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B1 Noun (plural) #36 most common 11 min read

careers

Top 36

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips careers in 30 Seconds

Explanation careers in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'careers' is a word about work. It is like the word 'jobs' but for a long time. You might hear it when people talk about what they want to be when they grow up. For example, 'I want a career in music.' At this level, just remember that it means a person's work life over many years. It is plural, so it means more than one career or the work lives of many people. You can use it simply: 'They have good careers.' It is a step up from 'jobs' and shows you are thinking about the future.

At the A2 level, you can start to distinguish between a 'job' (something you do now) and 'careers' (the path you follow). You might use 'careers' when talking about your family or friends. 'My parents have different careers; my father is a teacher and my mother is a nurse.' You will also see this word on signs at school or on websites. A 'Careers Day' is a day when you learn about different types of work. You should be able to use it with simple adjectives like 'interesting careers' or 'difficult careers'. It helps you talk about your plans for the future in a more professional way.

At the B1 level, you should use 'careers' to discuss professional development and choices. You can talk about 'changing careers' or 'starting a career'. You understand that 'careers' involve progress, learning, and moving to better positions. You might use it in sentences like, 'Many people change their careers at least once in their lives.' You are also becoming aware of common phrases like 'careers advice' or 'careers fair'. At this level, you can describe why someone might choose certain careers, such as for a good salary or for personal interest. You can also use it to compare different types of work paths.

At the B2 level, you can use 'careers' to discuss complex topics like economic trends, work-life balance, and professional identity. You understand the nuance between 'careers', 'professions', and 'vocations'. You can talk about 'stagnant careers', 'lucrative careers', or 'the impact of technology on careers'. You are comfortable using the word in formal writing, such as a cover letter or an essay about the labor market. You can also discuss how social factors, like education or gender, might influence the careers available to different groups of people. Your vocabulary includes collocations like 'career prospects' and 'career ladder'.

At the C1 level, you use 'careers' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You can analyze the 'trajectories of modern careers' and discuss the shift from linear to non-linear career paths. You understand the sociological implications of 'careers' as a construct of modern identity. You can use the word to discuss high-level concepts like 'career capital', 'career resilience', and 'the gig economy's effect on traditional careers'. Your usage is fluid, and you can easily switch between synonyms to avoid repetition while maintaining the exact shade of meaning you intend. You can also critique the way careers are portrayed in media and literature.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of the word 'careers' and its various connotations. You can use it in sophisticated rhetorical ways, perhaps discussing the 'philosophical weight of our chosen careers' or the 'intersectionality of careers and social class'. You are aware of the word's etymology and can use that knowledge to add depth to your writing. You can discuss 'careers' in the context of global macro-economics, the future of work in the age of AI, and the psychological impact of career transitions. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can use it in any register, from highly technical to poetic.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

careers in 30 Seconds

Careers are long-term professional paths that encompass a person's entire work history and growth.
The word is the plural of 'career' and is used to discuss multiple paths or the lives of many people.
Unlike a 'job', a 'career' implies progression, skill development, and a long-term commitment to a field.
Commonly used in education and business to describe the various ways people earn a living and find fulfillment.

The word careers is the plural form of 'career'. It refers to the cumulative professional journeys that individuals embark upon throughout their working lives. Unlike a 'job', which might be a specific role at a specific time, careers imply a long-term progression, a sequence of related or even diverse professional experiences that define a person's work history. People use this word when discussing the broad landscape of professional opportunities, the various paths available in a specific industry, or the life stories of individuals who have transitioned through multiple fields. In the modern era, the concept of careers has shifted from a linear 'ladder' to a more fluid 'lattice', where people move horizontally and vertically across different sectors.

The Multi-Path Concept: When we speak of careers in the plural, we often highlight the diversity of options. For instance, a university might host a 'careers fair' to showcase the hundreds of different professional directions students can take after graduation.

Modern technology has created entirely new careers that did not exist twenty years ago, such as social media management and data science.

In academic and counseling contexts, the term is used to describe the study of how people choose their work. Vocational guidance focuses on helping individuals navigate their potential careers by aligning their personal values, skills, and interests with the demands of the labor market. The pluralization is essential here because it acknowledges that most people today will not stay in one single role for forty years; instead, they will have multiple careers, perhaps starting in education and moving into corporate training or technology.

Economic Impact: Economists analyze careers to understand social mobility. If certain careers are locked behind expensive education, it affects the overall health of the economy and the distribution of wealth within a society.

The government is investing in vocational training to help workers transition into greener careers.

Global Perspectives: In different cultures, the prestige associated with various careers can vary wildly. While some societies prize careers in law and medicine, others may place a higher value on careers in the arts or community service.

Many students are now looking for careers that offer a better work-life balance than those of their parents.

She had two distinct careers: first as a professional athlete and later as a successful entrepreneur.

High-stress careers often lead to burnout if individuals do not practice proper self-care.

Using 'careers' correctly requires an understanding of its plural nature. It is most frequently used as the subject or object of a sentence when discussing groups of people or various types of work. Because it is a countable noun, it can be preceded by numbers, quantifiers like 'many' or 'several', and adjectives that describe the nature of the professional paths. For example, one might talk about 'rewarding careers', 'lucrative careers', or 'stagnant careers'. The word often appears in the context of education, recruitment, and sociology.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Since 'careers' is plural, it must be paired with plural verb forms. For example: 'Careers in technology are evolving rapidly.' Using the singular 'is' would be a grammatical error in this context.

Successful careers are often built on a foundation of continuous learning and networking.

When using 'careers' to refer to the paths of multiple individuals, it is important to ensure that the possessive pronouns match. For instance, 'The students discussed their careers' is correct. If you were talking about just one person, you would use the singular: 'He discussed his career'. The plural form allows for a collective discussion of professional lives, which is common in alumni reports or demographic studies.

Descriptive Adjectives: You can add depth to your sentences by using adjectives. 'Academic careers' refers to paths in research and teaching, while 'corporate careers' refers to roles within large business organizations.

Many people are now pursuing second careers after retiring from their primary professions.

Prepositional Phrases: Commonly followed by 'in' (careers in medicine) or 'with' (careers with the government). These phrases help specify the domain of the professional paths being discussed.

The documentary explored the diverse careers of individuals living in rural Alaska.

The shift toward remote work has fundamentally altered many careers in the administrative sector.

Choosing between two promising careers can be a daunting task for any young adult.

You will encounter the word 'careers' in a variety of real-world settings, ranging from formal educational environments to casual conversations about the future. It is a staple of the 'Careers' section on company websites, where businesses list open positions and describe the growth opportunities they offer to employees. In news media, journalists use 'careers' when reporting on employment trends, the impact of automation on the workforce, or the changing nature of professional life in the 21st century. It is also a key term in the 'Self-Help' and 'Business' sections of bookstores, where titles often promise to help readers 'transform their careers' or 'find careers they love'.

Educational Institutions: Universities and colleges have 'Careers Centers' or 'Careers Offices'. These departments provide resources such as resume workshops, mock interviews, and job fairs to help students launch their professional lives.

I spent the afternoon at the careers center looking for internships in the publishing industry.

In professional networking environments like LinkedIn, 'careers' is used to categorize different paths and to help users find people with similar professional backgrounds. Recruiters often talk about 'candidate careers' to refer to the history and potential of the people they are trying to hire. In these contexts, the word carries a connotation of ambition and long-term planning. It is rarely used to describe short-term, low-skill work, which is more often referred to simply as 'jobs'.

Corporate Websites: Look for the 'Careers' link usually found in the footer of a website. This is where companies sell themselves to potential employees, highlighting their culture, benefits, and mission.

The 'Join Our Team' page on their website lists several exciting careers in renewable energy.

Podcast and Media: Many popular podcasts focus on 'career pivots' or 'non-linear careers', interviewing people who have successfully changed their professional direction multiple times.

The podcast host interviewed three women who had built incredible careers in the male-dominated field of aerospace engineering.

Economic downturns can unfortunately stall the careers of an entire generation of graduates.

The university's alumni network is a great resource for learning about different careers from people who have already succeeded.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'careers' with 'jobs'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. A 'job' is a specific position (e.g., 'I have a job as a waiter'), whereas a 'career' is the long-term path (e.g., 'I want a career in hospitality'). Using 'careers' when you mean 'jobs' can make your speech sound overly formal or slightly off-target. For example, saying 'I have three careers' usually means you have worked in three different professional fields over your life, not that you are currently working three part-time jobs.

Plural vs. Singular Confusion: Learners often use the singular 'career' when they are actually talking about multiple people. Remember: 'They are all pursuing their careers' (plural), not 'their career' (unless they are all working together on one single professional path, which is rare).

Incorrect: Many students are worried about their career after graduation.
Correct: Many students are worried about their careers after graduation.

Another common error is the spelling of 'careers'. It is often misspelled as 'carriers' (which refers to things that carry something, like aircraft carriers or disease carriers) or 'carears'. Paying attention to the double 'e' is crucial for written accuracy. Additionally, some learners confuse 'careers' with 'courses'. While you might take 'courses' to prepare for your 'careers', the two words refer to very different things—one is educational, the other is professional.

Misusing 'Careers' as a Verb: While 'career' can be a verb (meaning to move rapidly and out of control), it is rarely used this way in modern professional contexts. If you say 'The car careers down the hill', it is correct but has nothing to do with jobs. Stick to using it as a noun in professional discussions.

Incorrect: I am careering in medicine.
Correct: I am pursuing a career in medicine.

Overusing the Plural: Don't use 'careers' if you are only talking about your own single professional path. 'I love my careers' sounds like you have multiple distinct professional lives simultaneously, which might be confusing.

Correct: I have had several different careers over the last thirty years.

Many people find that their careers take unexpected turns due to personal interests.

It is important to distinguish between short-term jobs and long-term careers.

The English language offers several synonyms for 'careers', each with its own nuance and level of formality. Understanding these differences will help you choose the most appropriate word for your context. While 'careers' is the most common and versatile term, you might also consider 'professions', 'occupations', 'vocations', or 'callings'. Each of these words emphasizes a different aspect of work, from the specialized training required to the deep personal meaning one might find in their labor.

Professions vs. Careers: 'Professions' usually refers to careers that require specialized education and often have a governing body or code of ethics, such as law, medicine, or accounting. 'Careers' is broader and can include any long-term work path.

While they both have careers in the tech industry, their specific professions are quite different: one is a developer, the other a lawyer.

'Occupations' is a more neutral, often bureaucratic term used in surveys and official documents. It simply refers to what someone does to earn a living. 'Vocations' and 'callings' are much more personal and often have a spiritual or deeply altruistic connotation, suggesting that the person was 'meant' to do that work. In modern business English, you might also hear the term 'trajectories' to describe the direction and speed of someone's professional growth.

Vocations vs. Careers: A 'vocation' is often seen as a life's work that provides a sense of purpose beyond just a paycheck. Someone might have a career in finance but feel their true vocation is volunteering at a shelter.

Many people are moving away from traditional careers to follow their true vocations in the arts.

Livelihoods: This term is often used when discussing the basic means of supporting oneself. 'Their livelihoods were threatened by the factory closure' sounds more urgent and survival-based than 'their careers'.

The government must protect the careers and livelihoods of those affected by the economic shift.

Exploring different careers through internships is a great way to find your professional fit.

The digital age has opened up thousands of new careers that focus on data and connectivity.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

Because the original meaning was related to a racecourse, the verb form of 'career' still means to move wildly or at high speed, like a horse running out of control. It wasn't until the early 19th century that the word began to be used to describe a person's professional life or progress through society.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kəˈrɪəz/

US /kəˈrɪrz/

Second syllable (ka-REERS)

Rhymes With

appears clears engineers fears gears hears pioneers steers volunteers years

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'carriers' (/ˈkæriərz/).
Stressing the first syllable (KAY-reers).
Failing to voice the final 's' as a 'z'.
Pronouncing the 'a' as a full 'ay' sound.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'care' (/kɛər/).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is common, but its plural form can sometimes be confused with 'carriers' in fast reading.

Writing 4/5

The spelling with double 'e' is a frequent point of error for many learners.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once the stress on the second syllable is mastered.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'career' (singular) if the final 's' sound is not clear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

job work school money future

Learn Next

profession vocation promotion resume interview

Advanced

trajectory paradigm ontological precarious systemic

Grammar to Know

Plural Noun Agreement

Careers in science require (not requires) a lot of dedication.

Possessive Plural

The students' careers are all very different.

Countable vs. Uncountable

I have many careers (not much careers).

Compound Noun Pluralization

In 'careers fair', the first noun is plural, which is an exception to the general rule that the first noun in a compound is singular.

Article Usage with Plural Nouns

We are discussing careers (no article for general) vs. the careers (definite) of these famous people.

Examples by Level

They have very interesting careers.

Ils ont des carrières très intéressantes.

Plural noun 'careers' matches the plural verb 'have'.

I want to learn about different careers.

Je veux en savoir plus sur différentes carrières.

Used after the adjective 'different'.

Her parents have long careers in medicine.

Ses parents ont de longues carrières en médecine.

Plural possessive 'parents' matches plural 'careers'.

Are there many careers for artists?

Y a-t-il beaucoup de carrières pour les artistes ?

Used in a question with 'many'.

He talks about his friends' careers.

Il parle des carrières de ses amis.

Possessive 'friends'' indicates plural ownership.

Careers in sports are very exciting.

Les carrières dans le sport sont très excitantes.

Subject of the sentence.

We saw a movie about two careers.

Nous avons vu un film sur deux carrières.

Used with the number 'two'.

She likes reading about successful careers.

Elle aime lire sur les carrières réussies.

Modified by the adjective 'successful'.

The school has a day for careers.

L'école a une journée pour les carrières.

Used as a noun in a prepositional phrase.

Many people change their careers after thirty.

Beaucoup de gens changent de carrière après trente ans.

Plural 'people' and 'careers'.

Is it easy to find careers in this city?

Est-il facile de trouver des carrières dans cette ville ?

Used as the object of the verb 'find'.

They are happy with their chosen careers.

Ils sont heureux de leurs carrières choisies.

Modified by the past participle 'chosen'.

We discussed our future careers in class.

Nous avons discuté de nos futures carrières en classe.

Plural possessive 'our' matches 'careers'.

Some careers require a lot of study.

Certaines carrières nécessitent beaucoup d'études.

Used with the quantifier 'some'.

He helps people choose their careers.

Il aide les gens à choisir leur carrière.

Object of the infinitive 'to choose'.

There are several careers in the building industry.

Il existe plusieurs carrières dans le secteur du bâtiment.

Used with 'several'.

The careers fair was very helpful for the students.

Le forum des métiers a été très utile pour les étudiants.

Used as a modifier in the compound noun 'careers fair'.

She has had three different careers in her life.

Elle a eu trois carrières différentes dans sa vie.

Indicates multiple professional paths over time.

Technology is creating many new careers today.

La technologie crée de nombreuses nouvelles carrières aujourd'hui.

Present continuous tense with plural object.

They are looking for careers with good benefits.

Ils recherchent des carrières avec de bons avantages.

Modified by a prepositional phrase.

The government wants to promote careers in science.

Le gouvernement veut promouvoir les carrières scientifiques.

Used with the verb 'promote'.

How do you balance your careers and family life?

Comment conciliez-vous vos carrières et votre vie de famille ?

Plural 'careers' suggests multiple professional roles or a couple's careers.

Many careers now allow for remote work.

De nombreuses carrières permettent désormais le travail à distance.

Subject of the sentence.

He gave us some great advice about our careers.

Il nous a donné d'excellents conseils sur nos carrières.

Object of the preposition 'about'.

The economic downturn has impacted many people's careers.

Le ralentissement économique a eu un impact sur la carrière de nombreuses personnes.

Possessive plural 'people's' with 'careers'.

Choosing between two lucrative careers can be difficult.

Choisir entre deux carrières lucratives peut être difficile.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

They are analyzing the careers of successful entrepreneurs.

Ils analysent les carrières d'entrepreneurs prospères.

Plural 'careers' of plural 'entrepreneurs'.

The university offers excellent careers guidance.

L'université offre d'excellents conseils d'orientation professionnelle.

Used as a modifier in 'careers guidance'.

Some careers are more susceptible to automation than others.

Certaines carrières sont plus susceptibles d'être automatisées que d'autres.

Comparative structure.

She managed to sustain two careers simultaneously.

Elle a réussi à mener deux carrières de front.

Indicates holding two distinct professional paths at once.

The report highlights the lack of diversity in certain careers.

Le rapport souligne le manque de diversité dans certaines carrières.

Used with the adjective 'certain'.

Many careers in the arts are notoriously unstable.

De nombreuses carrières dans les arts sont notoirement instables.

Subject with a prepositional phrase and adverbial modifier.

The shift toward a gig economy has fundamentally altered traditional careers.

Le passage à une économie à la tâche a fondamentalement modifié les carrières traditionnelles.

Complex sentence with present perfect tense.

Sociologists study how social class influences career trajectories and eventual careers.

Les sociologues étudient comment la classe sociale influence les trajectoires professionnelles et les carrières finales.

Uses 'careers' to refer to the end result of professional paths.

The intersection of technology and ethics is creating unprecedented careers.

L'intersection de la technologie et de l'éthique crée des carrières sans précédent.

Modified by the adjective 'unprecedented'.

Many professionals find themselves navigating non-linear careers in the 21st century.

De nombreux professionnels se retrouvent à naviguer dans des carrières non linéaires au XXIe siècle.

Reflexive verb 'find themselves' with a participle phrase.

The documentary critiques the hyper-competitive nature of corporate careers.

Le documentaire critique la nature hyper-compétitive des carrières en entreprise.

Modified by 'hyper-competitive' and 'corporate'.

Global mobility has allowed for careers that span multiple continents.

La mobilité mondiale a permis des carrières qui s'étendent sur plusieurs continents.

Relative clause 'that span multiple continents'.

The longitudinal study followed the careers of five hundred graduates over forty years.

L'étude longitudinale a suivi la carrière de cinq cents diplômés sur quarante ans.

Specific plural count 'five hundred' and 'careers'.

Burnout is a significant risk in high-stakes careers like emergency medicine.

L'épuisement professionnel est un risque important dans les carrières à enjeux élevés comme la médecine d'urgence.

Used with the compound adjective 'high-stakes'.

The ontological significance of our careers often outweighs their economic utility.

La signification ontologique de nos carrières l'emporte souvent sur leur utilité économique.

Sophisticated vocabulary and abstract subject.

One must consider the systemic barriers that preclude certain demographics from lucrative careers.

Il faut tenir compte des barrières systémiques qui empêchent certains groupes démographiques d'accéder à des carrières lucratives.

Formal 'one must' and 'preclude from'.

The ephemeral nature of modern industries makes for precarious careers.

La nature éphémère des industries modernes favorise les carrières précaires.

Abstract noun phrase as the subject.

Her memoir provides a poignant reflection on the sacrifices necessitated by high-profile careers.

Ses mémoires offrent une réflexion poignante sur les sacrifices nécessités par les carrières de haut niveau.

Complex noun phrase with a past participle modifier.

The curriculum is designed to foster the skills required for multifaceted careers in the digital age.

Le programme est conçu pour favoriser les compétences requises pour des carrières multiformes à l'ère numérique.

Passive voice with an infinitive of purpose.

We are witnessing a paradigm shift in how society conceptualizes and values individual careers.

Nous assistons à un changement de paradigme dans la manière dont la société conceptualise et valorise les carrières individuelles.

Present continuous with a complex 'how' clause.

The archival data reveals the stark disparities between the careers of men and women in the mid-twentieth century.

Les données d'archives révèlent les disparités flagrantes entre les carrières des hommes et des femmes au milieu du XXe siècle.

Subject-verb agreement with 'data' (plural) and 'reveals' (often used as singular in modern English, but here 'data' is the subject).

The confluence of personal passion and professional opportunity often results in the most fulfilling careers.

La confluence de la passion personnelle et de l'opportunité professionnelle aboutit souvent aux carrières les plus épanouissantes.

Abstract subject with a superlative adjective.

Common Collocations

career prospects

career ladder

career path

career break

career change

career development

career goals

career advice

career opportunities

career success

Common Phrases

careers fair

— An event where employers provide information to potential employees.

I handed out twenty resumes at the university careers fair.

careers advisor

— A person whose job is to give people advice about what jobs they should do.

The careers advisor suggested I look into graphic design.

careers office

— A department in a school or university that helps students find work.

The careers office is located on the third floor of the student union.

careers service

— An organization or department that provides career-related help.

The national careers service offers free online resources.

launch a career

— To start one's professional life in a specific field.

She moved to New York to launch her career in fashion.

advance one's career

— To move forward or get promoted in one's professional life.

He took an evening course to advance his career in management.

ruin a career

— To do something that makes it impossible to continue working in a field.

The scandal unfortunately ruined his career in politics.

pursue a career

— To actively work toward having a career in a certain area.

Many young people want to pursue careers in social media.

stagnant careers

— Professional paths where there is no growth or progress.

Economic crises often lead to stagnant careers for many workers.

lucrative careers

— Professional paths that pay a lot of money.

Careers in finance are often very lucrative but highly stressful.

Often Confused With

careers vs carriers

These are things or people that carry something, like mail carriers or aircraft carriers. It sounds similar but has a different vowel sound.

careers vs jobs

A job is a specific role you do for money; a career is the long-term path. You can have many jobs within one career.

careers vs courses

Courses are what you study in school; careers are what you do for work after you finish studying.

Idioms & Expressions

"climb the career ladder"

— To make progress in your career by getting higher and better-paid positions.

He's very ambitious and wants to climb the career ladder as fast as possible.

informal/neutral

"a career move"

— An action or decision that is intended to help your career.

Taking that internship was a smart career move.

neutral

"at the peak of one's career"

— At the point where someone is most successful in their professional life.

She retired while she was still at the peak of her career.

neutral

"dead-end career"

— A professional path with no prospects for promotion or improvement.

He felt trapped in a dead-end career with no future.

informal

"career-ending injury"

— An injury so severe that it prevents someone from continuing their profession.

The football player suffered a career-ending injury in the final game.

neutral

"make a career out of something"

— To turn a hobby or interest into a full-time profession.

She managed to make a career out of her love for baking.

neutral

"career criminal"

— Someone who makes a living through illegal activities over a long period.

The police finally caught the career criminal after a ten-year search.

neutral/legal

"mid-career crisis"

— A period of doubt and anxiety about one's professional choices in middle age.

He had a mid-career crisis and decided to quit his job to become a painter.

informal

"career path is mapped out"

— When someone's future professional steps are already planned or certain.

With his father as the CEO, his career path was already mapped out.

neutral

"carve out a career"

— To successfully create a professional path for oneself through hard work.

She carved out a career for herself in the competitive world of journalism.

neutral

Easily Confused

careers vs careen

Sounds similar to the verb form of career.

'Careen' specifically means to tilt to one side while moving, whereas 'career' (verb) means to move rapidly and out of control.

The ship careened to the left, while the car careered down the road.

careers vs courier

Similar spelling and starting sound.

A courier is a person who delivers messages or packages. A career is a professional path.

The courier delivered the documents to the woman with the successful career.

careers vs korea

Pronunciation can be similar for some learners.

Korea is a country; careers are professional paths. The stress in Korea is on the second syllable, like careers, but the vowel sounds are different.

She moved to Korea to start her career in teaching.

careers vs carer

Very similar spelling.

A carer is someone who looks after a sick or elderly person. A career is a professional path.

Being a carer is one of the most difficult careers.

careers vs currier

Rare word, but similar spelling.

A currier is someone who processes leather. A career is a professional path.

The currier had a long career in the leather industry.

Sentence Patterns

They have [adjective] careers.

They have good careers.

I want to learn about [type] careers.

I want to learn about medical careers.

Many people [verb] their careers.

Many people change their careers.

Careers in [field] are [adjective].

Careers in technology are evolving.

The [noun] of careers has [verb].

The nature of careers has changed.

One must [verb] the [noun] of careers.

One must consider the trajectory of careers.

It is a [adjective] career move.

It is a smart career move.

There are [number] careers available in [place].

There are several careers available in this city.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English, especially in educational and professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

I have a careers in teaching. → I have a career in teaching.
You cannot use 'a' (singular) with 'careers' (plural). Use the singular form for one path.
They are looking for their career. → They are looking for their careers.
If 'they' refers to multiple people, they usually have multiple careers (one each).
He is a carrier in the army. → He has a career in the army.
A 'carrier' is something that carries; a 'career' is a professional path.
The careers fair was very help. → The careers fair was very helpful.
This is a general grammar error, but common when using the compound noun 'careers fair'.
I want to carreer in medicine. → I want a career in medicine.
Learners often try to use 'career' as a verb for 'to work', but it's primarily a noun in this context.

Tips

Use Adjectives

To sound more natural, pair 'careers' with adjectives like 'promising', 'rewarding', or 'challenging'. This adds more detail to your description of professional paths.

Check Your Verbs

Always remember that 'careers' is plural. This means you must use plural verbs like 'are', 'have', or 'do'. For example: 'Careers in art are often difficult to start.'

The Double E Rule

Think of the two 'e's in 'careers' as standing for 'Education' and 'Experience', the two things you need for a good career. This will help you remember the spelling.

Stress the End

The stress is on the 'REERS' part of the word. Practice saying 'ka-REERS' several times to get the rhythm right and avoid sounding like 'carriers'.

Careers vs. Jobs

Use 'jobs' for short-term tasks or specific positions, and 'careers' for the long-term journey. This distinction shows a higher level of English proficiency.

Careers Fair Modifier

When writing about a 'careers fair', remember that 'careers' stays plural. It's one of those interesting cases where a plural noun acts as an adjective.

Talk About Others

Use 'careers' when discussing the professional lives of a group of people. 'My friends all have successful careers' sounds much better than using the singular 'career'.

Listen for the 'Z'

The final 's' in 'careers' is pronounced like a 'z'. Training your ear to hear this soft 'z' will help you distinguish it from the singular 'career'.

Career Change

Don't be afraid to use the phrase 'career change'. It's a very common topic in English-speaking cultures and a great way to start a conversation about life transitions.

Professionalism

In academic essays, use 'careers' to discuss labor market trends. It sounds more professional and analytical than simply using the word 'work'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Car' on a 'Track' (eer). Your career is the car you drive through the track of your life. Since it's 'careers' (plural), imagine many cars on many tracks representing all the paths you could take.

Visual Association

Imagine a long, winding road with different signs like 'Teacher', 'Doctor', and 'Artist'. Each road is a career. Seeing many of these roads together helps you remember 'careers'.

Word Web

Job Success Promotion Salary Skills Training Ambition Retirement

Challenge

Write three sentences about three different people you know and the careers they have chosen. Try to use an adjective for each one (e.g., 'a challenging career').

Word Origin

The word 'career' entered the English language in the mid-16th century from the French word 'carrière', which meant a road or a racecourse. This French term originated from the Old Provençal 'carriera', which in turn came from the Late Latin 'carraria' (meaning a road for vehicles). The Latin root is 'carrus', which means a wheeled vehicle or chariot.

Original meaning: A racecourse or a track for horses and chariots.

Indo-European (Italic -> Romance -> Germanic/English)

Cultural Context

Be aware that not everyone has the opportunity to choose their careers; for many, work is a matter of survival rather than a 'path' or 'journey'.

In the UK, 'careers' is the standard term for vocational guidance in schools. In the US, 'career counseling' is more common.

The 'Careers' board game (1955) where players choose their own success formulas. The song 'Career Opportunities' by The Clash, which critiques the limited options for youth. The movie 'The Graduate' (1967), which explores the anxiety of choosing a career path.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Education

careers guidance
careers fair
careers office
choosing a career

Business

career development
career ladder
career prospects
corporate careers

Recruitment

career opportunities
career history
career break
career change

Sociology

career trajectories
social mobility
work-life balance
professional identity

Personal Growth

career goals
career success
finding a career
career advice

Conversation Starters

"What kind of careers were you interested in when you were a child?"

"Do you think most people stay in the same careers for their whole lives nowadays?"

"What are some of the most popular careers in your country right now?"

"How has technology changed the careers of people in your family?"

"If you could have two different careers at the same time, what would they be?"

Journal Prompts

Reflect on the different careers you have considered throughout your life and what influenced those choices.

Describe the ideal careers for someone with your specific set of skills and personality traits.

Write about how the concept of 'careers' has changed from your grandparents' generation to your own.

Imagine you are a careers advisor. What advice would you give to someone who is unhappy in their current field?

Discuss the impact of social media on modern careers and whether you think it is a positive or negative influence.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'career' is the singular form. You use 'careers' when talking about more than one professional path or the paths of multiple people. For example, 'She has a career in law' (singular) versus 'They have careers in law' (plural).

A careers fair is an event where companies and organizations set up booths to give information to students or job seekers about potential employment opportunities. It is a great place to network and learn about different fields.

Yes, if you have worked in two completely different professional fields. For example, if you were a teacher for ten years and then a software developer for ten years, you have had two careers. If you just have two part-time jobs, it's better to say 'I have two jobs'.

Career prospects refer to the chances of being successful or being promoted in a particular field. If a job has 'good career prospects', it means there are many opportunities to move up and earn more money in the future.

The plural is spelled C-A-R-E-E-R-S. Be careful not to add an extra 'r' or forget the double 'e'. It is a common spelling mistake for English learners.

Yes, 'careers' is used in both American and British English. However, in the UK, you might see 'Careers Service' more often, while in the US, 'Career Services' (with a singular 'career' acting as a modifier) is also common.

A career is a general term for a professional path. A vocation usually implies a stronger sense of purpose or a 'calling', often suggesting that the work is deeply meaningful to the person beyond just the salary.

Yes, as a verb, 'to career' means to move rapidly and in an uncontrolled way. For example, 'The car careered off the road.' However, this usage is much less common than the noun form related to work.

Non-linear careers are professional paths that do not follow a straight line or a traditional ladder. This might involve changing industries, taking career breaks, or moving between different types of roles rather than just getting promoted in one company.

Both are actually used, but 'careers advisor' (plural) is very common in British English. It suggests that the person gives advice on many different types of careers, not just one.