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UNIT 2

Talking about Jobs


Objective:
After completing this lesson you will be able to :
- identify what roles different jobs and careers have and what is required to
perform those jobs and careers.
- give a brief description of jobs
- ask about persons jobs
Chemist Profile
Take a look at what a chemist is, what a chemist does, and what type of career
opportunities you can expect as a chemist.
Task 1
Complete the text with the correct verb from the list in the brackets.
( design; search; studies; interact; develop)
What Is a Chemist?
A chemist is a scientist who (1) the composition and properties of
chemicals and the way chemicals (2) with each other. Chemists (3)
for new information about matter and ways this information can be
applied. Chemists also (4) and (5) instruments to study
matter.
Task 2
When you read a text, you will often see a new word that you dont recognize. If
you can identify what type of word it is ( noun, verb, adjective, adverb,etc.) it can
help you guess the meaning.
Find the bold words (1- 10) in the text below. Can you guess the meaning from the
context? Are they nouns, verbs, adjectives or adverbs? write n, v, adj, or adv in the
blanks next to each word.
What Do Chemists Do?
There are a lot of different employment (1) opportunities open to chemists.
Some chemists work in a lab, in a research environment, asking questions and testing
hypotheses (2) with experiments. Other chemists may work on a computer
developing (3) theories or models or predicting reactions. Some chemists
do field work. Others contribute (4) advice on chemistry for projects.

English for Chemical Engineering

Some chemists write. Some chemists teach. The career options are extensive (5)
.
Chemist Working Conditions
Most chemists work regular hours in well-equipped (6) labs, offices, or
classrooms. Some chemists engage(7) in field work, which takes them
outdoors. Although some of the chemicals and processes (8) chemists deal
with may be inherently (9) hazardous, the actual risk to a chemist is very
low, both because of safety precautions (10) and training.
Types of Chemists
Chemists usually pick areas of specialization.
Organic Chemists - work with carbon and carbon-compounds, many of which
come from plants or animals. Organic chemists develop drug, petrochemicals,
fertilizers, and plastics.
Inorganic Chemists - deal primarily with non-carbon chemistry involving
metals, minerals, and electronics.
Analytical Chemists - examine substances. Analytical chemists identify
materials, measure quantities, and evaluate properties of elements and
compounds.
Physical Chemists - work primarily in the field of energy research. Physical
chemists look at chemical and physical changes and examine the relationships
between matter and energy.
There are many other types of chemists, such as biochemists, materials chemists,
geochemists, and medical chemists.
Chemist Educational Requirements
You need a college education to become a chemist. High school students interested in a
career in chemistry should take science and math courses. Trigonometry and computer
experience is helpful. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to get a job in
chemistry, but realistically, you need a master's degree to obtain a good position in
research or teaching. A doctorate is required to teach college at most four-year colleges
and universities and is desirable for research.
Task 3
Complete the verbs in brackets using the passive voice.
Advancement as a Chemist
To some extent, chemists (promote) based on experience, training, and
responsibility. However, the best opportunities for advancement (associate)
with advanced degrees. A chemist with a master's degree qualifies for research positions
and teaching positions at two-year colleges. A chemist with a doctorate can conduct
research, teach at the college and graduate level, and is more likely to (select)
for supervisory or management positions.
How to Get a Job as a Chemist

English for Chemical Engineering

Students studying chemistry often accept co-op positions with companies so they can
work in chemistry while getting their education. These students often stay on with the
company following graduation. Summer internships are another excellent way to learn
whether or not a chemist and a company are a good fit for each other. Many companies
recruit from campuses. Graduates can learn about jobs from college career placement
offices. Chemistry jobs may be advertised in journals, newspapers, and online, though
one of the best ways to network and find a position is through a chemical society or
other professional organization.
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemical engineering to identify and solve
technical problems. Chemical engineers work mainly within the chemical and
petrochemical industries.
What Is a Chemical Engineer?
Chemical engineers use math, physics, and economics to solve practical problems. The
difference between chemical engineers and other types of engineers is that they apply a
knowledge of chemistry in addition to other engineering disciplines. Chemical
engineers may be called 'universal engineers' because their scientific and technical
mastery is so extensive.
What Do Chemical Engineers Do?
Some chemical engineers make designs and invent new processes. Some construct
instruments and facilities. Some plan and operate facilities. Chemical engineers have
helped develop atomic science, polymers, paper, dyes, drugs, plastics, fertilizers, foods,
textiles, and chemicals. They devise ways to make products from raw materials and
ways to convert one material into another useful form. Chemical engineers can make
processes more cost effective or more environmentally friendly or more efficient. A
chemical engineer can find a niche in any scientific or engineering field.
Educational Requirements for Chemical Engineers
An entry-level chemical engineering job typically requires a college bachelor's degree in
engineering. Sometimes a bachelor's degree in chemistry or math or another type of
engineering will suffice. A master's degree is helpful.
Career Advancement in Chemical Engineering
Entry level chemical engineers advance as they assume more independence and
responsibility. As they gain experience, solve problems, and develop designs they may
move into supervisory positions or may become technical specialists. Some engineers
start their own companies. Some move into sales. Others become team leaders and
managers.

English for Chemical Engineering

Language Expressions
There are a couple of standard expressions that can be used when asking about a
persons occupation. Look at the example below :
What do you do?
Whats your job?
Whats your occupation?
What do you do for a living?
What type of work do you do?
Where do you work?
I'm a salesman.
(job-general)
I'm in sales.
(general)
I'm in the chemical business.
(industry)
I'm a chemist at PT. Sanbe Farma (specific)
I'm a consultant for Chemagility.
What company do you work for?
(company
name)
I work at Chemigility Ltd. (general)
I'm with CHEMCO
(industry)
I work for Chemagility Ltd.

What do you do there?


What do you do at Chemagility Ltd.?
I'm a chemical engineer.
I work in the principal development.
I'm in marketing outsourcing professional.
I work as a webmaster.
I create and implement marketing
communications programs.
I sell surfactants, alkanolamides,
acid catalysts, and hydrotropes.
.

English for Chemical Engineering

(job title)
(place in
company)
(general area)
(specific job)

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Once a person knows what your job title is, they may want to know a little bit about
your specific job duties.
Sometimes it is hard to tell exactly what a person does just from the job title. Look at
the expressions below that can be used to inquire about job duties.
What are your job duties?
What exactly do you do in your job?
What does your job entail?
what does your job involve?
Here are the responses to answer if someone asks about job duties.
to talk about main responsibilities
Im in charge of (= responsible for) a research environment.
I have to deal with any complaints from the clients
I run the small drug store in my hometown.
Im responsible for developing theories or models or predicting reactions in a lab.
to talk about daily duties/routines
I have to ask questions and test hypotheses with experiments.
I work in a lab.
I make designs and invent new processes.
I devise ways to make products from raw materials and ways to convert one material
into another useful form..
Language work: the simple present tense
The simple present tense is used to discuss customs and habitual actions (activities),
things which are general true (general truth) and factual statements, permanent
situations, the frequency of events, and to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a
series of actions.

English for Chemical Engineering

11

To have
I have

Short form

Other Verbs (to work)

I've

I work

he has

he's

He works

she has

she's

She works

it has

it's

It works

you have

you've

you work

we have

we've

we work

they have

they've

they work

Statements
Statements
+
I work.
I don't work.

Do I work?

Short answer Short answer


+
Yes, I do.
No, I don't.

He works.

Does he work?

Yes, he does.

He doesn't work.

Questions

No, he doesn't.

She works. She doesn't work. Does she work? Yes, she does. No, she doesn't.
It works.

It doesn't work.

Does it work?

Yes, it does.

No, it doesn't.

You work.

You don't work.

Do you work?

Yes you do.

No, you don't.

We work.

We don't work.

Do we work?

Yes we do.

No, we don't.

Do they work?

Yes they do.

No, they don't.

They work. They don't work.

Customs and habitual actions (activities)


Some chemical engineers construct instruments and facilities. Some plan and
operate facilities.
Things which are general true (general truth) and factual statements
metals expand when heated.
The coffee bean grows well in warm, damp climates.
Regular or permanent situations
When something happens regularly or is a permanent situation we usually use the
simple present tense. When using the simple present the verb (with the exception of the
auxiliary verbs) remains in the dictionary form (verb + s with he/she/it).

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Simple Present Timeline

For example:
Q) "Where do you work?" A) "I work in the IT department of a large multinational
company."
Q) "Where does he work?" A) "He works in National Computer Research."
Q) "What do you do?" A) "I'm a ."
Q) "What does he do?" A) "He's a senior programmer."

Frequency
The simple present tense is also used to show how often something happens with
adverbs of frequency - always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely,
never, etc.... And when discussing daily, weekly, monthly etc. routines.
For example:
"I always get up at 6.00."
"I never drink coffee before 12.00."
"I work in a lab every day."
"Every Monday and Thursday I go to the Internet caf to access the Internet."

English for Chemical Engineering

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We also use the simple present to ask for and give instructions or to discuss a series
of actions.
For example:
Q) How to Get Dial-Up How to Get Dial-Up Internet Access?
A) Well, first buy a computer that has a modem or add a modem to your existing
computer. Most Internet service providers require at least an Intel 386 processor (or a
Macintosh of any vintage) and a 14.4-Kbps modem. Most new computers will easily
satisfy these requirements. Then, make sure your modem is properly installed, and
connect it to the near-est phone jack using a phone cord.

Task 4
Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple
Example:
She (not eat) _____ meat. She is a vegetarian. (key = does not eat)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

We (produce) household cleaning products detergent and so on.


Most of our power (come) ................... from hydro-electric plants.
We (not, use) any fossils fuel.
Plastics (not, be) bio-degradable.
Plastics (not, break) ................... down easily in the environment so they
shouldnt be thrown away..
What (happen) .................. if you (exceed) the limits?
( produce) incineration carbon monoxide?
They (be) all phosphate-free, which (minimize)
damage to the environment. .
Our paper (be) totally chlorine-free.
The engine (run) ................... on lead-free petrol.
We (use) ................... recycled fibre in our boxes.
Factories (not, emit) air pollutant directly into the air.
How (dispose). you of the waste in your factory?
Manufacturers (follow) strict environmental guidelines.
When fossil fuels are burnt, they (give) ................... off CO2.

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Task 5
Here's a look at some of the career options related to chemistry. Discuss with your
partner what their duties are. You can search the internet.

Chemistry
Ethno botany
Environmental Law
Patent Law
Technical Writing
Pharmaceuticals
Oceanography
Software Design
Space Exploration
Government Policy
Forensic Science
Biotechnology
Metallurgy
Ceramics Industry
Plastics Industry
Paper Industry
Medicine
Teaching
Engineering
Geochemistry
Agro chemistry
Military Systems

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