A list of the top most satisfying jobs was just released by the General Social Survey (GSS) at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. It seems that Psychologists have made it into the top ten - although I don't think they're talking about my field of psychology (not that I'm unsatisfied). Someone really needs to come up with a new name for clinicians or experimental psychology. Any ideas?
Anyway... here's the list:
* Clergy--87 percent percent
* Firefighters--80 percent percent
* Physical therapists--78 percent percent
* Authors--74 percent
* Special education teachers--70 percent
* Teachers--69 percent
* Education administrators--68 percent
* Painters and sculptors--67 percent
* Psychologists--67 percent
* Security and financial services salespersons--65 percent
* Operating engineers--64 percent
* Office supervisors--61 percent
Comments
Notice how many of the jobs listed are jobs which are often lamented being as under-payed. Imagine that! No wonder they're "underpaid"; They're so satisfying and require such little skill that people are lined up around the block to do them. It's econ 101. Why pay more when you can get equal or better for less?
Posted by: Fred | April 20, 2007 1:20 PM
There was a time when clinicians has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. I wonder if that's still true, in addition to the high degree of satisfaction (that would be odd, I know, but not as contradictory as it first seems).
Also, I call myself a cognitive scientist, because I was sick of being asked, "are you analyzing me right now?"
Posted by: Chris | April 20, 2007 2:19 PM
Two words: cognitive dissonance.
Posted by: alf | April 22, 2007 12:35 AM
All right, Fred... in that case, let's adjust down the pay scale for engineers, psychologists, and physical therapists as well! It's econ 101. Why pay more when you can get equal or better for less?
Posted by: VJ | April 28, 2007 11:41 AM
What is an "Operating Engineer"?
Operations engineer I've heard of but operating. Another name for a surgeon perhaps.
As for Freds comment about wages. Just because a job is enjoyable doesn't mean that it is easy/simple and so the supply of good practitioners may be small. Teaching being a case in point.
The list did suprise me in one way, why aren't politicians happy or isn't that considered a profession?
Posted by: Chris' Wills | April 29, 2007 5:29 AM
operating engineer is someone who operates a boiler fired system, usually for a factory or school , hospital, big buildings with big boilers. also, power plant operators..
Posted by: charlie | April 29, 2007 5:13 PM
These Jobs are super satisfying because they are helping others in need and they are putting their best of both feet foward. Those jobs are also very needed, how simple is repelling down a burning building to save a life or Leading and teaching the future Doctors of tomorrow. Compassion is Revolution... Helping others is what makes the world a better place and more enjoyable for everyone
Posted by: Harrison Wills | November 4, 2007 5:27 PM