Bill collector??? Well I suppose they are hiring extra people at the unemployment office to handle the extra workload too. It is ironic that at times of high employment, the UCO offices are the ones laying people off and severing employment.

In PA, unemployment is handled completely on-line...no human interface.
In fact, they encourage people to use on-line services instead of going to an office.

My friend is a human resources consultant, and she has had work as a job counselor, helping people with their resumes, how to network, practicing interviews and other do's and don'ts in finding work. She is very helpful and encouraging to people who are panicked about losing their jobs. She's paid by the companies doing the laying off. I'm very proud of her.

I suppose community colleges might be seeing more people going in for re-training in whatever fields they might offer.

Good question, Azzalea.

My SIS is in human resources. She told me two industries that are growing are health care (All the "boomers" getting older, haha) and education-schools need substitute teachers, especially. I was thinking of going to school to become a pharmacist assistant. And my local high school is looking for parents to "babysit" classes when the regular teacher is ill. You don't need a college degree or any other qualifications.

I work for Corrections. Unfortunately, people commit crimes in tough ecomonic times and that equals job security for me. Although it is always a possibility that I could get laid off, it is not very likely.

My husband is a captain on a tow boat. While it takes a lot of training and years of working on the water to be a captain, they pay the deckhands well...starting at $125 a day and going up to $165 a day. They furnish all food, and they eat well. Each boat is allotted $400 a week for a 6 man crew. They work 2 weeks on and a week off...so, you aren't spending much money on commuting back and forth to work. You work a 6 hours shift. Six on, six off. Six on, six off.

A lot of people don't want to work where you have to be gone so much, but it isn't hard work. Deckhands handle the lines on the boat, sweep, do a little cleaning, cook if they can cook...whoever is the best cook on the boat does the cooking, and they take a little chipping hammer and chip and paint in their spare time.

Every tow boat company I know is desperate for help. It is so hard to find anyone who can pass a drug test. They periodically do random tests, and you have got to pass. It amazes me how many of the deckhands can't stay off drugs to pass the test, and that includes some of the captains too.

Anyone living near the coast might want to try a job on a towboat. You don't have to be particularly skilled. They will teach you everything you need to know.

Marilyn, my DB used to work on a towboat. My cousin was captain on one for years. My nephew has also worked on one two different stretches of time.

I agree - there's $$ to be made, if you can handle the life away from home. Pretty good job for single guys, I know.

"Pretty good job for single guys, I know."

Or, old workaholics like my husband. :)) I'm just so thankful that he found a good job. Shrimping just went downhill so far...you couldn't make a living at it. The imports, the lack of shrimp and size, and then the price of diesel...capped off by a hurricane. We would be in serious trouble if not for his job, and as it is, he is working over all the time he can get. He has been home only two days since September 9th. Makes it hard on me, but we are saving money to work on the house.

That's why I expressed it as I did, Marilyn! LOL

My cousin's wife raised their son (basically totally on her own) while his dad served as a captain for many, many years on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

Sorry - didn't mean to highjack your post! I was just thinking that there is probably gonna be an even bigger demand for financial advisors and bankruptcy lawyers!

No, no--you didn't hijack--not at all--this is exactly the kind of discussion I was interested in seeing.

Interesting responses so far. I'd love to see what others have to say.

I used to have a student whose father worked on a tugboat--we live near a major shipping river where the port is about 30 or so miles up river from the bay, so the tugs are important.

Was wondering if there is maybe more work for mechanics--because people are keeping their cars, appliances longer, etc? Maybe not, though, if they're attempting some of those repair jobs themselves to save $$$.

Well, I sold another short story to Woman's World. I guess that shows people are still reading. :-)

On the other side of the coin, a younger friend got laid off and is having an awful time finding a job as a graphic artist. This is a concern to me, both for my friend and because my granddaughter is planning to major in graphic art in college next year.

I think people get more inclined to to DYIs on repairs now, to save cash.

I had no problem getting a next day appointment for heater service company to do cleaning, check-up last week. This time of the year, they are usually booked solid.

The general contractor I use for work on my house, who is usually booked months in advance...was also available for next day.

I meant to add that all of our newspapers are advertising for part-time reporters. One of them says "no experience necessary." It may be just a local thing, or perhaps people have quit because they can't get by on the relatively low pay (and no benefits for part-timers). But it could be a nice opportunity for someone needing flexible hours.

I've been a designer/artist (mechanical/graphic) since 1973. While it's true in low economic times designers are often either the first to go or last to be hired, it is a talent that can be easily done from home as a freelancer.

I had my own successful home-based design business for eight years. Doing everything from product illustrations to Powerpoint presentation. I went over two years before I met my biggest client face to face. Everything is done via phone, email and vendors and for me, there was practically no overhead. The only reason I went captive again (i.e., working for a corporation) was 1. I needed to get out of the house more and 2. I needed affordable health care coverage.

Alisande, don't let your graphic artist relatives overlook the freelance opportunities because it hones their skills while they are looking for a job and usually requires only a good computer and the proper softwares. Both of which you'll want at home anyhow because they will inevitably be asked by friends, family and others to do some freelance work.

Jodi-

DH works in the "oil patch" so no shortage of work there.

I work at home as a freelance writer/editor. Most of my work right now is for the federal government, so no shortage of work there, either.

We are truly blessed!

Thanks, Jodi. That's a good point. My DD also reminded me that a bachelor's degree in one field can often get you a job in another. She says she knows a middleware expert who has a marketing degree. I have no idea what middleware is. :-)