Unfortunately, not many people are a stranger to the downward spiraling economy that began in December 2007 and continued to deplete throughout 2008. In fact, November 2008 marked some of worst numbers in decades in terms of job loss The unemployment rate among African Americans, for example, remained high at 11.2 percent.

November also counted 1.9 million jobs lost from the entire labor force throughout 2008 alone; two-thirds of those losses occurred in the last three months. The number of unemployed persons increased from 10.1 million in October to 10.3 million people in November, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Since 2007, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 3.1 million, and the unemployment rate has gone up by 2 percent. For the 10.3 million currently unemployed people, however, there is hope for some reprieve in 2009.

The labor force is expected to increase by 12.8 million workers over the 2006 -2016 period, according to the BLS. Total employment is expected to increase by 10 percent to 166.2 million over that period as well, while an estimated 15.6 million jobs will be added by 2016. Also by that time, our work force will be more diverse By 2016, African Americans are estimated to constitute 12.3 percent of the work force.

While 2016 seems like a long way off today, a certain number of new jobs will be added each year leading up to 2016 -- including in 2009. It should be noted, however, that jobs that will be added won't be evenly distributed across industries and occupational groups. It goes without saying that changes in consumer demand, technology and the like will continue to affect the economic structure.

Here are 35 jobs that saw growth among African Americans in the second half of 2008, according to the BLS, marking them as some of the best to look for in the New Year.*

1.      Public relations manager

2.      Computer and information systems manager

3.      Wholesale and retail buyer, except farm products

4.      Meeting and convention planner

5.      Appraisers and assessors of real estate

6.      Budget analyst

7.      Personal financial adviser

8.      Insurance underwriter

9.      Operations research analyst

10.  Architect, except naval

11.  Surveyor, cartographer and photogrammetrist

12.  Electrical and electronics engineer

13.  Market and survey researcher

14.  Chemical technician

15.  Social worker

16.  Clergy

17.  Designer

18.  Editor

19.  Broadcast and sound engineering technician and radio operator

20.  Respiratory therapist

21.  Parking enforcement worker

22.  Private detective and investigator

23.  Gaming services worker

24.  Transportation attendant

25.  Residential adviser

26.  Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors

27.  Court, municipal and license clerk

28.  Receptionist and information clerk

29.  Shipping, receiving and traffic clerk

30.  Drywall installer, ceiling tile installer and taper

31.  Highway maintenance worker

32.  Automotive service technician and mechanic

33.  Baker

34.  Driver/sales worker and truck driver

35.  Crane and tower operator

*Data reflects figures based on the second and third quarter employment numbers according to the Current Population Survey released by the BLS.

**Third quarter employment numbers.