Text 2a. FORESTRY IS MY FUTURE PROFESSION
The Russian taiga forest is the world's primary wood reserve, covering 700 million ha. The forest is 80 % coniferous, representing 50 % of the world’s coniferous land. In the Komi Republic the forested area is 30.6 million ha, which makes about 80 per cent of the total territory. So forestry and forest industry have long been among of the most important branches in the economy of the republic. And this huge sector of our economy needs many highly qualified specialists to manage forests and forest industries in keeping with the requirements of the new century for ecologically sustainable use.
Forestry is the art of growing rotational crops of timber trees in forests. It is a very complex field. While the continuous production of timber products is generally the main objective, secondary benefits such as recreation, wildlife protection, and watershed maintenance are almost always involved. Another important goal of forestry is to promote the multipurpose use of forest lands, to develop the forests’ environmental, aesthetic, recreational and scientific values.
Specialists for forestry are trained at the Forest Institute. Here great attention is paid to studying biological subjects, such as botany, physiology of plants, dendrology, soil science and soil biology, forest entomology. We also study methods of forest regeneration, stand treatment, forest laws and regulations, silvicultural history, forest ecology and forest ecosystems, forest sustainability and biological diversity, methods of cutting and harvesting techniques, geoinformation technologies, etc. Many students spend a lot of time in computer classes. We realize that computer technologies are becoming very important for many spheres of life and for forest management too. The geographical information systems (GIS) make it possible to store information and spatial data in digital form. With these the natural values, the location of the endangered species, changes in the forests can be traced and analyzed.
The training at the Institute is practically oriented. We are doing a lot of practical work in fields and forests and meet a lot of experienced forest experts who share their rich knowledge and experience. Many well-known researchers deliver lectures and hold practical training with the students of forestry and landscape planning. We are taught to influence the factors of production, the size and quality of the forest product, to reduce the risk of damages, to prevent pest and disease infection.
It is well known that the boreal forests of Northern Europe are greatly influenced by human activity, but in European Russia, in Komi, there are still exceptionally large virgins forests. They should not be sacrificed for the benefit of timber production and our major task is to preserve them for the generations to come. We, would-be foresters and forest engineers, realize that it is not easy to meet the interests of timber production and preserve the biological diversity of forest ecosystems and protect the environment. But we shall do our best to improve wildlife resources for different forest users.
Today the consumers in the marketplace want not only physical quality, but also environmental and social quality added to the product, so the interest in forest certification may act as a driving force to more ecologically sound forestry practices.
The graduates of our Institute can also turn to research work. Research can be carried out in such fields as forest tree reproduction, forest regeneration, stand dynamics, aspects of multiple forest use, nature conservation, silvicultural systems, etc.
I think I have made the right choice and I’ll never regret that I have decided to protect and develop our forests and improve the conditions of the forest development.
Text 2b. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
IS MY FUTURE PROFESSION
Young people choose their own careers according to their personal abilities and interests. Career opportunities are open to all young people who have the ability and will to study.
We know that computers are getting deeper and deeper into our life. They keep the outer world open to us. With them we can use the Internet, send messages to friends, customers and partners, get information from them through electronic mail. Through the Internet we can make use of archives, university or company databases, library catalogues, and millions of photographs, documents, sound clips, video or whatever else put into digital form.
Computers also help to carry out complex work easily and save a lot of time. The computers do calculations, process information and perform many other clever operations. They are also being used in business to collect and analyze data. Every business needs accurate, complete, and timely information to make decisions and survive in today's competitive business environment.
Computers are used in manufacturing too. Computer control of automated production opens up new horizons for cheap and quality production of goods. Programmes have been developed for controlling advanced machine functions. Electronic technologies are extensively used to improve productivity and efficiency in the forestry sector. Geographic information technologies are improving forest management providing foresters with spatial data, digital maps and other information. In fact, geomatics can help computer professionals to find a wider application of their knowledge and skills.
No doubt, we can’t do without computers any more, but, however, the people — both computer professionals and users — are the most important component in the computer system. Computer professionals design computer hardware and related equipment, they design, create, and develop computer software and professional computer operators run the computer systems and monitor their activities during processing.
Asit is, a computer professionalisa person in the field of computers who has had formal education in the technical aspects of computer use — a programmer or systems analyst or computer operator who is concerned only with supporting the computer's physical functions in producing information for the user.
The employment picture for computer professionals looks good and is getting better. Several million people are employed as computer programmers, computer operators, information managers, systems analysts, data entry clerks and other more technical workers. The growth of the microcomputer hardware and software industries in recent years has created a large number of new jobs in the retail sales and marketing of computers as well. Many jobs have also been created by companies that manufacture various computer components and by companies that specialize in computer repair.
As for me I have made up my mind. I want to be a computer professional. I am sure that information technologies are among the most important in today’s world and computer technologists will be able to solve many problems of modern times.
Text 2c. CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
AS A PROFESSION
Engineering is a well respected profession. In many countries it ranks as one of the most trusted professions. In Russia the demand for engineers is growing, too.
Construction engineering involves the planning and management of the construction of structures such as highways, bridges, airports, railroads, buildings, dams and reservoirs. Civil engineering concerns the design and construction of public and private works, such as infrastructure, bridges and buildings.
To complete projects construction engineers rely on plans and specifications created by architects, engineers and other constructors. To do the job properly construction engineers need the knowledge of many different areas, including engineering, technology, design, mathematics, construction, customer service, management, transportation, public safety and computers.
Construction engineers have a lot of responsibilities. Typically they analyze reports and estimate project costs both in the office and in the field. Other tasks may include: analyzing maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography and other topographical information. The engineers must also study ergonomics, analyze static and dynamic characteristics of systems, such as stresses, temperatures, electromagnetic emissions. They must calculate load and grade requirements, liquid flow rates and material stress points to ensure that structures can withstand stress.
Engineers typically include a factor of safety in their designs to reduce the risk of unexpected failure. Keeping a workplace safe is key to having a successful construction company. It is the construction engineer's job to make sure that everything is conducted correctly. Surveying the land while construction is in progress is also the construction engineer's responsibility. They have to make sure that there are no impediments in the way of the structure's planned location and must move any that exist. They also have to test soils and materials used for adequate strength.
Engineering, technology and math are necessary to ensure structures are built to plans and specifications. Most construction engineers have a love for math and science, but many other skills are required too, including critical thinking, problem solving, monitoring and decision making. Engineers have many activities that they must do every day. Those activities include drafting, decision making, computer interaction, communication, documentation, creative thinking, organizing, information collecting, estimating and analyzing. Construction engineers use drafting to design structures and to show others how to build them. They have to analyze information and make the best decision and solve problems.
A typical construction engineering curriculum is a mixture of engineering mechanics, engineering design, construction management and general science and mathematics. One of the most widely used tools in the profession is computer-aided design (CAD) software which enables engineers to create 3D models and 2D drawings. They allow engineers to create models of designs that can be analyzed without having to make expensive and time-consuming physical prototypes.
Construction engineers have to be organized to accomplish goals and prioritize jobs. They have to gather information on the task at hand before they can start a project. In order to keep a project under budget, construction engineers have to estimate costs of materials and workers. Finally, they have to analyze data to find answers to problems they are having on the job site.
Customer service, emotional intelligence, psychology, sociology and management knowledge is necessary to deal with owners, government officials, public stakeholders, subcontractors, suppliers and the general public.
The construction industry is quite a big segment in the Russian Federation and provides employment to millions with all types and levels of education. No doubt, construction engineering graduates will find a lot of opportunities for ambitious careers in this field.