Recession Proof Tech Jobs for Lighthouse Labs Bootcamp Graduates

Nobody likes to hear the dreaded 'R' word, recession. Many of us are old enough to still feel the effects of the 2008 economic crisis or the soaring interest rates of the 1980s. Knowing a recession is coming is scary and may trigger fears around housing affordability, food and gas prices, and especially job security. These fears are valid, and those considering a career change or who have recently graduated from a Lighthouse Labs Program may have extra concerns surrounding their job prospects.

Although no job is entirely recession-proof, certain sectors tend to fare better than others during a time of economic uncertainty, and tech happens to be one of them. Lighthouse Labs grads know this to be true, as many have landed secure, recession-safe jobs when the job outlook looks bleak.

What is a recession?

During a recession, there's a general decline in economic activity and a widespread drop in spending. As is the case in Canada, inflation can be a major cause of a recession. When inflation is on the rise, central banks raise interest rates attempting to slow the economy. Rising interest rates mean the borrowing costs go up along with the price of products and services. This means that your dollar goes a lot less further, and you start to spend less. When a business' consumer base starts spending less, they reallocate resources, laying off current employees and hiring less, leading to a recession.

Whew! That's a lot of financial chitchat. Now that we've established what a recession is and the signs one is coming, we can move along to the important questions.

Does tech do well in a recession?

Tech tends to do surprisingly well during economic downturns. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many sectors saw mass layoffs and uncertainty for months, tech rebounded quickly and was back to pre-pandemic levels by May 2020. On top of that, there continues to be a high diamond for workers in the tech industry. By 2025, ICTC’s labour statistics forecasts employment in the Canadian digital economy to reach 2.26 million—triggering demand for an additional 250,000 jobs.

According to a ZipRecruiter survey, 79% of laid-off tech workers found a new job within three months. Additionally, even as tech companies and startups continue to struggle, tech workers can find stability in more traditional industries like banking, insurance, retail, and utilities and non-traditional tech areas like entertainment and beauty.

Among our grads, our Career Services Team achieved a hiring rate of 85% for our job-seeking grads in last year's hard-to-win job market. As Tech Talent puts it, this is a promising number.

"Despite economic and seasonal downturns in 2022, Canada is still facing a digital skills talent shortage. These findings highlight the fact that roles in Data Science, Web Development, and Cyber Security are still in high demand, and there is an ongoing need for skilled workers."

What jobs are important in a recession?

Financial instability or not, some jobs can't afford to stop. Jobs important during a recession revolve around digital security like information security, cloud administration and architecture; data management like database administration and data analysts; and processes vital to a website's continuation like software development and IT support.

These jobs also offer a lot of growth potential and excellent salaries.

Database Administrator

Database administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's databases. They handle tasks such as designing and implementing database systems, ensuring data integrity, and optimizing database performance.

Duties

• Monitor database activity, diagnose and resolve issues, and implement security measures to protect sensitive information.
• Perform regular backups and recovery operations to safeguard data.
• Collaborate with app developers to optimize database queries and support the development of database-driven applications.

Salary $60,669/year

Programmer

Every business and company needs a website and people to build it for them, keeping programmers (also known as developers) in demand no matter the financial weather. Programmers write, test, and maintain computer programs. They use programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or JavaScript to build beautiful interfaces or keep a website's backend running smoothly.

Duties

• Develop algorithms, data structures, and logic to create functional and efficient software applications.
• Debug and troubleshoot issues, conduct software testing, and implement improvements.
• Collaborate with software architects, designers, and stakeholders to ensure the software meets the desired specifications.

Salary $80,574/year

Lighthouse Labs' graduates have landed jobs like the ones above and are pursuing fulfilling careers. Our Career Services Team is obsessed with finding the right job fit for each grad and taking the guesswork out of the job hunt via interviews and résumé workshops, and employer matching.

"From beginning till getting a job, I got the right support and knowledge to get me started. I worked with the team and really felt that they're here for you in your journey." Francisco Ocampo - 2023 Web Development Program Alum

Is cybersecurity recession proof?

Cyber security efforts can't be put on pause during a recession, making it an excellent choice for a recession-resistant career. There is a growing demand for cyber security professionals, and not enough people to meet this demand. According to CyberSecurity Ventures, global cybersecurity job vacancies grew by 350 percent, from one million openings in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021. Despite the chaos in other areas of the tech industry, cyber security remains a near-zero unemployment market for those with the right skills.

With cybercrime on the rise, more businesses are looking to hire those who can secure the company's online infrastructure, monitor cloud storage, and check for firewall deficiencies. Below are some cyber security positions that never go out of style.

Information Security Professional

Cybercriminals don't quit when the going gets tough. In fact, they buckle down and work even harder. This means companies can't afford to cut spending in information security departments. Information security professionals are vital to the industry as they safeguard computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, breaches, and malicious activities.

Duties

• Analyze risks and develop appropriate security measures, configuring firewalls and encryption tools.
• Monitor and respond to security incidents.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments.
• Educate employees on security best practices.

Salary $80,022/year

Cloud Administrator

Companies increasingly store their data in the all-illusive 'cloud' to back up more of their loads of data. Businesses rely on cloud administrators to maintain the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of cloud-based systems and services.

Duties

• Configuring cloud resources.
• Monitoring system performance and availability and troubleshooting issues.
• Implement security measures to protect data, manage user access and permissions, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with other teams to design and deploy cloud solutions, handle disaster recovery strategies, and provide technical support to users.

Salary $116,140/year

Cloud Architect

Like cloud administrators, cloud architects create and upkeep cloud environments. Their role is crucial in designing efficient, cost-effective, and reliable cloud environments that support business operations and enable digital transformation.

Duties

• Analyze business requirements, evaluate technology options, and develop cloud architecture frameworks.
• Design scalable and resilient cloud infrastructures, including selecting appropriate cloud service providers, configuring virtual networks, and establishing data storage and retrieval mechanisms.
• Ensure security and compliance considerations are addressed.
• Collaborate with development teams to optimize application performance and integration with cloud services.

Salary $118,746/year

Even in 2023's crazy job market, our grads are landing the cyber security job of their dreams with the help of the Career Services Team, who achieved an 89% hiring rate for our job-seeking cyber security grads.

In Mohali, Punjab, India, Meenu began her career as an engineer. After becoming a mom, Meenu took a break from her career to focus on the vital work of raising her son. Eventually, she and her family moved to Canada, where she needed a job that would give her stability. Meenu enrolled in Lighthouse Labs' Cyber Security Bootcamp to launch her new career in the tech industry. - Meenu Bhardwaj - 2023 Cyber Security Bootcamp Alum

All in all, no one can be sure that their job is recession-proof, but those in tech or thinking about switching to tech can have a little more hope that their careers are safe. One of the main reasons people choose Lighthouse Labs is to start a career path with more job security.

Whatever your goals, we have a host of incredible people waiting to help you achieve them. From mentors who help with tough technical challenges to a team entirely dedicated to making sure your unique learning needs are met, we're ready to help transform your passion into a career.