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Author: Anthony Teles

  • Life Requires Humour

    Life Requires Humour

    Life is a lot harder than people like to admit. We have a nasty social habit of responding to every “How are you?” with a positive statement regardless of how awful we actually feel inside. Humour and comedy are effective tools for delivering hard truths that we cannot muster up with a straight face. This is especially helpful for those living with physical disabilities. For those afflicted with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, such as yours truly, it is a way to process dark thoughts. More than just softening the blow, comedy provides clarity and highlights the absurdities of hardship better than straight-forward statements ever could.

    Life is heavy on presentation. We project a heightened, more idealized version of ourselves on social media. You dress well for work and social occasions even when you feel like garbage. I write articles meant to uplift and inspire after an anxious night of little sleep. Humour lifts off that veneer. It offers a look into the struggles of physical and mental disabilities in a way that allows people to connect on a stronger emotional level. There are different approaches to this. Affiliative humour is the kind we use to build relationships and put people we are with at ease. Self-enhancing humour is used as a coping mechanism, whereas self-defeating humour attempts to amuse others at your own expense. These all have their own pros and cons, but can be used effectively to convey feelings and connect with others.

    Life needs more difficult truths out in the open. Comics with disabilities often employ self-defeating humour in a positive way. Ted Shiress is a comedian with cerebral palsy who uses comedy to go beyond simply being “disability inspiration” for abled-bodied people. Self-deprecating humour is his tool to get his way on stage alongside other professional comedians and shatter the perception that people with disabilities are worse at delivering jokes or getting an audience to laugh. He faces a dissonance: an audience ready to enjoy his act, while at the same time contending with the guilt of laughing at a disabled individual. He notes that in comedy, why you are saying what you are saying is more important than the subject matter. He strives to ensure his disability does not define him, but refuses to ignore it, comparing it to a tall comedian joking about being tall. Humour allows people to understand him better.

    Life is chaos. We have no say over the condition of the bodies we are born with. Laughter and comedy empower us. Instead of denying, downplaying, or wallowing in misery, we can tackle our life’s predicament head on. Take a moment to think about your saddest emotions, darkest thoughts, and biggest challenges. More often than not, these are things that only surface when no one is around. Yet they are an integral part of our humanity and not a defect you face on your own. Jokes, anecdotes, and humourous musings not only soften the impact of sharing this side of ourselves with others, but also provide insight in how to address these seemingly insurmountable problems.

    Life is horrifyingly beautiful. When we strive to show other sides of ourselves on social media, answer a “How are you?” in earnest, and find the style of humour that best suits how we want to express ourselves, we take bold steps against the disabilities and tragedies that life throws our way. We feel empowered, connected, and more self-assured. It is not only a helpful tool. It is a necessity of life.

    Sources:

    Counselling Connection. “Humour Makes Life Easier.” https://www.counsellingconnection.com/index.php/2009/08/04/humour-makes-life-easier/

    Greengross, Gil. “The Relationship Between Humor and Depression.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/humor-sapiens/201911/the-relationship-between-humor-and-depression

    Shiress, Ted. “Disability and comedy: a personal perspective.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2013/sep/12/disability-comedy-personal-perspective

  • The Scoop On Indigenous Student Scholarships Today

    The Scoop On Indigenous Student Scholarships Today

    Getting an education can help people find good jobs and even a purpose in life. Paying for courses can be difficult, but financial aid can help. For Indigenous students, special scholarships can be useful for getting an education.

    Various organizations offer scholarships for Indigenous students going into post-secondary programs. Indspire, formerly called the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, has information on scholarships available across Canada for students entering programs at colleges and universities, including trades, health careers, and more.

    For high school students planning on going to university, one option is the Indspire Star Scholarship for Business/Engineering. Students should have average grades of at least 75-80% and be involved in campus clubs and other organizations. The student who wins this scholarship can receive $5000 per year for four years if the funding is renewed.

    This is only one of the scholarships available to Indigenous students. The Irving K. Barber Indigenous Awards are available to all Indigenous students, and the New Relationship Trust Scholarships and Bursaries are open to all Indigenous students from British Columbia.

    Each province or territory has its own awards for students, available for studies in that region. For example, the Winnipeg School Division has a number of scholarships for Indigenous students, and Manitoba Hydro has awards that include the Science Fair Award and the First Year Information Technology bursary. Often, companies like these have opportunities for students to receive large or small amounts of money to go towards their tuition or other expenses.

    The different levels of government and crown corporations are also good sources of funding for post-secondary schooling. Often, governments have scholarships designated for students who have achieved a certain level of marks or who are planning on going into certain fields. Canada Post is also a good place to check for scholarships, as well as other government-related organizations.

    Bursaries are usually smaller than scholarships, and they are available only once for each student, while scholarships might run over several years. Often, people establish bursaries to honour someone, such as with the Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation Bursaries or the Tim McLean Memorial Bursary. These awards might be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a thousand or more.

    Finding a scholarship might take some time, but it can be worth the effort. Receiving even a few hundred dollars might make the difference between struggling for food and eating well, or between having to take a second evening job or being able to stay home to study.

    However, it is important to know the requirements of each scholarship. Many of them are at least partly based on grades in school, and it is important to study hard. However, the people who fund the scholarships also want to know that the recipients also have other good qualities, such as helpfulness and kindness. If you are Indigenous, you can already start to develop the academic and personal qualities that will help you get the scholarship you want.

    Bibliography:

    Aboriginal Learning Links. “Scholarships/Bursaries.” http://aboriginallearning.ca/scholarshipsbursaries/.

    Government of Canada. “Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool.” https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1351185180120/1351685455328.

    Indspire. “Bursaries, Scholarships, and Awards.” https://indspirefunding.ca/.

    Indspire. “The Indspire Star Scholarship for Business/Engineering.” https://indspirefunding.ca/indspire-star-scholarship/.

    University of Toronto. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. “Scholarships and Bursaries for Indigenous Students.” https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ien/Scholarships_and_Bursaries.html.

    Winnipeg School Division. “Indigenous Student Scholarships.”  https://www.winnipegsd.ca/students/studentinformation/financial-help/scholarships/aboriginal-student-scholarships/Pages/Default.aspx.

  • Helping Others in Need-Including Your Friends

    Helping Others in Need-Including Your Friends

    Think back to the last time you needed some help—maybe with something small like coming to class without a pencil or a bigger issue like having no winter boots or mittens. Did someone help you get what you needed? Everyone gets help from others at some point in their lives. If you look around at the people you meet, you can find ways of helping your peers or others in need.

    The city or town where you live probably has opportunities for you to help those in need. Helping at homeless shelters or soup kitchens can be a valuable experience for you, while also assisting people in need in various ways. Many places also take donations of warm clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other items that people can use. If you have clothes that you have outgrown, toys that you no longer want, or extra games and books, you can always donate them to places that help people in need. Donating money is important, but sometimes simple and essential items are best to donate.

    Sometimes, helping others involves time rather than money. Besides helping at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, you could help a neighbour or friend rake leaves, shovel snow, or do some cleaning. Helping your grandparents or other elderly people with daily tasks like cooking or doing errands could also be helpful. A younger person with a broken arm might also appreciate getting help with basic tasks, like carrying groceries or even opening doors.

    Listening to others is also a very important way of helping people in need. Not everyone has friends or family members who are willing and able to listen to them. You can help just by sitting and listening to people who want to talk about an issue or about what is going on in their lives. They might not want someone who tries to solve their problems, but rather someone who is willing to hear what they have to say.

    Still, listeners have to be ready to act if necessary. Sometimes it is not enough just to listen and express sympathy. Suppose that a classmate complained of not having enough time to do homework in between doing chores at home. You could offer to walk your classmate’s dog or mow the lawn to free more time for schoolwork. If your classmate is struggling to understand a concept or task at school, you could take the time to explain it more clearly. Your friends and classmates, or even your teachers, can help you find out what others need.

    Helping people in need can give you a good feeling but also make life better for others. Why not try that for yourself?

    Bibliography:

    Charter for Compassion. “Six Meaningful Ways to Help Others.” https://charterforcompassion.org/practicing-peace/six-meaningful-ways-to-help-others.

    Morin, Amy. “7 Random Acts of Kindness for Kids.” https://www.verywellfamily.com/random-acts-of-kindness-for-kids-4136440.

    Santi, Jenny. “The Secret to Happiness is Helping Others.” https://time.com/collection-post/4070299/secret-to-happiness/.

    WkiHow. “How to Help Others.” https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Others.

  • Career Profile: Railway Conductor

    Career Profile: Railway Conductor

    A hundred years ago, trains were a regular part of everyday life. This type of transportation is not as popular as it once was in Canada, but trains are still very important. Railway conductors help to keep trains running on time with their passengers and cargo.

    Railway conductors have very important jobs as organizers for train trips. On passenger trains, conductors help people find their seats, carry their luggage, and help them with anything else they need. For example, passengers might need help getting off at the right station. On freight trains, conductors help to load or unload boxes and other packages. The work can be hard, and conductors need to work in all kinds of weather.

    Working as a railway conductor involves a lot of stamina. Being able to work long hours is important. When trains arrive at stations, workers have a limited amount of time to load and unload the cargo. Conductors can help by organizing the work and moving some of the cargo themselves. They should have good hearing and vision, and they should be able to work at heights of up to three or four metres.

    Being organized and thorough is important for railway conductors. Trains are made up of many different cars that can be attached to each other at different stations and detached when they reach their destination. Conductors need to keep track of which cars need to go to each station, and sometimes they might need to do the actual work of putting the right cars on the train. For this, conductors need to know where the different tracks are and to be able to guide the cars to the right place. Other people also help with this process, but conductors take charge of the work.

    Normally, a high school education is enough to become a railway conductor. Many employers also require conductors to take a six-week course, but most of the training is on the job. Salaries start at about $51,000 and can rise to $90,000. If they remain healthy, railway conductors can stay in this job for many years, but it can be difficult as people age.

    Some parts of the job can be stressful. Besides the long hours at stations and the late nights dealing with problems along the route, railway conductors might have to deal with health issues if they breathe in too much carbon dioxide or other gases coming from the train or other vehicles. The schedules of the trips mean that conductors often have to miss family events, school reunions, or other special occasions.

    Large companies like the Canadian National Railway are most likely to have jobs for railway conductors, but smaller companies also have work. On the Prairies, much of the railway work involves grain shipments, while other parts of the country have lumber or cattle to ship. Conductors might want to specialize in a certain kind of train, but much of the work is the same for freight trains. Passenger trains are not very common in Canada, but a limited amount of work in that area is still available.

    Working as a railway conductor can be a good way to see the country. If you are strong and can handle long hours, why not consider this career?

    Bibliography:

    The Balance Careers. “What Does a Railroad Conductor Do?” https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-does-a-railroad-conductor-do-1361526.

    CSX. “Freight Conductor.” https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/working-at-csx/job-overviews/transportation/freight-conductor/.

    Indeed.com. “Canadian National Railway Employee Reviews for Conductor.” https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Canadian-National-Railway/reviews?fjobtitle=Conductor.

    Payscale Canada. “Train Conductor Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Train_Conductor/Salary?signedUp.

  • Career Profile: Book Restorer

    Career Profile: Book Restorer

    Have you ever had a favourite book that fell apart? You could probably replace it quite easily if it was a modern book. Older books are harder to find, and they have important histories. Book restorers help to repair books for organizations, companies, and other customers to help them keep their documents safe.

    Book restorers usually have university degrees in a field such as fine arts or art conservation and restoration. Most universities in Canada have three- or four-year programs in these topics, and some community colleges also have classes that could help. Learning on the job is also a good way of developing the skills necessary for the work. Some of the key skills are repairing tears in paper, leather, or other materials, removing water stains and other spots from books, and rebinding books.

    Much of the work that book restorers do is with older books in museums, universities, libraries, or art galleries. Other work might be with customers who have books that are special for some reason. For example, someone might want help with a family history book that contains immigration documents or other things that they cannot replace. Some book restorers might even want to do both, working at a restoration job while also working part time at small business. Being able to work with your hands and use various tools is a necessary part of the job.

    Book restorers generally earn between $54,000 and $74,000 per year. Large universities or libraries are most likely to have these types of jobs, but smaller places also have some possibilities. This job is entirely indoors and can be solitary, but book restorers often consult with their colleagues and spend time at conferences and other events. Paper cuts and other small injuries are common, and the dust on books can cause problems for people with allergies. Otherwise, this is a safe job that people can do even into old age.

    Sometimes, book restoration can be creative. Many older books have decorations on the covers and some of the pages. The materials for making these shapes and colours might not be available by now, and book restorers might have to find new ways of getting what they need. For example, a plant that people used in Russia hundreds of years ago to make a yellow colour might not be available in Canada. A book restorer might need to find a substitute for that plant or send away to Russia for the dye.

    Book restoration is very delicate work, and it takes patience. Difficult projects can take days or even weeks, and book restorers need to keep good records of what they have already done. Part of the job is also training other people to do some of the work so that the process can go faster. If you like to do careful work and you enjoy working with books, this might be the right career for you.

    Book restoration might seem like an old-fashioned job these days, but it is important for preserving history and old documents.

    Bibliography:

    Book & Paper Conservation Services. “Fine Art Conservation & Restoration.” https://www.bookandpaperconservationservices.com/conservation-of-art-on-paper.

    Canadian Association of Professional Conservators. “A Career in Conservation.” https://capc-acrp.ca/en/what-is-conservation/a-career-in-conservation.

    Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild. “What is Bookbinding?” https://www.cbbag.ca/about-cbbag/what-is-bookbinding.

    Crafts Council UK. “Crafts Job Profile: Book Binder.” https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/crafts-job-profile-book-binder/.

    Job Bank. “Binding and Finishing Machine Operator near Toronto (ON).” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/18555/22437.

    Job Bank. “Conservator—Museum.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/jobsearch/jobposting/31742589.

  • Vous avez le droit d’exprimer votre avis

    Votre opinion et vos sentiments sont importants. Pourtant, il peut être difficile pour beaucoup d’entre nous de s’en souvenir. Les personnes plus extraverties peuvent rendre votre avis sans intérêt. Les personnes agressives peuvent rendre votre opinion sans importance. C’est tellement essentiel de se rappeler que les gens autour de vous sont des personnes comme vous-même et qu’il n’y a aucune raison qu’elles puissent exprimer leur avis et pas vous. Mais, avoir le courage et la volonté de le faire demande de l’entraînement.

    Apprendre à donner votre avis est aussi fondamental qu’apprendre les maths, les sciences ou à écrire. Cela vous aide à vous faire des amis, à trouver un emploi et à construire la vie que vous voulez vivre. Pour beaucoup de gens, les problèmes pour s’exprimer en tant qu’enfants se prolongent jusqu’à l’âge adulte. Une étude de Educational Research and Review de 2011 a constaté que 90 % des étudiants qui participaient à des programmes de débats obtenaient leur diplôme à temps. Pour les étudiants qui ne participaient pas à ces débats, le nombre était de 75 %

    Vous n’avez pas besoin de suivre un programme de débats pour développer cette compétence. Vous pouvez commencer à la maison avec vos parents et votre famille où vous vous sentez plus à l’aise. Cela peut commencer par de petites décisions comme ce que vous aimeriez manger pour le dîner. Parlez à des personnes de confiance pour savoir quelles sont les limites. Tout comme les barrières qui empêchent les gens d’aller dans certains endroits, vous avez besoin de connaître vos propres limites physiques et émotionnelles et respecter celles des autres. De cette façon, vous comprenez ce que vous voulez et ne voulez pas et comment parler aux autres sur des sujets importants. C’est correct de dire « non » si vous ne voulez pas faire quelque chose.

    Parler et exprimer ses pensées et sentiments améliorent la partie du cerveau utilisée pour le développement du langage et des compétences verbales. Si vous n’êtes pas prêt à affirmer votre opinion, l’école peut sembler bien effrayante. Si c’est le cas, commencez doucement. Établissez l’objectif de lever la main au moins une fois par jour dans la classe. Répondez à l’enseignant aux questions les plus faciles ou demandez simplement d’aller aux toilettes. Votre cerveau apprendra lentement que ce n’est pas seulement correct de partager vos avis ou poser des questions, mais que c’est également normal de le faire.

    Cherchez des programmes extrascolaires. Participer à un sport ou un club vous apprend à coopérer avec les autres. Cela montre aussi l’importance du compromis ; vous avez des désirs et des besoins comme les autres à qui vous parlez et chacun doit trouver un moyen de travailler ensemble. Cela vous aidera à être plus sûr de vous, ce qui est une bonne chose. Cela veut dire que vous pouvez dire aux gens ce que vous pensez et même que vous n’êtes pas d’accord avec ce que dit l’autre personne de façon saine. Ce n’est pas bon de rester silencieux et de garder ses opinions pour soi. Cependant, l’agressivité est aussi un problème. La différence entre avoir confiance en soi et être agressif est lorsque vous attaquez l’opinion et les sentiments des autres et que vous traitez les vôtres comme ayant plus de valeur. Vos pensées et sentiments ne sont ni plus ni moins importants.

    L’école offre de nombreuses occasions d’apprendre comment avoir confiance en soi et exprimer son opinion. Vous pouvez vous entraîner à la maison, à l’école et participez à des activités extrascolaires ainsi que vous joindre à des clubs avec des camarades de classe. Exactement comme pour les maths ou les sciences, cela prend des efforts quotidiens pour apprendre et s’améliorer. Parfois, cela ne fonctionnera pas bien. Mais, vous ne pouvez pas rester silencieux à cause de ces mauvais moments. Commencez doucement. Souvenez-vous que vous avez de la valeur en étant vous-même. Exprimez votre opinion et vous améliorez non seulement votre vie, mais également celle de vos amis et de votre famille.

    Sources:

    Barack, Lauren. “Teaching students to speak their mind.” Education Dive. https://www.educationdive.com/news/teaching-students-to-speak-their-mind/524909/

    Parsons, Deidre. “10 Steps for Teaching Your Kids How to Be Assertive.” A Fine Parent. https://afineparent.com/strong-kids/how-to-be-assertive.html

  • La différence est une bonne chose

    La majorité des groupes ou des sociétés pensent qu’on doit agir d’une certaine façon. Par exemple, la plupart des jeunes sont censés s’amuser entre amis, être actifs et bavards. Pour les personnes qui aiment être seules et s’asseoir en silence, ces attentes peuvent rendre les choses difficiles. Pourtant, être différent peut être une bonne chose.

    Les différences peuvent être diverses. Certains sont silencieux quand d’autres sont bruyants, ou ils aiment rester travailler dans la salle de cours alors que d’autres veulent sortir et jouer dehors. Les gens peuvent vouloir cacher leurs différences pour éviter qu’on se moque d’eux, mais certaines disparités sont impossibles à cacher.

    Par exemple, venir d’un autre pays ou avoir une manière inhabituelle de parler peut être évident pour tout le monde. Parfois, les gens vont dépenser beaucoup de temps et d’argent pour ressembler à tout le monde, parce que c’est plus facile de s’intégrer de cette façon que de vivre avec ces différences. En étant différent, on peut se sentir seul, surtout quand les autres semblent plus heureux et plus prospères.

    En dépit de ces difficultés, être différent des autres peut être valorisant. Plutôt que d’être comme tout le monde, la différence peut amener à la créativité. Par exemple, Steve Jobs, le fondateur de l’entreprise d’ordinateur Apple, avait quelques habitudes particulières. Il se mettait parfois à pleurer de joie ou de frustration. Par moments, il mangeait seulement des carottes pendant de longues périodes. Henry Ford, le fondateur de la compagnie de voitures Ford mangeait des plantes qu’il trouvait sur le bord de la route. Ces hommes avaient des habitudes étranges, mais ils avaient un esprit remarquable.

    Parfois, les gens développent des habitudes particulières pour les aider à s’éclaircir l’esprit. Par exemple, Bill Gates, le fondateur de Microsoft utilise le mouvement d’une chaise berçante pour s’aider à résoudre des problèmes complexes. L’auteur de romans policiers Agatha Christie mangeait des pommes en prenant des bains et Dr Seuss portait un chapeau pendant qu’il écrivait. Ces manies peuvent sembler bizarres, mais toutes ces personnes se devenus très prospères dans leur travail.

    Être différent ne veut pas dire que vous inventerez un ordinateur, deviendrez un auteur célèbre ou ferez d’autres choses incroyables. Néanmoins, la façon de penser nécessaire pour les grandes inventions vient souvent de personnes qui ont un regard différent des autres sur le monde. Même maintenant, vous pourriez aider deux de vos amis à résoudre un problème compliqué pour eux, simplement parce que vous êtes différent.

    La société force les gens à suivre des règles précises de comportement, y compris dans nos goûts. Cependant, les conformistes qui suivent ces règles ne sont pas forcément ceux qui font de grandes découvertes ou qui créent des choses magnifiques. Cela prend souvent la capacité de voir au-delà des règles et des attentes pour avoir de bonnes idées.

    Être différent des autres peut vous faire sentir seul, mais il permet aussi la créativité. Si vous vous sentez différent de vos camarades de classe, vous pourriez utiliser cette différence pour obtenir de merveilleuses réussites dans le futur.

    Bibliographie :

    Foust, Amanda. “4 Reasons to Embrace Being Different.” https://www.thedailypositive.com/4-ways-embrace-different/.

    Hussain, Ahmed. “Why Being Different Is Important.”

    https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-being-different-is-important.

    Lee, Sidney. “Why You Should Always Be Different.” https://mystudentvoices.com/why-you-should-always-be-different-7413de10eecf.

    Leadem, Rose. “The Unusual Habits of 8 Famous and Successful People (Infographic).”

    https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/297580.

    Rebolini, Ariana. “The Weird Habits of These Famous Writers Will Surprise You.” https://www.buzzfeed.com/ariannarebolini/you-need-to-read-the-strange-rituals-of-these-famous-writers.

  • Vous avez le droit d’exprimer votre avis

    Votre opinion et vos sentiments sont importants. Pourtant, il peut être difficile pour beaucoup d’entre nous de s’en souvenir. Les personnes plus extraverties peuvent rendre votre avis sans intérêt. Les personnes agressives peuvent rendre votre opinion sans importance. C’est tellement essentiel de se rappeler que les gens autour de vous sont des personnes comme vous-même et qu’il n’y a aucune raison qu’elles puissent exprimer leur avis et pas vous. Mais, avoir le courage et la volonté de le faire demande de l’entraînement.

    Apprendre à donner votre avis est aussi fondamental qu’apprendre les maths, les sciences ou à écrire. Cela vous aide à vous faire des amis, à trouver un emploi et à construire la vie que vous voulez vivre. Pour beaucoup de gens, les problèmes pour s’exprimer en tant qu’enfants se prolongent jusqu’à l’âge adulte. Une étude de Educational Research and Review de 2011 a constaté que 90 % des étudiants qui participaient à des programmes de débats obtenaient leur diplôme à temps. Pour les étudiants qui ne participaient pas à ces débats, le nombre était de 75 %.

    Vous n’avez pas besoin de suivre un programme de débats pour développer cette compétence. Vous pouvez commencer à la maison avec vos parents et votre famille où vous vous sentez plus à l’aise. Cela peut commencer par de petites décisions comme ce que vous aimeriez manger pour le dîner. Parlez à des personnes de confiance pour savoir quelles sont les limites. Tout comme les barrières qui empêchent les gens d’aller dans certains endroits, vous avez besoin de connaître vos propres limites physiques et émotionnelles et respecter celles des autres. De cette façon, vous comprenez ce que vous voulez et ne voulez pas et comment parler aux autres sur des sujets importants. C’est correct de dire « non » si vous ne voulez pas faire quelque chose.

    Parler et exprimer ses pensées et sentiments améliorent la partie du cerveau utilisée pour le développement du langage et des compétences verbales. Si vous n’êtes pas prêt à affirmer votre opinion, l’école peut sembler bien effrayante. Si c’est le cas, commencez doucement. Établissez l’objectif de lever la main au moins une fois par jour dans la classe. Répondez à l’enseignant aux questions les plus faciles ou demandez simplement d’aller aux toilettes. Votre cerveau apprendra lentement que ce n’est pas seulement correct de partager vos avis ou poser des questions, mais que c’est également normal de le faire.

    Cherchez des programmes extrascolaires. Participer à un sport ou un club vous apprend à coopérer avec les autres. Cela montre aussi l’importance du compromis ; vous avez des désirs et des besoins comme les autres à qui vous parlez et chacun doit trouver un moyen de travailler ensemble. Cela vous aidera à être plus sûr de vous, ce qui est une bonne chose. Cela veut dire que vous pouvez dire aux gens ce que vous pensez et même que vous n’êtes pas d’accord avec ce que dit l’autre personne de façon saine. Ce n’est pas bon de rester silencieux et de garder ses opinions pour soi. Cependant, l’agressivité est aussi un problème. La différence entre avoir confiance en soi et être agressif est lorsque vous attaquez l’opinion et les sentiments des autres et que vous traitez les vôtres comme ayant plus de valeur. Vos pensées et sentiments ne sont ni plus ni moins importants.

    L’école offre de nombreuses occasions d’apprendre comment avoir confiance en soi et exprimer son opinion. Vous pouvez vous entraîner à la maison, à l’école et participez à des activités extrascolaires ainsi que vous joindre à des clubs avec des camarades de classe. Exactement comme pour les maths ou les sciences, cela prend des efforts quotidiens pour apprendre et s’améliorer. Parfois, cela ne fonctionnera pas bien. Mais, vous ne pouvez pas rester silencieux à cause de ces mauvais moments. Commencez doucement. Souvenez-vous que vous avez de la valeur en étant vous-même. Exprimez votre opinion et vous améliorez non seulement votre vie, mais également celle de vos amis et de votre famille.

    Sources:

    Barack, Lauren. “Teaching students to speak their mind.” Education Dive. https://www.educationdive.com/news/teaching-students-to-speak-their-mind/524909/

    Parsons, Deidre. “10 Steps for Teaching Your Kids How to Be Assertive.” A Fine Parent. https://afineparent.com/strong-kids/how-to-be-assertive.html

  • Wage Gaps and Unfair Pay

    Suppose that you and a classmate worked on a project together, but your friend got a better mark than you did. How would you feel about that? Would you find it unfair? That kind of unfairness can continue into adulthood. Wage gaps between men and women and other types of unfair pay can make life difficult for many people.

    It would make sense for men and women to receive the same pay for the same type of work. That sometimes happens, but often men still get paid more for the same work that women do. For years, the gap was decreasing, but that progress slowed down in 2011. Many women still earned only eighty-seven cents for every dollar that men earned in 2017, and the situation is worse for immigrants, Indigenous women, and others who may be considered a minority in society.

    Part of the issue is that many women take time away from their work to take care of children. Even if they go back to work when their children are old enough for daycare or school, it can take them a long time to catch up. Women who are childless can also have a hard time keeping jobs when the economy is doing badly.

    Sometimes, unfair pay has little to do with the gap between men and women. In 2018, a food delivery driver for a company called Skip the Dishes in Winnipeg sued her employer because drivers like her were not receiving the wages and other benefits they needed to earn a living. Instead of being treated like regular employees, they were treated like outside workers so that the company would not have to give them benefits like dental care.

    Not every example of unfair pay is as bad as the case in Winnipeg. Still, many people receive lower wages than they should while others receive more. In Canada, many leaders, often called chief executive officers or CEOs, earn about one hundred and fifty times the average worker’s salary. In other countries, the difference in pay is even larger.

    These types of unfair pay can cause many problems. The rich often have far more money than they can use, and they leave the money in banks instead of using it to build up their businesses. Poorer people often have to work at two or three jobs just to be able to earn enough money to pay for food and housing, and sometimes they become homeless.

    Anyone who has tried to live on low pay and unfair wages knows how difficult it can be. People in this situation often work long hours. They might not be able to afford good housing or cars. Some people are unable to afford to buy good food, and they need to get help from food banks or from family and friends. Sometimes, low-income people are unable to afford medication when they get sick, and they can struggle in many other ways.

    Ending wage gaps and unfair might seem impossible, but you can make a difference. Whether you become an employer or an employee, you can help to bring greater equality to the world.

    Bibliography:

    Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. “Canada’s Pay Gap.” https://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/canadas-pay-gap.

    Canadian Women’s Foundation. “The Facts About the Gender Pay Gap in Canada.” https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/the-gender-pay-gap/.

    Ligaya, Armina. “Canada’s Gender Wage Gap Narrows: Women Earn $4.13 Less than Men Per Hour.” https://globalnews.ca/news/6001276/gender-wage-gap-women-canada/.

    MacLean, Cameron. “Skip the Dishes Could Face Class-Action Lawsuit over Treatment of Couriers.”

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/skip-the-dishes-lawsuit-1.4768467.

    Pay Equity Commission. “Advancing Women’s Economic Equality.” http://www.payequity.gov.on.ca/en/AboutUs/Pages/the_difference.aspx

    Statistica.com. “Ratio between CEO and average worker pay in 2018, by country.” https://www.statista.com/statistics/424159/pay-gap-between-ceos-and-average-workers-in-world-by-country/.

    Statistics Canada. “The Gender Wage Gap and Equal Pay Day, 2018.” https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-28-0001/2018001/article/00010-eng.htm

  • Les programmes STIM au Manitoba

    Tous les jours, les gens utilisent les compétences de personnes qui travaillent dans les domaines STIM. Ils vont voir les médecins, utilisent la technologie, traversent des ponts construits par des ingénieurs et utilisent des programmes d’ordinateur créés avec les mathématiques. Les domaines STIM de science, technologie, ingénierie et mathématiques sont de bons choix pour ceux qui aiment le travail précis dans des domaines qui aident le public. Au Manitoba, il existe plusieurs choix pour les personnes qui souhaitent étudier dans ces disciplines.

    De manière générale, les professions dans les domaines STIM exigent au moins un baccalauréat et certains peuvent avoir besoin d’une maîtrise. Par exemple, les ingénieurs civils et les statisticiens doivent obtenir au moins un diplôme de deuxième cycle pour pouvoir travailler dans leurs domaines. Certains emplois exigent même un doctorat. Par exemple, les biologistes de la faune et les biochimistes ont souvent besoin d’obtenir des doctorats.

    La longueur des programmes peut varier, mais normalement, obtenir un baccalauréat prend trois ou quatre ans. La maîtrise demande un an ou deux de cours et probablement une autre année pour écrire un long exposé appelé thèse. Le doctorat se concentre beaucoup sur des recherches qui sont rédigées dans un livre appelé thèse de doctorat. En prenant en compte le temps pour les cours, obtenir un doctorat peut prendre huit ans ou plus.

    Au Manitoba, les meilleurs endroits pour faire des études dans les domaines STIM sont dans ses universités situées dans ses grandes villes principales. L’université du Manitoba à Winnipeg a le plus de choix dans ces matières et la seule de la province qui offre des programmes dans des disciplines comme la médecine et les soins dentaires. Avant d’y entrer, les étudiants doivent obtenir un baccalauréat en sciences. Ces diplômes sont offerts à l’université du Manitoba, l’université de Winnipeg, l’université Canadian Mennonite et l’université Brandon.

    De nombreux cours de technologie sont offerts dans les universités du Manitoba, mais il existe également le Red River College à Winnipeg. Le Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology est un autre bon établissement pour étudier dans des disciplines comme l’électronique industrielle. Les programmes sont souvent plus courts que pour les autres domaines STIM, mais les étudiants peuvent associer un programme de technologie de deux ans avec un autre diplôme pour améliorer leurs perspectives d’emploi.

    Pour les étudiants venant de l’étranger, entrer dans des universités canadiennes peut être difficile. Le gouvernement du Manitoba a divers programmes pour soutenir ces étudiants à obtenir l’aide dont ils ont besoin pour entrer dans les domaines STIM. Même si vous avez grandi au Canada, vous avez peut-être des amis ou des camarades de classe qui ont besoin de cette information.

    Être minutieux est essentiel pour travailler dans les domaines STIM. Est-ce votre cas ? Que vous travailliez avec des calculs mathématiques compliqués ou déceliez des maladies chez vos patients, vous avez besoin de savoir ce que vous faites. Avoir une bonne mémoire est important et vous devez vous préparer à faire de longues études.

    Les domaines STIM sont difficiles, mais passionnants. Pouvez-vous imaginer découvrir de nouveaux combustibles, sauver la vie des gens ou construire des ponts utilisés par le public tous les jours ? Si cette idée capte votre attention, pourquoi ne pas envisager d’étudier dans les domaines STIM ?

    Bibliographie :

    Brandon University. “Degrees and Programs: Pre-Professional Preparation.” https://www.brandonu.ca/science/degrees/.

    Canadian Mennonite University. “Natural Sciences.” https://www.cmu.ca/academics.php?s=sciences&p=programs.

    Government of Manitoba. “Manitoba Announces New Immigration Pathways for International Students.” https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=44725.

    Grad Schools.com. “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Graduate Programs in Manitoba.” https://www.gradschools.com/programs/math-science-engineering?in=manitoba.

    The PIE News. “Canadian province offers residency to STEM grads.”

    https://thepienews.com/news/canadian-province-to-offer-stem-visa/.

    University of Manitoba. “Undergraduate Program Options.” http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/admissions/programs/.

    University of Winnipeg. “Faculty of Science.” https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/science/.