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Studs Terkel's _Working_ is a collection of short essays about people in a whole variety of professions. Most of the writing is people talking about their own jobs in their own words. It -- like all of Studs' work -- is incredible.

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And if you want more in the style of Terkel, "Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs" (Edited by John Bowe, Marisa Bowe and Sabin Streeter, 2001) is also a good read.

There's an astounding range of jobs profiled from Crime Scene Cleaner to Porn Star Actor to Tofu Maker.

Po Bronson also wrote a surprisingly good book that I picked up from the bargain bin.

"What Should I Do With My Life?"

http://www.fastcompany.com/node/45909/print

If you get the book, read the one about the catfish entrepreneur

Agreed re: that being a surprisingly good book. It's definitely worth a read, if for no other reason than for the sheer variety of jobs that he ends up encountering. That, and the part about the catfish entrepreneur.

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