14 Careers in technology

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1 Choose two jobs from the list of jobs in technology that you would like to do. Then choose two which you would not like to do.

Aerospace Engineer Agricultural Engineer Biomedical Engineer Chemical Engineer Civil Engineer Electrical Engineer Electronic Engineer Environmental Engineer IT Engineer Marine Engineer Materials Engineer Mechanical Engineer Nuclear Engineer Petroleum Engineer Public Health Engineer Sound Technician Special Effects Technician Telecommunications Technician Transport Engineer

2 Work in small groups, and explain your choices.

Careers in technology 99

In;

• discussing and reading about jobs in technology

• how to describe job requirements

• interview skills

• writing a CV

Reading

Job descriptions

Work in groups of three. Choose one job description (A-C) each. Make notes about the job. Then describe the job to others in your group using only your notes.

Your notes should cover:

1. the job title and some of the areas covered

2. what you think are the most important requirements

3. the location of the work

4. good and bad points about the job.

CIVIL ENGINEER

Telecommunications Technician

Your work could involve:

• Making, testing, and checking components

• Assembling equipment

• Installing, setting up, testing, and repairing equipment

• Laying and connecting cables

• Installing radio equipment and mounting antennas on buildings or on masts

You could work indoors in a factory or outside working in all weather conditions.Your work could involve lifting and working at heights.

Requirements

Essential:

• degree or diploma in IT

• physical fitness

Desirable:

• good communication skills

• good teamworker

Sound Engineer

You could work in any of these fields at any point from the design to the completion of the structure:

Construction	buildings, sports stadiums, shopping
	centres
Transport	railways, roads, bridges
Power	hydro-electric schemes, dams, pipelines
Hydraulics	the movement of water from one area to
	another
Maritime	the construction and development of docks
	and harbours
Public health	waste disposal and sewage treatment
	plants

You might work both in offices and on site. Site work can be in difficult areas far from any town or city.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential: - degree or diploma in civil engineering

• ability to think creatively Desirable: - look at things in a practical way

• enjoy problem-solving

• good teamworker

You could work in recording studios making high quality sound recordings, mainly for the entertainment industry. Sound engineers operate complex electronic equipment to reproduce music, dialogue, sound effects, and other audio content.

Your work could cover all types of sound for:

COMMERCIAL MUSIC RECORDINGS

THEATRE, RADIO, FILM, AND TV

WEBSITES

VIDEO AND COMPUTER GAMES

MULTIMEDIA

Requirements

Essential: degree or diploma in an appropriate

discipline

excellent hearing

a real interest in music and technology Desirable: ability to work long hours

a co-operative and friendly attitude

good organizational skills

Competition for sound engineering jobs is fierce. You have to be willing to work long hours for little pay at first.

100 Unit 14

Typical annual salary range in 2005 for Offshore Petroleum Engineers (with experience) in the UK

£50,000-£70,000

€74,000-€104,000

$93,000-$131,000

• Language spot

Job requirements

* We can describe essential requirements like this: You must have a degree or diploma in IT.

You must be physically fit.

Note the meaning of the negative form: You mustn't be colour-blind. (It's a requirement not to be colour-blind.)

* We can describe desirable requirements like this: You should have good organizational skills.

You should be able to cope with long hours.

» Go to Giammar reference p.122

1 Write sentences to describe the requirements for

jobs 1-3.

(// = essential, / = desirable, / = requirement not to be)

1	Satellite Technician
//	diploma in engineering
//	good team player
/	good communication skills
/	physically fit
x	afraid of heights
x	colour-blind
2	Engineering Construction Technician
//	certificate or diploma in engineering
//	good mathematical and computing skills
/	willing to travel
/	able to explain complex requirements in clearterms

3 Offshore Petroleum Engineer

// diploma or degree in petroleum engineering/ willing to travel

// willing to spend long periods in difficultenvironments

/good communicator

/able to supervise others

2List the essential and desirable requirements forthis job.

WESTGATE THEATRE

STAGE TECHNICIAN

Westgate theatre is seeking to appoint a Trainee Stage Technician to join a backstage team based in London.

Candidates should preferably have a certificate or diploma in an area such as:

• Electrical engineering

• Electronics

• Audio-visual communication

Other technical areas will be considered.

Practical skills in carpentry and construction would be an advantage. Candidates must be prepared to work irregular hours and to travel. Theatre experience an advantage but not essential.

Information and application packs can be downloaded from www.westgate-theatre.co.uk or send a CV and covering letter to:

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER 20-

Kasia Johns Westgate theatre 1 Maxwell Court London WC2A 5DD

3 Find out what the job requirements are for a career you are interested in.

This site may help:

» www.connexions.gov.uk/iobs4u