by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer As fashion fads come and go each decade, so do employment trends. Back in the late 1990s and very early 2000s, it seemed that all things Internet would be around forever. Employment for dot.com jobs seemed to be an upward trajectory with no limit.
by Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
As fashion fads come and go each decade, so do employment trends. Back in the late 1990s and very early 2000s, it seemed that all things Internet would be around forever. Employment for dot.com jobs seemed to be an upward trajectory with no limit.
Then 2001 came and things changed.
Internet-related jobs weren't the first positions to take a hit, and they won't be the last. But through all of these ups and downs -- and it's fair to say that this economy is down -- some jobs fare better than others.
The idea of a stable job in this economy might sound impossible to you, but it's not. Looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics' employment trends, certain industries are showing job growth or remaining flat, even during these tough times.
We looked at these industries and then drilled down to see what positions have been poised for job growth over recent years. Of course, geography plays a huge role in how available some of these jobs are, so your city might have taken a bigger hit in some industries than other places have. Still, this is a good place to start if you're looking for some jobs that are still gaining momentum.
Here are some of today's stable jobs and their average annual salary:
1. Civil Engineers (for the federal government)
What they do: Design public goods (such as roads, bridges, airports) and monitor the progress of construction. They are involved from the concept to the execution of these structures.
Education requirements: At least a bachelor's degree in engineering; additional coursework or training a plus.
Earnings: $62,804
Who's Hiring: Civil Engineers
2. Computer Software Engineers (for the federal government)
What they do: Create computer software, which can range from the applications you use at work to the games you play at home. Computer software engineers are involved from the creation to the testing stages.
Education requirements:At least a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering; graduate work in mathematics and system design also beneficial.
Earnings: $75,850
Who's Hiring: Computer Software Engineers
3. Electrical Engineers (for the federal government)
What they do:: Work on and test the electrical equipment that you find in homes, office buildings, cars and airplanes, among other places.
Education requirements: At least a bachelor's degree in engineering; additional coursework or training a plus.
Earnings: $76,264
Who's Hiring: Electrical Engineers
4. Managers for General Merchandise Stores
What they do: Oversee the daily operations of stores, which means they write schedules, ensure merchandise arrives and address customers' concerns.
Education requirements: No strict education requirements, but high school diploma and extensive experience are common requisites.
Earnings: $74,010
Who's Hiring: Managers
5. Marriage and Family Therapists
What they do: Work with families or married couples where one or more parties are experiencing an emotional or mental disorder.
Education requirements: Requirements differ by state, but a master's degree with relevant coursework and counseling license are standard for many therapists.
Earnings: $40,293
Who's Hiring: Marriage and Family Therapists
6. Personal and Home Care Aides
What they do: Assist people who need care with daily tasks in their own home due to illness or disability. They perform housekeeping chores and help patients bathe or move around the house, depending on their needs.
Education requirements: Much training is on-site and there are opportunities for certification, but experience often is the biggest asset.
Earnings: $22,163
Who's Hiring: Personal and Home Care Aides
7. Sales Associates for General Merchandise Stores
What they do: Assist customers with purchases and answer questions about products. Sales associates are often the first and only points of contact customers have when shopping at retail stores.
Education requirements: No minimum education requirements, but many employers have experience requirements.
Earnings: $21,923
Who's Hiring: Sales Associates
Next: What's 'In' and 'Out' on the Job Hunt>>
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Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for
Jun 10th 2009 @ 7:33PM Buzzsaw3322
military isnt up there?
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 9:28AM Ken shelton
I`m ready to give up the humdrum and work from home. Show me how.
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 7:14AM Cyndee Luckey
Sounds Great!!!!!!! Would like to hear more......
But have to go to work this morning.
Thanks,
Cyndee
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 9:50AM dawn
Angie,
Please let me in on your success story. I recently was terminated from my job of 17 yrs. It is very stressful wondering what I am going to do now. To make it even worse, I turn the big 40 this year..lol...I really would like to know. I read all these stories, but most of them they want you to send them money..If your story is legite, then please email me.
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Jul 23rd 2009 @ 12:33PM grinny5
Angie,
I would like your success story, too. There isn't even much in freelancing anymore. Tell me what your business is. And yes, I agree, the stimulus package was nothing. These companies brought on their own bankruptcies, they're still bankrupt, and it's not the government's job to fix them. Certainly, Obama didn't make any rules about what to do with the money.
I didn't pay taxes for last year! How's that? Medical bills along took up almost 70% of my stupid piddly "salary", and I was able to apply this fabulous deduction. Thanks but no thanks--I probably am doing better without nationalized health care. At least I don't pay taxes!
Jun 11th 2009 @ 7:50AM Theresa
Nursing is a great career to make a somewhat decent living. Depending on wich end of the spectrum you're on. Many decent people who should be nurses are stuck being cna's or other types of nursing assistants simply because they lack the resources and means to afford to go to school. Too many people are getting into nursing who shouldn't be nurses. They are the ones who could simply "afford" to go to school. You have to be a certian type of person to be a nurse....And not someone who thinks it's all Money,money ,money. I see too much of that now. Cna's,and other types of nursing assistants are grossly under paid for what they do. Rn's make a hell of alot more money With vertually no hands on work of any kind other than to give out medications and set an IV. Nursing has gone into a whole other direction from what it used to be. Now there are all kinds of assistants to do the icky work for the nurses. I just think that they should be paid a hell of alot more, considering they do all of the hands on patient care. More opportunities should be given to others who would trully make decent nurses , who are in it for the right reasons and not just to make a good buck. I can't stand it when I hear people say "nurses make good money..it's a good career to get into" Too many people are in it just to make money...and the majoraty of the nurses i've been coming across lately Lack an extreme amount of common sence.... Nursing is not what it used to be....you have somebody life in your hands for god sake...not a buck.
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Jul 25th 2009 @ 11:01AM BARBARA
I so much agree with you. I was a CNA and wished I could have gone to nursing school. Enjoyed working with the patients but just couldn't survive on the pay so had to look for a higher paying job. Saw to many nurses who could have spent more time with patients but used their time just gossiping. Also saw some nurses who really wanted to spent more time with their patients but ended up with more patients because of the shortage on their unit.
Aug 17th 2009 @ 7:28PM Maggie
I'm not sure what hospital you work at or have been to recently but you are completely off the mark. I am an RN and have very few nursing assistants I can count on. Everything falls on nursing. If a patient is not satisified with their dinner tray it falls on nursing, if a test is cancelled, respiratory is late for a treatment, phlebotomy can't find a vein, an intern doesn't have a clue whats going on, nurses pick up the slack for it. Most nursing jobs do pay well, but trust me, we earn every penny.
Jun 11th 2009 @ 8:14AM Susan Lewis
Angie, I am doing two direct sales companies right now and also work full time. I want more freedom with my time and to make more money. What do you do?
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 7:54AM Obaid Siddiqui
It is heartening for those who are hit hard by the recession and will help them counter the depression, obvous result of the catastrophe. It is a noble duty CNN and other sponsors are doing. GOD bless you.
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 9:52AM sandy
hello,
what is it you do if you do not sell anything, would be interested in knowing what you do? sandy
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 8:13AM Susan Lewis
Mike I would love to know more I live in West Virginia. What do I need to do?
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 8:09AM Pat
You are very fortunate. I have been out of work off and on for over five years. What's your secret?
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Jul 23rd 2009 @ 12:15PM grinny5
I dunno. Sounds like we should have taken some stupid computer or engineering classes. No problem--Obama's going to give us all tuition money. How ridiculous. I'm still paying student loans, and the jobs I worked for disappeared in the 1990s recession. (yes, there was one, if you remember that far back. But who wants to go back again? I don't have the energy for another degree! And I'm too old!
Jun 11th 2009 @ 8:12AM Susan Lewis
Danita What do you do? Sounds interesting
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 8:00AM John Galt
Wow, look at all the consultants that crawled out from under the rug.
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Jun 11th 2009 @ 9:53AM Stephanie
I AGREE!!!! ONE LONG INFOMERCIAL!!!!!
Jun 11th 2009 @ 7:59AM Jan
This job market has been bad for more years then what most think. Now everything is through agencies. You must sign up at different agencies to even be considered. The bad thing is most agencies have one maybe two key companies they work for. I have tried the home care job. I loved being with the clients I had. Twenty-five hours a week, lucky if you got thirty, but $8.00 an hr. I couldn't pay rent, buy groceries, or put gas in the car. I understand downsizing and give back your wages. I have had to do this. I pay more in deductibles, then I ever did before.
Fifteen thousand a year is poor. That's what most companies are asking us to live on to compete with China.
At this point most Americans would like to be offered a fair wage. Utopia isn't available. Ceo's already occupy it.
Fair wages..
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Jul 23rd 2009 @ 12:11PM Mary
You said it. I worked for $11,500. And no raises ever in retail. What a joke!
Jun 11th 2009 @ 8:06AM John Galt
Wow, look at all the "consultants" that crawled-out from under the rug.
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