See what's missing from college orientation…
Economy-Proof Careers
When wading through the relatively safe bubble of college, it is sometimes difficult to gain perspective on what the “real world” will feel like. You’ve heard of it, right? Getting a job, buying a house, budgeting for expenses and managing finances. Your career will play an integral role in the quality and security of life after college, so now is the time to start looking for economy-proof careers.
In other words, you’ll want to find a job after college that grants at least a small measure of security. You’ll want the knowledge that your career won’t go up in flames two years down the line, and recent panic over the state of the U.S. economy increases the urgency. But how do you find economy-proof careers?
The first step is to look for resources that will help you identify and learn about economy-proof careers. These resources allow you to explore the details of each job prospect, including the potential salary and the need for workers in the industry many years down the line.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
If you want to learn about existing careers that are expected to flourish in the coming years, BLS.gov is an excellent place to start. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a government organization that outlines different jobs, from education requirements to workplace atmosphere, in easy-to-understand language.
It is important to remember that, while BLS.gov is an excellent resource for finding economy-proof careers, you have to consider each job prospect with respect to your own personality and desires. As you research jobs, ask yourself: “Can I picture myself enjoying this career for the rest of my working life?”
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
How to graduate with a FICO of 720
Good credit is an asset in a struggling economy. When lenders lend less, they favor those with a proven track record. If a student gets a credit card as a freshman and treats it responsibly (pays on time, maintains a balance less than 40% of the credit limit, or not carrying a balance at all), he or she will graduate with extra credit.
President Barack Obama is attempting to help redirect the U.S. economy, and one of his primary initiatives is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is designed to funnel money into and create economy-proof careers in a diverse range of industries.
You can use the information at Recovery.gov to learn where recovery dollars are headed and, therefore, where more economy-proof careers will begin to appear. If you are still in college, this gives you time to finish your degree and might very well place you in an optimum position for future job security.
Future Prospects
In addition to the previous two resources, you should be thinking about new economy-proof careers and jobs that emerge as time goes on. Technology propels us forward with each passing day, and there might be hundreds of jobs in the market when you graduate that simply don’t exist today.
One of the most essential aspects of managing money and gaining financial responsibility is your line of employment. Without a job, all the credit cards and loans in the world won’t keep your head above water. Therefore, it definitely pays to start learning about job prospects now.
