5 Careers That Sail Through a Tough Economy

The chaos in global markets is being felt from Wall Street to Main Street, taking whole companies with it -- and perhaps your job, too. Are you doing everything you can to stay out of harm's way? Now is the time to shore up your position in the job market with targeted career training. These weatherproof careers may survive -- and in some cases, thrive -- even in the toughest of conditions.

How you weather the current economic storm will depend on where you are when it hits and what resources you bring to the table. Entry-level financial analysts on Wall Street, for example, are among the most vulnerable to job cuts today. Finance managers on Main Street are better off, shielded by broader responsibility and qualifications. And workers in the following five careers might just be the safest of all, thanks to specialized career training, recession-immune job opportunities and the value they deliver to their employer.

Web designer

As companies look for ways to cut overhead costs, demand for Web design grows. The Internet has evolved from an information resource into a robust economic platform. Companies take advantage of low-overhead Internet storefronts to tap new markets worldwide as they market and sell their products online. They need a compelling Web presence to reel in customers -- and that's where you come in.

Education strategy: Web design applications are continually pushing the boundaries of Internet sales and marketing. The classic Web site shopping cart now sits alongside animated "sales associates" and real-time chat options. To keep up with the advances in multimedia technology, content strategy, search engine optimization and more, Web designers rely on continuing education. Online colleges offer a range of career training options for design professionals, from courses in specific technologies to college degrees in e-marketing and graphic design.

Accountant

Federal oversight doesn't take a break when the economy gets tough. In fact, most economists predict an expansionof federal financial regulations in the wake of institutional bankruptcies and the credit market freeze. At least one sector of the population may benefit from this development: the accountants responsible for financial reporting.

Education strategy: The U.S. Department of Labor reports, "faster-than-average growth of accountant and auditor jobs will result from ... changing financial laws and regulations and greater scrutiny of company finances." Online continuing education will play a critical role in keeping financial professionals up to speed on changing reporting requirements. A college degree is the standard minimum qualification in the accounting business, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the best opportunities will go to job seekers who have a master's degree, or obtain certification or licensing. The Certified Public Accountant license offers the surest route to job security. This credential typically requires 30 hours of graduate-level continuing education. There are some online M.B.A. degrees in accounting that offer both CPA qualification and an advanced degree.

Nurse

The health care industry, already enjoying historic demand thanks to retiring baby boomers, shows no signs of slowing in response to an ailing economy. After all, health care is a perennial need -- people will continue to get sick and seek medical treatment no matter what happens in the financial markets.

Education strategy: Nursing can offer a high return on your educational investment. In as little as two years, you could take advantage of one of the fastest-growing job markets in the United States. The Department of Labor predicts a nearly 25 percent increase in jobs through 2016. An associate degree in nursing is the minimum qualification to sit for the registered nursing exam. A bachelor's degree in nursing offers broader career opportunities. Both are available online, with a local clinical internship required for hands-on training.

Health services administrator

Health services administration offers an excellent opportunity for business professionals looking to transition into a less volatile career sector. Medical clinics and hospitals rely on business administrators to manage their finances and operations. Duties may include budgeting, managing personnel and finding ways to improve the efficiency of health care delivery.

Education strategy: Retool your business administration skills for a health care context with a master's degree in health services administration, public health or business administration with a concentration in health care management. All programs are available online, and some may be completed in as little as 18 months.

Adult educator

Education is another "evergreen" industry -- demand for teachers doesn't slacken when the economy takes a downturn. Adult educators can experience a boost during tough economic times as a more competitive job market drives workers to upgrade their credentials. This year's M.B.A. enrollments are set to break records. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, 77 percent of institutions surveyed reported an increase in applications.

Education strategy: Adult educators have the advantage of their own career background to draw from as they transition into teaching. Vocational and business schools often prefer to hire industry insiders to teach their courses. In the private sector, adult educators can take advantage of lucrative job opportunities as corporate trainers. Master's degrees in education or training and development offer a solid foundation in teaching methods, including the educational technology that has transformed adult career education.

In a tough economy, you can't afford to take career advancement for granted. Today's workers need to remain limber in the face of economic insecurity by targeting high-value job skills and upgrading their career training accordingly. A sinking economy doesn't have to bring you down with it. A little career strategy can propel your career forward, even in turbulent times.