How do media contribute to the image of a profession?

We've known that this happens since the Black Forest Clinic or from Ally McBeal.

Nadine Bad

Editor in business, responsible for “Jobs and Opportunities”.

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Simone Jawor-Jussen:

The shaping of such images has shifted from television to Netflix, generally to series that are watched in streams.

For example Emergency Room for medical professions or the Suits lawyer series, Brooklyn 99 for the police and penitentiary sector.

Images are anchored in the minds of young people, according to the motto: If I learn this profession, then later on I will also experience prestige, wealth, success.

In addition to the series, there are many other media that help shape job profiles.

Which one?

Youtube, Instagram, TikTok and so on.

The influencers there reflect everyday stories from a wide variety of professions in their posts and videos.

And they do it in a very fun way.

The stories are told so excitingly that the youngsters stick with them.

Humor and irony also play a role.

So that the actors also like to joke about their own profession.

How do you deal with all of this in everyday consulting?

We often experience in consultations that a reality check is necessary.

First of all, it is good when young people find inspiration in the Internet and perhaps become aware of professions that are not so prominently presented in series.

At the same time, however, it is then also necessary that they check how much this actually has to do with their life, whether it suits them, whether it corresponds to the strengths, interests and skills that they bring with them.

Which professions struggle the hardest with wrong images?

Especially the well-known professions: doctors, lawyers, police.

The public relations work of the police has already borne fruit and those who are interested in it often have a good idea of ​​it.

Nonetheless, there are still rather unknown components of professions that then have to be conveyed in the counseling.

For example, that in the police profession there are administrative activities and one has to be familiar with the legal situation.

So is social media more a curse than a blessing in everyday consultancy?

Not necessarily.

We should not forget that the medial communication of a job description is usually just one of the many impulses.

The young people also have many conversations with parents, peers, teachers, neighbors and friends.

They observe those who are already involved in a permanent working day, and thus usually create a complex picture for themselves.

It seldom happens that someone slips into a career choice without reflecting on them.

So it's more of a blessing because you can look back into everyday working life that used to only take place behind closed doors?

Definitive.

In addition, a completely different exchange can take place in social media, with a lot of things being commented on and questioned directly.

The portals also encourage exchange with peers who follow the same channels.

All of this can be discussed in consultations.

And as a result, very interesting questions are asked again and again that would not have been asked without these impulses.

Simone Jawor-Jussen is a consultant at the school / university interface at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf and Deputy Federal Chairwoman of the German Association for Educational and Career Counseling.