7 Recession Proof Degrees

A bad economy can mean less jobs for everyone but it can provide you with a unique opportunity if you choose the right field to work in. There are industries that are don’t experience a downturn during a recession. In fact, some of them continue to grow.

To ensure that your next position is one with long term potential, you can earn a degree in recession proof field. Here are seven degrees that do well even in a bad economy.

1. Nursing Degrees

A nursing degree continues to be a recession proof degree, as nurses are always needed and in demand. As the largest healthcare field, with over 2.6 million positions, nurses can find jobs during any economic swing. Currently, the projected growth in the field is 518,500 new jobs in the coming years.

There are three different degree programs for those interested in becoming a registered nurse, or RN: associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and an advanced degree in a variety of nursing fields. Each respective degree will require additional training, but the demand for new nurses has increased the number of accelerated programs for those who already have a degree.

A nurse is responsible for basic patient care, helping to support a doctor’s orders and to carry out basic medical tasks. These tasks can be performed in a clinical setting, including private offices, hospital facilities, as well as supportive roles in operating rooms, urgent care centers, and other health care environments. Since healthcare needs continue to grow, the role of nurses is expected to expand to accommodate the growing population and medical treatment possibilities.

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2. Special Education Degrees

Many students require special attention at school, but traditional teachers may not have the time or the skills to provide this extra care. With a special education degree, you can help students with special needs and find yourself in a secure career. The estimated growth for special education teachers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is 17% between 2008 and 2018.

In order to work with special needs students, you need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education with an extra certificate in special education. Some schools may also require a master’s degree to be hired on staff while others require this degree to be completed within a certain time period after being hired. With the growing need for special education teachers, some states are offering accelerated certificate programs for those who already have college degrees.

A special education teacher can work with students at a variety of different levels of special needs. Some students may have severe developmental issues while others might have mild to moderate challenges in the classroom.

As a special education teacher, you are tasked with developing IEP (Individual Education Programs) for each child, creating goals they can work toward within their particular set of challenges. Often, the role of the special education teacher will include everything from teaching to being a therapist, depending on the situation of the student.

As more special needs are identified in younger and older students, the need for special education teachers will grow in the coming years. Teachers with these special skills will have a great chance of long-term employment.

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3. Network Administrator Degrees

Between 2008 and 2018, an estimated 286,600 new network administration jobs will be created in the economy. This means if you desire to work with computers and technology, you have a great chance of finding employment even during a recession.

A network administrator role is needed at small and large companies. You can work off-site or on-site for different types of organizations. There are specific computer degrees designed for networking if you are interested in this field. Also, hands-on experience can help increase your chances of being hired.

A network administrator is in charge of monitoring and fixing network problems within an organization. This role can include creating networks as well as establishing strong security systems.

For networks that are already in place, a network administrator is essential to ensuring consistent up time as well as maximum efficiency while users are on the network. Some administrators are also tasked with updating networks.

Computer use continues to grow within many markets and strong computer networks are becoming more and more essential to day-to-day tasks. On average, network administrators earn yearly salaries between $41,000 and $108,000.

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4. Information Systems Management Degrees

Related to network administration is information systems management, which has a larger projected growth in employment than many other careers. From 293,000 new jobs in 2008 to an estimated 342,500 jobs in 2018, this 17% growth is promising if you want a recession proof career.

Unlike network administration, information systems management requires more training in business. A bachelor’s degree is expected in this field and a Master of Business Administration is preferred.

These degree programs can be found at most universities and colleges including some online schools. As an information systems manager, you are responsible for computers, systems, and networks. You provide direction for support teams within the same office or remotely via teleconferencing and telecommuting.

Many managers oversee the installation of new hardware and software while also managing computer system resources. They keep a close eye over the performance of systems, making recommendations and changes as needed for maximum productivity and efficiency.

The information systems management career field is growing as companies continue to rely on computers and networks. The BLS estimates that job openings in this field will be more numerous than job seekers.

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5. Software Engineering Degrees

Computer software engineers are poised to enjoy one of the highest career growth rates between 2008 and 2018. According to BLS projections, the industry will grow a whopping 32%. Not surprisingly, this has made software engineering degrees in high demand, even for those who haven’t been as computer-savvy in the past.

To prepare to enter the software engineering field, you will want to seek out a bachelor’s degree. This will provide not only the basic skills but also expose you to a wide range of training methods.

In some companies, a certificate or an associate’s degree may suffice. In rare cases, those with practical hands-on experience may also be hired into an organization. Software engineers need to have extensive knowledge of computer programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and Python.

A software engineer may fall into one of two categories: applications engineers or systems engineers. An applications engineer is a person who will create, install, deploy, and then maintain various software applications.

A systems engineer might cover some of these tasks, but they are more interested in the bigger picture of software and how it helps larger systems within an organization. For example, if a company needs an accounting program, then they may create the framework of the smaller applications needed to integrate different departments.

Long-term careers as software engineers are possible due to the ever-growing need for software to support everyday workplace tasks. Companies of all sizes are not only using the Internet for their business needs but they also need on-site computer systems to facilitate their operations.

Because of the projected 32% employment growth, job prospects in this field should be very favorable.

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6. Pharmacy Degrees

As with many healthcare related positions, pharmacists are in high demand. With an estimated 17% growth between 2008 and 2018, pharmacy degrees offer a strong job outlook for the next decade. And since healthcare needs continue to rise, those with pharmacy degrees can expect to to enjoy job stability.

In order to become a pharmacist, you will need to commit to a long period of education. You need to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which can take about four years to complete depending on the schooling you’ve already completed.

If you have not attended college, you will need to enroll in an accredited program and take about two years of supportive undergraduate work before starting a PharmD program. From there, the PharmD program continues with specialized training. After the training is complete, you then sit for a licensing exam.

A pharmacist’s role is to not only measure out medications, but they can also interact with patients, insurance companies, and medical professionals. Pharmacists are sought after to ensure that patients are taking the proper medications, in the proper doses, without side effects or interactions with other medications.

A pharmacist may also be called upon to suggest alternative medications if the insurance company is unable or unwilling to pay for a patient’s recommended treatments. Since patients continue to be prescribed medications, aspiring pharmacists are likely to enjoy a favorable job market even in a bad economy.

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7. Medical Assistant Degrees

According to the BLS, medical assisting is slated to be one of the fastest growing fields between 2008 and 2018. With an estimated growth of 34%, medical assistants will continue to have many positions to apply for.

Since medical assistants are often trained on the job, you may not need to seek out a degree. However, if you are new to the medical field, one and two year degree programs are available. Certifications are also available and they provide on-the-job training at local training and hospital facilities.

Medical assistants may provide support at a doctor’s office, urgent care center, or in a hospital setting. They work directly with patients, reporting to nurses, office managers, or medical professionals and providers.

They often provide administrative support as well as provide basic patient care, though at a lesser degree than a nurse. However, with the growing need to keep labor costs low, some medical settings are choosing medical assistants over registered nurses.

This change in attitude and direction allows those with medical assisting degrees to find themselves in medical environments with a variety of challenging and exciting responsibilities. The growing need for medical support allows medical assistants to find work in clinical settings at a variety of levels.

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