Text 2 choosing a career

There are certain questions that adults just adore to put to kids. Remember, how many times you have been asked: "Well now, what are you going to be when you are grown up?”

By now you know that the world is much more complicated than you once thought it was. You know, too, that there are many more career opportunities than you believed there were and thought about when you were younger.

It is not an easy thing to choose a profession out of so many existing in the world. The process is complicated. In the diversity of choice the young have nowadays, one can get lost trying to take a decision on the future occupation. You can explore those careers that call for the use of the subject you were good at in school. But, being good at some discipline at school does not necessarily mean that you would be happy, if you tie your future profession with this very subject. What you shouldn't do anyway is to make your choice judging by the location of the institution. That is sure to make no good. Though the idea may be appealing, fascinating and attractive, the outcome would be rather pitiful: you won't be happy and productive when it comes to work.

Fortunately, there are some hints that can help you find a career that suits you. The first thing to do is self-assessment. Those of you floundering around in uncertainty about the career, spiralling into a lack of direction, out-placed and out-teched, shouldn't get discouraged. There's a special niche waiting for everyone. Everyone has a mission, a purpose to fulfil, and it takes more than inspiration to move a dream into reality. It takes self-honesty, strategic thinking, working through emotional blocks, developing an action plan and consistent follow through.

If you have not made a decision yet, take time before you jump into the work world. An honest self-assessment means getting real. What can you actually do? The clues are all around you. Look exactly where you are at. You should decide what personal traits of character are necessary to work in this or that field and be honest considering if you possess these very features. Savour the things you cherish, notice what irritates you ... well, there are lots of things to be taken into account and the above list is far from full. But the hints may turn out useful if you have not made up your mind yet. Maybe there's a burning political issue, or a family member who needs attention, or a manuscript in the drawer begging to be published. Every turn in the road represents a new opportunity for self-definition.

While you are deciding where to turn, use this “downtime” to address unfulfilled agendas. It pays to review your skills because it's a sort of a reminder, that you were created to fill a particular niche. Revising allows you to take a new look at your knowledge, abilities and, – why not? – even some experience. Many focus on a few talents to the neglect of others because they've denied the best parts of themselves to fit somebody else’s mould. Maybe the thing you are here to do has yet to be invented. It may be a new wrinkle on an established idea: Dave Schwartz started national franchise, Rent-A-Wreck, out of the simple idea that not everyone needs to rent a sparkling new car.

Building a career or life direction can involve considerable emotional clearing. Once you have identified a career idea, the obstacles, emotional and cognitive blocks and personal resistance quickly raise their ugly heads. If you are completely at a loss, a better (though not the best) solution would be to turn to your parents for advice. Perhaps, they would give you some useful advice and this would make your choice somewhat easier. Think strategically. Brainstorm your plan with your family, and maybe friends. Work backward from your ultimate goal.

Another way is to speak to people you are familiar with, inquiring about their occupations and considering if any looks attractive to you. Ask, what their responsibilities are, ask about advantages and disadvantages. At least, this would help you decide what profession you don't like and that, in turn, would narrow your choice. The transition to a new life design can take time, and even a lot of time, but the result is worth it. The career you choose is likely to affect many aspects of your life. It may influence how much you will earn, the type of home you will live in and the like. But it works both ways. Your personal interests and values influence your career decision.

Because of the wide range of possibilities you should find out all you could about any job that interests you. Like a hobby or a sport every job involves knowledge and skills that you must learn. Perhaps, the best way to prepare for any job is to get a good education. Jobs change and new ones are constantly appearing. And, maybe the most important thing of all – don’t be afraid even to make a mistake. Challenge the world, be your own master and you are sure to be lucky!

Ex. 1. Find Russian equivalents to the underlined expressions in the text and make up short situations trying to use as many lexical units as it is possible.

Ex. 2. Give synonyms for the following words:

complicated –

fulfil –

goal –

affect –

opportunity –

Ex. 3. Explain the differences in meaning for the words in the right column:

explore – investigate

lack – drawback

clue – key

skill – ability

price – value

Ex. 4. Find in the text English equivalents to the expressions below and write a few sentences with them (you are free to use several expressions in one sentence if necessary):

1) хорошо успевать по какому-либо предмету

2) будущая профессия

3) превратить мечту в реальность

4) черты характера

5) преграды, препятствия

6) принимать во внимание, учитывать

7) посоветоваться с родителями

8) в свою очередь

9) обсудить план в кругу семьи

10) требовать знаний и умений

UNIT 7