Careers that defy inflation in
It is no secret that the United States is headed into a
recession and that young people can look to “ tw in
evils” - inflation and high unemployment. Now, more
than ever before, young people should prepare fo r
careers that are “ recession p ro o f.” Recession proof
careers are those th at: w ill w ithstand the present
economic crisis; w ill prosper if more beneficial times
arrive; and w ill make significant contributions to our
communities in the U.S. and abroad.
The following is a list o f “ recession p ro of” careers
compiled by The Black Colleyian. Although it is not
exhaustive, it indicates fields in which Blacks can find
satisfying and productive work.
A D M IN IS T R A T IV E CAREERS
Bank O ffic e rs and M a n a g e rs : Banks have
presidents who direct operations and one or more vice
presidents who control certain departments like trust or
credit and a com ptroller or cashier who is generally
responsible for all bank property. Banks employed over
300, (XX) officers and managers in 1976.
Bank officers make decisions within a framework o f
policy set by the board o f directors and laws and
regulations. They must have knowledge o f business and
how it relates to banking.
H ealth Services A d m in istrato rs A d m in istra to rs
coordinate the functions and activities o f the health
organization. They make m ajor decisions on matters
such as the need for additional personnel and equip
ment, space and budgets. Some adm inistrators, who
manage hospitals or nursing homes, oversee nursing,
food services, and training.
D ATA PROCESSING CAREERS
C o m p u te r O p e ra to r: The Computer operator is
trained to prevent and correct operating malfunction of
a computer. I he operator also starts the com puter
system by reading in stacks o f computer cards.
C om pu te r P rogram m er: The computer program
mer writes the instructions that command the computer
to do the work it needs to do. Coding for the computer
is written in special languages.
Systems A nalyst: Systems analysis is the profession
o f studying business systems to make them more e f
ficient. He designs computer systems that provide the
best solution for the job to be done.
ENGINEERING CAREERS
Engineers develop and design scientific equipment
and consumer products such as television sets and
autom obiles, design construction projects such as
buildings or bridges, and contribute to the technological
progress o f the nation.
A g ricu lture Engineers: These engineers manage soil
and water resources, conservation, design and operation
o f agricultural equipment.
B iom edical Engineers: Biomedical engineers solve
medical and health related engineering problems. Many
design complicated medical instruments such as a r
tificial hearts and kidneys.
C e ra m ic E n g in e a rs: Ceramic Engineers process
clay and other non-metallic mineral ceramic products
such as bricks, glassware, coating to electronic com
ponent, and supplies used in body sensors and
monitors.
C hem ical Engineers: They design chemical plants
and equipment, develop ways to manufacture chemicals
and chemical products.
Industrial Engineers: They set up and maintain data
processing and m anufacturing operations, develop
plant layouts and install safety programs.
M a te ria l Science Engineers: They do research on
construction materials such as asphalt, concrete, timber
and advise builders on materials.
M echanical Engineers: They concentrate on the use
and conversion o f natural resource energy into useful
energy and design machines to cut down on manual
labor.
M e ta llu rg ic a l Engineer: They develop methods to
process and convert metals into useful products.
M in in g E n g in e e rs : These engineers extract and
prepare minerals fo r m anufacturing industries to use
design mines and work in environment, pollution con
trol and research.
P e tro le u m E n g in e e rs : They are involved in ex
ploring, drilling for and producing oil and natural gas.
ENG INEERING A N D SCIENCE T E C H N IC IA N S
Knowledge o f science, math and industrial machinery
enables engineering and science technicians to work in
all phases of business, and government. Technicians o f
ten apply the theoretical knowledge developed by
engineers and scientists to actual situations.
One o f the largest areas o f employment is setting up
experiments and calculating the results o f using complex
instruments. In production they prepare specifications,
insure product q u a lity and investigate p roduction
problems.
Areas for engineering and science technicians include:
Air-conditioning, heat and refrigeration; aeronautical
technology; civ il engineering; electronics; chemical
technology; m eteorological technology; hydrologic
technological, agricultural and biological technicians.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE CAREERS
These scientists concentrate on the basic laws o f the
physical world. They include astronomers, chemists,
hydrologists, etc.
A s tro n o m e rs : They answer questions about the
o rig in o f the universe and study the structure and
evolution o f the universe and stars.
C hem ists: They investigate the properties and com
position o f matter and develop new substances.
E n v iro n m e n ta lis ts ; They plan and conduct
programs related to sanitation and promote the main
tenance o f health standards. They are concerned with
enforcement o f laws regarding handling, preparation
and dispensing o f food.
G e olo gist: They study the structure o f history and
crust o f the earth to determine natural resources.
H e a lth P h y s ic is ts : R adiation or ra d io log ical
physicists, they detect radiation and apply safety stand
ards, plan and organize health programs fo r atom ic
energy facilities, determine inspection standards.
Hydrologists: They study the underground and sur
face water o f the earth, and study rainfall, glaciers and
snow. They are concerned w ith flo o d c o n tro l, soil
erosion and irrigation.
M e ta llu rg is ts ; They specify and c o n tro l the
durability and quality o f steel.
M e te o ro lo g is ts : They study the atmosphere and
determine the effect on our environm ent inclu ding
weather.
O ceanographers: The prim ary interest is with the
oceans, their physical make-up, and the marine en
vironment as related to sea life.
LIFE A N D BIOLO GICAL SCIENCE CAREERS
A gronom ists: Agronomists concentrate on growth,
breeding and improvements o f field crops and develop
seed production.
A q u a tic B iologists: They study the interaction o f
plants and animals living in water.
Botanists: They study plant life. Some specialize in
plant diseases.
C a tro g ra p h s rs : These scientists develop maps o f
earthquake areas and other specialized maps.
Ecologists: They study the joint relationship among
organisms and their environments. They are concerned
with environmental influences such as rainfall and tem
perature on organisms. They determine the level o f
pollution and measure the radioactive content.
E n to m o lo g is ts : They study insects and their
relationship to farming.
E n v iro n m e n ta l Engineers: They specialize in the
application o f engineering techniques to the problems of
improving and protecting living conditions.
Fish ery B io lo g is ts : Fishery biologists study the
problems o f grow th and reproduction o f fish and
shellfish and maximize fishing yield.
Page 12 Section II Portland Observer. Thursday. Ju ly 16,1961
M ic ro b io lo g is ts : The study bacteria and m icro
organisms o f their relationship to human, animal and
plant health.
Noise Control Specialist: They research the effects
o f noise on the environment and on human health.
Pharm acologists: They study the effects o f drugs
and other materials on the tissues and physiological
processes in animals and human beings.
Physiologists: They research the structure and fun
ction o f animal organs, tissues and cells and the effects
o f life processes as they relate to environm ental
problems.
P la n t P a th o lo g is ts : They conduct research in
nature, cause and control o f plant products. They com
pare healthy and diseased plants to determine disease
symptoms.
Soil S cientists: They study the physical, chemical
and biological make-up o f soil and classify types o f soil.
T o x ic o lo g is ts : They detect and analyze poisonous
substances in the environment.
Z o o lo g is ts : They concentrate on anim al life , its
origin, behavior and life processes.
M E D IC A L A N D ALLIED HEALTH T E C H N IC IA N S
There are many categories in the medical and allied
health professions including 34 principal specialty areas
from physicians, plus various kinds o f nursing and
technical options. For more inform ation send fo r the
booklet, "200 Ways to Put Your Talent to Work in the
Health Field,” published by the National Health Coun
cil, 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
A C C O U N T A N T S A N D A U D IT O R S
Accountants prepare and analyze financial reports.
There are three major types o f accounting work that ac
countants do for the public. Management accountants
handle the financial records o f the company they work
fo r. Government accountants examine the records o f
government agencies and audit private businesses and
individuals who deal with the government.
Many accountants in the federal government work as
In te rn a l Revenue agents, investigators and bank
examiners.
For in fo rm a tio n : A d m in is tr a tiv e C a re e re :
A m erican Bankers A ssociation, 1120 C o n n ecticu t
Ave. N W , W ashington. D .C . 20036 - Association of
U n iv e rs ity P ro g ra m s In H e a lth A d m in is tr a t io n,
Ona D uPont Circle, N W . W ashington, D .C . 20036.
D a ta P ro c e s s in g C a re e rs : Data Processing
Management Association, 505 Busse Highway, Park
Ridge, II. 60068.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Full time position available for Oregon Licensed Phy
sical Therapist. Recent graduate acceptable but 1-2
years experience preferred. Out-patient experience
helpful.
Apply 9am-1pm Monday-Friday:
Personnel Department
BESS KAISER M EDICAL CENTER
2820 N . Emerson Court
Portland, Oregon
KAISER PER M A NEN TE
M E D IC A L CARE P R O G R A M
A n Equal Opportunity Employer
Handicapped Hired