Whether it is effective to use media for career exploration, we all do it! Media influences our perception of the world. I researched what career professionals in different professions say about the shows that portray their career field, and I assigned a grade based on how accurate they say the show is. Here are the grades from worst to best.

Doctors and surgeons: Grey’s Anatomy

Many doctors and surgeons report the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy overemphasizes hookup culture as the primary focus of their profession. They also say that in reality, nurses, not doctors, perform many of the medical tasks shown in the show. Katrina Yang of CBR reported that some doctors described the show as “unrelatable” and “ridiculous.” Those criticisms aside, Hanae Armitage reported in SCOPE, a publication from Stanford Medicine, that the show makes an effort to be medically accurate, bringing its score up a bit.

Grade: C-

Crime scene analysts: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

According to real crime scene analysts, there are many inaccuracies about the reality of their career in the show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Real life crime scene analysts say they stick to analysis; they don’t interact with witnesses and suspects as law enforcement professionals do.

In the typical crime scene analysis career, there’s no chasing after the bad guys or butting into interrogations, and the real life tech isn’t as effective at providing the quick answers on whodunnit that are often available to characters in the drama series. Because of these frequent inaccuracies, this grade isn’t the highest it could be.

Grade: C

Therapists: In Treatment

Seasons 1 through 3 of the HBO drama In Treatment about Dr. Paul Weston, a fictional therapist, received mixed reviews from mental health professionals. While often praised for helping to remove some amount of stigma from the therapy process, mental health professionals criticized the therapist’s ethical violations, most notably Dr. Weston’s romantic relationship with a patient.

Real therapists have a variety of opinions on Dr. Weston’s professional approach to treatment. Overall, while many viewers seem to enjoy the series, few are quick to call it perfect. After a decade of being off the air, HBO brought back the show for Season 4, with a new therapist lead, Dr. Brooke Taylor. Some reviewers and audience members rated Dr. Taylor as better than Dr. Weston, but not all.

Grade: B-

Retail employees: Superstore

Retail employees say workplace comedy series Superstore is mostly accurate. As reported by Ian Goodwillie of ScreenRant, they say the show is spot on with the observation that the customer is, in fact, usually wrong. Many also agreed with the portrayal of the corporation behind the store chain, citing that their lack of sympathy toward employees is a common problem.

However, some viewers feel that the show doesn’t quite depict how soul-crushing the job really is. For that reason, the grade is not an A.

Grade: B+

Chefs: The Bear

Many chefs are saying The Bear, a series that follows a man running a fast-paced kitchen, is incredibly close to the reality of the job. One chef called it, “so accurate that it was triggering.”

While not a perfect account, even those ready to point out the show’s flaws seem to agree that it gets a lot right, such as the messiness involved in kitchen work, the sheer chaos of the environment, and sometimes people even quitting on the spot at the worst time. The grade reflects the show’s willingness to avoid glamorizing a tough career path.

Grade: A-

Elementary school educators: Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary is a sitcom about elementary school educators and their day-to-day struggles and successes. Teachers call the comedy series “funny, relatable, and encouraging,” and those who teach in the show’s setting of Philadelphia say the show’s creators do an excellent job of portraying their location.

Many Black educators expressed appreciation for the level of representation. From the first episode in 2021, Abbott Elementary detailed both the good and bad aspects of a career in elementary school education. Teachers say the show is accurate in the portrayal of the challenges educators face with insufficient funding, burnout, and conflict with administration, and also credit the show with being inspirational because the characters remain dedicated and resilient despite the difficulties.

Grade: A+

What other shows do you think should be added here? Please let me know.

Use media for career exploration