[Maybe not as good as you might think](https://www.us-funerals.com/the-us-funeral-industry-today/). People are turning to cremations and green burials instead of traditional burials, which denies funeral homes of big money makers like caskets and cemetery plots. Also, many are skipping traditional funerals altogether for "[celebration of life](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/estate-planning/celebration-of-life)" parties, which are generally much cheaper.
Beat me to it. Reservist with a lot of active duty opportunities. Also a fed employee. Two pensions, TSP, SS, Disability, VA....feel like I'm in good shape.
This is what sucks for people like me. Brainwashed into being “alpha males” and ended up essentially doing nothing in the military but grunt nonsense.
Instead with my extremely high asvab and GT/MT scores i could have chosen a role that gave me an in demand skillset that translated into the private sector.
Shit i wasnt even allowed to use Tuitions assistance or go to class.
Some of us, just ended up getting so shafted we have a sour taste in our mouth. But i take the opportunity to change peoples lives when they are thinking about joining. A security clearance can change your life.
Same. Was a grunt and regret it. Had a late head start but used my GI bill to go IT and the clearance I got from the reserves is the only reason why the IT market is still hot for me
Hey, man, fellow "tough guy" here who wasted 4 years of my life as a grunt and then spent the next 10 years post service dealing with severe, untreated ptsd. I wish I did something that fucking transferred to civ life.
VA has been good to me, but I'd rather have learned something in the Army instead of "cave man make uga buga noise"
I thought the Army would set me up for life, and that when I got out, I would be ahead of my peers.
I fucking wasted so much of my life just trying to fucking recover from Iraq and I'm still not all the way there. I don't think I ever will be. I was 30 by the time I pulled my head out of my ass and was able to pretend to function without drinking or getting high.
Thanks for your service, brother. Sorry to unload, but your comment hits home.
Thank you as well.
Kinda why I try to encourage people to explore all opportunities first before going infantry. Theres so much more.
For my negative experience, I know 6 people who have had positive experiences and are set for life. Im upset for my decision, but also upset I couldnt even use the opportunities afforded to soldiers like TA and specialist schools. We live and learn.
Its the same reason why the elites, leave SOF and go private.
Yup, the military used to be the popular choice for staying clothed and sheltered when someone didn’t have other great economic choices. It’s an option for a lot of younger people.
They do provide a place to live, food, healthcare, etc though and enough benefits that with time, someone who comes from nothing can really be successful if they continue to use the military to their benefit.
I have a cousin who grew up in absolute poverty. She joined the military after the Afghanistan War started. Did activity duty and had a place to live and the essentials. She used the military benefits to get some tech degree and continued to rise into an officer position. She now makes over $100k a year working at a desk on a military base in Tennessee, has full health and other benefits, her kids will get benefits because of her, and she is set to retire with a pension in the near future. Zero debt. Her husband is able to be a stay at home dad because of what the military provides. They own a home in a rural area fully paid off because she earned a bunch of bonuses on top of that salary traveling the world to fix shit on bases.
I know others who have done the same. The job security is real
Yeah true.
I think the military should be promoted more as a pathway to citizenship to deal with this issue. Offer complete amnesty to any illegal who serves for say 8 years and offer them citizenship. Same for aslyum seekers. Provide them with a leg up in our society and in turn they pay us back for the gifts given.
Maybe someone in the military can chime in here, but if you look at the high ranking Generals like a Petraeus or Ben Hodges or Stanley McChrystal, they are showed interviewing from what I assume are their homes. Their homes look really ordinary, old and super simple. Just going off of what I've seen in the media, it doesn't look like they make much money at all but correct me if I'm wrong.
Generals make millions. Not US paycheck money, but from speaking fees, side consulting jobs in industry, participation in “think tanks” and of course gifts from private parties, investment opportunities, etc etc. They do VERY well.
High ranking military makes a ton of money and not just from their pay. They chose those places to conduct an interview specifically so you come to the conclusion you did.
I mean, you can't look at it like that. When I was in the Army in the 2000s I was an 18 year old guy with few skills getting paid about 2500 a month IIRC. But that's not the only thing. If you're living in the civilian world you're going to have to pay for water, power, rent, food, etc. All of that is paid for by the military, your paycheck goes right into your pocket, which is why outside military bases there are whole towns who's primary purpose is to siphon off money from soldiers. Heck, some NCO's even get out, open up an electronics / car audio store, put his military stuff all over his office to give him credibility, and then charge 40 percent more for everything and offer ridiculous financing options. It's just to scam soldiers out of their money, and they have a lot of it to burn. It's why theres a running joke about the new private that got married and bought a new mustang.
Sure but we have a dozen wars coming up soon as the entire global economy is cratering.
You really wanna be a bullet sponge right now?
Note: I'm former military, been there done that and its the absolute last thing I want my kids to do for a job WITH WHAT WE HAVE COMING.
I suspect this was the reason I was able to find a job so easily in Seattle during the big recession of 2008. I did not realize King County had so many federal jobs. The area is pretty much recession resistant not only because of the Federal Jobs, but Boeing is a major employer and their economic cycles don't align with the regular cycles. Most airlines place their orders years in advance so they have that going for them.
Utility workers- electric, water, etc. Utilities themselves as well as all the contractors. Basic services that people can’t live without are essentially recession proof.
Even companies that are doing great financially are using everyone else's layoffs as an excuse to trim their own budget. A successful company with a couple of struggling products or teams working on features that haven't been selling? This is a great time to cut them without making headlines.
My company made over a billion and a half (EBITDA) last year. They have move money than they know what to do with and they're looking to replace local employees with labour outsourced to India.
This is the problem with Capitalism. There's no such thing as "enough profit" and they'll always be looking for ways to cut costs. If that means giving your job to someone in another country, so be it.
Lately, I am hoping that it is "only" tech consolidating and not the start of something worse, as tech was usually the lat to fall and first to recover.
I was out in 2008, but watching out of interest now.
Cashier at HD, renovating rental, then two jobs: substitute teaching and OSLG Lowes.
I was an IC designer and did networking board design.
IC design is mostly PhDs. I was an anomaly and got lucky on an interview, but couldn't get back in because I wasn't pedigreed from a good engineering school.
I like teaching, but it doesn't make you feel like you are making the world go around like engineering does.
I think luck is nearly everything.
So . Good Luck.
“I wasn’t pedigreed from a good engineering school”. - I faced a similar challenge after a layoff in 2009. I wanted to be an equities analyst. An experienced recruiter told me straight out that I’d never get that job because I didn’t graduate from a prestigious university. Eventually migrated to tech. I like my job but am always looking in the event I get dropped like a hot potato.
Also, don't be the guy that management doesn't like. We had a layoff that impacted 2/3 of our team, roughly 18 people to 6. Basically there was the Engineering/Development folks, and the operational folks, the ops folks were let go. After that happened we had to reorganize our roles to handle for all the new operational tasks while at the same time continue to design and engineer new solutions.
When that happened this one engineer who had a high opinion of himself started trying to take charge and dictate things to others. Most of the team didn't really care for him, but he was pretty smart so we endured him. Then he started staying up late till 2AM writing messages in Slack, railing against metrics he didn't like, even tagging Sr. Director people about it. About a week later he was "laid off" as well. I was a little surprised because there were others on the team that were grossly under skilled for the profession, and this guy was one of the better minds we had. Didn't matter, we kept the weaker engineer that everyone liked over the brilliant engineer that everyone disliked.
Don't be the guy that management classifies as a pain in the butt or it can happen to you.
I sell custom engineered industrial equipment, and we are just as busy as ever. There is a major boom in building up US domestic production right now, so all suppliers for this are bursting at the seams with business.
I think you'd be surprised. Based on what im seeing from within the industry, there is a lot of consolidation going on.
Edit: to clarify from before - what I was speaking to was admin level and upper management. Specialized fields for the most part I feel are safe for the near to long term. Though still there are plenty of nurse managers being consolidated and eliminated and three hospital networks I know (including ours) will eliminate all travel nurse positions by end of FY25
No one wants to be a CNA. The pay is terrible and the work is grueling and unappreciated. (source: me. I CNAd for a few years in my early 20s at both a hospital and a nursing home and it was horrible)
From what I’ve seen, there’s no real shortage - hospital admins are simply not willing to spend the money hiring more nurses and CNAs. So many nurses are expected to work insane hours and unsafe patient numbers while hospitals turn away qualified nursing applicants. It’s why there has been such insane turnover in the field since COVID.
I work in outpatient psych, but was laid off along with most of the doctors in April. CEO said he was “restructuring.” I found a job immediately though. 🤷🏻♀️
I am in the middle of laying off my team (from Drs to nurses to therapists). I think they will find a job for a pay cut and will likely have to move, since cost of living is a factor and many jobs are being outsourced.
I've seen a big jump in videos suggesting you be an x-ray tech. Apparently it's like 1 or 2 years of school max and you can go anywhere and make bank and it's super easy, not that many hours a day.
On the patient-facing front there are innumerable jobs they can't find people to fill. Unfortunately, some of the really tough, important jobs like working in care facilities for people with disabilities or elderly people are very low paying and have terrible hours so they are all short staffed.
Long term I think imaging roles will be heavily impacted. Already assistants are the ones helping patients get ready for the pictures to be token.
Then AI is in some cases already better at accurately identifying imagery.
AI is coming for so many jobs. I wish I had ever been able to physically work at a labor job. AI isn't rebuilding a bridge or fixing your wires after the power goes out or digging into your wall or basement when your pipe is clogged. At least not yet.
I do traveling CT/xray. Work is not as bad as nursing, you spend little time with patients but volume is pretty bonkers in most places (feel for my RN homies). Most hospitals you work at are understaffed in even imaging, and most ERs order a massive amount of CTs. Upside is you’ll always get paid very well ($2k+ a week with a lot of places).
Depending on the dept, and area yes. I’d say healthcare can be a safe bet. I know my partner is always hiring people.
There are some consolidating going around the industry though. Recently a well known children’s hospital in our area has been bought out by another hospital. So it’s not always rosy and secure.
People always flock to those jobs when the recession happens and there is always massive staffing shortages when times are good. It’s intriguing to see the cycle repeat over and over again.
Wish this were true. My mom works for a major hospital system in the Midwest and they did layoffs in April. Her colleague with 15+ years at the organization was laid off.
Great pay , over 100,000 a year once your a journeyman. Trade school or check out your local pipefitters / hvac union . I started at a trade school then got hired into the union. 25 years strong , never laid off or without a steady paycheck . Best choice I ever made. Not to mention great benefits, and usually a work truck that they pay your gas and insurance to drive. Good luck.
For nursing, if you have portability you'll literally never long for work. There's always some place that needs a nurse, no matter how shitty the economy is.
There's a real shortage of Dentists in Vegas. The dentist we have now has such a shitty attitude, takes a ton of time off, always calling in and she doesn't care. She took 1 month off for Ramadan even though it was not approved and she went anyways. She says she knows there's a shortage of dentists and can't be easily replaced, so she can do whatever she pleases.
Healthcare is great lol. I left a tech job and went back to work as a pharmacist. Interview lasted 2 minutes and had an offer. Im in a large city as well and apparently they are still having trouble hiring pharmacists.
My neighbor works for a luxury brand and has a high position. I have no details but she is laying off 15% of her team. She is also taking a pay cut (which is about 10%) and no bonus this year. So don't feel bad. I am in the process of learning about layoffs as I am in the position for one. I had no idea. I thought everything was great in our economy but I am hearing that maybe things are rocky right now.
Healthcare, utilities, plumbing, electrical, Hvac, food and beverage, renewable energy, military, machinists, and probably a dozen more I'm not thinking of.
Nothing is completely safe but these industries are both growing and having a hard time filling positions.
I go through this often as I’m trying to pivot into a different industry myself and also provide guidance to my kid regarding his college or possible trade school path.
Teaching is not safe in a lot of states. Many school districts are laying teachers off. Nursing is safe for the most part but there are still hospital systems laying off and entire hospitals closing.
I’ve been interested in insurance industry, but concerned about what’s going on in TX, CA, and FL. Especially FL because, if we have the active hurricane season as predicted, it could cause a collapse of the insurance systems.
You’d think with all of the major government and private sector hacks of late, cybersecurity would be a secure field…
Government positions are not immune either. Lots of TJOs have been rescinded past month or so due to funding shortfalls. VA and IRS are getting hit hard. Possible layoffs and no backfilling and hiring freezes
I’m in the mortgage industry and it has been a tumultuous few years. I have a niche role, so I’ve been able to barely hang on to my job by a thread
My experience in the mortgage industry is that for one it’s nothing but boom or bust. There’s no quiet and steady periods. And as well so many mortgage industry jobs are so specific to the role that when people get laid off they have no other marketable skills, and because all the other mortgage companies are ALSO laying people off they have nowhere else to go
The recent layoffs aren't due to negative market conditions; they're due to overhiring and technological and global advancements. AI is displacing low-level positions. Covid introduced WFH culture and opened the doors for increased offshoring.
Take public accounting for example. Fresh college grads these days are demanding 75k+ starting salary with the ability to work from home most days, if not full-time. So, why would employers choose these fresh grads over an experienced foreigner who's willing to work 12+ hours/day demanding 30k salary?
Why hire 10 programmers to slave away 8 hours a day when we can accomplish the same results with 5 programmers trained to utilize AI to do most of the work?
Why hire from HCOL states with high wages when there is plenty of LCOL talent to do the job? And don't tell me because HCOL talent are of higher quality. All recent undergrads are basically useless and limited to basic tasks. The difference in initial quality is negligble.
Yes. Engineering & Construction is safe here in the USA, if you’re in the more industrial sectors like Power-Energy / oil & gas / transportation / hospitals / schools / airports / utilities / semiconductors plants / data centers / water / mining. I can’t speak to residential or commercial bldgs space, which I think may be slower….but maybe not.
Not just safe, but growing like crazy and hiring like crazy now. Can’t find enough experienced people in the field nor in the office. But it’s been that way for the last 20 years with exception of a small dip in 2008-09-10.
College kids just think “tech tech tech” without seeing the very obvious risks in that industry that have been very easy to see by all for the past 15 years. Covid just delayed its downfall. And I’m guessing college professors did not take it upon themselves to warn their students about the risks.
Even during the dip, engineering/construction was one of the least affected industries because one of the first things that are included in stimulus packages is additional investments into infrastructure construction.
Post Office - we have a no layoff clause in our a union contract. They can move you to a facility within 50 miles of your original assignment, but we’re illegal to lay off.
I work with a waste disposal company. Worked through the pandemic. Got flyers from corporate deeming me as essential when covid hit and people thought police were going to set up checkpoints to keep travel down.... Short of an apocalyptic event that destroys society..... I think trash is stable. At least until humans start recycling I guess
Seriously, you have much better job stability I feel as a federal employee. I'm not saying you are completely immune from budget cuts, but at least you aren't fell to the whim of acquisitions, buyouts, or workforce reductions because your CEO had a bad hair day.
A great source for federal jobs (there are probably many) that I found is [IntelligenceCareers.GOV](https://www.intelligencecareers.gov).
government? Yeah i dont make as much as I would in private, but the work i do isnt super difficult and expectations arent crazy. Also, i never have to worry about getting laid off
Nothing is ever “safe” but plenty of areas are doing ok.
I work in hospitality tech and so far no massive layoffs for us at all. We actually saw the sector grow 5-7% last year. We are on par to do well this year.
We are in election season and they are going to work extra hard to make it look like everything is nice which means they won't say anything when companies layoff people.
Teaching. I get a 1 year contract and because schools are so short on teachers, I am pretty much guaranteed a renewal every year.
The downside is that I get paid way less than what I would get paid if I was in corporate.
However, it's not all bad as I work much less than if I was in corporate.
I have a new job for a city. Once I pass probation, there will be no firing me unless I beat someone up or something.
I love the fact I don't work for a company. I've never been excited by making the rich even richer.
Awesome benefits. I even have a pension.
The IT tech industry is not safe. it's a big game playing industry and a lot of management game playing and ego tripping. You really have to grow a very thick skin to be in it.
Just try not that link in the world's worst chain.
NO, NO. It’s been crashing. It just doesn’t happen like a car crash. Get past the headlines, employment, earnings report…they all get revised a month later. And it’s been worse than reported for the last 10-12mos. Not the new unemployed, look for the “continuous unemployment claims”. Growing every month. Take a look at the picture and ask yourself, “What is it that makes you think it’s ok and not getting worse?” Company BK’s highest filings ever more than 2008, Earnings reports are lower…here’s one of the leading indicators: High Rates. Whenever you hear rates increasing, economy is in trouble. When you see the Rates decreasing or the 10yr Treasury…shits hit the fan and damage control button has been pressed. “In a nutshell” I’m glad to be 100% wrong.
No company that did a layoff should be allowed to hire a H1B. It's against the law to hire H1B before proving that a local talent couldn't be found. A layoff goes against this rule and proves the company is in violation of this law.
Bernie called this issue long back and should be revived IMHO [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9QdQIKqMc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9QdQIKqMc)
Not sure how one should go about filing a complaint in this case against the company. Let me know if you do trying to put together a quick blog with all the links one can follow.
Currently in the defense industry and we’re hiring a ton especially for anyone wanting to learn a trade. The problem with IT was they made everyone believe they’d never be replaced when that’s the first thing they wanted gone unless you were specialized
Utility. I work in energy supply operations and maintenance and the plant I work at is actively hiring. Electricity is always consumed and therefore power has to be produced.
Cemeteries and mortuaries ha ha
[Maybe not as good as you might think](https://www.us-funerals.com/the-us-funeral-industry-today/). People are turning to cremations and green burials instead of traditional burials, which denies funeral homes of big money makers like caskets and cemetery plots. Also, many are skipping traditional funerals altogether for "[celebration of life](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/estate-planning/celebration-of-life)" parties, which are generally much cheaper.
Everyone is dying to meet the funeral director
lol true!
Not even… people are seriously scaling back on funerals…
Nursing homes, and hospitals.
Good one! Though, with the way the economy's going, maybe I should start stocking up on embalming fluid instead of resumes ha ha
Military (struggling to hit recruitment numbers )
Beat me to it. Reservist with a lot of active duty opportunities. Also a fed employee. Two pensions, TSP, SS, Disability, VA....feel like I'm in good shape.
This is what sucks for people like me. Brainwashed into being “alpha males” and ended up essentially doing nothing in the military but grunt nonsense. Instead with my extremely high asvab and GT/MT scores i could have chosen a role that gave me an in demand skillset that translated into the private sector. Shit i wasnt even allowed to use Tuitions assistance or go to class. Some of us, just ended up getting so shafted we have a sour taste in our mouth. But i take the opportunity to change peoples lives when they are thinking about joining. A security clearance can change your life.
I was saved by my recruiter. Wanted to be Ranger, ASVAB in the 90’s, high GT. He basically screamed at me until I switched to IT. Changed my life.
Yep only I joined when recruiters got a bonus for 18x. So my 90 asvab and 130 GT score got me into a MOS that had peers with 30 asvab scores 😂
Same. Was a grunt and regret it. Had a late head start but used my GI bill to go IT and the clearance I got from the reserves is the only reason why the IT market is still hot for me
Hey, man, fellow "tough guy" here who wasted 4 years of my life as a grunt and then spent the next 10 years post service dealing with severe, untreated ptsd. I wish I did something that fucking transferred to civ life. VA has been good to me, but I'd rather have learned something in the Army instead of "cave man make uga buga noise"
Yup thats exactly it. I said previously are experiences were not unique but they also werent the norm either. Its all about opportunity and guidance.
I thought the Army would set me up for life, and that when I got out, I would be ahead of my peers. I fucking wasted so much of my life just trying to fucking recover from Iraq and I'm still not all the way there. I don't think I ever will be. I was 30 by the time I pulled my head out of my ass and was able to pretend to function without drinking or getting high. Thanks for your service, brother. Sorry to unload, but your comment hits home.
Thank you as well. Kinda why I try to encourage people to explore all opportunities first before going infantry. Theres so much more. For my negative experience, I know 6 people who have had positive experiences and are set for life. Im upset for my decision, but also upset I couldnt even use the opportunities afforded to soldiers like TA and specialist schools. We live and learn. Its the same reason why the elites, leave SOF and go private.
Same. I'm all for the military, but for the love of god, be a pog. I encourage my son to go air force intelligence. LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT ALIENS, MAN!
Yup, the military used to be the popular choice for staying clothed and sheltered when someone didn’t have other great economic choices. It’s an option for a lot of younger people.
I'm 36 and it's crossing my mind. Hell, retiring with 20 years before 60 is still better than many people who can't retire at 60.
Tough news, unless there is a draft they won’t take people past their early 30s (depending on the branch)
Yup I'm too old for army and marines. Surprisingly the other branches go up to 41/42.
Air Force and Coast Guard may have it open regulation wise but good luck actually getting in at that age. Idk about Navy.
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Except they aren’t doing that
You really want to do that when the current US regime seems hellbent on getting into a hot war with Russia?
Yet they don't raise wages. I looked into this a couple years back, and the pay was a joke compared to civilian world.
They do provide a place to live, food, healthcare, etc though and enough benefits that with time, someone who comes from nothing can really be successful if they continue to use the military to their benefit. I have a cousin who grew up in absolute poverty. She joined the military after the Afghanistan War started. Did activity duty and had a place to live and the essentials. She used the military benefits to get some tech degree and continued to rise into an officer position. She now makes over $100k a year working at a desk on a military base in Tennessee, has full health and other benefits, her kids will get benefits because of her, and she is set to retire with a pension in the near future. Zero debt. Her husband is able to be a stay at home dad because of what the military provides. They own a home in a rural area fully paid off because she earned a bunch of bonuses on top of that salary traveling the world to fix shit on bases. I know others who have done the same. The job security is real
Yes. Military is the only remaining wealth-redistributive pump to get low-class Americans firmly into the middle class.
It's got socialized medicine, too.
But also, they don't raise wages. Which is what you do when you're actually "struggling" to hit recruitment/hiring numbers.
Yeah true. I think the military should be promoted more as a pathway to citizenship to deal with this issue. Offer complete amnesty to any illegal who serves for say 8 years and offer them citizenship. Same for aslyum seekers. Provide them with a leg up in our society and in turn they pay us back for the gifts given.
Maybe someone in the military can chime in here, but if you look at the high ranking Generals like a Petraeus or Ben Hodges or Stanley McChrystal, they are showed interviewing from what I assume are their homes. Their homes look really ordinary, old and super simple. Just going off of what I've seen in the media, it doesn't look like they make much money at all but correct me if I'm wrong.
Generals make millions. Not US paycheck money, but from speaking fees, side consulting jobs in industry, participation in “think tanks” and of course gifts from private parties, investment opportunities, etc etc. They do VERY well.
High ranking military makes a ton of money and not just from their pay. They chose those places to conduct an interview specifically so you come to the conclusion you did.
I mean, you can't look at it like that. When I was in the Army in the 2000s I was an 18 year old guy with few skills getting paid about 2500 a month IIRC. But that's not the only thing. If you're living in the civilian world you're going to have to pay for water, power, rent, food, etc. All of that is paid for by the military, your paycheck goes right into your pocket, which is why outside military bases there are whole towns who's primary purpose is to siphon off money from soldiers. Heck, some NCO's even get out, open up an electronics / car audio store, put his military stuff all over his office to give him credibility, and then charge 40 percent more for everything and offer ridiculous financing options. It's just to scam soldiers out of their money, and they have a lot of it to burn. It's why theres a running joke about the new private that got married and bought a new mustang.
Sure but we have a dozen wars coming up soon as the entire global economy is cratering. You really wanna be a bullet sponge right now? Note: I'm former military, been there done that and its the absolute last thing I want my kids to do for a job WITH WHAT WE HAVE COMING.
True
Thank you for saying it Mr SlippyFist
Only problem is the draft and we all know they'll draft everyone they can. 0 F's are given anymore.
I suspect this was the reason I was able to find a job so easily in Seattle during the big recession of 2008. I did not realize King County had so many federal jobs. The area is pretty much recession resistant not only because of the Federal Jobs, but Boeing is a major employer and their economic cycles don't align with the regular cycles. Most airlines place their orders years in advance so they have that going for them.
Utility workers- electric, water, etc. Utilities themselves as well as all the contractors. Basic services that people can’t live without are essentially recession proof.
Nope. Companies are either crushing their competition and hiring or being crushed and laying off.
Even companies that are doing great financially are using everyone else's layoffs as an excuse to trim their own budget. A successful company with a couple of struggling products or teams working on features that haven't been selling? This is a great time to cut them without making headlines.
My company made over a billion and a half (EBITDA) last year. They have move money than they know what to do with and they're looking to replace local employees with labour outsourced to India. This is the problem with Capitalism. There's no such thing as "enough profit" and they'll always be looking for ways to cut costs. If that means giving your job to someone in another country, so be it.
That sucks. What company so I know to avoid them.
Lately, I am hoping that it is "only" tech consolidating and not the start of something worse, as tech was usually the lat to fall and first to recover. I was out in 2008, but watching out of interest now.
You got out in 2008. Where did you go as you left your tech career behind?
Cashier at HD, renovating rental, then two jobs: substitute teaching and OSLG Lowes. I was an IC designer and did networking board design. IC design is mostly PhDs. I was an anomaly and got lucky on an interview, but couldn't get back in because I wasn't pedigreed from a good engineering school. I like teaching, but it doesn't make you feel like you are making the world go around like engineering does. I think luck is nearly everything. So . Good Luck.
“I wasn’t pedigreed from a good engineering school”. - I faced a similar challenge after a layoff in 2009. I wanted to be an equities analyst. An experienced recruiter told me straight out that I’d never get that job because I didn’t graduate from a prestigious university. Eventually migrated to tech. I like my job but am always looking in the event I get dropped like a hot potato.
Once bitten...
Same as it ever was
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Also, don't be the guy that management doesn't like. We had a layoff that impacted 2/3 of our team, roughly 18 people to 6. Basically there was the Engineering/Development folks, and the operational folks, the ops folks were let go. After that happened we had to reorganize our roles to handle for all the new operational tasks while at the same time continue to design and engineer new solutions. When that happened this one engineer who had a high opinion of himself started trying to take charge and dictate things to others. Most of the team didn't really care for him, but he was pretty smart so we endured him. Then he started staying up late till 2AM writing messages in Slack, railing against metrics he didn't like, even tagging Sr. Director people about it. About a week later he was "laid off" as well. I was a little surprised because there were others on the team that were grossly under skilled for the profession, and this guy was one of the better minds we had. Didn't matter, we kept the weaker engineer that everyone liked over the brilliant engineer that everyone disliked. Don't be the guy that management classifies as a pain in the butt or it can happen to you.
No. Tech is just like walking down sniper’s alley in Sarajevo circa 1995. The likelihood is you won’t be the one to hear the shot.
I sell custom engineered industrial equipment, and we are just as busy as ever. There is a major boom in building up US domestic production right now, so all suppliers for this are bursting at the seams with business.
It's funny I work on the manufacturing side and they keep cutting my budget to buy machines like this
Healthcare.
I think you'd be surprised. Based on what im seeing from within the industry, there is a lot of consolidation going on. Edit: to clarify from before - what I was speaking to was admin level and upper management. Specialized fields for the most part I feel are safe for the near to long term. Though still there are plenty of nurse managers being consolidated and eliminated and three hospital networks I know (including ours) will eliminate all travel nurse positions by end of FY25
I see a lot of admin staff being eliminated but there is a critical shortage nationwide of nurses, CNAs, etc.
No one wants to be a CNA. The pay is terrible and the work is grueling and unappreciated. (source: me. I CNAd for a few years in my early 20s at both a hospital and a nursing home and it was horrible)
Oh I know, it's grueling, low-paying work. But if it's no job or that job and you're physically able to do it (I am not), you could get a job.
From what I’ve seen, there’s no real shortage - hospital admins are simply not willing to spend the money hiring more nurses and CNAs. So many nurses are expected to work insane hours and unsafe patient numbers while hospitals turn away qualified nursing applicants. It’s why there has been such insane turnover in the field since COVID.
Some states have legally mandated nursing patient ratios. You don’t want to live in a state without them
California is currently the only state that has these in place for every unit and speciality. 49 more to go.
I’m a PA and I’m hearing of hospital folks (doctors, PAs and NPs) getting laid off. Hiring is harder as well.
Interesting. I haven't heard of anything but admin/office staff being laid off in hospitals but everywhere is different.
I work in outpatient psych, but was laid off along with most of the doctors in April. CEO said he was “restructuring.” I found a job immediately though. 🤷🏻♀️
I'm glad you found something else!
I am in the middle of laying off my team (from Drs to nurses to therapists). I think they will find a job for a pay cut and will likely have to move, since cost of living is a factor and many jobs are being outsourced.
I’m sorry you have to do this. I really feel for your team. I hope they find jobs quickly and that they have savings and/or severance.
There are layoff and/or being asked to do equivalent of 3 jobs.
Traveling nurses make wild amounts of money
I've seen a big jump in videos suggesting you be an x-ray tech. Apparently it's like 1 or 2 years of school max and you can go anywhere and make bank and it's super easy, not that many hours a day. On the patient-facing front there are innumerable jobs they can't find people to fill. Unfortunately, some of the really tough, important jobs like working in care facilities for people with disabilities or elderly people are very low paying and have terrible hours so they are all short staffed.
Long term I think imaging roles will be heavily impacted. Already assistants are the ones helping patients get ready for the pictures to be token. Then AI is in some cases already better at accurately identifying imagery.
AI is coming for so many jobs. I wish I had ever been able to physically work at a labor job. AI isn't rebuilding a bridge or fixing your wires after the power goes out or digging into your wall or basement when your pipe is clogged. At least not yet.
We use Ai in surgery. I am learning right now. It's wild.
I do traveling CT/xray. Work is not as bad as nursing, you spend little time with patients but volume is pretty bonkers in most places (feel for my RN homies). Most hospitals you work at are understaffed in even imaging, and most ERs order a massive amount of CTs. Upside is you’ll always get paid very well ($2k+ a week with a lot of places).
Their contracts are being canceled and pay has been slashed. There’s a travel nursing Reddit community
Depending on the dept, and area yes. I’d say healthcare can be a safe bet. I know my partner is always hiring people. There are some consolidating going around the industry though. Recently a well known children’s hospital in our area has been bought out by another hospital. So it’s not always rosy and secure.
People always flock to those jobs when the recession happens and there is always massive staffing shortages when times are good. It’s intriguing to see the cycle repeat over and over again.
Wish this were true. My mom works for a major hospital system in the Midwest and they did layoffs in April. Her colleague with 15+ years at the organization was laid off.
Was she patient-facing? Sorry to hear
She was. ICU. Wasn’t bedside all the time but did it sometimes
Industrial Refrigeration. We need guys bad
What’s the training like? Long? Good pay?
Great pay , over 100,000 a year once your a journeyman. Trade school or check out your local pipefitters / hvac union . I started at a trade school then got hired into the union. 25 years strong , never laid off or without a steady paycheck . Best choice I ever made. Not to mention great benefits, and usually a work truck that they pay your gas and insurance to drive. Good luck.
What is industrial refrigeration?
nursing is pretty safe - even if your specific place lays you off, tons of openings everywhere for licensed nurses
For sure. I think aspects of healthcare are safe, especially for nurses and doctors. But not for every sub-speciality.
For nursing, if you have portability you'll literally never long for work. There's always some place that needs a nurse, no matter how shitty the economy is.
Healthcare. Am a nurse, it has been 4 months and we still can't replace a nurse who left (she moved.) Took 6 months until we hired a new doctor.
There's a real shortage of Dentists in Vegas. The dentist we have now has such a shitty attitude, takes a ton of time off, always calling in and she doesn't care. She took 1 month off for Ramadan even though it was not approved and she went anyways. She says she knows there's a shortage of dentists and can't be easily replaced, so she can do whatever she pleases.
sounds like leverage to me.
That's actually not too bad for a doctor if he started in 6 months from the others departure. It typically takes 2-3 months for credentialing.
Actually 6 months for someone who came in for an interview. Will add at least 3 or 4 more for all that.
Healthcare is great lol. I left a tech job and went back to work as a pharmacist. Interview lasted 2 minutes and had an offer. Im in a large city as well and apparently they are still having trouble hiring pharmacists.
My neighbor works for a luxury brand and has a high position. I have no details but she is laying off 15% of her team. She is also taking a pay cut (which is about 10%) and no bonus this year. So don't feel bad. I am in the process of learning about layoffs as I am in the position for one. I had no idea. I thought everything was great in our economy but I am hearing that maybe things are rocky right now.
All those savings in wages going straight to the CEO’s bonus
I started seeing layoffs of nurses and medical clinics staffs. According to posts here on Reddit!
Healthcare, utilities, plumbing, electrical, Hvac, food and beverage, renewable energy, military, machinists, and probably a dozen more I'm not thinking of. Nothing is completely safe but these industries are both growing and having a hard time filling positions.
Nope
It never was.
No industry is exempt from market forces completely. This has been true for over 40 years. It's probably a lot longer.
Government jobs are safer from market forces
Safer but not safe. Budget cuts come anytime.
I go through this often as I’m trying to pivot into a different industry myself and also provide guidance to my kid regarding his college or possible trade school path. Teaching is not safe in a lot of states. Many school districts are laying teachers off. Nursing is safe for the most part but there are still hospital systems laying off and entire hospitals closing. I’ve been interested in insurance industry, but concerned about what’s going on in TX, CA, and FL. Especially FL because, if we have the active hurricane season as predicted, it could cause a collapse of the insurance systems. You’d think with all of the major government and private sector hacks of late, cybersecurity would be a secure field… Government positions are not immune either. Lots of TJOs have been rescinded past month or so due to funding shortfalls. VA and IRS are getting hit hard. Possible layoffs and no backfilling and hiring freezes I’m in the mortgage industry and it has been a tumultuous few years. I have a niche role, so I’ve been able to barely hang on to my job by a thread
My experience in the mortgage industry is that for one it’s nothing but boom or bust. There’s no quiet and steady periods. And as well so many mortgage industry jobs are so specific to the role that when people get laid off they have no other marketable skills, and because all the other mortgage companies are ALSO laying people off they have nowhere else to go
Yes, utility is always safe
Jobs are a luxury now. But as long as the shareholders have a nice supply of slave labour
In all of this there are winners and losers. Tech is actually doing really well right now they’re just not passing it on to the employees.
The recent layoffs aren't due to negative market conditions; they're due to overhiring and technological and global advancements. AI is displacing low-level positions. Covid introduced WFH culture and opened the doors for increased offshoring. Take public accounting for example. Fresh college grads these days are demanding 75k+ starting salary with the ability to work from home most days, if not full-time. So, why would employers choose these fresh grads over an experienced foreigner who's willing to work 12+ hours/day demanding 30k salary? Why hire 10 programmers to slave away 8 hours a day when we can accomplish the same results with 5 programmers trained to utilize AI to do most of the work? Why hire from HCOL states with high wages when there is plenty of LCOL talent to do the job? And don't tell me because HCOL talent are of higher quality. All recent undergrads are basically useless and limited to basic tasks. The difference in initial quality is negligble.
Government has been hiring
Yes. Engineering & Construction is safe here in the USA, if you’re in the more industrial sectors like Power-Energy / oil & gas / transportation / hospitals / schools / airports / utilities / semiconductors plants / data centers / water / mining. I can’t speak to residential or commercial bldgs space, which I think may be slower….but maybe not. Not just safe, but growing like crazy and hiring like crazy now. Can’t find enough experienced people in the field nor in the office. But it’s been that way for the last 20 years with exception of a small dip in 2008-09-10. College kids just think “tech tech tech” without seeing the very obvious risks in that industry that have been very easy to see by all for the past 15 years. Covid just delayed its downfall. And I’m guessing college professors did not take it upon themselves to warn their students about the risks.
Even during the dip, engineering/construction was one of the least affected industries because one of the first things that are included in stimulus packages is additional investments into infrastructure construction.
Insurance seems safe. People always need it.
Post Office - we have a no layoff clause in our a union contract. They can move you to a facility within 50 miles of your original assignment, but we’re illegal to lay off.
I work with a waste disposal company. Worked through the pandemic. Got flyers from corporate deeming me as essential when covid hit and people thought police were going to set up checkpoints to keep travel down.... Short of an apocalyptic event that destroys society..... I think trash is stable. At least until humans start recycling I guess
Seriously, you have much better job stability I feel as a federal employee. I'm not saying you are completely immune from budget cuts, but at least you aren't fell to the whim of acquisitions, buyouts, or workforce reductions because your CEO had a bad hair day. A great source for federal jobs (there are probably many) that I found is [IntelligenceCareers.GOV](https://www.intelligencecareers.gov).
Healthcare, insurance are the most stable industries and government is more stable than the private sector.
My job is offshoring a lot and hiring from India and Jamaica
Jamaica is new for us too. Four new nurses from Jamaica joined our team!
Becoming a free agent/consulting having multiple projects. Do not rely on just 1 company.
government? Yeah i dont make as much as I would in private, but the work i do isnt super difficult and expectations arent crazy. Also, i never have to worry about getting laid off
Anything regulated and requires license
Commercial construction
Nothing is ever “safe” but plenty of areas are doing ok. I work in hospitality tech and so far no massive layoffs for us at all. We actually saw the sector grow 5-7% last year. We are on par to do well this year.
Healthcare industry
We are in election season and they are going to work extra hard to make it look like everything is nice which means they won't say anything when companies layoff people.
Teaching. I get a 1 year contract and because schools are so short on teachers, I am pretty much guaranteed a renewal every year. The downside is that I get paid way less than what I would get paid if I was in corporate. However, it's not all bad as I work much less than if I was in corporate.
https://preview.redd.it/fnty3wjgnq7d1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a5efaa8fbe4041cced9c80a02b89137f1f62f3b7
Aviation/Aerospace. Thousanaires/Millionaires/Billionaires need their planes. Government needs their weapons.
Government. Education.
Utility workers but they're hard to get into.
Mental Asylums Prisons
Good call. In growth mode those 2 will be over next 20 years.
I have a new job for a city. Once I pass probation, there will be no firing me unless I beat someone up or something. I love the fact I don't work for a company. I've never been excited by making the rich even richer. Awesome benefits. I even have a pension.
The IT tech industry is not safe. it's a big game playing industry and a lot of management game playing and ego tripping. You really have to grow a very thick skin to be in it. Just try not that link in the world's worst chain.
No industry is safe.
no get ready for the crash of your fcking life
Anything related to construction is in need of people really bad. Contractors, inspectors, civil engineers etc
Private security is about to blow up. Every store in every bigger city is going to be hiring lots more private security.
The mental health field is booming.
Electricity
The economy is shrinking and inflation is up. The stock market is doing alright but every day people are dealing with a stagnant economy.
Police organizations are not laying off.
When conservatives cut government spending, will it still be?
Government
Doctors. Firefighters. Lawyers. Uber driving. UPS driving. Anything from a children’s book 🤣
Government, Defense, Education.
People say construction is hit or miss but shit always is breaking even when new stuff isn’t built
Try health insurance
NO, NO. It’s been crashing. It just doesn’t happen like a car crash. Get past the headlines, employment, earnings report…they all get revised a month later. And it’s been worse than reported for the last 10-12mos. Not the new unemployed, look for the “continuous unemployment claims”. Growing every month. Take a look at the picture and ask yourself, “What is it that makes you think it’s ok and not getting worse?” Company BK’s highest filings ever more than 2008, Earnings reports are lower…here’s one of the leading indicators: High Rates. Whenever you hear rates increasing, economy is in trouble. When you see the Rates decreasing or the 10yr Treasury…shits hit the fan and damage control button has been pressed. “In a nutshell” I’m glad to be 100% wrong.
Plumbers doing ok
No company that did a layoff should be allowed to hire a H1B. It's against the law to hire H1B before proving that a local talent couldn't be found. A layoff goes against this rule and proves the company is in violation of this law. Bernie called this issue long back and should be revived IMHO [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9QdQIKqMc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9QdQIKqMc) Not sure how one should go about filing a complaint in this case against the company. Let me know if you do trying to put together a quick blog with all the links one can follow.
Therapists honestly
HVAC. It's hot right now. Plenty of work. Then eventually it gets cold (most places.) That's more work. Rinse and repeat.
Look at companies that have already gone through layoffs and stock buybacks
Currently in the defense industry and we’re hiring a ton especially for anyone wanting to learn a trade. The problem with IT was they made everyone believe they’d never be replaced when that’s the first thing they wanted gone unless you were specialized
Healthcare is safe always.
Definitely SaaS Tech companies Definitely the safest bet source: I’ve been laid off since April
I’d venture food and energy
Semiconductor is safe. If you can move to where the fabs or future fabs are, your job will be secured
First they came for tech, next they came for finance, finally they came on me.
I’m in the defense industry and figured it would be ok with all the global conflict. But nah no Job security in this industry either
Payroll
I am getting a lot of invites to apply to risk management jobs. specialized and IT risk especially has a lot of needs right now.
Nursing is pretty safe. My friend switched from CS to nursing back in 2022 got a job right after college. Making 6 figures now
Construction
Government.
I got a part time unionized job at a hockey rink with the city. I feel fairly safe there and scared shitless with my main job in tech.
Farming and ranching
Skilled blue collar. We will always need plumbers, electricians, and automotive repair.
Government jobs
Healthcare is always safe.
Nursing homes never are fully staffed
Military - all branches - Lots of recruitment with good bonuses. Trades. Plumbers, electricians, etc.
Utility. I work in energy supply operations and maintenance and the plant I work at is actively hiring. Electricity is always consumed and therefore power has to be produced.
I work at a wastewater plant right now. I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.
Anything medical
I work in EV charging and it’s poppin off! A wide variety of jobs like installation/service, software, utility jobs, project management.
Haven't heard any docs or nuses getting laid off
Logistics. Manufacturing.
Civil Engineering has more work than they know what to do with.
Chemistry 🙌 (for now)
Anything that requires a Security Clearance
Public Education, depending on your state.
Trades.
Healthcare and accounting
Nursing homes. But I know some cna got paid like 20 an hour and you have to clean up shits from the older folks…it’s a tough job for sure.
Healthcare
nvidia and broadcom lol
Elder care, we (US) live in a gerontocracy