In recent years turbulent times around the world have hit close to home for many of us and made us rethink all kinds of aspects of our daily life – including our careers.
Living through the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and an impending economic downturn means a newly forming economic landscape. Along with the push for better working conditions that spurred the Great Resignation, many workers are also looking for more job security.
Recession-proof careers promise consistent work and reliable income, even in uncertain economic conditions. But they don’t have to mean a dull career. In fact, far from it, many ‘reliable’ jobs come with opportunities for continuous learning, career growth, and global travel.
Here are some of the best recession-proof jobs for 2024.
- Registered Nurse
- Teacher
- Accountant
- Firefighter
- Therapist
- Information Security Analyst
Registered Nurse
Healthcare workers and mental health professionals are an essential service, but nursing provides one of the fastest routes into the field and the promise of a diverse and interesting career. To become a registered nurse in the US, you’ll need 2 – 3 years of study to gain either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, plus state accreditation to get your nursing license.
There are thousands of entry-level openings for registered nurses across the US, with an average starting salary of $62,400. And nurses are in demand around the world, too – qualified nurses are eligible for international short-term postings or long-term relocation.
In terms of career advancement, experienced nurses can expect to move into leadership positions or related roles like health policy analytics or clinical education. You’ll also learn plenty of transferable skills like communication, organization, and critical thinking.
Teacher
Becoming a teacher opens up your career to endless job opportunities. In the US, teachers are currently more in-demand than ever, and English-speaking teachers are also a hot commodity around the world.
High demand means getting qualified to teach is now more accessible than ever, making teaching an ideal job for new grads and career changers. To start applying for many teaching roles in the US, all that’s required is a Bachelor’s degree in any field and an Alternative Teaching Certification, which takes around nine months to obtain.
Young teachers especially have a lot to offer students, and working in education is a great way to start building your career with a skill set that will last for life.
Whether you want to move into education management roles in the future, take your skills overseas and teach abroad, or lead virtual classes from home, there are plenty of ways for teachers to build out their careers in the long term. Average starting salaries for teachers in the US begin at $41,770.
Examples of Current Openings in the Job Market for Licensed Teachers Abroad!
- Principal and School Administrator Jobs
- K12 Teaching Jobs
- Different Types of Licensed Teacher Programs Abroad
Accountant
If you’ve got a head for numbers, workers in financial services are always in demand, and accountancy is one of the most flexible roles.
Accountants provide financial and tax-related services that see them working with various industries, companies, and individuals. Many accountants go on to start their own businesses and practice independently, but as every kind of business needs accountants, there are also plenty of options to work in the public and private sectors.
Whether you’re crunching the numbers or auditing to find financial errors, as an accountant, you’ll be contributing to the economy’s overall health. You’ll also develop skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
Entry to the field takes some work – you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and certified public accountant (CPA) licensure. But with average salaries of $73,500 in the US, getting qualified as an accountant sets you up with an in-demand skill set that will last for life.
Firefighter
If you are looking for an active role full of adventure where you will make a tangible difference in your local community, firefighting could be the career for you.
Whatever the economic situation, firefighters are always needed and do much more than put out fires. Other responsibilities include assisting with medical emergencies, helping with search and rescue efforts and traffic incidents, and providing public safety.
Needless to say, there is plenty to learn in the role. Entry requirements for firefighters in the US are a high-school diploma, a driver’s license, and to pass written physical and psychological exams. Once accepted, you’ll learn the essential skills for fighting fires with the option to continue specialized medical and other field training.
Average salaries for firefighters in the US are $50,900.
Therapist
Mental health is a growing industry, and there is increasing demand for qualified professionals as the wider public learns more about this field. Entry as a professional requires a high level of education. But becoming a therapist (which requires a minimum of a master’s degree and a clinical license) is one of the more accessible routes.
Working in therapy also gives you diverse career options – counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists are all types of therapists. You might work in hospitals, schools, and local communities or start your own practice.
One thing is for sure – If you’re interested in people, working as a therapist can be a fascinating career. Depending on the type of therapy you practice, salaries start from $49,000 in the US.
Information security analyst
Typically tech has been seen as a growing and lucrative sector, but recent months have called that into question. However, tech knowledge is still in high demand and one of the most recession-proof fields is cyber security.
A vast number of organizations and individuals need to keep their data and online information safe, and new technologies that both target and protect this information are constantly being developed. The result: the widespread need for cyber security professionals far outweighs the supply in many countries around the world.
Entry into the field normally requires at least a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, plus some experience working with security systems or in IT. From there, cyber security professionals require a broad knowledge of subjects including programming, networks and systems administration, and cloud computing.
There may be a lot to learn, but doing so is a great way to future-proof your career whether you want to move into a management role or into different cyber security specialisms. The average salary for Information security analysts in the US is $77,200.
Why Teaching Is A Great Career Choice in 2024 and Beyond
Careers in education have proven to be quite stable. Teaching is recession-proof and provides a sense of job security. If you’re considering becoming a teacher or switching careers, take your online teacher certification course with Teach Away and start teaching by next year!
