5 TV Careers and How to Get 'Em
by Robyn Tellefsen
C'mon, couch potato. Instead of poring over the message boards for spoilers of your favorite show, maximize your time online by learning more about one of the careers portrayed in prime time. Who knows? Your small-screen obsession could become your life's passion.
TV career: Administrative Assistant
As seen on: "Ugly Betty"
The situation: The 1950s secretary who answered phones and made appointments for the company prez has given way to the 21st century administrative assistant who manages information and communication for a team of professionals.
Setting the scene: At the executive level, most administrative assistants have earned a college degree and have demonstrated proficiency in office technologies and software applications.
The scope: This occupation is expected to be among those with the largest number of new jobs, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Median annual earnings of administrative assistants were $38,640 in May 2007.
TV career: Dancer
As seen on: "Dancing With the Stars"
The situation: Dancers use their bodies to tell a story or express an idea. Dancers may specialize in classical ballet, tap, jazz, and more, in a variety of settings that include musical theater and schools of dance.
Setting the scene: Dancers begin formal training as early as 5 years old, and often have their first professional audition before they graduate from high school. A bachelor's or master's degree in dance is not required, but can be important for those who wish to teach dance.
The scope: According to the BLS, median hourly earnings of dancers were $10.72 in May 2007. Dancers often supplement their income by working as guest artists with other dance companies or by teaching dance.
TV career: FBI agent
As seen on: "Criminal Minds"
The situation: FBI agents investigate federal law violations such as cyber crime, drug trafficking, espionage, kidnapping, organized crime, and terrorism, and conduct sensitive national security investigations.
Setting the scene: Aspiring FBI agents must have a bachelor's degree and at least three years of professional work experience, or an advanced degree and two years of professional work experience.
The scope: In 2007, FBI agents entered federal service at a base salary of $48,159, which translated into about $60,199 with availability pay, reports the BLS. Agents who advanced to field nonsupervisory assignments earned a base salary of $75,414, which was worth $94,268 with availability pay.
TV career: Nurse
As seen on: "Grey's Anatomy"
The situation: Registered nurses treat, educate, and counsel patients about various medical conditions. Many nurses specialize in a specific area of patient care, such as psychiatric, pediatric, or geriatric nursing.
Setting the scene: Registered nurses have either earned a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. They have also passed a national licensing exam.
The scope: With 2.5 million jobs, registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation. According to the BLS, median annual earnings of registered nurses were $60,010 in May 2007.
TV career: Reporter
As seen on: "Smallville"
The situation: Reporters investigate leads and conduct interviews to cover a story. Some reporters specialize in a particular field such as politics or sports.
Setting the scene: A bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications, along with internship and work experience at newspapers or broadcasting stations, is essential to break into the biz.
The scope: In May 2007, median annual earnings of reporters were $34,690, according to the BLS.
TV career: Administrative Assistant
As seen on: "Ugly Betty"
The situation: The 1950s secretary who answered phones and made appointments for the company prez has given way to the 21st century administrative assistant who manages information and communication for a team of professionals.
Setting the scene: At the executive level, most administrative assistants have earned a college degree and have demonstrated proficiency in office technologies and software applications.
The scope: This occupation is expected to be among those with the largest number of new jobs, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Median annual earnings of administrative assistants were $38,640 in May 2007.
TV career: Dancer
As seen on: "Dancing With the Stars"
The situation: Dancers use their bodies to tell a story or express an idea. Dancers may specialize in classical ballet, tap, jazz, and more, in a variety of settings that include musical theater and schools of dance.
Setting the scene: Dancers begin formal training as early as 5 years old, and often have their first professional audition before they graduate from high school. A bachelor's or master's degree in dance is not required, but can be important for those who wish to teach dance.
The scope: According to the BLS, median hourly earnings of dancers were $10.72 in May 2007. Dancers often supplement their income by working as guest artists with other dance companies or by teaching dance.
TV career: FBI agent
As seen on: "Criminal Minds"
The situation: FBI agents investigate federal law violations such as cyber crime, drug trafficking, espionage, kidnapping, organized crime, and terrorism, and conduct sensitive national security investigations.
Setting the scene: Aspiring FBI agents must have a bachelor's degree and at least three years of professional work experience, or an advanced degree and two years of professional work experience.
The scope: In 2007, FBI agents entered federal service at a base salary of $48,159, which translated into about $60,199 with availability pay, reports the BLS. Agents who advanced to field nonsupervisory assignments earned a base salary of $75,414, which was worth $94,268 with availability pay.
TV career: Nurse
As seen on: "Grey's Anatomy"
The situation: Registered nurses treat, educate, and counsel patients about various medical conditions. Many nurses specialize in a specific area of patient care, such as psychiatric, pediatric, or geriatric nursing.
Setting the scene: Registered nurses have either earned a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. They have also passed a national licensing exam.
The scope: With 2.5 million jobs, registered nurses constitute the largest health care occupation. According to the BLS, median annual earnings of registered nurses were $60,010 in May 2007.
TV career: Reporter
As seen on: "Smallville"
The situation: Reporters investigate leads and conduct interviews to cover a story. Some reporters specialize in a particular field such as politics or sports.
Setting the scene: A bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications, along with internship and work experience at newspapers or broadcasting stations, is essential to break into the biz.
The scope: In May 2007, median annual earnings of reporters were $34,690, according to the BLS.
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