career
Careers
“Study hard. Go to university. Work hard and you will succeed.” Rick’s English teacher would tell this to the class over and over again. “Otherwise you’ll end up digging ditches.”
And so Rick did — more or less.
He studied accounting at a state university in Montana, then found work at an insurance company in Chicago.
Fifteen years later, Rick was back in his hometown…and became a math teacher at his old school.
“Okay everyone, make sure you do your homework…”
Personal
1. Describe your career or work experience up till now.
2. What kind of career would you like to have? How would you describe your ideal career or work setting?
3. What kinds of careers or professions would your friends or classmates like to have?
4. If money were no objective, and you could do absolutely anything, what activity would you engage in as a full-time job?
5. Is it better to have one career at one company, or several careers in different organizations?
6. People should follow their passions. Do what you really love to do, be really good at it…and the money will follow. Do you agree?
Society
7. What are the most common or popular careers nowadays?
8. Have the types of jobs or careers changed over the decades, from your parents’, grandparents’ or your children’s generation?
9. People these days, especially the young generation, want to work in shops or offices, bureaus, agencies with a desk and computer. They don’t want to do laboring, blue collar jobs or other “slave work”. True of false?
10. Most people will not have the same career and work for the same company throughout their entire lives. Yes or no? Give examples.
11. My grandparents say that the 1950’s was the best time in terms of career opportunities, employment and job security. Yes or no? What do you think?
Career Strategies
12. Is there a “secret to success”? How can you succeed in your career, business, finance?
13. In order to succeed in life you need good grades, marks or scores in school. If you want to succeed, you need to go to college or university. Do you agree?
14. What is the secret to success in a career or job?
15. To be successful in life, you need to be smart; the smarter you are the more successful you become. True or false?
16. Successful people read a lot, especially in their fields, and take courses, attend seminars, conferences and lectures. Is this true?
17. In order to succeed you need to work very hard. Yes or no? Why? Give examples.
Work Environment
18. Would you prefer to be a freelancer or self-employed, have your own small business, work for a small business, medium-sized company, a large corporation or a government bureau, department or agency? Why?
19. Do you know anyone who works freelance or is self-employed? What do they say about this?
20. Would you rather be a boss, manager or employer; or an employee?
21. Do you prefer technical work; specific duties and assignments; or managerial, administrative duties? Why?
22. Would you prefer working at a company or office; or at your home with a computer, internet, fax and phone; or in different locations (with different clients or sites)?
Other
23. Would you want your work environment, technology and business to remain constant, or change continually? Why?
24. Who is the most “successful” person you know? Describe him or her.
25. Do you know people who easily and effortlessly move from one career, occupation or company to another, succeeding all the time? Describe them.
26. Would you be willing to move to another part of your country or the world to advance in your career, or get established in one that you want?
27. Many jobs in North America and Europe are being outsourced or relocated to countries with emerging economies. Is this good or bad, both or neither?
28. What will careers be like in the future?
