Dear Les,

I saw a survey that said air traffic controllers, account executives and firefighters are the most stressed workers. Is this true (I’m thinking about a career change)?

Dear Asker,

It depends. Sure, guiding packed planes in for landings, running blind into burning buildings and catering to difficult clients can present their share of strife and sleepless nights, but so can pumping gas, weaving baskets and teaching people how to manage stress. It’s a great idea to be aware of stressors common to specific jobs and how you might react to them, but when it comes to ranking careers by stressfulness, how you feel about your work at the end of most days and weeks is a more accurate gauge of a position’s stress factor, and the impact of that stress on a jobholder’s health.

Let’s visit two account execs to illustrate the above point: both toil in spacious 6’ x 6’ cubicles, work ten-hour days, deal with demanding clients, and face daily deadlines. At the end of most days, AE #1 is tired, but overall feels pretty good about the people he dealt with, the challenges he faced, and frequently looks forward to returning to work the next day. AE #2, however, usually feels like he’s been run over by a locomotive when the clock strikes 7, dislikes most of his clients, and breaks out in hives just thinking about doing it all over again. These guys pretty much have the same jobs, but because they experience them with different emotions, values, personalities et al, the survey that put their occupation at #3 should be put through the shredder.

The obvious and potentially-challenging path for AE #2 is to alter his current stress-producing circumstances, change employers, or consider a new line of work altogether. Similar contemplation is recommended if the math is fuzzy on the ratio of good versus bad days, and too much time and energy is spent trying to figure out that equation.

Les
12/06


Reader Feedback

Les,

I'm glad to see the
issue of work-related stress being addressed on your site.  I don't
think I know anyone-in any profession-who doesn't seem to be up against
this.  Your thoughtful answer brings to mind a NY Times article from a
few years ago. It's part of a 3 part series on stress in the
workplace.  What I found particularly interesting about this piece is
the fact that some people seem to be drawn to stressful jobs and may
even flourish in stressful work environments.  Seems counterintuitive,
but fascinating. On the chance that other readers might also find this
helpful, here's the reference: "Cracking Under the Pressure?  It's Just
the Opposite for Some" by Anahad O'Connor, New York Times, September
10th, 2004.