In breaking news from… 1953, experts say that young people’s career choices are being influenced by television and movies. Newsweek reports that “In [a recent] Jobber survey, more than one-third, or 35 percent, of Gen Z said TV shows and movies influenced the careers they want to explore.” No kidding.
There’s a reason the U.S. military cooperates fully with movies like Top Gun; they’re an invaluable recruiting tool. Who hasn’t watched compelling legal dramas, from Perry Mason through Ally McBeal and Law and Order and not wanted to be a righteous prosecutor or a brilliant defense attorney?
Attorneys, doctors, detectives, firemen, even CSI technicians are all portrayed as heroes, outwitting and tracking down the bad guys. All while looking glamourous and buffed and perfectly groomed, even after a 20-hour shift. What’s not to love?
The problem is that the shows provide an unrealistic portrayal of almost every career they portray. It starts with costuming (no detective or scientist who wants to be taken seriously runs around in low-cut designer clothes) and goes on to show young workers in huge, glamourous apartments in some of the most expensive cities in the country. Remember Friends? Rachel worked as a part-time waitress for most of the series and Monica was a caterer. According to the series backgrounder, they paid only $200 a month in rent because Monica’s grandmother left her a rent-controlled unit in her will. But the real deal in the West Village in NYC would have cost over $6500 a month.
Carrie Bradshaw, part-time writer from Sex and the City? Carrie’s 1-bedroom in a gorgeous brownstone on the Upper East Side would cost an average of $4,072 a month. Given Carrie’s shoe budget, that would be a lot of money, even in a primetime fantasy show. You get the idea.
One of the most disappointing fallouts from television “work” is the jobs that are made to look decidedly unglamourous. Blue collar characters are portrayed as embarrassing, uncouth, and not very bright. According to Newsweek, “This has huge ramifications for trades, as 47 percent of Gen Z said trades professionals were portrayed negatively in shows and movies, and 47 percent said white-collar workers are portrayed as more successful. Additionally, 76 percent of Gen Z said there was a stigma attached to these kinds of jobs.”
For the record, jobs in the skilled trades require less than 2 years of technical education or certification, leaving graduates with very little college debt. They can pay as much as $75,000 a year with just a couple of years of experience and offer a path to management and business ownership. Technology is enhancing these jobs, but not replacing them – AI will never be able to repair your stucco or design and install custom cabinets. (Though it might make the drafting and design process lots easier.) You can’t ship a roofing job offshore to India.
Skilled trades workers also experience more job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. They also have more work/life balance, since most of their work gets left behind at the work site at the end of the day.
I’m rooting for some brave Hollywood executive to start a show about smart, sexy electricians who also have fascinating inner lives (and love lives, of course.) Let’s bring blue collar back for everyone.
Your Work, Your Way 