" since I really love it. Hate the pay and the extensive grading, but love the job. It's true that it's pretty much always a safe job. There is always a need for good teacher.

Some teachers around here are being told their contracts won't be renewed next year because the districts budget will be smaller...

[peejay 327]

As much as it is maligned, the US oil industry is vital even in tough times. It provides thousands of good paying jobs with benefits to Americans. Oil and natural gas will not be replaced anytime soon, no matter how much the oil companies are despised. It is a real industry that produces real products and real jobs of value. Unlike the financial shenanigans sector of the economy and the dot.busts.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Sometimes i wish i could just ditch this paper-pushin' gig and become a voice-over artist.

That's what i'd really like to do....

[William33 110]

A depression spells bad news for workers. The last time this country's economy saw such a painful downturn, 1 in 4 American workers was unemployed and looking for work. The unemployment rate was

Law enforcement (and Security): In tough times, the level of crime tends to increase.

How true that is.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Perhaps. Where would they crawl though? On our highways? I don't think I'd wanna drive next to a robotic land crawler.

Don't go ruining my flights of fancy with problematic questions A.J.!

I guess the right lanes could be reserved for the LC's. That would make the traffic that merging onto the interstate a problem, but there could be lights at all of the on ramps. Then there's the possibility of Robo Rigs. They've been working on them already. The trucking industry would love to phase out the portion of the semi that talks!

Sometimes i wish i could just ditch this paper-pushin' gig and become a voice-over artist.

That's what i'd really like to do....

I was thinking about that the other day!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... there could be lights at all of the on ramps.

:o

As if traffic on I-287 down here wasn't bad enough already.

Then there's the possibility of Robo Rigs.

What is that?

[Teacher Mark 53]

... there could be lights at all of the on ramps.

:o

As if traffic on I-287 down here wasn't bad enough already.

Then there's the possibility of Robo Rigs.

What is that?

My term for a rig that would drive itself. There was a portion of I-5 near San Diego that was built with strips in the center of the lanes for test cars to navigate. I first heard about it in 2000. I'm sure they're still working on the concept.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I feel very fortunate to be working in the video gaming industry and my company is doing well so far...but I'm anxious for my wife to pass all the necessary board exams so that we are less dependent on my economic viability. Right now, we're essentially living off of my salary alone.