MasterChef, The Block and Million Dollar Listing: the jobs on TV versus reality
REALITY TV shows make jobs like chefs, builders, real estate agents and designers look glamorous and fun. But what are they really like?
MOST people who watch MasterChef Australia on the Ten Network have had the same two thoughts: “my goodness I am hungry” and “I reckon I could be a chef”.
The problem with the latter is reality TV is not exactly real.
Jobs made popular by TV shows are filmed then repackaged in their most appealing, exciting, dramatic form.
Career Development Association of Australia advocacy​ ​​chair ​Rebecca Fraser says​ ​proper research​ ​​is necessary to​ ​choos​e​​ ​a career.
“They should have their interests assessed through a formal tool (and research) what the role looks like today and will look like tomorrow and the availability of that role in the Australian market and internationally,” she says.
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MASTERCHEF VS REAL CHEFS
Almost half of apprentice chefs ​drop out of their ​training within a year​, ​as the reality ​is​ not what many budding workers hope.
National Centre for Vocational Education Research reveals attrition rates of about two-thirds, with 46.5 per cent leaving within 12 months.
William Angliss Institute Centre for Food Trades and Culinary Arts manager Mark Agius say​s ​workers have had to improve the standard of presentation and become more aware of clients’ food expectations since the influx of reality cooking shows.
“People were inspired from the programs to become cooks and it has generated a lot of discussion within the food industry,” he says.
Viewers need to realise​ the work involves constantly​ being on feet and under pressure.
“You need to be able to multi-task and think on your feet,” he says.
“Plus you need to be a strong communicator and leader to be able to inspire a team, as you are working with numerous staff from the kitchenhands, waiters and the other kitchen brigade.
“The benefits of working as a chef are that you can be creative and it’s a fun environment to work in.
“There is always a surplus amount of work for chefs and it can be a really rewarding career.”
Employment Department figures​ ​​show jobs for chefs and bakers/pastrycooks increased by 7.3 per cent ​and 56.6 per cent​ in the past two years​, respectively.
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THE BLOCK VS REAL TRADIES/DESIGNERS
There has been increased demand for many renovation occupations since 2014, when The Block Glasshouse was on our screens.
Jobs for interior designers and bricklayers increased by 63.2 per cent and 25.7 per cent in the past two years, respectively.
Michael and Carlene Duffy​ ​​were ​star​s of the show​​ and have since launch​ed related careers — Michael as a builder, and Carlene as a stylist.
Michael says The Block, which returns on Channel Nine this month, makes trade jobs look harder than they really are.
“It would never happen having tradesmen working over each other and with so many people in a tight space,” he says.
“If you look at The Block and think I want to be a carpenter, you will go out to a real job site and think it’s a breeze.”
Carlene, ​​​however, says ​her role appears more glamorous than it is.
“I styled shoots last week and I was sweating and it’s stressful because there are logistics and a lot of administration,” she says.
“You also don’t see the creative process (on the show) … because they enjoy the drama, relationships and conflicting personalities.”
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MILLION DOLLAR LISTINGS VS REAL PROPERTY AGENTS
Reality TV shows also gloss over the hard work required of real estate agents, says Luke Pervan, national sales director for Purplebricks — a technology-based agency soon to launch in Australia, aiming to disrupt the industry.
“Million Dollar Listings gives a slight example when the agents say they have called 200 people but they haven’t sat there with a camera on them calling 200 people,” Pervan says.
“It’s not a very glamorous thing to watch someone sit at a desk making phone calls (but) if you’re not on the phone, in the streets and locally promoting yourself as an agent, no one knows who you are.
“The branding agents do is key to getting more business and that takes up maybe 85 per cent of their time.”
But this is something Purplebricks aims to change for its agents.
Pervan says real estate is an exciting industry but there are also some harsh realities for newcomers.
“You’ve got to present nicely, be prompt and have your ‘yes sirs’ and ‘no sirs’ down pat, and you’ve got to be willing to do the hard work,” he says.
“It takes the average agent two to three years to gain market share and be successful.”
PayScale figures show real estate agents earn a median salary of $48,500 plus commissions of typically between $3000 and $50,500 a year.
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Read more employment news in the Careers section of Saturday’s News Corp Australia metropolitan newspapers.
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