“When I grow up， I want to be...”

    Almost all of us have thought about，or been asked to think about，our future careers. Our answers may differ greatly. Even now your aspirations(志向，抱负)may have changed from when you were in primary school.

    However，it seems that career choices aren't only based on personal taste. In a survey carried out by Teens， doctors，lawyers，and bankers were some of most popular careers that people said they hoped to follow. This is similar to a survey carried out in the UK in May 2016 by job website—Co.uk，in which medicine was the top choice among UK teenagers aged between 13 and 17.

    Medicine and law are two of the oldest and best known professions. Their prestige (威望) may come from the fact that doctors and lawyers are much­respected members of society，and they make good money. What's more， these professions are often seen as a sign of upward social class.

    It is equally unsurprising that banking is now one of the most common career choices. Youngsters worldwide think of banking and see the money rolling in. Wealth is increasingly becoming one of the most important indicators(标志) of a successful career.

    However，not every child has the makings of doctor， lawyer， or banker. They are those who see achievement and happiness in other areas. As the Teens' survey discovered，a variety of unconventional(非传统的) jobs—coffee shop owner，waiter at a fast food restaurant—are among teenagers' career choices. They can be equally interesting and rewarding jobs.

    With every choice comes responsibility and challenge，and all career paths require specific education and training，you have to learn to balance optimism(乐观主义)and confidence with being realistic about your particular talents and skills.

    Nearly 19 percent of teachers of color (有色人种教师) left their jobs after the 2014-2015 school year. Some left for personal reasons like taking care of their families. But 50 percent said they left because they were dissatisfied with their employment situation, such as poor working conditions, student discipline problems and large class sizes. Thus, taking immediate measures to improve it is our top priority.

    For years, researchers have proved the benefits of increasing the share of minority teachers in schools, especially as our public school system has turned to one that is made up mostly of minority students. Teachers of color, who are more likely than their white counterparts to choose to work in racially diverse (多种多样的) schools, offer particular benefits to their students. Graduation rates increase among minority students when they are taught by racially similar educators, research shows. They can also serve as positive role models, and their presence reduces the chance of racial discrimination at school.

    The Shanker Institute report suggests that the rate of minority teacher hiring is not the whole problem. The problem is what happens after these teachers enter the classroom. These teachers often work in high-poverty rural schools. They are more likely to have less-desirable working conditions.

    Diversity is a key component to equality and opportunity. Where there's a diverse teaching workforce, all kids thrive. So solutions must be found at once to turn this trend around. Firstly, schools should develop mentorship programs that support minority teachers once they are in the classroom. Secondly, more money should be spent in improving working conditions in these schools. Of course, school headmasters should also be evaluated on their ability to retain teachers of color.

    I went online to check if my pay was in my bank account. To my amazement, I discovered that not only had I been paid, a company I'd never worked for had also paid me! I knew I'd have been beside myself if my own salary was not in my account, so I tried to get the money back to the right person. It is easier said than done.

    The bank couldn't help as it wasn't a bank problem. The human-resource department as the company that paid me was unable to help as I didn't have enough details. I rang the bank again. Thankfully I had sympathetic call operator who gave me a name, so I again rang the company “Daniel” worked for.

    I expected the bank would contact me to arrange to take the money from my account and repay Daniel. I heard nothing for a month and the money remained in my account when Daniel called, explaining he'd tried to get back his money but had been unsuccessful as neither the bank nor his company felt it was their error. He had rung to ask if I could speak to the bank, but after chatting for a few minutes we realized we could probably fix this problem ourselves.

    We decided I would take the money from my account and he would pick it up from me. Due to my busy job I was unable to meet Daniel personally but he left me a lovely bottle of wine in exchange for what was rightfully his. I never had any intention of keeping Daniel's pay, but red tape（繁琐手续）made it difficult to do the right thing. It all came down to two people being able to do what a huge bank and a large company couldn't do — admit a mistake has occurred and fix it.

    Book 1: Diary of a Fly—By Doreen Cronin

    40 pages, US $15. 99

    This is the diary of a fly. The fly, when she's not landing on your head or swimming in your soup, is trying to escape her 327 siblings who are driving her crazy. Even though she's little—just like her best friends, Worm and Spider— she wants to be a superhero. This is the story of a little fly who's unafraid to dream big.

    Book 2: Iggy Peck, Architect—By Andrea Beaty

    32 pages, US $15.95

    This book is a story about a kid whose head teacher doesn't recognize his great talent (though he makes buildings out of anything at hand, including table cloths, fruit and chalk) until it saves her life. With Andrea Beatty's rhyming text and David Roberts's interesting illustrations (插图), it will charm creative kids everywhere.

    Book 3: The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County—By Janice N. Harrington

    40 pages, US $16.00

    Our character here loves to run after chickens, particularly Miss Hen, who's very fat. But, as all farming folks know, this is not a good way to produce happy, productive chickens. What will make her change her ways? The author is a professional storyteller and this book is full of fun, and has great illustrations.

Book 4: Cherry and Olive—By Benjamin Lacombe

    32 pages, US $16.95

    Children's books can quickly take little readers into new worlds, such as the big city, 1930s Georgia, or outer space. This book takes us on a little trip to some European capitals. Cherry is fat and likes books, and she has few friends until she meets a SharPei puppy (沙皮狗). She names it Olive. Through it she finds confidence and friendship. But what will happen when its owner returns?

Holidays

    The Honors Program (美国大学荣誉课程) in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (HPBMB) is offered to high school seniors with strong academic ability and achievement who seek careers in biological or biomedical science. Students can earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in approximately 6 years.

    Applicants to the Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology must be in their last year of high school.

    Undergraduates will have the opportunity to work with top-level research scientists in Biochemistry& Molecular Biology and also in clinical laboratories with scientists that are associated with the department. They will conduct intensive laboratory work in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology or nutritional biochemistry starting in the summer before their first fall semester starts. By spring of their junior year, students will prepare an undergraduate thesis (本科毕业论文) as preparation for their entry into graduate school (研究生院). At that time they will start taking graduate courses and continue to do research with a graduate faculty member.

    To be considered students must:

     have a combined SAT I score of 1400 (combined Math and Critical Reading scores)

    meet the SAT II score requirement of at least 600 in Math, and one science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)

    have completed eight semesters of English and mathematics and two semesters each of biology and chemistry by the time they graduate from high school

    complete all components of your Common Application for undergraduate admission by November 1 of your senior year

    complete a supplemental application form for the Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

    include a counselor (辅导老师) recommendation, three letters of recommendation from teachers in support of your application to the Honors Program and a personal statement

    Send all Dual Admission Honors Program application materials to:

    Dual Admission Honors Programs

    Office of Admission

    University of Miami

    P.O. Box 248025

    Coral Gables, FL 33124-4616 

    Fax number: (513) 529-7592 (513) 529-1950 

    For more information on the HPBMB, contact:

    Dr. Thomas K. Harris

    Director, Undergraduate and Medical Education

    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

    Office: Gautier Building, Room 111

    Phone: 305-243-3358

    E-Mail: tkharris@miami.edu