University of Wisconsin-Parkside Parent Guide

Recession-Proof Careers

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Some college students will face the realization that if they are going to want to earn a living and pay off student loans, they may have to select a different major than they originally intended. If you or your student are seriously concerned that they are headed towards a bleak future in their chosen field, there are a few things to consider.

First, how long is the recession expected to last? If your student is graduating soon, they may be more impacted than a student who won’t graduate until later – perhaps after the recession ends.

Another factor to consider is whether or not the student should pick a major that they are really interested in even if job outlook is scarce in the immediate future. If a student does pick a major in a field that looks like it will be less affected by a recession, will they be happy? If not, does their major prepare them to switch to a field they are more interested in when things improve? If the answers to these questions aren’t clear, perhaps the best choice for your student is to choose a major that provides a variety of career options. Providing them the flexibility to change careers or move towards recession-friendly fields if the times warrant such will prepare them for many possible situations.

If a student does opt to move towards a field that seems more secure and less volatile, a few recession-tested fields include the following:

Careers College Major Studies/Degrees Required
Engineers – computer, civil, mechanical, electrical Engineering
Computer Systems Analysts Computer Information Science and Systems
Accountants Accounting
Healthcare Pre-med, nursing, dental, plus post-graduate specialty
Education Various, plus teaching certificate


Related Articles:

Should the Recession Change which Majors College Students Choose?

Sources:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Recession-Proof-Jobs
http://current.pic.tv/2009/01/16/college-majors-and-the-recession/

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