Industries to Watch: Education

That education weathered the great recession better than many industries isn't a huge surprise. For many recently laid-off workers and frustrated job seekers, returning to school was one of the most common ways to deal with the struggling economy. With few employers hiring, job seekers suddenly had the incentive to finally finish their degrees, take some refresher courses or enroll in a new program that increases the chance of finding a job. These pupils can't achieve their goals without an educator.

Why you should consider it

Every grade -- from preschool through high school -- still needs teachers, while every university, community college, vocational school, technical college and certification program needs instructors.

The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listings, released each school year, breaks down which subject matters are understaffed in each state. Look at the listings and you'll see that every subject is in high demand in at least one state. For example, Connecticut needs bilingual education teachers for grades kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2010-'11 year. Yet, Kansas' most significant shortages exist in special education fields, such as occupational therapy and education for the visually impaired. In other words, educators in every specialization are in demand throughout the country.