CHAPTER 1 One Man, 52 Jobs

Before You Read - On the Job

A. Think about answers to these questions.

1. Is it important to get a job quickly after graduating? Why?
   Answer

   Students should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting a job right after graduating.

2. Look at the words in the box. How are the words related?

   work job occupation

   university future

   Answer

   The words are all related to careers.

3. Look at the photo on the text. What do you think this man's job is?
   Answer

   The man in the photo is a firefighter.

B. Discuss your answers with a partner.

One Man, 52 Jobs

After graduating from college, Sean Aiken knew he would need to find a job soon. The problem was that he wasn't sure what kind of work he wanted to do.

One night at the dinner table, his father encouraged him to do what he liked most. His father said he had worked his whole life doing a job he didn't really enjoy. Aiken wanted a different future. That night, he promised himself that he would find something that he was passionate¹ about.

Aiken set a goal to work a new job each week for a year. That's 52 occupations in one year. And he did it! Qne week, as a dairy farmer, he milked cows every morning. Then, in another week, he was an astronomer studying the night sky. Aiken's favorite job, though, was teaching. He learned he was happiest when he was helping others.

Aiken also learned that it's OK to not know what you want to do right away. He wrote a book about his experiences, and today he tells his story to college and university students. His message? You'll find your perfect job one day. After all, Aiken found his.

¹ If you are passionate about something, you have strong feelings about it.