Career Spotlight

 US Army Officer

US Army officers lead and distinguish different platoons, battalions, and divisions. They lead the groups of standard Army infantry ranging from 6 man units to 150 man battalions. It's a lifelong career in the military, for those willing to lead others into combat. 

They pay for secondary education and any tactical training required. They offer pension and early retirement as well as tax-write offs. Sign on bonuses can also give an additional 10,000 dollars as soon as you enlist.

Salaries range from $18,552-$89,637 per year


Name of Interviewee: 

Seymour (Jack) John Godfrey

Job Title: 

MP Sergeant class 3

Question #1: What would you suggest I do in high school to prepare for this career?

Learn respect and know how to take a beating. I know it sounds awful but it's true. You have to learn to respect your higher-ups so you don't end up dying due to PT (physical training). You also should weight lift and play as many physical sports as possible. I took a beating in the army, and the kids who'd grown up getting smashed by linebackers and ate protein and deadlift for breakfast succeeded far better than I ever did.

Question #2: What education or training do you need to have for this job?

I signed on and was supposed to be sent out in the 101st ground battalion, but due to the Sullivan law I was required to stay stateside. I was transferred to the Georgia Officers academy. From there it was a process of basic training and learning leadership. I was put into the MP program so the majority of my “leadership” training was learning what to do in case of a military coup. All my education was assigned by the military and paid for.

Question #3: How much do most people spend on education and training for this career? Do you have any suggestions for how I can pay for that?

It's free, if you can't pay for free you shouldn't be in the army.

Question #4: What licenses or certifications are required for this job and how often do they have to be renewed? What does that process look like?

During service there wasn't much licensing or certification. It was in a different time and a lot different than now. The military did what it did and didn't take no for an answer back then. Post service I've had a longer list of “certifications.” but more for my own enjoyment. I have a WWC permit, Weapons of War Carry, which allows me to own military grade and full auto weapons. I have to renew it every 5 years and it's just a standard background check. I also have a class 1 demolitions certification, which allows me to own small amounts of C4, high amounts of tannerite, and DGO (deployable Grenade ordinance, i.e. rocket launcher ammo, RPG, mortar shells etc.) which auto renews every 7 years. That comes with an in person interview and background check. I also have a NDA which expires in 2075, so that's a “certification” I guess. According to grandma (his wife, my grandmother) I'm a certified jackass but that's just a womens speculation.


Short Film/Full Film Director

Film Directors are creative professionals who guide and manage the artistic elements and look of a Films production. They often collaborate with actors and screenwriters, interpret scripts, and oversee the visual storytelling of a project.

Directors often do research by watching other directors movies and films. A communications degree with an emphasis in video production costs around 40,000 dollars from BYU. They often can make over 250,000 for their first feature length film. 


Return on investment over years (1)= 3.26%

Return on investment over years (10)= 6,532%

Return on investment over years (40)=  16,131%



Name of Interviewee: 

Chase Muir

Job Title: 


Question #1: What would you suggest I do in high school to prepare for this career?

Make short films and watch as many movies as possible. It sounds stupid but its the truth. I spent my entire highschool years watching and analyzing movies. The more you watch how actual films are laid out and filmed, the better you will be prepared to enact the same timelines yourself. Also, don't be afraid to make short films. It's ok to make cheesy or bad short films, I've often found I learn more by realizing what I dislike about my projects rather than what I like.

Question #2: What education or training do you need to have for this job?

I have a communications Degree with an emphasis in Video Production from BYU ID. You can also get a Directography degree but it's more managing a film set than actual filmmaking. You need to know your way around a computer and lighting setup.

Question #3: How much do most people spend on education and training for this career? Do you have any suggestions for how I can pay for that?

For my degree it was somewhere around 40,000. I can't remember off the top of my head. My parents paid for a majority of it but there are several large scholarships from BYU you can apply for and receive. Also, during college I would make rolling coal and cruise videos for money as a side-gig. Some Utah Film festivals give out scholarships as awards. And there's always the student loan route as well.

Question #4: What licenses or certifications are required for this job and how often do they have to be renewed? What does that process look like?

I don't have any certifications, I know some other filmmakers get certified for Adobe premiere and Sony picture all (editing softwares) but I don't find them useful whatsoever. As a Freelance filmmaker, most of my clients don't give two thoughts about whether or not I'm certified to use the editing program which I've used for them and other major clients before. They pay me for my work, not the certifications I have on the wall.