In the Mix: Careers--Focus on Your Future

Although the PBS-aired In the Mix generally takes a hip but serious look at subjects affecting teens (see Twisted Love: Dating Violence Exposed [VL-12/96] and Media Literacy--TV: What You Don't See [reviewed in this issue]), this career guide is--at least initially--high on glitz and short on useful info. Opening with a superficial interview with some hunk on the soap opera Another World (now there's a realistic career choice), the program examines such down-to-earth careers as being a physical therapist to the New York Rangers, TV publicist, assistant D.A., full-time magazine writer, car designer, and music director at a radio station. The shuttle finally lands during the last third of the program, which looks at real job training (office workers, healthcare workers, etc.) in Philadelphia high schools, and offers tips for a successful job interview. Career videos for teens pose a bit of a paradox: on the one hand, they have to be "cool" enough to appeal to the audience (the subject of sanitation workers is not sexy-though teen viewers are far more statistically likely to end up dumping garbage cans than becoming soap opera stars); on the other hand, they have to present realistic portraits of the job market. Careers--Focus On Your Future walks a middle road, grabbing interest with throwaway bits while working in some good information. For these reasons, this is a strong optional purchase. More focused efforts from the In the Mix series include: Careers in Music and School to Career Transition. Aud: J, H, P. (R. Pitman)