FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
If you're looking for a job that's recession proof, here's one where the customers don't talk back. Newsday reports that interest in funeral careers is skyrocketing.
For the most part, the funeral business is recession proof.
The mortuary science program at one Long Island community college has seen inquiries increase by 15 percent in recent months, with enrollment for last fall doubling from the year before. One program official says 80 percent of the graduates are employed in the funeral service industry; and they earn about $50,000 a year after completing a one-year residency.
Human resource experts suggest some other careers worth pursuing during a recession include those in health care, energy, education, public safety, accounting, military and debt collection. Some companies that are actually hiring right now include: Radio Shack, AT&T, Sears, K-Mart, Kindercare Learning Centers and Interim Health Care.
And there's no question a lot of people are looking. The nation's unemployment rate hit 8.2 percent last month; and some fear the jobless rate could reach double digits this year. About 4.4 million jobs have been lost since the recession started in December of 2007.
Meanwhile a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows worries about unemployment have tripled over the last year - with 36 percent of those surveyed now saying unemployment is the top economic issue. A majority of people have lost confidence that they can find a good job at their current salary if they had to.
Here’s my question to you: What are the best kinds of jobs in a recession?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jay writes:
Repo man, liquor store owner, grief counselor, gun salesman, food stamp issuer, family-sized cardboard box maker, fake Canadian healthcare ID card manufacturer, drug dealer, and tell-it-like-it-is cable TV pundit.
Jayne writes:
Congressman, obviously. Perks, plane rides, pay raises, no accountability and on and on. Need I say more?
Bruce from Minnesota writes:
Are you kidding? That's a no-brainer: an A.I.G. executive, of course. Just take all your customers' money home in a sack, then wait for a bailout. In the end, A.I.G. will give you millions more just for sticking around.
Mary writes:
The job I currently still have.
Jamie writes:
Federal government jobs – especially those related to national security. If you want job stability and benefits, being a Fed is the way to go. Plus you get hazard pay if you go to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Chris writes:
Health care. People will always be sick, stupid or unlucky.
Barbara from North Carolina writes:
Any job that pays Americans and can't be outsourced or filled by more green-card holders.
Randy from Odenton, Maryland writes:
I ain't saying, Jack. I don't need the competition.
Nick writes:
Obviously not the one that I HAD.
Matt writes:
Jack, I would like your job. Security, good salary and a real shot at Blitzer's job. With your new book, you don't need the money and I think it is time you considered some shuffleboard in Florida.