The Wall Street Journal just published a piece about the 200 best and worst jobs. They were ranked based on five criteria: physical demands, work environment, income, stress, and hiring outlook. I found this fascinating. At the bottom of the list are things like "lumberjack," "dairy farmer," and "newspaper reporter." I can see that. A lot of demands, a lot of stress, not a lot of money, not a lot of upcoming job opportunities. Newspaper reporters aren't reporting because there aren't any newspapers; dairy farmers aren't farming, because everyone wants soy; and lumberjacks aren't...jacking? The housing bust means construction is down. So, when I compare myself to others, I can tell myself, "Well, it could be worse. I could be...a drill press operator." (No. 189 of 200) But that's not really human nature, is it? We don't go around talking about how much better we have it than others. We go around comparing ourselves to people above us. Richer, healthier, wealthier, faster, stronger, bigger...than us. So who am I not as good as? Well, the top of the list is populated by occupations that I don't even understand what they do. Software engineer. Actuary. Online advertising manager. Web developer. I'm not positive, but these seem like occupations that involve a lot of sitting and staring. Surgeons are No. 45. That's not bad. However, it's bad compared to the other doctors. Surgeons are the last of the doctors on the list. Other doctors (both medical doctors and other sorts) are all listed higher. Optometrist. Chiropractor. Veterinarian. Orthodontist. Podiatrist. Dentist. General practice physician. Psychiatrist. Right below "optician" is "surgeon." Surgeons are a little better off than accountants and aerospace engineers, and we're a good deal higher than attorneys (No. 87) and commercial airline pilots (No. 104). Maybe they took into account the bad job market for plastic surgeons when they made the ranking. Which is why I'm delaying that necessary step of job hunting by doing a fellowship. |