The most difficult jobs to get

By Tim Parker

What are you going to be when you grow up? That's the question that school age children ask all through their young years. New college students often begin and end their college stay with different majors and even those well past their college days change their career multiple times. If you're thinking about what your first or next job will be, there are a few that you might want to cross off your list of possibilities. These jobs have so few openings that landing a position in one of these professions is nearly statistically impossible.SEE: Career Fields That Guarantee JobsAstronaut   Astronauts command or operate spacecraft and have engineering and military jet test piloting experience. Along with extensive training, astronauts have years of experience before going to space. The average age of an astronaut candidate is 36 and he or she is in top physical and mental condition. The chances of becoming an astronaut are approximately 12,100,000 to one. In comparison, becoming president of the United States is listed at 10,000,000 to one.   Referee   You might enjoy your time refereeing amateur sporting events, but making it to the pros is going to be tough. There are only about 2,000 referees employed, making opportunities in this field slim. Statistics show that you have better odds of becoming a professional athlete than you do a professional referee.Model   Do you have dreams of being the next Cindy Crawford or Kate Upton? Models showcase the latest styles and products through fashion shows, private showings, catalogs and commercials. Although models are used in all forms of advertising, there are only about 1,700 professional models with less than 100 high profile careers opening up yearly. Even for those who do make it in to the industry, the average wage is only around $33,000. SEE: Careers With Declining SalariesPrivate Chef   Do you have dreams of cooking for celebrities? Private chefs often serve the ultra-wealthy which may include professional athletes, entertainers, CEOs and other financially successful individuals. Becoming a chef is well within your grasp, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts only 180 openings for private chefs between 2006 and 2016. Roughly 980 private chefs are currently employed. If you do beat the odds, you're likely to make around $25,000 per year which is lower than other chefs that make an average of nearly $41,000.Professional Athlete   If your gift is sports, you've likely heard that the odds of becoming a professional athlete are not in your favor. Unfortunately, those stories are correct. According to mathematical odds, you have a better chance of being hit by lightening than becoming a professional athlete. There are only about 9,400 professional athletes employed. Of course, the odds don't take in to account those with exceptional ability.Forest Fire Inspector   A forest fire inspector may not be as high-profile as some jobs on our list, but if it's your passion it won't be easy to get a job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there will only be a need for around 38 inspectors between 2006 and 2016. In 2011 over 1,500 people were employed as forest fire inspectors.The Bottom Line   It may be difficult to find a position in one of these fields, but there are other fields that have plenty of openings. Many of these jobs pay salaries at or above some on our list. Software engineers, health care professionals and sale professionals are just a few of the careers with shortages.SEE: 15 Jobs That Have Increased Salary During The Recession Originally posted on Investopedia.com INVESTOPEDIA ULC ©2012