Occupation Index (Careers Choices)

1.     1.      Surgeons and physicians (cardiovascular surgeon)

My first careers choice is to become a surgeon. This particular job belongs in the healthcare field. Surgeons are highly professional and each surgeon is specialized to a specific form of operation. Surgeons specialize in the treatment of injury, disease, and deformity through operations. Using a variety of instruments, and with patients under anaesthesia, a surgeon corrects physical deformities, repairs bone and tissue after injuries, or performs preventive surgeries on patients with debilitating diseases or disorders. Although a large number perform general surgery, many surgeons choose to specialize in a specific area. One of the most prevalent specialties is orthopaedic surgery: the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Others include neurological surgery (treatment of the brain and nervous system), cardiovascular surgery, otolaryngology (treatment of the ear, nose, and throat), and plastic or reconstructive surgery. Like other physicians, surgeons also examine patients, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, and counsel patients on preventive healthcare.

If I choose and become successful in becoming a surgeon, I would pursue to be specialized in cardiovascular surgery. This is because I am very interested to see how the human arteries and veins work, and I am willing to aid people who have damages in their circulatory system. When I imagine myself in this job, I see that I am working under a lot of pressure and tension, with a huge team of professionals, trying to save lives of people. Of course, it is a very tough job to begin with. But, then again, I working in a field that I am interested in. Also, all of the high pressure and tension are only good when it comes to working in an extra-ordinary field with a very high pay – especially when the job is responsible for making enormous change in people’s lives.

Surgeons and physicians are among the highest paid professions. As of 2008, physicians practicing primary care had a median yearly salary of $186,044. On the other hand, physicians practicing in medical specialties had a median yearly salary of $339,738.

3 reasons I want to be in this job:

- Extremely high salary; cardiovascular surgery falls under the category of medical specialties, meaning surgeons can make more than $300,000/year.

- My uncle was a cardiovascular surgeon and he was among the top 20 specialists in Bangladesh. I am inspired by his achievements and I would really like to do as well as him.

- I am very interested to work with the human circulatory system, with a group of professionals, and be able to make a positive change to lives of those under risk.

2.      Engineers (mechanical engineer)

My second careers choice to become a mechanical engineer.  Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Engineers in this discipline work on power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also work on power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material-handling systems, elevators and escalators, industrial production equipment, and robots used in manufacturing. Some mechanical engineers design tools that other engineers need for their work. In addition, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing or agriculture production, maintenance, or technical sales; many become administrators or managers.

When it comes to being a mechanical engineer, I see myself in a comfort zone. We build specific tools, work in a big team, tasks and responsibilities are individualized and a large part of the job is entirely about innovation. This job is calmer, with less pressure, and a decent pay. However, since many people work in this profession, there will be a lot of competition for higher positions, and therefore, I will have to work harder and cooperate really well to be able to achieve top positions.

The salaries for mechanical engineers vary depending on the positions. The positions are divided into top and bottom level percentages. The lowest 10% make an average annual salary of $47,900. The lowest 25% make $59,230. The highest 25% make an average annual salary of $94,400. The top 10% make an average of $114,740. All rounded up together, a median annual salary of a mechanical engineer is $74,920.

3 reasons I want to be in this job:

- A lot of people are mechanical engineers, so there is a good chance that I will become one. Also, this job is all about teamwork, cooperation and innovation, in which I can play my role effectively.

- The median annual salary is $92,400, which is a decent salary. It is enough to make me happy and also provide for my family. I also expect to earn more than that because I am a hard worker and I would stand out as an appropriate candidate for upper positions.

- My father was a mechanical engineer in this company named Orion. He made $150,000 because he was the Vice-President of the company. He worked alongside companies like Toyota, Nissan and Volkswagen. He also went to many countries in Asia and Europe to perform research. Thus, this job seems very exciting to me, and I am definitely interested.

3.      Lawyers (or attorneys)

Last but not least, I am interested in being a lawyer. Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in our society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their clients.

When it comes to being a lawyer, it is all about mental practice. I see myself in a job with high mental pressure, which calls for no physical involvement. This is because in this job, lawyers perform research on laws, appear in court and work with clients to solve their matters. So, overall, this job seems relaxing to me – the only pressure is mental pressure. This makes the job very relaxing; and it also has to do with reputation and prestige, where I am quite consistent. On the other hand, this job is of high annual salaries. Also, depending on the number of client I have, my salary will increase. Thus, I definitely look forward to this job.

Lawyers’ salaries vary based on what specific field of services they work in. Lawyers can work in management of companies/enterprises (with a median annual salary of $145,770), federal executive branches (with a salary of $126,080), legal services (with a salary of $116,550), local governments (with a salary of $82,590) and state/provincial governments (with a salary of$78,540).

3 reasons I want to be in this job:

- I can serve justice, aid people falsely convicted

- I can make decent or very high salaries; depending on what type of lawyer I would be

- I can work in law firm, with partners and coworkers, which I look forward to

My Blueprint (High School Course Planners)

1. 1. The above path was designed so that I can go to university and study history, philosophy and politics. Throughout Grade 11, I will take courses that include Physical Geography, Western and African Histories and Anthropology. In Grade 12, I will take courses that include International Law, Philosophy, Canadian and World Issues/Politics. These courses will give access to courses in university that allow students to study world issues, history and politics. These courses can then help me find jobs as a lawyer, a historian, a politician or a philosopher. While taking these courses as my main focus, I will also take Mathematics and Business courses in Grade 11 and 12 so that as an alternative, I can study entrepreneurship/business in university and move on to opening a business or making investments to make a living. Thus, this is my path if I choose to study in humanities or law school in the future.

2. The above path shows the path I will take in Grade 11 and 12 in order to go to university focusing on Mathematics and Sciences. In Grade 11 and 12, the courses that I will take include Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. These courses will help me qualify in university to study in engineering programs. Such courses will give me options to qualify for jobs like mechanical engineering or being a pharmacist. Also, I have taken Grade 11 (in Grade 10) and Grade 12 Biology (in Grade 12). Combined with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, these biology courses will allow me to study Life Sciences and later study in Medical School, allowing me to gain the ability to become a doctor. Despite choosing these courses, my path includes taking all academic French courses up to Grade 12. This gives me an advantage because using this - I can open more doors to the jobs already available to me. For example, using my linguistic skills in French, I can qualify to work at places like Quebec. Thus, this is my path for studying in courses based on mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics later in university.

1. The above path shows the path I will take in Grade 11 and 12 in order to go to university focusing on Mathematics and Sciences. In Grade 11 and 12, the courses that I will take include Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. These courses will help me qualify in university to study in engineering programs. Such courses will give me options to qualify for jobs like mechanical engineering or being a pharmacist. Also, I have taken Grade 11 (in Grade 10) and Grade 12 Biology (in Grade 12). Combined with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, these biology courses will allow me to study Life Sciences and later study in Medical School, allowing me to gain the ability to become a doctor. Despite choosing these courses, my path includes taking all academic French courses up to Grade 12. This gives me an advantage because using this - I can open more doors to the jobs already available to me. For example, using my linguistic skills in French, I can qualify to work at places like Quebec. Thus, this is my path for studying in courses based on mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics later in university.

2. The above path was designed so that I can go to university and study history, philosophy and politics. Throughout Grade 11, I will take courses that include Physical Geography, Western and African Histories and Anthropology. In Grade 12, I will take courses that include International Law, Philosophy, Canadian and World Issues/Politics. These courses will give access to courses in university that allow students to study world issues, history and politics. These courses can then help me find jobs as a lawyer, a historian, a politician or a philosopher. While taking these courses as my main focus, I will also take Mathematics and Business courses in Grade 11 and 12 so that as an alternative, I can study entrepreneurship/business in university and move on to opening a business or making investments to make a living. Thus, this is my path if I choose to study in humanities or law school in the future.

Jones in The Fast Lane Assignment

1. In Jones in the Fast Lane, players can choose to play alone, with friends or with Jones (AI). At the beginning, the player must choose a character and set goals/objectives up to specific levels. These objectives include wealth, happiness, education and prestige. The bar for each goal ranges from 0 to 100, meaning that the highest level can be set to 400. The player who wins the game is the one who is the first to reach all of their objectives. Of course, if goals are set to maximum, more needs to be done to gain victory. However, if your total score is 360 and so was your objective, this does not mean that you have won. Every single objective has to be individually reached or surpassed to be victorious.

2. When playing the same, the 4 objectives look very weird. However, the key is to be able to see how these objectives can relate to one another, and to devise a plot, plan or method to complete each of these objectives in a way that it will amplify a chain reaction that improves the standards of every other objective. The way I put it together: money = education = better jobs = more money = more prestige and stronger reputation = happiness. Thus, in my strategy, one must first find any job. Part of the money gained will be spent on weekly food and clothes. However, the remaining majority will be spent on education. Using education and the degrees it provides, players can apply for better jobs. This money can be used as a catalyst – speeding up the process of educational success. Eventually, when the peak of educational success (objective completed) is reached, players must get into the highest paid job (wealth expectations reached/surpassed). With all the more money, the player can buy a better place, buy TVs and other appliances and become happy (another objective completed). Also, full time can be put into work, increasing prestige (another objective completed). Thus, altogether, the player has reached the goals set for all 4 objectives, making him/her the winner.

3. Tips: buying a refrigerator and weekly food from Black’s market, applying for loan, gold investment. Firstly, the fast food place costs too much. Thus, as soon as possible, players should invest money to purchase a refrigerator. This can be used to store the cheaper weekly food from Black’s (otherwise, it will rot), helping save a lot of money. Also, as the player is climbing up the economic ladder, he/she should apply for more loans; the higher the salary, the greater the loans. The loan money can then be used to invest in gold. When prices rise, gold can be sold for a much higher price, giving the player a lot of profits – which can be used to pay off any outstanding debts. Therefore, altogether, the player makes a hands full of more money, pulling themselves closer to victory.

Myers-Briggs Personality Test

Question 1

No, my personality has not changed over the year. So, I do agree to what the personality test suggests – which is that my personality is INTJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging). I agree that I am introverted. This is because, last year and even now, I am not very social. I am a very quiet person and I do not like attention. This is because I believe that it is more important to observe than socialize. I only socialize to a limited extent and mostly to people very close to me. Also, I agree that I am intuitive. In the past and currently, I have proven to be a person who can sense and believes in things without having reason. I am a very thoughtful person as well. For the past 2 years, I have spent a lot of time thinking about things, like my future, and planning ahead. I am even very judgemental. Although I do not insult or put down people, I tend to judge and observe their actions intellectually in order to see what type of influence these people may have on me.

Question 2

After high school, I plan on going to University of Toronto (UofT) to study in life sciences. I want to become a physician, and later a specialist in neurology or microbiology.

Question 3

I need to make at least $200,000 to live a comfortable life. This is because, in my perception of a comfortable life, people should be able to live in the highest standards, be able to relax and entertain themselves and be able to travel around the world. If I wanted to live a comfortable life, I would want to have enough money in order to be able to live in a large house with a family, to be able to buy decent nutrition, to buy sports and entertainment equipment, to buy an expensive vehicle and to travel to places like Europe and Asia.

Question 4

If I put 100% of my ability into everything, I would choose to open a business. Since, I would be a hardworking person I would always put a lot of work and time into plans and investments, making my business extremely likely to succeed. This would allow me to make at least more than twice as much as a physician, which is the career I am career focusing on.

Question 5

Yes, I would model my career after my mother. She is currently applying to become a licensed doctor in Canada and already has worked as one in the UK. She discusses a lot of things about healthcare and biology with me, and I find it very interesting. Also, to encourage me to become a doctor, she explained to me that it is a valuable profession and that people in the profession are able to live very comfortably. Thus, I want to become a doctor.

Question 6

This can be explained with three reasons. Often, people do not take their education seriously. They tend to pass in everything or even dropout (of high school and post-secondary education), rather than succeeding. This makes it very difficult for these people to get decent jobs in the future. Also, many people are immigrants. Thus, their foreign degrees may not be recognized and since the age of 40 is too late to restart studying to gain a Canadian degree, people stick to working with minimum wage to feed their families. Another reason this can occur is when there is a lot of pressure on a certain profession. For example, today, a lot of people study engineering and since the workplace is being filled with new workers, it is hard to find jobs in that category. Therefore, people prefer to stick to minimum-wage jobs.

Question 7

Most adults are not happy with the jobs they have because they did not use their time wisely to assess and figure out what profession they truly wanted and in the end, they ended up in places they do not prefer to work at. Most adults are also unhappy because they did not spend enough time or effort to pursue the jobs they would like the most, and since their marks are not high enough, they end up with jobs of low pay or high pressure.