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Poll Results: The Best Jobs for a Deep Recession or Economic Depression?

Here the reader responses that we have received thusfar on our poll: "The Best Jobs for a Deep Recession or Economic Depression":

"Tenured college or university professor."

"Locksmith. When the economy is good people need to protect their new 'stuff' and when the economy is bad people need to protect their old 'stuff'. Crime does pay if you ar a locksmith. For twenty three years through good economic times and bad I always had work."

"I suggest public accounting. Why? The flurry of bankruptcies that will ensue. Bankruptcy work is very profitable for accountants. Also, if the last depression was any clue, there will likely be a whole new pile of legislation enacted to "Deal" with the depression (pun intended). And hey, accounting is already a lucrative profession because of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. Yes, yes, I know welding is a useful skill, and it would be great to be a self sufficient organic farmer, but in a depression, as the poll describes, companies will still be running, they'll just be doing very badly and somebody will have to count the beans. Somebody will ALWAYS be counting the beans."

"I'd vote for what I do right now - professional handyman, but my emphasis is on "can do" work - I don't do kits. I fix things, and make sure they stay fixed.
Others:
Midwife.
Folk musician.
Any kind of mechanic - automotive, Diesel, electronics, machinist, Babbitt bearing specialist, etc, but they have to concentrate on how to do true repairs, not just how to install a kit.
Tinkerers that can build things from junk - tractors, farm equipment, rolling gates, fencing, tools, etc.
Blacksmiths and metalsmiths.
Knifemakers and tool makers.
BioDiesel specialist - vehicle modifications, fuel production ( a sideline business I'm looking at right now)
Any of the construction trades
Farrier
Large animal veterinarian
Low tech chemistry specialist
Pest control specialist
Septic system specialist
Various forms of security consultants/contractors
Butcher
Baker
Mist specialist :-) [JWR Adds: Actually that last one, given in jest, is a good idea. There will always be a need for someone to pump septic tanks.]"

"Well, if one can stand feeling like a vulture, auctioneers do very well during economic downturns. Let's face it, if someone can't pay their bills, their stuff is going on the auction block. With tougher bankruptcy laws, I can only imagine it would make things better for that occupation. Also a good occupation during a downturn would be furniture movers. In good times, people are moving up. In bad times, people are: moving down, being put out on the street or going where the jobs are. The more dislocation a downturn causes, the more people will have to move around."

"There are probably others but here are a few:
Health Care Specialty/Field; Nurse, Doctor, Pharmacist
Government (Essential Services): Law Enforcement, Firemen, Teachers (K-12), Military
Utilities (Essential Services): People that keep the electric, and gas lines working..."

"ANY GOVERNMENT JOB
Upper Corporate Management
Doctor, Nurse, and health care field
Undertaker
Wal-Mart employee"

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