By Allie Gray
Freeland, Rasmussen
College
FOREST FIRE INSPECTOR
ASTRONAUTS
What they do: Astronauts are highly trained personnel that
command, pilot or operate a spacecraft to uncover the universe. Military jet
test piloting and engineering training are cited as prerequisites for selection
as an astronaut at NASA. NASA astronauts go through a 20–month training process
that includes high performance jet training and extra–vehicular training
(buoyancy and weightlessness training) to prepare them for jet–setting to the
“great beyond”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronaut)
Why the job is hard to come by: Looks like most people will
not be heading to the moon anytime soon as chances of becoming an astronaut:
12,100,000 to 1 (http://www.casinomaze.com/gambling-fun/chances-are.html). NASA
hires a fleet of about a dozen astronauts each year. Compare that figure to the
number of management positions that open up annually—around 150,000—and you can
get a sense of how competitive this field is. Plus, potential NASA candidates
don’t even have a chance at becoming a team member until they have years of
experience under their belt...The average age of a candidate is 36 years old.
(http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/ascanbio.html)
ASTRONOMER
What they do: Afraid of flying but still love gazing at
stars and learning about infinity and beyond? Well astronomy might be for you.
Astronomers are scientists who study celestial bodies such as planets, stars
and galaxies. These researchers observe, measure, interpret and develop
theories to explain extraterrestrial activity using intricate mathematics
(http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm). Similar to astronauts, this profession
requires extensive study. Most astronomers have obtained a PhD in physics or
astronomy and are employed by the federal government, universities or
scientific research firms. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomer)
Why the job is hard to come by: According to the
Occupational Supply and Demand chart supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor,
there are only 50 openings a year in this field
(http://www.occsupplydemand.org/OSD_SelectOcc.aspx?chk=3&ST=ZZ)—and only
1,280 practicing astronomers documented
(http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes192011.htm). With the combination of the
small number of openings per year and the brainpower needed for this
profession, you can see why astronomers top the list of hardest jobs to get. [However, there are thousands of amateur
astronomers; these amateurs find most of
the new comets and asteroids!]
MODEL
What they do: On the opposite spectrum of brainpower are
models. Contrary to astronomers who utilize their brainpower, these buxom
professionals are defined by their outer beauty. Models showcase apparel and
garments to prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, and retail
outlets, as well as for advertising and artistic expression. (
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes419012.htm)
Why the job is hard to come by: According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, only 1,660 individuals are professional models and only 80
high–profile careers in this field open up a year. Models are literally and
figuratively “starving artists” as there is an extremely small pool of people
that hit the big time in modeling.
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE
What they do: Similar to models, professional athletes rely
on their body as a vessel for success. Professional athletes are active in the
NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, MLB and MLS—and provide entertainment for millions of
viewers by dueling teams and exhibiting physical aptitude. Most professional athletes
have dedicated their lives to fine–tuning their athletic skills.
Why this job is hard to come by: Keep your day job. The
chances of becoming a professional athlete is about 24,550 to 1—so you have a
better chance of getting struck by lightning, marrying a millionaire or writing
a New York Times bestseller. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there
are 9,380 professional athletes you have a .00565% chance of becoming a
professional athlete. (http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes272021.htm)
PROFESSIONAL REFEREE
What they do: For as long as professional sports are played
there will be a need for referees and umpires. Professional referees enforce
rigid rules and regulations during a professional sports match. (http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/105066.html)
Why this job is hard to come by: Want to become a professional referee? Chances of
making this profession a career is even more unlikely than becoming a
professional athlete. The recruitment process for this position is extremely
grueling as candidates have to go through introspective psychological tests.
Plus there are only 1,980 people are employed in this field—so opportunities in
this field are few and far between.
[Many are experienced white collar professionals such as bankers,
lawyers or similar professions].
PRIVATE HOUSEHOLD COOK
What they do: Private household cooks plan menus and prepare
meals in private homes based on the recipes or tastes of their employer—who are
often high–society pro sports figures, models and entertainers. Professional
cooks often have a specialty such as cooking for families or health–conscious
individuals (http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes352013.htm) and have a seasoned
background in the culinary industry.
(http://www.citytowninfo.com/employment/private–household–cooks)
Why the job is hard to come by: Though finding a career as a
chef in a restaurant may be fairly easy to come by, this is not the case for
private cooks. The Occupational Supply and Demand System forecasts only 180
openings from 2006–2016 in this profession
(http://www.occsupplydemand.org/OSD_SelectOcc.aspx?chk=3&ST=ZZ) and there
are currently only 980 cooks dicin’ up their culinary specialties in private
homes.
MATHEMATICAL TECHNICIAN
What they do: If you are a number–crunching brainiac, then
this career is for you. This career forces individuals to reduce raw data into
meaningful information by applying standardized mathematical formulas,
principles and methodology to problems in engineering and physical sciences.
AKA—Mathematical Technicians translate numbers into tables, graphs and
correlate finding to daily life.
(http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/15–2091.00)
Why the job is hard to come by: The Bureau of Labor
Statistics reports that there are only 1,100 mathematical technicians in America
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
What they do: The President of the United States is arguably the most important and
high–profile job in the United
States U.S.
Why this job is competitive: Despite having a skeleton–free
closet, an unfettered sense of confidence and pools of adoring supporters,
there are age and residency requirements for becoming the president of the United States USA
PROSTHODONTIST
What they do: Take great care of your teeth, because if you
lose them you will need a Prosthodontist... and you might have trouble finding
one. One of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental
Association, Prosthodontists make dentures, crowns and bridges. This profession
is extremely specialized—as there are only 370 people who specialize in this
type of implant, esthetic and reconstructive dentistry.
(http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes291024.htm)
Why the job is hard to come by: The combination of
educational requirements and the supply of people in Prosthodontics makes this
position extremely rare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are
only 30 openings expected between 2006 and 2016, making this the hardest
profession to get into on the list. In addition, becoming a Prosthodontist
requires an additional three years of postgraduate specialty training after
obtaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD Doctor of Dental Medicine degree...
That’s 23 years of schooling! (http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes272023.htm)
GEOGRAPHER
What they do: A Geographer is a scientist whose area of
study is geography, the study of earth’s physical environment and human
habitat. Geographers identify, analyze and interpret the distribution and arrangement
of features of the earth’s surface, while also studying climate and ecological
patterns of certain areas. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographer)
Geographers often specialize in cartography (map making), climatology and
ecology—all jobs that are rare to come by. (http://www.aag.org/Careers/What_can_you_do.html)
Why the job is hard to come by: Similar to Astronomers and
Mathematical Technicians, this profession requires extensive study and natural
brainpower. In addition to its inherent qualifications, there are only 40
openings annually for this profession (Occupational Supply and Demand System).
Plus, the pool of practicing geographers is extremely small too: at only 1,100
people. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos054.htm)
What they do: These professionals enforce fire regulations
and inspect for forest–fire hazards. They also report forest fires and weather
conditions. (http://www.earnmydegree.com/online-education/careers/protective-service/forest-fire-inspectors-and-prevention-specialists.html)
Why these jobs are hard to come by: According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics there is only a projected need of 38 Forest
Fire Specialist between 2006 and 2016 (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes332022.htm).
Plus, individuals in this field are almost solely employed by the government,
so there is a rigorous screening and selection process for this career. With
only 1,800 people in this profession to–date, you can see why Forest Fire
Inspectors make the list of hardest jobs to land.
Fear not, job seekers. There are many careers that offer
promising futures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals who
get their degree in business, and nursing can expect a great return on
investment-as in these fields, there are positions available that are in high
demand with an above-average salaries.
* The list was compiled by data–crunching the projected
annual average job openings from 2006 through 2016, as estimated by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov), the number of employed persons in the
field and the percentage of growth rate.
Footnote from an Article
Reader
I would assume that even rarer USA US
--Denis
Symes
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