Dear Joyce: We keep hearing that the world has changed forever after the September terror. If so, are there newly promising career areas, say the security industry? -- R.R.

Dear R.R.: You make a point. Our historical concern over property or personal loss led to the development of the insurance industry. Now our newly found security vigilance suggests a number of probable areas of occupational growth. Here's a glance at likely prospects.

Airlines
Airline security tightens with the addition of thousands of new federal air marshals. Nearly 35,000 have already applied for marshal jobs that pay up to $80,800. For more information, visit the Federal Aviation Administration's Web site.

Also probable: Additional trainers and background checkers for passenger screeners, as well as more luggage X-ray inspectors and uniformed guards. Airlines and airports currently control these jobs, but federal participation is debated. Whole chunks of the American economy rest on air travel, such as the hospitality industry and aircraft manufacturing.

Expect more attention to be paid to bus, train and tunnel protection, as well.

Consulting
Security and safety firms whisk terrorism consultants off to evaluate building and corporate security policies. The specialists, who come from many backgrounds but often are former military or law enforcement personnel, restrict access, revise evacuation plans, establish travel policies for key management personnel and rethink a range of security steps.

Technology
Technology companies send engineers, architects and technicians to public agencies and corporations to show and sell a variety of identification products such as face- or eye-recognition and fingerprint software, revolving doors with smart-card-only admittance features and advanced X-ray machines that see under clothing and inside bags.

Facilities
Security engineering firms and government agencies employ engineers of various disciplines -- electrical, computer, mechanical, civil -- for asset protection and to strengthen buildings. Examples of their recommendations: shatter-resistant windows and concrete planters to block vehicle penetration.

Industrial hygienists are charged with detecting air purity; with special training, they identify horrific bio and chemical poisons.

Telecommunications
Telecom companies like AT&T and WorldCom say they'll add capacity and backups to their networks to insulate themselves from other disasters. Technical and administrative specialists handle this work.

Very talented computer engineers and programmers work as cybercops to fend off cyberterrorist attacks on Internet infrastructure -- defense, utilities, banks and more.

Law Enforcement
In a stay-alert, stay-alive mindset, police officers train for special duties, like K9 handlers of dogs for drug- or bomb-sniffing and rescue.

Forensic scientists and technicians sift through physical evidence. Apply to local and state law enforcement agencies.

At the federal level, the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Secret Service recruit for "highly qualified men and women of diverse backgrounds."

Intelligence
Intelligence is on everyone's most wanted list, and everyone knows about the CIA, the cloak-and-dagger branch of the government.

Fewer are familiar with the National Security Agency, which captures intelligence with satellites and the Internet. (Read James Bamford's "Body of Secrets.") The feds hire for other intelligence agencies as well, ranging from the Defense Intelligence Agency to the National Reconnaissance Office.

Potpourri
There's no word yet on jobs in the new Office of Homeland Security.

The videoconferencing and teleconferencing industries gain favor as business cuts back on travel.

Middle Eastern language translators and interpreters find increased job prospects.

Corporate chieftains rediscover security drivers whose knowledge of evasive tactics can avoid killers or kidnappers.

Forensic accountants follow the money at such agencies as the Treasury Department's foreign terrorist asset tracking center.

Following Up
The following Web sites offer useful information you can use to look further into a particular type of work.