The Search for the Perfect Job- Does It Exist?

REALIA

3 years ago

The Search for the Perfect Job- Does It Exist?

Learn English while listening to REAL programs, stories, news, audiobooks, and podcasts. This listening segment, “Stop Looking for the Perfect Job- a “Good Enough” Job is Just Fine,” comes to us from the Happiness Lab podcast by Dr. Laurie Santos .

What is this story about?

Today we are going to listen to Simone Stolzoff talk about the idea of finding the perfect job that will fulfill and complete us. Through his own research and interviews, he learns some of the dangers of making work the central aspect of our identities. He questions if our jobs should be the most important part of our lives and contrasts the way work was viewed in the past with how it is viewed today.

Before you listen…

Take this personality test to find out what your job means to you. Is it the central part of your identity, or something you do to make money? There are no right or wrong answers, but this will teach you new vocabulary words and help prepare you for the listening.

<section><h2></h2><p> </p><h2>Is your job the central part of your identity, or something you do to make money?</h2><p>Take this personality test to find out.</p></section><section><h2><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You spend a lot of time working. Even though you are passionate and enjoy your job, you sometimes feel overwhelmed and burnt-out. You might not have time for other hobbies you enjoy or enough time with friends and family. </span></h2><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></h2><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Listen below to learn different ways to think about the “perfect job.”</span></h2></h2><p></p><p> </p></section><section><h3><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You have many hobbies and interests outside of work. Although you may enjoy your work, it is not the most important thing about you. You usually have time for friends and family and see your job as a way to do other things you love.</span></h2><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></h2><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Listen below to learn different ways to think about the “perfect job.”</span></h2></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></p><h2><strong> </strong></h2><p></p></section><section><h2><h2><strong>I spend most of my free time working.</strong></h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><strong>When I get home from work, I sometimes don’t have any energy left for my friends or family.</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>I see my job as a <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">means to an end</span>, so I can do other things I love.</strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p>**something done to achieve another goal you have. For example, maybe your job isn’t your passion, but you want to use it to make money, so you can travel the world.</p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>My <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">vocation</span> is the most important thing about me. </strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p>**My job, work, occupation</p></section><section><h3><h2>I often feel <span data-amp-original-style="font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-bc0486a">overwhelmed</span> and <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">burnt-out</span> at work. </h2></h3><p> </p><p>**overwhelmed- a feeling of helplessness and something being too difficult to handle.</p><p>**burnt-out- tired and depleted from emotional and physical stress</p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>I have many hobbies and interests outside of work. </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>I am very passionate about my work. It is a <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">higher calling</span>. </strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p>**has a greater purpose; is meaningful </p></section>

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Listen to the search for the perfect job…

Study Tips!

Listen to the audio. You may want to take notes if it doesn’t interfere with your comprehension. In general, focus on the main ideas and key points of the listening segment.
Are there questions you missed or parts you didn’t understand? Go back and listen to where each question is located in the audio (see quiz below).

Listen from 1:15-8:56 min. (One minute and fifteen seconds until eight minutes and fifty-six seconds) to take the quiz.

Take the quiz…

<section><h2><h2><strong>Listening questions- Stop looking for the perfect job</strong></h2></h2></section><section><h2><h2><strong>What is this listening segment mainly about?</strong></h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What is implied by asking, “What do you do?” when first meeting someone at a social event?</strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 1:35 on the audio</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:12px;" class="amp-wp-9bd93d3"><strong data-amp-original-style="font-size:1.5em;" class="amp-wp-bf1d7e4"> How does the poet, Anis Mojgani, feel about the mantra,</strong><strong data-amp-original-style="font-size:1.5em;" class="amp-wp-bf1d7e4"> “love what you do and never work a day in your life?”</strong></span></h2></h3><p> </p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 4:26 on the audio</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Why does the man say that he did not “heed his advice?”</strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 5:09 on the audio</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Why did the man’s decision about choosing between a job as a journalist and a job at a high paying design firm feel <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">overwhelming</span>?</strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p>**an overwhelming decision – a difficult and huge decision</p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 5:38 on the audio</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What was different about his grandmother’s job?</strong></h2></h3><p> </p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 6:32 on the audio</em></p></section><section><h3><h2>According to the speaker, what <span data-amp-original-style="font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-bc0486a">scripts</span> was the millennial generation raised with?</h2></h3><p> </p><p>**Scripts- what they would tell themselves</p><p> </p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 7:05 on the audio</em></p><p> </p></section><section><h3><h2>What does the speaker say about the dangers of “workism?”</h2></h3><p> </p><p><em>Tip! Find this answer at 7:35 on the audio</em></p></section><section><h2></h2><p><h2>Great job! You took the first step just by DOING it! :blush:</h2><button></button><h2>If you did well, give yourself a pat on the back! Even if you didn’t do as well as you would have like; don’t worry, just by listening and interacting with English, you are acquiring new words, sentence structures, and sounds that you didn’t know before.</h2><h2><br></h2><h2>By listening to English regularly, you’ll understand more and be able to USE it faster than you think!! You can’t go wrong with that 😉</h2><p> </p><p> </p><p>*Give yourself a pat on the back- Congratulate yourself for doing a good job!</p><p> </p><h2>Tips for further learning:</h2><p> </p><h2>1) Practice the Grammar and Vocabulary found in this listening in the “Grammar Flash” and Word Corner” below.</h2><h2>2) Continue the conversation and practice sharing your opinion in English and interacting with others.</h2><h2>3) Go back through the answers, and listen to where each answer is located and read the transcript.</h2><h2><br></h2></p><h2>Score 0% – 100%</h2></section><section><h3></h3></section>

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Continue Learning! Click on page 2 to practice new vocabulary words.

Word Wall

Let’s practice some of the vocabulary words and expressions from the listening. Read through the examples. Then, try it below.

First, read through the vocabulary words:

Study Tip! Tap or scroll over the list below to see their definitions.

a means to an end
settle
noble
pep talk
revere
vocation
heed
neglect
disappointment

Now, look at how these words are used in context from the interview.

Read through the sentences. Do you agree or disagree?

“…We often think of our jobs not just as a means to an end, but as a deep reflection of who we are.”
“There’s this narrative that we should keep searching and never settle. And if your job isn’t perfect, then there’s something wrong and you should keep looking for a new one.”
“He said, some people love what they do, and other people do what they have to do so that they can do what they love when they’re not working and neither is more noble.”
“We love to revere people whose identities and their jobs neatly aligned. But I think Anissa’s wisdom was telling me that the other side of the equation, treating a job as a means to an end is no less noble.”
“Being the young naive college student that I was, I sort of did not heed his advice and spent my entire twenties looking for that vocational soulmate, looking for that job that would help me self-actualize.”
“And so I think a lot of people among my peer group have been searching for work as a means of self-actualization as a way to make themselves whole and looking for a vocational soulmate that can deliver on that promise. And I think it actually sets us up for a lot of disappointment.”

What do you think?

Do you view work as a means to an end, or do you see it as more of a noble calling? Explain your reasons.
Would you settle for a satisfactory job where you made enough money to do the things you wanted, or would you prefer to go after your dream job?
Have you ever been disappointed in not getting a job you applied for or something that you went after? How did that event change your future actions or perspective?
What are some ways that you have created a good work/life or school/life balance? Are there any aspects of your personal life that you have neglected in order to work or study more?
Who is a person you revere? Is there anyone you revere or see as a role model or mentor in your school, career field, or business world? Explain.

Got it? Now practice the vocabulary words in context below.

<section><h2><h2><strong>Vocabulary Quiz- Searching for the ideal job</strong></h2></h2></section><section><h2><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Some people think it’s more ________ to choose a job that has a <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">higher calling</span>. </span></h2></h2><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:11px;" class="amp-wp-643a7cf">**has a greater purpose; is meaningful</span></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Do you think it’s beneficial to work hard at our jobs, but <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">________</span></strong><strong> or not take care of other parts of our lives?</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>The interview suggests that if we think of work as something that will fulfill us completely, we will be <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">________and feel let down.</span></strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Other people think that if a job is just <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">________</span>, a person will always be unhappy because work isn’t the biggest part of their lives.</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>A <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">________ </span> or profession can’t fulfill every aspect of our lives.</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3></h3><p> </p><h2>Imagine that you are talking to a friend about getting a job. Listen to the advice your friend gives you and choose the correct word or definition. </h2><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">“You should never ______<span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">!</span> You don’t need to find your perfect job, but at least find something you are satisfied with.”</span></p></section><section><h3><h2>“Give yourself a <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">pep talk</span> before your interview.”</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>“You could find a job that you are passionate about or a job that is <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">a means to an end</span>.” Both have value.</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>“It is <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">noble</span> to choose a job you are passionate about. However, it is just as <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">noble</span> to have other things in your life you care about. </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>“Think of someone you <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">revere </span>and follow their example.”</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>“You don’t have to <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">heed</span> my advice. But I’m trying to help you with your job search.”</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h2><h2><strong>Nice! You’re doing a great job with the vocabulary!</strong>:grinning:</h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Try again! You’ve got this</strong>:+1:</h2></h3></section>

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Learn English Grammar! Click on page 3 to practice grammar in context.

Grammar Flash

Practice using “Should” to give advice while looking at examples from the listening segment. Then see how much you understood by taking a short quiz.

Before we look at examples from the interview, let’s start with the basics.

How do you give advice?

You can use these modal verbs to give advice, make a suggestion or recommendation, or state an expectation.

(Should) + (Simple Verb)

Should go

(Ought to)

Ought to study

(Could) + (Simple Verb)

Could leave

(Might want to)

Might want to work

Take a look at this advice for Yui. What else do you recommend?

Yui works 50-60 hours a week for a tech company. She invests so much time and energy at her job that she has little time left for hobbies, relaxation, and spending time with friends and family. Use “should” and “ought to” to give Yui advice.

Modal +simple form	Sentence	Meaning
Should + take	Yui should take more time off of work.	advice, a good idea, a recommendation
Ought to + start	She ought to start a new hobby.	advice, a good idea, a recommendation (Ought to is pronounced “otta” in informal speech)
Should + have	You should have 30 vacation days available, Yui. So you definitely ought to use them!	We expect or think she has 30 vacation days.
Ought to +be	She ought to be refreshed after her time off.	We expect that she’ll feel better and refreshed. (Ought to is pronounced “otta” in informal speech)

Modal Tips and Other Tricks

1. Notice that the modal does not change based on the subject. Look at the example below.

Incorrect: She ~~shoulds~~ find some new hobbies.

Correct: She should find some new hobbies.

2. The modal “ought” always includes “to” ( to go, to have, to study, to learn). Look at the example below.

Incorrect: She ~~ought go~~ to the training tomorrow.

Correct: She ought to go to the training tomorrow.

3. When talking about advice, you can use the verb (advise) or the noun (advice). The noun form is non-count, so it doesn’t take the plural form.

Incorrect: I need some ~~advices~~ on how to write an effective cover letter.

Correct: I need some advice on how to write an effective cover letter.

Incorrect: She gave me an advice about how to ask my boss for a raise.

Correct: She gave me a good piece of advice about how to ask my boss for a raise.

Now let’s make our advice sound nicer! Use the following words to soften your advice

Might want to
Maybe
Could
I think

Justin is a video editor for a film and production company. He hasn’t gotten a lot of sleep lately because of his demanding work schedule and deadlines. After working at this company for three years he is stressed and burnt out. Give him some advice, but make it a little softer since he is in a tough situation.

Might want to	Justin, you might want to take some time off.
Maybe	Maybe you should talk to a therapist to learn some effective strategies for a healthy work/life balance.
could	You could take a mental health day to catch up on sleep.
I think	I think you should look for a new job. This one is too demanding.

Next, let’s make the negative form of these modals.

(Should + not)/ (Shouldn’t)

(Might not want to)

What shouldn’t you doing during a job interview?

You shouldn’t give false information about yourself during a job interview.

You should not be late for a job interview!
You shouldn’t dress inappropriately. Make sure to wear professional attire.

You might not want to speak negatively about your current or past employers.

Finally, look at these examples of “should” being used as an “expectation” from the podcast.

The modal should + simple verb is highlighted.

“There’s this narrative that we should keep searching and never settle. And if your job isn’t perfect, then there’s something wrong and you should keep looking for a new one. And it creates massive expectations and also is dangerous.”
“But the book argues that the concept that our job should be the main characters in our lives is actually quite new. In fact, it’s only been around for a generation or so.”
“And then my generation, you know, I’m probably smack in the middle of the millennial generation, we were raised with certain scripts that jobs should be callings, jobs should be something where that you can find that you can do what you love. And so I think a lot of people among my peer group have been searching for work as a means of self-actualization as a way to make themselves whole and looking for a vocational soulmate that can deliver on that promise. And I think it actually sets us up for a lot of disappointment.”

Based on these quotations, what points do you think the speaker is making about finding that “perfect job?”

What do you think?

Do you think people should keep searching for the perfect job, or do you think it is okay to settle for a “good-enough” job?
How big of a part of your life is your job? Do you think it should be the “main character?” Explain.
Did you grow up with the script that a job should be one of the most important things in your life? How is this different than the way past generations viewed work?
What is your dream job or career? What advice would you give to someone who is looking for their dream job?

Got it? Now practice using the present perfect in this short quiz.

<section><h2><h2><strong>Grammar- Using (Should/Shouldn’t/Could/Might want to/Maybe)</strong></h2></h2></section><section><h2><h2><strong><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Match the personality characteristics with the job or program of study you recommend.</span></strong></h2></h2><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Jessica is artistic and creative. She has good technical skills and pays attention to detail.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Ben is analytical, data-driven, and practical. He loves numbers.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Caroline is intelligent. She likes to take care of others, and she enjoys helping sick people. </span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Suri likes working with children. She is fun, outgoing, and creative.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Omar is a visionary. He frequently comes up with his own ideas to make money. He is a risk-taker and isn’t afraid to fail. He wants to be his own boss.</span><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"></span></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Imagine that your friend is going to a job interview. Give her advice about what she should and shouldn’t do. </strong></h2></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Lidia ________chew gum at a job interview. </span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">She ________prepare for the interview. </span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">She ________wear the same type of clothes that she would wear to a club. </span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Lidia ________talk about her job qualifications and experience. </span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">She probably _________have some questions ready to ask the employer. </span><br></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Lidia ___________come across as <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">arrogant </span>or <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">insincere</span>. </span></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:14px;" class="amp-wp-6c3ca25">**Arrogant- self-important, thinking too highly of yourself. </span></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:14px;" class="amp-wp-6c3ca25">**Insincere- being artificial and not real</span></p></section><section><h2><h2><h2><strong>Nice! You’re doing a great job with the vocabulary!</strong>:grinning:</h2></h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Try again! You’ve got this</strong>:+1:</h2><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3></section>

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Join the Conversation…

What did you think about the podcast? Let us know by sharing your own unique thoughts, opinions, and ideas with learners from around the world. Don’t forget to come back to see how others responded!

<section><h2><h2><strong>1. After the listening, I now think differently about finding the perfect job. </strong></h2></h2></section>

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<section><h2><h2><strong>2. What “<span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">scripts</span>” about work did you grow up with?</strong></h2></h2><p> </p><p>**Scripts- beliefs and ideas that you told yourself or that others told you</p></section><section><h2>I can be anything I want. I should go after my dreams.</h2></section><section><h3>I should provide for my family first and foremost.</h3></section><section><h3>I will work in the family business to continue their legacy.</h3></section><section><h3>I need to choose a practical job where I can make a lot of money.</h3></section>

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<section><h2><h2><strong>3. If you spent less time working, what would you do with your extra time?</strong></h2></h2></section><section><h2>Practice a sport or engage in physical activity</h2></section><section><h3>Spend more time with family and friends</h3></section><section><h3>Learn a new skill, like art or music</h3></section><section><h3>Practice English or learn a new language</h3></section>

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<section><h2><h2><strong>4. Which saying do you relate to the most in your life now?</strong><br></h2></h2></section><section><h2>Love what you do and never work a day in your life</h2></section><section><h3>Work hard, play hard</h3></section><section><h3>Progress, not perfection</h3></section><section><h3>Embrace the journey, not the destination</h3></section>

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<section><h2><h2><h2><strong>5. What are you looking for in a job? Rank your ideas in order of importance.</strong></h2></h2></h2></section><section><h2><h2><h2><strong>Flexible work schedule (Can work from home or office and/or choose your days)</strong></h2></h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Good health care benefits</strong></h2><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Generous vacation time</strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>High salary</strong></h2></h3></section>

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The interview today showed us a new way to look work and careers. What do you think?

6. Should your job be your passion? Tell us your opinion about work and finding that “perfect” or “good enough” job.

Click on the button below to share your answer!

Read the comments and share your stories here!

Thank you for sharing your answers! Visit the page anytime to see how other learners responded.

Recap…

In this listening segment, we learned how thinking of a job as a way to complete and fulfill us can cause unnecessary pressure to find the perfect job. We were shown how unrealistic expectations of finding a vocation that can do everything for us, can lead to disappointment. In addition, the podcast demonstrated how our current view of work as the most important part of ourselves can cause us to neglect other valuable aspects of ourselves and our lives.

You did it! Way to go! Keep up the good work!

Come back to “www.gorealia.com” every week to practice English and listen to stories that inspire!

Sources

Dr. Laurie Santos, host. “Stop Looking for the Perfect Job – a “Good Enough Job” is Just Fine.” The Happiness Lab, Pushkin, 22 Jan. 2023,

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stop-looking-for-the-perfect-job-a-good-enough-job/id1474245040?i=1000595961715

The Search for the Perfect Job- Does It Exist?

What is this story about?

Before you listen…

Listen to the search for the perfect job…

Take the quiz…

Continue Learning! Click on page 2 to practice new vocabulary words.

Word Wall

First, read through the vocabulary words:

Now, look at how these words are used in context from the interview.

Read through the sentences. Do you agree or disagree?

What do you think?

Got it? Now practice the vocabulary words in context below.

Learn English Grammar! Click on page 3 to practice grammar in context.

Grammar Flash

How do you give advice?

Take a look at this advice for Yui. What else do you recommend?

Modal Tips and Other Tricks

Now let’s make our advice sound nicer! Use the following words to soften your advice

Next, let’s make the negative form of these modals.

Finally, look at these examples of “should” being used as an “expectation” from the podcast.

What do you think?

Continue to page 4 to share your own unique thoughts, opinions, and ideas with learners from around the world.

Join the Conversation…

Recap…

You did it! Way to go! Keep up the good work!

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