What would you say is the "safest" occupation in the United States today?

[JustAnotherGen]

28. I'd tell them

To focus on the elderly. If a high school Senior came to me and said I want to do something health care focused - I would tell them to focus on the elderly.

If they wanted to do something brick and mortar - I would tell them to learn about solar panel installation. That's why my husband offloaded his HVAC company a few years ago. One - the restoration and iron/metal works is booming. More work than his folks can handle. Two - he saw the writing on the wall and didn't want to get into solar energy. The old dog didn't want to learn new tricks.

If they were math inclined - I would tell them to become a civil engineer, environmental engineer, or climate focused scientist.

If they were a high creative - I would tell them to tough it out and pursue their artistic bent - but at the same time learn communication technology at the same time.

I'm in telecom and can tell you about being the Carrier Account Manager at Frontier/Global Crossing and going out to Level 3 and they couldn't build cubes fast enough. The industry has changed radically since the telecom bubble started to rise then burst with a big Kaboom! Earlier this week I had a moment because people want a government take over of the Mass Comms and hold onto copper lines. I'm in the backfill program on the wireless side of a major Carrier - that means future leadership. The reality is that if you sit in the backfill meetings - we have no intention of keeping copper.

Data is where it's at.

It's an App world.

20 Something's don't want wires - they want to be able to jet and not fuck around with a local telco when they want to jet.

Your best bet is to write and create the apps. Go to an electronics manufacturer with a ten year plan. Focus on human factors to understand how people are going to turn on the oven prior to leaving work from their wireless device. Because they are already controlling the energy and security of their homes from it. Hell - we turn our outdoor lights on from a phone.