The Story from American Public Media - Tough Jobs

Debt Collector

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:00:00

Debt Collector

Americans are burying themselves in debt--and that makes big business for debt collectors. Hank Babb has worked the job for 23 years, and has plenty of stories about how he gets all kind of people to pay up.

Hospice Nurse

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00

Hospice Nurse

Donna Elam

There are all kinds of tough jobs, but there's one category that no one really want to think about: the people who must care for us at the end of our lives. Donna Elam is one such person. She's a hospice nurse in Wake County, North Carolina. Being a hospice worker seems like it would be one of the hardest - and most depressing - jobs in the world. But when Dick talks with Donna Elam, he finds out that her job can also be among the most rewarding and inspiring things anyone can do.

Career Counselor

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:25:00

Dick talks with Mario Davis, who works in Oakland at a career counseling service. Mario himself was unemployed for a year before landing this job - it's the first he's ever held long enough to earn a paid vacation. Mario talks to Dick about the difficulties of helping people who are at their lowest to find employment.

9-1-1

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00

9-1-1: the numbers have become synonymous with "emergency" and "help". But who are the people who take these life and death calls? Spend an hour with Dick in one of the busiest 9-1-1 call centers in the country, Washington DC.

This is the first in a series featuring important, necessary and difficult occupations - and the people who get these jobs done. Be a part of the series and share your story!