Glamorous Jobs (Way Out Work)

S U O R O M GL A J O BS Diane Lindsey Reeves

Acknowledgements Special thanks to Melissa Andron, Gayle Bryan, Dan Danko, and Robbie Schaefer for sharing the secrets of their glamorous jobs!

Way Out Work: Glamorous Jobs Copyright © 2009 by Diane Lindsey Reeves All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact: Ferguson An imprint of Infobase Publishing 132 West 31st Street New York NY 10001 Lbrary of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Reeves, Diane Lindsey, 1959Glamorous jobs / Diane Lindsey Reeves.—1st ed. p. cm.—(Way out work) Includes index. ISBN-13: 978-1-60413-129-1 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-60413-129-2 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN: 978-1-43812-849-8 (e-book) 1. Occupations—Juvenile literature. 2. Professions—Juvenile literature. I. Title. HF5381.R44 2009 331.702—dc22 2009006186 Ferguson books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quantities for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Ferguson on the World Wide Web at http://www.fergpubco.com Text design by Erika K. Arroyo Cover design by Jooyoung An Printed in the United States of America Bang MSRF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Contents Introduction

4

Glamorous Job #1: Actor

5

Glamorous Job #2: Artist

8

Glamorous Job #3: Athlete

11

Glamorous Job #4: Author

14

Glamorous Job #5: Dancer

17

Glamorous Job #6: Fashion Model

20

Glamorous Job #7: Interior Designer

23

Glamorous Job #8: Magazine Editor

26

Glamorous Job #9: Musician

29

Glamorous Job #10: TV Journalist

32

More Glamorous Jobs

35

Real People, Glamorous Jobs

40

Glamorous Jobs Playground

44

Index

46

Introduction You wear the clothes they design. You read the books and magazines they write and publish. You admire their work in museums and decorate your homes with their ideas. You cheer them on in sports arenas and rock out to their tunes. You applaud their performances on screen and stage. Who are these people and why is the world so fascinated with them? They have high-profile jobs that seem so exciting, so glamorous that others can only wish they could be so lucky to have a job like theirs. Glamour—some jobs have it and some jobs don’t. But are glamorous jobs all they’re cracked up to be? Is all the hype about how cool it is to be a movie star or sports hero really true? And, most important, how can you someday land a glamorous job yourself? Answers to these questions and more are coming your way as you start reading about some of the most glamorous jobs in the world. Along with introducing some of the most glamorous jobs around, the first 10 chapters include several interesting features to get you thinking in new and unexpected ways. Then get ready for more glamorous job ideas and stop by to read what real people have to say about what their glamorous jobs are really like. Make sure to spend a little time at the end of the book where you can play around with some activities and find out once and for all if you’ve got what it takes to do what these people do.

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Actor role requires, an actor might look, talk, move, and, of course, behave completely different from their real self. Good actors do this so well that their own mothers might not recognize them! If you can remember how much fun it used to be to play “house” or “pirates” when you were a little kid, you can probably imagine how fun it can be to be an actor. Now, hold that thought, and think about what it must be like to be one of the stars in a show like High School Musical or Hannah Montana. Spending all day on movie sets, acting out exciting scenes

Actor Jim Carrey poses backstage at the 2006 MTV Movie Awards after winning the MTV

with other really cute actors, getting invited to lots of fun parties, your face

Generation Award. AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Actors get paid to play make-believe. They pretend to be different people. They might be a doctor in one show, an evil villain in another, and, perhaps, a rock star or a space alien in yet others. Depending on what the

ink? h T u o Y What Dyoou think actortshey

o en How d ad wh s t c a e to versa? e c i v manag d ppy an are ha

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plastered all over celebrity magazines and billboards…What a life, huh? It sure beats flipping burgers for a living, but in our celebrity-crazed culture, it’s easy to get the wrong idea

Glamour Factor Fame, fortune, and fans for the fortunate few.

about what it’s really like to be an actor. Warning! Reality check ahead!

and working other types of day jobs

Not every person who wants to be a

so that they can perform in commu-

famous actor gets to be one. In fact,

nity plays or audition for roles in com-

very few people who go to Hollywood

mercials and other local productions.

or New York City hoping to be a star

Other actors scratch the acting itch by

get a chance to see their name in

performing in educational videos, at

lights or their face on the big screen.

dinner theaters, in amusement parks,

And, ouch, this is going to hurt, very

or on cruise ships.

few actors ever earn the mega-bucks

So, what’s the difference between

and live the lavish lives people like to

the actors who make it big and those

read about in celebrity magazines.

who don’t? Three things mostly: tal-

That said, once a person gets “bit-

ent, timing, and luck. The good ones

ten” by the acting bug, they tend to

simply have what it takes to shine in

get very creative in finding ways to

front of a camera or on stage. They

act. Even if it means waiting tables

drag themselves to enough auditions

WOW!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most actors earn less than $5,000 a year from acting. Many actors support their acting pursuits with money earned by working other types of jobs.



glamorous Jobs

Go For It If. . .

The limelight is your favorite place to be.

Yes, “years” is right. All that talk about overnight success? It’s a lie. It takes most people years of hard work, training, and even some hard knocks before they make it big. But, they know that the show must go

You get stage fright when your teacher calls on you in class.

forget about it If. . . that eventually they end up in the right place at the right time with the right credentials, and presto, it’s the lucky break they’ve been waiting for all these years.

on and they aren’t about to let it go on without them!

Go Online to Find Out More! Find out who kids think are hot—and not—at http://www.nick.com/ kids-choice-awards/ kca.jhtml.

A c t o r  

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Artist

A young artist puts the finishing touches on a mural. Ariel Skelley/Getty Images

Remember when you were in kinder-

course, they get an even better feel-

garten and you’d work really hard to

ing when people pay a lot of money

color a pretty picture? It was so hard

to buy their art! That’s because art-

to stay in the lines! But it was always

ists are people who make art for a

worth the effort when your teacher

living.

displayed the picture on the bulletin board or your parent hung it on your refrigerator for everyone to see. Artists get the same feeling when they see their work displayed in a museum or fancy art gallery. Of

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ink? h T u o Y What Douor favorite artisot?ut

b y most a Who is e k i l u do yo k? What er wor h r o s hi

These are all examples of fine art-

Glamour Factor

ists. Fine art is art created for art’s

The ultimate “art on the ‘fridge” experience.

ative ideas or even communicate a

sake. It may convey an artist’s credeeper meaning, but at the end of the day, all you can do with fine art

Some artists paint pictures, while others travel the world (or their own

is look at it—and that’s just the way it should be.

communities) taking interesting pho-

Other types of artists specialize in

tographs. Others use materials like

making art that can be used in other

marble, clay, or metal to create sculp-

ways. Look around and you’ll see

tures. Some artists use fabric to create

the results of their work everywhere.

amazing works of art, while some work

The colorful pattern on the shirt or

with unusual “mediums” like recycled

T-shirt you are wearing? It was cre-

trash to create collages or other three-

ated by a fabric artist. The posters

dimensional art forms. Technology

on your bedroom wall? Those were

is the “palette” other modern artists

created by a graphic artist. Even the

use to create interesting multimedia

commercials you watch on television

exhibits using sound, images, move-

were first imagined by an advertising

ment, and other elements.

art director. Artists who produce art

WOW!

Some of the world’s most famous artists made very little money while they were still alive, even though their work is worth millions decades and, in some cases, centuries later. For instance, Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh is considered one of the greatest artists of the modern era, yet he sold only one painting during his lifetime.

artist

9

Go For It IF. . .

You are constantly doodling, drawing, or getting creative.

The only thing you can draw is stick figures.

ForGet about It IF. . . that has a practical purpose—such as clothes, or home décor, or business applications—are called commercial artists.

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glamorous Jobs

All kinds of artists have at least two things in common: They are talented in creative ways, and they have learned to express their creativity in ways that other people will gladly pay to enjoy or use. Combining these two factors explains the difference between someone who does art as a hobby and someone who does it for a paycheck.

Go Online to Find Out More! Take a virtual tour of the National gallery of art at http://www.nga.gov/kids/ kids.htm.

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Athlete out big bucks to watch their favorite games in state-of-the-art arenas and sports stadiums. And it’s not just the big three sports—baseball,

basketball,

and

football—getting all the attention. Sports like golf (thanks in part to the astounding success of Tiger Woods), tennis, and soccer are making headlines too. Truth be told, there’s something for every sports interest ranging from extreme sports like skateboarding and BMX racing to funky ones like roller derby and Frisbee golf. A football player uses his strength and speed to dodge a tackle. Chabruken/The Image Bank/Getty Images

Forget national pastime. These days, sports have become a national obsession. Sports mania is fueled by the multimillion-dollar contracts nabbed by top sports stars, 24/7 access to sports news, televised sports events, and millions of zealous fans shelling

It would be hard to find a more competitive career choice than professional athlete—and that’s before the

hink? T u o Y o What Dthe story behindo?

r What’s orts he p s e t en i vor ng wh i o d your fa e sh are s he or a w to prep t a e g a Wh r ere you t? they w ir spor for the

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games even begin. Many sports superstars are groomed from the time they are tiny tots to make it to the big time. But it takes just a quick look at all the kids playing peewee softball on any given weekend in any given town ver-

Glamour Factor Tons of screaming fans cheering you on.

sus the number of pro adult baseball teams to realize that most kids grow

they want to be—even when it means

up to do something besides go pro.

choosing another practice session or

The players who make it to the

private lesson over goofing off with

top share one common trait: awe-

friends. When their teammates get

some athletic ability. They are always

burnt-out and give it up, they tough it

one of the best, if not the very best,

out and stick with it. Those who have

player on their teams as kids, in high

what it takes to make it as pros sim-

school, and in college. These players

ply cannot imagine themselves doing

are so devoted to their games that

anything else.

they’d rather be playing it than doing

Yes, it is a bummer that an awful lot

anything else in the world. They are

of people wish they could go pro when

so devoted to making it that they sim-

very few will ever get the chance. But,

ply do whatever it takes to get where

the good news is that all the interest in

WOW!

Some experts say that your chances of winning a gold medal at the Olympics are about one in a million. Your odds of getting struck by lightning are about one in 700,000 in a given year, according to the National Weather Service. You have a much greater chance of getting zapped than becoming a world-class athlete. Hmmm…

12

glamorous Jobs

Go For It If. . .

You are an athletic superstar (make that super-duper star).

You’d rather watch a good sports event on TV than play in one.

forget about it If. . .

sports has created incredible opportunities for people who love sports but aren’t cut out to be players. Coaches, trainers,

sports

broadcasters,

and

sports equipment designers are just a few of the jobs sports fans find to work their way into the game.

Go Online to Find Out More! Catch up on the latest sports news at http://www.sikids.com.

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Author “whodunit?” They write the books that make you marvel about faraway places and imaginary worlds. They even write the textbooks you use in school to learn about things like history, science, and even math. Who are they? They are authors. Authors are people who write books and other resources that get published. It’s important to include “other resources” in this definition because these days technology is providing ways to share words with the world that authors just a few years ago would have never imagined. Web sites, audio books, and e-books are just a few of these new places. Who knows where their words will go next?

Author J. K. Rowling signs copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in New York in 2007. AP Photo/Jennifer Graylock

They write the words that make you laugh and cry. They write the stories that keep you up at night wondering

14

ink? h T u o Y What Dano idea for a booko

at n What’s ead th r o t e ik of ) has w you’d l o n k at you one (th yet? written

Glamour Factor Your name on book covers.

would ever be interested in reading (like a book on bird-watching). Surprising as it may seem, authors are people who are a lot like you— except most of them are probably a little older than you are right now! As

The “get published” part of the

a matter of fact, when most authors

definition is also important because

were your age, they loved to read,

it implies that authors get paid for

and many of them were already writ-

their work, which makes them dif-

ing—making up stories, chronicling

ferent from the millions of people

life’s ups and downs in their journals,

who write just for fun or as part of

or reporting for the school newspa-

another type of job in journals, blogs,

per. Does that sound at all like some-

or newsletters. It also sets them

one you know?

apart from all the people who wish

Ask authors where they get their

they could get published but don’t

ideas and they are likely to say some-

stop wishing long enough to do all

thing like, “I write what I know.”

the hard work it takes to actually get

This means that authors tend to be

published.

inspired by their own experiences

Authors may write fiction or non-

or by something they really want to

fiction for children or adults; they may

know more about. Of course, some

write blockbuster bestsellers that dif-

authors just let their imagination run

ferent kinds of people might enjoy (a

wild and write about things most

good mystery, for instance) or books

people would never dare to even

that only a special group of people

think about!

WOW!

Publishers in the United States sold about $25 billion worth of books in 2007, according to the Association of American Publishers. au t h o1r 5 1 5

Go For It IF. . . Your imagination is full of ideas that you want to write about. You’d much rather take multiple-choice tests than answer essay questions.

ForGet about It IF. . . Authors spend a lot of time sitting in front of their computers (or, in some cases, their notepads or typewriters). Many work from home offices, but some may seek out special haunts in

1

glamorous Jobs

local coffee shops, libraries, and other places where proximity to other people might energize their efforts (and, if they are really lucky, inspire some great dialogue!). Those authors who make it big (think J. K. Rowling and the whole Harry

Potter

phenomena)

often

become world famous and spend time on whirlwind book promotion tours —being interviewed by the media and greeting fans in bookstores.

Go Online to Find Out More! read children’s books from around the world at http:// www.icdlbooks.org.

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Dancer

A dancer with the Boston Ballet performs a leap with other dancers during a dress rehearsal for the company’s production of The Nutcracker. AP Photo/Steven Senne

Talk about career moves! Dancers

tell stories, express ideas, and enter-

definitely have a leg up on the average

tain others. And, if you’ve ever tried

job. And that’s no joke. Whether it’s a Broadway show, a Las Vegas revue, or even a Hawaiian hula show, dancers add a sense of energy and excitement to any performance that mere words could never convey. Dancers use their bodies and movements to

ink? h T u o Y What Deore to do a dancaey

w fd If you kind o e h t e rib y, g toda to desc n i v a h e ? you ar be like t i d l u o what w

1

Glamour Factor movin’ and groovin’ in front of an audience.

they are trying to “say” with their performance. As you can probably imagine, a dancing career isn’t for everyone. Most dancers have already started preparing for their future life’s work

to dance yourself, you know it isn’t

by the time they can tie their own

as easy as the professionals make it

shoes—and that’s not much of an

look!

exaggeration. There’s just so much to

Of course you already know that

learn! And, learning to dance is not

dance is a form of communication,

just about mastering a set of steps.

right? Way, way back before people

It’s more like an attitude and, for pro-

even had written words to use to

fessional dancers, a way of life.

convey their ideas, dance was used

This is especially true as dancers

to pass stories from generation to

start to make serious choices about

generation. Since then dance has

what kinds of dance to pursue. Ballet

been a part of virtually every civili-

is, of course, an obvious choice. What

zation in recorded history. Even now

little girl hasn’t daydreamed of grow-

dance is seen as an important dis-

ing up to be a ballerina someday? But

tinction among different peoples and

there are many other choices to con-

cultures. Done right, you don’t even

sider as well. Some dancers find that

have to speak the same language as

pursuing a college degree in dance

a dancer to “get the message” of what

or theater helps hone their talents

WOW! A male dancer lifts altogether more than one ton’s worth of ballerinas during a typical ballet performance.

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glamorous Jobs

Go For It If. . .

You’ve got all the right moves.

You’ve got two left feet.

lights of Broadway, hoping to land a spot in one of its spectacular musical productions. Others find success touring with theatrical companies or provide entertainment on cruise ships and at famous amusement parks. Still others fulfill their childhood fantasies of becoming balleri-

forget about it If. . .

nas, while others kick up their heels in music videos or television commercials.

Sometimes

they

dance

their way into other types of careers

before they head out into the com-

like dance teacher, choreographer,

petitive world of auditions and pro-

or studio artistic director.

fessional performances. Others just get out there and dance as long and as far as their skills and stamina will take them. Once they take the leap into professional dance, dancers seek out opportunities in all kinds of places.

Go Online to Find Out More! Visit a Web site just for kids who love to dance at http://www.dance-kids.org.

Some head straight for the bright

D a n c e r  1 9

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Fashion Model

A fashion model poses on the runway while the paparazzi take photographs. Ryan McVay/ Stone/Getty Images

Talk about glamorous! It doesn’t get

famous fashion designers or fashion

any more glamorous than New York

houses showcase their latest looks.

City or Paris during Fashion Week every spring and fall. That’s when the world’s most glamorous fashion models strut their stuff—and the latest fashions—in what can only be described as a fashion extravaganza. This is where all the most

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ink? h T u o Y What Deore stranded oneae

w hr If you what t , d n a l is ld you u o desert w s t ? e outfi ith you favorit w e v a oh want t

Glamour Factor Cameras clicking and great clothes!

fortable environment, or outside in scorching heat or sub-zero-degree weather. And if you are a fashion model, it’s all about you—making you look good enough that just seeing you on the cover of a magazine

It’s also where anybody who is any-

will entice millions of people to buy

body (translation: rich, famous, and

a copy.

stylish) goes to see and be seen. The

You’ll also see some familiar fash-

whole week is a blur of excitement

ionable faces advertising cosmet-

fueled by creativity, runway commo-

ics, fragrances, and other glamorous

tion, and a constant crush of media

products in television commercials.

attention!

Some of the top models land lucra-

It is hard to think of a more glam-

tive product endorsement deals that

orous situation. Unless, of course,

can add millions of dollars in income

the situation in question is a fashion

to their already fat salaries. Other

shoot for a fabulous fashion maga-

well-known fashion models use their

zine. You’ll still find beautiful people

famously good looks (and luck) to

and gorgeous clothes, but the loca-

sell their own lines of these types of

tion could be anywhere from a gritty

products or associate their names

urban subway station to an exotic

and sense of style with upscale cloth-

resort in some far-flung corner of the

ing and furniture lines.

world. It could be indoors in a com-

WOW!

According to Fortune magazine, Wal-Mart sells more than $30 billion in clothes a year for people of all ages and both sexes. That’s more than all department stores combined!

Fa s h i o n m o d e l

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Go For It IF. . .

Fashion is your sixth sense.

You’d rather hang out in faded jeans and a T-shirt than get dressed up.

ForGet about It IF. . . Of course, everyone has to start somewhere and even some of the most glamorous fashion models got their start modeling for department store catalogs or walking the runways in local fashion shows. A few get discovered just walking down the street, but most find that it takes a oodles of confidence, one-of-a-kind looks, and

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glamorous Jobs

loads of hard work to crack the fashion industry. Not to pop anyone’s bubble, but looking so good that other people want to look like you isn’t easy —even if you were born beautiful. Models find that keeping the “look” is a constant challenge—and sometimes a curse. Keeping fit, staying healthy, and finding ways to distinguish yourself from the masses of beautiful young people who want your job is just part of a day’s work for even the most famous supermodels. But, hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it!

Go Online to Find Out More! Play some virtual fashion games at http://www. dressupgirl.net/category/ Fashion-games/1.html.

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Interior Designer then presto! Only an hour and a few commercials later, the house has undergone a dramatic transformation worthy of, uh, being featured on a television show. Looks fun, doesn’t it? And kind of easy too? Ha! Tricked you! What you don’t see are the days and weeks of planning, shopping, painting, building, and attending to the zillions of tasks that it really takes to transform a house from blah to beautiful. But, ask interior designers, and they’re likely to tell you that it’s the zillions of tasks that make their jobs so

An interior designer shows fabric samples to her customer. DreamPictures/Riser/Getty Images

exciting. Officially speaking, interior designers combine their creative ideas with

Tune in to any of the popular decorating shows—Trading Spaces, Extreme Makeover, or any of a dozen others featured on HGTV—and you’ll likely encounter a drab, boring house at the beginning of the show. And

ink? h T u o Y What Dyoour favorite color,

is What

hy? and w

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Glamour Factor spending your days making the world a more beautiful place.

sheets, and décor that make your house a home. Some interior designers specialize in residential work (places where people live), while others focus on commercial spaces (places where people work). Some specialize even more by applying

practical skills and know-how to help

their talents to designing furniture,

clients develop design solutions that

fabrics, patterns, or home acces-

look good and function well in places

sories. Some are color experts and

where people live, work, play, heal,

help to determine each year’s hot

or worship. Which means that any-

new color palette.

thing from corporate boardrooms to

What makes a designer’s job espe-

home offices, hotel suites to health

cially interesting is that no two jobs

care facilities, and private jets to res-

are alike. Sometimes designers work

taurants are fair game for an interior

on projects where the sky is the limit

designer’s touch.

in terms of budget, whereas other

Look around and you’ll spot the

times they are expected to achieve

work of interior designers every-

amazing results on a shoestring bud-

where—whether you live in a big

get. The good ones manage to pull

fancy house where your parents

off spectacular results in both types

hired a designer to spiff things up or

of situations.

a humble abode where you’ll see a

Don’t make the mistake of think-

designer’s influence in the furniture,

ing that interior designers are just

WOW!

Every year color experts forecast the “hot” new colors that influence everything from automobile paint to home décor and fashion. 24

glamorous Jobs

Go For It If. . .

You are always redecorating your bedroom. You’d just as soon live in a cave (and your bedroom proves that this statement is true).

forget about it If. . . “decorators.” They work with architects, builders, painters, furniture companies, lighting engineers, and all kinds of other design professionals to make sure that every last detail comes together according to plan.

As you can probably imagine, it takes some specialized training to pull off a job like this. Most designers pursue at least an associate’s degree in interior design and many go on for bachelor’s degrees or even more specialized training. In many states, interior designers must be licensed in order to practice their trade. And, of course, the learning process never really ends since there are always new trends to follow, new ideas to try, and more challenges to tackle.

Go Online to Find Out More! Do some online decorating at http://dressupgames. com/rooms.html.

I n t e r i o r D e s i g n e r  2 5

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Magazine Editor

Photography Director Brittain Stone, Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Fuller, and Executive Editor Janice Min review photographs for Us Weekly. Grant Delin/Corbis

With more than 10,000 different

American Girl magazine and Sports

magazines published in the United

Illustrated for Kids are more likely to

States, it’s a pretty good guess that you’ll find at least one you like, no matter what you’re into. Some magazines, like the Nickelodeon and Disney magazines, try to include enough mainstream information to appeal to lots of kids your age, both boys and girls. Other magazines such as the

2

hink? T u o Y o What Dcould publish a rite

o If you our fav y t u o about? ine ab z e a b g t i a m ld r at wou h w me you , c a i n u top o y would What ine? magaz

Glamour Factor Your work showcased on newsstands everywhere!

are also magazines for hair stylists, investors, teachers, firefighters, and— you name it—there’s bound to be a magazine for it. All this variety is good news for magazine editors because it means that they can pretty much have their

appeal to, uh, girls in one case and

pick of what kind of information they

sports fans in the other. These are

surround themselves with at work.

called special interest magazines and

But, no matter what their magazine is

this is where things can get pretty

about, magazine editors are respon-

crazy. There are magazines for every

sible for putting together an interest-

special interest anyone could possi-

ing mix of stories and features each

bly imagine—from fishing fanatics to

month (or week or quarter, depend-

belly dancers.

ing on how often the magazine is

Other magazines are called industry trade publications and these are

published) that will bring their audience back for more.

geared toward professionals in cer-

Magazine editors are in the idea

tain kinds of businesses. For instance,

business. Their challenge is to come

there’s even a trade publication called

up with great ideas for can’t-wait-

Mini-Storage Messenger that is eagerly

to-read-it stories, can-you-believe-it

devoured every month by people who

headlines, and knock-your-socks-off

own mini-storage businesses. There

covers so people won’t be able to

WOW!

Highlights for Children is one of the oldest kid-friendly magazines around. First published in 1946, it’s possible that your parents and even grandparents enjoyed reading it when they were your age. magazine Editor

2

Go For It IF. . . You love the chance to think about your favorite thing all day. You can barely keep up with your writing assignments for school.

ForGet about It IF. . . resist buying their magazines. Sometimes this means that magazine editors get to hang out with celebrities, go to exciting events, and travel to wherever the hot news is breaking. Other times it means they have photo

28

glamorous Jobs

shoots featuring important people and interesting places. It’s a tough job, but, hey, somebody has to do it! In addition to working with writers to help shape story ideas, magazine editors also work with photo editors, illustrators, and graphic designers to make sure that their words look good in print. With relentless deadlines, it’s a fast-paced business that keeps magazine editors on their toes and in the know.

Go Online to Find Out More! Find links to all kinds of magazines for kids at http:// www.world-newspapers. com/children.html.

9 # b s Jo

u o r o Glam

Musician

Miley Cyrus performs as Hannah Montana at the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2007. Dana Romanoff/MCT/Landov

If you’ve ever watched an episode

ten are chosen, they start fighting it

of the popular music reality show,

out to win the coveted title and lucra-

American Idol, you know that music is a big deal. Thousands of wannabe pop stars line up in cities across the country braving the chance of national humiliation in front of the show’s tough judges. Once the top

ink? h T u o Y What tDhoe music you likethe

om How is rent fr e f f i d ? o ng t s enjoy t n e r listeni a your p music

29

Glamour Factor making music in front of lots of screaming fans!

choirs. Most sing in the shower too, but that’s beside the point! Don’t forget that when it comes to music, there’s something for everyone. From classical opera to hip-hop, from jazz to country, each style has its own unique sound and fans. And,

tive recording contract. Millions of

each type of music requires a differ-

viewers get a say on who wins by

ent sort of musician to pull it off. After

voting for their favorites each week.

all, it’s not likely that you’ll find some-

And, wow, is the response amazing!

one with a rock ‘n’ roll heart sing-

Some weeks the total number of votes

ing in an opera house. That’s not to

phoned or texted in is higher than the

say it doesn’t happen, but audiences

number of votes cast for candidates

respond to the real deal. Music is not

in a presidential election!

something most people (even the pro-

Most musicians, however, have to

fessionals!) can fake. Audiences can

make their way without the benefit of

always tell when someone’s heart is

weekly exposure on national televi-

really in it.

sion. They get their start by playing in

Some big name artists regularly

bands, entertaining friends and fam-

release new albums and tour the

ily at parties, and performing in night-

country (and sometimes the world)

clubs, restaurants, and community

with sold-out concerts. You’ll hear

events. Some sing in school or church

their popular singles on the radio

WOW!

Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart—three of the most famous and accomplished musicians of all time—were child prodigies who where amazing audiences with their talents when they were still kids. 30

glamorous Jobs

Go For It If. . . You’ve got one-of-akind musical talent. Even your dog runs for cover whenever you start to sing.

forget about it If. . .

tions or sing jingles in television and radio commercials. Many

musicians

teach

others

about music. Some teach voice or instrumental music in private lessons while others teach music or band in schools for people of all ages. Some train fresh new talent for success in prestigious musical conservatories. Regardless of the beat, all successful musicians share a love of music, a desire to share their music with others, and, most important of all, talent.

all the time and regularly spot their

Just tune in to one of the American

names on the Billboard Top 100

Idol audition shows, and you’ll know

charts. Cool as it is, being a music

that some people have it and some

superstar isn’t the only way musi-

people don’t.

cians sing for their supper. Others find opportunities singing in bands, in community opera and performing arts ensembles, and other types of professional choirs. Still others sing (and sometimes dance!) in Broadway musicals and other theatrical produc-

Go Online to Find Out More! Make up a tune or two of your own at http://www. creatingmusic.com.

M u s i c i a n  3 1

10 # b s Jo

u o r o Glam

TV Journalist

News anchor Katie Couric sits at the CBS News desk during coverage of the 2008 presidential election. AP Photo/CBS News, John Paul Filo

Where can you watch the world’s

button to find some. Television is an

most historic events happen right

important source of round-the-clock,

before your eyes? Where can you

up-to-the-minute news. TV journalists

keep an eye on Mother Nature as she unleashes her fury with another hurricane, earthquake, or tornado? Where can you go to find out who won the World Series, the Oscars, or the latest presidential election? Click! When it’s news you want, all it takes is the click of a remote control

32

ink? h T u o Y What pDeors, radio, and TVget

a ple Newsp ys peo a w n i ht ma w mig o H . are the w ews no at in their n nge th a h c y log techno ure? the fut

Glamour Factor Having a front-row seat at some of the world’s most newsworthy events.

from whichever of the three top network news anchors they liked best— Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, or Dan Rather. Your generation is the first in history to have its pick of 24/7 news coverage, and it’s good news for TV journalists because it has created all kinds of new

keep the world informed about news

opportunities. Tune in to your favor-

it needs to know. Whether the news

ite cable news station—CNN, MSNBC,

is good or bad, urgently important or

or FOXNews—and you’ll find a wide

juicy celebrity gossip, TV journalists

variety of news coverage featuring

have got it covered.

both late-breaking headline news and

There was a time when TV news

interesting feature stories.

was pretty much dominated by the

No matter what channel they

daily broadcasts on the big three net-

choose to watch, millions of people rely

works—ABC, CBS, and NBC. Your

on TV journalists for fair and accurate

grandparents tuned in to listen to

reports on news that matters. Whether

legends like Walter Cronkite tell them

it’s about the national government,

what was up. Your parents grew up

local events, or even the weather, TV

getting most of their televised news

journalists earn the respect of their

WOW!

The first TV news show was called See It Now and was hosted by a highly respected journalist named Edward R. Murrow. The first broadcast aired in 1951 and made history by showing pictures of both the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges—allowing people for the first time in history to see the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean at the same time. T V Jo u r n a l i s t

33

Go For It If. . . You are a news junkie with a nose for news. You could care less about anything happening outside your own little world.

forget about it If. . .

jump right in and start reporting. Such was the case on September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Even though they saw everything happen at the exact same time that their viewers did, they had to remain cool, calm, and collected as the cameras rolled and the awful events unfolded. Situations like that make it easy to understand why TV journalists need to be part actor and part reporter to do their jobs well. They sometimes have to get downright nosy to get all

viewers by telling it like it is without

the facts straight in a story, but they

butting in with their own opinions or

also have to communicate the news

letting their emotions show.

so that people believe them and trust

TV journalists tell the world about

them.

whatever is happening in the world on that particular day at that particular time. They never know if the news that day will be good or bad, so they have to be ready for anything. Sometimes a big story breaks right in the middle of a broadcast and they have to

34  glamorous Jobs

Go Online to Find Out More! Get the scoop on the latest news at http://www. kidsnewsroom.org.

More Glamorous Jobs Just in case reading about actors,

days, in banner ads online. It’s a com-

artists, athletes, authors, dancers,

petitive business where you’re only

fashion models, interior designers,

as good as your last idea, so the pres-

magazine editors, musicians, and TV

sure can get intense. But when adver-

journalists made you even more curi-

tising execs get it right, the resulting

ous about glamorous jobs, here are a

buzz and awards (move over Oscar,

few more ideas to add to the mix.

top ads win a Clio award) can make

advertising Executive What do you think when you see golden arches? If your answer is fast

them feel like superstars. So, have you seen any good ads lately?

food (or something close), it’s because

architect

an advertising executive did his or

Architects are part artist and part sci-

her job. Advertising executives come

entist. They start with a blank piece

up with the look, sound, and words

of paper (or computer screen) and

that help companies get your atten-

an idea of a building that needs to

tion. The goal of advertising is always

be built. The building can be big or

the same: get people to buy, buy, buy

small, simple or complex. It can be

whatever it is the client wants to sell.

any type of place where people eat,

Advertising executives make this

work, live, or play.

happen by strutting their creative

What happens next is nothing

stuff in newspapers and magazines,

short of magic. The architect starts

on billboards, in television and radio

putting what they “see” in their mind

commercials, and, increasingly these

down on paper with excruciating

35

detail. Every door, every window,

ing a restaurant is like icing on the

even every rest room gets a place

cake for many chefs. Of course, a

in the plan. As it all comes together,

few lucky ones even land television

architects have to balance the artistic

shows or share their best recipes in

desire to make it look good with the

best-selling cookbooks.

scientific necessity to make it safe.

Cooking isn’t the only thing that

Because, face it, will anybody care

chefs do. They are CEO of the kitchen.

how nice the building looks if it’s

They plan menus, invent new reci-

designed so poorly that it falls flat the

pes, order supplies, boss around the

first time a wind blows through?

kitchen staff, and do anything else

Architects get to do more than imagine a better world—they get to build it too.

it takes to give their kitchen its own unique flavor.

Cruise ship Captain

Chef

Ahoy, matey! Can you imagine any-

What’s for dinner? How about some

thing more glamorous than sailing the

French cuisine? Or maybe a little

seven seas aboard an exotic cruise

Asian fusion would hit the spot? No?

ship? Unless, of course, you were

Want to try some world-class mac ‘n’

captain of the entire ship—responsi-

cheese? Pleasing hungry (and fussy)

ble for the safety and comfort of, say,

eaters is what chefs do best.

a couple thousand guests and a crew

Chefs

are

professional

cooks.

of hundreds at your command.

You’ll find them in some of the fin-

It’s an awesome responsibility

est restaurants in the world, aboard

and one that many cruise ship cap-

cruise ships, and cooking up a storm

tains handle with military precision.

in hotels, resorts, and corporate

A captain’s most important duty is, of

offices. Some are even known to stir

course, to get the ship and its passen-

things up in the private homes (and

gers safely to its intended destinations.

yachts) of the rich and powerful (like

At his or her command is an impres-

the White House, for instance). Open-

sive array of high-tech communica-

3

glamorous Jobs

tion and navigation tools that provide

If you’ve ever planned a party

information

before, you know that success is in the

about everything from weather and

details—the right menu, the right dec-

location to safety and onboard sys-

orations, the right mix of people, and

tems. Also at his or her command is a

an interesting mix of activities. Details

staff of professional officers who keep

are what event planners do best.

astoundingly

accurate

watch and help keep things running

That, and knowing how to have a

smoothly at all hours of night and day.

good time, or at least how to help oth-

Given the captain’s status as top boss,

ers have a good time, are the keys to

it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the

this type of work. Having fun is what’s

job comes with lots of perks, including

it’s all about for event planners, espe-

luxurious accommodations, access to

cially when Money magazine esti-

great food and entertainment, and

mates that the typical wedding costs

plenty of opportunities to hobnob with

an average of $30,000. Most people

the ship’s special guests.

can have a lot of fun with that kind

Of course, they don’t turn just anyone loose with multimillion-dollar

of money!

cruise ships. Captains earn the dis-

movie Producer

tinction and respect that comes with

Movie producers take an idea for a

their position through many years of

movie and run with it. Before they reach

training and experience.

the finish line of a movie premiere,

Event Planner

they may have had a hand in selling the idea to a studio, hiring the direc-

Party! How’s that for a job description?

tor and technical crew, and wooing big

Well, that, in a nutshell, is what event

name actors to star in the movie. One

planners do for a living. Whether it’s

thing’s for sure though. If they don’t do

a wedding, a political fundraiser, or

their most important job—raising the

a holiday celebration, event planners

money needed to produce the show

pull out all the stops to make sure the

(millions of dollars, in many cases)—

occasion is memorable and fun.

the movie just won’t happen.

m o re g l a m o ro u s Jo b s

3

In case you are wondering: Movie

sands of miles away. Think about it.

producers are different from movie

There are no signs to guide the way.

directors. The director handles the

There are no gas stations to stop at

creative aspects of movies (he or she

to ask for directions. And how in the

is the one you see on movie sets yell-

world do pilots spot those itsy-bitsy

ing things like “Action!” and “Cut!”).

runways from way up in the sky? Peo-

Movie producers handle the busi-

ple put a lot of trust in a pilot’s abil-

ness side of things and make sure

ity to take them and their belongings

that everyone does what they are

safely to destinations, and, rarely, are

supposed to do on time and on bud-

they disappointed.

get. Famous movie producer Richard

Surprisingly enough, fewer people

Zanuck explained it this way: “The

get hurt in cross-country flights, at

producer is like the conductor of an

an altitude of 35,000 feet and speeds

orchestra. Maybe he can’t play every

in excess of 500 miles per hour, than

instrument, but he knows what every

they do while taking trips around

instrument should sound like.”

town in the family car. Of course, sta-

Pilot

tistics for military pilots are a little different since they have to fly jets

Whether it’s flying fighter jets, trans-

plus dodge bullets and drop bombs at

porting cargo cross-country, or pilot-

the same time!

ing commercial airplanes full of passengers, being a pilot is a high-

real Estate Developer

flying job. The mere fact that some-

Do you have a good imagination and

one trusts a pilot with a fast-moving

lots of money? If so, you might want

vehicle worth millions of dollars says

to give real estate development a spin

something about the skill and pres-

someday. Real estate developers, like

tige associated with this job.

the famous Donald Trump, take a

Not just anyone could take off in a

piece of land that may look like a junky

plane in one location and land it in a

field of weeds to anyone else and they

very specific spot hundreds or thou-

turn it into something spectacular, like

38

glamorous Jobs

a golf course, a new neighborhood, a

that come with real estate develop-

shopping mall, or a resort.

ment. Which is why so many real

Of course, a lot of wheeling and

estate developers tend to be known

dealing goes into developing projects

as the movers and shakers of their

like that. It takes someone with a

communities. Their work often makes

good head for business and nerves of

a big difference in creating places

steel to take the enormous risks and

where people want to live and work

enjoy the sometimes-vast rewards

and play.

M o re Gl a m o ro u s Jo b s  3 9

Real People, Glamorous Jobs Here’s your chance to get acquainted

That’s how Andron became a

with four lucky people with glamor-

“green” interior designer. Not green as

ous jobs: an environmentally minded

in the color of grass and leprechauns,

interior designer, a magazine editor

but the environmentally friendly kind

who gets to focus on a favorite sport,

of green. Now, when she designs a

a Hollywood-style author, and a kid-

space where someone can work or

friendly musician. You’ll notice some-

live, she doesn’t just think about the

thing they all have in common is that

physical creature comforts, like most

they built exciting careers around

designers do, but she also considers

unusual interests and quirky skills.

the client’s emotional needs. When she’s finished the space

PeoPle Profile #1: Melissa Andron, interior Designer

doesn’t just look good, it feels good

First, the bad news. When Melissa

things like music, soothing colors,

Andron was studying to become an

aromatherapy, and other aspects that

interior designer, she got sick. Doc-

give spa-like comfort to her clients.

tors said she was allergic to a lot of

Every design is carefully planned so

foods and many chemicals com-

that it totally reflects who the client is

monly found in household products.

and how they like to live.

too. Her designs often incorporate

The good news? As Andron figured

Andron also emphasizes using

out how to create a healthy environ-

healthy materials in her designs.

ment for herself, she discovered an

For example, she might use bamboo

exciting new twist for her work.

or cork on the floors or use organic

40

cotton fabrics on the furniture. She’ll

it was only natural for Bryan to go

look for the most energy-efficient

online to a sports Web site and blog

appliances available and ask clients

about what was happening. She must

to consider paying a little extra for

have had some pretty interesting

products that are good for them and

things to say because when the edi-

good for the Earth too.

tor of a British women’s soccer mag-

Designing this way takes a lot of

azine read her comments, she invited

extra work. Andron says she regu-

Bryan to write articles for a new U.S.

larly reads at least 15 magazines on

edition. And again, Bryan’s way with

interior design, environmental issues,

words and love of sports came shining

and social justice for ideas and inspi-

through because it wasn’t long before

ration. She attends many conferences

they hired her to become the publish-

and trade shows and says that there

ing director of the new magazine.

is so much information out there that

Now Bryan is responsible for pub-

she learns something new every day.

lishing a bi-monthly magazine, called Fair Game. Her job is to fill 52 pages

People Profile #2: Gayle Bryan, Magazine Editor

with the latest news about the wom-

It isn’t every day that you find a job

ture stories, skill-building tips, and,

that lets you travel the world indulg-

of course, all the ads she can sell to

ing

keep her readers in the coolest soccer

your

favorite

passion.

Gayle

Bryan has a job like that and she says

en’s soccer scene, interesting fea-

gear.

it makes her LOL (laugh out loud) to

Keeping up with the world of

think that she gets paid to do some-

women’s soccer keeps Bryan hop-

thing she loves so much. Bryan is a

ping with regular trips to national

self-described sports nut and she

tournaments and even trips to places

really gets into women’s sports—

like China and Portugal for interna-

especially women’s soccer.

tional competitions. When she’s not

So

when

the

U.S.

Women’s

on the road, Bryan works out of her

National Team started going strong,

home office doing whatever it takes

R e a l Pe o p l e , Gl a m o ro u s Jo b s  4 1

to make sure that each new issue is

ing about “stupid situations.” He likes

better than the last.

to think about absurd situations and

People Profile #3: Dan Danko, Author

come up with ways to make them worse. He enjoys coming up with crazy stuff for his characters to say or do. He

“Writers write.” That was advice some-

knows he’s done his job when he’s

one gave author Dan Danko when he

created an “avalanche of stupidity.”

was just getting his start as a writer.

This unusual talent should come

And, boy, did he take it to heart. So far,

as no surprise given the fact that

he’s written or cowritten more than 40

Danko’s favorite thing to do as a kid

books and more than 200 episodes of

was read comic books. Who would

animated television shows!

have guessed that spending so much

Some of the novels he’s written

time “lost in the foreign lands inhab-

are based on favorite kid’s shows like

ited by Marvel comic book heroes”

Jakers, Avatar, Shrek 2, Malcolm in the

would come in so handy as an adult?

Middle, Battlebots, and Butt-Ugly Martricks up his sleeve since he has also

People Profile #4: Robbie Schaefer, Musician

co-written a 12-book series on magic

Robbie Schaefer credits the “one thing

tricks with his friend and favorite co-

leads to another” method for achiev-

author Tom Mason.

ing a successful musical career. He’d

tians. As a writer, he must have a few

Malcolm in the Middle, Pet Alien,

been touring full time with his band,

SuperNormal, and Word World are a

Eddie from Ohio, since 1991—soon

couple of his television credits. And

after graduating from college and

he’s busy working on a new cartoon

discovering that following his father’s

show for adults and a cartoon series

footsteps into telecommunications

based on the popular Geronimo Stil-

just wasn’t going to work for him.

ton books.

Then, a few years ago, when he

Where do all his ideas come from?

heard that his son’s preschool was

Danko says he specializes in writ-

looking for a musical director, he said,

42  glamorous Jobs

“I can do that,” and discovered that he

Now, in addition to traveling with

really liked it. That’s when he started

his adult band and performing for kids,

writing music for kids and recorded

Schaefer hosts a show called Robbie

his first album for kids.

Schaefer is Stuck in a Real Tall Tree. The

Schaefer sent a copy of the album

show, as you may have guessed, plays

to the program director at XM Kids

off the idea that he really is stuck in a

radio, hoping she would like it enough

tall tree, and he works hard (and has

to give it a lot of airtime. And like it

great fun) making each show sound

she did. So much, in fact, that she

like he wants listeners to imagine how

invited him into the XM Kids studio

it would look.

to do a live “Rumpus Room” concert.

Tune in for yourself if you have

The concert went so well that after it

XM radio, Direct TV, or AOL.com on

was over, the music director jokingly

Monday through Thursday from 7:00

mentioned that she was looking for an

p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard

on-air person to host a music show for

Time) and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.

kids and wondered if Schaefer might

to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).

be interested. “I can do that,” he said.

Oh, just one more thing—no chain-

And the rest, as they say, is history.

saws allowed!

R e a l Pe o p l e , Gl a m o ro u s Jo b s  4 3

Glamorous Job Playground You’ve read about glamorous jobs that

what do you think? Is there a glamor-

other people do. Here’s your chance to

ous job in your future? (Oh, and by the

play around with the idea of having a

way, if this book doesn’t belong to you,

glamorous job yourself someday. So,

please use a separate sheet of paper.)

Watch out, glamorous Job, Here I Come First, imagine that you’re all grown up and ready to tackle a glamorous career…

Would You Do It? Actor Artist Athlete Author Dancer fashion Model interior Designer Magazine editor Musician TV Journalist

44

Can’t Wait to Try It someday!

maybe—If I Ever get The Nerve!

Not a Chance!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…

What’s your idea of a perfectly glam-

Which of these jobs is most glamor-

orous job? Can you invent one so

ous of all?

amazingly exciting that people will

t  Advertising Executive

want to know all about it?

 

 

Hot off the Press!

Pretend that a celebrity magazine

t  Architect t  Chef

thinks your job is so cool that they

t  Cruise Ship Captain

want to feature you on its front cover.

t  Event Planner

They asked you to write a short story

t  Movie Producer

about what you do. Include a lot of

t  Pilot

behind-the-scenes details and don’t

t  Real Estate Developer

be afraid to drop a few names of all

, Help Wanted:

your famous pals.

, One More Thing…

 

Talented Person for Glamorous Job

 

Here’s some room to list any good

Pick a glamorous job from the above

books or interesting Web sites you

list, and then pretend that someone

find to further explore glamorous job

quit the job and you’re in charge of

ideas. You can use a search engine

finding a replacement. Now create

like http://kids.yahoo.com to search

an ad that will make the most glam-

for information by typing in the name

orous people in the world want the

of a career you’d like to know more

job. Be sure to weed out the riffraff

about. Or ask your school media spe-

by emphasizing the special talents

cialist or librarian for help in finding

needed to do the job right.

some books.

Gl a m o ro u s Jo b P l ay g ro u n d  4 5

Index Note: Bold page numbers indicate a photo.

A

actors, movie 5–7 advertising artists 9 executives 35 models 21 airline pilots 38 American Idol 29–30, 31 Andron, Melissa 40–41 architects 35–36

B

designers, interior 23–25, 40–41 developers, real estate 38–39

e

editors, magazine 26–28, 41–42 event planners 37

f

fabric artists 9 film. See movies fine artists 9 Fuller, Bonnie 26 furniture designers 24

ballet 17, 18, 19 Brokaw, Tom 33 Bryan, Gayle 41–42

G

C

H

captains, ship 36–37 career selection 44–45 Carrey, Jim 5 catalog models 22 chefs 36 choir performers 30, 31 cinema. See movies comic book writers 42 Couric, Katie 32 Cronkite, Walter 33 cruise ship captains 36–37 Cyrus, Miley 29

D

dancers 17–19 Danko, Dan 42

4

graphic designers 9, 28

home decorators 23–25

i

illustrators 28 income actors 6 artists 9 models 21 musicians 29–30

J

Jennings, Peter 33 journalists magazine 28 TV 32–34

M

Min, Janice 26 models 20–22 movement athletes 11–13 dancers 17–19 movies actors 5–7 producers 37–38 Murrow, Edward R. 33 musical directors 42–43

N

news reporters 32–34 nightclub performers 30

P

party planners 37 performers actors 6–7, 31 dancers 17–19 models 20–22 musicians 29–31, 43 radio show hosts 43 TV journalists 32–34 photo editors 26, 28 pilots 38 producers, movie 37–38 public artists 8 publishing industry blogs 15, 41 books 15, 42 magazines 26–28, 41 Web content 14–15, 41

R

real estate developers 38–39 Rowling, J. K. 14, 16 runway models 20, 22

S

Schaefer, Robbie 42–43 ship captains 36–37 special interest magazines 27 sports pros 11–13 Stone, Brittain 26 storytellers 14–16 supermodels 20–22

T

talent acting 6–7 artistic 10 athletic 12 musical 31 writing 42 teachers, music 31 television actors 5–7 reporters 32–34 writers 42 theater performers 31 trade publications 27

W

writers articles 28 books 14–16, 42 music 43 online content 14–15, 41 TV shows 42

radio performers 43 Rather, Dan 33

I n d e x  47