Top 10 Recession-Proof Jobs in 2010

Posted by College Spot in Top 10 Lists

In 2010, unemployment remains around 10% as companies nationwide continue significant cutbacks in spending and workforce. With more and more experienced and established workers vying for the same jobs once virtually guaranteed to those fresh out of college, today’s college graduates must seek recession-proof professions and careers in order to ensure future employment.

While there is no such thing as absolute job security, jobs exist in which you are comparatively more likely to maintain employment, despite various funding cuts, layoffs, and business closings prevalent in recession economies. Also, keep in mind that it may be best to search for employment in industries lacking heavy competition. Additionally, high demand for certain professions guarantees that it will take more applicants to satisfy supply requirements. Ultimately, the best way to protect your job or secure future employment is to somehow make yourself indispensable to your employers.

10. Public Relations

Median Salary: $35,000 to $45,000

Companies are beginning to discover the benefits of relying more closely on their public relations departments in order to promote their services and/or products. Public relations personnel are now needed more than ever to address issues concerning layoffs, budget problems, bankruptcy fears, and other negative publicity, as more and more companies are being portrayed unfavorably by the media and are publicly viewed with increased mistrust. On a more positive note, as our global economy continues to expand, those with international expertise and foreign-language skills will be in high demand. The open communication offered by public relations personnel is a vital key towards renewing consumer trust amidst the call for corporate accountability.

9. Environmental Science

Median Salary: $35,000 to $45,000

The Obama administration has plans to create $5 million “green” jobs over the next 10 years. Homes and office buildings are beginning to become more energy efficient as the demand for developments in alternative energy sources, such as solar, nuclear, and wind, grow. Demand is also high for further advances in fuel cell technology. Coupled with the increased concern of U.S. citizens regarding the destruction of the environment, more and more skilled workers and students are dedicating themselves to the betterment and preservation of the environment. However, more innovative minds are needed to design and implement environmentally-friendly energy resources. Environmental scientists, environmental engineers, and hydrologists, amongst others, are desperately needed in this globally valuable line of work.

8. Project Management

Median Salary: $85,000 to $95,000

With the consistent failures in previously successful industries, companies have been desperately trying to find new ideas and products, as well as the go-getters capable of managing these new ideas or products from their inception and introduction into the marketplace. Project management requires not only innovation and creativity, but also strong poise, assertiveness, and professional aggressiveness. After all, a successful project manager must first get company decision-makers behind this new product or service before there will ever be an opportunity to go public.

7. Financing & Accounting

Median Salary: $65,000 to $75,000

As businesses fight to meet financial goals and maintain profitability, it becomes increasingly more important to have skilled financing and accounting personnel on staff. These monetarily-savvy workers are expected to assist in business decisions, in improving overall business productivity, and in redirecting managerial effectiveness. As more businesses end their years of unmonitored, frivolous, and misguided spending, employers are now in need of accountants that can press the importance of the bottom line and utilize their skilled analyses for the improvement of revenue. As the government enacts new laws in reaction to the recession, accounting rules have become significantly more complex and stringent, requiring new and highly trained professionals to run companies’ bookkeeping operations. In addition, accountants and auditors are needed to help ensure that companies are running properly and that funds are managed effectively. Significantly, these money experts must make certain that companies’ public records are accurate and that all taxes are paid properly and timely. On the other hand, investment and accounting whizzes will be needed to help retiring workers, and others, protect their savings in the unstable and uncertain financial climate. The need for financial advisors will also grow, as people increasingly look to experts for help curbing financial losses and ensuring a healthier financial future.

6. Administrative Assistant

Median Salary: $35,000 to $45,000

Although the title of “administrative assistant” has less glamor and prestige than virtually an infinite amount of other potential career titles, the actual role of the administrative assistant has changed dramatically over the past decade. In fact, administrative assistants’ responsibilities now include duties previously handled by mid-level managers, thereby placing them at the information center of numerous offices. The wealth of knowledge maintained by administrative assistants makes them important and valuable parts of an office team, in effect creating some very tangible job security. It is a great way to get immersed and learn the various intricacies of an unfamiliar industry. Moreover, broad and detailed knowledge of a company can often lead to significant upward mobility. Alternatively, should you find yourself in career limbo, becoming an administrative assistant could provide ideal temporary employment as you continue your search or seek the training and furthered education needed for other job opportunities.

5. Networking and Systems Administration

Median Salary: $65,000 to $75,000

A relatively limited amount of people have the necessary skills needed to be employed in this emerging field. Today’s students would be well-advised to learn the skills of the trade, especially as corporate IT and other technology-driven business demands become increasingly more complex. As more industries convert to an entirely electronic format, implementing these new technologies into both services and production guarantees the further growth of this sector. Additionally, those titled as “Network Administrators” are responsible for keeping entire computer networks up and running, and are needed on-site to troubleshoot any and all problems.

4. Teacher

Median Salary: $35,000 to $45,000

Despite the many publicized education cutbacks throughout the country, teaching is still a profession in demand, especially in high-growth areas. There is also an especially high demand for teachers in the fields of math and science in the United States, as the struggle continues to compete with other countries in engineering, technology, and medicine. Additionally, as our foreign-born population grows, there will be increasingly more opportunities for English-as-a-second-language teachers. And just as a general rule, you can always count on a consistent increase in student enrollment and a fairly prevalent teacher turnover rate to lead to further opportunities. Post-secondary teachers are also in demand these days, as recession-weary workers choose school over riding out the recession in constant fear of losing their jobs.

3. Nursing

Median Salary: $35,000 to $45,000

People are getting older and living longer, many times with chronic health conditions, thereby making our nation’s nursing shortage a prevalent problem. Regardless of the economic tide, people will get sick and people will need medical treatment. Furthermore, statistics indicate that the number of elderly citizens requiring medical, occupational, and custodial care will continue to grow rapidly. Therefore, it is evident that the need for nurses, as well as healthcare professionals, occupational therapists, physical therapists and medical assistants, will increase notably in the years to come. And as our federal government attempts to address health care, the Obama administration has committed itself to addressing coverage, cost, and quality of care, in essence ensuring the further expansion of the health care industry. Nursing positions will no doubt grow in nursing care facilities and home health care organizations, as the need arises. Finally, as is commonly the case, aspiring nurses can count on the consistently high turnover rate amongst hospital nurses, as well as the retirement of experienced nurses, for future position openings.

2. Software Design and Development

Median Salary: $85,000 to $95,000

There is an ever-growing need and heavy competition for computer engineers highly knowledgeable in the consumer, web-generated marketing industry. Computer engineers are constantly challenged to keep current with changes happening daily in the world of computer technology. And with these rapid changes comes the need for new ideas, approaches, and technical skills; these needs are often met by computer engineers fresh from graduation. Moreover, businesses in increasing numbers are jumping aboard the web business bandwagon, placing more value on the web in the realm of sales, advertising, marking, and more. This further growth in the web industry, at large, offers businesses a beneficial means to reversing trends of slumping sales. After all, it is the foremost modern way of reaching the largest quantity and variety of consumers.

1. Sales Representatives and Business Development

Median Salary: $65,000 to $75,000

Skilled sales representatives are always in demand, regardless of the overall market climate. Realistically, it does not matter how great a product or service is, it will not succeed if there is no one to help promote and sell it. Sales representatives are consistently needed in a plethora of different industries, serving as the direct point of contact with the customer, devoted to the satisfaction of any and all needs. Customer satisfaction is significantly more important now that the economy is in recession and consumers are looking to cut down on unnecessary expenditures. These consumers are demanding that the services they keep be of the highest quality for the price, and it is vital that sales representatives are accessible at an instant to communicate, reassure, and troubleshoot with customers, as needed, in order to ensure any company’s continued success.