英语听力精选进阶版 6356（在线收听）

Do you see yourself in your early 20s already wearing a smart suit and using a company phone? Recent trends have seen young people looking for internships rather than Saturday jobs. But should people be expected to do a 'proper job' at all while they're still young?

For many, weekend or evening work is a rite of passage that may involve cleaning toilets, milking cows or operating the machine that puts jam into a doughnut.

Holding down a part-time job as a teenager or student may not be glamorous. But it's a chance to dip one's toe into the world of work and take a crucial first step into adulthood.

But the number of young people doing a Saturday job has halved in 15 years, according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. The economic downturn has made it tougher for young people to find any kind of job. For those seeking a career, there is now greater pressure to target their chosen profession and gain work experience.

Those who go on to successful careers often mention their days of waiting tables or picking fruit as formative experiences. Actor Sean Connery may have the 007 role as a highlight on his CV but he began working as a milkman when he was 14. George Clooney once tried his hand at selling women's shoes. Sir Terry Leahy ended up running the British supermarket giant Tesco after taking a holiday job stacking tea and coffee.

What is a 'proper job'? White collar work is aspirational and professionals in finance, advertising, journalism and the law often work extremely long hours. But there is a sense that sitting at a desk all one's life is not always 'real' work in the same way as some other jobs are.

Has a person who has never had to cope with physical or monotonous labour somehow missed out? It goes beyond career development to the idea of becoming a well-rounded person.

Dr Paul Sissons, senior researcher at the Work Foundation, argues that the best way to achieve career success could be getting good grades. "Formal qualifications are still the essential determinant of labour market outcomes," he says.

Quiz 测验

1. Look at the article, what are the examples given of Saturday jobs?

Cleaning toilets, milking cows, operating the machine that puts jam into a doughnut, stacking shelves in a supermarket.

2. What's made it more difficult for young people to find a job?

The economic downturn.

3. According to an expert mentioned in the article, what could be the best way of achieving career success?

Dr Paul Sissons, senior researcher at the Work Foundation, says getting good grades is important for career success.

4. What expression is used to refer to a job in an office?

White collar work.

5. What expression is used to refer to trying something out for the first time?

To dip one's toe into (something).

Glossary 词汇表

an internship 一次实习(机会)

a Saturday job 一份周六的工作

a 'proper job' 一份正式的工作

a rite of passage 一个通过仪式

a part-time job 一份兼职工作

to dip one's toe into (something) 尝试做（什么）

adulthood 成年

the economic downturn 经济衰退

work experience 工作经验

formative experiences 成长经验

to try one's hand at (something) 去尝试做（什么）

white collar work 白领工作

aspirational 梦寐以求的

to miss out 错过

a well-rounded person 全面发展的人

formal qualifications 正式文凭或资格