人生旅途从离开校园的那一刻起开始扬帆起航，但是大多数人都苦于没有方向而停滞不前。我们应该怎样在"擅长"与"喜欢"之间找到适合自己的职业呢？剑桥国际高中课程中心物理老师Elizabeth Strugnell为你讲述自己与物理的"缘分"并告诉你怎样找到适合自己的"人生方向"。

　　Like a ship about to leave a harbour, your journey through life is just gaining momentum. This is an exciting time of your life. Many of you have used your time here at Shishi high school to equip yourselves with effective skills, which you will take with you on your journey. You have the potential to be whoever you want to be. In a few years you will have a full-time job and be supporting yourself and maybe even your own family. These days, there are so many different types of jobs. It is not easy to know which job is the best for you.

　　To help you find direction, you can make two lists. The titles of these two lists are, "What am I good at?" and, "What do I like to do?" Some things may be on both lists. I am good at solving problems and I enjoy the process of discovering the solution, too. Some things may only be on one list. I am good at running, but I don't particularly like running. I like playing the guitar, but I don't play very well yet. Think of many different types of things that you can put on your list. For example, maybe the things you like are reading, interacting with people, helping a friend when they are hurt, inspecting insects, playing video games, drawing, mixing chemicals, singing, studying changes in the economy, listening to friends and helping them through tough times etc. Once you finish your lists, highlight some of your favourites. Then research the types of jobs that you could do that involve these things. If you are able, find some people that already work in the jobs that you are interested in and ask them what their job is like. Perhaps your friend's mother or father is a doctor, an engineer, a librarian, a bus driver, a professional athlete, a musician, etc. Your career should be something that you can do well and enjoy doing as you will spend a large part of your life doing it!

　　When I was graduating from high school, I originally wanted to become a primary school teacher or an engineer because I enjoy helping others but I also have always enjoyed making things and learning how things work. Primary school teachers teach a simpler curriculum and many engineers spend long hours doing work on a computer. Thus, both of these choices were not my dream job. So I decided to combine the two things and become a secondary school Physics teacher. This decision was daunting at first as I was shy and not very extroverted. I didn't know what it would be like to teach high school students. During my studies at university, I took a few elective courses that would help me become a more confident teacher. These courses were public speaking, acting and singing.

　　My job as a Physics teacher is very rewarding. When a student's face lights up and says, "Oh, now I understand!" I feel encouraged and my day gets brighter.

　　I hope that all of you find your dream job but in the meantime enjoy your studies at university.