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.

Vocabulary Skill - Synonyms for Work

A. Read the email message below. Write the words that mean work.

B. Complete each sentence with the word from A. You might have to change the form of the word.

1. My first for the newspaper was a story about the mayor!
2. Being a doctor or a teacher is a(n) , being a carpenter or a mechanic is a(n)
3. In the past, most people had one job their whole life. But today, many people change their often.
4. In my as a baker, I must start work early in the morning.