Rather than focusing on research, we should look at "careers that are considered prestigious or rewarding in themselves" : fashion, entertainment, sports, medic

Rather than focusing on research, we should look at "careers that are considered prestigious or rewarding in themselves" : fashion, entertainment, sports, medicine, tenured teaching. In all of those, there are more applicants than there are jobs. Hence, lousy salaries and poor treatment. On the other hand, jobs that won't impress anyone you meet tend to have fewer applicants and much better treatment, because they can't afford to drive people away.