Read the text and say if you agree or disagree with the following statements.

Planning a Career

Text 1

Supplementary texts

Appendix 1

(Applying for a job)

Having a job and having a career are two very different things. A job is something you do to make money. You may enjoy the job, work hard at it and do well, but you are primarily doing it for the money to satisfy your other interests outside of the work environment. A career is something that integrates your desires and interests so that it gives you satisfaction above and beyond the money you make. To have a career means commitment and development but first of all planning. This process can begin at any age. For some people it starts when they are a small child and visit mom or dad at their place of work. For others it can come later through the inspiration of a teacher or exposure to a wider range of fields.

It is up to each individual to decide whether a job or career is best for them. People may share the same talent and interest but other aspects of their personality will dictate which direction to go with that interest. For example, one guitar player may decide to plan a career as a professional musician. Another may decide that the financial insecurity is too much for him, get a regular job and satisfy his musical interests in his free time.

Whether you decide to get a job or plan a career, the job market today is quite different from that of your parents (and even probably from your elder sibling). In the Soviet system, under raspredeleniye, young people were guaranteed a job upon graduation. Now, not only are there any guarantees after university, institute or school, but available jobs are scarce and difficult to secure. The young person in today's Russia faces a very competitive job market.

What do the new dynamics of the Russian job market mean for young people? First, if they have decided they want a career, they must start early in their academic life to plan and take steps to develop their professional careers. Second, in addition to a suitable background for a desired career, creativity, self-promotion and preparation are absolutely vital for any sort of success in the job search. Last, students must develop confidence in themselves and recognize the power that each of them has to take control of their future and shape it in a way that is best for them.

13. Having a job and having a career are two very different things.

14. Planning a career can begin at any age.

15. The choice of a career doesn't only depend on a person's talents and interests.

16. To face a competitive job market is to have no guarantees for getting a job.

17. To take control of the future and to be well-prepared for the challenges of the job market, one should take several very important steps.