Introductory Text. A Table Talk about Professions

Introductory Text. A Table Talk about Professions

Pre-reading tasks.

1. Consult the dictionary to learn the difference in meaning between the following words.

o occupation

o profession

o trade

o career

o job

2. Tell your groupmates:

o what did you want to be in childhood?

o what’s your mother’s / father’s profession?

o when did you decide to become a sociologist / a lawyer / an economist?

 

Choosing a career is not an easy thing. It is one of the most difficult and the most important deci­sions a person has to take in his or her life. Your future will depend on your choice. Some people from the very childhood "know" that they want to be doctors, or pilots, or fire fighters, but the majority of us do not get around to making a decision about an occupation or career until somebody or something forces us to face the problem.

Choosing an occupation takes time and if you do it in a hurry, without considering all pros[1] and cons[2] it will be like trying to build a house without a plan. The so-called aptitude-tests[3] as well as interviews with specialists, good advice on the part of your teachers, an ex­ample of your parents or relatives, documentaries about ca­reers of great men, and what's more important, your per­sonal desire, self-evaluation may help you make right decision.

There is another possibility to find the way in life: after finishing school a person can go to a vocational college and to get the trade of a medical nurse, a cook, a computer op­erator, a hair-dresser, a fashion designer, a shop assistant, a forester, a fire fighter, etc. But if you want to be a sociologist, a teacher, a psychologist, a doctor, an engineer, an economist, a journalist, a lawyer, an agronomist, or a scientist you have to enter a University (or Institute) that trains specialists in this field. And you will have to work hard for the dream to come true.

 

Task. Read the following extracts; guess what professions people are talking about and fill in the gaps.

1. I want to become a … and work at primary classes. I know that it is a very difficult profes­sion. But there is nothing better than to teach young children and help them to find their way in life, to educate them. I love children, and I want to dedicate all my life to them. Moreover I want to leave good memories in their souls.

 

2. As for me, my dream's to be a …. You know that sociology is a science that studies the nature and growth of society and social behaviour of people in it. I'm absolutely sure that the results of this work are necessary for political parties, for non-governmental groups and politicians.

3. I have never been in two minds, because I know for sure that the profession of a … is one of the most demanded professions nowadays. A lot of people need the help of a ... When they have some problems in the relationship with people at home or at work they need to go to a … and tell him about their problems. I want to help people and think that my choice is right.

4. I think, that I'll become an …. My mother is an … and I understand how important her work is for her enterprise. She is responsible for the effectiveness of the plant. She is aware of the production, distribution and using up of the goods. No decision is taken without her approval. It is very responsible work, but I like it.

5. I want to be an …. I'm fond of English, but I'd like to study some other languages, like French and German. I think this work is very nervous but very interesting. It also gives the op­portunity to travel and see the world. I wish I were an …!

 

6. I want to become a …. It's impossible to imagine our life without …’s work. Every day we see reporters and … on TV and hear them on the radio. These people are always very busy, they often are in danger, but their life is interesting. As for me, I try to write articles for our school newspaper and my friends like them.

7. I want to be a … and work in a juridical field. A … can solve many problems. This work gives stability to any society. People must be protected by the power of laws and the society has to be protected against crime. But I haven't de­cided yet what I really want to be - a notary⁷ or a judge.