BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- With the unemployment rate in Kern County at nearly 16 percent, there's no doubt the local job market has taken a dive.

Jackie Stogdell is hoping Wednesday is her lucky day. The college graduate returned to Cal State Bakersfield for their career fair today. Every since she graduated from the university a year ago with a degree in human resource management, she has been unsuccessful in finding a job.

"I've been looking online, I've been dropping my resume off door to door, I've been attending career events in Bakersfield and outside of Bakersfield. I'm willing to relocate but it's been tough," said Stogdell.

Even though there seems like there isn't much hope when it comes to the job market, according to Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D, author of "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs," you need to know where to look.

While no job is 100 percent safe, according to Shatkin there are some fields that are more resilient than others.

One of those fields includes law enforcement.

California Highway Patrol Officer Tracie Gallian said they hire 1,000 cadets a year.

"A state job is a secure job mostly all the time, but the Highway Patrol currently we are actively hiring, so I guess you could say we are recession-proof," said Gallian.

The healthcare industry is another recession-resistant industry, according to Shatkin.

ABC 23 found close to 20 job postings online for Mercy Hospitals alone.

Another recession-resistant field, an insurance sales agent.

"There's not any openings on our Web site today but last week we had three openings, next week we may have three," said David Loomis, the human resources recruiter for State Farm Insurance.

And fast food may be bad for your health, but according to Shatkin a good market for a job. You may not make the big bucks but with more people eating on a budget, fast food restaurants are fairing well during the recession.

Other jobs on Shatkin's list include public relations specialist, funeral directors and environmental science technician.