Video: Finding a recession-proof job

Unemployment rates are hitting levels we haven’t seen since 1982.

For people who have aleady lost their jobs, or those who expect a pink slip in the future, the odds may seem slim of finding another job any time soon.

But it’s not impossible if you know where to look.

We found companies are hiring in health, automotive, and industrial manufacturing fields.  And many types of businesses are looking for internal crime-fighters.

Students at UAB’s School of Business will be entering the job market soon.  And some, like Dave Karr say they’re optimistic about it, “You’re in charge of what you make, how much you work and how much you go get the business.”

Dave has reason to be upbeat.  His internship with General Electric helped him land a job selling industrial equipment for the company when he graduates in May.

UAB has some other unique programs preparing students for lucrative careers with staying power. 

UAB professor, Tom DeCarlo Ph.D. heads up the Industrial Distribution Program which prepares students for selling high-dollar medical equipment.
It’s the only program of its kind in the country.

Dr. DeCarlo says there will always be a demand for salespeople in that industry, “In this economy despite the recession we have people getting sick and it’s not by choice.  And they need help, services, doctor’s care.  That puts more emphasis on the people supplying those types of products to the hospitals”

Those salespeople can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.  The profession would appeal to people with an interest in medicine who also have a head for business.

Dr. Decarlo said, “It’s a unique marriage between the medical and the distribution side of business.“

One thing all companies have in common - they are all forced to deal with fraud.  92 - 95 % of all frauds are committed by employees stealing from their employers, averaging $250,000 apiece.  The incidence of fraud increases in a bad economy, so no matter the size, every kind of business is at risk, creating a bigger need for people who can track thieves.

That’s where UAB Professor of Forensic Accounting Tommie Singleton, Ph.D. comes in.  His students learn which people are most likely to steal from their employers, and how to catch them at it.

Dr. Singleton said, “They’re excited about it because they have a detective-like mindset and they enjoy solving puzzles and solving riddles and getting into things and figuring out who the person was who committed the crime”

There is a long list of companies needing that kind of detective on the payroll: law enforcement, the FBI, the Attorney General are just a few.

The FBI lists recent arrests for thefts by employees of banks, charities and government.  And it’s not all big business getting hit, retail operations and small companies are also at a high risk.  Dr. Singleton says UAB’s training allows its students to work in any of those areas. 

Other sectors like accounting and technology are still growing rapidly and hiring aggressively.
 
There are more than 55,000 employment ads posted on dice.com, a technology jobs website, where software engineers, systems administrators and help-desk jobs are in demand.

In the next decade, Alabama could face a major shortage of skilled workers because baby boomers are retiring. Steve Pollock with Alabama Industrial Development Training said, “There’s a lot more jobs available for skilled workers than those that require a 4 year degrees or higher education.“

Between now and 2014, more than 229,000 technical skilled jobs will be up for grabs nationwide.  Many of those positions only require a high school diploma or GED, and some of those employers will take care of training.

These hard times are actually causing one industry to grow.  Dale Stanley with Robe’ Mans Honda said he is seeing an increase in customers for auto repair. 

In October 2008, the average trade-in age for cars was 6.2 years, higher than the previous year when the trade-in age was 5.8 years.  Mechanics say people are holding onto their cars longer so they don’t have to buy a new car.  That’s good news for mechanics who are not hurting for work. 

The field of adult education is also growing because people are retraining for new careers.  And many types of jobs are available in the public sector as well.

Check out these links to find more recession-proof jobs.
UAB School of Business
Alabama Industrial Development Training
Technology Job Listings