Starting Out
Recession-Proof Careers
These five fields offer job stability in any economy. Plus, learn how to recession-proof your career, whatever your industry.
By Erin Burt, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com
March 26, 2008
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Talk of a recession and creeping unemployment rates are enough to make you wonder: Where can you find stability in unstable times?
Job security may not be your top criteria when choosing a job. But whether you're selecting your first career path or making a switch, it's worthy of consideration, especially in light of the current economic situation. There is no job that has 100% security, says Randall Hansen of Quintcareers.com. However, "workers in certain industries can have more comfort in knowing that, even if they are fired, there is so much demand they should be able to find another [job] very quickly," he says.
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We consulted career experts and combed through job trend data to come up with five industries that should provide safer havens to workers, no matter what the economy is doing.
Health care
Many of the nation's fastest-growing careers are in the health care industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An increasingly aging population fuels demand in this field. And these careers should stay in demand for years to come. Some specific jobs with stable prospects include doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist and physician assistant.
Education
Just as everyone will always need a doctor, the need for teachers isn't going away either. Teachers for any grade level who specialize in high-demand fields such as math, science or bilingual education should have an easier time finding and keeping a job. And the outlook for college instructors looks stable, too. College enrollment is rising as the number of 18- to 24-year-olds increases. And more adults are returning to school to enhance career prospects.
Some areas of the country are more stable than others for teachers because education jobs follow population trends. So teachers in fast-growing states in the South and West, such as Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Georgia, will have more opportunity than in slower-growth areas in the Midwest and Northeast, according to the BLS. Inner cities tend to have more sustained demand than rural or suburban areas.
Security
Crime doesn't stop in a recession. That makes security jobs, such as police officers, detectives, private security guards and international security experts, a good bet. Layoffs in this industry are rare, according to the BLS. In the off-chance law enforcement officers lose their jobs to budget cuts, they have little difficulty finding jobs with other agencies because demand is so high.
Environmental sciences
The current "green" movement reaches far beyond changing your light bulbs to fluorescents. It's also translating into a solid career choice. The BLS expects environmental careers, including ecologists, hydrologists, environmental chemists and others, to grow 25% over the next decade -- much higher than the average for other occupations.
Demand will be driven as the population increases and moves to environmentally sensitive locations. Plus, there's an increased need to monitor our impact on the environment and to help planners and developers build in ways that protect water resources and that use land more efficiently, says the BLS.
Government
Some of the most stable jobs around are within the federal government, where firings and lay-offs happen at just one-quarter the rate in the private sector, according to the BLS. One reason: Even in hard economic times when big businesses are forced to downsize, the government must carry on. And only one in every 5,000 non-defense workers is ever fired for poor performance each year, says the Cato Institute. Those are pretty nice odds.
Due to an increasingly aging workforce, the government is doing a lot of hiring lately, especially among the 20-something crowd. Uncle Sam hires workers across a broad range of fields from accounting to zoology. See Should You Work for Uncle Sam? to learn more.
No college degree?
Workers without a higher education may have a harder time finding a stable career with a good paycheck, says Hansen. But possibilities exist. The key is to look for jobs that cannot be outsourced overseas. Hospitality and retail are stable industries for workers without a four-year degree. Health care is also a good field, particularly such jobs as home health aid and medical or dental assistant. Electrician and auto mechanic are also durable choices.
It's worth your while, however, to get as much education as possible. "Doing so leads to more career opportunities, better job security and higher wages," Hansen says.
Recession-proof your career
No matter what field you work in, you have the possibility of losing your job. But there are things you can do to protect yourself and increase your odds of getting another job, just in case.
"People should never be complacent," says Hansen. "While you do not have to be job-hunting everyday, people should be proactive about their careers." That means always keeping your resume current and building a professional network in your field.
You should also work to promote yourself within the company, says Hansen. Try to position yourself as the go-to person, and keep an eye out for ways you can save the company money or increase profits in tough times. Volunteer quickly for assignments, be cheerful, maintain high visibility and follow up with your boss to keep him or her abreast of your accomplishments. See How to Avoid Getting Fired for more tips.
Reader Comments (40)
Posted by: Bob at 03/27/2008 11:27:19 AM
I am a state government environmental engineer. From my perspective what is fueling the need for more environmental scientists is the current wave of retirements. Consider that the environmental movement took off in the early 1970s with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the huge amounts of loan funds Congress made available to build better wastewater treatment plants. All the people hired at that time (industry and state governments ramped up too) are now nearing retirement. Most of my colleagues and I will be gone in 10 years.
Posted by: Ted at 03/27/2008 11:41:03 AM
Education? Sorry, but here in Phoenix, AZ teachers are getting laid off. As for the shortage of math and sciencd teachers that is really on a school by school basis (ie: better schools have no trouble hiring while weaker schools with myriad of problems including poor working conditions have trouble in hiring teachers in just about any subject.)
Posted by: chaztv at 03/27/2008 03:01:26 PM
...this is what we've come to in the U.S.: good jobs in fear-related industries (healthcare and security), bureaucracy (government and environmental), and educating students for careers in same.
Posted by: Mark at 03/28/2008 12:21:44 AM
chaztv, you are correct....I live in Ohio...globalization has destroyed everything else...
Posted by: raza at 03/28/2008 11:25:38 AM
You are forgetting companies that provide telecommunications for TV. People will always need their cable/satellite.
Posted by: sid at 03/28/2008 01:30:07 PM
The best way to have control over your career is to be your own boss. Develop the essential skills you need to run a business competently. Then as your market grows hire other people and train them to work for you competently. So if it comes down to layoffs, the last person laid off is you when you close the door and turn out the lights. Choose a field that provides a service that has less competition due to the nature of the work: waste management, for example, or one that requires specialized training so you aren't competing with every Joe-wannabe who decides to open a business, for example, environmental hazard remediation (i.e. cleanup of asbestos, black mold, methamphetamine labs). Perform for your customers with skill and show excellent service to their needs, and you'll stay employed...
Posted by: Mike at 03/29/2008 10:18:52 AM
I tell my kids -- Be the man, don't work for the man. I have worked for Fortune 500 companies for much of my career and have become the man in the grey flannel suit, who, even if the work is done and I am regarded as a high performer, still worries if I am staying late enough, etc.
Posted by: Margie at 03/29/2008 07:28:26 PM
If you are lucky enough to live near a sea or airport, the world of logistics offers a security I liken to stocks and bonds. When the economy is down, exports are up, when not, imports will keep your head above water.
Posted by: Will at 04/09/2008 09:26:29 AM
Another way that certainly helped me to keep gainfully employed through several layoffs over 25 years is to be flexible. Besides getting as much applicable education as possible, also learn as much about your job, and about other positions as you can. You are more valuable to an employer if you can be assigned different jobs/positions as the business changes. A lot of people loose their jobs due to re-organization and acquisitions because they are too limited on what services they can provide to the new organization.
Posted by: Cathi at 04/11/2008 06:08:49 AM
No matter the job you're in, always learn everything you can. Valuable job skills can be gleaned from EVERY job--even unskilled and entry level--if you keep an open mind and let your employer know you are eager to learn. It also makes you stand out from the crowd of folks that merely "do the time" and leads to good references. You never know where that manager will be 5 years from now and believe me they'll remember your drive.
Posted by: Matt at 04/13/2008 08:11:03 PM
What if you do have a bachelors degree in business, what are some positions or industires that I would be better off looking into at the moment...
Posted by: Jason at 04/22/2008 11:19:48 AM
Environmental Sciences ????? Whatever ? I got a B.S. in Environmental Science and have had pure hell ever since, you might as well get a law degree because all your going to be doing is reading law books and making sure the chemical plants & refineries don't bust their limits, and if they do, big deal, nothing really happens to them. They pay a fine and move on. It's cheaper for them to pay the fines than it is for them to fix their problems. Trust me, don't go through four years of hell only to be paid a third of what a lawyer makes, you'll basically be doing the same work. To me, it was a huge mistake.
Posted by: margaret at 04/25/2008 02:07:44 AM
In health care, please don't forget nurse practitioners. They are, I think, an important part of health care now, and will be in the future.
Posted by: Jan at 04/25/2008 01:18:01 PM
Make yourself indispensable, wherever you are, if you want to stay there. Outwork your competition.
Posted by: Lorie at 04/28/2008 10:11:03 AM
As an RN for many years, it is a stable profession, and if you are flexible you can always find work. That stablilty has a price. Where you start financially is about where you end up years later. There is not much growth in real dollars. Current starting salary (in GA) is $40K and you top out at $60K with 25-30 years experience(add a few % for nights and weekends). It is a great starting salary, not much on the growth side. Most hospitals will only pay you for a max of 10-15 years experience. Hospitals pay the best, but the work is very physical and hard in that respect. Pay in doctors offices etc. is generally many dollars less. The business side of health care pays much better than the patient care side - and the benefits and bonuses were much better on the business side in my experience.
Posted by: Marshall Swann at 05/02/2008 01:15:00 PM
As a RN I took time off to raise my children, I got a job immediately when i decided to return. It only took a month or two to catch up on new meds and procedures. Started in 2002 at 54,000. now make 77,000. Not bad for not for not working for so many year and only having a BS.
Posted by: J.DJOHNSON at 05/22/2008 11:27:33 AM
I WONDER HOW SECURE YOUR JOB LIST WOULD BE WITHOUT YOUR MILITARY..
Posted by: Jill at 06/16/2008 04:47:43 PM
Education, particularly bilingual is in high demand right now. I've had no trouble getting jobs as we have had to move with the military. The military would be one...overlooked.
Posted by: D Harvey at 06/25/2008 08:41:12 PM
After 29 years with a major bank, I was layed off due to outsourcing. That was 5 months ago. Although I spent 24 years of those years in management, every position out there at that level requires a degree, which I don't have. As for Retail, no one can survive on the pay except in management and they won't promote without a degree either. Looks like I'll be going back to school.
Posted by: kris at 07/13/2008 08:04:59 PM
Health care isn't the best choice since you can work only where you can get licensed and that is often put into the hands of a small handful of biased people on a state licensing board. They can be very abusive and can easily revoke a license for no legitimate reason and there is no due process in the system. I'm a dentist and I lost my business, community and reputation because of something bad done to me by a Board member (Maine) and have been trying to get a career back elsewhere for several years. The education is long and costly and you have to pass thorough examinations to get a license in the first place, but they have to prove nothing to get rid of you....horrible system and it harms the public because there are shortages of doctors and dentists in a lot of places.
Posted by: Robin at 10/12/2008 12:40:40 PM
Don't forget military service. I've served as an officer in the armed forces through two financial crises now (2001-02 and 2008) with little fear of losing my job. The only thing I fear is inflation, same as other professional sectors. Another big advantage to serving is the tremendous tax benefit - significant portions of your pay are tax exempt and even a short stint (as little as 3 months) anywhere in the Middle East can significantly reduce your tax burden to almost nothing, not to mention extra compensation including Combat and Family Separation Pay (also non-taxable). Another military benefit is the guaranteed 30 days of leave (vacation) earned per year, up to 75 days cumulative - which means that as long as you're not deployed, by law you are guaranteed far more vacation days than most businesses even come close too. Finally, the military health benefits are second to none - if you serve a full career, you have medical care for LIFE, not to mention a pension that is equaled to HALF OR MORE of your pay when you retire. Also, medical care in service is designed to keep you in prime condition and you are often granted extensive time to recover from an injury illness, INSTEAD of being laid off. ..Also, don't discount military service due to the efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan either - while its absolutely possible that one could end up serving in one of those regions, the majority of the military remains in garrison supporting the effort and other missions from the states, Asia, or Europe. Unless the federal government goes broke, there will be a monthly paycheck and chances of being laid off are slim to none. (exception: budget politics that froze all fed. gov't pay in the late 1990s).
Posted by: Stephen at 10/13/2008 04:43:16 PM
I beleive I have a recession proof job you guys missed, we are a GC and I run the insurance restoration part of our company, no matter the economy storms, fire's, accidents ETC still happen, we actually hired people this year and in this economy.
Posted by: Joe Honick at 10/13/2008 06:03:06 PM
For the lucky person in the military who never worried about losing his job, he apparently did not know how many reductions in force have taken place that put many officers into civvies. The one recession proof job you left out: funderal directors. Cheers!
Posted by: Damian at 10/18/2008 01:57:26 PM
Everybody forgets the hvac/r guys. Everybody needs there supermarket refrigeration running at all times. No matter what time of year it it is.
Posted by: Robert Labossiere at 11/08/2008 02:53:24 PM
During tough economic times, what we generally call "vices" probably fare well. Bars and liquor stores, for example, and the distilleries that supply them. Prostitution probably increases. Also smuggling, loan sharking, drug dealing, petty theft, though I'd guess you couldn't really call any of these "safe havens" exactly or recommend them as career choices :) I wonder about the impact on the media/marketing industries. Will people watch more or less television? Will it be better or worse quality? Do people advertise more to better compete, or less?
Posted by: TheGasMan at 11/20/2008 08:10:54 AM
Hmmmmmm. I would say mine is pretty secure. As a gas tanker driver.
Posted by: OL White at 11/20/2008 08:59:26 AM
This is an excellent time to join a energy company as a consultant. Some companies will allow you to work from home. Such duties may include finding lower rates for the consumer on their gas and electricity bill.
Posted by: Marianne at 11/20/2008 11:28:50 AM
Don't get too cocky. As people travel less, gas prices go down and the auto industry goes belly up less demand may just mean need for less gas tanker drivers. Not wishing it on you buddy, just saying !
Posted by: Lisa at 11/20/2008 11:32:40 AM
What about the EMS field....everyone forgets about that. Someone always needs an ambulance. My job is secure.
Posted by: Art Avedisian at 11/21/2008 11:10:17 AM
Everyone of the careers you mention have to be supported by trucks. Accross the country, local or from the railhead. If there is one job that will never go away it is truck driving. By the way it takes a special person, man or women to drive a truck and live that life style.
Posted by: justin at 11/22/2008 02:35:44 PM
did you forget about collections in hard times?....I have been repossessing cars for 14 years now and i have never seen it as busy as it is now!
Posted by: Chris Norton at 01/06/2009 05:39:56 PM
Electricians are suffering due to the number of construction sites closing. This increases the number of electricians quoting for the same private jobs - forcing the prices down which has the knock-on effect of damaging smaller companies who have greater overheads etc. Unfortunately clients will in the majority opt for the cheapest price regardless of the final quality and guarantees given for the work. With the exception of medical, legal and morticians, there are probably no truly safe, recession-proof careers
Posted by: Scott at 02/01/2009 01:33:32 PM
The bureau of labor statistics figures regarding environmental science, in my experience, have been overly optimistic in both current salaries and future job growth. I have a masters degree and experience at a consulting firm and have been unable to obtain a worthwhile job for a very long time. I had been working construction to get by and now... At this point the steady jobs are in the state government, and they aren't hiring. The consulting firms that hire the rest rely a great deal on government and business contracts and infrastructure projects. All of these have dried up and the consulting firms are emptying their cubicles. Colleges make the field sound more lucrative than it is to get your money. Pursue nursing or therapy. I'm going back to school myself.
Posted by: rachel at 02/11/2009 01:18:06 PM
I agree with the previous post, this article is way off base. I am a hydrologist with five years of experience and am currently unemployed. There are NO jobs out there for me right now because of the recession; it is the opposite of recession proof!!
Posted by: Joseph at 02/27/2009 08:47:13 AM
As the previous two posts stated, environmental jobs just aren't as plentiful as everyone claims. I am a scientist with a B.S. in chemistry and I can't find work in the environmental field that pays anything worthwhile. Why go to school for four years or more only to walk into a job making $14/hour? Many of the bigger labs hire techs with minimal education and pay them nothing and then hire a chemist to ensure quality control and basically babysit. I honestly may look into agriculture, because everybody needs to eat.
Posted by: Casey at 03/01/2009 02:10:51 PM
You will never want for work if you have a commercial driver's license. Rcruiting and retaining CDL drivers is usually the top concern for every transportation company. Why such a shortage? People's driving habits and thus their driving records stand in the way. Another problem is drug testing and security background checks. If you live clean and safe, jobs in transportation are always available. They may not pay as much as some of these other careers, but they are always there. My CDL has earned me far more than my college degree.
Posted by: Aaron at 03/02/2009 10:44:33 AM
Joseph, what you are getting at is... everyone with out college needs a babysitter?
Posted by: Joseph at 03/10/2009 03:32:33 PM
Aaron, it seems that your a little too sensitive about education. I'm not implying that people without education need babysitting. I am saying that larger labs will hire people with a minimal amount of education and pay them accordingly, then hire a chemist to oversee their work. Hiring people to push buttons and tighten bolts without any idea about what they are doing only helps the businessman make more money by paying people less. Unfortunately, positions that should be open to people with the proper training and background go to those who shouldn't be there in the first place. I'm sure that is why headhunting agencies do well. They hire people that are underqualified and bounce them around from one job to the next. A degree doesn't mean you'll do a job better than someone without one. I have seen plenty of people cycle through the lab I work in that have degrees from big name colleges that shouldn't be allowed to work with dangerous chemicals or equipment. The degree doesn't make the person, it's their work ethic and knowledge base.
Posted by: Cherry at 04/01/2009 04:46:26 PM
What about all these teacher layoffs in GA????
Posted by: Kim at 04/20/2009 09:40:26 PM
Just curious about something. I have an interview in May for an enrollment counselor position in AZ for a University. It comes with a base pay and comm/bonuses. I would be relocating from New England. Do you think it's a safe job? I and my husband are both out of work, living in RI with no job prospects in sight. Please advise.