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PJ over at Prepper-Resources.com has posted a listing of jobs (or skills) that might be considered most relevant in a SHTF scenario. You can view reasons and rationale for each of the listed jobs at PJ’s blog site. The listing includes:
- Blacksmith
- Carpenters
- Masons
- Engineers
- Mechanics
- Doctors
- Nurses / EMT
- Moonshiners
- Law enforcement
- Farmers/Ranchers
- Butchers
- Merchant Traders and;
- Clergy
While I agree with much of the list (and I’m certain PJ didn’t mean for this to be an all inclusive list), I would like to add a few additional thoughts for your consideration. I guess you could say that some of these would just be “nice to haves”.
- Gunsmith – this should be self-explanatory but I do think someone with an advanced knowledge in gunsmithing is pretty important. I can repair my own weapons but could not reproduce parts or build a weapon from scratch. Also, at some point, the ammunition will run out and having someone skilled in reloading would be potentially quite “life-saving”.
- Seamstress – Your clothing , bedding and the like won’t last forever.
- Veterinarian / Veterinary Technician - Animals are not the same as people. Someone in this job or with these skills could be very important if you plan on raising and breeding livestock…or just for caring your canine security sentry’s/enlistees.
- Teacher - I suppose everyone becomes a teach and educator in a SHTF situation but someone with experience in building lesson plans and operating in a classroom environment (with OPK’s – Other Peoples Kids) would be helpful
- Historian - somebody familiar with recording, documenting, and maintaining the history of the group/community (i.e. record births, deaths, marriages, etc)
- Lawyer - NOT the ambulance chasing variety but someone that could help interpret law and establish some semblance of a justice system. I know some lawyers actually are decent people.
(I’m related to one such person so I think I can vouch for him anyway) - Inventor - OK…I’m making this up but if you think about it, wouldn’t it be great to have someone that can take a concept to production in order to assist the group/community? Perhaps having a general mechanic is pretty close to this but what I am referring to is that individual that can build something useful out of a pile of scraps. Our group has one such guy.
I’m sure there are many more that haven’t been addressed either here or on PJ’s original list. If you have any additions, please let me know. I’ll be sure to pass them along to PJ as well.
Here is PJ’s original article -