燕山大学 刘立军 编写
TRANSCRIPT
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.
When trying to make a successful career, which is better: being a generalist or a specialist? In other words, should you generalize and know a little about a lot of things? Or should you specialize and have a deep understanding of only one area?
Well, that depends.
"So, when we think about generalizing versus specializing in our career, we're really talking about can you do a broad number of tasks versus do you drill down and do one specific thing really well."
That is Natasha Olinger. Olinger is a human resource expert in Washington, D.C. She talks about the benefits of both. However, the main reason for specializing is an important one: more money.
"So, generally speaking, the common wisdom out there is it's always better to specialize and that you can demand a higher salary if you specialize."
To explain her way of thinking, Olinger uses a fairly common situation - choosing a restaurant. Say you want to eat a favorite Japanese meal: sushi.
If you go to a restaurant that only serves sushi, you can expect high quality products, and you also should expect to pay more. If you go to a place that serves sushi, tacos and pizza, the quality of the sushi may not be so great, but the prices will probably be lower. Olinger says the world of work is not all that different.
However, she adds that all is not perfect in the world of the specialist. If there is a drop in economic activity or possibly a recession, a generalist may get more job offers.
"Though it's generally considered better to be a specialist, the recession of 2008 really showed us that there are times when being a generalist translates to job security even though in boom times being a specialist often leads to a higher salary."
Size matters
So, are some fields best for generalists and others for specialists? Olinger says the size of the organization can be more important than a sector, or industry.
"I would say the biggest difference - in terms of, is it better to be a generalist or specialist - is more the size of the organization, oftentimes, than the sector. So, smaller organizations tend to need more generalists. And larger companies tend to need more specialists. And this is oftentimes regardless of industry."
So Olinger suggests thinking about the size and type of business you would like to work for. Small businesses often need people who can do many things. Also, companies that are just getting started often need people who are able to perform many different tasks.
For example, your job description may be that of a graphic designer, but you may also have to do some writing. A person who can do many different things is often called a Jack-of-all-trades and is able to wear many hats.
"I would say, think about the type of organization in which you want to work. If you want to work for a smaller organization or possibly a start-up where, you know, you're going to have to kind of wear all different kinds of hats...then you would want to focus more on generalizing and learning kind of a broad set of skills."
Larger companies can be just the opposite. They often need specialists - experts in a given field. In fact, they may require that you stay in your lane, meaning you do your job and nothing else.
"If you really want to go into a much larger corporation you probably want to specialize. They're going to be looking for someone who can solve a very specific type of problem that they have. And there probably isn't going to be as much room or really need to wear all those different hats and kind of pinch hit where needed."
Know yourself
When planning your career path, the best advice might be to "know yourself."
Some people like to know a little about a lot of things. They might lose interest in working on the same thing day after day. These people might be happier in a career that lets them perform different duties.
But what if you really love learning everything there is to know about just one subject? You like the idea of being an expert. In that case, it is probably a good idea for you to specialize. However, if you are preparing to specialize in something, you had better make sure that you really like it.
A mix of both may be best
But perhaps the best solution is a mix of generalization and specialization.
Some career planners call this a "T-shaped" career. The top of the T would be the generalized part.
The upright stem of the T would be the deeper understanding of a person's general knowledge - their expertise.
Olinger agrees. She suggests that combining the two may be the best answer.
"I think, ideally, the most successful candidates - in terms of balancing the ability to demand a higher salary and having their jobs be quote-un-quote 'recession-proof' - tend to balance specialized skills with general skills."
She notes, that a lot depends on where you are in your career. It may be easier to be a generalist when you are younger and then slowly specialize as you get older.
However, experts advise workers to keep their skills up-to-date and be willing to make changes when needed - no matter what industry you work in or how old you are.
And that's the Health Lifestyle report.
I'm Anna Matteo.
Adapted from http://www.kekenet.com/broadcast/201810/569096.shtml
VOCABULARY
1. say exclamation（感叹词） (North Amercian English, informal)
① used for showing surprise or pleasure （表示惊讶或兴奋）嘿，啧啧。例如：Say, that's a nice haircut! 啧啧，这个头发剪得很漂亮！
② used for attracting sb.'s attention or for making a suggestion or comment （提请别人注意、提出建议或作出评论）喂，我说。例如：Say, how about going to a movie tonight? 我说，今晚去看场电影怎么样？
2. recession n. (可数名词, 不可数名词) a difficult time for the economy of a country, when there is less trade and industrial activity than usual and more people are unemployed 经济衰退；经济萎缩。例如：
the impact of the current recession on manufacturing时下经济萎缩对制造业的影响
The economy is in deep recession. 经济正处于严重的衰退之中。
policies to pull the country out of recession引导国家走出经济萎缩的政策
3. a Jack-of-all-trades: a person who can do many different types of work, but who perhaps does not do them very well 博而不精的人；万金油；三脚猫
4. pinch hit: （棒球）代打者击出的安打
QUESTIONS
Read the table. Then listen to the news and complete the table.
Which is better: being a generalist or a specialist?
| Question | l When trying to make a successful career, which is better: being a generalist or a specialist? In other words, should you (Q1) ______________and know a little about a lot of things? Or should you (Q2) _______________ and have a deep understanding of only one area? Well, that depends. l That is Natasha Olinger. Olinger is a human resource expert in Washington, D.C. She talks about the benefits of both. However, the main reason for specializing is an important one: (Q3) _____________________. l To explain her way of thinking, Olinger uses a fairly common situation – (Q4) _______________________. Say you want to eat a favorite Japanese meal: sushi. l Olinger says the world of work is (Q5) _______________________. l However, she adds that all is not perfect in the world of the specialist. If there is a drop in economic activity or possibly a (Q6) _________________, a generalist may get more job offers. |
| Answer | Size matters l So, are some fields best for generalists and others for specialists? Olinger says the (Q7) ____________ of the organization can be more important than a sector, or industry. l So Olinger suggests thinking about the size and type of business you would like to work for. (Q8) ___________________ often need people who can do many things. Also, companies that are just getting started often need people who are able to perform many different tasks. l (Q9) _____________________ can be just the opposite. They often need specialists - experts in a given field. In fact, they may require that you stay in your lane, meaning you do your job and nothing else. |
| Know yourself l When planning your career path, the best advice might be to "know yourself." l Some people like to know a little about a lot of things. They might lose interest in working on the same thing day after day. These people might be happier in a career that lets them perform (Q10) __________________________. l But what if you really love learning everything there is to know about just one subject? You like the idea of (Q11) ______________________________. In that case, it is probably a good idea for you to specialize. However, if you are preparing to (Q12) _____________________, you had better make sure that you really like it. |
| A mix of both may be best l But perhaps the best solution is a mix of (Q13) __________________________. l Olinger agrees. She suggests that combining the two may be the best answer. She notes, that a lot depends on where you are in your career. It may be easier to be a generalist when you are (Q14) _______ and then slowly specialize as you get older. l However, experts advise workers to keep their skills up-to-date and be willing to (Q15) ______________________ when needed - no matter what industry you work in or how old you are. |
KEY
Read the table. Then listen to the news and complete the table.
Which is better: being a generalist or a specialist?
| Question | l When trying to make a successful career, which is better: being a generalist or a specialist? In other words, should you (Q1) generalize and know a little about a lot of things? Or should you (Q2) specialize and have a deep understanding of only one area? Well, that depends. l That is Natasha Olinger. Olinger is a human resource expert in Washington, D.C. She talks about the benefits of both. However, the main reason for specializing is an important one: (Q3) more money. l To explain her way of thinking, Olinger uses a fairly common situation – (Q4) choosing a restaurant. Say you want to eat a favorite Japanese meal: sushi. l Olinger says the world of work is (Q5) not all that different. l However, she adds that all is not perfect in the world of the specialist. If there is a drop in economic activity or possibly a (Q6) recession, a generalist may get more job offers. |
| Answer | Size matters l So, are some fields best for generalists and others for specialists? Olinger says the (Q7) size of the organization can be more important than a sector, or industry. l So Olinger suggests thinking about the size and type of business you would like to work for. (Q8) Small businesses often need people who can do many things. Also, companies that are just getting started often need people who are able to perform many different tasks. l (Q9) Larger companies can be just the opposite. They often need specialists - experts in a given field. In fact, they may require that you stay in your lane, meaning you do your job and nothing else. |
| Know yourself l When planning your career path, the best advice might be to "know yourself." l Some people like to know a little about a lot of things. They might lose interest in working on the same thing day after day. These people might be happier in a career that lets them perform (Q10) different duties. l But what if you really love learning everything there is to know about just one subject? You like the idea of (Q11) being an expert. In that case, it is probably a good idea for you to specialize. However, if you are preparing to (Q12) specialize in something, you had better make sure that you really like it. |
| A mix of both may be best l But perhaps the best solution is a mix of (Q13) generalization and specialization. l Olinger agrees. She suggests that combining the two may be the best answer. She notes, that a lot depends on where you are in your career. It may be easier to be a generalist when you are (Q14) younger and then slowly specialize as you get older. l However, experts advise workers to keep their skills up-to-date and be willing to (Q15) make changes when needed - no matter what industry you work in or how old you are. |