By

Jessica Stillman /

MoneyWatch/ April 27, 2011, 1:28 PM

Advertising Account Exec: In the Rat Race

Advertising Account Exec: In the Rat Race

Advertising Account Exec: In the Rat Race

Blame TV for at least some of the appeal of this job. In a post-Mad Men world, it's easy to see why some of us might dream of the stylish attire and constant creativity of Don Draper and the like. But we're a long way from the days of  Sterling Cooper, and being an ad exec is only for those who can handle irregular hours, cut-throat competition and serious mental stress.

(Image courtesy of Flickr user mawphoto.com, CC 2.0