As a snippet to my previous post, (the one where I was asked to smile more in my work) I thought I would pay tribute to 5 of what I think would be the world’s most underrated occupations.
No. 5 (Security Guards)
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets and/or people. They normally patrol places such as schools, office buildings, and various private property. Many of those employed as security guards work long hours, with a good number of them churning up 14 hour shifts daily (including weekends). They act as our first line of defence, be it a fire, a blackout or a heist. He is probably always the first to reach your workplace, and the last one to leave. Job difficulty – 3/5
Security guards work in one of the longest operating hours of any occupations
No. 4 (Anyone related to sales and customer services)
I assume every one of us have slammed the phone when harassed by a determined telemarketer. And I also suppose that we have all at least in our lifetime, complained about the lousy food or misleading information on the brochures to that hapless part-time waitress who’s just trying to earn a few extra bucks to buy the latest iPhone. Come on, it may not be her fault that you got the wrong food served. You didn’t have to give her a lashing over the mistaken order. But you did. These front desk people almost always have to admit to mistakes they hadn’t commit, or face a further tirade by a foul mouth customer. Trust me; it’s hard sucking things up. Job difficulty – 3/5
Waitressess have a tough job, unless you are a Hooters Girl!
No. 3 (Nurses)
Nurses are healthcare professionals who care for individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds in a holistic manner based on the patient’s physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, social and spiritual needs. The profession thus combines physical science, social science, nursing theory, first aid and technology in caring for those individuals. To put things in another perspective, nurses carry a hell lot of responsibilities, do a hell lot of work, know a hell lot of stuff, but earn a hell lot less of money when compared to their MD (Doctor of Medicine) counterparts. Nurses also have to settle shit/puke related issues on a very frequent basis. Job difficulty – 3.5/5
Nurses cleans up all the mess that patients create. That means puke, blood, and possibly pee too.
No. 2 (Cabin Crew)
Cabin crew, more commonly known as flight attendants or air steward/stewardess, are members of an aircrew[1] employed to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights. On first sight, this job would seem to be one of glamour, one of allure and fascination. To be able to travel round the globe and see the beautiful sights around the world as part of your everyday work seem too good to be true. The truth hurts; it is too good to be true. Cabin crew, not only do they have to work long and odd hours, they do so in outrageously constraint areas, such as galleys which could barely fit in 3 people. They also have to juggle between different roles from takeoff till landing. A nanny, a waitress, a porter, safety officer, customer services ambassador, a janitor, among other responsibilities. Not to mention, they are also competent in basic first aid, and are always nearby to lend a listening ear to those who needs one during the flight. Flight attendants are also prone to stereotypes and any attractive looking stewardesses are always in danger of being sexually harassed during any “accidental” brush of the leg, or when you happen to catch an eyeful of breast when they bend to lower your shades. The Singapore Girl will never in my eyes be “just another waitress”. Job difficulty – 4/5
The Singapore Girl, part waitress, part nanny, part porter, part safety officer, part ......
No. 1 (Lifeguards)
You may think that by placing lifeguards as the no. 1 most underrated occupations would be bias, since I am a lifeguard myself. But, I do not think so. Many people think lowly about lifeguarding. They feel that it is a job where you are paid to do nothing. Sitting by the waters, in shades, looking cool. That’s what the majority of the public feels about us lifeguards. However, many underestimate the importance of a competent lifeguard on duty. A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, or other water related sport participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. We are relatively strong swimmers and are trained in basic first aid, as well as water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment. As a lifeguard in NDU, I also have secondary duties such as filing paperwork, checking chlorine and pH level for the safety of the pool users. Contrary to popular belief, we lifeguards actually have one of the most demanding job scopes around. We have to be on our toes at all times; one never knows when an emergency may occur. We have to be alert at all times, never leaving the waters out of our line of sight so if we are required in some way, we would be able to take action at first possibility. Early emergency care, when administered correctly can improve the victim’s chances of survivability by more than 50%. And when such an emergency arises, we lifeguards are your best bet in ensuring one’s survival. When you enter the water, it is with the belief that you know you are safe because of my existence. It’s that responsibility and burden that we hold which makes this job very demanding, but at the same time, very gratifying. Many lifeguards never had to do a single rescue in their entire career, and I’m glad I hadn’t had to do one yet. But if I’m required, I’ll do my outmost best to ensure your well being in and around the water. Job difficulty – 4.5/5. Job satisfaction – 5/5.
Drowning victims' last hope of rescue - lifeguards!
[1] An aircrew consists of all the personnel who operate in an aircraft while in flight, while a cabin crew would refer strictly to flight attendants only. Hence, pilots would form part of an aircrew, but not a cabin crew.
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