While the global downturn is hitting employment across the banking and finance sectors, economics graduates are still finding themselves in demand as the field has become one of most recession-proof in the country. Laurence Shatkin, author of the 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs, told the Sun-Sentinel that economist is one of the careers holding it own amid the turbulence - perhaps because people want qualified experts to help them make sense of the turmoil so they can figure out what to do next. As a result, the profession is one of the most resilient in the current economy, along with long-standing recession-beaters such as pharmacy and veterinarian careers. Other financially-minded fields that remain open to new recruits include accounting and auditing, as businesses look to keep track of every dollar. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), the introduction of new financial reporting rules in recent years is also keeping number-crunchers in demand. Figures from the DOL show there were 15,000 economists working in the US in 2006. Their average median earnings were $77,010.  |