<p>Prestige, to me, is what OTHERS think of you. I would like my kids to do what makes them happy and self-fulfilled while helping others. Don’t get me wrong, they would still need a job that pays the bills!</p>
<p>Depends on what is your definition of “prestige”: honorable service or remuneration? </p>
<p>I agree that people admire teachers, nurses and clergy because they spend most every waking hour serving and helping others. But the payscale doesn’t reflect the prestige – not even close. To indicate, ask upscale folks how much they “tipped” the minister versus their floral/lighting/band budget at any recent wedding…</p>
<p>I save my greatest admiration for doctors and lawyers, because they heal and seek justice, and find remuneration that indicates society respects them for it.</p>
<p>Research scientists are high on my list because I hope they’ll find new cures and technologies to improve civilized life for all. </p>
<p>I’m only impressed by wealthy business careers when the individuals doing them show some evidence of kindness, familial attention and charitable responsibility. Fortunately, many do, while others-- positioned to do much good – simply disappoint. </p>
<p>Performing artists - I think “fame” rather than prestige drives their journey.</p>
<p>Just my jumble of personal biases here.</p>
<p>I have this notion that you can get a great education at those “prestigious” schools. Not to mention that for lots of people they cost less than the less “prestigious” ones. </p>
<p>I really have never thought of professions as prestigious though I always thought it would be fun to be well known in my field. I’m not - it turns out I don’t want to work that hard.</p>
<p>I admire my husband because he is studying cancer. I am proud of the house I designed for my parents - it’s nice to know that I made something that I hope will last a while. I’m proud of my son who does whatever it is he does to improve the Linux kernel.</p>
<p>I admire people who leave the world a better place than they found it.</p>
<p>Harris publishes a poll every year. This is the most recent one.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/pubs/Harris_Poll_2009_08_04.pdf[/url]”>http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/pubs/Harris_Poll_2009_08_04.pdf</a></p>
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<p>Your question makes absolutely no sense.</p>
<p>I want my children to do what makes THEM happy (presuming it’s an honest job, of course!). What other people may think of it is absolutely immaterial, and I’m not raising kids to be concerned with what other people think. There’s nothing “prestigious” about being the kind of person who constantly checks what other people think of them. It’s rather wannabe, to be honest. Be a lawyer because you’re interested in the law, for example, not because you want to impress someone. </p>
<p>Why I’m happy to spend the money for an elite education? Because I value the quality of education that those schools provide. Not because I think it’s going to pave the way for a big-paying job (unless that happens to be what they want) or “prestige” so they can impress others.</p>
<p>^^Re: Harris poll, lots to consider there…</p>
<p>So if an actor wants to compete renting an apartment in NYC, he needs to allay the prestige concerns of the real estate agent by finding a new dayjob: firefighter! </p>
<p>He sure can’t afford the bribe…</p>
<p>For me, it is judge - but at the federal appellate or Supreme Court level - not just any judge. After that, it is high elected office - like Senator, Governor, President. I know most people bad mouth politicians but I still think there is a lot prestige associated with the higher offices.</p>
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<p>I can’t relate to your question, honestly. Only on CC have I come across the connection that elite college equates with higher pay or elite college equates with more prestigious careers. </p>
<p>I sent my kids to highly selective colleges and college programs for the education and experience itself, not which career or income would come after it. They sought colleges that fit them and where they would be sufficiently challenged. That was that. None of that was tied to what income or prestigious career would come after college. </p>
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<p>While I rarely disagree with you, p3t, and knowing we both have kids who are performing artists, I don’t think that fame drives my kid. I think the deep passion for performing is what drives her. I’ve not heard her ever talk of wanting to be famous. She just loves doing this stuff and keeps wanting to achieve various performing goals. I don’t see those goals tied to fame. (let alone fortune…ha ha) She does care about achieving and being successful at her endeavors though.</p>
<p>^^ That’s really interesting…When I was looking at colleges to attend, I looked at the cost of attending and my best estimate of how I’d do after college. I picked the one that seem to optimize that return. </p>
<p>I didn’t figure that spending 8 times more to go to a different school was money worth spending unless it’d open up new job opportunities or a career path. I attended a state college in my home state because I thought it provided the best return on investment.</p>
<p>Some of us don’t look at college as simply an investment in a career and what it would pay. Some of us look at a college in terms of the education and the experience itself even if one were never to ever work. </p>
<p>One can get a good education at so many colleges. But picking a college is more than simply an investment in how it correlates to the job when you get out. College is a stepping stone to life in general. The fit of the college is important to each student and so while there may be a cheaper college option, it may not be the optimal option for that student.</p>
<p>I think people view college experiences differently. Some see it as a path to a job, and have no choice but to weigh the return given the expense of any kind of higher education perhaps; others focus more on education in and of itself and financials are less of a concern . The former are perhaps more likely to go to a state school, or choose a major that offers a more predictable career outcome (e.g. business school, engineering), whereas others are more likely to choose what they see as the best educational environment broadly defined and maybe those folks are less worried about their kids majoring in anything they want. </p>
<p>Not the posters on this thread who have said otherwise, but no doubt in my mind many people care very very much about prestige- of college and kid’s career- but are not going to admit it. It does seem rather tacky. Just like who would ever admit to conspicuous consumption or keeping up with the Joneses? </p>
<p>I think this prestige factor is why so many parents want their kids to be say doctors or lawyers or get PhDs, and why they’ll do anything to get their kid into any Ivy League, regardless of fit and regardless of price tag if they can handle it. They know nothing about these schools or careers, but its all about the name.</p>
<p>When evaluating the prestige of a school, much is dependent on perspective. I am more “wowed” by students getting into Julliard or Curtis than Harvard or Yale. Success as an opera singer would offer more prestige in my eyes than success as a doctor or lawyer but that is a very personal feeling so I kept that out of the equation when answering the OP.</p>
<p>^ I know what you mean. For me, I get awe-struck by talent of all kinds. I’m not impressed with where kids ‘got in to college’. But I am impressed with kids who independently achieve things that most of us are not talented enough to achieve. Or kids who are brave enough to take real risks, or go against the grain, to seriously follow their passion and gifts (regardless of how it pans out). </p>
<p>I swear to god that my dream for my children, what would make me most proud, is if they grow up able to look after themselves, have loving relationships with their family and friends,are good people, and find a purpose in life that makes them truly happy, that fulfills them and gives them joy. I do want my kids to have a great college experience, and develop an educated mind, but after that, I just want them to feel fulfilled in their chosen purpose. </p>
<p>I have what apparently is considered a ‘prestigious’ job and title…I can tell you it doesn’t do diddly. It doesn’t make you happy, it doesn’t buy you anything, and no one really cares (even your parents, who might get a kick out of telling the relatives at graduation or something, get over it in a few months). Totally pointless goal.</p>
<p>Thinking about “prestige” is like thinking about personal happiness in other peoples’ terms. Reminds me of that real estate term “desirable”, as in a desirable neighborhood. Ho hum. Who cares? </p>
<p>The reality of a lot of prestigious careers is not very glamorous at all. </p>
<p>I agree with starbright: totally pointless goal.</p>
<p>the least likely narcissistic field</p>
<p>The most prestige? Military, without a doubt. Or something that helps millions of people through dedication and hard work that doesn’t involve liberating countries. An example of this type of person is Norman Borlaug, who probably has saved more people in the history of the world than anyone else.</p>
<p>Lawyers, no. Not unless you are involved in, say, the Scopes trial.</p>
<p>My parents are doctors. They used to be more respected than they are now. Now everyone is busy filing mal practice suits and only going to doctors on their insurance plans than the ones they and their community trusts. </p>
<p>Politics? Hit or miss. Mostly miss.</p>
<p>For me college is an investment. It is important my kids will be able get a job after college, therefore it is important for them to go to a school that would make it easier for them to get a job. As far as prestige of a profession, I don’t really have a view. I would prefer for them to be able make enough money to live as comfortably as they want than for them to be famous (like going into politics). I have never derived my personal happiness from my work. I love what’s outside of my work - travel, family, living well. My job affords me all of that. I do not get any satisfaction of telling strangers about what I do (or artificially get their respect because of my profession). More often than not, people assume I am a stay home mom whenever I am with my girls and that’s fine with me. That would be the case with my kids someday too. I don’t feel the need of having to tell (brag) to people about what they do.</p>
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After what you do and where live, you should also let other people’s opinions drive what kind of car you have, who you marry, what restaurants you go to, what clothes you wear…</p>
<p>Most prestigious career?
Magician.
Hasn’t anyone read Christopher Priest’s novel?</p>
<p>Oldfort, how come you don’t get happiness from your job and have you considered changing it? Maybe you are only doing it part-time but it seems such a shame to be working 40-50 or more hours a week in something that doesn’t fulfill you, just for the money. Why not both? A career you love (I’d do mine for free), and the lifestyle that goes with it.</p>