Your Name
Class Period
Choosing a Work Environment
Score: ______ / 11 = ______
Choosing a Work Environment
A “work environment” means where you will work. Obviously different jobs have different
places where you will work. But, when you think about a work environment, most people just
assume they will work in some sort of building—an office or factory or hospital, for example.
While this is true in one sense, even a building environment can also include some special
conditions. Also, many jobs are not performed in buildings. Jobs have different work
environments. Where you work and under what conditions can affect how you like your job.
Exploring work environments is another area you should consider when choosing a career.
Directions
Read the descriptions of different work environments that follow.
Record your work environment choices in the box after the activity.
The Basic Choices: Inside, Outside, or Both
The most basic decision about a work environment is whether you want to work in the following
places:
Inside: You will work inside a building or something that protects you from the weather. You
might not be protected from temperature changes, however.
Outside: You will work outside with no protection from the weather.
Both: You will work about half the time inside and the other half outside.
Other Conditions to Consider
Jobs can have working conditions you may want to avoid. You might not want a job that’s
dangerous, but other people wouldn’t mind danger. Some other conditions to consider are as
follows:
1. Very Hot or Very Cold: Job conditions can
include working in temperatures above 90 degrees or
below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Noise Levels: Job conditions can include noise
levels that are so high they can distract you from your
work or make you uncomfortable.
3. Bad Lighting: Job conditions can include very
bright light or poor lighting making it difficult to see.
4. Hazards: Job conditions might include working in situations or with equipment that can
cause injury or even death, or the job could harm your health.
5. Vibration: Job conditions could include using machinery that would cause your whole body
to shake.
6. Fumes, Odor, Dust: Job conditions could make you uncomfortable or maybe cause injury.
7. Cramped Work Space: Job conditions might include working in
spaces where you have to get into awkward positions.
8. Radiation: Job conditions might include the chance of being exposed
to radiation.
9. Diseases/Infections: Job conditions could expose you to germs
causing illness.
10. High Places: Job conditions might include working more than eight
feet off the ground.
My Work Environment Choices
Basic choices (Inside, Outside, or Both):
1. I would like a job working (answer only one):
Inside
Outside
Both
Other Conditions to Consider:
In answering questions 2 and 3, you must use all 10 of the condition—either you “can”
tolerate the condition or you “cannot”. You cannot answer the same one in both questions.
2. I could put up with an environment that includes these conditions (answer all that apply):
Very Hot or Very Cold
Noise Levels
Bad Lighting
Hazards
Vibrations
Fumes, Odor, Dust
Cramped Work Space
Radiation
Diseases/Infections
High Places
3. I do not want to work in an environment that includes these conditions (answer all that
apply):
Very Hot or Very Cold
Noise Levels
Bad Lighting
Hazards
Vibrations
Fumes, Odor, Dust
Cramped Work Space
Radiation
Diseases/Infections
High Places
NOTE: You can only check a total of 10 boxes. For example, if you check three boxes in
question #2, you must check the 7 boxes in question #3 that you did not check in #2.