5. Government
More than half a million federal employees will retire by 2016, leaving open positions at agencies from the CIA to AmeriCorps to NASA. There will also be opportunities at the state and local levels. "In addition to police work and homeland security, government inspects and regulates many industries," says Shatkin. "Workers can sometimes capitalize on their experience in an industry by moving into a regulatory job."
6. Health Care
Health care pops up at the top of just about every list of hot careers. All of us are getting older and living longer, sometimes with chronic health conditions. What's more, health insurance practices may undergo a radical revision during the Obama administration, which has announced plans to address three central issues: coverage, cost, and quality of care. "Health care is a growing industry," says Bettina Seidman, "and not just for health care professionals. There will also be jobs for secretaries, accountants, and administrators."
- Registered nurses - Median salary: $60,010 Education: associate's or bachelor's
- Dental assistants - Median salary: $31,550 Education: secondary education, plus a few months to one year of on-the-job training
- Medical records and health information technicians - Median salary: $29,290 Education: associate's
7. International Business
Corporations, consulting firms, nonprofits, and even governments are going after global markets. People with international expertise, foreign-language skills, or a willingness to move abroad will be in demand. "The global economy is only going to grow," says John Challenger. "U.S. involvement will expand, short and long term."
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Interpreters and translators - Median salary: $37,490 Education: bachelor's
- International management analysts - Median salary: $71,150 Education: bachelor's or master's
- Market research analysts - Median salary: $60,300 Education: bachelor's or master's
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8. Law Enforcment
International terrorism makes daily headlines, and fear of financial insecurity is matched only by concern for our physical safety. "Crime doesn't go down in a recession," says Shatkin. "It may even increase."
9. Technology
New uses of technology in services and products like electronic health records mean that this sector will continue to be strong. "We have just begun to use the Internet as an entertainment medium in publishing, music, and film," says Peter Weddle.
- Computer systems analysts - Median salary: $73,090 Education: bachelor's
- Network systems and data communications analysts - Median salary: $64,600 Education: bachelor's
- Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers - Median salary: $37,100 Education: high school or vocational training
And We'll Always Be Looking For...
"Think of basic human needs, the things we can't do without," says Shatkin. They provide what he calls "little islands" of employment in this economy. For example, he says, we will always need sewage and water treatment. Challenger says the food industry is a core area: "People have to eat, and the global population is increasing."
In a down economy, people don't buy new cars—they repair their old ones. People turn to their clergy for comfort. Funeral directors will always have jobs. And since pets are very much a part of the family, veterinarians and veterinary technicians will continue to be in demand.