What is the most respectable career?

[physicscrap]

In the entire world, what type of profession is most respectable? I know this is based on your opinions. I just want to hear them.

 

[stewartcs]

The first thing that pops into my head is a solider. Of course this is based on my definition of respectable. One that is willing to sacrifice their life for others is respectable in my book.

 

[Chris Hillman]

Shshsh! Don't let Mr. Incredible Hear You Say This!

A "solider"? You mean Elastigirl isn't respectable?!

 

[ShawnD]

Engineering is way up there, mostly because the term itself means literally nothing to most people. "you're an engineer? cool, so you, like, build rocket sleds?" Sure baby, whatever you want.

 

[Moridin]

Global Emperor. Imagine the babes you could get

 

[ShawnD]

Global Emperor. Imagine the slaves you could get

Fixed

 

[~christina~]

Engineering is way up there, mostly because the term itself means literally nothing to most people. "you're an engineer? cool, so you, like, build rocket sleds?" Sure baby, whatever you want.

rofl

 

[Evo]

I'm wondering if the OP is confusing respectable with respected?

A janitor is a respectable job, but it's not highly respected.

 

[turbo]

Musician is 'way cool. No matter what I did in my week-day jobs, I always enjoyed the weekend gigs in local bars and taverns. You may not think that playing blues and rock in bars is respectable, but when you're getting well-paid, pretty young ladies flirt and buy you drinks, and one of your biggest fans is the national enforcer for a major motorcycle club (you've heard of them), that's a comfort zone that is hard to beat. Sure, there's the little obstacles of talent and soul if you're lacking, but you asked.

For respectable, stay away from investment councilor, clergyman, lawyer, used-car (or even new-car) salesman, loan officer, telemarketer, etc. If you're fantastically wealthy, a career as a philanthropist is a respectable endeavor.

 

[DaveC426913]

Well, lately, I would say that the most respectable and respected job far and away is firefighter.

Usually it is individuals who are lauded for their actions. In the case of firefighters, the title "hero" virtually comes with the hat.

 

[turbo]

Well, lately, I would say that the most respectable and respected job far and away is firefighter.

The mere role has been elevated to a status near that of hero.

Yes. That is a physically demanding profession that involves a degree of personal risk that most of us would not want to accept in some situations. There was a big fire in an abandoned factory in Worcester MA a number of years ago. I know a member of the response team that is still not doing well (PTSD), and his dog (a sweet pit-bull/boxer cross) and his friends are all that seem to keep him going day-to-day.

 

[Kurdt]

I've always wondered why firefighters were so respected. For the most part they sit around doing nothing. If they're respected because most people wouldn't go into a burning building to save someone then I'm disappointed.

 

[stewartcs]

I've always wondered why firefighters were so respected. For the most part they sit around doing nothing. If they're respected because most people wouldn't go into a burning building to save someone then I'm disappointed.

Disappointed that others won't risk their lives to save someone else or disappointed that they are respected for it?

 

[Evo]

Disappointed that others won't risk their lives to save someone else or disappointed that they are respected for it?

A lot of firefighters are drawn to the danger and the fire by their personalities, if you listen to reasons why they become firefighters, it's not all that savory in a lot of cases. Although I can't find fault with someone that uses such quirks for good.

 

[Kurdt]

Disappointed that others won't risk their lives to save someone else or disappointed that they are respected for it?

Disappointed that others would seemingly find watching people suffer while they did nothing the natural choice.

 

[Evo]

Disappointed that others would seemingly find watching people suffer while they did nothing the natural choice.

I think some things like fire tend to paralyze people with fear. It's one of the first things you are taught to fear as a child.

 

[turbo]

I know a lot of firefighters. Here in Maine, the population density is not high enough to support large fire departments, but great numbers of people may be required to save lives and property on very short notice in the event of a fire, especially with the great number of old wood-frame houses with wood stoves and old chimneys. In our situation, most firefighters are volunteers, and every loss of a firefighter is deeply felt. They are friends, family, or acquaintances. When you live in a town of less than a few thousand people (most here are MUCH smaller), there is no way to lose a firefighter that does not affect the whole town.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I couldn't name just one.

I put medical people right up there...esp people who work in the ER. Tsu could tell you stories for hours that would have many here in tears in minutes. It takes a very special person to do that sort of work and really care about the patients, and not commit suicide.

 

[Astronuc]

I think some things like fire tend to paralyze people with fear. It's one of the first things you are taught to fear as a child.

That's interesting because my parents never taught me to fear anything. I learned to manage fire at an early age, and I'd split wood with an axe by the time I was 6. My grandparents cooked with a wood fired stove into the mid-60's. My dad and I would burn scrap wood, twigs and branches and some household waster, so I learned to make and control fire.

We were taught to be cautious or careful, but I was never taught to fear anything.

 

[turbo]

That's interesting because my parents never taught me to fear anything. I learned to manage fire at an early age, and I'd split wood with an axe by the time I was 6. My grandparents cooked with a wood fired stove into the mid-60's. My dad and I would burn scrap wood, twigs and branches and some household waster, so I learned to make and control fire.

We were taught to be cautious or careful, but I never taught to fear anything.

Like you, I was never taught to fear anything, but to respect things that could get out of hand. As a kid, I worked around my uncle's Herefords, and they were mostly pretty chummy (although huge!) and I split firewood, collected tinder and twigs, and learned how to control open fires and contained (stove) fires. I also learned how to kill, and process livestock and how to butcher it after. I don't know how many people younger than 50 or so have the skills that could keep them alive with no electricity and no gasoline - the people with their fingers on these commodities have the power to destroy much of our country.

 

[Astronuc]

I couldn't name just one.

I put medical people right up there...esp people who work in the ER. Tsu could tell you stories for hours that would have many here in tears in minutes. It takes a very special person to do that sort of work and really care about the patients, and not commit suicide.

I found myself in a quandry. I thought about police, clergy, judiciary, medicine, teacher, . . . , but it seems with all the scandals over the past few decades, what was once considered respected [I think the OP meant 'respected' rather than 'respectable' is no longer so.

Firefighters are in general respected. They do put themselves on the line, especially when it comes to wildfires! In the US, firefighters also support paramedics and often respond to automobile accidents, and sometimes search and rescue. One may not be grateful for emergency responders until one needs them.

Certainly ER doctors and nurses are respected. I agree with Ivan on that for reasons stated.

Some scientists and engineers are respected, particularly those who invent something very useful or beneficial to society.

 

[AFG34]

i respect soldiers

 

[Mk]

Freelance mathematician/physicist/philosopher, hands down.

 

[Kurdt]

i respect soldiers

This may sound funny but, may I ask why?

 

[Mk]

This may sound funny but, may I ask why?

Same thing I say.

 

[pivoxa15]

In the entire world, what type of profession is most respectable? I know this is based on your opinions. I just want to hear them.

The ruler of the country like a prime minister in Britian or president in America.

 

[Plastic Photon]

Disappointed that others won't risk their lives to save someone else or disappointed that they are respected for it?

It's not that people cannot risk their lives, it is that they choose not to risk their lives and instead choose to do something productive outside of constantly jumping through burning debris to rescue Pam Anderson. The people who pick up trash have chosen a job that not even the bravest of firefighters would choose, so how tough are they?

To me, the most respectable jobs in the world are those which get no respect, because no one wants to do them and everyone knows they have to be done, like lawyers and janitors and worms (oil rig).

 

[Zantra]

I know this thread is based on the new study on the most respected professions, but I'll play.

1. Firefighters and soldiers becase regardless of their motivations, they risk their lives to help others. When everyone else is running away from danger they run towards it, and it saves lives.

2. Doctors nurses, healers - They save many lives and change many more for the better. And they keep doing it, even after that 9 year old car crash victim or cancer patient doesn't make it.

3. Teachers- Molding minds, cultivating tomorrow's physicists and inventors- doesn't everyone have a teacher they'll never forget? And they put up with 30 crazy kids every day year after year for practically minimum wage at times. A round of applause for doing something that has to be done because of it's own virtue.

Many others that I'll have to leave to others to list

 

[ShawnD]

3. Teachers- Molding minds, cultivating tomorrow's physicists and inventors- doesn't everyone have a teacher they'll never forget? And they put up with 30 crazy kids every day year after year for practically minimum wage at times. A round of applause for doing something that has to be done because of it's own virtue.

Teacher wages according to Salary.com:
10th percentile: $30,565
25th percentile: $40,144
median: ~$50,000
75th percentile: $59,512
90th percentile: $67,567

I entered the field of chemistry about a year and a half ago and my pay stayed in the range of maybe $32,000 yearly for 3 different short-term contract jobs, all of which had no benefits or pension. One of my friends became a teacher at the beginning of this school year, with a starting pay of http://www.taxpayer.com/main/news.php?news_id=1973 , as well as dental care, vision care, 1 month paid vacation, and a defined benefit pension. Out of everyone I know, she is by far the wealthiest in my age bracket.

 

[vanesch]

I vote for criminal against humanity (preferentially with a large number of genocide victims)

It's sooo ecological !

 

[Zantra]

Teacher wages according to Salary.com:
10th percentile: $30,565
25th percentile: $40,144
median: ~$50,000
75th percentile: $59,512
90th percentile: $67,567

I entered the field of chemistry about a year and a half ago and my pay stayed in the range of maybe $32,000 yearly for 3 different short-term contract jobs, all of which had no benefits or pension. One of my friends became a teacher at the beginning of this school year, with a starting pay of http://www.taxpayer.com/main/news.php?news_id=1973 , as well as dental care, vision care, 1 month paid vacation, and a defined benefit pension. Out of everyone I know, she is by far the wealthiest in my age bracket.

I guess it depends on location experience and other factors. $50K/year in NY or LA isn't that spectacular. And not if you've been a teacher for 20 years. Also, are we talking preschool teacher or college professor? Big diff. Education level? PHD making $50K?

It's good to see salaries have improved, but I remember when I was in high school one teacher mentioning that she made like $24k/year.(ok that wasn't exactly last year- but still!)

Honestly, I feel the average teacher's salary should $80k, adjusted for cost of living. And I mean with a bachelors teaching K-12. That more accurately reflects their real contribution and impact.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

If we are talking about a global average and who is most respected, I would think religious leaders rank pretty high.

 

[scorpa]

Teacher wages according to Salary.com:
10th percentile: $30,565
25th percentile: $40,144
median: ~$50,000
75th percentile: $59,512
90th percentile: $67,567

I entered the field of chemistry about a year and a half ago and my pay stayed in the range of maybe $32,000 yearly for 3 different short-term contract jobs, all of which had no benefits or pension. One of my friends became a teacher at the beginning of this school year, with a starting pay of http://www.taxpayer.com/main/news.php?news_id=1973 , as well as dental care, vision care, 1 month paid vacation, and a defined benefit pension. Out of everyone I know, she is by far the wealthiest in my age bracket.

95% of my teachers in high school were complete morons but I did have one that I liked. She told me after another teacher had come into the room complaining of the "poor salary" that she makes $75 000 a year...that is pretty damn good in my books. I know I won't make that much when I graduate. Of course this teacher had been at that school forever, so she wasn't exactly a new graduate or anything. I'm a bit biased due to the crap teachers I have had but I think that is pretty damn good money for the job they do.

 

[Astronuc]

If we are talking about a global average and who is most respected, I would think religious leaders rank pretty high.

Some like the Dalai Lama who advocate peace are certainly highly respected, then others like Pat Robertson or Ruhollah Khomeini (Ayatullah) who advocate violence are not. On the other hand, some people respect those who do violence based on some notion of promoting or defending a particular faith.

Some soldiers, who risk their lives to save others, are certainly respect, but then I reflect upon soldiers who efforts are used to impose the domination of certain politicial leaders over large populations of people who do not wish to be controlled by those political leaders. Then there are the soldiers (or military personnel) who kill innocent and unarmed civilians.

I've had some great teachers (majority) and not so great teachers.

Ultimately it comes down to the individual regardless of profession.

 

[DaveC426913]

I've always wondered why firefighters were so respected. For the most part they sit around doing nothing. If they're respected because most people wouldn't go into a burning building to save someone then I'm disappointed.

This is very bizarre logic (that is, if you're not pullin' our leg). You think that they don't deserve respect because they sit around doing nothing a lot? If they took up professional housecleaning while waiting, that would make them more respectable?

 

[stewartcs]

Apparently most of us (including me) sit around doing nothing at work!

 

[Office_Shredder]

If we are talking about a global average and who is most respected, I would think religious leaders rank pretty high.

I don't think that's fair really, because religious leader in and of itself isn't a profession. Their profession might be e.g. clergyman. The religious leader subset of that is basically the part of that group that is most respected. It would be like saying Nobel prize winner is the most respected profession... you're only looking at the best and brightest of the field to determine a new 'profession'

 

[turbo]

Regarding teachers' salaries: My wife and I lived next door to two teachers a few years back who were pulling down more than $35K/year apiece - far better pay than most of the people whose taxes paid their salaries. They had all summer off, school breaks, and every holiday that ended in a "Y", paid health insurance and generous retirement packages. Since their vacations and breaks coincided with those of their kids (now grown and gone) they never had to pay for child care and they got to spend much of the summer taking family trips with their camper-trailer. They bought new vehicles every few years and always seemed to have enough money to do a big home-improvement project every year or two (Add a garage, new siding, etc) That doesn't sound like "poorly-paid" in a town where some of the best skilled jobs are paying $10-12/hr.

The constant harping about how poorly teachers are paid gets a little tedious when you know the truth. That level of pay may not allow a teacher to live well in some parts of the country, but in central Maine, that is definitely upper middle-class.

 

[Kurdt]

This is very bizarre logic (that is, if you're not pullin' our leg). You think that they don't deserve respect because they sit around doing nothing a lot? If they took up professional housecleaning while waiting, that would make them more respectable?

I'm the son of a paramedic that shares a station with firemen so I'm probably rather biased.

 

[Evo]

I'm the son of a paramedic that shares a station with firemen so I'm probably rather biased.

Firemen are great chili cooks.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Software engineers.

 

[Evo]

An honest plumber or car mechanic.

 

[Andre]

Soldier has been mentioned a few times. I am one. I'm still trying to figure out why I decided for that 33 years ago.

- Solid career perspective and early retirement.
Definitely
- Elation for being allowed the thrill to dash around in the wild blue yonder with those magnificent flying contraptions and do anything you want?
Absolutely
- being prepared to give your life for the country?
hmm
Well it was in the darkest period of the cold war and the enemy was less than 200 miles away. Alert exercises almost monthly and when you found yourself back on the bicycle to the air base after alert at 3AM, you never knew if it was for real this time, but the last exercise was only three weeks ago, so this time it's probably for real, which would mean that you'd probably be dropping bombs within 2 hours. So, that's a tough one, dying for the country? Nay, you rationalize that away. One thing is absolutely certain in this profession, it's not happening to you. Those others perhaps, but not you. You're sure you'll manage. You can eject at anytime and combat survival afterwards used to be a hobby, a little life ensurance.

For me most respectable career would involve honesty and anything that makes other people happy. The medical profession surely scores high.

 

[DaveC426913]

I'm the son of a paramedic that shares a station with firemen so I'm probably rather biased.

Paramedic was the first thing that occurred to me; that's what led me to firefighter.

 

[BobG]

Software engineers.

Software engineers? You mean like the person who invented the error message: "BUG: SQL 7.0 Desktop Edition Install on Windows 98 Causes "Assertion Failed File: ..\SRC\SQLSSPI.C Line: 119"?

I spent nearly $1900 on a 3-day Assertiveness Training seminar, went back to my computer, and got the same error message again! My self esteem plummeted and I've been a passive pushover ever since.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Software engineers?

My mother respects me.

 

[brewnog]

Clowns.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Some like the Dalai Lama who advocate peace are certainly highly respected, then others like Pat Robertson or Ruhollah Khomeini (Ayatullah) who advocate violence are not. On the other hand, some people respect those who do violence based on some notion of promoting or defending a particular faith.

But each has his or her own following. It we limit the statement to religious leaders generally and not any particular one, then I would bet that this is a top contender. Clearly Pat Robertson and the Ayatullah have huge followings.

 

[Astronuc]

Clearly Pat Robertson and the Ayatullah have huge followings.

Unfortunately.

 

[Evo]

Clowns.

I do not respect you.