In many manufacturing environments, a production line can typically be set up to produce many different products by simply reconfiguring the tools and machinery on the line. In manufacturing parlance, this is called retooling the line and enables manufacturers to cost-effectively produce a wide range of products. For the Big Three American automobile manufacturers however this might be a moot point because according to the CEOs of these companies, they are all on the verge of bankruptcy. All the retraining and retooling in the world might not be able to save these companies. The question is whether bankruptcy could have been avoided had they retrained and retooled sooner.

Another aspect of manufacturing is that operators on the production line must be trained to use the various machines. The more different machines that a worker can operate, or the more tasks that an individual can perform, the more valuable they are to the company. For that reason manufacturing employees often undergo an ongoing process of training on new equipment and learning new skills.

Although many people would not draw a link between their career and a production line, there are some similarities. Over the course of your working life you have attained skills, experience, and expertise that enables you to do a number of things in the pursuit and production of income. Very often this skill set is focused on a particular industry or career direction. As people move on into their careers they typically become more and more experienced and focused on particular aspects of their jobs. Many people who choose to specialize in a very specific aspect of their career see this trend even more clearly.

With the job market where it is today, people need to rethink the production line of their career. With unemployment at a 14 year high and over 100,000 Americans expected to lose their jobs every month for the foreseeable future, the key to survival in these tough economic times might well hinge on your ability to retool and retrain for a new career.

If you are employed in construction, real estate, banking, or finance, your job is already at risk. We’ve already talked about the automobile manufacturers but if they fail, any company or business that supports the automobile industry will also be at risk. Because these difficult economic times affect entire industries and not just specific companies, it won’t be simply a matter of just changing jobs should you lose yours.

Now might be the time to think about a completely different line of work, in a completely different industry. Online network marketing is a recession-proof business that you can start with a modest outlay of capital and that you can operate from the comfort of your own home. Even if you’ve never thought about taking this direction, now well might be time to start. Unlike the Big Three, you still have time to retrain and retool before bankruptcy becomes unavoidable.