Career Choices

Career Exploration

Marie Claire Magazine, Vol. 22 Issue 8 

Deconstructing the media message. 

1. Who is the author and what is the purpose? Marie Claire Career Network is the author. Purpose is to get readers to join the Marie Claire Career Network in "Linked In" thus providing them with resources, especially fashion. 

2. What creative techniques are used to attract and hold attention? The orange color of the female's business suit holds attention. It draws your eyes to the professionally dressed woman with fingernail polish and makeup standing in a network room with earphones and a laptop. The text 'your connection to everything' is reinforced by the network cables, laptop and headphones. 

3. How might different people understand this message?  

a) Women can dress in style in any profession. (It is just not true. I'd like to wear a dress or suit a couple times a week, but it just isn't practical. I never know when I will be climbing on chairs or a ladder or crawling under a desk or table. 

b) Women can work in technical fields. 

c) You have to be pretty to have a job like this. Or you will look like this if you have a job like this. 

d) This is a good way to get connected for your career. 

e) This is a good career to pick up chicks. 

f) Who does she think she is? She can't do that job looking like that! 

4. What lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented? I would say this talks to the middle class women deciding on career paths, women who want power and style, women who value their appearance, women who think they are equal to men or women who want to enter a mostly male profession. To me this looks like a female perspective. 

5. What is omitted? The model is not wearing jewelry. There are no men. Nothing is dirty. 

Class Topic: Career Exploration 

This image could be used as an opener during a class on career choices. I think the deconstruction of this image could aid in breaking down the barrier between male and female careers in technology. It could encourage some and discourage others. It might open a door that was thought to be closed or never knew existed. Students could then pair up and research a career and create a poster about the job to share in class with other students.