choosing a career
STUDY VOCABULARY
How to choose the right career |
lesson 3 what's your dream career?
Lesson 6 The best jobs in the world
Questions to discuss
Jobs
- Would you like a job that implies a lot of travel? Why or why not?
- Do you think it is more important to make a lot of money or to enjoy your job? Can you make a lot of money and enjoy your job at the same time?
- Would you prefer to have an easy routine job or a job in which you made a lot of decisions? Have you got an example of job for each category?
- What would be your ideal job? What would you do? Do you think you could do it and find it very interesting all your life?
- Which one would you prefer: a very well - paid but boring job to a very interesting but little - paid job?
- Which job do you find most boring / interesting?
- What did you want to do when you were small?
- Is there a job that runs in the family? Do your parents expect you to do this job ?
- What are your parents´ professions? Do they enjoy their jobs ? Do you find their jobs interesting ?
- How important is it to choose a right career?
- What would you start with if you were to choose a job?
- Who can give you advice on what career to choose?
- How can you choose a career? Who or what has been an influence on you in choosing your future career? Give advice.
- What would happen if all people could choose their ideal jobs?
- Do you have a passion for something?
- What skills do you have? Are you a creative person?
- Do you think you have got the abilities to achieve your goals?
- What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
- Are you going to follow in your parents’ footsteps?
- If your goals prove to be unachievable, what are you going to do then?
our career path, according to the Chinese zodiac
AUTHOR CareerBuilder
“Sometimes in choosing a career, we just don’t know where to start,” says Donna Stellhorn, an astrologer and author of “2012: Year of the Water Dragon.” “Many people in the world look to their Chinese zodiac sign to find their talents, strengths and weaknesses, and this helps guide them in their career choices.”
What does your sign say about your career choices? Stellhorn weighs in, below.
Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)
Stellhorn says: “Rats are better suited to highly active jobs, where making more effort and taking chances yields higher material rewards. Owning their own business or doing outside sales — especially of luxury items — is great for them. Rats should avoid jobs that isolate them or that are routine (things like night watchman, toll booth operator, etc.). On the other hand, they should avoid jobs where gambling is a main focus (such as working in a casino) because they may end up giving their paycheck back to the house.”
Personality traits*: Imaginative, problem solver, magnetic, observant, selfish, motivated by money and status.
Other possible job matches*: Manager, counselor, lawyer, broadcaster, writer
Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)
Stellhorn says: “The ox is better suited to jobs where they can bring in a good income and still work at home. They also excel at jobs that have a steady amount of work throughout the day (like medical transcription, editor/writer). They should avoid jobs that call for cutting-edge technical knowledge (Ox likes to wait and see before jumping into a new trend), or jobs that require a lot of travel.”
Personality traits: Determined, reliable, detail-oriented, hardworking, loyal
Other possible job matches: Mechanic, painter, banker, real estate agent
Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)
Stellhorn says: “Tigers can be both territorial and restless. They need periods of intense action and then quiet reflection. They do well in emergency rooms or asfirefighters. They also make good musicians who put all their intensity into their live shows, or event planners who pull off parties without a hitch.”
Personality traits: Competitive, confident, good leader, likable, adventurous, hasty
Other possible job matches: Writer, pilot, ad sales, office manager
Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)
Stellhorn says: “Rabbits are patient and even-tempered. They thrive in calm workplaces where there is interaction with co-workers and customers. And Rabbits have an eye for value, so they do well in jewelry sales, clothing designand real estate. They make good tour guides.”
Personality traits: Outgoing, sincere, compassionate, avoids confrontation
Other possible job matches: Public relations, writer, therapist, teacher
Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
Stellhorn says: “Dragons need space to grow and gain recognition. They can’t be trapped in closed-in cubicles without breathing fire. They understand trends and see the direction to take to be successful. They do well as pilots. They excel in advertising and television. They also enjoy careers where they can be outside, like environmental researcher or hiking guide, for example.”
Personality traits: Ambitious, free-spirited, innovative, enthusiastic (sometimes overly so), independent, can be tactless
Other possible job matches: Architect, sales representative, manager, lawyer
Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)
Stellhorn says: “Snakes are the wisest but they often keep their opinions to themselves. Their emotions are under the surface and they guard their privacy. They make good writers, artists and composers. They also are excellent at scientific and medical research.”
Personality traits: Smart, intuitive, decisive, easily bored
Other possible job matches: Sociologist, analyst, investigator, dietician
Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014)
Stellhorn says: “Horses love their freedom. They are social yet competitive, though they are always a good sport if they lose. Horses are usually very talented at something. They do well in careers that deal with cars, roads and bridges. They also make good lawyers. And they often thrive if their career can include sports.”
Personality traits: Energetic, attention-seeking, team-oriented, adventurous, effective communicator
Other possible job matches: Journalist, publicist, bartender, librarian
Ram (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)
Stellhorn says: “Rams are sensitive and diplomatic. They are generally homebodies and like to surround themselves with like-minded people. They make good scientists and programmers. They do well in medical fields. They also often are the actors who really become the character they are playing.”
Personality traits: Team player, creative, calm, intelligent, sensitive
Other possible job matches: Editor, illustrator, pediatrician
Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)
Stellhorn says: “Monkeys are filled with energy and like to do multiple things at once. They get nervous or bored if things move too slowly. Monkeys are very intelligent and so they have a lot of career choices. They really thrive when they have a mentor, someone they can copy. They’ll do well in high-energy careers as a restaurant manager, building contractor or stock broker. They also do well in public relations and advertising.”
Personality traits: Intellectual, quick-witted, curious, adaptable, playful
Other possible job matches: Film director, trader, engineer, jeweler
Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)
Stellhorn says: “Roosters are always busy. They throw great parties and are always available to give their friends a hand. Because they are so in-tune to the energy of the people around them they do best in social careers, like customer service, entertainment and teaching. But they need rewards for their service too, so job titles like doctor or school principal fit well.”
Personality traits: Motivated, honest, confident (sometimes overconfident), hard-working, organized
Other possible job matches: Bookkeeper, dentist, insurance agent
Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
Stellhorn says: “Dogs are loyal and hardworking. They are resourceful and very inventive especially when challenged. They are good at careers related to sports,food service and hospitality management. They work well in teams and in project oriented businesses, like software development, especially gaming software.”
Personality traits: Loyal, kind, adaptable, stubborn, strong morals
Other possible job matches: Nurse, police officer, scientist, interior designer
Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)
Stellhorn says: “Pigs are caring and take their responsibilities seriously. They love their homes and their families and don’t like to be away from them. For Pigs, home-based businesses can thrive. They have a good eye for design and do well in the advertising, clothing and accessories industries. They also have a talent for cooking so they make good caterers.”
Personality traits: Diligent, sincere, creative, detail-oriented
Possible job matches: Veterinarian, doctor, retail
“Sometimes in choosing a career, we just don’t know where to start,” says Donna Stellhorn, an astrologer and author of “2012: Year of the Water Dragon.” “Many people in the world look to their Chinese zodiac sign to find their talents, strengths and weaknesses, and this helps guide them in their career choices.”
What does your sign say about your career choices? Stellhorn weighs in, below.
Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)
Stellhorn says: “Rats are better suited to highly active jobs, where making more effort and taking chances yields higher material rewards. Owning their own business or doing outside sales — especially of luxury items — is great for them. Rats should avoid jobs that isolate them or that are routine (things like night watchman, toll booth operator, etc.). On the other hand, they should avoid jobs where gambling is a main focus (such as working in a casino) because they may end up giving their paycheck back to the house.”
Personality traits*: Imaginative, problem solver, magnetic, observant, selfish, motivated by money and status.
Other possible job matches*: Manager, counselor, lawyer, broadcaster, writer
Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)
Stellhorn says: “The ox is better suited to jobs where they can bring in a good income and still work at home. They also excel at jobs that have a steady amount of work throughout the day (like medical transcription, editor/writer). They should avoid jobs that call for cutting-edge technical knowledge (Ox likes to wait and see before jumping into a new trend), or jobs that require a lot of travel.”
Personality traits: Determined, reliable, detail-oriented, hardworking, loyal
Other possible job matches: Mechanic, painter, banker, real estate agent
Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)
Stellhorn says: “Tigers can be both territorial and restless. They need periods of intense action and then quiet reflection. They do well in emergency rooms or asfirefighters. They also make good musicians who put all their intensity into their live shows, or event planners who pull off parties without a hitch.”
Personality traits: Competitive, confident, good leader, likable, adventurous, hasty
Other possible job matches: Writer, pilot, ad sales, office manager
Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)
Stellhorn says: “Rabbits are patient and even-tempered. They thrive in calm workplaces where there is interaction with co-workers and customers. And Rabbits have an eye for value, so they do well in jewelry sales, clothing designand real estate. They make good tour guides.”
Personality traits: Outgoing, sincere, compassionate, avoids confrontation
Other possible job matches: Public relations, writer, therapist, teacher
Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
Stellhorn says: “Dragons need space to grow and gain recognition. They can’t be trapped in closed-in cubicles without breathing fire. They understand trends and see the direction to take to be successful. They do well as pilots. They excel in advertising and television. They also enjoy careers where they can be outside, like environmental researcher or hiking guide, for example.”
Personality traits: Ambitious, free-spirited, innovative, enthusiastic (sometimes overly so), independent, can be tactless
Other possible job matches: Architect, sales representative, manager, lawyer
Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)
Stellhorn says: “Snakes are the wisest but they often keep their opinions to themselves. Their emotions are under the surface and they guard their privacy. They make good writers, artists and composers. They also are excellent at scientific and medical research.”
Personality traits: Smart, intuitive, decisive, easily bored
Other possible job matches: Sociologist, analyst, investigator, dietician
Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014)
Stellhorn says: “Horses love their freedom. They are social yet competitive, though they are always a good sport if they lose. Horses are usually very talented at something. They do well in careers that deal with cars, roads and bridges. They also make good lawyers. And they often thrive if their career can include sports.”
Personality traits: Energetic, attention-seeking, team-oriented, adventurous, effective communicator
Other possible job matches: Journalist, publicist, bartender, librarian
Ram (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)
Stellhorn says: “Rams are sensitive and diplomatic. They are generally homebodies and like to surround themselves with like-minded people. They make good scientists and programmers. They do well in medical fields. They also often are the actors who really become the character they are playing.”
Personality traits: Team player, creative, calm, intelligent, sensitive
Other possible job matches: Editor, illustrator, pediatrician
Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)
Stellhorn says: “Monkeys are filled with energy and like to do multiple things at once. They get nervous or bored if things move too slowly. Monkeys are very intelligent and so they have a lot of career choices. They really thrive when they have a mentor, someone they can copy. They’ll do well in high-energy careers as a restaurant manager, building contractor or stock broker. They also do well in public relations and advertising.”
Personality traits: Intellectual, quick-witted, curious, adaptable, playful
Other possible job matches: Film director, trader, engineer, jeweler
Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)
Stellhorn says: “Roosters are always busy. They throw great parties and are always available to give their friends a hand. Because they are so in-tune to the energy of the people around them they do best in social careers, like customer service, entertainment and teaching. But they need rewards for their service too, so job titles like doctor or school principal fit well.”
Personality traits: Motivated, honest, confident (sometimes overconfident), hard-working, organized
Other possible job matches: Bookkeeper, dentist, insurance agent
Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
Stellhorn says: “Dogs are loyal and hardworking. They are resourceful and very inventive especially when challenged. They are good at careers related to sports,food service and hospitality management. They work well in teams and in project oriented businesses, like software development, especially gaming software.”
Personality traits: Loyal, kind, adaptable, stubborn, strong morals
Other possible job matches: Nurse, police officer, scientist, interior designer
Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)
Stellhorn says: “Pigs are caring and take their responsibilities seriously. They love their homes and their families and don’t like to be away from them. For Pigs, home-based businesses can thrive. They have a good eye for design and do well in the advertising, clothing and accessories industries. They also have a talent for cooking so they make good caterers.”
Personality traits: Diligent, sincere, creative, detail-oriented
Possible job matches: Veterinarian, doctor, retail