In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
The topic of this essay is to discuss single versus multiple careers in addition to further education (how the former is becoming "old-fashioned").
If you are not taking an exam but need to discuss this topic, then read on and note down what you deem useful. If you intend to use this essay as part of an assignment, remember to paraphrase so as not to plagiarize.
The topic is similar to what candidates expect in any other C2-level examination in that examiners want to see a well-organized, coherent and cohesive discussion of the issue with arguments and examples written in approximately half an hour. Whether or not you agree with the viewpoint expressed, remember that what yields a higher score is the way a subject is argued, so if you see that you come up with more ideas for the side of the argument you disagree with during the brainstorming phase, it doesn't matter -- simply go ahead and plead that side of the argument.
This essay took longer than half an hour to write, so don't think examiners expect something of this length!
For those who'd like to read more sample essays and useful essay-writing posts, click on the image below.
The idea of having a single career is becoming an old-fashioned one. The new fashion will be to have several careers or ways of earning money and further education will be something that continues throughout life. Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge on this topic.
A young man, 22 years of age, graduates with a degree in Linguistics. He
decides to teach at an institution instead of continuing studies to obtain a
Master’s Degree. Many employers turn him down, stating he lacks qualifications
while others expect at least two years of hands-on experience. The employer who
finally hires him does so on condition that he obtain a postgraduate degree in
the next two years, but pays him so little that the young man is forced to find
work as a waiter in the evenings. This
is the sorry state of affairs young adults are forced to reckon with these
days, so it is neither a matter of fashion nor a trend derived from choice
which indeed makes multiple careers and life-long education a necessity for all
employees.
The implication of this
last statement is that having a single career is still the desired norm.
Despite the economic inconstancy of our times, we still see high school
graduates opt for a degree in one field rather than several. Had they known
they would be juggling two or more careers concurrently, they would complement
their first degree with another one from another discipline at the outset in
order to increase their chances of finding work, transitioning from one job to
another or holding two dissimilar positions at the same time to increase their
monthly income. Yet how many lawyers hold degrees in Computing or Fine Arts
graduates boast of having a Bachelor’s in Statistics? Therefore, the intent is
not to have an array of qualifications to choose from when applying for a
position. Life’s responsibilities are so pressing that students finish
university studies as swiftly as possible, or even forego undergraduate studies
altogether in order to find work to pay their bills. In other words, the aim
still is to be able to follow one career.
However, once settled into
a first position, if any can be found, they become highly aware that nothing is
permanent in today’s competitive world. As a result, they attempt to find work
which could afford them with a greater sense of security alongside a better
salary to either transition to or merge into their weekly work schedule. To
improve their chances of landing a better job, many employees regardless of age
attend lectures, seminars, workshops or enroll on courses that will enrich
their CVs.
In sum, global
financial instability has led employees of all ages to fear for their
positions. The high cost of living compels them to seek ways of supplementing
their salaries either through a promotion or a second job, which makes them
feel obligated to be in possession of qualifications to present to prospective
employers. This is why they continue their education throughout life. Consequently,
though further education and multiple careers are a reality necessitated by the
economic recessions and depressions of our era, it is not correct to call it a
fashion as the word implies that someone is free to choose to follow it and the
fact remains that having a single career is still a goal people strive for.
Looking for useful vocabulary for the Speaking and Writing sections of ESL exams? Click on the image below.
Don't know where to start with essays? Read the first post in my essay-writing series by following the link (click on the image below).
