What Dangerous Job Would You Be Good At?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
What Dangerous Job Would You Be Good At?
Image: Kali9 / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

When most people say "safe job" they are usually talking about a job one is unlikely to lose. These jobs are secure, easy to do, and always in demand. When people say "dangerous job" they almost always mean jobs wherein the professional risks life and limb on the job.

The world is full of dangerous jobs, some high-profile, some decidedly under the radar. Some professions have something colloquially called "combat pay," which is a term taken from the military. It draws a line between where a profession is more or less a normal job, and where the professional begins to engage in risks or other activities that are above and beyond what the job would normally call for. For soldiers, it has to do with being on the front lines. In other jobs, it could mean doing shift work, which is detrimental to one's health, or doing the "field" end of a job that also has a safer, office component.

Where do your strengths lie? What dangers are you prepared to confront? You may not know the answers to these questions, which is why we have prepared this quiz. Take the quiz and we will single out your aptitudes and recommend you for the dangerous job that suits you!

What kind of clothing makes you feel good?
Anything comfortable, but I need to wear a hat.
I prefer things more "tactical."
I like to wear layers.
I like tight clothes.

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How do you feel about working without someone looking over your shoulder, telling you what to do?
I would't have it any other way.
I don't mind a little guidance in my ear every now and then.
I would rather be part of a team with a leader there.
Not only would I rather not have a boss hanging around, I'd like to be totally alone.

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What is your number one technical skill?
Math
Chemistry
Mechanics
Electrical equipment

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What are the worst hours you've had on a job?
I've done 18-hour shifts.
I once worked for more than 24 hours straight.
I've had jobs where I had to get up at 3 a.m. and go to bed at 11 p.m.
I only work 8-hour days, no more or less.

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How do you imagine danger presents itself?
It blends into the every day and then stabs at you in the darkness.
It opens its maw and beckons you to jump in.
It surrounds you like a spider web, waiting for you to make a mistake, and then it strikes.
It takes you by the hand, leads you away from safety, and confronts you when you are alone.

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How are your first aid skills?
What first aid skills?
Excellent
Pretty good
Awful

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What kind of weather do you think is the most dangerous?
Snow
Dry, hot weather
Heavy rain
Any kind of weather can turn dangerous.

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Which of these physical ailments or injuries is the closest fit to the ones you have?
Bad knee
Nearsightedness
Bad back
Asthma

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How much of a glory hound are you?
Not at all
I live for glory!
A little bit
Above average

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How are your navigational skills?
Fantastic
Pretty good
Awful
I always know exactly where I am, no matter what the circumstances.

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How long do you think you could run before you had to stop?
60 yards
Many miles
A half mile or so
A mile

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What would you do if you were on a multi-stage trip involving lots of separate flights and you overheard that your flight in two hours was canceled?
I'd get on the phone with the airline and straighten things out.
I'd find any other mode of transport for that leg of my journey.
I'd make a scene and beg the people at the desk at the airport for help.
I'd see if I could trade that and the following leg of the trip for something that takes care of both.

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Which of these best represents the most dangerous thing you've done, without regrets?
I drove on a cross country trip with a friend, and nearly fell asleep at the wheel.
Free climb a dangerous rock face
I played five finger fillet for real.
I've tried to fix things around my house that could have resulted in disaster.

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What time of year would you most like to have off from work?
Summer
Winter
Just a weekend here and there
Hurricane season

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How do you feel about organized labor?
It's the best thing since sliced bread.
It's cool. I like it.
I have mixed feelings about it.
Take it or leave it

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How would you improvise if you were confronted with an Ikea furniture item that was missing the tool to drive a screw, and you didn't already have one?
I'd buy the right tool.
I'd make a tool with stuff I had laying around.
I'd find a tool similar enough to get the job done.
I'd use a hammer.

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How important is monetary compensation to you, when it comes to your job?
Pretty important
Not too important
Unimportant
It's the most important thing to me.

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How do you feel about challenging weather conditions, like storms?
They are underestimated.
Not a problem for me.
I'd be careful if I were you.
I'm not bothered one bit.

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If you were mostly sure you would win a bet, and you had $100 to bet, how much would you wager?
$60
$200. I'll find it! Just let me bet, OK?!
$50
$100

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Do you consider yourself a team player?
Not really
Heck yeah!
Sure
Not at all

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How well can you handle thinking in 3 dimensions?
I stick to 2 dimensions.
I'm pretty decent at it.
I can do it well.
It's my strong suit.

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How are you at looking out for other people while you are in equal or greater danger?
Terrible
Fantastic
Pretty good
Why bother?

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Which of these would you consider the minimum definition for a subtle sound cue?
A repetitive sound that's not normal for what's going on
A sound in the distance getting closer and closer
An unexpected cracking or tearing sound
Silence

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How do you work under pressure?
I tend to speed up in those circumstances.
I just jump right on and get things going!
I try to slow down and find a way to reduce the pressure.
Pressure doesn't affect my performance.

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How is your focus when things just keep getting worse?
Good, until it isn't anymore
I just get better!
It breaks.
I get tunnel vision in those circumstances.

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Which of these phenomena do you deem most dangerous and therefore deserving of the most attention?
A tornado
A wildfire
A mudslide
An earthquake

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Do your hands shake when you fear that you are in danger of immediate bodily harm?
They do.
Never!
They can, depending on what else is going on
They usually don't

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How do you deal with boredom on the job?
I get on the phone with a friend.
I don't get bored.
I sing songs when I get bored.
I just go on autopilot when I get bored.

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What is your family situation?
I've got a spouse and kids.
I'm dating, but nothing serious.
I've got a significant other and we're thinking about having a family.
I've got no family to speak of.

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Which of these dangerous animals is the most overrated?
Coyotes
Cougars
Wolves
Sharks

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You Got: