Most stable/open fields?

[Cally]

What are some of the more solid and open fields right now?

I'm looking at Medicare. What are some other fields that are fairly stable at the moment?

I'm considering this because I'm looking at some options for retraining. Computer sciences? 

[Bon Voyage]

What are some of the more solid and open fields right now?

I'm looking at Medicare. What are some other fields that are fairly stable at the moment?

I'm considering this because I'm looking at some options for retraining. Computer sciences? 

Electrical and Civil engineering in the power industry.

[Cally]

^Really?  I've heard different, but I'll look into it some more, thx.

[Northboy]

Community economic development.

Helping communities and business adapt to economic transitions.

Banking, not the brokerage based system, but risk mitigation and portfolio management.

Management accounting and industrial accounting.

I do agree with Gary on engineering as well.

Farming.

Any journeyman trade (if you're in Canada for sure) especially plumbing.

[Bon Voyage]

^Really?   I've heard different, but I'll look into it some more, thx.

In the power industry, there are more potential jobs down the line than potential folks to employ.

You are always going to need to have the electricity on, your books done, and your medical needs attended to.

[Cally]

I certainly agree with your reasoning. I'm sure you're right. I believe I was thinking about the difficulties of some electricians and labor--not sure what I was thinking.

Thanks.

[walker starr]

   If I had children or grandchildren just starting out I'd advise them to become pharmacists.  There is always
   a great demand .  Even pharmacists in their 80s and 90s have work if they want it.

[JohnDB]

Medical fields always seem to keep chugging along with their economy regardless of the rest of the economy.
(Not dental...that takes a hit in a bad economy)

Government is always rather stable too. It doesn't pay the best but....it is usually stable work if you can stomach the work environment.

Electrical distribution is always a good solid field such as Lineman (pole climbers...although they use bucket trucks mostly and don't climb poles too much any longer) In America and Canada this is a field involving lots of travel usually.  If you like travelling abroad.....there are plenty of opportunities overseas in this field as well. China has an enormous need at the moment for electricians of all varieties.

So do many other countries.

Oil refineries and drilling (offshore) are always looking for those willing to sign on for their platforms as well...again this isn't a fun life either...most can't stand it.

[Johnb]

Medical field.  With 30 odd million baby boomers hitting retirement this is a recession proof field.   One daughter is and RN son in law is LPN and son is an Exray tech.  All are employed

[Cally]

Yup. The health care industry is always good.

Incredibly, I've recently been reading that industries with computers (lots of them) are actually projected to grow.

[psalmgirl]

 to continue... I worked in Radiology and they had several techs, none of which had full time jobs, they only work them one of two days a week, that way they don't have to pay them benefits... many of the techs worked for 3 different hospitals just to get a 40 a week check... Hospitals also tend to fire their employees instead of laying them off, that way they don't have to pay for their unemployment benefits... that is why you never hear of a hospital downsizing... it is not as stable a field as we are led to believe... It was quite an eye opening experience for me... and many others...