What would you say is the "safest" occupation in the United States today?

[cherokeeprogressive]

This isn't a poll... just a fishing expedition...

Me? I drive a trash truck. Actually, I drive something called a "front loader" which is basically a huge truck with a box on the back that's open on the top. It looks like a huge forklift because its purpose is to pick up "dumpsters", lift them over the cab of the truck, and empty them in the back. It's probably in the top 5% of pay in the mountaintop valley I live in, and I'll tell you why:

Trash never sleeps, and trash doesn't take holidays. Living in a resort town as I do, trash actually comes from "down the hill" with the people who come here to play, and needs to be taken back "down the hill" after they're gone.

So, when people ask "WHERE ARE THE JOBS?", what would you say to them?

I've taught, sold real estate, machined parts for nuclear reactors on submarines, and worked for the county teaching poll workers to do their jobs on Election Day. I did this on the back of a High School Education and JUST enough credits to get a BA in Vocational Education at Long Beach State.

BA in Voc Ed, and working as a trash man. BUT! Probably going to retire before I turn 60.

So if you were a High School Counselor, what would you tell your students?

[JI7]

1. i think they need to be more realistic about college

about the different majors and how some of them would help more in getting a job than others.

but that learning in itself is worth it and something to value.

and more emphasis on vocational schools and it should be an equal alternative to the usual 4 year collges. .

things like college debt is important also. and how the further you get away from your college years the less people will care which college you graduated from.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. I tell kids that life is what you do from 5:00 pm to 8:00 am the following day.

Work is only a mechanism to pay for it. You're SELLING, nor renting, the hours of your life so you should not undervalue them.

I think driving a trash truck is pretty near the top of the list. Decent pay without a huge, expensive educational barrier, no soul-destroying ethical compromises, decent pay and not immediate mortal peril all the time.

There's still a significant risk of injury and the smell can't be fun.

I'd say welding and machine tool operation are also pretty good, as is diesel mechanic and public infrastructure, especially sewer.

Given the choice between shitty wages, crushing college debt, ethical compromises, mortal peril and ICK! I choose ick.

[Warpy]

3. I sure as hell wouldn't be telling the ordinary kids to go to college

Oh, some of them are going to be extremely talented and with a good idea of what they want to do in the world, that's college material. However, the drifters who aren't sure what they want except Mom and Dad are pushing college at them but not paying for it, those are the kids I'd tell to check out the various trades. They're the kids who are getting the complete shaft now since that BA in literature or BS in biology isn't going to get them far and the debt will cripple their chances of buying houses, having kids, and having enough money to save for retirement.

The old college diploma as the ticket to enter middle management life plan is over.

[Brother Buzz]

4. Mortician?

Unless science makes some sort of huge breakthrough, people will continue to die.

[doc03]

6. Cremations and high prices of funerals is hurting that

occupation I would guess.

[Brother Buzz]

8. Morticians offer cremation services

[doc03]

10. Not much as much profit in those n/t

[Brother Buzz]

12. Yes, but a profit nevertheless

[exboyfil]

19. Which could mean an unsatisfied niche

Once you break past what I view as the current barbaric custom of traditional funerals. Being involved in planning three funerals made we aware of how much money was involved. I am for cremation all the way (perhaps body donation if that program is available in your state).

[jmowreader]

46. There are "cremation-only" services popping up fast

Because they don't have most of the features of a funeral home (they take in "cases," cremate them as quickly as they can, and return them to the family in an urn) they can operate a lot less expensively.

[Brother Buzz]

48. Urn? Bare bones option is a cardboard box suitable for...

shipping Priority Mail Express™.

[jmowreader]

49. Maybe so...

but most people have a bit more class than that.

[Brother Buzz]

50. Why pop for an urn when the ashes are going to be dispersed?

[jmowreader]

51. The ashes aren't always dispersed

When my grandmother died, we had to do the whole Catholic Burial thing. The priest informed us that she could be buried in the ground after cremation but the ashes had to be in an urn. Mausoleums usually require urns. And if you're planning to set up a shrine for grandpa out in the garage so he can go to eternity beside his fishing poles and favorite things you need him in an urn.

[defacto7]

20. Some do very well

but it's not too stable. Yes people die but the morticians are paid poorly on the main mortuary art that is required by the state if at all. Money in mortuary arts is all in sales. If the mortician is good with sales, is good with people and there is a good "roll over" community it can be a living. But I know a few that struggle. It's costly to get started though.

About 10 years ago I read that morticians have the highest alcoholism rate in the world.
'Not sure where that fits into stability but I would think there is a reason for that outside of stability.

[flying rabbit]

5. Trust fund

billionaire.

[defacto7]

22. That is the the real and only complete answer.

n/t

[TreasonousBastard]

7. I tell any kids who will listen that auto mechanics is...

the way to go. They can't export your wrench.

Carpentry, plumbing... the trades will be there for a long time.

You can always get a college degree, and pay for it as you go by installing pools.

[JI7]

11. those skills will be useful throughout their lives

it could help save money when it comes to their own cars and homes .

[Art_from_Ark]

14. They might not be able to export your wrench,

but they can certainly reconfigure cars to make previous knowledge of cars obsolete, or require the purchase of expensive diagnostic equipment as automotive systems advance.

And carpentry is often a seasonal job, with a lot of competition.

[TreasonousBastard]

16. True, there are no gurantees, but...

we're talking about a good shot at a decent life for a while. Besides, I'm thinking of a woman I know who went to law school while working less the desirable jobs. She got the degrees with little or no debt. And she's not the only one.

I don't see going into debt for an art history degree as a viable alternative.

[Art_from_Ark]

17. Not everyone is cut out for blue collar work

I had plenty of crap jobs and vo-tech training when I was younger, and I will tell you that workers in those kinds of jobs are often treated like dirt. In my experience there was a lot of bullying, supervisors were always uptight, management was very condescending. Make a mistake and it might come out of your check. Show up for work 10 minutes late and get docked for a half hour. If the manager doesn't like you, be prepared to look for another job.

[CFLDem]

31. That's exactly why I decided to go white collar

even though I have B.S. in a blue collar field.

Less liability, less stress, and more money (in my industry anyways).

[TreasonousBastard]

42. In every field it's possible to get treated like crap...

I'm simply mentioning a few things where decent wages are available and mass layoffs are less probable.

[PasadenaTrudy]

67. People always knock us art history grads

Move on to another major, already

[Inkfreak]

35. Right on. Never learning auto mechanics is a great regret in my life.

I've picked up a few things over the years. But nothing impressive. Always enjoyed carpentry tho, even if I only make bird house and shelves my wife won't hang.

[notadmblnd]

37. My son aquired a couple of certifications

He started out working in a couple of garages and decided he hated it. The thing he complained about the most was the pressure to up sell services. His real talent is diagnosing problems and he'll try to fix anything as long as he's not working at a garage.

He did find his place recently though, He took a job operating CNC saws for a small auto supplier and loves the work.

[lumberjack_jeff]

54. Cars are becoming largely "no user serviceable parts inside" devices.

Go to any junkyard and you'll find cars that appear entirely perfect and unblemished and yet apparently obsolete and irreparable.

[bigwillq]

9. Safest for job security: Mortician (nt)

[bravenak]

13. Run for congress as a republican. Just kidding.

Otherwise nursing since we have and will continue to have people living longer.
Fitness and nutrition sine we have obesity+.
Insurance industry because its required to own property or drive. Not many self insure most transfer risk through use of insurance companies.
Accounting. It's not hard, so many can understand and use business math by the time they exit HS.
Sales. People cant stop buying shit that they don't need.
Repair technicians including HVAC. Because you can earn a decent living and most people cant fix their own stuff.
Science. Because of creationists.

[ecstatic]

15. registered nurse

Recession proof, pays well, and great potential for self employment (private duty, etc.). You can still become an RN through 2 year associate degree programs, but I'm sure that will change in the next decade. It's an excellent choice if you can stomach blood, etc. long enough to make it through clinicals.

[exboyfil]

21. My younger daughter is thinking about medical school

With RN as backup. We have a local program that has 15 month accelerated option that works well after doing a B.A. in Biochemistry. Two years of the B.A. in Biochemistry can be done while still in High School. My high school sophomore daughter is taking a CNA course this summer to start the process. Her next two years of High School will be mostly college courses.

You can justify the B.A. because of the access to the 15 month R.N. program. I am not sure you can get an R.N. in this state with anything less than about the equivalent of a B.A./B.S. anyway. I would be very uncomfortable about my daughter's options with only a B.A. Biochemistry otherwise. My daughter is very interested in the healthcare field, and she will have plenty of time to assess that interest if she can get hours as a CNA while still in high school.

[Inkfreak]

33. My Mom raised 2 kids as a RN.

Tough job, but always had a job. Hard work but excelled in her career. I love nurses!

[X_Digger]

58. I actually graduated from nursing school but never took my boards.

In my last clinical, I had to do post mortem care on a 12 year old girl who died from cancer.

I realized that I wouldn't like the kind of person I would have to be if I could leave that kind of stuff at the door each day. And if I couldn't leave it at the door each day, I'd kill myself.

[Heddi]

66. I'm an RN and the BSN is quickly becoming the standard

I am back in school for my BSN now, almost done. BSN's were really a big deal in Seattle but they are HUGE in Philadelphia.

The problem is all hospitals want to get "Magnet Status," which means they can charge patient's more for the same services. That also means they can only hire a small # of non-BSN RN's

SO now, the BSN is the baseline. They are now able to pay BSN's the same wage they previously paid ADN (associate Degree). When I graduated in 2006, BSN got you an extra $1-$3 an hour. Now, because BSN is the baseline, you don't get that $3 an hour perk. You get the old wage they paid ADN's. They're getting more nurse for less pay.

RN unions are dying out as well. Old Unionized RN's are leaving and new RN's come in and buy the anti-union "why do I have to pay them $90 a month in dues" bullshit. Then they are able to be fired without cause, lose their night and weekend differential pay, lose their tuition reimbursement.

RN jobs aren't as easy to come by as they were when I graduated. I know many RN students who, upon graduating their BSN Program, went to work in retail or starbux because they couldn't even get hired at a nursing home (which used to at least be a good hiring ground while you were waiting to get on at a hospital)

BUt we still have an RN shortage. I've *NEVER* worked in a department that was fully staffed EVER> Always have opening. Just don't hire the RN's to do the job.

Also, many RN schools, because of the demand, want prospective students to have experience as a CNA, EMT, or paramedic before they apply.

IT's hard out there for new nurses. My husband and i both have Associates and can't get an interview to save our lives without that BSN. We're almost done, and that will open tons of doors, especially given our job experience. But new grads have no options. Used to be you could count on getting hired in a new-grad residency program and trained in whatever, but those jobs are gone, too.

[SCUBANOW]

18. Firefighters and police. Always a need for them.

[winter is coming]

23. Prison guard?? n/t

[raven mad]

24. Dead and buried........or cremated.

n/t

[Exposethefrauds]

25. Obtain a skill or trade that will support you in another country

in the new world jobs are no longer defined by country so nation will no longer matter, what you can do for the corporation will matter.

There is also Rollerball too, get in on the ground floor. The corporations are going to need players and coaches in the new league they will be creating soon.

The best option find someone who is wealthy and marry them or find a way to be named in their will.

The reality is that people are going to change careers and jobs even more frequently then they do today.

No job is safe anymore everyone is replaceable and expendable.

[Recursion]

26. Oddly enough, "CEO" turns out to be relatively dangerous

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm

Apparently because they travel so much

[newfie11]

27. Physical therapist

The population is getting older and this profession must be hands on. You get to play with interesting machines and the pay is good.

Do not go into radiology. It was a great profession for 40+ years for me. Now the schools have flooded the market. There are few jobs.

[JustAnotherGen]

28. I'd tell them

To focus on the elderly. If a high school Senior came to me and said I want to do something health care focused - I would tell them to focus on the elderly.

If they wanted to do something brick and mortar - I would tell them to learn about solar panel installation. That's why my husband offloaded his HVAC company a few years ago. One - the restoration and iron/metal works is booming. More work than his folks can handle. Two - he saw the writing on the wall and didn't want to get into solar energy. The old dog didn't want to learn new tricks.

If they were math inclined - I would tell them to become a civil engineer, environmental engineer, or climate focused scientist.

If they were a high creative - I would tell them to tough it out and pursue their artistic bent - but at the same time learn communication technology at the same time.

I'm in telecom and can tell you about being the Carrier Account Manager at Frontier/Global Crossing and going out to Level 3 and they couldn't build cubes fast enough. The industry has changed radically since the telecom bubble started to rise then burst with a big Kaboom! Earlier this week I had a moment because people want a government take over of the Mass Comms and hold onto copper lines. I'm in the backfill program on the wireless side of a major Carrier - that means future leadership. The reality is that if you sit in the backfill meetings - we have no intention of keeping copper.

Data is where it's at.

It's an App world.

20 Something's don't want wires - they want to be able to jet and not fuck around with a local telco when they want to jet.

Your best bet is to write and create the apps. Go to an electronics manufacturer with a ten year plan. Focus on human factors to understand how people are going to turn on the oven prior to leaving work from their wireless device. Because they are already controlling the energy and security of their homes from it. Hell - we turn our outdoor lights on from a phone.

[phylny]

29. I'm a speech-language pathologist who is employed and I get job offers weekly.

Speech, occupational, and physical therapies are all fields that are growing.

[randome]

30. I'm surprised no one has said 'IT' yet.

As things look now, there will always be a need for IT -developers, database administrators, etc.

IT and the ability to be mobile should guarantee anyone a steady income.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You have to play the game to find out why you're playing the game. -Existenz[/center][/font][hr]

[Inkfreak]

32. Yup, that was going to be my reply.

It's something I do. My current job is installing/servicing duress alarm systems for mental health facilities. It's given me a ton of experience and I feel like I have a good shot at a job just about anyplace.

On a side note, it's also super-safe from danger in that I only get 2-3 calls a month. Otherwise I sit my salaried butt home and wait. Provides lots of time for hobbies. Or endlessly perusing DU..

[randome]

38. Damn! Sounds like you found one of the perfect niche positions!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]“If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.”
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]

[CFLDem]

34. Three letters- H-1B.

[randome]

39. That's where the 'mobility' part comes in.

If you're willing to give up permanence, you can always find a better area. Granted, not everyone has that option.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen, Anthem (1992)[/center][/font][hr]

[Octafish]

36. Internet Troll.

Never a hiring freeze.

[sufrommich]

40. Electrician or plumber. The world will always

need both and they pay well.

[randome]

41. Porn will never go out of style.

Actors, producers, film-makers, web designers. I mean, hey, don't leave any stone unturned, right?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A 90% chance of rain means the same as a 10% chance:
It might rain and it might not.[/center][/font][hr]

[LWolf]

43. Not teaching, that's for sure.

Mechanics, plumbers, electricians...those are the first three that come to mind.

Nurses, but their profession has been attacked by the over-staffing, under-funding business "experts," too. An RN is still relatively safe, even if working conditions aren't great.

[FarCenter]

53. Teaching should actually be pretty good

Not in K-12 or college, but in positions where you train people to have skills and knowledge that they actually can make use of.

[LWolf]

55. I think people can, and should,

make use of the skills and knowledge that I teach in the K-12 sector.

[FarCenter]

61. True, but K-12 is just the point of departure.

[rrneck]

44. Any job that requires your physical presence and direct interaction with another human being. nt

[etherealtruth]

71. +1

[polichick]

45. Engineering perhaps.

[tarheelsunc]

63. Given the H-1B situation, probably not so much if you're an American looking for a decent wage. eom

[polichick]

65. That is an issue, but all the engineers I know are employed...

and making good money - so far.

[tammywammy]

70. I would also say engineering.

Chemical, mechanical, systems, industrial, etc. Also, if they're math included statistical/business analytics.

[jmowreader]

47. Eight years to a career that will never die

First, pick a manual trade. It can be construction, HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical, whatever. Do a job-shadowing program so you learn what tools you will need to do the job.

Second, enlist in the Army as a Spanish linguist. Try not to fall in love and get married during your hitch; if you don't, you can spend the four years in uniform getting a Business degree and buying tools to include a reliable used 3/4-ton pickup.

Third, when you get out of the service enroll in a community college to learn the trade you've been accumulating tools for.

Then use the college's job placement service to get an entry-level position with a company that does what you've been trained for, and work there for two years.

Then you have experience, two degrees, a truck, a set of tools and you speak Spanish - all the things you need to become a bilingual foreman. Rank-and-file laborers aren't Americans anymore, folks; go past any construction site and you'll notice one white guy supervising thirty Mexicans.

[SheilaT]

52. Lots of good suggestions here.

I'd tell my students to figure out what kind of thing they like to do: work with people, work with tools, work on a computer; then figure out what sorts of jobs are out their in their preferred work style.

I get so frustrated at the parents who keep on letting their kids make truly irrational choices about where to go to school and what to major in. And that they don't understand the reality of financial aid and that most of it is in the form of loans. I have a friend whose oldest child is graduating high school and is deciding exactly where to go to college. I'm forgetting what the kid wants to major in, but it's something that doesn't strike me as one with a lot of good job prospects, and the kid apparently doesn't fully understand what coursework she will really need to take to get the degree she wants. Plus, the mom does not entirely get it that the kid will be mostly going to school on loans. She told me a story the other day of someone's grandchild who got some $80,000 of Pell Grant money for the upcoming four years of college. Can't get the mom to understand that Pell grants simply are not that generous.

[Boom Sound 416]

56. Entertainment and Law

[bluestate10]

57. Running a garbage truck is safe, but no other job that I know of

is safe. With modern communications one person with the required skills can sit in a remote site in a low wage country and instruct a robot or robots to perform almost any imaginable function. The population of humans is exploding, there are only so many jobs, there are multiple people in each country for a single job, regardless of the country of that job.

[Jesus Malverde]

59. A job that would be very difficult to replace with robot or outsourced

Plumber, electrician, jobs of a type that require a complex combination of movement, dexterity and analysis. Something where every job/job site is different.

I suspect refuse collection can be roboticised, as will truckers, cabbies, airline pilots, etc.

[Stardust]

60. I'm thinking librarian. Seems fairly stress-free and not in danger of outsourcing. (Until they

gradually, ultimately defund libraries into non-existence, that is.)

[cherokeeprogressive]

62. E-books. Bye Bye Librarians. Hate it... but see it coming. n/t

[PasadenaTrudy]

68. Not a lot of jobs

for MLIS grads now. I'm glad I didn't go into it. Even here in SoCal, grads aren't finding work.

[JI7]

64. so are you saying because you did it others should be able to also ?

[PasadenaTrudy]

69. Physician's Assistants

They seem to find work. Great starting salaries, too.