Choose for the problem you face
Choose professions for the failure pattern you see on the character. Take Engineering when pulls widen. Take Alchemy for long routes that drain resources. Choose a self-fed crafting loop when the weapon or armor curve makes every fight longer.
Build the feeder with it
Mining feeds Engineering with bombs, dummies, and control tools.
Herbalism feeds Alchemy with potions and elixirs for a long route.
Skinning feeds Leatherworking with kits and gear from beasts already killed.
Tailoring plus Enchanting provides bags, cloth gear, and a caster upgrade loop. Engineering remains the direct pull-control choice.
Keep secondary professions current
First Aid turns route cloth into recovery and reset windows. Cooking keeps food available. Fishing supports both and gives the route a safe pause. Treat secondary professions as part of the preparation.
Train before the cave
Crafting a bomb after a close call or carrying bandages twenty levels behind the zone gives the profession no useful role. Treat profession upkeep like repairs and ammo. Refill before a cave circuit, escort chain, or dungeon night.
Delay the expensive craft
Delay Blacksmithing until you have ore and enough gold. Delay Enchanting when bags and pull recovery matter more. A gear profession helps clean fights. Engineering and Alchemy help manage a pull that has already widened.
Keep it stocked
A profession supports the route when it is leveled, stocked, and its tools are ready to use.