With the release of the new Marvel Thunderbolts movie, which was surprisingly renamed the New Avengers, interest in superheroes has increased again. This time, the story tells about characters with difficult pasts who try to prove their worth without a perfect image and often without the usual superpowers. This raises an interesting question: what if all the characters had lost their abilities? Would they be able to adapt to ordinary life?
This idea seems fantastic, but in fact it allows you to look at the characters from a new perspective – through their character, habits, knowledge and experience. Without cloaks and masks, they might well have found a worthy place in society.
Let’s look at which professions might suit famous superheroes if they found themselves in a world without supernatural powers.
Hero selection methodology and analysis criteria
For the analysis, the best-known superheroes from comics, films, and cartoons were chosen – the ones whose stories are celebrated: the most popular. Character, skills, background, education, and leadership qualities were the main selection criteria with potential application in a regular professional environment. We have eliminated the supernatural beings who have never been human beings, aliens, or magical entities, because they have no life-career experience to draw from in any real-life scenario. Much emphasis was laid on the performances of characters who frequently behave at the limits of the usual and supernatural in the plots and resort to their capacities, reasoning, and purpose. This allowed us to focus on those whose abilities can be represented in the context of a real work environment.
To understand who superheroes could work for without their abilities, it is crucial to take into account their skills, past accomplishments, and personal characteristics. This helps to present the real picture of Jooble, a proven job search service that combines vacancies from different countries and selects suitable offers based on the candidate’s experience and skills.
Superheroes and possible professions
Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Skills: detective, fighter, businessman.
Possible professions: private investigator, CEO/management consultant, threat analyst.
Bruce Wayne is an excellent analyst, and strategic thinker. He knows how to make decisions at the edge and how to handle confidential data.Without technical means and a superhero alter ego, he could well have realized himself as a specialist in the field of corporate intelligence or crisis management. Thanks to Wayne Enterprises’ management experience, he could also become a successful business consultant or director of a large company.
Wonder Woman (Diana Prince)
Skills: diplomacy, martial arts, leadership.
Possible professions: ambassador, historian, lecturer, security specialist.
Diana Prince combines inner strength, intelligence and confidence. Her understanding of history and culture and being a peacekeeper, make her a fit person for the position of a diplomat or university lecturer. She could lecture on international relations , women’s rights or ancient civilizations. What is more, her capabilities for self-defense and leadership allow her to work in the security sphere, where one should demonstrate restraint, responsibility and ability to protect others.
Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Skills: military strategy, moral compass, leadership.
Possible professions: history/ethics teacher, coach, security consultant.
Steve Rogers has not only physical strength, but also good morality. He might become a fine instructor of ethics or history, when a transmission of knowledge is not enough, but formation of values is required. His military command experience also makes him a candidate for being a coach, mentor or a security consultant. Even unarmed Captain America is a man who knows how to inspire, keep order and lead in hard times.
Iron Man (Tony Stark)
Skills: engineering, invention, entrepreneurship.
Possible professions: consulting engineer, startup, inventor.
Tony Stark is a technology genius who knows how to turn ideas into real products. Even out of his suit, he could do engineering consulting or start a cutting edge startup. His thinking is focused on solving problems, he knows how to negotiate, make risky but thoughtful decisions. He can find himself quite comfortably in a high-tech business, building devices for medicine, energy or the environment.
Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
Skills: espionage, martial arts, psychology.
Possible professions: intelligence officer, bodyguard, crisis negotiator, security consultant.
Natasha Romanoff is an expert in stealth, manipulation and speed reaction. And even without special equipment, she could be an invaluable specialist in the direction of personal protection, investigations or psychological intelligence. Because of her outstanding knowledge of human actions and ability to work in stressful realities, she could give security tips or take part in hostage talks. Natasha is the person who knows to view the essence and performs correctly.
Flash (Barry Allen)
Skills: criminology, science.
Possible professions: forensic expert, biochemist, teacher.
Barry Allen has been interested in science and criminology since his youth. Notwithstanding lack of super-speed, he possesses special attention to detail, an analytical mind and formidable discipline. His competence in forensic science is suitable for employment in laboratories or investigating offices. He could also teach students chemistry, biology, or forensic medicine. His dedication to justice and readiness to work for the society’s sake are still the same.
Common features of superhero professions and their adaptation in real life
If examining potential places of employment of superheroes without superpowers, interesting common features can be identified. For one thing, most of them want to protect society when they work and create results for other people. This can be in the form of training and consultancy, security or social work.
Second, many of the heroes solve a crisis well, and it’s a high-speed setup from no crisis. Their own values, such as honesty, responsibility or a search for justice, make them potential specialists of any kind of work. Such attributes make them ideal employees in fields like business and in public works.
A lot of great offers worldwide to get the best fit position regarding the experience and skills.
Alternative paths: entrepreneurship and social missions
Not all superheroes would necessarily choose a job for hire. Many could realize themselves through social projects or their own businesses. Here are a few possible directions:
- Tony Stark: development and implementation of green technologies, investments in sustainable development and alternative energy.
- Diana Prince: creation of a foundation for the protection of women’s rights, work in the field of education and legal education.
- Steve Rogers: organization of support programs for veterans, including psychological assistance and professional retraining.
Each of them could use their experience and values to build a just and sustainable world.
Post-credits scenes
Superheroes are powers and character; endurance, knowledge and a willingness to serve others. Even without their special abilities, they might find a use for their abilities in the real world and fill an important and worthy place in society.
If you are considering making a career change, perhaps searching for a new job, your strengths and skills may be worth developing, as our heroes would. But the Google platform can become a good assistant on your way: there are plenty of jobs available on the platform that correspond to your experience and preferences.
Remember, being a hero is not only about superpowers, but also about the choices we make every day.