追夢人不老

山東德州市第一中學 于 玲

Staring at environmental impact reports and applications on my computer screen,I began to think,“I needed a change.” It was another turning point that led me,at age 66,to earn a PhD.

My first career was about audiology （聽力學）—a choice based on job opportunities in a rural area,and one that allowed me to work part-time while I tended my growing family.But when my children grew up and left home,I found myself longing to be outside.

I began attending university classes,hoping that might lead me to new career prospects.I also went to see a counselor,offered as part of a program for non-traditional students.Our discussion led to a second master's degree in zoology and the job as a naturalist at a state park.It was an entry-level position.I was 44 years old.And I was delighted to experience the joy of being outdoors that I had felt as a child.

But as I climbed the career ladder at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR),my time in the field decreased and finally disappeared.In the back of my mind,the counselor's question burnt.“What gave you pleasure as a child?”

As my discontent grew,an opportunity presented itself:a 4-month program as part of a field research project.I found that field research allowed me to play in the woods again,but with the intellectual stimulation that comes with figuring things out.

At the end of my stay,I was invited to the “sandwich”PhD program.I was 60 years old.I didn't think earning a PhD would further my career.But I wanted to follow my new passion.

“What do you intend to do with a PhD?” my colleagues asked. “It's all about the journey,” I responded.As one of my favorite authors,Ursula K.Le Guin,wrote,“It is good to have an end to journey towards； but it is the journey that matters in the end.”

Reading Check

1.What did the author think of her first career?

A.It gave her great pleasure.

B.It reduced her enthusiasm about it eventually.

C.It led her to new career prospects.

D.It won great support from her family.

2.Which question did the author want to solve by seeing the counselor?

A.Which career path to turn to next.

B.When to make a change in her career.

C.How to become a non-traditional student.

D.Whether another master's degree is necessary.

3.Why did the author become unhappy with her work at the DNR?

A.She had no time to spare with children.

B.She was tired of climbing the career ladder.

C.She couldn't enjoy the outdoors while at work.

D.She had been at the entry-level position for long.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

My first career was about audiology—a choice based on job opportunities in a rural area,and one that allowed me to work part-time while I tended my growing family.

【翻譯】_____________________________________________________________________________

【點石成金】本句是一個主從復合句。My first career是主句的主語，one作同位語，that引導定語從句。