Skill Levels
Gauging Personal Progress in Language and Math James Hayes-Bohanan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Geography Revised: June 29, 2004 (Thanks to Professor Robert Sutherland for material on this page, obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor.) |
Strong math and language skills are two of the hallmarks of an educated person. They are essential for further learning. Fortunately, skills in both of these areas can be developed and improved by sustained and disciplined work over a period of years.
The skill levels in each case range from one to six,
as follows:
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"A person who does not read is no better off than a person who cannot read." ~~ Dear Abby (paraphrased) | "A thing is not really understood until it is understood quantitatively." ~~ Carl Sagan (paraphrased) | |
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Of course, the skills described above also have practical applications; it is for this reason that the Department of Labor has taken an interest in them. The following is a list of various occupations, indicating the skill levels required for each.
Some of the results may surprise you. Select a career that interests you. Are the requisite skill levels higher or lower than you expected?
If you do not yet have the skill levels you need or want, how might you
be able to move toward those levels in the next several years?
Occupation | Language
Level |
Math Level |
Biochemist |
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Mathematician |
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Cardiologist |
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Social psychologist |
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Lawyer |
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Newspaper Editor |
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Personnel Manager |
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Corporate President |
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Secondary Teacher |
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Elementary Teacher |
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Disc Jockey |
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Corporate Executive |
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Management Trainee |
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Retail Store Manager |
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Cement Mason |
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Dairy Farm Manager |
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Travel Agent |
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Telephone Operator |
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Janitor |
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Assembly-line Worker |
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Laundry Worker |
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