READING 1 Choosing a Career

A welder works on the construction of a bridge.

CHOOSING a CAREER

Read the following article. Pay special attention to the words in bold. 6.1

Deciding on a career can be difficult. There are so many choices. How will you choose just one? It can help to ask yourself some important questions:

Will I find a job in my field after I graduate?

It’s a good idea to study for a career in a growing field1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) makes predictions about the fields that will have the most job growth. The BLS predicts that health care, construction, and teaching will be some of the fastest growing fields of the future. For example, they predict nursing jobs will increase by 26 percent in just 10 years.

What job will I enjoy doing?

You’ll probably want a well-paying job. But it’s also important to think about the kind of job you will enjoy. Do you love words and writing? Then a career as a journalist or an editor may be right for you. Do you enjoy numbers? Then you may enjoy working as an accountant or engineer. What type of workplace will be best for me?

Do you like working in an office? There are many options, such as human resource manager or accountant. Do you hate to be inside? Then a desk job probably won’t work for you. Jobs that you will like better might include park ranger, postal worker, or marine biologist2 .

What kind of lifestyle3 do I want?

Will you be happy working long hours with a lot of pressure? Then you could be a lawyer or a doctor. If not, then you probably won’t like these jobs. You may prefer a job with more flexibility4, such as a therapist or an IT consultant.

If you think carefully about these questions, you will find your perfect career.

1 field: an area of work 2 marine biologist: a scientist who studies ocean life 3 lifestyle: the way a person lives 4 flexibility: easily changed