The most enjoyable jobs

Finding the "perfect" job is a challenge facing many people. It involves finding something you are passionate about. The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago conducted a survey on the jobs people like and dislike. The full article can be found here.

LIKE

• Clergy—87 percent percent
• Firefighters—80 percent percent
• Physical therapists—78 percent percent
• Authors—74 percent
• Teachers—69 percent
• Education administrators—68 percent
• Psychologists—67 percent
• Security and financial services salespersons—65 percent
• Operating engineers—64 percent

DISLIKE

• Laborers, except construction—21 percent
• Apparel clothing salespersons—24 percent
• Handpackers and packagers—24 percent
• Food preparers—24 percent
• Roofers—25 percent
• Cashiers—25 percent
• Furniture and home-furnishing salespersons—25 percent
• Waiters and servers—27 percent

My general observation is that the jobs on the LIKE list involve helping people or tasks which involve problem solving activities. Most people agree that they would like to work in a field where they are around people. The satisfaction of helping someone in their daily life leads to a happier experience. You will also notice that prestige jobs such as a doctor and lawyer were not at the top of the list. Unfortunately, the prestige jobs are the ones where you make the most money and not the ones people enjoy the most.