Like the saying goes, there’s good news and there’s bad news. Let’s start with the bad news and get it behind us.

We are all bombarded every day with the ever broadening ripple effects of an economy headed South.  Legacy companies like the big three automakers are battered, looking for bail outs.  Others, like Circuit City and Linens ‘n Things are dropping like flies.

A quick over view tells us that about half the United States is in recession and the rest is at risk, with the notable exception of Alaska, which has all that oil.

Here’s the good news.

There are still some healthy sectors out there and one of them is in computer systems design/IT.

This sector provides computer system design services, custom computer programming services and other related computer services such as software installation and IT security. So, although many industries are vulnerable to recession, and there is a very real danger of being laid off, if you’re not already in a computer related industry, you may want to start planning now to acquire the skills that will let you ride out the recession.  Skills would include computer system design services, custom computer programming services software installation and IT security.  The median salary for these higher level skills is $85,000 to $95,000. There are also many jobs available in web design and website creation. And if it takes you awhile to get up to speed on these higher paying jobs, remember that, with the proliferation of websites, support services for them have proliferated as well.  If you are at all computer and Internet savvy you can probably find a job as VA, virtual assistant to an online business, which could bring in some $25,000 to $40,000 per year . For instance, can you do at least some of the following:

Shopping Cart Administration Merchant Accounts Online Research Ezine Broadcasting Basic Website Maintenance / HTML FTP Autoresponder Setup Word Processing / Typing Email Management Creating PDF Documents Customer Service Online Audio Recording Article Submission Affiliate Administration PowerPoint Presentations Database Management

If you’re not sure how to get started, Multiple Streams Team is currently hiring virtual assistants to help with their clients.( I have no relationship with Multiple Streams Team, but they do have some good references). At the bottom of this page they are also giving away a free eBook about being a Virtual Assistant, so that might help you make an informed decision if you thinking of moving your career in that direction.

Despite recent job losses in many sectors, the computer/Internet/IT remains one of the 25 fastest growing industries. Our need for customized applications and support only further feeds the demand and growth. Companies over the next decade will continue to install sophisticated computer networks, set up internet and intranet sites and engage in e-commerce. This should all lead to the continued employment expansion as indicated, even in a downturn economy.

Source:
Moody’s Economy: http://www.economy.com/dismal/recession.asp
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) -

http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag61.htm

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