Career goals: using gerunds and infinitives
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Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.
- Imagine your career in five years. What new skills or experiences do you hope to have by then?
- Think about a skill you learned that was difficult but useful for your job. How did you learn it?
- What is more important for career advancement: being an expert in one area or having many different skills? Why?
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Talking About Your Career Goals
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
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Answer these questions in your own words based on the information in the article.
01According to the article, what kind of activities are part of career development?
Sample answerCareer development involves things like learning new things to 'acquire skills', working together with colleagues, which is to 'collaborate', and becoming an expert in a specific area.
02What is the main grammar rule explained in the article for when one verb follows another?
Sample answerThe rule is that the second verb must change its form. It has to be either a gerund, which is the '-ing' form, or an infinitive, which is the 'to + verb' form.
03How might the key vocabulary be useful in the practical situation described in the article?
Sample answerThe vocabulary is useful for a meeting with your manager. You can use words like 'innovate' or 'specialize' to explain your future goals and how you want to grow in the company.
04Why is it important to understand gerunds and infinitives when discussing your career goals?
Sample answerIt's important because it helps you express your ideas clearly and professionally. For example, if you say 'I want learning' instead of 'I want to learn', it might sound strange or be confusing for your manager.
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Key vocabulary for career development
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic, especially when talking to a manager.
Examples
Climb the career ladder — to get a series of promotions to higher and more important jobs.
This is a common idiom to talk about your ambition. For example: 'I hope to climb the career ladder at this company.'
Take on (something) — to accept a new job or responsibility.
This is a phrasal verb. It's often used in a professional context, like 'I'm ready to take on more responsibility' or 'She took on the role of project manager.'
Gain hands-on experience — to get practical knowledge and skills from doing a job, not just from studying.
Use this phrase to show you want practical, real-world training. For example: 'The internship was a great way to gain hands-on experience.'
Long-term career path — the plan of jobs and promotions you might have during your working life.
This phrase is useful when discussing future plans. You can ask your manager, 'What is the typical long-term career path for someone in my position?'
Brush up on (a skill) — to improve your knowledge or skill in something you have partly forgotten.
This phrasal verb is perfect for talking about training. For instance, 'I need to brush up on my presentation skills before the conference.'
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Career development vocabulary
Learn some new words to talk about your career.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Grammar: gerunds and infinitives
Grammar
When one verb follows another, the second verb is often a gerund (-ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). The first verb determines which form to use. Knowing which verbs take which form is important for talking about your career plans and skills.
Examples
I enjoy collaborating with my team on new projects.
Use the gerund (-ing) after verbs like 'enjoy', 'finish', 'suggest', and 'avoid'.
She decided to specialize in digital marketing to advance her career.
Use the infinitive (to + verb) after verbs like 'decide', 'want', 'hope', and 'plan'.
He started learning a new language to get a better job.
Some verbs like 'start', 'begin', and 'continue' can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with little change in meaning.
Key points
- Some verbs must be followed by a gerund (e.g., enjoy, finish, mind).
- Other verbs must be followed by an infinitive (e.g., want, decide, promise).
- To explain the purpose of an action, use the infinitive (e.g., 'I took a course to improve my skills,' not '...for improving...').
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Find the mistake
Read the sentences below about career development.
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01I really enjoy to learn new things that help me at work.
Corrected version
I really enjoy to learn learning new things that help me at work.
02She decided take on more responsibility to get a promotion.
Corrected version
She decided to take on more responsibility to get a promotion.
03He wants to specialize on digital marketing for his long-term career path.
Corrected version
He wants to specialize on in digital marketing for his long-term career path.
04To advance your career, it's important to be innovate and proactive.
Corrected version
To advance your career, it's important to be innovate innovative and proactive.
05I need to brush up in my software skills for the new project.
Corrected version
I need to brush up in on my software skills for the new project.
06He has a very clear idea about his future carrier.
Corrected version
He has a very clear idea about his future carrier. career.
07I have gained a lot of hands-on experience when I worked at my last job.
Corrected version
I have gained a lot of hands-on experience when I worked at my last job.
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Useful phrases: discussing your professional development
Vocabulary
Here are some practical phrases for a meeting with your manager about your career goals. This is often called a 'performance review' or a 'development talk'.
Examples
"I'd like to talk about my long-term goals at the company." — This phrase clearly and professionally opens the conversation.
Register: Neutral/Formal. Use this at the beginning of the meeting to state your purpose. It shows you are serious and prepared.
"I'm keen to develop my skills in..." — This shows you are enthusiastic about learning and growing.
Register: Neutral. Use this to point to a specific area you want to improve, for example, '...in project management' or '...in public speaking'.
"I was wondering if there are any opportunities for training?" — This is a polite and indirect way to ask for company support.
Register: Neutral/Formal. This is softer and less demanding than saying 'I want training'. It opens a discussion rather than making a request.
"Looking ahead, I'd like to work towards a role with more responsibility." — This expresses ambition without demanding a specific promotion.
Register: Neutral/Formal. This shows your manager you want to advance in the future and are thinking about your career path.
"I'm ready to take on new challenges." — This signals that you are proactive and willing to work hard.
Register: Neutral. Use this to show your manager you want to contribute more and are not afraid of new or difficult tasks.
"What would you recommend as a good next step for me?" — This asks for advice and shows you value your manager's opinion.
Register: Neutral/Formal. Use this to make your manager a partner in your development plan. It shows respect and a collaborative attitude.
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Planning your professional future
Read the text about planning a career and choose the best words to complete the sentences.
Fill in each blank with the correct word or phrase from the word bank.
Word bank
Thinking about your is very important for your future. Many people decide to new responsibilities to show they are ready for a promotion. It's often necessary to through internships or training programs. If you want to the career ladder, you need to keep learning. Sometimes, you might need to a skill you haven't used in a while. Deciding in a specific area can also help you become an expert.
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- Some people believe it's better to stay at one company to climb the career ladder, while others think changing jobs is better. What do you think is the best strategy for a long-term career path?
- In your country, what is more valued for promotions: gaining hands-on experience or having a university degree? Do you think this is changing?
- Imagine your manager asks you to take on a big new project. What steps would you take to brush up on the skills you need for it?