If living through the last two decades has taught us anything, it is that the world goes from boom to bust all too often. Singapore's first recession was in 1985, followed by the 1997  Asian Economic Crisis, the 2001 Dot Com crisis (exacerbated by September 11), and finally the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009.

These were immensely hard times for our parents. When push came to shove, many were retrenched in droves, abruptly ending their careers.

Want to avoid a similar fate? Short of signing on, here are some career choices you can look into.

1. Teacher

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If you like kids, you should consider teaching.

And if you love keeping your job during recession, you should too. Aside from the much often cited meaningful 'mould the future' narrative , you also get mobility. NIE's Post Graduate Diploma in Education is recognized internationally, which means you can land jobs in other developed countries, or less developed countries, if you want to be adventurous.

And hey, if you do well enough as a teacher, then maybe you can consider being a notoriously expensive private tutor. Singaporean parents will gladly spend money on their child. Prospects, security, meaning. Check, check, check.

Just remember to behave as well as your students do, and you should be good.

2. Human Resource Manager

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From startups to MNCs, every organisation needs HR.

But to be that indispensable, you'll have to tackle a wide range of tasks including but not limited to recruiting, training, development, and the managing of employee benefits. Occasionally, you'll also have to risk your life to step in to stop Nerf Gun battles.

Kaplan and Murdoch University jointly offer a degree in Human Resources and other related fields.

3. Hairstylist

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Because fashion. And because you see how much you're paying your hairstylist. You'd better keep up with the trends though. Since the 2000s we've gone through the Armani, the Mohawk, the Emo-cut, the Justin-Beiber side-sweep...and several that are too embarrassing to be named.

We're still waiting to see what will overthrow the reigning undercut and man bun as most fashionable.

Alternatively, if you don't mind being called a one-trick pony, you can just specialise in The Botak and find a way to head to Pulau Tekong for a more than captive market.

We do not recommend swimming.

PS: Don't believe that hairstylists can earn a decent wage? Check out the badass Hounds of The Baskervilles. Looking so dapper isn't cheap, you know.

4. Programmer/Web Designer

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Sorry, hipsters and analogue-lovers, the internet isn't going anywhere. And it helps if you speak the language.

We're not asking you to drop your Spanish or French lessons, but perhaps you might want to consider taking up languages like Javascript, PHP, Python and C#.

Why be a programmer? Simply because every organisation that intends to maintain a strong online presence needs them. That includes anything from the governments to hospitals to huge software multinationals.

What's more, developers, armed with knowledge of universal languages, can work almost anywhere in the world. You don't need to look far to see that - programming departments here are often staffed by foreigners.

It is true that there are many ways to learn programming free-of-charge these days from sites like CodeAcademy and CodeAvengers. But let's be realistic. This is qualification-obsessed Singapore, and employers are going to want to see a degree.

5. Cyber Forensics /IT security professional

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You've been part of the online CSI crew. Now, go on to fulfill your destiny. Computer crime is on the rise worldwide for obvious reasons (it's so cliche to say "with the advent of the internet"). According a report by the Straits Times, KMPG's cyber forensics staff grew from 1 in 2003 to 13 in 2012. That was three years ago. Today, there are over 20.

Turns out that rummaging through computers and mobile devices can be rewarding. You'll need a degree for that though. It's not quite the same as Facebook stalking.

Sorry.

6. Accountant/Auditor

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The world will always need good accountants, so good on you if you love crunching numbers.

Accounting is a decent career path. Accountants might start off slow, but eventually they get to enjoy great pay, competitive benefits, and most importantly, rock-solid job stability— even when the economy takes a turn for the worse.

But it's not all clear skies, though. Accountants with a variety of skills will have staying power in the field. These skills include but are not limited to strong interpersonal communication, customer service, analytical thinking, and even writing (which means a double major in university couldn't hurt).

If you're looking for job stability without holding a firearm of some sort, getting a degree in accountancy is one of your best bets.

7. Green Evangelist

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Nobody wants to get their hands dirty these days. Your peers want to become lawyers, bankers, doctors and part of the CBD crowd.

But the CBD needs to eat, and vegetables aren't going to grow themselves. As the population increases and the older generation of farmers start to die, it's a simple case of supply and demand. A few people will be supplying most of the food to everyone else. Just connect the dots.

As international investment guru Jim Rogers has said, the world doesn't need more bankers. It needs more farmers.

Inspired? Read the tale of Singaporean farmer Lim Hong Zhuang here.

PS: It can't hurt to learn to grow your own food. Even if you don't become a farmer, it will save you quite a fair bit of moolah - and it's good for the environment, too.

Find out more about urban farming with Edible Garden City, a bunch of folks that are championing the "Grow your Own Food" movement in land-scarce and import-dependent Singapore.

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