Prestigeous Careers

[Franchesca]

I saw this e-mail in my Drafting Class and I found it quite interesting! This e-mail was sent from Kathy Freriks (department head of the technology program in my school) to all of the technology department and teachers therein. It reads:

The following is a list of professions ranked -- based on perceived prestige as determined via a survey conducted by the Harris Poll in 2003:

Scientist - 57%
Firefighter - 55%
Doctor - 52%
Teacher - 49%
Nurse - 47%
Military Officer - 46%
Police Officer - 42%
Priest/Minister/Clergyman - 38%
Congress Member - 30%
Engineer - 28%
Architect - 24%
Business Executive - 18%
Lawyer - 17%
Athlete - 17%
Union Leader - 15%
Journalist - 15%
Accountant - 15%
Banker - 14%
Actor - 13%
Stockbroker - 8%

I agreed with some things on this list and others not so much .. so I thought I'd have a poll of my own and ask you all whether you agree, disagree or don't really care. If you disagree tell me why and what would you change. If anyone finds another list such as this please post it ... I'd love to compare them.

*Sorry that I couldn't actually attach the e-mail for you to look at yourself (instead of having to believe what I wrote, which is true ) but the e-mail had already been erased and this was a copy*

Have FUN!

[Alex Pelan]

The most prestigious occupation? Definitely engineer.

[Jay H 237]

I agree with some of them. The key word is perceived . Different people have different views, and if you did this survey with the same occupations but with a different group of people the results would most likely be in a different order.

[Matt Attallah]

Originally Posted by Jay H 237

I agree with some of them. The key word is perceived . Different people have different views, and if you did this survey with the same occupations but with a different group of people the results would most likely be in a different order.

Yea - I'd like to know was that just in your area or scattered about?

I know over here in the Detroit, MI area there is a pretty good percentage of kids that want to be a mechanic, Something with race cars, ect...

I'd have to say on the poll I agree with some and disagree with others...

[David Kelly]

I don't see trash man on the list

[Matt Leese]

One career isn't really more prestigious than another; not in and of itself. More than anything it depends on what you do with it. Personally, I wouldn't find an engineer who works on designing slot machines as really a prestigious profession. But I'd think that one who worked on the Apollo program would be.

It's more or less the same with all professions. One can make a difference as a police officer or not make a difference. It's up to the individual.

More than anything it's what you do with your career.

Matt

[Jay H 237]

Originally Posted by David Kelly

I don't see trash man on the list

It falls under "engineer", as in "sanitation engineer"!