Careercast.com came up with the following list of jobs which, according to them, are highly stressful. They based their findings on a number of different job demands such as travel, deadlines, working in the public eye, competitiveness, physical demands, environmental conditions, hazards encountered, putting your own life at risk, placing the life of another at risk, meeting the public and etc.
Here they are:
1. Enlisted Soldier
On aggregate, the Enlisted Soldier takes the top spot for most stressful job. I would also be pretty stressed out if I knew I could be blown up at any moment…
2. Firefighter
Contrary to what many believe, firefighters aren’t just there to get your kitty out of trees. Running into burning buildings on a daily basis takes its toll on these men and women. The high degree of danger mixed with life and death decisions makes this the number two most stressful job.
3. Airline Pilot
Not only are they responsible for the safety of a whole plane full of people, but they often have to fly in terrible weather, at strange hours, and with jetlag. Sounds pretty damn stressful to me!
4. Military General
They command their troops through military training operations and into battle, and they have to make life and death decisions every day, while appearing calm and assured at all times. Talk about stressful.
5. Police Officer
We might not always like the way our men and women in blue operate, but there’s no denying that they work in a stressful environment, which lands them in the 5th spot.
6. Event Coordinator
Okay so this one is a bit of a surprise, but when you think of it it could be quite stressful to meet your (very rich and powerful) client’s every need. From logistics, to drinks, to performers, catering, venue, decorations… You get the point.
7. Public Relations Executive
Creating and maintaining a positive image of a company is apparently much more stressful and less glamorous than it sounds. PR people have to constantly monitor how their company is perceived, meet deadlines, and give presentations, all of which could take its toll on your stress levels, its seems.
8. Corporate Executive (Senior)
Formulating policies and strategies for their company, directing operations, having an in-depth knowledge of many different fields at once and facing the pressure to make company-wide decisions. Yup, that’s what I would call stressful. But at least they get paid enough, which is why Senior Execs are only at number eight.
9. Photojournalist
Without them we wouldn’t have front page photos, and they often have to go to great lengths to capture them. Danger in the field, tight deadlines and potential technological glitches are factors which make their jobs pretty stressful.
10. Taxi Driver
Now this is one that I’m sure most South Africans would disagree with… Our taxi drivers seem to have respect for the rules of the road or their fellow drivers. But according to the study navigating through the maze of a city or the outskirts of the suburbs is highly stressful. Maybe in America…
Check out Careers Cast's 2012 Stress Methodology if you want to know exactly how they got to their findings.
What do you think are the most stressful jobs in South Africa?