By complete accident, we found this interesting site called the Occupational Information Network, which breaks down -- in almost excruciating detail -- the quantifiable tools one needs for a wide-ranging number of professions, from "Able Seaman" to "Zoologist." So we typed in "Jazz Musician" and although it didn't give us anything THAT specific, it still offered us a breakdown of the skills deemed most/least important for working musicians as a whole. Hmmmm...
[Photo by William Claxton]
Each profession is separated into subheadings like "Tasks" "Knowledge" "Skills" "Work Activities" "Interests" "Work Values" and something mysteriously called "Crosswalks." Some entries were very self-explanatory ("Plays from memory or by following score";
"Improvises music during performance"). Others read like punchlines.
KNOWLEDGE
Most Important: Fine Arts
"Knowledge of theory and techniques required to produce, compose, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture."
Least Important: Geography
"Knowledge of various methods for describing the location and distribution of land, sea, and air masses including their physical locations, relationships, and characteristics."
SKILLS
Most Important: Coordination
"Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions."
Least Important: Management of Financial Resources
"Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures."
ABILITIES
Most Important: Hearing Sensitivity
"The ability to detect or tell the difference between sounds that vary over broad ranges of pitch and loudness."
Least Important: Depth Perception
"The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from the observer, or to judge the distance between an object and the observer ."
WORK ACTIVITIES
Most Important: Thinking Creatively
"Originating, inventing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions."
Least Important: Staffing Organizational Units
"Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting persons for the organization."
WORK CONTEXT
Most Important: Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
"How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?"
Least Important: Responsible for Health and Safety of Others
"How responsible is the worker for others' health and safety on this job?"
INTERESTS
Most Important: Artistic
"Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules."
Least Important: Conventional
"Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow."
WORK VALUES
Most Important: Achievement-Mean Extent
"Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement."
Least Important: Supervision, Technical
"Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well."
Go here to get the full text of this entry. We tried "Jazz Blogger" and our system froze, crashed and emitted an eerie electronic noise that sounded suspiciously like giggling.
