The days of having a regular "9 to 5" job are no more.
BusinessWeek reports that the average employee has a job that requires them to work 50 or more hours a week. Career experts have coined occupations with 50-hour workweeks as "extreme jobs."
A few examples of these extreme jobs can be found in the health-care industry, legal profession or manufacturing. These jobs offer big paydays, but they don't come without a little sacrifice.
If you think you're ready to take on this kind of career, you need to know the pros and cons of working an extreme job.
Pros
"The Master of the Universe" Mystique
Working long hours or extreme jobs has been glamorized. Employees who have these kinds of jobs are known as "Masters of the Universe," reports BusinessWeek. These "masters" love their jobs. They love the challenge, stimulation and financial rewards that their jobs give them.
Extreme jobs exist everywhere.
Extreme jobs exist in nearly any industry, ranging from small businesses and media to technology. And thanks to globalization, you can find one of these challenging jobs anywhere in the world.
Cons
Extreme sacrifices
Extreme jobs can take a large toll on your personal and family life. Working a 50-hour workweek can leave little time to interact with friends and family. And if you have children, they may notice the negative side of working long hours.
"Kids are very conscious that many of their parents are stressed and tired," said Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, in a Money Central report.
Early burnout
An extreme job is demanding, and working at this accelerated pace can lead to early burnout. Between the long hours and lack of a personal life, some employees cannot sustain this fast-paced job. Additionally, some extreme employees report not getting enough sleep, not having enough time to exercise regularly or eating properly.
"It's very hard to keep up with things in your personal life," lawyer Alexander Southwell said in the Money Central report. "I don't go to the gym. I often skip meals. It's very draining."
Extreme jobs are not for the faint of heart. Even though they offer their fair share of glamour, high pay and challenges, they have drawbacks. But if you have a true passion for your job, then working long hours will pay off, and your job will never feel like work.
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