9 Recession-Proof Careers

(Source: Reader's Digest)

With the economy continuing to limp along and what seems like more and more companies filing for bankruptcy and laying people off, it's hard to stay positive. If you've got a job, you're probably stressed about keeping it. If you don't have one, you're stressed about finding one -- particularly as the competition picks up with more and moer people filing for unemployment each week.

Well, thankfully, Reader's Digest provides a list of nine recession-proof careers that offer a bit of hope among all of this doom and gloom. While a number of industries are struggling and will continue to struggle, not all will. And in fact, some could thrive in the years ahead (particularly those that are the recipients of large government spending).

The nine careers (fields, really) are listed below, along with specific jobs within each. For more color on the various careers, click through to the article to find out more about them -- including median salary for each.

Also, we've linked to a few other related tips that we thought you might enjoy -- or at least will help reduce stress and perhaps inspire.

1. Education - "Math and science teachers will be in demand..."

2. Energy - "The real boost will come from the new administration's commitment to a more efficient national energy system."

3. Environment - "Green is getting the green light."

4. Financial Services - Believe it or not, "financial services have a bright future."

5. Government - "More than half a million federal employees will retire by 2016" and "There will also be opportunities at the state and local levels."

6. Health Care - "Health care is a growing industry, and not just for health care professionals. There will also be jobs for secretaries, accountants, and administrators."

7. International Business - "The global economy is only going to grow."

8. Law Enforcment - "Crime doesn't go down in a recession. It may even increase."

9. Technology - "New uses of technology ... mean that this sector will continue to be strong."