EnglishFuture Plans and Possibilities
Career-planning words
- career goal [/kəˈrɪə ɡəʊl/]
- a professional aim you want to achieve
My career goal is to become a project manager. - deadline [/ˈdedlaɪn/]
- the latest time when something must be finished
Our application deadline is Friday. - action plan [/ˈækʃən plæn/]
- a list of practical steps to reach a goal
She made an action plan for her job search. - save enough money [/seɪv ɪˈnʌf ˈmʌni/]
- keep the amount of money you need
By December, I will have saved enough money. - take a trip abroad [/teɪk ə trɪp əˈbrɔːd/]
- travel to another country
I’m going to take a trip abroad next summer. - apply for a course [/əˈplaɪ fər ə kɔːs/]
- formally ask to join a course
He is going to apply for a course in marketing. - arrange a meeting [/əˈreɪndʒ ə ˈmiːtɪŋ/]
- organise a time to meet someone
We are arranging a meeting with the manager. - career adviser [/kəˈrɪə ədˈvaɪzə/]
- a person who gives advice about jobs and careers
I’m meeting a career adviser on Tuesday. - opportunity [/ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti/]
- a good chance to do something
This course could be a great opportunity. - vacancy [/ˈveɪkənsi/]
- a job that is available
There is a vacancy in the sales team. - progress [/ˈprəʊɡres/]
- improvement towards a goal
Review your progress every month. - next step [/nekst step/]
- the action you should take after this one
Applying for the course is my next step.
Future form strip
Form | Use |
|---|---|
will + base verb | decision now; opinion prediction |
going to + base verb | prior intention; prediction from evidence |
present continuous | fixed arrangement |
will have + past participle | completed by a future point |
will be + verb-ing | activity in progress at a future point |
By the end of the year, I will have saved enough money.
I’m going to take a trip abroad.
Say one example about your own plans. 🎯
Choose the best future form
Say why the context fits before you choose.
- The phone is ringing. I [___] it.
- Look at those dark clouds. It [___] .
- We [___] the career adviser at 3 p.m. on Friday; it is in my calendar.
- I think more companies [___] flexible hours in the future.
- By 2030, I [___] my degree.
- At 8 p.m. tomorrow, we [___] to Rome.
- By the time the interview starts, she [___] her presentation.
- This time next year, I [___] in a new role.
Career Planning Guide
Career Planning Guide
Start with a clear career goal and one small action. This week, update your CV and contact two people in your field. Next month, you’re meeting a career adviser and you’re going to apply for a short course. Don’t wait for perfect conditions: if an interesting vacancy appears, you’ll send an application immediately. Look at the evidence too. The industry is growing, so you’ll probably find more opportunities. Set a deadline: by December, you will have completed your course research and chosen your next step. In three years, you’ll be working with more responsibility, so keep learning and build useful contacts. Review your action plan every month, celebrate progress, and change direction when new information arrives.
Check the guide
- What two actions does the guide recommend for this week?
- What is the person planning to do next month?
- What will the reader have done by December?
Difficult words
- field — an area of work or study
- vacancy — an available job
- industry — businesses that produce similar goods or services
- opportunities — good chances to do something
- deadline — the final time to complete something
- responsibility — a duty or task you must manage
- direction — the way a plan or career develops
Your three-year plan
Write 50–90 words about your career, study, travel, or financial plans. ✍️
Include:
- Next month I’m ...
- By next year I will have ...
- In 3 years I’ll be ...
- one sentence with will or going to
- a clear time expression
- at least two words from today’s list
Useful phrases:
- My career goal is to ...
- I’m going to apply for ...
- I’m arranging a meeting with ...
- I think I’ll ...
- By next year, I will have ...
- In three years, I’ll be ...
- My next step is to ...
<essay>Over the next</essay>
