Work Experience

 
 
 

Cabot talks about his work experience
 

Now, Listen to me…

“Study hard, and go to university. Work hard—and you will be successful.

But if you don’t go to school, you’ll DIG DITCHES for the rest of your life.” My parents would tell me this all the time.

Math and Science

Okay, okay. So I did well in school. I entered university and studied chemistry.

After graduating, I got a job at a tire factory.

Progress

After many years there, my boss called me into his office. “Thank you for all your years of service, dedication, hard-work and loyalty,” he said.

Then he gave me a pink-slip.

The New Economy

Many other factories in Ohio also downsized or closed.

The same thing happened to my friend. But then he took computer classes and found work at a phone company.

Now he earns more than at his old job.

Computers

And so I studied computers, and got a job at an insurance company.

Here I had to wear a suit. But the work was interesting and the pay very good.

A Job Well Done!

One day my boss called me into his office.

He PRAISED my performance. He THANKED me for all my years of dedication, hard work and loyalty.

He then stood up and shook my hand……

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Oh well. The good thing about fixing leaks, replacing burst pipes and unclogging toilets is that there is lots of work. People really appreciate you.

And best of all, they give you home-baked, chocolate-chip and oatmeal cookies, and brownies!

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1. The writer’s father wanted him to…………..

2. What did Cabot study? Was his first job in a vinegar factory?

3. What is a “pink slip”? Did he lose his job because he was lazy and incompetent?

4. After the tire plant job, he found work at another factory. True or false?

5. What happened at his second job?

6. Now he works as a baker. Yes or no?

7. Why did he select his current job? What made him choose his current job?

A. Has there been major changes in the economy of your town, city, region and, or country? Describe it.

B. Have many people lost their old jobs, and had to find new jobs in totally different industries?

C. How have people (re)trained or (re)qualified for new jobs?

D. How do people feel about changes in the economy, industry and their careers? Do they like it? Or do they dread or resist it?

E. What do you think it will be like in the future?

F. What have your parents told you as a youngster?

G. Elaborate on the saying: “It isn’t the strongest species that survives, nor the smartest, but the one most adapted to change.” Who do you think said it?

 
 
 
 
 

 

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