By Ysolt Usigan
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But what about traditional TV? You know, those scripted fiction dramas and sitcoms that entertained us before "Survivor" and "The Real World" came around? The cameras may not be following around real-life people doing real-life things, but when it comes to shows like "Boston Legal," "Grey's Anatomy," "Jake in Progress," and "Boston Public," you can get a dose of career reality.
From practicing law to working within the school system, if you're considering a profession depicted in one of these shows, you can get a sense of what to expect out on the field and what attributes you'll need to succeed. But just how real is it?
Legal Jargon
If Diane Vogt had her way, law shows like "Boston Legal" would have lawyers working 16-hour days in the library with no breaks for small talk or banter over booze and cigars. Eliminate the courtroom hijinks, and cases would take years to progress to trial instead of a handful of hours.
Although Vogt adores shows like "The Practice," "Boston Legal," even repeats of "Ally McBeal," the Detroit, Mich. associate and partner for a large firm understands they are far from reality. "Aside from the comedic aspects of 'Boston Legal,' the law firm atmosphere [on the show] is nothing like an actual law practice," she explains. "The kinds of sexual mingling that goes on in these shows would be totally against sexual harassment policies."
In fact, Vogt attests lawyers take their work and their clients' problems very seriously. "There's no 'clowning around' in real firms," she says.
And though James Spader and William Shatner's "Boston Legal" characters constantly face personal issues that conflict, interrupt, and threaten their careers, Vogt says the life of a lawyer isn't always so eventful. In fact, what's missing from the show, she says, is paperwork. "Work is [usually] solitary, quiet, serious, and cerebral," she says.
Of course, you need to be aggressive like the cutthroat Shore in order to be a successful lawyer, however, the job calls for a dedicated sensibility, says Vogt, one that will keep you out of drama - just litigating it.
The verdict: TV lawyers, while suave, sophisticated, and sexy, are guilty of false impersonation.
Judgment: Despite what you might've witnessed on these shows, aspiring lawyers should be sensible, scholarly, good at research, and keep away from office drama and potential violations of sexual misconduct.
Anatomically Correct
Combine a quarter-life crisis and juggling the ups and downs of a personal life with an internship in one of the toughest surgical residency programs. Make that five - along with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), first-year surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, four other medical students struggle to form friendships amidst a stressful, competitive, and daunting atmosphere in the medical drama "Grey's Anatomy."
"[The show] is spun to really keep things interesting," says Bhairav Shah, a medical student at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (New Brunswick, NJ). "I would like to think that my life as a resident resembles what happens in the show, but the truth is there is a lot of boring stuff that happens behind the scenes like paperwork."
As for the stress, competition, and alarming situations medical students encounter, Bhairav says the show is accurate. "There's definitely a lot of drama," he says.
"'Greys Anatomy' also captures the important parts of what it's like to be a real doctor - the hours, hard work, lack of sleep, and patient-doctor relationship," Bhairav adds.
So you're probably wondering how a busy medical student finds time to even watch TV. Bhairav says he makes time for "Grey's Anatomy," as well as "Scrubs" because they provide him with an escape. "It [reminds] me that there is something to look forward to; there are rewards."
Just like Grey, aspiring medical professionals need a strong desire to help others. "That's key to becoming a doctor. For me, it's not about the money," Bhairav attests. "No amount of money is worth going through four extra years of schooling, three to five years of residency, and giving up a lot of things in your life. What makes it worth it is seeing the patients' and families' appreciation, and knowing that I've made a difference."
The diagnosis: These TV doctors seem to be prescribing a mild dose of reality. Keep watching between your studies, and you should be fine.
Prescription: Much like Meredith Grey and her fellow residents, those seeking medical training have to be committed to their careers, willing to make sacrifices, and understand that brainpower is the prognosis to saving lives.
PR Progress. Without the Work?
One show that neglects to address the tough stuff that goes hand in hand with any profession has publicist Jake Phillips (John Stamos) constantly on the go.
"Jake's always having parties and attending social gatherings," says Ira Silverman, a PR powerhouse and media marketing head coach in Woodbury, NY who has represented big name clients like former NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, NFL punter Sean Landeta, and Mickey Mantle. Missing from the episodes, he points out, is all the planning that goes into such events. "Jake doesn't seem to be involved in the grunt work of PR - and so much of PR is grunt work."
Just take it from Silverman -- he gets up at 6 a.m., checks and responds to e-mails frequently, develops Web sites, has meetings with clients, and makes promotional arrangements. It's a far cry from the glamorous portrayal of small-screen PR, he explains.
"Jake is rarely seen doing actual work like writing news releases or e-mails, planning campaigns, and dealing with clients other than celebrities." Then again, seeing Jake in front of a computer probably wouldn't make for an interesting half-hour.
Promotional consideration: Consider this - PR and marketing work isn't all glitz and glamour, so forget about Jake.
Pitch: Jake might have people skills, but PR and marketing reps also need to multi-task, write eye-catching press releases, develop edgy campaigns, and communicate with clients as well as press. If you've got the entire package, it may be the career for you.
Teaching the Public
John Deery, a former substitute teacher in South Brunswick, N.J., touts "Boston Public" for its accurate representation of an inner-city school. Although Deery teaches at a suburban school, he can relate to the challenging aspects brought to life on the small screen. "[The show] portrays the situations good teachers face with a student population that is below par, and an administration that will not get behind its teachers," he explains.
The lessons on this teacher drama are ones you can't get from a textbook or a college course, he adds. "My first day, a couple of kids got into a violent scuffle - like a scene from 'Boston Public,'" he recalls. "You have to experience [something like that] in order to learn how to deal with it."
In addition to resolving conflict between students behaving badly, Donna Bell, a project manager at the National Center for Family Literacy who teaches graduate courses online at Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA), adds that in order to be a good teacher, you need a sense of wonder about the world. "Teachers should have curiosity, interest, and enthusiasm," she explains. "The most effective way to teach is by setting an example."
What the show is missing, according to Bell: Student academic achievement. "This issue is mired by the disciplinary issues and social conflict that makes the show interesting," she says. "The [show's] focus tends to be about the social aspects related to an educational setting rather than [scholastics]. It mainly interprets the downsides of being an educator."
The Grade: "Boston Public" earns an A in dealing with social conflicts, and a C- for highlighting the triumphs of being an educator.
Assignment: Not only will teachers have to know how to deal with students behaving badly, the job also takes a lot of patience, approachability for students who need someone to turn to, and amusing lesson plans to keep them interested. Got that, and you'll earn a gold star in the field.
Quick Takes:
TV Show: "George Lopez"
Skilled Worker: George Lopez, plant manager for an airplane parts factory
Job Code: The plant manager has handled a complicated and tumultuous job made up of mergers, vandals, and even a visit from the company's president.
Real Labor: Much like what goes on in real plants where things are always changing, the only way to handle the pressures of working at one is with a little sense of humor.
TV Show: "Less Than Perfect"
Office Employee: Claudia Casey, assistant to a network news anchor
Cubicle Drama: Working with people you don't like or who don't like you have been known to happen. Claudia works with snooty bridezilla Lydia and condescending Kipp. Both want to get rid of her.
The Memo: Still, Claudia keeps her head up by being enthusiastic. That's how any office employee should be when confronted with conflict in the workplace. Luckily, Claudia has office allies Ramona, Owen, and Carl to get her through the tough days. And the best part is she'll never compromise her values for the sake of people's acceptance.
TV Show: "Crossing Jordan"
Lab Tech: Jill Hennessy, medical examiner
The Examination: When you're using unorthodox methods in the lab like Hennessy, you're bound to butt heads with your boss. But sometimes, it is her radical ways that helps her solve really complicated cases.
Lab Results: Medical examiners in real life, however, probably shouldn't work this way. They typically have to work by the book, follow the rules, and stay neutral, especially since they're vulnerable to medical liability.
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