What’s the deal with actuaries? Whenever a new list of the best jobs is compiled—like the recent rankings by Career Cast—they are always near the top. What could really be so great about interpreting statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters?
And why have I never actually met an actuary? Are their jobs so exceedingly awesome that they don’t take time to associate with non-actuaries?
Anyway, here are the top twenty jobs:
1. Actuary
2. Software Engineer
3. Computer Systems Analyst
4. Biologist
5. Historian
6. Mathematician
7. Paralegal Assistant
8. Statistician
9. Accountant
10. Dental Hygienist
11. Philosopher
12. Meterologist
13. Technical Writer
14. Bank Officer
15. Web Developer
16. Industrial Engineer
17. Financial Planner
18. Aerospace Engineer
19. Pharmacist
20. Medical Records Technician
And the bottom ten are:
200. Roustabout
199. Lumberjack
198. Ironworker
197. Dairy Farmer
196. Welder
195. Garbage Collector
194. Taxi Driver
193. Construction Worker
192. Meter Reader
191. Mail Carrier
It’s interesting that all of the of the “best” jobs are done indoors while the ones at the bottom of the list require working outdoors.
Where would you rank your occupation?
(Via: Outside the Beltway)
January 7th, 2010 | 3:04 pm
I’ve known a few actuaries. In general, and of course there are exceptions (one of my best friends is a former actuary) you’re not missing much.
I wonder how the thousands of out-of-work bank officers – laid off in all those mergers, failures and shot-gun marriages – think about their careers?
Mt career is ‘Dad and Husband’ – and it ranks near the top. I fund it by selling software – which is a very good job.
Wouldn’t it be better if, instead of defining ourselves by the career we happen to have, instead said, for example: I’m a liberal arts guy with finely honed analytic chops and some facility with math? Isn’t that what one should hang one’s hat on in the current economy?
January 7th, 2010 | 4:09 pm
I’m a library assistant at a mid-sized private university, and it’s definitely near the top, at least Bank Officer, but maybe not as high as Philosopher. I had dreams of being a writer until Joe shot those down a couple of blog posts ago, but it’s probably for the best. Also, wasn’t Harvery Pekar a Medical Records Technician? He never seemed terribly too happy.
January 7th, 2010 | 4:38 pm
“Philosopher” is one of the top twenty jobs? Shoot, and all these years we’ve been sitting around, spouting off one profound idea after another like they’re nothing, all for free! From now on, reading any blog posts and comments here will cost ten bucks a pop.
January 7th, 2010 | 5:17 pm
Church Secretary…*
Either #190 or #21 – depending on the day!
(with a degree in art history and 20+ years as a stay at home mom, I’m just happy to be employable.)
A close relative of mine recently left a 25 year career in criminal law for medical records…and, yes, I think she is happier.
January 7th, 2010 | 5:19 pm
I am a lawyer and I find it quite stifling to the spirit. Constantly thinking in terms of legal obligations inevitably moves one away from the charity that goes beyond the law’s requirements. In a legalistic society like ours, one sees how often a charitable attitude (which presumes the good intentionss of others) is entrapped and punished. As the Bible says, the just man is his own accuser, which is why he loses in the law courts. His generous mind is quick to make concessions, which are then quickly seized upon in order to dispose of the case quickly. This is called the efficient administration of justice. In fact, it has everything to do with efficiency and nothing to do with justice.
Anyway, what I really wanted to be was a lumberjack.
January 7th, 2010 | 8:46 pm
high school religion teacher and I love it. Maybe it falls under philosopher? I was also a letter carrier and a dairy farmer and enjoyed both – so glad I hadn’t seen the list first.
January 8th, 2010 | 8:58 am
KG, librarianship can be good work–if you can get it. Especially academic and/or theological librarianship. So, you’re right.
But in today’s market, “if you can get it” is the operative phrase. I have two master’s degrees–one in theological studies, and one in librarianship–and it’s very slow going.
So I’m a stay-at-home dad, thankful for a wife with a great job in the health care industry. And depending on the day, stay-at-home dad (and mom) is either at the top, or the bottom, of the list.
January 8th, 2010 | 3:02 pm
I wanted to be a Lumberjack. Leaping from tree to tree in the forests of British Columbia.
I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK. I sleep all night and I work all day.
I cut down trees. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin’
And have buttered scones for tea.
(Should I keep going?)
I’ll personally take Film Director any day.
January 8th, 2010 | 4:21 pm
Steve,
I think you are absolutely right. Also there was a good article the other day via Arts and Letters Daily –
http://chronicle.com/article/Graduate-School-in-the-Huma/44846/
It seems to take more and more degrees to get anything. I haven’t been in the industry very long, but it seems like there are more librarians with PhD’s than before. I have been promised that once I finish my MLS the field will be open because of mass retirement, but I know several people with master’s degrees and are out of work or are working as assistants.
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