What do we "Aspire" to any more?

[Lone Shark]

I know several people mightn't thank me for putting up a non-GAA topic, but there is more to us than just sliothars and turf after all. Feel free to ignore if you're so inclined.

Yesterday evening I happened to notice the start to a programme on RTE - I believe the title is "Dream Job" or something along those lines. The only reason it caught my eye was because while I was away last year I believe it featured the odds compiler role that I used to do with Powers and now am engaged in again with Ladbrokes.

Needless to say that raised a wry smile at the time - anyone who liked to get a Sunday off more than once every two months mightn't agree that it's a dream job - but even so I can see how there would be an appeal to the sports fanatic, someone who was into the whole thing. Last night though I was quite amazed - the dream job was "Account Executive for a PR firm".

Now this might be just me getting left behind by the times that we live in, but what have we become that such a contrived nonsensical position where the main skills are the ability to brown-nose and plámás is suddenly the material of dreams? I'm fully aware of different strokes for different folks, but PR is basically political handshaking on a more extended basis. Sometimes you might get a few jars thrown in, but if that's the source of the allure then surely you should go the whole hog and have "owner of a beachfront bar" as your dream job or something.

I know it has to be contrived for TV, so it's not really practical to take someone with no experience and put them in their dream job of heart surgeon for want of a better example, but I would have thought that dream jobs were those top of the heap things - doctor, BSD stockbroker, astronaut, full time sports/news/fashion journalist, photographer, actor/actress, musician, artist, vet, whatever floats your boat - not "Account Executive for a PR firm" Surely people aspire to either a job where every day is doing something they love, or else making a real difference in society, or even just making piles of money - how is this job any of these things?

Then there was the girl on it, who when asked what national paper was best for foreign news tried to make a case for the Indo, but that's another matter.


I've concluded my rant now - I'm aware most will not have any interest in this and will carry on wondering why I've a bee in my bonnet today, but there you go - it's done now.

[Rynaghs Biffo]

A very interesting topic on a discussion board like this I must say LS!!!!

This takes me back to my old school days in sixth year, when every week we had a careers class or something or the other. And one day, we had several different people giving several different lectures on what they do and how to go about it. And if I recall, himself, our Lone Shark was one of them, am I right in saying that?

I can nearly quote that you said "well I get to paid to sit down in front of the TV screen and watch sport and compile the odds, possibly a dream job for any man".

Now you may not have said "dream job" but it was something along those lines!!! us 17-19 year olds in the audience needed a bit of humour/truth like that especially after listening to people working in marketing/PR/construction/IT/Heathcare blah blah blah. I wonder LS if your opinion has changed in the past 5 years (giving away how long it has been since I did my leaving).

As for a dream job, well I don't have it........at the moment!! for me I always thought it would be to work as a college lecturer. 3 months holidays, great pay, 10-20 hours a week and stuff you could do in your sleep. Only problem is, you have to know your shit.

Maybe in the professional sports industry, like a F1 driver or a footballer or golfer. Only problem is, you have to be good at your shit.

How about an actor? unreal money, women and international stardom. Only problem is, you have to be good at your shit.

Or a p*rn star? Only problem is, well, you know!!!

[Lone Shark]

Well there's something that I never thought would come back to bite me in the ass, and yet lo and behold!

Nah, as I said above, there's a lot to recommend the job - if you weren't a reasonably involved supporter of one team in particular, or someone who wanted to play yourself, I certainly would have no hesitation in recommending it to someone suitable. And let's face it, I spent two years in the wilderness, trying my hand at teaching/writing/marketing and the aforementioned PR, and I'm back doing odds, so I suppose that says something in itself.

Still, every job has drawbacks, but if you're interested enough you'll get over it - but seriously - Public relations??

It's just one of those "WTF??" moments for me.

[TheManFromFerbane]

... after listening to people working in marketing/PR/construction/IT/Heathcare blah blah blah.

And whats wrong with working in IT!! or any of these professions for that matter

Lads the fact of the matter is this. Work to live, don't live to work. I'd say theres very few people in the world who leap out of bed in the morning with a smile on their face, delighted to go to work.

If you don't mind getting up and going to work, and you are happy with and interested in what you are doing, then I'd say thats as close to having a dream job as most people would get!

If we were shooting for the stars though, I'd def say professional sports player. I'd love to have that life, all the right food, the right training, being in perfect condition, the money, the time off, the women who just want to be seen with a sports star............ah the life

[Doon Massive]

I think PR is just the "in" thing at the moment, most people see it as a stepping stone to a night out with Ross O'Carroll Kelly and Drico in lillies

I wonder when telecoms will become the "in" thing