Catastrophe Network

The best way to select a post-SHTF occupation is to find a hobby or activity that interests you and learn how to do it in a way that will make you money or allow you to barter. However, you must plan ahead because turning a hobby into an occupation will require you to stockpile the tools of the trade! The following is a list of potential occupations that will be valuable post-collapse:

• Baker or Cook – Learning to turn basic ingredients into delicious meals is not only an essential skill for supporting your family, but a potential post collapse occupation. Persons considering this as an occupation should learn how to make basics from scratch…seriously from scratch, with nothing purchased from the store! This will involve old methods like making your own starter yeast colony and grinding your own flour from wheat berries. In addition, you will want to learn how to process wild game, preserve meats without refrigeration, can vegetables, etc. You will also need to stock up on the equipment that you will need, such as large pressure cookers, a large woodstove, and crank powered appliances. As a cook and baker, you will become the food processor for your community, a task that is today performed by a myriad of factories and machines. You will have to learn these skills now and practice them frequently, so that you become proficient.
• Fisherman or Hunter – Persons considering this as an occupation should learn how to hunt and fish proficiently using sustainable methods, such as traps, bows and arrows, and bait produced at home. Hunting with guns is unsustainable because powder and bullets are likely to become non-existent. You will want to stock up on large amounts of high caliber rifle rounds for big game, but learn to use these items sparingly because they may need to last your entire career!
• Farmer or Gardener – Again, the theme here is proficiency. Gardening and farming take a lifetime to learn and much of the information farmers and gardener’s use is passed down from generations past. In order to farm or garden as a post-SHTF career, you will need several acres of land, appropriate out-buildings, and a lot of knowledge. If you plan to garden, make sure you grow exclusively non-hybrid plants and learn to harvest the seeds from everything you plant. If you plant to raise livestock, make sure you understand how to breed the animals you plan to raise and have both male and female animals. You can’t replace egg laying hens without a rooster if you can’t just go to the farm store and buy more chicks. Farmers must also plan to grow their own feed and must, therefore, have diesel equipment or horses to work and harvest the land. Diesel equipment is relatively sustainable since you can produce your own biodiesel, but this again, requires knowledge!
• Brewer or Distiller – Alcohol use is likely to skyrocket after the SHTF since stress is likely to increase and anti-anxiety medications will be unavailable. In addition, alcohol has a variety of other uses…ranging from anti-microbial to fuels to solvents. Brewers must learn to produce alcohol without access to a brewing store where they can buy yeast. They must also collect and learn to use equipment, such as an air-lock and still.
• Soldier, Guard, or Law Enforcement – Security will be key to many activities post-SHTF. Although many preppers own guns, there is a big difference between owning a gun and possessing legitimate combat or law enforcement skills. Most technical colleges offer courses in law enforcement. If this is an area that interests you and you are prepared to give you life to defend infrastructure, take classes now and get a degree in law enforcement.
• Medic or Caregiver – Individuals who posses medical knowledge will be in very high demand after a catastrophic collapse. Modern medicine will end when the industrial system that produces medicine and medical supplies halts. This means that medics post-SHTF will have to understand alternative means to providing care. If you plan this as a career, take courses as a first responder, EMT, paramedic, nurse, etc. and spend your own time researching austere medicine. In addition, you will need to prepare to go into practice for yourself, even if you are just a first responder or EMT, you may be the only “professional” medic in your area. This means you should stockpile medical supplies, OTC medications, etc. so that you can dispense care for barter.
• Carpenter – Just like post-STHF medics must learn austere medicine, those who choose carpentry must learn austere carpentry. What this means is that you must learn to build products and structures without the building supply store. You will need to learn to use timber, pegs, notches, etc. and become a friend to the local metal worker, who will supply you with nails! Consider stockpiling items such as nails and screws. Buy an abundance of quality hand tools (non-electric) and if possible, invest in a small saw mill. This will make you an invaluable asset to your community.
• Metal Worker – Metal working can take on two main forms: blacksmithing and welding. You can learn blacksmithing from books and by volunteering at historical reenactment museums that have blacksmith volunteers who may be willing to teach you. If you plan to blacksmith, invest in the basic tools, such as a forge, anvil, hammer, vice, and tongs as well as a stockpile of charcoal together with the knowledge of how to make charcoal. If you plan to weld, you must create a sustainable welding machine. This will likely involve a diesel generator powered welder together with the knowledge of making bio-diesel. You will also need a massive stockpile of welding rods, enough to last your entire career. Whether you blacksmith or weld, you should stockpile as much scrap metal as possible because going to the store to buy angle iron and sheet metal will not be an option post-SHTF.
• Gunsmith – A technical degree in gunsmithing is your ticket into this critical post collapse field of work. Guns will be critical for both security and hunting. Your local hunters will be good bartering partners. In addition, you should stock up on equipment such as a lathe, mill and grinder, vise, gauges and precision measuring devices, files, metal polishing equipment, etc.
• Potter – Start by looking for pottery workshops in your area if you choose this field of work. After the days of plastic dishes and store bought glassware, the local potter will become key to every family! In fact, the Bible mentions potters numerous times because of their importance in ancient civilization. This is a true hobby turned post-SHTF career because you will do most of your learning via trial and error at home. However, you should plan to operate after the collapse by identifying local sources of good clay, a wood or charcoal fired kiln, and a foot powered wheel.
• Seamstress – If you have a passion for sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, etc. then you might be the right candidate to become the local seamstress. These skills can be refined through books, local workshops, and talking to others in the community who posses these skills. There are likely dozens of senior citizens who would enjoy your company and would teach you everything there is to know about making and mending clothing at home! If you plan to become the local seamstress, you will want to stockpile plenty of textiles now by shopping sales and buying clearance clothing at second hand stores and rummage sales. You will also want to stock up on a career’s worth of thread or perhaps learn to make your own by raising sheep and learning the art of spinning.
• Mechanic – Skills mechanics and maintenance technicians will be extremely useful after a collapse because buying new will not be an option. Instead, everything used will need to be repaired. Technical colleges offer courses in this field of work. However, post-SHTF, mechanics will need a supply of parts and will need to learn the art of improvising. Stock up on unique parts, piping, wire, nuts, bolts, etc. and become friends with the local junk-yard owner!
• Merchant – If you are a better at making connections with people, business, and sales, then you may want to position yourself as the local merchant. However, this may be a hard nitch to fill unless you take steps now to network with those who are learning the trades above. You must form friendships and partnerships that will serve you well after the SHTF. Merchants might also find themselves in the business of scavenging. You may hire teams of individuals to scavenge abandoned property and sell it to those who need those high value items.
• Teacher – If you have the skill to teach the next generation, them embrace them and prepare to teach without the current educational system. Collect educational materials, books, tests, etc. and have plenty of copies to use. Focus on practical skills, since those will be the only skills useful in a post-SHTF society. Parents will likely barter valuable goods to educate their children, even in hard times.
• Prostitute – It’s said that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession and it’s not likely to go away after a catastrophic collapse. What can I say…except that you should stock up on essential items such as condoms, personal lubricant, and toys if you plan to provide this “valuable” service to your community.

Photo: Wikipedia - Wasapl

The information, concepts, or opinions from CatastropheNetwork.org are intended for informational purposes only and must be evaluated by the reader, in consultation with a professional, to ensure viability for their individual situation.