英语阅读：Courses and jobs for the future
One of the biggest challenges facing students and their families is whatprospective career they should enter and what is the best path for them to
take.
I was talking to someone the other day who told me he first studied
accounting because that was what everyone was studying several years ago. It was
and some say still is a reliable career.
However, then he told me that he was now studying financial investment
because again –that’s what everyone was studying now and it was needed if he
wanted to get ahead in the company.
And I asked him what he was actually interested in and then - well the
conversation kind of died. So I asked why had he bothered studying accounting in
the first place and he explained that it was his parents’ idea. Ultimately I
asked what his passion was and he wasn’t too sure because he never thought about
it or should I say – was never given the time and attention to think about it.
And so it is – lifelong learning – or the continual need to make ourselves
marketable in a world that appears to becoming more competitive as time ticks
by. Is there a secret to help us so we can try to eke out some form of quality
of life? Is happiness and peace of mind even an option these days – or was it
even ever a reality some may ask. Were the good old days really that good?
Regardless or not at this stage in world history with increasing
connectivity between people, ideas and markets – the ability to match the needs
and desires of the day with your own skills and products is a tremendous and
vigorous challenge.
Many of you may have gone into English or foreign language study because it
was encouraged at the time when China was entering the WTO and this was promoted
as necessary. Or maybe you were interested in international affairs or working
abroad. Upon graduation you then faced the reality that there were many others
like you who also had the same idea and there was a limit to how many jobs you
could apply for.
Perhaps some then studied further doing courses for work such as a tour
guide or translator/interpreter. Many may have decided that going into teaching
was more rewarding or stable. Others would have gone into media or advertising
or conference management and acquired new skills along the way.
This constant quest to remain ahead of the game is for many unsettling and
exhausting. Some futurists who examine technology have even predicted that
people should expect to change careers six or seven times during their
lifetime!
So if you are concerned by the nature of change why not start spending more
time looking through the World Wide Web particularly at leading cutting edge
economies, institutions and their publications. Whole changes are afoot yet
there is no reason why this cannot be enjoyable, exciting and also rewarding.
Our attitude, approach and willingness to continually learn and update our
skills must remain strong.
My tip is to track the work that Obama’s new administration is setting
about to achieve. In particular, look at the people he has chosen as his key
support team and try to read behind the light surface news and look at their
career development and examine the recent reports that they are now recommending
the US Government move towards. Key industry development, new modes of dealing
with information and new demands are creating opportunities for the students and
workers of tomorrow - if we stay prepared.
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