Top 10 Careers for Ultimate Job Security

Who doesn't want job security? These last few years of recession, layoffs, and unemployment have proved just how fickle the job market can be. As a result, more and more people are opting for career training or degree programs that lead to positions with greater job security. Though of course there are no guarantees in a shaky job market, some professions are much more stable than others. These ten jobs are as recession-proof as you can get.

1. Teacher: The demand for secondary school teachers is always strong, especially in the public school system. Teachers with a strong background in mathematics, bilingual education, and science will be in highest demand. Public school teachers must complete a bachelor's degree program, as well as an approved teaching program, before becoming licensed (median salary: $52,200).

2. Accountant: Working for a government agency offers job security for people with a degree in accounting. Government accountants start out with a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related discipline, and might hold a master's degree or higher (median salary: $60,340).

3. Registered nurse: Over the past decade, a nursing shortage has placed a great deal of strain on the health care industry. As a result, registered nurses are always in demand. There are three paths to becoming a registered nurse--earning an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program (median salary: $63,750).

4. College professor: Becoming a professor can lead to a long-term position with a college or university, and that can lead to tenure, which is one of the ultimate sorts of job security you can have. To ride the tenure track, most colleges require a doctorate in your chosen field of study (median salary: $58,830, though the salary can vary widely by field).

5. Federal judge: Most federal judges were attorneys before they made it to the bench. A bachelor's degree comes first, then three years of law school. Becoming a federal judge requires a firm grasp of the law, extensive legal experience, and a bit of political maneuvering thrown in for good measure (median salary: $112,830).

6. Environmental engineer: The push for green technology and a kinder approach to the natural world will put environmental engineers on the fast-track to success. Get your foot in the door with a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field (median salary: $77,040).

7. Pharmacist: As the world of health care continues to change rapidly, pharmacists will be needed to keep up with patient demand. Pharmacists must complete at least two years of undergraduate study before applying to a Pharm.D. program. Licensing is a must (median salary: $109,180).

8. Truck driver: With over 3.2 million truckers on the road, it's safe to say that becoming a truck driver is a popular career path. It is also a stable career, as there is no shortage of work for people who carry goods up and down the interstate. Career training for truck drivers begins with earning a commercial driver's license through a trade or vocational school (median salary: $37,730).

9. Telecommunications expert: As the virtual world grows larger and more complex, telecommunications experts will be needed to handle its intricate connections. Most jobs require a high school diploma, some offer on-the-job career training, and others require at least an associate's degree (median salary: $53,976).

10. Customer service representative: Good customer service is required in virtually every industry. A customer service representative might work from home, make connections through a call bank, or work for a small business that requires face-to-face assistance for customers. A high school diploma is required, and career training often takes place on the job. Earning a degree can lead to managerial and supervisory positions (median salary: $30,290).

Career training for job security
For the best job security, start with the best preparation. An accredited degree program can give you the edge you need in the competitive job market. Ongoing career training is the best way to stay on top of your game and move forward in your promising new career.

8 Jobs That Require Imagination

Get paid to use your creativity and imagination with these great-paying jobs!

Imagine this: getting paid to let your imagination run wild. If you're a creative person with a great imagination, we've got some ideas to help you turn your passion into a profit with one of these eight great-paying careers.

1. Graphic Designer

Here's a profession that really rewards creativity. By becoming a graphic designer, you can use your active imagination to dazzle clients by imagining and executing visual solutions to their communication problems.

Training: Interactive media is a game changer for graphic designers, who often earn a bachelor's in computer aided design, animation, or graphic design and multimedia. Shorter certificate programs can also help you keep pace with the competition.

Pay: Graphic designers earned an annual average salary of $42,400 in 2008. Those specializing in computer systems design earned an average of $47,860.

2. Marketing Professional

Creative brainstorming sessions are the norm for marketers, who are constantly coming up with fresh ways to communicate with consumers.

Training: It's not enough to come up with a brilliant plan. You need to know how to execute it. Marketing/communications programs can help you launch your career. An MBA can help you land a more senior position.

Pay: Marketing managers earned an average of $108,580 per year in 2008.

3. Detective/Forensics

If you enjoy detective stories, why not live the life yourself? Before detectives and forensics specialists can get the bad guy, they have to imagine how he did it.

Training: An active imagination can help law enforcement personnel envision crime-scene scenarios and motivations for different suspects. A lot of legwork is required, but imagination can be the key to cracking a case. A degree in forensics/crime scene, police & law enforcement, or criminal justice can help make that your job description.

Pay: The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators in 2008 was $60,910.

4. Business Entrepreneur

Walt Disney once famously said, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Creating a successful company requires bold, unconventional thinking. Some people call visionary businesspeople "crazy" - until their idea becomes huge. There are no guarantees in the business world, but every great business starts with that new idea. Do you have what it takes to make an idea come to life?

Training: Get started with an associate's or bachelor's degree in business administration or e-business/e-commerce, and finish with an MBA.

Pay: SimplyHired.com says the average entrepreneur earns $111,000.

5. Video Game Designer

Sharing their own mind-blowing ideas can quickly turn profitable for video game designers since imagining new worlds is what they do for a living.

Training: But imagining that brave new world is just the first step. Getting a degree in video game design or animation can help you share that vision with the rest of us.

Pay: Video game designers new to the job make about $46,000, according to AnimationArena.com.

6. Forensic Accountant

Money laundering is a dirty business that requires smart, creative accountants to visualize how the white collar criminals do what they do.

Training: Math courses are the obvious choice here and you'll get plenty of those while getting a bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration. An associate's degree in accounting can help you land a more entry-level job.

Pay: Accountants and auditors earn $59,430, with the top ten percent clearing over $100,000, according to the Department of Labor.

7. Teacher

An active imagination and a flair for creativity helps teachers connect with students. And the more they inspire the students, the more the students return the favor.

Training: Teachers need an active imagination - and credentials. Thankfully, getting your education degree or teaching certificate has never been easier, thanks to a proliferation of online teaching programs.

Pay: Forbes magazine says new teachers made $49,000 in 2005-06, the most recent year for which data is available.

8. Chef

Among other things, inventiveness is a key to being a great chef. Great dishes won't make as big a splash if the artistic presentation isn't up to par.

Training: Prior experience in the industry may help you get your foot in the door. If you want to get formal training, look into getting a degree in culinary arts.

Pay: Chefs, and head cooks earn an average of $38,770 per year. That average goes up ($44,660 per year) for those in traveler accommodation.