Careers

UNIT 12

Telecommuting Careers

· ‘Commuting’ means to travel regularly from one place to another, especially between home and work. What do you think ‘telecommuting’ means?

· What would you prefer: commuting to work, or telecommuting? Why?

*****

What's the definition of the perfect commute? From the kitchen table to the couch. Working from home, or telecommuting, is no longer a daydream. In 2007, 2.4 million corporate employees worked from home full time. With improvements in networking technology and changes in corporate philosophy, the right career might be closer than you think.

Of course, you have to be careful. The Internet is flooded with "work at home" scams promising thousands of dollars a month for 20 hours a week, no college degree required. Yes, it's possible to make good money working from home, but it takes planning and patience.

The first tip is to ignore any job that advertises itself as a "telecommute" or "work at home" job. These are most likely scams. Remember that telecommuting is a benefit of a job, not the job itself. The best way to land a well-paying telecommute job is to look for jobs that offer telecommuting as an option. If you're qualified for the position, then you might be able to negotiate a part-time or full-time telecommute.

The following five jobs are good examples of telecommuting careers

1. Programmers

Experienced software and Web programmers can easily pick up freelance projects and work from home. If you have skills in Java, C++, SQL and other Web development scripts, you'll have no shortage of work.

2. Transcription and Translation

Are you a fast typer? Do you speak a foreign language? Do you have a mind for legal or medical terminology? Welcome to the world of transcription and translation. Translation work offers the best pay. Businesses, book publishers, Web sites need the help of experienced translators to push their products into new global markets. In the medical field, hospitals and doctors offices need trained transcriptionists to document procedures for insurance and record-keeping purposes. Law offices also need fast, accurate typers who can transcribe an audio or video recording.

3. Freelance Writing/Editing

For experienced journalists, editors and copywriters, freelance writing and editing can be an excellent career move. Many large newspapers and magazines have taken on more freelancers to save money on full-time employees. And Web content is in high demand.

4. Call Center

Outsourcing isn't just for India. Nearly 700,000 Americans and Canadians work as call-center agents from their homes With IP (Internet Protocol)-based phone networks, it's much easier to route calls to any phone, anywhere. You won't get rich answering calls from home, but you could earn around $2,000 a month working 30 to 35 hours a week.

5. Home Business

By setting aside space for a home office, any small business can be turned into a home business. Get a fax number, an e-mail address and a well-designed Web page. There are unlimited options for running a small business out of your home: Web design, graphic design, computer and electronics repair, life coach, psychologist, dog groomer. The list goes on and on.

Find words in the text that mean the same as the following. They appear in the same order.

1. meaning; description

2. dishonest scheme; cheat

3. pay no attention to

4. decide or agree something by talking about it

5. work in which you are paid separately for each piece of work

6. worldwide; international

7. write down what somebody said

Are the following statements True or False? If there is no information in the text, write Not Given.

8. Telecommuting has become quite commonplace nowadays.

9. Any job that advertises itself as a "telecommute" or "work at home" job should not be trusted.

10. It is very easy for software and Web programmers to find jobs.

11. Translators earn the most money through telecommuting jobs.

12. It is cheaper to have freelancers than full-time employees.

13. There are many call centres in India.

14. Working as a call centre agent from home is a well-paid job.

15. It is better to run a small business from home.

16. You do not need a college degree to work from home.

Careers

Information Technology

I did not want to stay in a career that did not suit me, but I did not want to be unemployed either. It did not take me long to decide to study for a degree in computer science so that I could someday work in IT (Information Technology). Many factors went into my decision. I wanted to find a career with good employment prospects. There is a lot of growth in high-tech fields and I expect the demand for IT professionals to continue to be strong. Jobs in high-tech fields have a higher starting salary than most other professions. Two things made me think I’d be successful in Information Technology. First, I was successful in my previous computer programming courses. Second, I had a friend who was a successful computer consultant who thought that I’d do well combining a Math degree with a Computer Science degree.

When you consider the reasons people change careers, it is clear that Information Technology is a great choice. One reason people change careers is boredom in their jobs. In fact, at the company I am working for, not only does the technology change, but the company is now looking into a way to provide a rotation of jobs under the umbrella of IT. Nothing says you have to stay in the same area of IT your whole career. For people who are willing to go to school or learn new skills, the continual change in the field is interesting.

For me and for many others, IT is a very attractive field. It offers job opportunities, plenty of room for growth and change, and a chance to make a good living. I could have continued teaching geometry for thirty more years while always daydreaming of retirement. I think I made the right choice.

Accounting

In today’s society, education stands as an important factor in order to succeed. We are now being challenged by new technology and being expected to cope with a changing world. There are many factors in life that influence our decision-making, personality, and lifestyle which will determine our future stability. Throughout the search for a career, I realized that Accounting matched my personality.

Since dealing with numbers was not a problem, I was convinced that I should pursue my education in Accounting. Dealing with Math was never a struggle for me; instead it was a fun activity. During high school, I was a student who enjoyed Math every step of the way. What interested me was learning how to solve problems which helped improve my critical thinking skills. Being an accountant requires you to be able to identify, analyze, and solve problems. I like being challenged by a variety of situations and technologies.

In order to support one’s future, we must be economically stable. Technology is advancing so rapidly that everything now is easily accessible. It is very important to choose a career where you enjoy working. As I acquired ideas by research, I learned that accountants work in certain places, such as banks, corporations, and government sectors.

In conclusion, pursuing Accounting will help achieve my goals. It is a profession that suits my personality and lifestyle. I am determined to stay focused with all that is required in order to succeed.

Fill in the blanks with these words from the text.

career support variety achieve determined

1. A _______________________ of vegetables are available in winter.

2. He is _________________________ to enjoy the last week of his holiday.

3. It is important to choose a _____________________ that suits your personality.

4. He wishes to _____________________ all his goals before he is 60 years old.

5. She was not able to _______________________ her family without a good job.

Answer the following questions.

6. Why did the first writer decide to study for a degree in computer science? What was his/her earlier job?

7. Write down two advantages of a career in Information Technology.

8. Why did the second writer study Accounting?

9. What are the qualities of a good accountant?

Sources:

Roos, D. 2008, ‘Telecommuting Careers That Can Make You Rich’, viewed 28 July 2008, <http://communication.howstuffworks.com/telecommuting-careers.htm>

‘Career Choices’, viewed 7 February 2007, <http://www.essaydepot.com/essayme/3934/index.php>

Ashmore, B. 2002, ‘Changing Careers to Information Technology’, viewed 7 February 2007, <http://www.cpsr.org/prevsite/essays/2002/2wi3.html>