What job title holds the biggest wow factor

[pancakeontoast]

Just for sat night chat, what job do you think holds the biggest kudos? I think probably a medical consultant or barrister... what do you think...

Model

Best job title I've ever seen hands down winner was a woman on one of those ambulance reality programmes (I think) and her title was ....
SURGEON COMMANDER.

Everyone else can just go home as far as I'm concerned.

Marine biologist.

I have a friend who works in the Antarctic as some sort of scientist - no idea what his job title is but that’s such a cool (no pun intended) job.

This is a Navy rank. They call their Drs and Dentists “Surgeon” Rank. It’s pretty cool. I’ve been dealing with a Surgeon Commodore recently.

Are you joking about influencer?

As I find that such a cringey job.

Perhaps it’s because so many people think they are in influencer or some sort of celeb just because they have a few followers on SM.

Q.I. Elf

How they manage to come up with all those extraordinary facts, I'll never know.

Astronaut!

Yes!

I agree this carries kudos. However, as a barrister, I’ve always disliked the term. It’s sometimes used by people who want to differentiate between ‘good’ lawyers and the rest of the money grabbing shits. Whereas, in my book, all criminal solicitors or barristers, for example, are human rights lawyers.

Thanks for this!

I’m rubbish at linking stuff, so while you’re at it do you think you could find that bit in Johnny English where English is asking his sidekick Ben Miller character what his new wife does and she’s the captain of a submarine? 😄

Author

At least for me

It’s sometimes used by people who want to differentiate between ‘good’ lawyers and the rest of the money grabbing shits. Whereas, in my book, all criminal solicitors or barristers, for example, are human rights lawyers.

This. There isn't really such a thing as 'a human rights lawyer' because all areas of law involve human rights. Even areas of law you wouldn't immediately think involve human rights like taxation - eg. the UN says that in order to achieve equitable, people-centred development, tax systems must be progressive, transparent, accountable and effective.

Most people who describe themselves as human rights lawyers really specialise in public law - in other words mostly judicial review.

If anyone introduces themselves to you as a human rights lawyer they are likely to be scoring highly on the wanker scale.

@EeesandWhizz why - is it the first thing they tell everyone 😂 ‘Hello, I’m a Pilot and my name’s Bob…’

This thread is reminding me of more funny stuff. Like in that BBC spoof with Hugh Bonneville (W1A?) when people had roles like Head of Legacy and Director of Better. 😂

Water sommelier! I remember reading about this job once!

why - is it the first thing they tell everyone 😂 ‘Hello, I’m a Pilot and my name’s Bob…’

that reminds me of that old joke that fits almost all of these professions...

How can you tell if someone has a pilot's licence?
They'll tell you

How can you tell if someone is a surgeon?
They'll tell you.

How can you tell if someone is a barrister?
They'll tell you.

@woofwoofandwoof do you reckon? Here in Aus human rights lawyer is a job title/ division in law firms- it's generally torts against state institutions. I agree with you that the differentiation between "human rights" and most other civil/crim practices is artificial, but it's nonetheless an accepted one here in the legal profession in Australia.

(Edited to add- do you reckon lawyers who are describing themselves as such are just, as we say here in Aus, up themselves. Surprised as I assumed it was a similar situation in the UK as here, where it's a generally known title. I admit my entire evidence for this assumption is the existence of Amal Clooney.)

I think youre missing the point of the thread slightly...

We're not talking about being impressed by someone's importance or that their job title somehow demands respect from lesser mortals such as ourselves.

We're talking about the sort of jobs that are either a bit jaw-dropping (lion tamer, volcanologist, James Bond stunt double), or make us feel awed by their sheer talent, skill or dedication (brain surgeon, lifeboat crew, palliative care nurse).

I agree with you that the differentiation between "human rights" and most other civil/crim practices is artificial, but it's nonetheless an accepted one here in the legal profession in Australia.

its accepted here too but frankly unless you are working for a war crimes tribunal or something, it basically means you are suing public bodies as you say - so in the UK essenially judicial review - in other words a judge 'reviewing' the actions of a public body in a public law context.

do you reckon lawyers who are describing themselves as such are just, as we say here in Aus, up themselve

100%. Normal people will say they specialise in public law or JR or whatever their human rightsy field is - like education, social care and so on.

Like I said all areas involve human rights

Wonder why so few from the arts and creative industries? Is it because they’re not well paid or don’t have a senior title? They’re certainly competitive, if success means making a good living from it…

• Author
• Artist, painter
• Playwright
• Theatre director
• Composer
• Orchestra conductor
• Musician
• Journalist
• Photographer
• Actor ….

I think these will be more aspirational and impressive in years to come as AI takes over some of the other jobs mentioned.

Not arts but a few years ago I met the Director of Stop Killer Robots.
Cool title. Daunting job.

Oh wing commander is very impressive sounding

War correspondent
Hostage negotiator
Director General of something like the UN

My GP was in intelligence at GCHQ. She was bored and started studying medicine when she was over forty.
One of two actual geniuses I have met.

Surgeon