Opinions on the best employment fields in the coming catastrophe

[Greyhound]

The new bankruptcy laws are in effect today.
The credit card regs go into effect in about 90 days (merry Xmas)
We've lost, and continue to lose, good paying jobs and replace them with McJobs
Real estate prices are leveling and there are fewer buyers
Heat, food, drugs, gas, and transportation costs are going through the roof
We will surely get a new war for the mid-terms

What will be the booming industries in the next 5 - 10 years?
I was thinking collections, but they only do well if there is anything to collect.

Help.

[lectrobyte]

1. alternative energy-related careers. learn to make moonshine.

I still think medical-related work will be big for a while, given the demographics of the country now.

[Kierkegaard]

2. I'd say

windshield expectorating ranks high on the list.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Corrections officer at a jail for convicted republicans

There's a budding industry.

[Greyhound]

27. I don't think they let you decide who you get to abuse, er...

I mean guard. Don't think I could do that to another human being.

[nvliberal]

4. The new law will take effect on Monday. n/t

[Greyhound]

9. Yes but if you haven't filed it's too late. Filings on Monday will be

under the new laws and the courts don't work weekends.

[progressivebydesign]

5. Seriously? Anything you can do while self-employed is good.

Also, any type of service that only someone here can provide, i.e. medical services, sales, design, landscaping, architectural services, CAD drawing. I tell my kids that you have to find things to do where you are in charge, if possible.. or something that cannot be outsourced. Teaching would be good, as well...

[Greyhound]

6. Teaching? That has possibilities. thanks.

[nvliberal]

24. Forget teaching; there are too many unemployed teachers. n/t

[progressivebydesign]

46. Science and Math are the two areas in which they are usually short.

Teaching is still a great profession, and can take you anywhere in the Country.

[kestrel91316]

54. Science is not wanted by most people these days.................

it conflicts with their pseudoscience worldview.

Who needs facts?? Statistics are all lies propagated by an evil UN plot. :banghead:

[pitohui]

11. self-employed is actually VERY bad, you can't buy health insurance

self-employment is a thing of the past since private health insurance is priced out of reach in most states

even tennessee is giving up on containing health insurance costs

i guess maybe you can be self-employed if you live in washington state, not sure if there are any others left

people need JOBS with health benefits, i'm heartened to see signs going up around here post-katrina offering benefits & bonuses because of the huge need for re-building & support for those who are re-building such as restaurants, gas stations, etc.

[Greyhound]

26. I am self employed, unfortunately my clients are cutting back

drastically and it doesn't look too good for the foreseeable future. The worst part is that when I'm gone they won't have any other options.
BTW my clients are mostly the top 2% and when they feel the pinch it scares the hell out of me.

[kestrel91316]

56. Let them eat cake.

The top 2% feeling the pinch???? I could teach them a thing or two about living on next-to-nothing (hey now there's an idea for work in the new world).

:nopity:

[progressivebydesign]

45. You CAN get health insurance while self employed...

There are many organizations you can join which offer group benefits, and less than MANY employers would charge. The local chamber of commerce, for one. I also read that, believe it or not, Costco is going to start offering a health insurance buy in for some of their memberships in some states. I'm much rather be self employed than be subject to the whims of a corporation. We bought self insurance a while back, when my husband's employer began charging almost 1k a month for the three of us (none of which are high risk at all).

We now only buy our dental insurance privately.. and it's WAAAY affordable. I would not counsel someone against being self employed with having them check into the insurance information. So few employers are even offering health benefits, or if they do, they are astronomical.

[kestrel91316]

55. I sure hope those jobs are going to the people of NOLA and the area

who LOST EVERYTHING and need to make a fresh start.

[annabanana]

14. Is Civil Service still going to be a good place?

(assuming that it's not ALL privatized)

[Greyhound]

31. I worked with governments on all levels from city through federal

and my sister works for feds as well. The assholes running this country have been very busy for 5 years. While we've been watching what the media feeds us, they have been effectively gutting the entire system so when people start to notice how bad it has become, they can say "see we told you, now we can privatize it all" and the sheeple will go along.
Once the USPS is replaced by UPS and it costs $1.50 to mail a letter that probably won't get there, or you don't get your SS check 'cause ADP couldn't get it processed in time, they will look up and say "what happened?"

[kestrel91316]

53. If you are self-employed it's theoretically easier to keep what you make.

Payments in cash can be conveniently omitted from the bookkeeping............lol.

[erinlough]

63. I think anything consumed by the really wealthy

My son is in a Harley motorcycle maintainance school. You might laugh but these old rich farts are buying these motorcycles right and left and they sure aren't working on them. Basically anything you can rip them off good on will work....luxury items.

[annabanana]

7. Good question.. what should I steer my teenagers into?

They still look to me for advice, and are early in their HS, post HS lives.

[pitohui]

13. health care industry

doctor, nurse, pharmacist etc. won't get rich any more but at least they will be employed

[annabanana]

16. youngest interested in psychology

but THAT won't get any insurance money anymore, probably

[Greyhound]

32. The insurance companies hate psychology and will stop paying

once their power grab is complete.

[Greyhound]

19. Industry is another controlled by the insurance corps

All the docs I know under 40 are struggling. Their version of a McJob is working 70+ hours a week at the local Human Murdering Organization. Paying off school loans (150K is most common figure I hear) and rising cost of living makes it difficult, not to mention being at the mercy of the bean counters.
Nurses are always in great demand but are notoriously over worked and staffing shortages are the order of the day.
Pharmacists in similar boat. Either work at the local retail pharmacy for next to nothing, or try to get one of the few remaining good positions at a Cedar-Sinai type hospital. They get 300 - 400 apps for any openings.

[RagAss]

59. Steer them to France.....seriously....

[Vanje]

8. I'm going to make a good living selling books.....

.....on how to skin, gut, and prepare the rich.
tasty recipes will include savory sauces and condiments to make the bitter rich bastards go down easier.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. That is so sick.

Because I didn't think of it first.

Good one.

[annabanana]

17. heh, heh.... yum....eom

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. EAT THE RICH!

:evilgrin:

[notadmblnd]

29. I'll bet a nice vintatge MD20/20

will burn the taste of those "riche vitals" (thats the name of a dish I'll create) out of a poor mans mouth.

[unrepuke]

42. It could be called; "To Serv e Your Fellow Man"

Thanks, Rod Serling

[Greybnk48]

10. Morticians are always in demand

I'm kidding on the level here. Talk about job security.

[Greyhound]

39. How does one get into that field? n/t

[Greybnk48]

62. There are college programs

the major is mortuary science.

[phusion]

15. Bicycle mechanic

and a dealer in used bicycle parts.

edit: Adding moonshiner/brewer...People will always have money for alcohol. :)

[mpendragon]

18. healthcare

Nursing is a hard job but it pays well if you are up to it.

[nvliberal]

22. Health care is a crap industry, which is why there is so much

turnover and so many openings.

And given our worsening health care system, I wouldn't even hold out much hope for that sector, as people will be simply allowed to die or be killed off if they are too sick or old or handicapped.

The best field of all to go into is the mortuary business.

[Fleshdancer]

20. want too much work? Become a social worker

I can't promise you'll get paid what you're worth, but you'll never be out of a job.

Other industries that I think will stay strong: biotechnology, pharmacology, nursing, hospice care (just think of when the Baby Boomers become elderly and in need of assistance). I just read that wireless technology was expected to remain strong over the next decade as tech industries will be investing more into it. I would imagine that anything in the alternative energy markets will thrive and if you're very desperate, you know money will always be shoved up the asses of Halliburton and Lockheed Martin etc.

[Neil Lisst]

21. Anything in the foreclosure field should do well.

I wish I were just being catty, but I'm not.

Foreclosures of homes will skyrocket the next two years. Americans are tapped out, and interest rates continue to rise. They have borrowed, overborrowed, and cannot pay. They are faced with debt which can't be paid and can't be discharged.

There are some businesses that relate to foreclosure that are not predatory, not being mere vultures. The homes and their lots have to be maintained and/or managed after foreclosure. Fixing them up, working their yards, getting them rented or sold - these will be jobs outsourced by banks and other lenders who repo houses.

Collections is no way to go. I would never participate in the end of the transaction where someone is kicked out of their home, but once that has happened and the bank owns the property, someone has to get it ready for the next user, whether tenant of buyer.

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst

[Greyhound]

25. Thanks, I think this is a very good idea. n/t

[Neil Lisst]

40. If you want to get institutional work, you'll need to get set up.

The appearance of organization, history, and stability will help, as will the ability to get insured for work. I would create a website, some business cards, and do all that kind of stuff before presenting myself to any prospective customer. Then I would start researching foreclosures, see where they are taking place, and go look at the houses. I would then take photos of some of the houses, get the names regarding who now owns them, and start writing to people.

Dear _______:

I saw the house you have foreclosed on at ___________, and noted that it would be much easier to sell if it were in a little better condition and looked more presentable. I have a business which helps owners of foreclosed properties get their properties ready to sell at a fair and reasonable price.

yada yada yada

Sincerely,

YOU


http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst/

[notadmblnd]

28. the private soldier industry is going to do well

as are arms and weapons. Drugs both legal and illegal will also do well.

[leftofthedial]

30. mercenary

arms merchant

bombmaker

whore

[unrepuke]

43. "Contractor" (Don't spit coffee all over your screen)

I think they could just as well say "Cleaner"

[koopie57]

33. The hospital I work for

is desperately looking for RNs and lab personnel. They are gradually getting rid of all the LPNs.

I think construction would be a fairly good field cuz you could always work for yourself. And auto mechanics I think would be a good choice. You might have to work in a state that has a health insurance policy for those who work but don't have any other means of being insured.

Maybe get a catalog of classes from a local university and see what is all out there. Once I started college I realized there was a whole world of job choices out there.

[WeHoldTheseTruths]

34. You might consider

running for public office.

[Greyhound]

35. Nice thought, but far too much independence and baggage for either party

[nonconformist]

36. Timely thread for me, since I am going back to school myself

And debating this very issue.

Honestly, I think skilled trades will be the most secure. You can't outsource a plumber, electrician or mechanic. My husband is a skilled tradesman (certified diesel mechanic and construction contractor). I also think that anything in the medical field will be wise - in my area, RN's are in great demand.

What sucks for me is I really would prefer something in the IT field, but that seems like a bad idea. :(

[Greyhound]

38. As a refugee of the IT field, I concur

it is a dead-end job in this country. What I did was considered a safe field because it was highly technical back-end stuff (DB design, specialized reporting). I wasn't getting rich but made a decent living. Now the same thing pays <$30K, and is being out-sourced as fast as they can for <$20K of which the poor guy doing it gets <$10K.
Corporate amerika doesn't care if it's done right or not, as along as it's cheap. Now if daddy owns a tech company then, by all means, go into IT, it is creative, fun, and a great mental workout, you just don't get to make a living doing it anymore.

[serryjw]

51. The ONE opening in the IT field that I believe will be great

is IT security. As this world become more and more dependent on computers they are going to have more and more problems keeping them secure.

Regardless of what field IF I had a young kids I would suggest to learn as many languages as possible. It would be fun to live all over the world with a business degree.

[Greyhound]

58. Shouldn't be, but is, routinely off-shored.

:scared:

[Nay]

49. My son is a 2nd-year electrician's apprentice. All the E unions are

urgently seeking new apprentices to train for the 4 years it takes to get their ticket. Then, he has it made. The shortage of electricians, plumbers and skilled construction workers is acute. The union guys say that they are having trouble recruiting because "people don't want to get dirty." My son thinks these fastidious types are idiots, and he says, "That's what showers and soap are for!"

Other good jobs -- bar owner, metals recycler, car mechanic

[B Calm]

37. Baby boomers are getting old. I would consider the medical field.

[Greyhound]

41. Thanks for all of your suggestions. n/t

[Lethe]

44. Chef......because everybody needs to eat

check out a nice place like the Cordon Bleu culinary schools.

[DemExpat]

47. My son is heading in that direction,

for him at this time it is a good choice, and he loves it....

DemEx

[DemocratSinceBirth]

48. The OP Said We're Going In To Prolonged Bad Economic Times

Wouldn't haute cuisine be the last thing on folks minds...

[drduffy]

50. add in the problems of

peak oil
global warming
decreased food production
decreased food availability


farming might be pretty good but be prepared to defend your garden....

[kestrel91316]

52. Home insulation retrofitting. Pedicabs. Locally produced

goods/foods. Internet-based business/telecommuting.

Down the road: shoemakers, bicycle mechanics, undertakers.

[Sacajawea]

57. Plumber.....People gotta poop.

:D

[OxQQme]

60. I once read a book that suggested

opening the yellow pages and a note pad, rapidly skim the pages from A to Z, jotting down anything that seems appealing and then 'weed out' of the list the ones that won't work, for financial reasons, or philosophical reasons. Then consider a startup business using "How much moola do I have to make each day to pay the monthly expenses".
If there are many yellow page entrys that means there is demand but lots of competition.
Be sure to be self truthful about ALL the costs (including insurance if that's a high priority) and break it down to daily costs.
Just an idea.

[Bigmack]

61. Retired....

Best job I've ever had!

It'll be the Baby Boomer(ing) industry of the next 10 years.

Seriously, the govt will always pay SocSec... for the forseeable future anyway. They just have to print the check. They don't need anything backing those checks.

Govt pensions, too. The worst that happened to state pensioners in the Depression was that the state issued "warrants" instead of checks, and the banks would discount the amount when cashing them.

I'm drawing a teacher's (shitty) pension and Soc Sec. I am NOT gloating. I find it obscene that a person who has a fat retirement from an exec job draws SocSec in addition, while the young people make less and less working more and more, with NO pension.