If you unemployed and having difficulties finding a job, it may be a good time for you to learn some new skills.  Go for a  recession proof occupation.  There are many for which you can train entirely online in just a few months, and you may qualify for financial aid under the new Federal Pell Grant rules and other financial aid programs , so be sure to check around. 

While many of you may like to go for a college degree, you may not have the time and money to complete a full program.   You may want to consider training for an occupation that offers good employment prospects, and can be completed fast – in as little as a few months.  Online career training is one good option.

Here are some of the options that you may want to consider – all of these occupations have been reported to have good opportunities for jobs now and far into the future according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics:

1. Medical Billing and Coding: any occupation in the health care industry is hot now and for many years into the future. The great thing about medical office management, including medical billing and coding, is this is an occupation that allows you to work from home and make your own hours, or work in a medical office or clinic. There are some great accredited online colleges offer training that you can complete fast and start working.
2. Pharmacy Technician: Pharamacy technology is also an in-demand health care occupation that is growing fast. With our aging population, the demand for health care workers at all levels is also growing.  Take a look at other health related fields such as Physical Therapy Assistant, and Occupational Therapy Assistant among others.
3. Computers: Who doesn’t use a computer today? There is a rapidly growing need for qualified computer programmers, computer repair technicians, and computer networking techs. These jobs not only pay well, but are in-demand now and far into the future. You can train online and be working in just a few short months!
4. Hospitality and Tourism Management: Arts, entertainment, and recreation are predicted to grow by 30.9 percent and add 595,000 new jobs by 2016. Most of these new job openings, 79 percent, will be in the amusement, gambling, and recreation sector. Job growth will stem from public participation in arts, entertainment, and recreation activities-reflecting increasing incomes, leisure time, and awareness of the health benefits of physical fitness. You can train online for a diploma in hotel and restaurant management, fitness and sports, sports psychology and sports management.
5. Other high demand jobs will continue to be locksmithing, electrical,auto mechanics, and other trades.

So, if you are out of work, and looking for a new occupation, why not consider learning entirely new skills online? What can you lose?  All of the programs above and many more are listed at Classes24Seven.com, where you will find listings of the top accredited colleges offering online career training.

 by Robert Thomson

Experts tell us that the U.S. economy is facing perhaps the most serious recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Prices are deflating, banks are in crisis, and many businesses are looking at bankruptcy. Surprisingly, though, or perhaps not so surprisingly, tens of thousands of people are returning to school to get a college degree.

Recently, the administrators of Degree.com did an informal survey of visitors to the website. During this survey, they learned that nearly half or 45 percent, in fact of the people visiting the website had either lost their jobs or feared that they would lose their job. They were either entering a university degree program for a first degree or enrolling in a graduate degree program for additional education.

This may seem contradictory; times are hard and people want to save money for paying bills and necessities such as food, clothing, and housing, but it actually makes good economic sense. Sometimes, you have to spend money to make money, and if spending money will help you get a better job (or keep the one you already have) maybe it’s worth it! Read this article »