Is Your Job Prestigious?

Polls and surveys seem to be such a big part of the online career community.  On occasion I'll reference one on the blog, but for the most part, I tend to steer clear.  The main reason being that I don't think most of them are worth squat.

For instance, a recent Harris Poll named the Most and Least Prestigious Occupations.  Without boring you with too many numbers and facts, here's a snapshot of the findings.

High Prestige
Firefighters
Scientists
Teachers
Doctors
Military officers
Nurses

Low Prestige
Real Estate Brokers
Actors
Bankers
Accountants
Entertainers
Stockbrokers

The word PRESTIGIOUS is defined as having a high reputation; honored.  While I'm not surprised seeing firefighters and doctors on the list, I am a bit surprised that teachers and nurses make the cut.  Don't get me wrong, those occupations are under appreciated and essential, but I don't see how anyone can view them as "esteemed."

The same way I don't buy that people don't hold actors, bankers and accountants in high regard.  

I'm not sure what bothers me so much about this poll.  Maybe it's as simple as the word "prestigious" being the wrong word to use.  Looks like "noble" would have been a better choice.

Looking at the chart below it looks like farmers are on their way to getting the respect they deserve.  Now that's prestigious!

What do you think?  Are polls like this utter BS or do they give us a better view of what society is thinking?  Also, what jobs do YOU think are "prestigious"?

Comments

[VITO]

Polls in general are created in furtherance of one sort of agenda or another and hence are full of crap. Cops and firemen are honorable trades, but prestigious? (not)...the rubes who think so are watching way too much tv. Social parasites such as lawyers, so-called journalists and all politicos are the worst type of dirtbags and should be ranked off the page. Off the planet would be even better...

[John Davies]

I was just as confused with these poll numbers until I read your article. Now I understand why these results seem so abnormal. The meaning of the word PRESTIGIOUS is ambiguous. Clearly American's definition of prestigious is not the same as the dictionary definition. However, considering less than 40% of American’s have college degrees, I guess this shouldn’t be that surprising.