I hope they accurately accounted for the "boredom" factor and "omg what am I doing with my life?" factor. If I were an actuary I might never get out of bed.

Stefani January 17th, 2009 10:51:33 AM

Of interest: It seems that almost NO ONE is working a 40 hour week. A spot check within the top 20 and I saw no job less that 45 per wek.

Stefani January 17th, 2009 10:53:34 AM

Well lucky me I am one of those low ranked teachers.

I believe that if you are in one of the "helping" fields the ratings are lower because of the high stress and demands of these types of jobs.  I take solace knowing that I am having a positive impact on the world and find my profession rewarding.

jane22 January 17th, 2009 11:09:41 AM

It was a humerous & interesting survey....my job ranks 189 out of 200......hmm, with physical demands & stress causing the poor ranking.

I also found it interesting that "income" had absolutely no factor placing the order!

Barbara A. Albright/still toughing it out 22yrs in the USPS!

Pocket's Story from NH January 17th, 2009 11:15:57 AM

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Pocket's Story from NH January 17th, 2009 11:18:22 AM

Here's an interesting new career,esp for vet sin Florida..

Animal Forensics

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Education_390/New_Forensics_Program_to_Investigate_Crime_Against_Animals.shtml

Marsha January 17th, 2009 04:12:22 PM

And surgeon ranked in the 150s? Skilled trades at the bottom? Actuary at the top? Guess having a heartbeat isn't factored in.

2CatMom January 17th, 2009 05:23:02 PM

There are a variety of difference lists that exist for careers but I enjoy your commentary on such matters. (Nice job on the plane incident BTW).

I am picking up my Unusual Animal Career series again. If you want to muse over other possibilities that would be a good place to check. Also see Animal Career Secrets.

Ark Lady January 17th, 2009 07:17:48 PM

I still tell people I have the best job in the world.

Hobson January 17th, 2009 08:23:00 PM

Hobson - As long as you are happy with your chosen field then " ranking lists" don't mean a thing..

Elizabeth - From Nova Scotia January 17th, 2009 09:14:23 PM

I heard this on NPR too, and was disappointed vets weren't ranked higher! I absolutely love my job--constantly learning new things and being challenged, and I get licked in the face by a cute puppy on a daily basis! I work about 45-50 hrs per week and make ~$85k. 

JCB January 17th, 2009 10:22:04 PM

These rankings are sooooo wrong. Biologist at #4? Our training period is much longer than a vet's (6 years graduate school, then 5-10 years of postdoc making less than $45K/year), and then, if you're one of the lucky 5% to get a tenure-track faculty position, a lifetime of grant competition. As a scientist, you don't find out whether you're going to wash out (e.g. not be able to compete successfully for grant funding) until you're in your mid-40s, which is a pretty unpleasant time to have to look for a new career. And with the NIH grant success at a mere 6%, there are a lot of people washing out. Even at the tenure-track level (when you're in your mid-40s), you can expect to work 60 hrs/week for an average of $60K/year

I too look at my lawyer friends in envy.

Sarah January 18th, 2009 01:25:12 AM

Doc, were you hanging out with the Corporate and PI attorneys last night?  I always laugh hysterically because they skew the income number so much.

"The law students who go to the top-tier firms will make $120,000 to $165,000 annually, but that will be the top 10 percent or less, according to the local law school career offices. Those in midsize firms will make roughly $55,000 to $80,000. At small firms or government jobs, they get $40,000 to $60,000. Solo practitioners may make $30,000 or even live off loans when they start out." http://temporaryattorney.blogspot.com/2007/07/ep-slime.html  And, from what I've seen, the solo's inflate their salaries when asked because they make so little it's embarrasing!  Even so, I suspect attorneys would still be quite a bit higher on the list than Vets for other reasons. (Most attorneys lie like a rug about the stress level :)

PJBoosinger January 18th, 2009 05:30:45 AM

Yeah, must confess that the atts at that table were PI and bankruptcy guys. And, btw, I never met a PI attorney I liked...ever...and this was no exception. He suggested, among other things, that I should take a shovel to my guinea pigs  (when I queried the table about placement options). At least I have the pleasure of knowing his wallet is at least a couple grand lighter after he paid our bill.

Dr. Patty Khuly January 18th, 2009 09:07:00 AM

"At least I have the pleasure of knowing his wallet is at least a couple grand lighter after he paid our bill."  LMAO  

The only attorney/lawyer I like is an old time vet that went back to school and is now an Animal Law Attorney.. ;)  Probably only cause he was a Vet for 20 years, he is like a real person LOL

LC January 18th, 2009 10:00:56 AM

PJ, those are interesting stats about attorneys, and pretty much what I have already found out. I'd like to become a lawyer as a second career, but after looking at the numbers I realized I'd likely take a huge salary cut in order to do it so it will need to wait. (I am not interested in corporate law.) I am currently in the computer industry, and my pets go to vets who are expensive and I'm not a deadbeat! So, their needs are a major consideration.

Most lawyers have the kinds of modest salaries comparable to, or less than, vets from my research. It's just those lawyers that work in service of corporate america that rake in the bucks.

Having said that, I attended an ALDF-sponsored animal law conference at Harvard a couple of springs ago, and while I think the attendees probably are at the low end of the earnings scale for lawyers (many working for places like PCRM, ALDF, etc. -- so lots of non-profit type salaries) I got the definite feeling that the sense of purpose and job satisfaction in that room was atypically high for a group of lawyers. They seemed truly jazzed up by, and inspired by, what they do. They seem to love their work. And I know lots of ex-lawyers who hated what they did, so it must be an "animal law" thing.

Stefani January 18th, 2009 12:16:32 PM

I thought for sure this post would create a b**ch session for various jobs and see that it hasn't. The comments attached to the survey were enlightening, humorous, and in general, pointed out disagreement(s).

NH being a biggie in the timber/lumberjack biz, I've met quite a few above the "notch", and found them to be a happy lot, enjoying their work. That said, it is frought with danger and physical body stress, unknown to most of us. It isn't a job to carry into "retirement age".

And I guess it is a misconception that persons blessed with education, profession, or rewarding career would be the "most" appreciative of their chosen field, regardless of salary attached.

Just read an interesting article in the "Bostonian", BU's alumni mag, in which 6 alumni completely switched careers mid-life, most not needing/or related to the education they have, and claiming more self-satifaction.

Sometimes, I think it takes "age" or some life experiences, to come to a revelation or appreciation for one's "lot in life", to include wealth, social stature, and self-worth.

Barbara A./#189/200

Pocket's Story from NH January 18th, 2009 04:32:24 PM

"Sometimes, I think it takes "age" or some life experiences, to come to a revelation or appreciation for one's "lot in life", to include wealth, social stature, and self-worth."

Barbara, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  I, for one, changed careers mid-life, and I'm much happier and healthier than I ever was.

Sassy January 18th, 2009 04:38:26 PM

Bah! Where's "rock star" on the list? Mmmm??? (Just as realistic is the inclusion of "artist" – just about as many people make their living in that profession.)

As a person interested in physical activity, I was disappointed to see "physical demands" of jobs move them lower on the list. Heck, society as a whole would be a ton better off if we all pursued some physical demands in our jobs and some of us actually *like* the physical demands associated with our chosen professions. Dysfunction is often caused by deconditioning and repetitive movement in the poor postures caused by the less "physically demanding" professions.

Deanna January 18th, 2009 05:23:48 PM

money rarely translates to happiness and those I know that make a lot of it, I don't particularly care for as people. They don't raise their own kids, care more about image than reality and have cyberpets or have the au pair care for the dog along WITH the kids.

thanks...I'll take a blue collar guy any day.

who wants waste at a dining table anyhow?...there are starving animals out there.

LorriM January 18th, 2009 10:18:54 PM

I never met a PI attorney I liked either but I never turn down their dinner invites either; bring on the wine! :)

Don't think my health will ever let me go back into practice (no more strokes for me hopefully) but, if there's an animal rights attorney in the Houston area that needs a hand, I might be up for some volunteer work.

Stefani, find someone to volunteer for after hours on some cases; see if you like it first.  Yep, probably a tidy pay cut and $100,000 in student loan debt too. :)

PJBoosinger January 19th, 2009 10:25:48 AM

Deanna: I agree. I don't find my job nearly as physically challenging as I do my lunchtime gym sessions. But then, I'm not pushing 70. Talk to me then and maybe I'll question my career's physical demands summore.

Dr. Patty Khuly January 19th, 2009 10:11:13 PM

This was an interesting post, and an interesting article you refer to.  Thanks for pointing it out.  I am in the midst of justifyng my own career change, at forty years of age, to become a veterinarian.  Yes, in the face of this economy, an established career, a well-documented terrible former scholastic career and loads of other conflicting factors, I have started taking biology classes toward applying to vet school.  Your lawyer friends have never impressed me; I think that far too few of the lawyers in this country are attracted by the pursuit of protecting the rights of people and more interested in protecting their bank accounts.  One thing os for certain, and that is that if you don't enjoy and take pride in what you do for a living you are dead.  

Rob Guglielmetti January 21st, 2009 02:36:43 PM

Dr. Khuly, I might not be here when you're pushing 70, to ask, but trust me, you will feel it sooner than that. I feel a huge change in my job's 'physical repetitive motions' over the stretch of 20+ years.

Rob G. : Best wishes for your decision! Barb A.

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