Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 35: As most people spend a major part of adult life at the place of work, job 
satisfaction is an important part of individual well-being. What are the factors that 
contribute to job satisfaction? Are all the expectations for job satisfaction realistic? 
 
(job security), ( basic pay), (job-related benefits);
(working conditions), (able to cope with work pace);
(good rapport with coworkers, peers and superiors);
(career development) (receive training and counseling) (development of capabilities), ( attainment of 
full potential) ;
(receive recognition), (given the opportunities or innovation and creativity), ( experience a feeling 
of success)
(Expectations varied as their experience changed.), (educational background) (social settings)
 
Job satisfaction refers to the degree of pleasure employees can feel when working. It is of 
broad interest to employers because of its potential impact on productivity and morale of 
employees. Of those factors that contribute to job satisfaction, some are intrinsic while others 
are extrinsic. Both will be introduced below. In the latter part of the essay is a discussion 
concerning whether one's expectations for job satisfaction are always appropriate.
Most of the factors that have influence on job satisfaction are extrinsic. One is 
employees' material needs. It is understandable that income, housing, paid holiday, bonus and 
other job benefits are the main elements an employee will normally look into when 
evaluating whether a job is desirable or not. Another source of satisfaction is job satisfaction. 
An employee is delighted if continued employment is accessible, that is, staying on a job for 
some considerable time. Besides these basic needs, people crave for a positive self-image and 
to have their contribution valued and appreciated. That's why promotion is very often 
manipulated to improve employees' job satisfaction, sending a message to employees that 
their commitment has been recognized.
Along with extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors are important. Individual personality plays a 
large part in many cases. It is believed that the employees with a positive outlook on life and 
full of optimism are more likely to achieve higher job satisfaction irrespective of the job or 
workplace they are in. When optimism allows individuals to function well in the face of 
adversity and prevents them from becoming depressed, pessimism makes them less likely to 
complete tasks and meet objectives successfully, thereby undermining job satisfaction.
Given the constantly changing nature of today's business environment, a job can hardly 
live up to the expectations of job holders. Weak economies, rapidly changing technology and 
likelihood of downsizing are combining to account for why the length of tenure is shortened 
nowadays and few people now expect to stay on the same job throughout their working lives. 
Rewards are able to raise motivation and increase satisfaction of employees, but not available 
for every individual that wants them. There is no guarantee that every good performer will be 
awarded all the time. Law of the jungle applies here: only the strongest competitors will win 
access to the majority of the resource.
As suggested above, job satisfaction is attributed to different factors, both extrinsic and 
intrinsic.
The complexity of today's work environment has made it less likely for people to get 
whatever they desire from a job.
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1. Morale=drive=spirits=positive feelings=confidence 
2. Intrinsic=inherent=basic=natural=native
3. Extrinsic=extraneous
4. Outlook=what is expected to happen in the future=prospect
5. Irrespective of = regardless of
6. Adversity=hardship=difficulty=harsh conditions=hard times
7. Tenure=term
8. Law of the jungle
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