1. Jobs That Are Growing - Despite The Recession
Bobbi Dempsey, provided by
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The latest labor statistics showed little change in the unemployment rate, which
remained unchanged at 9.7% in February from January, but in many areas jobs
remain difficult - if not nearly impossible - to find. However, there are certain fields
where the number of available jobs has grown, despite the recession. Here are a few
professions where jobs are relatively plentiful.
Bus/Truck Mechanics
Simply Hired, a large job search engine, recently released a report on job trends in
the top 15 metropolitan areas in the United States. In nearly half of them, bus/truck
mechanics (along with diesel engine specialists) were among the least competitive
jobs. This means there were high-demand openings with few applicants. If you
applied for one of these jobs, the odds would be heavily in your favor, as you'd have
little competition.
Physical and Massage Therapists
These jobs were also among the least competitive on Simply Hired's report. That
doesn't surprise Jeff Cohen, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recession Proof
Careers. "While doctors may save your life, it is physical therapists who will make it
more livable by reducing pain and improving quality of function," Cohen says, noting
that this job category is expected to grow 27% by 2016 according to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics. He also suspects physical therapists will be in particular demand
as the baby boomers age.
Special Education Teachers
"Developmental disorder diagnoses are on the rise for conditions like autism which
means more special education teachers will be called upon to guide youth suffering
from physical and emotional challenges," Cohen says. (While many sectors are

2. shedding jobs and fueling unemployment, these six have been hiring new workers.
Learn more in 6 Sectors That Are Creating Jobs.)
Environmental Engineers
"Waste disposal, air pollution, water contamination and global warming all present
massive environmental challenges in the new millennium," says Cohen.
"Environmental engineers, a field expected to grow 25% by 2016 according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, will be on the forefront of designing solutions to our
most pressing global challenges."
Healthcare
Job search site Monster.com recently released their Monster Employment Index,
which showed positive 2% growth from the same period last year and rising ten
points from January. Both Healthcare Practitioners/Technical and Healthcare
Support occupations saw sequential increases from the previous month.
"Healthcare jobs remain strong and probably competitive for those who are qualified
and interested," says Matthew Henson, vice president of public relations at
Monster.com, adding that IT and technology positions are also showing positive
signs of growth.
Nursing
To address this growing need, Illinois-based Chamberlain College of Nursing even
started offering several online nursing degree programs with only the clinical
requirements done on site.
"There has been an increased interest in nursing as an opportunity with many
options for the future," says Gail Baumlein, Chamberlain's director of online
programs. "We have also seen an increase in the number of individuals who have
chosen nursing as a second career." (The entire nation is suffering from
unemployment headaches, but some industries are hurting worse than others. Don't
miss Careers in Crisis: Three Industries Hit Hardest By Job Losses.)
Baumlein doesn't see the demand for nurses slowing down anytime soon. "With the
growing number of baby-boomers entering a time of increased need for health care,
with the increased longevity of our population, and with the variety of options
available within the nursing profession, the opportunities are significant."

3. Finance/Banking
It may seem surprising, but a bad economy doesn't seem to hurt finance-related
professions. Dennis Nason, a veteran banker and current CEO of Nason &
Nason, an executive search firms for banking and finance, says specific job titles in
high demand in this business environment include risk managers, compliance
officers, audit manager and business development officers.
"All industries are very focused on controlling risk and working within legal
regulations and guidelines," Nason says. "Positions which oversee and supervise risk
are and will continue to be in demand, particularly if one has appropriate licenses
such as a CPA." (Remember, hunting for a job is like selling a product, except that
YOU are the product. Learn more in Top 2010 Job-Hunting Tips.)
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
"These jobs are projected to experience 36% growth between now and 2018, with an
average of 4,850 job openings per year," says Laurence Shatkin, PhD, author of 150
Best Recession-Proof Jobs. "Rapid growth does not always translate into job
openings right now, but in this case it does. The number of veterinary lab tests
continues to grow very rapidly, and colleges where students prepare for this career
report good opportunities for their graduates."
Wind Energy Technicians
"People who install and service wind turbines are finding lots of job opportunities if
they have good credentials," says Shatkin. "When a community college in New
Mexico started an associate degree program for wind energy technicians in 2008, an
official of General Electric promised to hire all graduates of the program for the next
three years."
The Bottom Line
While the job market overall may not be so great, opportunities in certain sectors are
plentiful. By targeting your job search to these in-demand fields - even if you need to
get some quick training or revamp your resume to highlight skills that might be
attractive to hiring managers in these areas - you can greatly increase your odds of
landing a great job.
Still feeling uninformed? Check out last week's Water Cooler Finance to see what's
been happening in financial news.