Consider a Hot or Green Career

    考慮更熱門或綠色的職業

    Education and health services top the list of employment sectors with the biggest and fastest growth, and with significant public spending in these areas, they'll still be hiring, even in a shrinking economy.

    "Green jobs" are another broad area where I see big opportunities. The UN reported that the environmental industry created 5.3 million jobs in 2005.

    Green jobs range widely -- from scientists developing renewable energy technologies, to engineers, lawyers, green architects and designers, and even organic farmers and gardeners.

    Recycling, waste management, and remediation are special growth areas, along with renewable energy. Senator Barack Obama(D-IL), for one, has proposed $150 billion in federal investments to create even more green jobs.

    You can find dedicated listings of green jobs at sites such as sustainablebusiness.com, greenjobs.com, and treehugger.com.

    Be Flexible and Optimistic

    樂觀、靈活

    An interesting nuance to the research on recession and income: One study found that "graduating in a recession leads workers to start at smaller and lower-paying firms, and they catch up by switching jobs more frequently than those who graduate in better times." 

    經濟不景氣時畢業的學生起薪通常較低，但之后他們會頻繁跳槽、趕上那些在繁榮時期畢業學生的薪水。

    At first, the study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found, recession grads can take a hit in earnings of up to 9 percent compared to boom-time graduates, but those losses are made up over time by trading up more often. So while you're working hard at making yourself indispensable at your first job, don't get too comfortable. Keep an eye out for new companies, positions, and industries that might lead you toward your passion.

    One last point: In the past, recessions have led to bumps in grad school enrollment because staying in school looks preferable to jumping into a dicey job market. I would urge any new grads to get a couple of years of work experience under their belts and research their field thoroughly before rushing back to school and taking on more student loans. 

    在經濟不景氣的時期，研究生考試也會變得競爭激烈，這是因為看起來多讀幾年書要比投身一個不確定的就業市場要好。這里建議畢業生們最好能積累幾年工作經驗、充分研究自己的領域后再回學校讀書，因為讀書可能意味著承擔更多的貸款。

    But whatever you do, don't stop learning new skills, developing your particular talents, and keeping an open mind about opportunities. That's what will make you indispensable -- no matter how the economy is doing.