There’s a lot of talk about the stimulus package, but are you asking yourself when you are going to feel stimulated? With over 6 millions jobs lost in the last 18 months, you have to wonder if we’ve hit bottom yet – and even if the worst is over, where are those new jobs coming from?

In a recent article in the New York Times, Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com is quoted as saying “…it will take time for businesses to be confident enough to go out and hire.” He goes on to predict that we are at least a year out from feeling a true return the necessary employer confidence that will lead to real employment opportunities.

Like Zandi, most economists feel that it is too early to definitively predict when this flabby economy will gain some muscle and “help wanted” signs will start appearing again. With money tight and credit scarce, consumers are watching their spending and he results can be felt all across the job front.

So how do you protect or prepare yourself from the ups and downs of a wayward economy? Two sectors that have held steady, and even added new jobs to their ranks during the recession, are education and health care.

The current spike in the school-age population, along with the recognition from education experts that our schools need to update and enrich their curriculums, has kept things solid on the education job front. The demand for qualified teachers, teacher’s aids, school administrators and other related support staff has continued to expand. If you are already working in the education field, now is the time to consider expanding your potential by exploring a graduate degree. For college-bound students looking to enter the field of education, either as teachers or in administration, this is a great time to explore your options.

Job opportunities in health care and related services are also showing great stability during the current economic downturn. The demand for registered nurses, LPNs and medical technicians can be seen in the help wanted section of every newspaper. There is also a demand for trained, skilled workers in hospital administration. In addition to traditional careers in medicine, the growing awareness of preventative medicine has opened employment opportunities for holistic and herbal medicine practitioners.

There are no 100% guarantees, however most employment experts agree: education and health care are two of the soundest arenas in the job market. If you are planning your college education or thinking about getting a graduate degree, take advantage of the free, online services like Top-Colleges.com to explore career options and get valuable advice on financing your college education. In the words of the great football coach, Vince Lombardi, “the best defense is a good offense.” To prepare for today’s job market and future
employment trends, consult the experts and start making plans for an education strategy with a future.