The Inside Job

What Makes a "Best" Job?

By Liz Wolgemuth

Posted: January 7, 2009

The most popular story at the WSJ right now is about the "best" and "worst" jobs in the U.S. The jobs list covered in the story is from CareerCast.com, a new job search site (from Adicio which is part-owned by the Journal).

It's an interesting list because it favors the office work environment. "According to our empirical data, many of the nation's worst jobs involve physical labor and time outdoors," CareerCast reports. The site finds that the very best job is mathematician and the very worst is lumberjack. Actuaries and statisticians also score among the top jobs, while dairy farmers and taxi drivers are among the lowest.

"Lumberjacks perform backbreaking physical labor in an unpleasant environment," according to CareerCast. While that's probably true, I've known some pretty happy dairy farmers. I do, indeed, also know an actuary and a mathematician who seem to be quite happy with their work. But those are just anecdotes. ...

The U.S.News list of "Best Careers," the one I'm certainly most familiar with, tends to favor jobs that are characterized by a slightly more dynamic work environment, such as physical therapist, fundraiser, veterinarian, clergy, hairstylist, locksmith, and firefighter.

What sort of work environment do you prefer? Why?

MATHEMATICIAN vs. LUMBERJACK

What makes the best job is one that you enjoy and love.

Is the mathematician a better job compared to the lumberjack? That can be only answered according to one's ideological views, some of which are, as Jacques Lacan claims, a mask and a fraud.

Given that: Which one gets to be outdoors? Which one is with nature and can comprehend the language of Wordsworth as oppose to the dull language of logic?

Finally, which career requires a lot of experience and a Ph.D., in order to be competitive in the job market?

Keith Krugerud of MN @ Nov 07, 2009 17:16:37 PM

What makes a best job?

For millions, the one you still have (if you still do).

And what makes a question that I have not had answered is why my comments are posted twice when I only hit the submit button once? It's embarrassing.

HillbillyBill of TN @ Jan 07, 2009 15:03:56 PM

Add Your Thoughts
About You

advertisement

The Inside Job

The Inside Job

You're taking a break from your job-hunting and job-hopping ways and have decided to stay put in your current position. Liz Wolgemuth’s careers blog will show you how to make the very best of your job, each day.

advertisement

advertisement

Subscribe

U.S. News Digital Weekly

A weekly insider's guide to politics and policy — in a multimedia, digital format. 52 issues for $19.95!

U.S. News & World Report

6 months of U.S. News & World Report's print edition for only $15. Save up to 67% off the cover price!