What Is the Most Overrated Career in 2008?

December 10, 2008

Continuing on with our Best of 2008 coverage, I'm wandering into job territory. Over the years we've learned that some things are just too good to be true, including careers. US News made a list of 13 careers they considered to be overrated because the experiences in certain jobs don't seem to live up to the expectations. I've narrowed down their list to eight careers — which do you think best fits the overrated bill?

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21 Comments

acf222 4 years 21 weeks

Attorneys - they're a dime a dozen these days and seem to be after the money more than anything else.

pixelhaze 4 years 23 weeks

haha Kat looks like that advertising mentality stuck with you - Jif and Smuckers on wonder? lol And I agree, I also went into advertising because I thought it would be super fun and creative, no one tells you that most of the people at agencies don't do much of the actual "creative" work, and that that department is extremely difficult to break into.

Kat E 4 years 23 weeks

Plus ladies, the question isn't whether people work hard at these jobs, it's whether the job lives up to the expectations people had for them (i.e. architects would rather be designing innovative buildings than drawing in heating systems in someone else's designs). To that end, based on personal experience, I'll still say ad exec. I wanted to do the real advertising, not scheduling street teams to hand out crap to frat boys at college parties haha.

Kat E 4 years 23 weeks

I don't know, I worked in advertising, and while I think it's essential, I think ad execs are kind of overrated. At least with chefs, they're feeding people. Everyone needs to eat (though many of us can't afford much more than Jif and Smuckers on Wonder right now). I work in publishing now and I'm fairly certain most of my company's functions are non-essential too, but I'm hoping nobody will notice for awhile...

AmberHoney 4 years 23 weeks

Clinical psychologist - all people in the medical field think they're Gods.

Renee3327 4 years 23 weeks

Although I'm not an exec, I work in advertising and the job is certainly not overrated. It's a lot of hard work, long hours, and the pay isn't always as much as similar level jobs in different industries. Still, it is very interesting and fun at times, just not at all what you would think it would be based on TV, movies, etc.

brilliance13 4 years 23 weeks

Consultants work...so much especially those at the bottom rung. it's expected at least 60 hours a week and I've done upwards to 100 hrs/week! sometimes even though the salary is higher, it's turns into nothing after taxes and counting your pay per hour worked. Plus, those road warriors rarely get to enjoy a weekend in their home work-free. I think the pay is certainly justified by the work done.

popcorn19 4 years 23 weeks

Hey--I work right around the corner from where that picture was taken... I eat my lunch there every day. :0)

foxie 4 years 23 weeks

Being a TeamSugar staffer? I kid, I kid. Sorta. I chose chef. I don't really see how a career can be overrated, though.

lilkimbo 4 years 23 weeks

I chose chef, but I definitely think advertising is overrated. When it is depicted in movies, etc., it always looks like all fun and creative meetings, but it's actually hard work.

seanymph 4 years 23 weeks

Clinical psychologist -definitely overrated, in any year. Lived it, and have lots of injuries and low pay to show for it. Switched to law, and now... I have two days off in a row every week! And no one has assaulted me! I had my first vacation in 8 years! I suppose this means law is incredibly underrated.

lostbronte 4 years 23 weeks

Where's CEO?

nutella2683 4 years 23 weeks

I totally agree with Shadow and bluepuppy.. waaaaaay overrated

bluepuppybites 4 years 23 weeks

I want to take my vote back, I think politician should be a choice, or people in journalism.

AllyofNewYork 4 years 23 weeks

Cops esp. NYC ones, as a New Yorker I've seen 21 years of unqualified people getting through the academy to end up shooting people by "accident" or putting batons where they shouldn't go (i'm cleaning it up for the site). It's so sad...

Vaadsfweytes 4 years 23 weeks

Ilanac, well said. I will be working in media as well starting next month. ;) I picked chef, too because as Tara said, TV chefs ARE taking over the world. I guess its a comfort thing watching delicious food being made on TV when the economy is bringing people down.

CoralAmber 4 years 23 weeks

I would say "consultants" but they make so much money it's hard to be overrated. I also agree with Tara.

krae85 4 years 23 weeks

I agree with Tara, the chefs are taking over tv, lol. There are so many reality chef shows, plus cooking shows, and it just seems like they're trying to make it this awesome thing that everyone should want to do. I'm sure some people would like it, but it's not for me. oh, and the movie No Reservations.

Shadowdamage 4 years 23 weeks

I vote for CEO of a major automotive manufacturing company.

taragirl 4 years 23 weeks

i was taking it as how big the media made a career out to be so i picked chef. i wasn't saying anything about people who are chefs, i just think that in 2008 there are so many chef tv shows and what not that the career is getting a lot of publicity that wasn't seen a lot before!

ilanac13 4 years 23 weeks

ouch! i'm going to take offense to the advertising one - i work in advertising. granted i'm in media so it's not the same as an ad exec - it's still not an overrated job - you guys just don't quite understand the industry i don't think!

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