Reading file 1 Background Career changes In the latest in our series on career changes we meet Veronica Paralova and [Edwin Zeedort who have made very diferent career moves Veronica Paralova Veronica Paralovaleft school at 17 with few qualifications. After ajoby making schoo! liches for eight yeas, on poor pay and ‘working long hours, she realized that she ‘was no longer motivated and needed to do something diferent but she did't know ‘hat. We asked her how she went about ‘changing her career What helped you make up your mind about changing your career? “Well, for awhile | was focusing on the things | disiked, but someone told me to think about the things liked both in my work and ‘nmy if. The things that | was passionate about, the things that excited or challenged ‘me. loved it when Iwas asked to organize ‘things, whether a new menu inthe kitchen cor aparty fora fiend realized enjoyed ‘organizing’ ‘So what happened next? “started to look around for jobs that involved organizing events or activities, 1 found out about event management and ‘thought would be something | would like to do, t combined organizing and being hands ‘on the last thing wanted was a desk job." Did you need any special raining? “Yes, went back to college, just parttime ‘but! did a course called Event and Project ‘Management. We studied everything from project management to event law ‘and contracts. It was really interesting, I ‘took two years but atthe end, the college ‘organized a placement with Global Events. The placement lasted for six months and ‘when it finished they offered me a fulltime jb. What s your favourite par of your new job? "Inced tobe creative, thave to think about the cent, their identity and theirneeds and ‘come up with something that will each the eye. can be as much about marketing and image as itis about actualy organizing the event’ Do you regre the change in carvers? ‘Not at all love my new job. The kitchen job was monotonous but now every day brings a diferent challenge Edwin Zeedorf ‘When Edwin Zeedorf decided his job was not motivating him, he made a life changing career mave. The former Amsterdam-based Jnuman resources director went off to look for ‘a more rewarding challenge. We asked him about his new careet Youmade quite a dramatic career change, didet you? "Yes, did. Thad always wanted to workin the voluntary sector and now | work for a charay called Childcare international. work inthe distribution depot and the job takes me to places that Inever dreamt would vist. Last year | was in Sr Lanka to distribute supplies tothe victims ofthe tsunami, and this year ave already been tothe Sudan and lam going to Kenya in October” How ald you choose this charity? ‘Twanted to get out from behind my desk ‘and do something that would make & dlference{ suppose. [was lucky, in my previous job Ihad met the manager of an ‘organization called Working for Charities. ‘They help people find work with charities and so when I finally decided to change jobs I contacted her To start with she offered me ecrutment jobs, but told her that | wanted, tobe on the frontline. My skis were limited, wasn't a specialist, they really need medical staff and engineers but | was happy to take anything So they offered me a driving and distrioution job and here am. What is your favourite part of your new job? “Tam helping people and that is great. Every day we take food to people who need ‘We work very hardin very hot weather, so 1am very tired but {fel like 1am making a difference’ Do you regret the change in careers? ‘Not at all Obviously Idont get as much money now but the ob is very rewarding and really enjoy it. Usink wil go backto ‘the desk job one day but will stay in the voluntary sector for now © Oxford University Press 2008 Business Result IntermediateReading file 1 Exercises 1. Work with a partner. Ask and answer these questions. 1. What jobs did you do before your current job? 2 What do you like and dislike most about your job? 3 Why do people change jobs? 2 Student A, you are going to read about Veronica Paralova. Student B, you are going to read about Edwin Zeedorf. 1 Read your own section of the text quickly and find out why the person changed their job. 2 Compare your answers with your partner. Did both people change for the same reasons? 3 Read your section of the text again and choose three pieces of information from it that you find interesting. Tell your partner your information and explain ‘why you found it interesting. 3 Work together and decide if these statements are true (7) or false (F) and say why. 1 They both worked in their previous jobs for eight years, ‘They both left their first jobs because they didn't feel motivated ‘They both had to go back to ‘schoo!’ to learn their new jobs. ‘They both now work at a desk. Both their jobs involve helping people in some way. Neither of them have regrets about changing careers. 4 Match the verbs from the text 1-8 to the correct preposition a-h. Use the text to help you, 1 come ain 2 decide b out 3 find cto 4 focus d out 5 get e for 6 look £ about 7 stay g on 8 think h up with 5 Work with your partner. Using the text to help you, decide what the verb phrases in 5 mean. 6 Look back at the text and choose three words that you could use in your day-to-day work. 7 Work with a partner. Discuss what you think about these career changes. Do you think both of them made the correct decision? © Oxford University Press 2008 Business Result Intermediate