2. To get money
Most people work for
money. They need
money to spend on
essentials, like food
and housing, and on
leisure activities that
they enjoy.
3. To get money
If you work in a job and pay your taxes, you work
in what is called the formal economy. The
money that you earn for your work is called
wages.
Some people work in return for being given their
food or accommodation, or in return for favors.
This is called working in the informal economy.
4. To gain work
experience
Some jobs require you to have
done something before. This is
known as work experience.
For example, you can’t just
become a computer operator.
You need to have some
experience of using
computers.
5. To gain a qualification
Some jobs require you to have a qualification. For
example, a teacher can’t just come into a school
and teach. They need a teaching qualification in
order to be able to do this.
6. To benefit society
Some people choose to do jobs
not for the money, but because
they benefit society. Those
who join the police force, or
the fire service may do so for
this reason.
Other people work as
volunteers for no money, in
order to help people out.
7. To do something that
interests them
Other people work in particular
careers because the work interests
them. But what is interesting to
one person may be boring to
another.
Some people like working in
gardens, others like working
indoors on computers. It all
depends on the type of work you
enjoy.
8. Case Study
Fred works as a volunteer firefighter. These
are firefighters who help fight fires in rural
areas, where the job is only occasional and
part time.
“I don’t jus do it for the money,” explains Fred. “I
also do it because I enjoy giving something back
to the local community. It’s also good to be part
of a team.”
“However, there are disadvantages.” adds Fred.
“You have to be ready to fight a fire any time day
or night. The alarm can go off at any time. Once I
had to get up and be ready for 2 minutes at 5 am
in the morning. My wife didn’t like it at the time.
But she understands it’s something I really enjoy,
so she puts up with it.”
9. In pairs
Discuss Fred’s job. Answer the following questions:
1. What advantages and disadvantages does he mention?
2. Would you ever consider being a volunteer firefighter?
