As Seen on TV

Everyone has a "dream job." Maybe you turn on the TV and imagine yourself as a chart-topping singer or crime-scene investigator. While having a dream is great, it's important to know what it takes to turn your dream into a reality.

Take professional sports, for example. Think you're destined to be the next Wes Walz or Matt Birk? First, add up all the people you know who have the talent and drive to go pro. Multiply that by every community in the U.S.

While gaining fame and fortune through sports is possible, the reality is highly improbable.

Check out the odds yourself:

Sport	H.S. Players in U.S.*	Drafted to Pros**	Your Odds
Football	1,045,494	224	4,666 to 1
Basketball
boys	545,497	60	9,091 to 1
girls	456,543	40	11,413 to 1
Baseball	459,717	1,493	307 to 1

* Source: NFHS 2004-05 High School Athletics Participation Survey Summary (www.nfhs.org)
** Data based on annual drafts of NFL, NBA,WNBA and MLB. Not all players drafted are guaranteed contracts to play with professional leagues.

Not into sports? Maybe you want to be the next American Idol. Not every singer got his or her start by entering a contest. But look at the odds of making it onto the popular TV show for a new perspective on the chances of an average singer making it big.

Number of U.S. Chorus Members *	American Idol Finalists**	Your Odds
28,500,000	24	1,187,499 to 1

*Data based on Chorus America survey of adult and children's chorus members (www.chorusamerica.org)
**Data based on Season Six of "American Idol" (www.americanidol.com)

Prepare for competition as you pursue your dream career. These jobs are considered "popular" for a reason. New graduates, career changers and job seekers from other states also compete for these openings.

Does this mean that you shouldn't follow your dreams? No. Just do your research so you know what you are getting into. One way to find out if a career is a good fit for you is to test drive the occupation.