Which Jobs and Careers Fared Best During the 1930s Depression?

Which jobs and careers fared best during the 1930s depression?  One out of four Americans couldn’t find work during the great Depression until the Civilian Conservation Corps created jobs in conservation and the Works Progress Administration created jobs in construction work, sewing jobs for women, and arts projects for artists, writers, and musicians.  Also, the Civil Works Administration provided temporary jobs for millions of people.

During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1939, over 25 percent of Americans had no job, and most of those who were employed had to take pay cuts.  Some wealthy people were not affected at all by the depression, but it is estimated that 40 percent of Americans faced extreme hardship. 

The jobs and careers that fared best during this time included:

• Those related to the war
• Those created by the New Deal
• Those jobs that are always in demand

Jobs Created by the New Deal During the Great Depression

The New Deal brought relief in 1933.  Among its many programs were some that created jobs.  Jobs created by these programs were some of the only jobs you could find. Jobs included:

• The WPA, or Works Progress Administration, was the largest of these programs.  It employed people to work on public works, like building roads and buildings, and operated projects in the arts, drama, literacy, and media.  It also fed children and helped with food, housing, and clothing redistribution.  
• The CCC, or Civilian Conservation Corps, employed around two million men between 18 and 25 years old.  These young men made $30 a month by planting trees, cleaning up pollution, developing sanctuaries for birds, fish, and game, and other conservation measures.
• The CWA, or Civil Works Administration, provided a variety of jobs, like teaching, repairing highways, and digging ditches.  It ran from 1933 to 1934.

Great Depression and the New Deal Job Creation

In explaining which jobs and careers fared best during the 1930s depression, it is important to look at the Great Depression and the New Deal program of relief, recovery, and reform.

The Great Depression started in the United States but quickly spread to the world.  After World War I, the United States loaned money to help out countries affected by the war.  When the economy slumped, it affected mostly those countries who were deeply in debt to the US, mainly Germany and Great Britain.    

In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and ushered in the New Deal.  It provided jobs, as previously mentioned, and offered relief in other ways.  Some programs made loans to businesses, helped people keep their homes, insured bank deposits, and insured crops and livestock.  Banks were closed until they could become solvent, the TVA modernized all the dams in the Tennessee Valley and the Social Security Act was passed.  

Recession-Proof Careers

You may be wondering what jobs are recession-proof or depression-proof.  Here is a list of some jobs that will probably be around during any economic slump.

• Health Care: People and their pets will always get sick and need doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and veterinarians.
• Energy: The need for energy will not go away, so energy-related jobs are good.
• Education:  This field will always be around for kids and out-of-work adults who go back to school.
• Utilities: This field includes technicians, researchers, and office workers.
• Funerals Service: Of course, there will always be a need for morticians, coroners, embalmers, grave diggers, etc.
• Public Safety: We cannot do without the police force and all its related jobs. 
• International Business: If the economy slumps here, it may be better elsewhere.
• Accounting: During a recession, people want to make sure they get all their deductions and companies want to reduce their tax burden.
• Human Services: This includes social workers and counselors.
• Federal Government: Most of these jobs don't end until you retire, so there is a lot of security there.
• Sales: If you are a good salesman or saleswoman, you will probably be fine during a recession.
• Military: You don’t get fired from the military, and they are always hiring, especially during wartime.
• Skilled Services: These include plumbers, cosmeticians, massage therapists, and mechanics.
• Luxury Items: A business that caters to rich people will always be needed, since many of the wealthy will not be affected by a recession.

There are many recession and depression-proof jobs and careers. Be sure to consider the economic climate in your career planning and how the economy can affect your career advancement.