In a recent Yahoo! HotJobs poll, 75 percent of respondents said their current or most recent workplace would make a good reality TV show--and more workplaces seem to show up on the small screen every week. While you probably wouldn't want an occupation like the ones featured on the Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs," many reality stars have excellent careers. Want to make a cool job your reality? Check out these occupations from three top shows, along with the career training you need to get them.
Celebrity Rehab
Filmed at the Pasadena Recovery Center, the show offers celebrities who have been arrested or had publicized bouts with addiction free treatment, as well as appearance fees. In exchange, the celebs are filmed 24-7 (except in bathrooms) as they go through the rigors of rehab, with sometimes unfortunate but always riveting results.
The center's employees have become celebrities themselves as they work to keep their patients on the rails. Here's some of the cast:
Dr. Drew Pinsky, MD, addiction specialist Dr. Drew runs the show, and has extensive training in his field. Want to direct an addiction center? Addiction specialists go to medical school and get additional career training approved by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
Shelly Sprague, resident technician Shelly went from being an addict herself to one of the most important people in the celebrities' recovery process. To get a position like this, a degree is helpful. Mental-health technicians with an associate of applied science degree in mental-health technology have more job opportunities because of their training, education, and experience, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Mental-health technicians must take courses in substance abuse, mental-health technology, psychology, psychiatric nursing, and behavioral development.
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Jamie Oliver is a man on a mission--to educate people and improve the diets of millions all over the world--at home and at school. The former star of "The Naked Chef" put forth this latest project about food--an exploration of how American families eat at home (in front of the television) and what kids get at school (deep-fried and freeze-dried!). He explores how the American diet of processed food and sugary snacks is causing widespread health and obesity problems. The series is filmed in Huntington, W. Va., ground zero for bad diets. Here are some of the heroes:
Jamie Oliver, chef Jamie got his start in his family's restaurant and continued his training at a catering college in London. People who want a career in the culinary arts often find, like Jamie, that culinary education, added to experience, positions them to take advantage of the best opportunities.
Ann Cooper, founder, F3 Foundation The self-described "renegade lunch lady" works to bring sustainable, fresh, and seasonal food to school lunch programs everywhere. Want to be a nutritionist or dietitian? You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food-service systems management, or a related area. Master's degrees also are available and recommended for people who want leadership opportunities.
The Real Housewives of New York City
Don't let the title fool you; many of these women do have careers (although, admittedly, the show's appeal doesn't stem from their professional pursuits--it's derived mainly from their clothing and their cat fights).
Alex McCord was one of the careerists. She spent nine years as a graphic designer and has also written a book. If you have a flair for the visual, you could give her fast-paced career a shot. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you need a bachelor's degree in graphic design. Creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills are important, and you may need a streak of geek as well--familiarity with computer graphics and design software is a plus.
Ramona Singer has a degree from a fashion school and got into the business thirty years ago as a buyer for Macy's. She now has a jewelry-design company. The BLS says that fashion designers typically need an associate's or a bachelor's degree in fashion design. Some combine fashion-design career training with a business, marketing, or fashion merchandising degree.
The number and variety of reality TV shows just proves that almost anyone's career can be interesting, and online or on-campus career training puts almost any field within reach. But your next career only needs to fascinate one person--you.
Gina Pogol's BS in financial management and certificate in paralegal studies prepared her for lots of great jobs and eventually an awesome freelance writing career. She lives in Reno, NV.
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