Everyone is Sharing Hilariously Bad Stock Photos of Their Jobs

Stock photos generally aren’t the best at showing realistic views of what different jobs are like, but sometimes they’re hilariously inaccurate. People have recently taken to social media to point out the worst offenders, and the new viral hashtag #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob has been a solid source of laughs.

IFLScience reports that the hashtag began among scientists, but the hashtag has since spread beyond that realm and into all kinds of job fields.

Here’s a sampling of stock photos being lampooned with #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob:

How to Work with DNA

As an evolutionary biologist, you have *no idea* how hard it is to find tweasers small enough to grab bits of DNA (which is the main part of our job, obvs) #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/xtB7fvKI57

— Emma Hodcroft (@firefoxx66) May 4, 2018

Teaching Nothing is a Serious Thing

Academia is bearded men eagerly pointing at absolutely nothing and being very serious about it. #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/9eTGttEdrm

— Leonie Höckbert (@leofromtherock) May 5, 2018

Laughing at Life’s Silly Details

I spend my days laughing at models of DNA that twist the wrong way #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/G0YxJOq9LF

— Liz Tunbridge (@LizTunbridge) May 4, 2018

How to Really Focus on Coding

I sit in a dark room and project code straight to my face while solving complicated problems. This helps me to immerse myself in it and "feel" the code. #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/eMtGurNr5d

— Tauno Talimaa (@tauntz) May 4, 2018

How to See if Trees are Healthy

As an ecologist, I can confirm that my days consist of much stethoscoping of trees in an unnecessary lab coat. It’s the only proper way to detect wildlifes. #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/wAEB9YPnUc

— Kirsty Elliott (@Trouty_Trout) May 5, 2018

How to Celebrate a Successful Pelvic Exam

I always give a thumbs up after a pelvic exam, it’s so not creepy at all #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/wzOW0ULr1f

— Jennifer Gunter (@DrJenGunter) May 6, 2018

The Theory of Everything

First we write “Physics” on the chalkboard, then we grab a sharpie and scribble some *nonsense* on the nearest window. We all know the same equation and we will write it on literally anything.
#BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/nc8mZtrXe0

— Robert McNees (@mcnees) May 5, 2018

You Can’t Be Too Careful with Dry Ice

This stock image of a scientist is PRICELESS. I too often find myself inspecting each nugget of dry ice one by one. Can never be too careful 🤣 pic.twitter.com/f1HrDgobuK

— Nicole K. Paulk (@Nicole_Paulk) April 24, 2018

The Law of Witchcraft and Wizardry

It is true that most lawyers are Slytherins #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/K8sw6qksmw

— (((Sam Crane))) (@Samanticka) May 4, 2018

Teambuilding Through Meetings

To build camaraderie, we sit uncomfortably close to each other during team meetings #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/0kcJOLQd0P

— Jon Vredenburg (@Feed4Speed) May 4, 2018

The Proper Attire for Research

Because when doing research, I always wear my regalia to the library. How else will people know I have a PhD?! #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/phpkDBGqGc

— Shiloh Carroll (@medievalismish) May 4, 2018

Because Plants Are Scary

As a botanist, I am so petrified of plants I cover my entire body in hazmat safety gear. (Except the parts actually touching them, of course).

Sometimes, when I am feeling a bit wild, I bring my microscope to the bedding plant aisle of a garden centres.#BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/euU33MeXzI

— James Wong (@Botanygeek) May 6, 2018

What is Space, Anyway?

"Hey space astronomer, where is space?"
[Space astronomer puts on his lab coat and adjusts his space safety goggles] "According to my latest science, there is space." pic.twitter.com/ndeVJCsPXP

— James Felton (@JimMFelton) May 4, 2018

That Dangerous Blue Liquid

Blue liquids in beakers: incredibly dangerous to men, irresistibly seductive to women.#BadStockPhotosOfMyJob

h/t @RayTruant and @KateAdamala pic.twitter.com/8kMcuufaM8

— ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣 (@Duke_of_neural) May 4, 2018

Understanding the Secrets of the Brain

Because if you *really* want to understand the brain, you have to listen to it. Real close. #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob pic.twitter.com/yMHIcATAVg

— Ben Marcus (@bmarcus128) May 4, 2018

You can follow along with the hashtag #BadStockPhotosOfMyJob yourself by doing a search for it on Twitter.