Recession-proof job? Ain't no such thing

Bet you're not losing a whole lot of sleep worrying about the career prospects of those poor folks on Wall Street who sold mortgage-backed bonds or those down-on-their-luck execs at AIG. I wouldn't, either, except that I'm related to them.

I have two brothers. One has spent his career selling and trading securitized debt for big investment banks. That's right: high-yield bonds backed by mortgages and credit cards. The other rose through the ranks at AIG and is now an exec for the insurance giant overseas. Unemployment is a real and looming threat for the both of them. Our dad thinks maybe they can open up a sushi stand in New York. We know this wouldn't work, because the boys would eat their wares.

I'm getting a lot of e-mails these days from experts touting "recession-proof jobs." Here's what I think: ain't no such thang. Sure, some fields are less threatened than others. My sister, a pediatric oncology nurse, probably could go out and land a job today. But then again, hospitals are closing right and left in New Jersey. What I'm saying is there are no guarantees.

Here're some careers that Laurence Shatkin, author of the new book 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs, thinks are bullet-proof. Magazine writer didn't make the list.

1. Computer Systems Analysts

2. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
3. Network and Computer Systems Administrators
4. Registered Nurses
5. Teachers, Postsecondary
6. Physical Therapists
7. Physicians and Surgeons
8. Dental Hygienists
9. Pharmacists
10. Medical and Health Services Managers