What a job

Fact 5

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What sort of job do you want in the future? There are thousands of jobs to choose from. Here are some of the more unusual ones.

How about becoming a tree surgeon? It’s a great job if you like working outside.

What does a tree surgeon do?

Tree surgeons plant and look after trees. They cut off branches or cut down trees when that is necessary. Tree surgery can be a dangerous job. Tree surgeons use power tools. They do a lot of climbing and working up high. They need to be physically fit and not afraid of heights! Glossary

branches: (pl. n.) one of the parts of a tree that grows out from the main trunk and has leaves, flowers, or fruit on it.

What do you have to do to become a tree surgeon? There are college courses you can take, but it is not necessary to have special qualifications. You can train on the job and build up experience as you work. You need to be good at climbing and learn how to use power tools safely.

This is a job that looks easy when you watch weather men and women in front of their maps on TV. But it isn’t. You need to study a lot first. What do meteorologists do? They study air pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and other information.

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Meteorologists use this data to predict the weather. They use computerized and mathematical models to help them make short and long term weather predictions. These predictions can save lives. For example, pilots and sea captains listen to the weather forecast carefully.

Not all meteorologists appear on television. In fact most of them don’t. They work behind the scenes. They do a lot of research about things like global warming and how pollution affects the weather. They study tornados and hurricanes to understand why they form.

Glossary

degree: (n.) a course at a college or university, given to a student after he or she has completed his or her studies. Would you like this type of work? Well, you need to be good at science and math, and take courses in calculus and physics. You also need to take computer programing courses. Then you’ll need to take a degree in science!

Maybe you don’t want to study so much. How about a job that takes you outside, but doesn’t involve climbing trees? You could become a motorcycle courier. There are no special qualifications needed, but often you need to provide your own motorbike, safety clothing and helmet.

What do couriers do? They collect and deliver confidential letters, documents or other small items. The job requires Glossary that you travel around the deliver: (v.) to give or aim something. city, covering more than 80 kilometers a day. You are constantly in noisy city traffic and often need to work in heavy rain. Um… perhaps it’s not for you after all.

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Here’s another idea. Do you have a good sense of smell and the ability to identify different odors? You could become a professional Odor Tester! All kinds of companies need odor testers, and you can earn a good salary.

What do odor testers do? For example, you might test a new deodorant, or try to reduce the unpleasant smell of nail polish. You could test out the latest perfume from a fancy French perfume company. Or you could spend your time improving the smell of microwaveable meals.

It’s the chemical make-up that affects the smell of something, so you need to be a chemist. Yes, odor testers are scientists. The job involves spending a lot of time in a laboratory evaluating results and correcting scents. Glossary

improving: (v. gerund) to get better at something.

So, being an odor tester does not excite you? How about a job as a live mannequin? This job involves staying perfectly still, often in a store window. It’s not a job for someone who gets easily bored. But it’s fun if you enjoy wearing the latest fashions!

Glossary

skills: (pl. n.) the abilitiesto do an activity or job well.

Being a human statue needs a similar set of skills. A human statue is street artist who poses for hours at a time with full makeup. Can anyone be one? No. You need a lot of self-discipline and inner peace. Also, you must enjoy being the center of attention.

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Putting on the makeup can take up to three hours. At the end of a performance your muscles will ache, so it’s not for everyone!

When the time comes and you have to choose a job. Look at your skills and qualifications you have. Hopefully you will find a lot of job options to choose from!