Looking for a life-time job

Media

Part of The Philippine Educator

Title: Looking for a life-time job
Language: English
Year: 1947
Rights
Fulltext: LOOKING FOR A LIFE-TIME JOB by VITALIANO BERNARDINO Government Pensionado i Carlyle was right when he said that a person who does not find happiness in his work will never find it in his life. The truth of thi~ statement can easily be borne out by the restless and strained feelings of those who have not been fortunate to stay long in a job. There are scientific studies that tend to confirm this belief. People who are dissatisfied with their work will likely have a dark view of life itself. The reason for this phenomenon is not far to seek. The greater portion of tlie waking hours of an employed person is spent in his job. To one who is seriously devoted to his work, the latter affords abundant opportunities for th~ expression of his fundamental motives and interests. The deprivation of such opportunities due to loss of a job naturally disheartens the individual and unbelances his emotional organization. The proper choice of one's life job should thus be a very serious business. . But the necessity for proper vocational placement is also important to the service or organization which hires an employee or worker as well as. to society in general. A person cannot render optimum efficiP.ncy in an employment unless he enjoys it. His loyalty and interest in his work will greatly be conditioned by how much it contributes to his happiness and welfare. An abnormal turnover of employees and workers, which is obviously detrimental to the in· terests of a going concern, is indicative of the degree of dissatisfaction and unhappiness that prevails among the workmen. Society also ultimately suffers in cases of strikes, walkouts, and other interruptions in the normal process of a business or industry that supplies th~ public with products / and services that ,. are vital to life. Experience has shown that an aver. age young man or young woman cannot make an intelligent choice of his or her future life work without appropriate counsel and guidance. Studies of the vocational placement of secondary school graduates in the Philippines show conclusively that a very small percentage of the students were found later to be engaged in the vocations for which they underwent specialized train· ing in school. Hence the imperative need for vocational counselling and guidance. Vocational guidance services are now made ; available to students in most progres- , sive secondary schools. A person with the nece~ary specialized technical training in the work il' often hired specia)ly for this purpose. In the absence of a trained counsellor, a teacher who possesse~ the necessary interest, aptitude, and sympathy is assigned for this duty. The correct answers to the following questions, among others, should help on in making an intelligent choice oi one's life work: 1. What is the education and training required by the job? One should not contemplate landing a job in the future for which he does not have or cannot have the necessary adequate education and training. Some jobs will require only ·a high school education. Others will require this and a short period of specialized training besides. Still others will require a full college preparation. The length of time and the financial ex· pense involved in acquiring such cduca· tion and training must not be lost sight of. F)R MODERN' OPTICAL NEEDS-SEE KEEPSAKE OPTICAL-SO Escolta 19 I I I 20 PHILIPPINE EDUCATOR 2. What is the level of intelligence required? R!ecent psychological surve~·s in the United States have established the fact that a certain range of intelligence is essential to the probable success or efficiency in a particular occupation /pr profession. It has been found, for 1nstance, that the typical intelligence quotient levels in the United States range from 109 to 141 for engineers, from 115 to 142 for clergymen, from 106 to 129 for accountants, from 103 to 126 for public school teach~rs, from 94 to 117 for bookeepers, from 93 to 114 for clerks, from 81 to 100 for policemen and detectives, and from 66 to 81 for day laborers. An individual selecting a lifejob might d'o well to undergo a valid intelligence examination to find out if his I. Q. falls within the range of that typical for the line of work he desires to pursue. The I. Q. has still a high prognostic or predictive value, all claims to the contrary notwithstanding. 3. Is the particular work in line with your special interests and aptitudes? Persons have certain special aptitudes and lines of interests. One may haYe a natural talent and interest in art or music. Another may have an inborn love of nature and will have undue interest in plant and animal life. To some the study of mathem~tics may just be like "chewing peanuts". Others will haYe a strongly developed urge for manipulative acttvtties. A person cannot choose a vocation outside his genuine interests or for which he has .no special gifts or talents and expects to be happy and efficient in ; t. 4. Will you be able to meet the physical requirements of the work? Certain occupations make unusual demands upon the physical condition of the individuals who engage in it. Forestry and mimng engineering which take one on distant locations necessitating long gruelling hikes and sleeping in open air in cold nights are only suited to those ,with strong resistant body constitution. A ~reat degree of lung power to undergo sudden and extreme changes in air pressure should be possessed by one who intends to become an aviator or a deep-sea diver. An individual who cannot withstand the sight of flowing blood and dismangled torses had better not think of someday becoming :a surgeon or a nurse. 5. Do you possess the appropriate temperament or personality-type for the particular calling ..desired? Certain vocations or professions require for their pursuers a certain type of personality and emotional predisposition. A shy, retiring, highly-introverted person cannot make a successful salesman or insurance agent. On the other hand, this type of personality will be an asset for a research worker or one whose work will require him to shut himself alone in a secluded nook in a laboratory with all his mental energies pitched and -concentrated on a difficult or puzzling problem in science. A lawyer, a teacher, or a personnel officer must be an individual of good and strong poise, one who can control his temper and composure while all others around display violent con flicting emotions and feelings. Fortunately there are tests that are available to enab!e anyone to determine easily his particular emotional type. One planning to enter· a job or profession cannot indeed afford to ignore the emotional factor amo11g his repertoire of desired qualifications. 6. What returns do you look forward to from the job? This will vary with the individual job-seeker. To many, perhaps the m11jority, the financial returns will o~cupy the top priority among the basic considerations. And for good reason. Particularly during those days of black market and uncontrolled prices. Another with a sort of missionary spirit will place a heavior weight on the spiritual values that can be derived from (Continued on page 50)