For what it's worth, while the airline industry may be incredibly cyclical, there are few careers these days in the private sector that are well-insulated from economic shocks. Aside from the military or the federal government (plus some state and local governments), I can't think of too many professions that offer any kind of job security.

I've spent 24 years working in advertising, which is just about the first expenditure most companies cut when a downturn looms (or even if they think one is looming.) In that time I have been laid off twice.

I now own a 40-person creative agency that I've spent the past 7 years building, from 2 of us at a kitchen table to (at our height) 46 people. Our biggest client is a household name that I guarantee isn't going anywhere during this depression, but even they are starting to cut back dramatically. I now spend my days (and nights) furiously searching for new projects for my teams, negotiating with clients, etc. The reality is that we're probably going to have to shrink our agency by 50% or more.

Heck, at this point, I am desperate just to go out and do a few jacked-up 4-day trips in the ol' RJ, even with 2 passengers and even with the threat of corona, just because I. Need. To. Get. Out. Of. The. House...and, just for one moment, stop thinking about all the friends I am probably going to have to lay off very soon.

All of this is to say, there are no 'certain' careers anymore. I'm not sure if there ever were. To misquote Steve Jobs, you're going to spend a great deal of your life at work. You might as well find something you love.