©AP Photo/Eric Gay
Pre-reading questions:
- What does clean energy mean?
- Why are people interested in using clean energy?
Vocabulary:
- career /kuh-REER/
- energy /EN-er-jee/
- intern /IN-turn/
- stabilize /STEY-buh-lahyz/
- goal /GOHL/
[noun] – the job or series of jobs that a person does during their working life
She wants to have a successful career as a teacher in the future.
[noun] – the power from something such as electricity or oil that can do work, such as providing light and heat
The factory relies on energy from oil and electricity to keep the machines running and the building well-lit.
[verb] – to work as an intern
Many students intern during the summer to learn about their future jobs.
[verb] – if something such as an economy or system stabilizes or if something stabilizes it, it becomes able to continue in a regular and successful way without unexpected changes
Engineers worked quickly to stabilize the bridge after the earthquake.
[noun] – an aim or desired result that a person wants to achieve
My goal is to read ten books this year to learn new things.
Article reading:
With encouragement from Brianna, who interned at Sage Geosystems, a geothermal energy company, Taff made the decision to leave Shell after 36 years and join Sage as Chief Operating Officer. She later became CEO of the company, where she focused on advancing geothermal technologies that store and produce renewable energy. Under Taff’s leadership, Sage has expanded its geothermal energy storage projects in Texas and collaborated on international initiatives. Taff has expressed optimism about the potential of geothermal energy to stabilize and clean the global electrical grid, believing that this shift could transform the energy sector and contribute to a more sustainable future. This change aligns with her personal values and long-term professional goals.
Comprehension questions
- What position did Cindy Taff hold at Shell before leaving?
- What did Taff spend her career managing at Shell?
- Who encouraged Cindy Taff to reconsider her career direction?
- What type of energy did Taff previously suggest Shell explore?
- Why did Shell not prioritize geothermal energy projects?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever considered a career change due to your values or beliefs? If so, what motivated you? If not, what factors do you think would lead you to make such a decision?
- Have you ever been influenced by a family member’s opinion when making a career choice? If so, how did it affect your decision? If not, who else do you think could influence your career path?
- Do you agree that pursuing a career aligned with personal values is important for job satisfaction?
- What challenges do you think individuals face when trying to transition from traditional energy sectors to renewable energy sectors?
- How important do you believe it is for leaders in the energy sector to promote sustainability, and what steps can they take to achieve this?