A month ago I re-activated my account after a long period of inactivity and started fresh on a new server where I have some friends. I quickly picked Mining and Herbalism to collect stuff while leveling while I make up my mind about the actual professions I'd like to level up later.
I've narrowed my selection down a bit, Engineering is fun and incredibly useful, but the second one is still up in the air. I don't like Alchemy because you need to flask to get a passive bonus from it, and most of the others have limited diversity, for example with the ring or shoulder enchants that just offer one choice per role. Jewelcrafting or Blacksmithing seem to have the most flexible bonus and are optimal for any class/spec no matter how the stat weights will end up.
But with a new patch and expansion due in a few months, most of this could be shaken up entirely. Is it known yet if that's the case? I've read "no active combat bonuses from professions" or some such a while ago, what's up with that?