RETURN TO ENERGYDream Jobs
Have you imagined being a chart-topping singer, professional athlete, or crime scene investigator? What will it take to turn your dream job into reality?
Professional sports
Think you're destined to be the next Adrian Peterson or Joe Mauer? First, add up all the people you know who have the talent and drive to go pro. Multiply that by every community in the U.S. While gaining fame and fortune through sports is possible, the reality is it's highly improbable. Check out the odds yourself:
| Sport | H.S. Players in U.S.* | Drafted to Pros** | Your Odds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football (boys) | 1,104,548 | 256 | 4,313 to 1 | |
| Basketball: | boys | 556,269 | 60 | 9,270 to 1 |
| girls | 456,967 | 40 | 11,143 to 1 | |
| Baseball (boys) | 477,430 | 1,489 | 320 to 1 | |
* Source: NFHS 2006-07 High School Athletics Participation Survey Summary
** Source: Annual drafts of NFL, NBA, WNBA and MLB. Not all players drafted are guaranteed contracts to play with professional leagues.
Celebrity musician
Want to be the next American Idol? Not every singer got his or her start by entering a contest. But look at the odds of making it onto the popular TV show for a new perspective on the chances of an average singer making it big:
| Number of U.S. Chorus Members * | American Idol Finalists** | Your Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 28,500,000 | 36 | 791,665 to 1 |
*Source: Chorus America survey of adult and children's chorus members
**Source: Season Eight of "American Idol"
Reality check
Still interested in pursuing your dream job? Then be ready for competition. These jobs are considered "popular" for a reason. New graduates, career changers, and job seekers from other states also compete for these openings.
Be sure to do your research so you know what you are getting into. One way to find out if a career is a good fit for you is to test drive the occupation.
