Becoming a professional

Fuente: SENA

Having an appropriate personal statement (PS) is essential when applying to a

university or a scholarship. It is the first impression you make in an application
process, and it often determines who gets selected and who does not. In this unit
we are going to learn how to design a successful PS. Also we are going to study
some vocabulary related to professional skills and personality.

Introductory material

Dear learner,

This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 4.

You will learn about:

1. Creating a personal statement.

2. Vocabulary: professional skills, adjectives related to character and
personal qualities.
3. Vocabulary about higher education.

Lets begin!

1. Creating a personal statement

A personal statement is a text that many institutions require in their application

requisites for college admission, scholarships, or jobs. The objective of a PS is to
offer a short introduction of yourself and to explain your professional or academic
qualifications. Personal statements also describe your future goals and why you
are applying for the program or position. Your aim in a PS is to sell your profile to
evaluators of your application, so in a sense, it is a type of marketing.

When writing a PS you should try to answer the following questions:

Who am I?
What program or position am I applying for?
Why am I a good fit for this program or position?
What are my future goals?

These are the main elements a personal statement should have, but there are also
other considerations. Consider the fact that, as its name suggests, it is something
personal, something each individual should create based on his/her interests,
abilities and goals. Being honest and original is key.

Additionally, a PS depends on the type of program or position you are applying for.
It is different to write a PS for admission to college than to write one for a
professional opportunity. You must consider your audience and what they are
interested in knowing about you. The information you include should be directed
specifically at what is relevant for the position.

When you write your PS you need to talk about your professional skills, character
and personal qualities. Here is a list of useful vocabulary about these themes.

2. Vocabulary: professional skills, adjectives related to character and

personal qualities

I am adaptable. I can
easily deal with new
situations.
I am resourceful. I try to
find necessary
information, tools, and
resources to complete
tasks and solve
problems.

I am innovative. I am
good at coming up with
new ideas.

I am a team player. I am
good at collaborating with
others to achieve a
common goal.
 I am hardworking. I
have a lot of energy and
can work all day.

I am independent. I can
work on my own without
supervision.

I am patient. I am always
calm and take my time.
 I am organized. I find the
correct place for
everything and am good
at keeping information in
order.

I am analytical. I have
the ability to analyze
everything in detail.

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

Some other words to describe personality and professional skills:

Punctual: Always on time. Very strict about time and appointments.

Confident: Feeling and showing security about ones actions.
Positive: Feeling optimistic about life and the future.
Assertive: A person who is confident in his skills and actions but not aggressive.
Demanding: Tough. Always requiring high standards.
Polite: Kind, behaving with good manners in different situations.
Passionate: Having intense feelings about doing something.
Sociable: Able to talk to anybody and make friends easily.
Considerate: Always thinking about others.
Perseverant: Determined to obtain something. Does not give up easily.
Careful: Acting in a cautious way to avoid any trouble.

Here are some parts of a PS. Notice how the previous vocabulary is used.

I realized that I was a passionate student when I started my undergraduate

career. I was always hungry to learn more about the topics we explored in class
so I would often go beyond my regular classes and do extra reading and
research in the library. Through this autonomous research, I discovered a
particular interest in Educational psychology. Thus, I joined a research group at
the national institute of pedagogy. I am a team player and always enjoy
working with different people and I have found that working as a
researcher in a group allows me to pursue my endless curiosity and thrive
in a collaborative environment.

I became interested in Psychology when I was in secondary school. Back in

those days, I had the opportunity to read a lot of literature about social
psychology and the way humans react to social interactions.

I decided to pursue a career as a psychologist after I met Doctor Green in a

summer psychology course at Canton University. I knew it was going to be hard
as my family did not have the economic means to afford my tuition. However I
am a perseverant person who works hard to achieve good results in life.
So, I looked for scholarships that would allow me to study. After a long
application process, I was awarded a merit scholarship from the Ministry of
Education.

In terms of my future, I see myself teaching psychology and writing books about
current trends in education and the role of psychology. I would also like to found
and institution to help homeless children. I am a considerate person, and I
hope that by getting a Masters degree, I can give something back to
society.

When you describe yourself in a PS, try to give an example of a specific action or
story that proves you have the characteristic you are mentioning. Look at these
examples from the previous PS:
I am a perseverant person who works hard to achieve good results in life.

Example
Characteristic

So, I looked for scholarships that would allow me to study. After a long application
process, I was awarded a merit scholarship from the Ministry of Education.

I realized that I was a passionate student when I started my undergraduate career.

Example
Characteristic

I was always hungry to learn more about the topics we explored in class so I would
often go beyond my regular classes and do extra reading and research in the
library.

I am a team player and always enjoy working with different people.

Example
Characteristic

I have found that working as a researcher in a group allows me to pursue my

endless curiosity and thrive in a collaborative environment.

Use connectors:

Use connectors when writing your PS as they will help you link ideas and give
coherence to your text. Look at these examples from the previous parts of a PS:

I knew it was going to be hard as my family did not have the means to afford my
career. However I am a persevering person who never gives up his goals in life.
 Through this autonomous research, I discovered a particular interest in Educational
psychology. Thus, I joined a research group at the national institute of pedagogy.

Here is a list of connectors you can use:

Function Example Function Example Function Example

Accordingly Meanwhile In the same
Result Therefore Time First Similarity way
Hence Afterwards Similarly

In contrast So
Adding Additionally
Contrast Despite Explanation That
information Furthermore
However To

As a matter
For instance Although
Exemplification Emphasis of fact Concession
For example But
Indeed

Steps to write a personal statement

Writing a PS can be a difficult task as most people find it difficult to talk about
themselves. Here are some steps that will guide you in the process.

Brainstorm

In order to begin writing your PS you need to gather some ideas. You can
brainstorm them in a paper. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when
brainstorming for your PS.

What skills and personal qualities do I want to show in my PS?

What experiences have been significant and relevant in my learning process?
What makes me want to enter this program?
What are my personal and professional goals for the future?
What have you found difficult in your career and how have you overcome it?
When and why did I become interested in this career?

Having brainstormed these ideas you already have a starting point for your PS.
Now you need to sit down, get inspired and connect all these ideas so that they
make sense on paper. You can read examples of successful personal statements
in your career to get more ideas before starting the writing process.

Organize

A personal statement does not have a specific order as it depends on the priorities
you assign to your ideas and how you connect them on paper. However here are
some parts a personal statement should have. This organizational scheme is not
inflexible, but it can help you organize your PS.

Introduction: Here you should introduce yourself. You can explain what you are
applying for and your motivation.

Work and study experience: In this section, you should include relevant
experiences from work or study relevant to the field of your career.

Professional skills and personality: Explain the abilities you possess and
complete them with punctual examples. You can describe your personal
qualities and your professional skills.

Relevant extra information: Here you can register other experiences you
consider relevant in your life. Also you can describe what is your life like apart
from your career. Mention hobbies and free time activities. If possible try to link
the experiences described here with your field of study.

Conclusion: Close your PS with a sentence that highlights you as a good

candidate. Be brief as you have already described your profile in the previous
paragraphs.

Making an outline can help you stick to your main points. Start with an outline that
reflects the sections you want to include. It can look like this:

Paragraph one: My connection with the career. Motivation for course choice.
Paragraph two: My academic background related to my career. Mention about my
internship with the government.
Paragraph three: Achievements and goals. Mention my research group and the
award I won last year.
Paragraph four: Conclusions reaffirming motivation.

Write
Once you finish the outline you are ready to start writing. Sit down and start writing.
Take your time and let your ideas flow through the paper. Remember to use a clear
and concise language and vocabulary, so that the reader can easily understand it.

Edit

Once you have finished writing your PS dont forget to:

Read it. Look for grammar, spelling or punctuation mistakes and correct them.
Check that you answered all the questions you were supposed to for your PS.
Ask somebody else to read it. If possible have a teacher or someone who knows
about the field to read your PS and make suggestions and recommendations.
Verify you have complied with the number of words required. In some cases a
number of words is set for the institution you are writing to. Make sure you
respect that number.

Example of a personal statement

Daniel is a-22-year old student at SENA. He studies computer network installation.

He is about to finish his technical studies. Now he wants to apply for a scholarship
at an international university to become a computer engineer. Here is his PS.

Since I was a young boy I have always had an unnatural curiosity for electronic
devices and the way they work. I remember disassembling my toys just to find out
what was inside and see how they worked. This interest never abandoned me. On
the contrary it continued to grow and become stronger. In my school years I always
obtained excellent grades in my information technology (IT) classes. In fifth grade,
my IT teacher saw the passion I had for computers so he gave me an old computer
as a present at the end of the year. I was really happy with it. I spent most of my
free time in front of that computer disassembling it and learning how it worked. I
still have it to this day.

Apart from computers, I also enjoy learning mathematics. I have always excelled in
this area and have obtained excellent marks in my classes. Additionally, I have
participated in many local and national mathematics contests obtaining several
prizes and awards. These achievements gave me certain recognition among my
teachers and classmates. I was asked to give math tutoring to a group of students
from other grades. This experience awoke my passion for mathematics even more.

The passion I feel for computers and mathematics was the main reason I decided
to pursue a career as a computer engineer. Mathematics is an excellent
complement to my knowledge in computers as most software and modern
platforms are designed based on mathematical principles. Although my family did
not have the income to afford a career at a private university in my country, I never
gave up and tried to find a solution that fits my budget.

I decided to apply for a technical program at SENA and certify myself as a

computer networks installation technician. Although the program is only one year, it
has been an excellent way to start. My learning process here has exceeded my
expectations. The instructors are well prepared and experienced in the field. My
classmates are also great as most of them are already working in different areas
related to computers and technology. Therefore, they share a lot of knowledge and
experiences that motivate the whole group. Also, in the last three months of the
program, we have the chance to do an internship in a local company where we can
put all the concepts learned during the program into practice.

Currently, I am finishing my internship in a software solutions company that

provides support and technical solutions to different educational platforms in my
country. This short practicum has been quite enriching as I have experienced the
real work of computer engineering as I provide support to our customers. A degree
in engineering that will further challenge my knowledge and preparation to apply in
practical situations seems to be the ideal step for me.

Finally, I am a creative person who is always trying to find a solution for everything.
I could make a valuable contribution to the program as I have already put into
practice the theory in the real world. I have always dreamed to study in The United
States. I admire their organization and strength as a nation. Language will not be
an obstacle since I have always studied English. While at SENA I took the English
Dot Works program, which was an excellent way to learn and improve my
language skills. Recently, I took the IELTS exam where I was placed in band 6,
which is good enough to study at a university abroad. Studying abroad can also be
a good opportunity to improve my communication skills while obtaining my degree
in system engineering.

I hope my qualities, background, and achievements make me a good candidate for

your university and help me fulfill my dream of becoming a professional. Thank you
for considering my application.

3. Vocabulary about higher education

Rachel and Ken are talking about their plans after they finish school. Read the
conversation.
 Fuente: SENA

Ken: So Rachel, are you still thinking about studying medicine?

Rachel: I dont know. I really like it. But, the tuition fee is pretty high. Besides you
have to study a lot and your free time reduces considerably. I dont want to quit
practicing tennis. My trainer says I could become a professional if I commit full
time to it. What about you?

Ken: I am going to apply for a scholarship in a university in France to study

architecture. If everything goes well I may enroll next summer. I am already
studying French. I have already written my research proposal and personal
statement.

Rachel: Congratulations Ken, you seem quite convinced of your choice. How long
does the program last?

Ken: Five years to complete all the classes and then one more year to finish your
thesis.

Rachel: That is about 6 years all together! Wont it be difficult for you to stay
abroad that long?

Ken: Well, I have some relatives living in Paris. Besides the university campus
offers great choices for entertainment such as gym, sport courts, a great library
and other facilities. I dont think it will be hard at all.

Rachel: Good for you Ken, you are a really ambitious guy.
Look at the definitions of the words in bold from the reading.

Tuition fee: The amount of money you pay when you register for an academic
course or program.

Trainer: A person who guides you in a learning process. Usually related to sports.

Apply for: To do the process to enter a course or get a job.

Scholarship: Financial support given to outstanding students to take a study

program.

Enroll: To officially enter or register in a program.

Research proposal: A paper that collects a persons ideas for an investigation.

Classes: a situation when students meet with their teacher to be instructed.

Thesis: The ideas and conclusions drawn after a research project. Usually written
for academic purposes.

Here is other vocabulary related to higher education.

Persons

Professor: A teacher who works at a

university or college.
Researcher: A person who conducts
an investigation for an academic or
scientific purpose.

Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D): A

person who has been given the
highest academic degree after some
years of intense study and research.

Practitioner: A person, usually a

student who is about to graduate, who
starts his professional practices.

Freshman: A student who starts his

first year or semester of classes. A
beginner student.
Undergraduate student: A student in
a university or college who is studying
to receive a degree.

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

Degrees

Fuente: SENA

Master of Arts (M.A.): A postgraduate degree in human or social sciences

awarded by universities in many countries.
Master of Science (M.S.): A postgraduate degree in science, math or engineering
awarded by universities in many countries.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): An undergraduate degree in human or social sciences
awarded by universities in many countries.
Bachelor of Science (M.S.): An undergraduate degree in science, math or
engineering awarded by universities in many countries.
Master of Business administration (M.B.A): A master degree in business
administration awarded by universities in many countries.
Practitioner: A person who has been given the highest academic degree after
some years of intense study and research.
 Contextualization

Daniel is at an online interview for the computer engineering program. Read the
interview.

Fuente: SENA

Interviewer: Good morning Daniel, thank you for connecting.

Daniel: Good morning Mrs. Baker and thanks for the opportunity?

Interviewer: We looked at your CV and read your personal statement. Now we

would like to ask you some questions. Please tell me, why are you interested in our
college?
Daniel: Well I really like this university because it is one of the best in engineering
around the world. I have studied your Computer Engineering program several
times and the content really fits my expectations as the subjects included combine
modern approaches to computer sciences with the elementary theories of the
world of communications and computers. Besides my IT teacher from secondary
school studied at your university. He was an excellent teacher and one of the
persons who awoke my interest in computers.

Interviewer: What relevant work experience has contributed to build your career?

Daniel: I am currently finishing my internship in a software solutions company

dedicated to provide support to educational companies. This experience has
brought me closer to interactive platforms that are constantly evolving and adapting
to customers needs. From that I have learned that system engineering is a flexible
profession full of changes and new challenges. This has given me many learning
opportunities that contribute to consolidate and build new knowledge.

Interviewer: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years.

Daniel: I want to work in social programs to help my community, specially in terms

of better education at schools. I am already involved in a charity program that
offers computer training to low income students in my district. Therefore I teach
them computing classes on weekends. I really hope to continue this trend and be
able to found my own charity organization in a few years. I believe computers and
technology can do a lot to improve education in the next few years.

Interviewer: Tell us what skills you think make you a good candidate for this study
program?

Daniel: I think I am a considerate person. I have always liked to contribute to my

community with my knowledge. I believe technology is the answer to most of the
worlds problems. It has an unlimited potential when used in favor of humanity.
Through technology we can develop new systems and ways of helping people in
the world. So I conceive System engineering not only as a profession, but a tool to
improve our world. Also I am a team player. I think this is a great quality for a
system engineer as many projects are usually done in groups. Currently I am
working in a small engineering project I have with some friends. We are designing
a robot that can carry things and go upstairs and downstairs.

Interviewer: Tell me about

Comprehension

A. Read the interview again. Choose the best answer:

1. According to Daniel, System engineering is a flexible career as
 a. with the knowledge acquired you can work in other fields.
b. the university offers flexible schedules and opportunities to busy students.
c. it is constantly evolving and bringing new challenges.

2. The program seems to fit Daniels expectations as

a. he was told it could be a good way to complement for his career.

b. the content of the course put together interesting elements of system
engineering.
c. one of his former teachers thinks it is appropriate for him.

3. In ten years Daniel sees himself

a. getting married and working for an international company abroad.

b. teaching system engineering for a university in his community.
c. working in social programs related to education.

4. What skills make Daniel a good candidate for the program?

a. He has good empathy when working in groups and he is passionate about

his career.
b. He is a team player and also a considerate person who likes to help his
community.
c. He is very punctual. Also he is quite independent and can work without
supervision.

5. Daniels current group project is about a robot that can

a. perform computer training for low-income students in his district.

b. carry things and go up and downstairs by itself.
c. pick up the phone and take notes.

Practice 1

A. Mary is describing some of her coworkers. Go to the multimedia, listen to the

descriptions and write the name of the person she describes in front of the
corresponding characteristic. One example is done for you.
 Hardworking Ana
Passionate
Positive
Punctual
Sociable
Organized
Adaptable
Team player

Descriptions:

0. I really like working with Ana. She is very responsible. She never leaves her
office until all her duties are done. When there is a deadline we need to meet,
she comes to work on Saturdays.
1. As a matter of fact, the person who always arrives first to the office is Andrew.
Thats why he holds the keys to the main door. I remember him many times
being sick and still coming on time.
2. John is like everyones dad in the office. Whenever we work in groups he
makes sure everybody knows what to do. He is always there making the
group work properly.
3. Mark is obsessed with categorizing everything. He always finds a place and a
category for documents and objects in the office. His office is always clean
and neat.
4. Nicole is the manager. Whenever you ask her how are you? She will reply
excellent! No matter what is going on in the office that day. And let tell you,
she has to deal with a lot of issues every day.
5. Richard was moved to the customer service department. Although he did not
know much about it, and there were many different things, he learned fast
and is doing well now.
6. Jane knows everybody in the office. She is quite friendly and always
participates in all type of activities organized in the company. She enjoys
being with others and her company is very interesting.
7. Although I find my job rather hard and stressful, I really love what I do. I can
spend all day solving problems and talking to angry customers all the time.
Thats what my profession is about anyway.

B. Here are some excerpts from a personal statement. Match them with the
paragraph they belong to.
 I am very demanding with myself and
like to do my work in the best possible
way. So I always devote extra time to
make sure things are perfect. I am also
1. Conclusion
quite punctual as I value others time
and effort to meet me. So I attempt to
arrive 15 minutes earlier to any
appointment I make.

I would appreciate the opportunity to

study economics. I think I have a lot to
offer to the university through bringing
a keen and dedicated academic mind 2. Introduction
to it. I hope to enter an institution that
can foster and develop my interests
and curiosity in these subjects.

I am currently doing an online

computer training program. Besides I
work in the afternoon as a junior editor
3. Relevant extra information
for a local newspaper where I provide
technical support to the team of
journalists.

My studies aside I like to read books

about European societies and the way
they have managed to build stable
4. Professional skills and
economies that can stand for
personality
centuries. I think we have much to
learn from their economic habits and
social organization.

I have always had a great interest in

economics because of the impact it
has in our life and the way society
5. Work and study experience
works. Therefore I started to pay
attention to finance and international
markets since I was little.

C. Fill in the blank with the appropriate connector in each case. One example is
done for you.
 Additionally Although Hence
Afterwards Despite However For example

Example:

I took a course in physics and biology before entering college. Additionally I

attended a seminar about statistics applied to investigation in biomedical
science.

1. I took a course in physics and biology before entering college. Additionally I

attended a seminar about statistics applied to investigation in biomedical
science.
2. I have always had a great interest in science and mathematics. _______ it
wasnt until I finished school that I decided to pursue a career in these fields.
3. _______ my parents wanted me to be a pilot I decided to become a plastic
surgeon.
4. As a child I learned to play the piano quickly and was able to interpret a song
by the age of five. _________, my parents sent me to the national
conservatory to study music.
5. My parents made a great effort and paid for my career _______ the lack of
economic resources in my family.
6. I always get involved in projects to help my community. __________, I give
free guitar lessons to poor kids in the local church every Sunday.
7. The first time I helped my dad to repair a car I felt in love my mechanics.
_________ I started to help him every afternoon after school.

D. Match the personal characteristics in the sentences from the left with the
appropriate example from the right. One example is done for you.

1. who always sees the bright side in

I am a hardworking person 3
everything.

2. who always thinks about his family

I am a punctual person
first.

3. who always finds something to do in

I am a considerate person
the office.
 Amanda seems to be a 4. who can come up with a solution in a
very positive person second.

I consider myself a team 5. who can wait for results without

player getting desperate.

I am a creative person 6. who always meets deadlines.

She is a very patient 7. who can work properly with different

person groups of people.

Practice 2

A. Read four people talking about their professional skills and personalities. Then
complete the task that follows.

Fuente: SENA

Amanda: I am a psychologist. I work for a big software company that produces

and sells computer parts. I work in the human resources department. I am in
charge of selecting and training new staff in some areas. My friends say I am
very sociable and talkative. I am also a positive person. You will always see a
smile in my face, even if I am tired or I am having problems. This is why people
say I am a people-person and why I think I am good at working in Human
Resources.

However, I do have a hard time being punctual. I find it difficult to arrive on time
in the morning. I blame the traffic in my city for thatAlthough my comfortable
bed is responsible, too. There are other challenges like the hard days at work
when I have to interview and select new staff. Sometimes I interview really good
candidates that I have to turn down because there is only one position available.
Despite that it is sometimes difficult, I do enjoy my profession because its very
rewarding.

Emily: I am a senior architect at a construction office. I have five architects

working on my team. Right now we are designing the parking area for a new
shopping center that will have 300 stores. It will be the biggest shopping center
in town. I am a hardworking person who is demanding with his team. I always
want things to be perfect. If I dont like something, I ask them to do it again, no
matter if we have to stay extra hours in the office. Unfortunately I am very
impatient. I always want excellent results fast. I hope people understand that
these characteristics, while sometime difficult to deal with, are important for the
quality of our projects.

Joan: I work at the airport counter. I attend passengers and help them check in
for flight and check their luggage. I think I am a hardworking person. In general, I
dont mind working long hours at my job as long as I like what I am doing. But
the problem with this job is that I am not passionate or motivated about what I
do. The work is very monotonous. I check about 100 passengers in a normal
day. The procedure is the same with everybody, so I end up feeling bored.
Maybe I should consider a new perspective for my career.

Steve: I work in a software design firm. I am a very creative designer. I like to

mix colors and shapes into new designs. I think design can change the way
people think and behave. I love my job. My boss is very polite and friendly. He
likes my job and says I have a big potential in the company. I dont have many
friends at my office. I am very an independent professional and prefer to work
alone. I can do things on my own. Also I am very organized. I cant concentrate
if things are not in the right place.

Cross out the skills each person describes.

 Hardworking

Independent

Unpunctual
Demanding

Organized
Inpatient

Sociable
Creative

Positive
passion
Lack of
Amanda
Emily
Joan
Steve

B. Read again. Choose the best answer:

1. Amanda is not punctual because

a. she oversleeps in the mornings.

b. she usually goes to sleep late.
c. she does not have a car.

2. Amandas job can be difficult when she

a. has to talk to people.

b. has to work long hours.
c. trains new staff.

3. Emilys team is designing

a. a new shopping centre.

b. a huge parking lot.
c. 300 stores.

4. When Emily does not like something she

a. feels impatient but does not say anything.

b. asks her team to repeat the job.
c. changes her team.

5. Joan thinks his job is boring because

 a. he has to work long hours.
b. he does the same think over and over again.
c. passengers are monotonous.

6. Steve finds it difficult to concentrate when

a. he has to work with other people.

b. his boss disapproves his work.
c. things are messy.

C. Jane is calling a university to obtain some information about the admissions

process. Complete the conversation with the words from the box.

Research proposal Apply Personal statement

Scholarship Tuition fee Admissions

Fuente: SENA

Secretary: _________ office how can I help you?

Jane: Good morning. My name is Jane. I am calling because I would like some
information about the __________ offered by the Arts department. Could you
please tell me what the requirements are to apply for it?
S: Of course. The call for applications is currently open. There are several
requirements. You need to submit your resume, ______________, copy of your
diploma and two academic letters of recommendation. Additionally a language
certificate is required.

J: Regarding the language certificated, I am taking an English course that has

not finished yet. I am currently doing level 8 which is the equivalent to an
advanced level. I will not take official examination until next summer. Will that
be an obstacle to apply for the scholarship?

S: In that case you can enclose a certificated issued by the institute stating the
number of hours taken plus the language level reached. If the evaluation
committee considers it necessary, you will be required to take a language test
at the university.
J: Great. Another thing I would like to clarify is, do I need to include a
____________?

S: Not necessarily as the program is not focused on research at the beginning.

However many applicants choose to include one as they are already working on
investigation projects related to their careers. Although this is not a requirement,
it can turn into a good plus for your application.

J: Ok. Thank you. Ill include mine then. Where do I have to send the
documents?

S: You can _____ online. Just go to our website and select new applications.
There you will find all the information. Also, if you prefer, the application can be
sent to the university through certified mail. Make sure to address the
documents to the admission office in the faculty of arts. Also send the
application with enough time so that I can arrive within the given days for the
application. Unfortunately applications received after the deadline are no
considered by the admissions committee.

J: One last question. In case my application is not accepted, how much is the
___________?

S: 6000 USD per year for local students and 7500USD per year for foreign
students.

J: Thanks a lot for the information.

S: Good luck with your application.

D. Read the text below. Decide which title belongs to each paragraph.

How to choose a sucessful career

Please select the following link

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/choosingintro.htm in order to help you
in the exercise. Look the graphic called First let's look at what factors go into
choosing a career.

After finishing school, a lot of people find it hard to define a career path that
satisfies all the expectations you hold about the professional world. Aspects
such as security, economic reward, growth, passion and work-life balance
among others, are definitive when defining the type of professional life you want
to pursue. In addition to these factors, the range of careers and professions to
choose from can be overwhelming. Here are some steps you can follow to
succeed in this task:

Fuente: SENA

1. ____________________. Defining your career is something quite important

for a person and cannot be done with haste. Take as long as you need to
define your career. Some people decide to take some time off to be able to
analyze all their options in detail and make the right choice.
2. ____________________. The first thing you have to do is to explore
yourself. Think about your skills, personality, interests, things you are good
at, type of environments you feel comfortable with, etc. Defining these
aspects will make the task easier as this will help you see which jobs would
fit with your personality and interests. You can organize this information in a
chart. Also you can keep a record of possible professions you may be
interested in and see all this information in perspective.

3. ____________________. You already created a list of possible professions

you can perform. Now you can enrich your list with as many options to
consider as possible. You can consult a career counselor who will help you
define which profession is appropriate for you. There are also many career
tests online that will analyze information provided by you and will give you
possible career options.

4. ____________________. See what it would be like for you to work in that

profession. If possible talk to people who have experience working in that
field. This is a rich source of information as they can tell you real experiences
and detailed information you can use in your selection process.

We hope these tips can help you when making this important decision.
Remember, there is not a perfect profession and there are always pros and
cons to consider. Whatever your decision is, try to be happy with your choice
and become an excellent professional.

Fuente: SENA
 Title Paragraph
Complement your list
Get to know you
Think about each possibility
Do not hurry

E. Read the text again. Choose true or false.

True False
1. The number of steps you have to follow to choose a
successful career is overwhelming.
2. Taking a year off to select your career is not a good idea.
3. You should list careers that are compatible with your skills
and personality.
4. Consult a career counsellor to expand your list of possible
options.
5. You should talk to people who are studying the careers you
are interested in.
6. Choosing a successful career is a short difficult task.

Pronunciation practice

Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the
study material. There you will find the corresponding sound files.

A. Homographs are groups (usually pairs) of words that are spelled the same but
pronounced differently. Go to the multimedia, listen to the following words and
choose the correct word class for each item based on its stress pattern.
1.

Noun or
Verb
adjective

2.

Noun or
Verb
adjective

3.

Noun or
Verb
adjective

4.

Noun or
Verb
adjective
 5.

Noun or
Verb
adjective

Now, listen to the pairs of homograph words again and check their pronunciation
and stress. Then, practice recording them.

Contest

a.
kn.test kn.test
(Noun) (Verb)
Compound

b.
km.pand km.pand
(Noun) (Verb)
Incline

c.
n.klan nklan
(Noun) (Verb)
Refund

d.
ri.fnd ri.fnd
(Noun) (Verb)
Transport

e. trnsprt trnsprt
(Noun) (Verb)
B. Read the following sentences. Write the correct spelling for the word that has
been transcribed.

Sentence Words
An .dp.t.bl person can easily deal with new
situations.
When someone is r.zrs.fl , he/she will always
try to find the necessary information, tools, and
resources to complete tasks and solve problems.
I am hrdwrk I have a lot of energy and can
work all day.
Shes very n.l.t ..kl. She has the ability to
analyze everything in detail.
Jane is very r.nzd. She finds the correct
place for everything and shes good at keeping
information in order.
ndpendnt people can work on their own
without supervision.

Now, go to the multimedia, listen to the sentences and check the stress and
intonation patterns used. Then, practice pronouncing them.

An adaptable person can easily deal with new situations.

When someone is resourceful, he/she will always try to find the
necessary information, tools, and resources to complete tasks and
solve problems.
I am hardworking. I have a lot of energy and can work all day.
Shes very analytical. She has the ability to analyze everything in
detail.
Jane is very organized. She finds the correct place for everything and
shes good at keeping information in order.
Independent people can work on their own without supervision.

C. Go to the multimedia, listen to each of the following words. Then, select the
word with the different stress pattern.
Have a look of the following example:

Deadline Impact Beyond

Afford Comply Treasure

Committed Knowledge Employment

Outstanding Scholarship Internship

Pursue Amount Strength

Lack Device Tough

 Document control

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert Direccin de
Asesor English formacin
Juan Carlos December
Author Dot Works - profesional.
Solano 2014
Programa de Direccin
bilingismo General

Paola Andrea Copy editor - Centro

December
Bobadilla Lnea de Agroindustrial.
2015
Gutirrez produccin Regional Quindo
Adaptation
Copy editor - Centro
Rachman Bustillo December
Lnea de Agroindustrial.
Martnez 2015
produccin Regional Quindo