Check It Out: Personal Service

Helpful neighbors are the backbone of any healthy community—and a knack for helping others can lead you into a successful career. From hands-on helpers, such as hairstylists and personal trainers, to skilled fixers, such as mechanics and electricians, workers in the personal service field are always in demand. Curious about one of these jobs? Check out the books, movies, TV shows, and podcasts below.

Read

• Car Science: An Under-the-Hood, Behind-the-Dash Look at How Cars Work, by Richard Hammond. Richard Hammond is the host of the popular TV series Top Gear. He compiled this introductory guide for anyone interested in learning about how cars work. The book explores mechanical concepts with the help of lots of graphics and diagrams. That way, you can see the inner workings of a car—not just read about them. After you’ve done your reading, you can pick up a model V-8 engine kit at your local hobby shop and apply what you’ve learned. Book recommended for ages 8–11. 

• Make: Electronics, by Charles Platt. Are you curious about the unseen technology that lights up our world? Packed with hundreds of photos, this book is ideal for anyone interested in a career as an electrician. The author takes a practical, hands-on approach to help readers understand electricity. Make also includes a buying guide. After you read the book, you can use the guide to build your own electrical toolbox. Recommended for ages 11 and up.

Watch

• Haley Kim’s Basic Makeup 101 (2022–present). Did you know you can make a career out of experimenting with makeup? YouTuber Haley Kim can teach you the basics. Kim’s YouTube series features great tips for beginners. But Kim also promotes having a healthy relationship with makeup. She teaches self-love and acceptance, and wants viewers to appreciate their own unique features, even as they have fun with makeup. Kim even started an organization called No Foundation No Problem. According to its website, the project is “dedicated to encouraging people to embrace their natural beauty.”

• Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger (2006–2011). Developing healthy eating habits is a challenge. Care and support professionals like nutritionists can help. Registered dietitian and nutritionist Ellie Krieger hosts this TV series, which highlights easy, nutritious, and tasty recipes. It’s a great choice if you’re curious about nutrition as a career path. (Check out our story about Krieger, too.)

• Your Garden Made Perfect (2021–2022). If you like spending time outside, a career in landscaping or gardening might be for you. In this TV series, you’ll learn how to design gardens in outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes. You’ll also get a look at how today’s landscape and gardening professionals use emerging technology, such as virtual reality.

Movies

• Vidal Sassoon: The Movie (2010, PG). You might not see hairstylist Vidal Sassoon in your history book. But he’s an important figure for anyone interested in a career in beauty. Sassoon was known for his creativity. He transformed the beauty industry in the 1960s. This documentary covers his life, story, and style.

• Warm Springs (2005, NR). Unlike Vidal Sassoon, President Franklin D. Roosevelt is probably someone you’ve seen in history books. This movie is based on his team of physical therapists. Roosevelt had a disease called polio that caused him to be partially paralyzed. He underwent physical therapy at a resort in Warm Springs, Georgia, before he became president. He received excellent care there. It changed his life for the better. This movie shows the true power of a career in health and personal service.

• The Willoughbys (2020, PG). Are you interested in working with young children or babies? You might like this movie, which is based on characters created by author Lois Lowry. The movie focuses on the naughty Willoughby children and their nanny, Linda, who teaches them important life lessons. Linda represents the patience and understanding of a good childcare worker. 

Listen

• The Dope Student Podcast, “Mr. Brown, Plumbing Tech” (2024). The Dope Student Podcast is a production of the Philadelphia School District. Students sit down with real-life professionals to explore career paths. Along the way, they find out what it takes to be successful and make a difference in their community. The “Mr. Brown, Plumbing Tech” episode gives listeners a peek into the life of Mark Brown. He’s a plumber and technical education teacher. Brown explains what inspired him to become a plumber, and the training, education, and qualities needed to pursue this career. 

• Growin' Up!, “Turning into Yogis with Yoga Teacher Kino MacGregor” (2025). This weekly podcast from Lingokids is a terrific resource that helps answer the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” In this episode, host Emily Calandrelli speaks with world-famous yoga teacher Kino MacGregor, who has thousands of students.