The effect Hollywood has on employment makes a strong case for “life imitates art.” Hard-working people can fall in love with what they see on-screen, and turn their fantasies into reality. Such was the case for famous geneticist, Dr. Adam Rutherford, whose interest in scientific research was directly inspired by the movies: “Ghostbusters” and “Back to the Future.” Hollywood is responsible for some significant boons in employment, with the greatest impact on military recruitment, but it’s also provided career inspiration for some truly incredible people in the fields of medicine, criminal justice, and science.

“Top Gun” Prompts Rise in Navy Applications

In 1986, “Top Gun,” starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis, inspired Navy applications to go up 500 percent. According to “Operation Hollywood: How the Pentagon Shapes and Censors the Movies” by David Robb, these recruits wanted to be naval aviators like the characters in the film. The movie’s producer even claimed “Top Gun” worked as a recruiting video, and he wasn’t wrong. Navy recruiters often waited outside theaters, hoping to catch eager new recruits ready to sign up after watching the film.

According to “How Hollywood Films Inspire Careers,” an article that references Dr. Rutherford’s own Hollywood inspiration, “The Department of Defense also has a film liaison office whose role is to promote the positive portrayal of US armed forces. Military assistance can go as far as full co-operation: in 2012, “Act of Valor” featured real Navy Seals in action.”

Hollywood Inspires Heroes to Be Nobel in their Career Choices

Hollywood is directly responsible for some of the country’s noblest people. It takes guts and determination to make it through med school, and it takes bravery to consider the criminal justice field. Dr. Rutherford believes that film and television may even be helping lesser known professions by shining a light on them.

He says, “Films, such as ‘Interstellar’ and ‘Ex Machina’ can serve to ‘normalize’ hard science, which is often poorly understood and viewed as a bit weird.”

Moreover, media can inspire people to join the medical field because they’re inspired by the efforts of popular television stars, such as the characters on “Grey’s Anatomy.” “Grey’s Anatomy” has retained its popularity for ten years, and many med school students have admitted the show’s content inspired them to become surgeons.

“Cold Case,” a popular police procedural drama, takes place in Philadelphia, PA. It’s a very popular series that has prompted many to consider what it takes to be a cold case detective, or someone capable of solving decades-old crimes. “Criminal justice provides a variety of career opportunities for just about every interest, taste, and personality,” writes Gwynedd Mercy University, one of a few Pennsylvania criminal justice colleges that is both online and accelerated.

This is not a new trend. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor admitted that “Perry Mason,” a dramatic court series that ran from 1957 to 1966, inspired her to become a lawyer.

Reality Television Showcases Real Life Careers

Television is very diverse in its programming, and oftentimes its reality television that inspires people to make career determinations. Reality crime fighting shows, such as “Forensic Files” and “Real Interrogations,” offer a true-to-life glimpse into the careers of crime scene investigators, detectives, and police officers.

Any Career Motivation is Good Motivation

In terms of motivation, film and television have proven to be a great influencers. Because of the inspiration it provides, there are many people achieving great things in the world. Media has a way of showcasing what’s exciting about a career path, and this inspires people to take the next step and pursue an education doing something similar.