The meaning and outlook of choosing a profession well
In choosing a profession the person’s interest, inclination and ability matter. Interest is a person’s active cognitive activity directed at some subject; in relation to a profession, it is a positive attitude to a field of work and a drive to know and to act. Interests differ in content, range, duration and depth. At first they are temporary and fade quickly if not developed; if the subject is studied deeply and regularly they strengthen into stable interest and then become an inclination, a drive to take up a given activity. Simply put, interest says “I want to know”, inclination says “I want to do”. Ability is an individual psychological trait that helps a person succeed in some field; it is not only knowledge and skill. For example distinguishing smells well is useful for a cook or chemist, remembering numbers and words well for a mathematician or programmer. There are general (creativity), broad (organising) and special abilities; success in a profession depends on their joint development. So clubs, contests and independent reading help to develop interest and ability.
Diary: for 1 week write what gives you joy: (a) what you want to find out, (b) what you want to do. At the end compare the two columns to separate interest and inclination. Write 2 sentences about your own ability.