就く

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 就く (つく) is an intransitive verb meaning to enter a profession or take up a position.
• Basic usage: 教師の職に就いた reports entering teaching; 代表の任に就く states a forthcoming representative role.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Profession with 職に and office with 任に
  • The role takes に in both patterns; 就いた is past entry and 就く can describe a future appointment.