UNIT 1 MY FUTURE SPECIALITY

Part 1 My future speciality

Word list:

to make significant decisions – приймати важливі рішення to suit/to fit – відповідати, підходити an ability – здібність, спритність; кваліфікація, уміння to find satisfaction in working – отримувати задоволення від роботи to be in a great need – відчувати необхідність (чого-небудь) to be responsible for smth – нести відповідальність за щось to maintain – обслуговувати to convert – перетворювати to accomplish – виконувати to store – зберігати to locate – розмістити; помістити, розташувати в певному місці to retrieve – відновлювати; повертати до колишнього стану; виправляти

to debug – налагоджувати (програму) to determine – визначати, встановлювати; вимірювати, обчислювати to perform – виконувати, здійснювати; робити an admission – доступ, вхід; прийом (в організацію), навчальний заклад to assume – припускати, допускати to be employed in smth – займатися чим-небудь to vary – різнитися; розходитися; відхилятися; відрізнятися to meet smb’s needs – задовольняти чиїсь потреби to require – мати потребу (в чому-небудь), вимагати (чого-небудь); відчувати необхідність (у чому-небудь)

Read the text and say what a programmer does.

One of the most significant decisions you make in life is choosing the kind of work you want to do. It’s important to find the job that best suits you and for which you are best qualified. The person who has a career that fits his or her special needs and abilities finds satisfaction in working. I consider the occupation I’ve chosen to be the one that best suits me.

In two years I’ll graduate from the faculty of Computer Programming at Berdychiv College of Industry, Economics and Law and become a computer programmer, I mean a specialist who is in great need nowadays. I guess computer programming is one of the fastest growing professions and one of the most popular fields of study in colleges and universities.

A computer programmer is an information technology professional who is responsible for creating new computer tools, applications, reports, and functions.

He programs computers. That is, he writes, tests, and maintains software and programs that instruct the computer as to what it should do. He converts what needs to happen into computer language, so that the computer can “understand” it. He writes and develops computer programs to accomplish certain tasks, to store data or documents, and locate and retrieve that data or those documents.

A computer programmer codes instructions for the computer into one of the many computer languages in existence. He not only writes and develops programs, but also tests (and retests), debugs, and rewrites these programs.

A computer programmer is always working with programs and software to determine how the computer can perform better and more efficiently.

In order to become a computer programmer, you will need post-secondary education in computer programming, software, or computer science. Admissions to these programs are based on high school credits in calculus, statistics, advanced math, and English.

The most common types of jobs in computer programming are found in computer software companies. Most people assume that the vast majority of jobs is program creation. In fact, more programmers are employed in the maintenance, modifications and corrections of existing software programs.

Computer programming jobs vary widely, but typically, the tasks remain focused on using specific skills to create new functions to meet users’ needs. They typically require standard business hours, with weekends and overtime required for important projects.

Exercises to the subject:

I. Give Ukrainian equivalents to the English words and word-combinations from the text: to consider; to guess; one of the fastest growing professions; fields of study; an information technology professional; computer tools, applications, reports, and functions; to accomplish certain tasks; data; existence; in order to; post-secondary education; calculus; advanced math; the vast majority of jobs; maintenance, modifications and corrections; existing software programs; to remain; specific skills; business hours; overtime.

II. Give English equivalents to the Ukrainian words and word-combinations from the text: знаходити роботу; особливі потреби; заняття, рід або вид діяльності, занять чи професія; у наш час, у наші дні; створення; програмне забезпечення; інформатика; заліки; отримувати освіту; створення програм; створювати.

III. Fill in the necessary words in the sentences using the active vocabulary.

1. … develop the instructions and languages computers use to operate. They also resolve computer problems and logical tests within the system.

2. … is all about developing, adapting, and maintaining all the programs that many of us rely upon for both work and play.

3. … is, in its most general sense, the study of computation and information processing, both in hardware and in software.

4. … an artificial language used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer.

5. … is the collection of computer programmes that can be used with a particular computer.

IV. Say it in one word:

1. having or likely to have a major effect; important;

2. a regular activity performed in exchange for payment, especially as one’s trade, occupation, or profession;

3. having the abilities, qualities, attributes, etc., necessary to perform a particular job or task;

4. a profession or occupation chosen as one’s life’s work;

5. a person who specializes in or devotes himself to a particular area of activity, field of research, etc.

V. Explain the meaning of the following word-combinations: a computer programmer; computer programming; computer programming languages; computer software companies.

VI. Answer the questions.

1. What is one of the most significant decisions you make in life?

2. When does a person find satisfaction in working?

3. What do you want to become?

4. Who encouraged you in your choice?

5. What specialists are in great need nowadays? Why?

6. What are the job titles associated with data processing?

7. What should you do to become a good specialist?

8. What are your life’s ambitions?

VII. Prove that:

1. one of the most significant decisions you make in life is choosing a profession;

2. the person who has a career that fits his or her special needs and abilities finds satisfaction in working;

3. computer programming is one of the fastest-growing professions and one of the most popular fields of study in colleges and universities;

4. a computer programmer is responsible for creating new computer tools, applications, reports, and functions;

5. to become a computer programmer, you will need post-secondary education in computer programming, software, or computer science;

6. the most common types of jobs in computer programming are found in computer software companies;

7. computer programming jobs vary widely.

VIII. Complete and represent the following dialogue:

A: Hello,…! I haven’t seen you for ages.

B: It’s been a long time. I thought I’d have some more free time this year at college.

A: If I’m not mistaken you are a sophomore of a computer programming department, aren’t you? So after graduating from the college you can either work or continue education and then work as…

B: Right you are. A computer programmer is an information technology professional who is responsible for creating new computer tools, applications, reports, and functions.

A: What do you need in order to become a computer programmer?

B: I think…

A: The most common types of jobs in computer programming are found in computer software companies, aren’t they?

B: Yes, you are right! Besides, more programmers are employed in…

A: Do computer programming jobs vary?

B: Of course they do! But… Also they typically require…

A: I really wish you success in your studies and future work.

B: Thank you.

Part 2 Careers in computing

Exercises to the subject: