8 Form: Topic "Choosing a Career" by Dan Klochkov

CHOOSING  A  CAREER

            I would like to start by saying that it is important to think over what profession to choose. I’m in the eighth form now and it’s high time I chose what subjects to specialize in.  However, it’s not easy to make the right decision even for most school-leavers.

            Part of the problem is in a numerous list of professions to choose from. Everyone should start with himself, to see where his interests lie. You must be realistic about your abilities, too. If you are good at maths, you can become an engineer or an economist, if you are a creative person, you can be a designer, an interior decorator or a photographer, if you like to work with people – teaching or social work is for you.

            There are many factors that influence the decision of young people to make their choice. Some people are encouraged by their relatives or friends, some follow in their parents’ footsteps. Sometimes it’s good, because your parents can share their experience with you. On the other hand, it can be dangerous because if you are not good at science or don’t want to serve people, you’ll never become a good doctor, like your father.

            As for me, I haven’t decided yet what profession to choose. While growing up I was interested in many things. I enjoyed painting, dancing, and sports. I also liked making models and I've always liked maths, especially geometry, and drawing.

            So I believe I might connect my future profession with architecture. A good architect needs such qualities as creativity, good imagination and accuracy. It’s a prestigious, satisfying and rewarding job. It can give you many new opportunities and chances of promotion. Besides, it’s a well-paid job.

            Of course I understand that I’ll need thorough training to become a real professional.  I am planning to study further at university; it may be Moscow Institute of Architecture (State Academy). I don’t mind working hard. I realize that in order to get there I’ll need to sit a lot of exams and I am going to prepare for them properly.

            I wish everyone makes up their mind and takes the best decision. Choose the right career, and you’ll be happy and contented; choose the wrong one – you’ll be unhappy and miserable. This might be a costly mistake which might need a long time to correct. That’s why we need to weigh all the pros and cons and budget our time correspondingly.

Linking Words

Positive Addition:

and, both...and, not only...but (also/as well), too, moreover, in addition to, furthermore, further, also, not to mention the fact that, besides

E.g. She's clever and rich.

Negative Addition:

neither...nor, nor, neither, either

E.g. Neither Barry nor Kevin knows how to drive. Barry doesn't know how to drive. Nor does Kevin.

Contrast:

but, not...but, although, while, whereas, despite, even if, even though, on the other hand, in contrast, however, (and) yet, at the same time

E.g. Riding a bicycle may not be as comfortable as driving a car, however it is much more environmentally friendly.

 Similarity:

similarly, likewise, in the same way, equally

E.g. A glass of milk before you go to bed may help you sleep. Similarly, a hot bath could do the trick.

Concession:

but, even so, however, (and) still, (and) yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, although, even though, despite/in spite of, regardless of, admittedly, considering, whereas, while, nonetheless

E.g. He carried on playing until the end of the game, even though he had a broken toe.

Alternative:

or, on the other hand, either ... or, alternatively

E.g. You could tell her the bad news, or/on the other hand/alternatively you could let her find out herself.

Emphasis:

besides, not only this but...also, as well, what is more, in fact, as a matter of fact, to tell you the truth, actually, indeed, let alone

E.g. I'm afraid you are not qualified for this job and, what is more, you are far too young.

Exemplification:

as, such as, like, for example, for instance, particularly, especially, in particular

E.g. All the performers were good, but Pavarotti in particular was magnificent.

Clarification:

that is to say, specifically, in other words, to put it another way, I mean

E.g. She's angry. Specifically, she's angry at you.

Cause/Reason:

as, because, because of, since, on the grounds that, seeing that, due to, in view of, owing to, for, now that, so

E.g. She decided to order a salad now that she had started her diet.

Manner:

as, (in) the way, how, the way in which, (in) the same way (as), as if, as though

E.g. The coach explained how the team could beat their opponents.

Condition:

if, in case, assuming (that), on condition (that), provided (that), providing (that), unless, in the event (that), in the event of, as/so long as, granted/granting (that), whether, whether...or(alternative condition), only if, even if, otherwise, or(else), in case of

E.g. The travel agency will contact you in the event that/in case your flight is changed.

Consequence of a condition:

consequently, then, under those circumstances, if so, if not, so, therefore, in that case, otherwise, thus

E.g. You may be caught by the enemy. If so, tell them nothing.

Purpose:

so that, so as (not) to, in order (not) to, in order that, for fear (that), in case, lest

E.g. Make a note of our appointment in your diary in case you forget about it.

Effect/Result:

such/so...that, consequently, for this reason, as a consequence, thus, therefore, so

E.g. He was the only child of a rich banker and, as a consequence, he was very spoilt.

Comparison:

as...as, than, half as...as, nothing like, the...the, twice as...as, less...than

E.g. Her second novel is nothing like her first.

Time:

when, whenever, as, while, now (that), before, until, till, after, since

E.g. I like to visit the cathedral whenever I'm in Durham.

Place:

where, wherever

E.g. Park your car wherever you want to.

Exception:

but (for), except (for), apart from

E.g. We had a lovely holiday, apart from that one day when it rained.

Relative:

who, whom, whose, which, what, that

E.g. There's the man whose house was burnt down.

Chronological: 
beginning: initially, first..., at first, to start/begin with, first of all

E.g. First of all, I'd like to thank my mother...

continuing: secondly..., after this/that, second..., afterwards, then, next, before this

E.g. Then, I must thank everyone involved in making this wonderful film...

concluding: finally, at last, in the end, eventually, lastly, last but not least

E.g. Finally, I want to thank you, my fans.

Reference:

considering, concerning, regarding, with respect/regard/reference to, in respect/regard/reference to this/to the fact that

E.g. Considering all the evidence, we find the accused "not guilty".
I'm writing with reference to your report on whales.

Summarising:

in conclusion, in summary, to sum up, as I have said, as (it) was previously stated, on the whole, in all, all in all, altogether, in short, briefly, to put if briefly

E.g. To sum up, the government must spend more money on public services.