Narrator Listen to part of a conversation between two students. Now get ready to answer the questions. You may use your notes to

Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a student and a professor.
Student Good morning, Professor Thompson. I know your office hours are this afternoon, but I was wondering if you could spare me a few minutes now ’cause I have classes this afternoon.
Professor Sure, Susan. What do you want to talk to me about?
Student Well...to tell you the truth, I’m not doing what I wanna do, I mean I don’t like my major very much. Electrical Engineering isn’t the sort of thing that attracts me. And I am at a loss what to do. What should I consider if I wanna choose another major?
Professor Good Question! The most efficient way to pick a major would be to ask yourself: What do I love to do? One of my friends, for instance, started out as a microbiology major because he wanted to earn a comfortable living when he graduated. Then, in his junior year, he realized he loved history above all else, changed his major, and is now a history professor.
Student Yeah, you’re right, y’know, actually I was keen on Literature, but my mother, an engineer, talked me into taking this major.
Professor Well, don’t live someone else’s dream. It’s your time to be in college. It’s your career in the making. Don’t let someone else dictate what you should major in. My mother, a doctor, really pushed me to be a doctor. I can’t think of anything I’d hate more! Nothing is worse than to work for a career you don’t like for your whole life!
Student Yeah, but urn...um...the thing is...the thing is I am afraid of making a wrong decision again.
Professor Remember, you don’t have to decide right away. Go ahead and get those pesky general education requirements out of the way and, who knows- you might find something in your genned classes that you decide to major in! Most colleges don’t insist that you declare a major right away, so take advantage of that. And remember, you can always change your mind. That’s my personal opinion. You can also ask other people, for example, advisors at our university whose job is to help you answer this question with their skills and expertise. You may either go to a faculty adviser who will provide ongoing advice and guidance on program selection, course registration, credit load, deadlines, and majors and minors, or to an academic adviser who can provide support, guidance, and appropriate referrals for students experiencing academic or personal difficulties while studying at our university.
Student In fact, I’ve already asked Dr. lasenza. But she had a different view. She said once you’ve chosen a major, then find the specific degree path that gets you out of school the fastest as possible. She said she knew a lot of people were going but what if I don’t like it or I don’t want to work in that field. Well to those questions the answer is easy: work at what you like but save as much time and money as possible on your degree. She also said that the majority of highly successful people didn’t go to college, didn’t finish college, or don’t work in the area of their degree...so...um...it makes no sense to put any more money than necessary to obtain the degree. Once you graduate and move to your actual career that is where your real education will begin.
Professor Eh...that might be reasonable, but what I want to say is: be honest with yourself. A potentially huge income in a field that...you know...will bore you or make you miserable isn’t worth it. I forget who said it, but here’s the best advice I can give: "Do what you love, and you will never ’work’ a day in your life!"
Student Ok, I see, I guess now I have to ponder what really matters. Thank you very much, Professor, for your advice.
Now get ready to answer the questions. You may use your notes to help you answer.
7. What are the speakers mainly discussing?
8. Why does the student visit the professor?
9. What does the professor imply when he says this?
Professor
Well, don’t live someone else’s dream. It’s your time to be in college. It’s your career in the making. Don’t let someone else dictate what you should major in.
10. What can be inferred from Dr. lasenza’s response to the student?
Student
She said...work at what you like but save as much time and money as possible on your degree.
11. What can be inferred about the professor when he says this? Professor
Eh...that might be reasonable, but what I want to say is: be honest with yourself. A potentially huge income in a field that...you know...will bore you or make you miserable isn’t worth it.