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Best and Worst Jobs of 2012

April 13, 2012 by Julie 122 Comments

Lunch today was so good.

So good!

al fresco teriyaki meatballs

I was in the mood for pasta and cooked up a serving of whole grain rotini and added chopped asparagus to the boiling water to lightly cook the vegetable without dirtying another pan.

Dirty dishes are my nemesis.

I then used my super-fancy spinach trick to wilt fresh spinach for in the pasta and tossed everything in a bit of Smart Balance before adding the shining star of the meal to the mix: al fresco teriyaki ginger chicken meatballs.  

al fresco chicken meatballs

The flavor of these meatballs is out-of-this-world fantastic. Had I tried them before cooking up the pasta, I’m pretty sure my lunch would’ve been just a bowl of meatballs.

Al fresco actually sent me a few of their all-natural products to try after seeing me profess my love for their chicken sausage numerous times on the blog throughout the past two years. Ryan and I eat al fresco chicken sausage nearly every week – sometimes twice a week – and it’s one of my go-to foods because it’s so easy to chop up and add to pasta, squash casserole, quesadillas and more.

pasta asparagus meatball

I kind of want to recreate this exact meal for dinner tonight.

And now it’s time for some job talk!

Best and Worst Jobs of 2012

This morning I saw an interesting list on the Wall Street Journal’s website that I thought might intrigue you guys as well!

CareerCast.com compiled a list of the best and worst jobs from 2012. The worst jobs were determined based on “physical labor, declining job opportunities, a poor work environment and high stress,” while the best jobs boast great pay, high hiring demand and great working conditions. 

The top 15 best jobs included:

  1. Software Engineer
  2. Actuary
  3. Human Resources Manager
  4. Dental Hygienist
  5. Financial Planner
  6. Audiologist
  7. Occupational Therapist
  8. Online Advertising Manager
  9. Computer Systems Analyst
  10. Mathematician
  11. Speech Pathologist
  12. Optometrist
  13. Physical Therapist
  14. Pharmacist
  15. Web Developer

The top 15 worst jobs included:

  1. Lumberjack
  2. Dairy Farmer
  3. Enlisted Military Soldier
  4. Oil Rig Worker
  5. Reporter (Newspaper)
  6. Waiter/Waitress
  7. Meter Reader
  8. Dishwasher
  9. Butcher
  10. Broadcaster
  11. Shoe Maker/Repairer
  12. Drill-Press Operator
  13. Conservationist
  14. Taxi Driver
  15. Automobile Assembler 

Interesting, huh?

You may search for your job on the Wall Street Journal’s website if you’re curious to see where your job falls on the list.

After looking at the lists, I realized that two jobs I personally find intriguing may be found on the best and worst jobs list. I always thought it would be neat to be a physical therapist or a broadcaster.

When I first went to college, I was torn between pursing a degree in journalism (I wanted to be a news anchor) and education (I wanted to teach high school English). I ended up getting my degree in advertising and public relations, but have so many interests that a ton of different careers sound pretty cool to me.

Questions of the Afternoon

  • Is your job on one of the above lists? Do you agree with its label as a “best” or “worst” job?
  • Of the jobs listed above, which one intrigues you most?

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Filed Under: Lunch Tagged With: al fresco, asparagus, lunch, meatballs, pasta, rotini, spinach

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Michelle says

    April 13, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    I had a big bowl of avocado and asparagus pasta for lunch….and then I had pee that smelt so weird!!!! Sorry random but had to share when saw the asparagus pasta! My job doesn’t feature, I’m a marketing manager…I duno, I think being a broadcaster cud be pretty fun!

    Reply
  2. Becky says

    April 13, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I am half way through pharmacy school, so I was super excited to find my future job on the best list! 🙂 Thanks for posting this, Julie!

    Reply
  3. Krista @ Healthy Berg says

    April 13, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Pharmacist…holler! Well, in a few short months that is 🙂 I’m graduating in 3 weeks!

    Reply
  4. Austin Kara says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Occupational Therapy!!! Love it!!!! It is such a kick-a** field with some awesome people. I love OT!

    Reply
  5. Cristin says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I’m going to school to be a physician assistant… we are #26… not too shabby!

    Reply
  6. Nathan says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I dont think a farmer is the WORST tjob out there, I just think our dairy and crop farmers are so so under respected and under appreciated

    Reply
  7. Alissa Reitmeier says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Broadcaster cracked the top 10.. that surprises me! I like my job! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Nicole says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    I’m in law school – lawyer should definitely be on the worst jobs list (or at least the law school part)…I am most intrigued by a conservationist – what in the world makes someone want to do that?!?
    P.S. your lunch looks incredible! it’s passover so i can’t have pasta and now i am CRAVING some! Luckily, i’m going for italian tomorrow night and am going to indulge in the biggest bowel of crab linguine every created!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 13, 2012 at 7:06 pm

      To answer your question, people become conservationists because they have a passion for preserving and protecting wildlife and their habitats. It may not pay well, but it is rewarding in so many other ways!

      Reply
  9. Sarah says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    I didn’t see this list in my Wall Street Journal this morning! Very interesting- i’m coming to the point where I’ll have to choose a major for college soon, after my SAT *total stress*. I’ve always had an interest in law/ politics/business but fitness as well. Hoping I can do something with that. My dad always tells me to do something I love or I’ll be MISERABLE. Maybe starting my own health/fitness business? Also noticed that technology related jobs are ranked pretty high.too bad i’m very technically challenged!

    Reply
  10. Victoria says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    Sad day to be a high school teacher! #137 on the list! I love my job, the kiddos, and the stresses that go with it. It’s just not the right job for everyone, I guess 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      April 13, 2012 at 10:13 pm

      Except your job is #1 on CNN’s list of best jobs for saving the world!

      Reply
  11. Sloane says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    I’m currently trying to design my own website for my blog and it makes me wish I would have studied web design!

    Reply
  12. Kristen @ notsodomesticated says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    Interesting! My job (school psychologist) isn’t on there, but a lot of the people I work with were (speech path, OT, PT). And it’s interesting about a mathematician. I can obviously see them as being useful, but you just don’t hear many people saying that their profession is “mathematician!”

    Reply
  13. Marie says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    I think it just boils down to choosing a career that interests you and something you will enjoy doing everyday. My husband is a Web Developer & to him it’s the best job ever. I was a Technical Writer & created Software Documentation; people are always in awe when they find out, but to me, I have the best job as a SAHM now. 😉

    Reply
  14. Ruth says

    April 13, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    I’m in the military. I get why it might not be top job, but it is top in rewarding feeling. Ah well, only 2 more years to my pension. Then it’s off to be a Purchasing Agent which moves me up the list significantly. lol…not thinking it will be as exciting of a job.

    Reply
  15. Karlee says

    April 13, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    i’m on the best list! number 11, speech pathologist, and i agree it is a good job!

    Reply
  16. Hillary says

    April 13, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    High school teacher came in at 137 (I’m middle school, but it’s close). There’s definitely a lot of stress, not enough pay, and the hiring situation is dire right now. Then again, it’s probably one of the most rewarding professions that exist, so I’ll take it!

    Reply
  17. megpinkgiggles says

    April 13, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    Your lunch has given me a serious craving for asparagus…yum! i’m a grad student…if that was on the list, i’m sure it would be a part of the “worst” haha

    Reply
  18. Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says

    April 13, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    So happy that my soon to be job is on the best list! I will be done with the academic part of grad school for occupational therapy next month :D. And I need to start putting asparagus in my pasta, and spinach too. It looks super tasty!

    Reply
  19. Laura says

    April 13, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    Im on the best list and my hubby is on the worst lol

    Im an Audiologist and he is an enlisted soldier.

    Reply
  20. Alieh says

    April 13, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Yay! I have a BA and a MA in History and I was trying to get myself into the museum business (I’m actually super jealous that you got to work for a museum, although it wasn’t your favorite), and after a while of no luck, I did some soul searching and now I’m taking prereqs for a PT program. I love my classes and it sounds like I’m making a good choice…just cross your fingers for me that I get into a program 😀

    Reply
  21. Diana says

    April 13, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Totally unrelated, but I made the BEST dessert EVER! And it’s healthy! And it includes peanut butter!

    Take 1 1/2 scoops chocolate protein powder (your choice what kind, though casein will take longer to digest overnight, which is a good thing) and mix with 6oz plain yogurt, 1tbsp peanut butter (or more…), and honey to taste.

    Chocolate peanut butter pudding, packed with protein and low in sugar. So, so good!

    Reply
  22. Brie says

    April 13, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    Awww, poor lumberjacks! Lol.

    I thought for sure registered nurse would be on the best list somewhere! While the demands of the job can sure bite sometimes, the pay and demand of nurses for jobs is very high (well, in Canada anyway…).

    Reply
  23. Aleksandra says

    April 13, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    That’s so funny you posted that. I’m a journalist and we were joking about that list the other day at work. Seriously? Waitress is better than our job? Granted, I’m a copy editor, but I have been a reporter and it’s fun! And you get to sit down and not carry around other people’s dirty dishes! I can see if you’re a crime reporter in, say, Miami or someplace and you get called in the middle of the night to go cover a high-profile murder. But your everyday run-of-the-mill reporter has a pretty good (if low-paying and job-security-free) existence.

    Reply
  24. Corinne says

    April 13, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    Well, I WILL be #11, speech-language pathologist, once I finish this grueling Masters degree in a few months. So it’s nice to see that it’s ranked highly and all this work pays off 🙂 although I’m a waitress/bartender on the side, which is ranked as one of the worst, but I’ve always found it to be so much fun and will probably continue to bartend on the side for as long as I can!

    Reply
  25. Gracie says

    April 13, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    So working nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays; standing up all day; not getting lunch; rarely getting a bathroom break, and getting yelled at all day is good working conditions?! Ah, pharmacy!

    Reply
  26. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    April 13, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    I always think that I’d be a good financial planner! Very different from my current career, which is teaching.

    Reply
  27. Danielle says

    April 13, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    I am a speech pathologist working with adults and I love it!

    Reply
  28. Lindsay says

    April 13, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    I’m a dietitian and my job was #17! Except, they spelled dietitian the wrong way and used a c… sigh.

    Reply
  29. Lauren says

    April 13, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    I’m surprised accountant or CPA wasn’t one of the top worst. Although there are jobs, it certainly is high stress and has terrible hours.

    Reply
  30. JV says

    April 13, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    Chiropractor #19 – my husband is and I runout office. Love seeing people get healthier each day!

    Reply
    • JV says

      April 13, 2012 at 10:35 pm

      *our

      Reply
  31. courtney says

    April 13, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    I am a social worker…foster care and adoption specifically…my job was number 50…while I like my job I was pretty surprised it was that high on the list…low pay and tiny cubicle…

    Reply
  32. Chelsea says

    April 13, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    Physical therapist is a job I’m THINKING of going into (studying for college) so it’s pretty cool seeing that 🙂

    Reply
  33. Jay says

    April 14, 2012 at 3:40 am

    I suppose I am missing the point of the article, however in my humble opinion being fortunate enough to have a job in today’s economy is a good job.

    Reply
  34. Life's a Bowl says

    April 14, 2012 at 6:57 am

    I’m currently a teacher but at the end of the school year I’m moving onto a new career, event planning [neither are on the list]… This year I have learned there is SO MUCH more to teaching than preparing a lesson the night before and hoping that all goes smoothly the following day in class.

    I’m kinda surprised to see dental hygienist on the list of top jobs- the dentist is one of my least fave places to go 😛

    Reply
  35. Lyndsey says

    April 14, 2012 at 8:14 am

    my job is not on the list but it s defnitely one of the best and in my opinion the most noble….teaching!

    Reply
  36. Erin says

    April 14, 2012 at 9:36 am

    I’m currently in school to become an occupational therapist! WOOHOO OT! 🙂

    Reply
  37. rob fiasco says

    April 14, 2012 at 9:55 am

    the job I want is #1. the job I sometimes have is #170.

    🙁

    Reply
  38. Coco says

    April 14, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I have #6 worse job- waitress… TRUE STORY.. my job blows.. lol

    Reply
  39. Cheri says

    April 14, 2012 at 10:17 am

    My job is not even on the list. Does that mean it is worst than the number 200? Some days I would agree :). I would love to be a web designer.

    Reply
  40. Taryn@TheFitFlosser says

    April 14, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    I’m a dental hygienist and I love what I do!
    Even though hygiene is a great job, the Best Jobs of 2012 list is misleading. Part of the criteria for best jobs is the demand for the occupation.

    To clarify, there isn’t a demand for dental hygiene. In fact, the market has been so saturated with hygienists that the rate of pay has decreased and it’s next to impossible to find a job.

    The 2012 list needs to be updated.

    Reply
  41. Lissy says

    April 14, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    I guess I’m a software engineer/web developer and I do love my job quite a bit.

    Reply
  42. Natale @FactualFoodie says

    April 14, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    woo hoo I’m studying to be #2 on the list. If only I could pass the tests….

    Reply
    • Katie says

      April 14, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      I teach high school English and it is the greatest job in the world!

      Reply
  43. Adrianna says

    April 15, 2012 at 9:18 am

    wow, I made the top 15! I’m really surprised that broadcaster is on worst…seems so cool.

    Reply
  44. Mandi says

    April 15, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Julie, did you notice that the “worst” jobs are those that require little to no education? The top 10 jobs mostly require bachelors degrees, and most of them require masters or doctorate level degrees. To me, this isn’t surprising– of course more education = better jobs!!? The hubby is about to graduate with his doctorate in Physical Therapy from UCF, so it’s good to see things like this!!!! 🙂 It was a long, tough, grueling road!

    Reply
  45. Erin says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:01 am

    #11 Speech Language Pathologist is what I went to school for and hopefully will be getting into grad school to become! GREAT job. Good pay, fun, and very in demand!

    Reply
  46. colleenzo says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    I’m an editor, good old #118! And I love it! Really, none of the jobs on either list sound that interesting to me, so I guess that means I’m right where I’m supposed to be!

    Reply
  47. Marilyn says

    April 18, 2012 at 6:57 am

    We eat a lot of al fresco products too. 🙂 Tasty and convenient is a great combination.

    Reply
  48. Ashlyn says

    April 29, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    I’m in school studying to be an early childhood education teacher. My dream job is to go into OT for kids with special needs. I love everything I’ve heard about the career and seeing this on the list is promising. I know it will be a challenge, but it will be such a rewarding experience.

    Reply
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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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