Several years ago, when the show Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), hit the airwaves, all of a sudden, I started seeing students who wanted to be a CSI. Before that show aired, I don’t recall ever talking to anyone who wanted to enter that field!
Writers for TV and movies have a way of making any profession look glamorous, but then that’s their job, isn’t it? There may be hints of reality in these shows, but they are often only hints. I wonder how many CSI’s actually interrogate suspects? How many of them actually ride around in Hummers as their company car? How many forensic science labs have all the cool—and expensive--technology that their fictional counterparts have?
I’m using CSI as just one example of the numerous careers that can look glamorous on TV or in the movies, but may be far from it in real life. This is why I encourage you to do research to find out what it’s really like to work in career fields that interest you. If you can talk to someone who is actually working in that field and/or if you can get an opportunity to observe that person at work, you will have a much better understanding of what the occupation is really like.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a great article, “As Seen on TV,” that goes into more detail about this subject. You can find it at: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2003/fall/art01.pdf.
Showing posts with label General Career Info.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Career Info.. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Bureau of Labor Statistics--A Great Resource
I’ve added a link to The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It’s a gold mine of information for individuals who want to know more about various occupations.
One of its most useful tools is The Occupational Outlook Handbook, which lists over 300 of the most common careers in the US. It provides information regarding what the job entails, how much education one needs, average salaries, and the job outlook. Be careful with the salaries, though. Cost of living expenses vary widely across the US, so one could be paid either more or less than the average, depending on where one lives. For example, salaries for certain occupations might be much higher in Alaska than they are in Texas, but the cost of living in Alaska is higher, too.
Take a look at this great web site, and you will definitely come away with lots of useful knowledge about the career(s) you wanted to research.
One of its most useful tools is The Occupational Outlook Handbook, which lists over 300 of the most common careers in the US. It provides information regarding what the job entails, how much education one needs, average salaries, and the job outlook. Be careful with the salaries, though. Cost of living expenses vary widely across the US, so one could be paid either more or less than the average, depending on where one lives. For example, salaries for certain occupations might be much higher in Alaska than they are in Texas, but the cost of living in Alaska is higher, too.
Take a look at this great web site, and you will definitely come away with lots of useful knowledge about the career(s) you wanted to research.
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