Are you looking for a career path that will challenge you and require your absolute best? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring seven of the most brutally difficult career paths out there, ones that only the toughest and strongest can handle.
Career Paths That Only the Strongest Can Handle
From becoming an astronaut to joining the military, each of these demanding professions requires dedication, focus, and a strong work ethic.
Read on to learn more about these intense career paths and what it takes to make it in each one.
1) Firefighter
Firefighters are some of the bravest and most dedicated professionals out there. They put their lives on the line each and every day to save people from burning buildings, car accidents, and other dangerous situations.
It takes a certain level of physical and mental strength to be able to handle these dangerous scenarios, and firefighters have both in spades.
The job of a firefighter involves working in intense, high-pressure situations, often putting one’s own safety at risk.
Firefighters must be physically fit and have excellent stamina as they must be able to climb ladders, carry heavy equipment, and work in confined spaces.
They must also have good problem-solving skills and be able to think quickly on their feet.
It also takes a lot of courage to enter a burning building and fight fires, so those who become firefighters must be brave and confident in their abilities.
To become a firefighter, you need to complete an extensive training program and pass an examination, as well as being medically fit to do the job.
In short, being a firefighter is no job for softies – only the strongest and bravest individuals can handle it.
Death Counts Each Year: 70 fatalities in 2021
2) Police Officer
As a police officer, you must be brave, courageous, and resilient. You have to have the strength to face whatever comes your way, even if it means putting yourself in danger.
Police officers are charged with protecting and serving their communities, but sometimes this comes with a great cost.
You may find yourself in potentially dangerous situations that require split-second decisions, making it important to stay vigilant and alert at all times.
Police officers need to be physically fit too, as they often have to chase down suspects or subdue them if necessary. On top of the physical aspect, they must also possess strong emotional intelligence and communication skills.
Patience is key, as well as an ability to remain calm under pressure. Finally, you must be able to handle difficult and sometimes traumatizing situations while showing empathy towards victims and maintaining a professional attitude.
Police officers are truly unsung heroes and their work deserves the utmost respect and admiration.
It takes an extremely strong individual to face the challenges that come with being a police officer, and it’s a career path that only the strongest can handle.
Death Counts Each Year: Murders of police officers rose by nearly 60% during 2021
3) Air Traffic Controller
For those of us who are easily stressed out by traffic jams, an air traffic controller career path is certainly not for the faint of heart.
Air traffic controllers are responsible for managing air traffic around airports, ensuring that aircrafts stay separated and on track.
This can involve coordinating takeoff and landing schedules and helping to guide aircrafts in and out of airports.
It takes a lot of skill and concentration to effectively do this job, as there is no room for mistakes when lives are at stake.
Air traffic controllers must have quick reflexes, be able to think on their feet, and have excellent communication skills.
The job also requires long hours, often at odd times, which makes it difficult to balance with other commitments.
But if you have what it takes, this is a rewarding and important career path.
Death Counts Each Year: 176 deaths in 2021 due to air crashes.
4) Military
Serving in the military is one of the most difficult career paths someone can take. The physical and mental demands placed on military personnel are extreme.
You must be able to handle extremely high levels of stress and have the courage to make tough decisions in the face of danger.
On top of that, you must have an immense amount of self-discipline and mental fortitude to stay focused and complete the mission no matter what.
The hours are long, the conditions are often dangerous, and the pay is far from extravagant.
Those who decide to join the military must be willing to put their own lives on the line for the greater good and truly embody the strength and courage it takes to serve in this capacity.
Death Counts Each Year: The percentage of casualties in commander groups was 11% while they were all less than 9% in all other units.
5) Doctor
Being a doctor is one of the most challenging and rewarding careers out there. It requires a strong mental and physical aptitude and dedication to helping others.
To become a doctor, you must first complete an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, followed by four years of medical school and three to seven years of residency training.
After that, you can specialize in any number of areas such as surgery, pediatrics, or cardiology.
The job of a doctor can be physically and emotionally demanding, as you are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and diseases.
You may also be tasked with performing surgery, prescribing medications, and managing patient care.
It can be difficult to balance the emotional demands of being a doctor with the technical aspects of the job, but those who succeed often find it extremely fulfilling.
Death Counts Each Year: Medical errors cause 251,000 deaths annually, or roughly 9.5 percent of all fatalities in the United States.
6) Lawyer
The path to becoming a lawyer is one of the toughest and most demanding career paths available. It requires an immense amount of dedication, hard work, and knowledge.
Becoming a lawyer requires a four-year undergraduate degree followed by three years of law school and passing the bar exam.
To keep up with the ever-changing laws, lawyers must also complete continuing education courses every year.
Lawyers are expected to have a vast understanding of the law and be able to make well-informed legal decisions.
This includes staying up to date on the latest court rulings and knowing how to interpret laws.
Lawyers must also possess strong critical thinking and analytical skills in order to make sound decisions and craft arguments.
On top of the educational requirements, there are many other obstacles that make becoming a lawyer difficult.
Competition for positions is fierce as the demand for lawyers is high but the supply is low.
Aspiring lawyers must also have the necessary financial resources to cover the cost of attending law school and completing the bar exam.
It’s no surprise that becoming a lawyer is no easy feat.
It requires a great deal of commitment, hard work, and perseverance. Those who are successful have the skills and knowledge to handle difficult cases and ensure justice is served.
Death Counts Each Year: Nearly five times as many lawyers commit suicide than the general community does.
7) Teacher
Teaching is not for the faint of heart. As a teacher, you are responsible for shaping the minds of the next generation and preparing them to become successful in their lives.
You must be patient and have a great deal of empathy in order to effectively help children understand their lessons. Teachers also need to be organized and able to think quickly on their feet, as the classroom can be a dynamic and unpredictable environment.
In addition, you must be willing to work long hours, both in and out of the classroom, as lesson planning and grading can take a significant amount of time.
Teaching is often a thankless job, but it is incredibly rewarding when you see your students learning and growing. It takes an immense amount of dedication and strength to stay committed to teaching over the years and ensure that each student gets the best education possible.
Additionally, teachers must stay up-to-date with changes in curriculum and technology to remain relevant in today’s classrooms.
It is important that teachers stay informed about current educational issues so that they can properly advocate for their students.
Being a teacher requires an immense amount of stamina, mental fortitude, and commitment, but it can be one of the most fulfilling jobs out there.
Death Counts Each Year: Between 1980 and 1984, 809 fatalities among primary and secondary school teachers in New Jersey were the subject of a proportionate mortality study.