Career rewards

A career reward is an object that can be unlocked after reaching around level 5 of a chosen career. Every career in The Sims 2 has its own reward object. Some of these objects are very useful and can be used as careers themselves, such as the chocolate-making machine. All the items that increase a skill do so at a faster rate than any purchasable item, and allow a Sim with a higher skill to "Give Lessons" to another Sim, accelerating the learning process even more. They also allow children to learn skills, either by using the items themselves, or by being given lessons.

All career reward items are free but are limited to one item per Sim per career. The career reward can be transferred from house to house through the inventory which was introduced in Nightlife. Some career reward objects are available for Sims to use freely on hobby lots. Also, some may be available on college secret society lots.

The base skill gain rate of all ordinary methods is 100%. Some objects increase it by 200%, and objects intended for children and toddlers are usually 75%. A stacking bonus can be added to all of the objects by factors such as having a trainer teach the Sim using the object (+100%), being under the influence of Smart Milk(+200%), and the thinking cap(+100%). These methods will stack, even on top of the effects of Autumn and Bon Voyage Far East souvenirs.

Execuputter
Business

"Why should your Sim sit through boring business lunches when they can play golf instead? The Execuputter features imported synthetic imitation grass, along with simulated water and sand traps so that Sims can work on their swing while building charisma points - and hobnobbing with important business contacts."

Fun: 4 + Charisma

This object functions well as the best charisma builder, as it increases fun as well as skill, gaining at a 250% rate.It can also be used by children.

Schokolade 890 Chocolate Manufacturing Facility
Culinary

"Fatten your Sims' bank account - and their friends and families too - with this finely engineered machine. Designed by world-renowned chocolatiers at Bavarian Meltonwerks, the Schokolade 890 produces high-quality chocolates that Sims can pop into their mouths or pop into a box and sell in the §7 billion a year chocolate industry!"

Fun: 1 + Cooking

You can make money by using this object, but it does not appear that the chocolates can actually be boxed and sold, even if Open For Business is installed.

This machine is not recommended for use over ordinary methods, as it has the same skill gain of 200%. The only benefit is money, a benefit for poor families who need to learn cooking skills.

Warning! If a Sim with a low Cooking score uses the machine, the mixer will overflow, causing chocolate to spill and form puddles that must be cleaned.

Prints Charming Fingerprint Scanner
Law Enforcement

"It uses ultraviolet radiation to quickly and easily dust fingerprints everywhere, then display the ironclad evidence right on the viewscreen."

Fun: 4 + Cleaning

If a Sim scans an object that was used by someone recently, that Sim's fingerprints will show up and the Sim's picture will appear in a thought bubble above your Sim. If no-one used the object recently, a question mark will appear in a thought bubble.

The scanner has a 250% skill boost over the normal 200%.

SensoTwitch Lie Finder
Criminal

"Don't let the inconvenience of the truth interfere with your career ambitions! Hone the skills to lie, cheat, and steal with the SensoTwitch Lie Finder. Its patented Brainwave Twitch Needle detects even the tiniest nervous mental tic. Fool the Lie Finder, and you can fool anyone!"

+ Creativity

One of the 4 best items for gaining creativity, The lie finder has a 250% skill boost.

TraumaTime "Incision Precision" Surgical Training Station
Medicine

"Sims venturing into the medical field can sharpen up their mechanical skills with 'Incision Precision'. The true-to-life features include genuinely clammy fake organs and a functioning circulatory system. Dive into the faux gall bladder, small intestine, pancreas, inferior epigastric vessels, and other organs and make them new again."

Fun: 4 + Mechanical

This reward is the best mechanical skill builder at a 250% skill gain rate.

Exerto Selfflog Obstacle Course
Military

"After a long day at the military base, why not extend the hard work with a run through the Selfflog obstacle course? From Exerto, a leading manufacturer of fitness equipment, this home obstacle course tests your ability to leap 3-foot hurdles, crawl under a canopy of simulated gunfire, and scramble over a fence-all in the name of fun and fitness."

+ Body

This reward is the best skill gaining object of all, with a gain of 538%, the largest boost in the game. Oddly, however, it is not an efficient way to increase fitness. Using an exercise machine, punching the Exerto Punching Bag, swimming, and doing yoga all increase a Sim's fitness level more quickly than the Obstacle Course does, even though they are slower at building Body points.

Enterprise Office Concepts Bushmaster Tele-Prompter
Politics

"Stand tall, furrow your brow, and just say the words with the Bushmaster Tele-Prompter. Transparent overlays display text at varying speeds from 'tortoise' slow to 'hare' fast. Adjust the font size to ease those aching eyes.Exercise your verbal skills with the Bushmaster Tele-Prompter!"

Fun: 5 + Charisma

This reward has a boost of 250%.

Exerto Punching Bag
Athletic

"Float like a moth and sting like a yellow jacket! With the Exerto Punching Bag, athletic Sims can punch away to release tension and keep in shape while building a useful career skill."

Fun: 6 + Body

This object gains 313% more than ordinary methods.

SimSanto Inc. Biotech Station
Science

"Your Sims are sure to succeed in the world of science with the Simsanto Inc. Biotech Station! Sims can study old microbes and invent new ones, gaining logic skill points and advancing their careers in the process. Includes a microscope, computer, and refrigerator for storing samples."

Sims can make medicine with this reward, which they can sell for Simoleons. They can also drink the medicine. The medicine cuts down the resting time needed to be cured of a sickness, if the Sim is sick. However, a Sim with low logic skill and/or is in a bad mood can cause a virus.

Players who do not have either FreeTime (with up-to-date patches) or Apartment Life should note that the medicine will not work properly, though it can still be sold. A third-party fix is available at More Awesome Than You!.

+ Logic

This reward, while it has a skill gain rate of 250% over ordinary methods, is not recommended, as the Sim using it will frequently be switching over to picking up and selling what they make with it. The best method is the Large Telescope, at a rate of 200%, but without the breaks in flow. On the other hand, it can be used during the daytime without annoying the neighbors.

AquaGreen Hydroponic Garden
Slacker

"Do your Sims love gardening as a creative outlet yet hate kneeling in the soil and getting dirt under their nails? Well, they don't have to anymore with this hydroponic garden! The AquaGreen ensures that plants receive adequate moisture and lots of light so your Sims get the fruits without the labor. It's a slacker's dream!"

+ Creativity

Sims gain creativity by tending these plants. Once they are grown, they can be sold to make money from this object. Furthermore, outgoing and  messy (has to be 10 and 0 respectively) Sims can unlock a special "use" interaction where they will relieve themselves in the plants, thus lowering their bladder needs. It has a boost of 250% skill gain.

Considering the pointy-leafed appearance of the plants grown in the hydroponic garden -- and the fact that it comes with the Slacker career -- this reward object appears to be a tongue-in-cheek allusion to marijuana.

Luminous Pro Antique Camera
Artist

"What a find! This vintage upright camera hails from the days of yore, when cameras didn't fit in your pocket. Gather your Sims' family and friends to pose for a picture together, or just take snapshots of your Sims' favorite scenes from around the house. Sell photos for simoleons or click on them in Buy Mode to conveniently hang on any wall or place on table or counter."

Take photos and earn up to §100 at a time

Laganaphyllis Simnovorii
Natural Science

"This bizarre bovine vegetation is large enough to swallow your next-door neighbor whole. In fact, it WILL eat your neighbors. Your friends will be hard-pressed to resist the tantalizing vine-cake of the carnivorous Laganaphyllis Simnovorii. After it has consumed some prey, milk it for sweet, rejuvenating nectar of life. A swig of this liquid refreshment will add precious days to a Sim's life and wash away any regret they may have over their visitor's fate."

The Cowplant is a well known career reward in The Sims 2. It is most known for eating innocent Sims for lunch. The Cowplant sticks a slice of cake out on its tongue, luring the Sim close to the plant; then eats the Sim. After a cowplant has his lunch (a Sim),the owner can milk the plant, and the "milk' is actually a life-extending drink. A memory pops up in the memory box about this action. If not fed it will attempt to eat a Sim every 12 hours. It can be fed by selecting and clicking feed, the Sim will take out a Leg 'O' Lamb (this costs §30) and throws it to the plant, sometimes it will play with it/tease it first. This feed action is not automatic and must be ordered by the player.

Some Sims have a want to 'drink' a certain Sim that they are unhappy with. This refers to that Sim drinking the life essence of the offending Sim using the cow plant.

This is a quick and easy way to kill off unwanted Sims. Controlled Sims can be ordered to "Grab Cake" if not stopped they will die. Otherwise household Sims will ignore the plant unless it kills someone.

Be warned that this object may eat your friends.

Resurrect-O-Nomitron
Paranormal

"No need to mourn the passing of your loved ones. Not only is this telephone a classy accesssory to any stylish realm, but it also provides a direct line to the Grim Reaper. For nary the price of your soul, Mr Reaper will gladly bring anyone back from the beyond. But beware: if you don't offer a competitive price, your resurrected loved one may be ... incomplete."

Dr Vu's Automated Cosmetic Surgeon
Show Business

"Does your Sim have a face that only a mother could love? If so, it's time to take advantage of today's technological breakthroughs in medicine. Forget forking over thousands of simoleons for unreliable plastic surgery, as performed by the error-prone 'real' doctor. Trust Dr. Vu's latest insidious creation to make precise facial modifications as only a computer can. A few minutes of your time can result in a new, beautiful face that will last a lifetime!"

This object will change a Sim's appearance. (Successful use will open the face controls from the Hair and Face section of CAS.) The changes are superficial and do not alter the Sim's genetic information; therefore, any children that Sim has will inherit features from his or her original face. When using, there is a random chance of malfunction and reconstruction going horribly wrong...

Golden Skull of Jumbok IV
Adventurer

"The Golden Skull of Jumbok IV was liberated from the ancient ruins discovered just outside of Riverblossom Hills. Jumbok IV, conqueror of the ancient regions Pleasantview and Veronaville, was known as a cruel, loud, and smelly ruler. Nevertheless his skull has been coated in gold and enlarged to enhance his aesthetic beauty,is fitting for any home and inspiring to all.It can definitely be said standing next to Jumbok's skull is better for you than standing next to the conquering Jumbok of old."

This object will periodically give a small boost to the motives of Sims who are in the same room.

Books First for Learning: A Bookshelf of Education
Education

"Books First, the revolutionary new education system sweeping the community is now ready to enter the homes of working educators with A Bookshelf of Education. Knowledge can be obtained for any discipline via the Golden Book of Cornelius von Schtoop. Taking the first step to a life of learning is like the first step in a candy store-delicious."

Fun: 1

This reward object acts like any other bookshelf, with two major differences. One is that Sims can study any skill from its books, rather than just Cleaning, Cooking, and Mechanical. The other is that Sims learn 500% faster when using this bookshelf than they do when using normal ones. The only other reward which surpasses this incredibly high skill gain is the Military reward, which has a boost of 538%.

Its presence will not keep Sims from wanting to buy a bookshelf, though it may not work properly if another bookshelf is present. Messy or sloppy Sims will still leave books from this bookshelf lying around, but maids will not put them away.

Tribal Flame a la Coconut Pinball
Gamer

"Boom! The flames lick skyward as the metallic ball race for points and ultimately, The high score! Ding!Ping!Clang! Be careful as you anger the Tiki spirits! They demand the ultimate high score. That volcano will ooze the lava of your demise. Hiss.Sizzle.Crackle. Enjoy, have fun, and earn some Simoleons."

Fun: 10

This object allows the Sim using it to gain §5 every 5 Sim minutes. Since it it is a powerful Fun object, and the Sim will automatically stop playing the machine when the Fun meter is full, this benefit is limited. If placed in a business, the business will get the money, even if the Sim playing the machine is not part of the household.

"I Object" Litigator Podium
Law

"The ruthless and justice-filled oak from which his podium was built has served three generations of brilliant lawyers. Passed down over the years,This podium is regarded by many as both sacred and lawful-a powerful combination. Few lawyers who've had the privilege to speak from this podium find themselves on the losing side of the jury's decision. As far as Charisma building goes, Nobody can object to the 'I Object' Litigator Podium."

Fun: 5 + Charisma

This object resembles the Bushmaster Tele-Prompter, and functions much the same, except that Sims get money (§5 every 5 Sim minutes) for using it. Furthermore, it has a skill gain boost of 250%.

The Rock Hammer
Music

"The guitar that defined the music of a generation is now yours to thrash, own, and rip up on stage. Every musician dreams to touch, nigh, smell the catgut strings of this blessed weapon of rock. You are lucky to be chosen for the Rock Hammer - do not defy the rock, lest you find yourself jamming to country."

Fun: 5 + Creativity

This reward is the best musical instrument one can have, having a skill gain of 400%, only surpassed by the education and military reward. However, Sims cannot use it to teach or learn from one another; it can only be used individually.

The Gootentaugen Award for Excellence in Journalism
Journalism

"The Gootentaugen Award is reserved for those who demonstrate an excellent gift with the written word, or for those who show great potential for greatness. The finest writers, as they lay dying on their death beds, can point to a shelf full of Gontentaugens, and say, 'I have written great things.' Then their pen drops, and only the Gootentaugens remain. Stand in the presence of this fantastic award and watch your mood improve!"

This object will periodically give a small boost to the motives of Sims who are in the same room.

"Starstruck" Personal Fame Stars
Entertainment

"Let others bask in your glow with this bonafide Personal Fame Star. It's not only a great conversation starter, it's a way to let the world know 'They love me! They really love me!'"

Social: 1

Better Barre by Deuxjoint Ltd
Dance

"The ballet barre is an essential component for practice whether you're are beginning ballerina, a versed virtuoso, or competent cavalier. When practicing 'a la barre' you won't have to worry about your technique, nor whether the bar can handle the pressure. We present to you the Better Barre - a bar designed for the better balleter, crafted to help perfect your positions."

Fun: 1 + Body

SIM series Drafting Table
Architecture

"QuicKraft introduces the SIM series Drafting Table. This perfectly angled drafting table uses the finest materials and an ergonomic design to create the clutter-free workspace needed to develop your talent in technical drawing."

Fun: 5 + Creativity

Audio Augmenter Earpiece by Little Mole Inc.
Intelligence

"Knowing is half the battle and if you want to win the war, you have to be the one with the intel. Our extended range, omnidirectional, high-gain, multielement microphone and dish transmitter is what you need to get the job done. Little Mole, Inc. is not responsible for results of misuse of our products."

Carefree Koi Pond by Simulated Life
Oceanography

"Nothing says 'I love nature' more than recreating it in your own backyard. This simulated koi pond creates the perfect environment for our extraordinarily long-lived koi. The built-in filtration system converts any organic material into specially formulated koi food and removes all waste products without you having to lift a finger - all you have to do is watch and enjoy!"

The Sims 3
It does not seem that there are special career rewards in The Sims 3. However, in certain jobs, small rewards may be obtained.

After reaching Level 5 on the Law Enforcement career, the player receives his or her very own squad car, and gains a sure chance at apprehending any burglars that break into homes.

Level 10 on the Law Enforcement career gives an International Super Spy the possibility to perform a raid at the Abandoned Warehouse for §1500 every couple of days. The Dynamic DNA Profiler can perform an analysis at the computer for §600.

Reaching level 10 in the Criminal career (evil branch) (Evil Leader) will grant Sims a red aura that glows occasionally, scaring nearby Sims away. Other Evil Sims will be delighted, Cowardly Sims will be afraid and Good Sims will be disgusted.

Reaching level 10 in the Criminal career (thief branch) (Master Thief) will grant Sims a gold fox statue that provides a small "I'm The Greatest" moodlet boost of +25 when admired.

Reaching level 10 in the Science career (Mad Scientist) will grant Sims an ability to "Perform Experiment On" with many household items. If successful, it randomly gives new attributes to the object including decorative value boost, Sim mood boost, or just new sound. If the experiment goes wrong, the object may be destroyed and disappear.

Reaching level 10 in the Music career (Classical branch) will grant Sims the most expensive audio set (Top End Stereo).

Reaching level 10 in the Business career will grant Sims Power Broker status that gives random opportunities every several days for job raises (§30-40 /hour) or monetary bonuses (§ in thousands) or both.

Reaching level 10 in the Culinary career will grant your Sim a special refrigerator that keeps its contents fresh almost indefinitely.

After reaching a certain level in some careers (like the Law Enforcement career or the Medical Career), the player receives a beeper that beeps from time to time when the Sim isn't at work and forces the Sim to go to work immediately. If they don't go, their performance meter will go down like in an ordinary work day.

Also once a Sim reaches a certain level in the Law Enforcement career or Journalism career they have the option to question/interview another Sim and/or rummage through their trash. Both of which can help learn the Sim's traits, and can then write a report about them after.