The fear of the economy is weighing heavily on many people. Cost-cutting, poor stock market news, and restructuring are just some of the many news items we hear daily. During a respite in church last week, a parishioner told me her husband had been terminated after 24 years. Happy Holidays! Even retail sales are decreasing, illustrating signs of a dismal Christmas. A Bah Humbug! spirit claims many. This year is not ending the way it began.
Incredibly, there is a positive aspect amongst the “shock and awe.” If you are in current transition or know someone who is, there is hope. According to Challenger and Gray, an outplacement consultation firm, numerous businesses and industries ignore recessionary issues. These are the businesses that will thrive, no matter what, in any economy; they are the heartbeat of every international economy. (The Business Examiner and the Entry Level Careers Examiner have each talked about recession-proof jobs.)
Education. Education thrives in any economy. Each nation requires a competent workforce. In the United States alone, education continues to expand with the introduction of both charter and online education formats. New adjunct and teaching jobs are required to educate the new workforce. As downsizing, restructuring, or whatever the new term, individuals will re-educate to apply new methods for new positions.
Healthcare. The aging population of both the Baby Boomers and veterans brings an urgency for healthcare professionals. Individual physician, hospitals, and specialized healthcare will require assistance. As individuals age, nursing homes, technicians, and record transcription services will provide numerous opportunities.
Fitness. The aging of veterans, Baby Boomers, and Generation X will require a review of physical health. Since many corporations are cutting healthcare benefits, individuals will need to review their health. The aging symptoms of diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart disease affects over 100 million Americans. Gymnasiums and fitness professionals will flourish, caring for those that desire change.
Energy. The new administration of Barack Obama will hold to campaign promises of developing alternative energy. As the earth’s resources diminish, it is necessary to find new energy to support the increased population.
Environmental. The diminishing of the earth’s resources and current issues of both global warming and toxic waste provide a renewal for “green” alternatives. Many corporations, even real estate professionals, are focusing attention in this area. Green skills will provide tremendous growth opportunities.
Child Care. Individuals work and as the Millennials become family-oriented, both parents will work. The need for services to a population of 80 million will be in great demand.
Pet Care. Most individuals love animals and they require care. With over 100 million pets in the United States, veterinary care is a growing industry.
Globalization. We no longer live in isolated environments. The world is now global and so must you be. Talent in many industries is vital as Eastern Europe and Asia seek educational assistance and the United States, technical. International business opportunities will continue to grow, especially for those cross-culturally proficient.
Consulting. Since restructuring is a new corporate habit, there is a vital need for short-term specialized services. With a limit on internal resources, consultants aid in short-term crisis. What is an available specialization you can market? Expertise is never in limited demand.
Security. The avatar for security is the increase of terrorism. Expertise is vital in securing borders and public areas of interest. Second, crime increases during economic uncertainty and additional resources placates criminal activity.
Personal Care. Everyone needs to care for him- or herself. Services such as barbers, hair beauticians, nail technicians, and clothiers always succeed. In good and bad times, individual requirements for personal care is a necessity.
Dry Cleaning. Similar to personal care, individuals still require the cleaning of suits, ties, shirts, blouses, skirts, etc. Dry cleaning is a necessity.
Home Improvement. Residential and commercial sales decline but the need for improvement always exists. Do It Yourself and residential improvement services, especially for storage, are an increasing need.
Legal Services. From wills to bankruptcies, individuals always require legal assistance. Whether from an attorney or paralegal, the growing populace requires this expertise.
Nonprofit. The not-for-profit world is continually isolated from a recession. Volunteerism requires continually renewing resources to assist growth. In addition, Barack Obama advocates volunteerism, especially exemplified during his candidacy when he said he would play a great role in increasing this area.
If your job has been eliminated or you believe your job is threatened, now is the time to look for new opportunities. As quickly as the recession began, it diminishes slowly. Rather than seeking work in places of little need, decreasing need and threatened, now is the time to seek new opportunities in growing fields. One need not look at the current economy as bleak; simply as change. Find renewal and growth in a new area where you can have passion, be safe, and live in more content.
2008. Drew J. Stevens PhD. All rights reserved.
Comments
We all better hope Obama holds to his campaign promises and follows through with alternative energy.Energy Independence needs to be included in the realm of our serious economic issues. We mustn't let this temporary lull in oil prices make us complacent in our efforts to become energy independent. Our dependence on foreign oil impacts every aspect of our society and economy. This past year our wallets were emptied by high prices at the pump. The cost of food and every consumer product has risen because of increased production and shipping costs. The average family had no money left over to spend, save or invest. So we tighten our belts, we spend less because we have less and sadly that results in more job losses. We have so much available in the way of FREE energy, solar and wind that can be utilized to replace oil. Hybrid and electric plug in cars would replace another huge percentage of our dependence on foreign oil. We spent 168 BILLION on a stimulus pkg that did nothing for our economy. Now there is talk of another stimulus pkg. Why not invest in initiating alternative energy sources and making hybrid and plug in car technology affordable for the average Joe. It cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gal of gas to drive an elec car. We have the knowledge and the technology, what we seem to lack as a nation is a PLAN. Jeff Wilson has a great new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is worried about our economy and interested in seeing our country become energy independent!
check out this link in financialtimes.com to a report on OPEC and what is in store soon with gas prices.
IEA predicts oil price to rebound to $100
By Javier Blas and Carola Hoyos in London
Published: November 5 2008 19:01 | Last updated: November 5 2008 22:26
Couldn't post the link. The story named above is in financialtimes.com
Yes, most of us know that these are areas of high marketplace need or, just as well stated, high marketplace interest.
However, I am left wondering as to where today's careers are that will produce necessary new products fast enough to create revenue for America in order to pay for the (mainly) service oriented careers you have listed.
Over time invention and innovation in the healthcare and environmental fields, for example, will generate revenue but - for now - as healthcare costs far outstrip healthcare revenue and the "green" world is in its infancy,do you really think several of these careers are any more than bandaids to help sustain us until we actually have something more to produce and sell?
Everything can't go global although, of course, going global is our reality. It still seems that we need to produce more jobs here that generate revenue based on products Americans make while we are getting our act together for a more competitive future such as required of a "developed" nation.
Finally, to your point that we need not look at the economy as bleak, it is time to stop fooling ourselves - the economy is bleak and will be for a long time to come. How bleak is the economy in California? Well,for just one example, the amount owed on 20% of our homes with mortgages exceeds their property value. The State itself is in debt "up to its ears" as a recent TV ad announced and the revenue producing industries in California have waved - or our waving - "goodbye."
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