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  • Is University Pay to Play?

    Is University Pay to Play?

    By Erin Rebello

    In this day and age, it is frightening to be a lower- or middle-class student hoping to go to university. With tuition costs soaring and numerous mandatory fees being stacked on top, dreams of a post-secondary education might seem out of reach for some. University has always seemed to be an unfair process, but now more than ever it seems to favour students from wealthier families, leaving students from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds in the dust.

    University Costs

    It’s no myth that university costs have increased tremendously in the past few decades. Just 30 years ago, tuition was affordable for just about everyone, with undergrad tuition fees costing around $2000 after being adjusted for inflation. This was a reasonable amount in its time, and could be easily earned over a summer. Nowadays, tuition costs more than 100% more, averaging around $5,300; considering the current minimum wage, you certainly wouldn’t be able to pay it off even when working full-time for an entire summer. This disparity in cost has cut numerous Canadians out of the equation, leaving them either unable to attain a degree, or with crippling student debt to deal with for years after they graduate. With additional expenses for residency, mandatory meal plans, textbooks, ancillary fees, and household expenses, how can university costs possibly be fair for everyone?

    Getting In

    Another huge factor to consider is the admissions process for getting into university in the first place. Though admissions processes are seemingly fair to all candidates, there are a lot of biases which pop up when you take a closer look. Let’s think about what universities look at when deciding whether or not to accept a student: they consider the student’s grades, extracurriculars, and usually their writing abilities. This might seem fair, but what if you don’t have the privilege of time? For example, some students have to babysit their younger siblings because their parents work longer hours, preventing them from taking part in an after-school club or sports team. Other students do not have the money to pay for expensive music lessons or elite sports leagues, and instead have to work to support their household. These factors (and many others) all have an impact on how a student’s application may be marked. The privilege associated with being rich is often the difference between a university’s acceptance or refusal.

    Don’t Lose Hope

    As the saying goes “If there’s a will, there’s a way”. Fortunately, this quote holds especially true in the case of university acceptance. As we move towards a more progressive society, there is an increase in the number of “helping hands”, so to say, for lower-income students. For starters, numerous bursaries and scholarships are made available to deserving students who demonstrate a financial need. There are also numerous essay contests with monetary awards for students who prove to be talented despite their extenuating circumstances. In terms of a fair application process, universities are starting to offer students more ways to discuss and explain their personal situations, be it family issues, a lower household income, or even language-barriers associated with being a newer immigrant. As the years go by, educational institutions are trying harder and harder to improve their policies to increase diversity by accepting minorities and students from lower-income households into their university communities.

    Final Thoughts

    Although the current university system favours students from wealthier families, institutions are making conscious efforts to become more accessible to deserving students, regardless of their finances. That being said, if you have a dream to attend university but aren’t sure if you’ll be able to afford it, you should definitely look into bursaries and scholarships; they might just give you the boost you need to make it affordable. In conclusion, although it is easier to attend university if you are rich, it’s important to note that there are a lot of programs and funds in place to help students financially.

    Source for average university costs:

    Carrick, Rob. “2012 Vs. 1984: Young Adults Really Do Have It Harder Today.” The Globe and Mail, 11 May 2018, www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/2012-vs-1984-young-adults-really-do-have-it-harder-today/article4105604/.

  • Career Profile: Horticultural Technician

    Career Profile: Horticultural Technician

    Looking after plants can be fun and helpful for the environment. Horticultural technicians work with plants to help them stay healthy and to keep gardens and indoor plants looking nice and free of problems.

    If you have plants of your own, you know that they need different levels of care. A cactus needs only a bit of water but lots of sun, while something like an ivy needs much more water. Some plants do well in the sun, but others need shade. Horticultural technicians work in greenhouses and all kinds of gardens and other places where plants grow to find the best spots for each kind of flower or shrub. Sometimes horticulturalists move, or transplant, the plants to places where they can grow better.

    Horticultural technicians usually work with other gardeners at universities, in parks, and other places where people want to have plants growing. They put plants in places where they can grow well and transplant them if necessary. Watering and fertilizing the plants is also part of the job, and sometimes horticultural technicians might need to mow lawns and trim the edges to make sure that gardens and yards look as good as possible.

    Taking care of pests and diseases is a large part of gardening. Horticultural technicians need to know about the kinds of insects that live in the area where they work, and about how to deal with these problems. Cutworms, slugs, and other small animals can destroy plants, and rabbits or deer can eat the leaves or flowers. Horticultural technicians need to find ways of dealing with animals like these to help keep them safe if possible.

    Horticultural technicians can learn much of what they need to know on the job, but getting a certificate is a good idea. The Green Careers Canada website is a good place to check for programs across the country.  Apprenticeships are also available and can help students understand how to deal with a variety of issues, such as drought, too much rain, or other issues that affect the health of plants. Learning how to keep good records of the work is also important.

    People in this job tend to spend much of their time outside, digging in the ground or kneeling down to take care of the plants. They need to be strong enough to lift heavy bags of soil and be healthy enough to walk around or to kneel down and stand up. Working in bad weather might be necessary, although strong winds or heavy rain might mean that work has to stop for some time. The work tends to be seasonal, but people can still find work, even in winter.

    Salaries for horticultural technicians start at about $25,000 and can rise to almost $53,000 for people with experience in the field. Working as a horticultural technician is a good choice for anyone who likes to work with plants and who knows how to deal patiently with problems that come up throughout the growing season. If this describes you, why not consider this trade?

    Bibliography:

    Government of Canada. “Landscape Architectural Technician near Toronto (ON).” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/22560/22437.

    Landscape Ontario. “Horticultural technician.” https://horticulturetechnician.ca/program/441c-horticultural-technician/.

    Neuvoo.ca. “Horticultural technician salary in Canada.” https://neuvoo.ca/salary/?job=horticultural+technician.

    University of Manitoba. “Landscape & Horticulture Technician/Specialist (2225).” https://umanitoba.ca/student/careerservices/careerplan/occupations/landscape-horticulture-tech.html

  • Get a Job on Campus!

    Get a Job on Campus!

    With the stress often accompanying post-secondary education, the last thing on students’ minds is getting a job. Haven’t they got enough to worry about? Well, as daunting as it may seem to pick up a part-time job, there are pros and cons to working in your very own school.

    Benefits of a Job on Campus

    First thing’s first, you’re on campus! You no longer need to worry about arriving late or getting lost on your way there. (Well, you may need to worry about tardiness, but that’s a whole other can of worms.) A job on campus also helps you know your way around, especially if you’re still relatively new. Not to mention, you also save on gas or bus money since you can probably walk straight there.

    One of the best things about working on campus is the opportunity for networking. Just like with off-campus jobs, you never know who you’ll stumble into. A professor, faculty member, or even involved student can stumble into your workplace one day where you can build rapport for down the line.

    Also, and this should be obvious; you get to make money. Yes, it’s far more important for some students to focus on their grades than a paycheque. But, some students don’t mind balancing the two if it means they can earn a little something extra. Sometimes, it isn’t even considered “extra”, however. Sometimes, students must work in order to pay their way through school because they do not have the same support financially, as others- it is becoming more and more common these days.

    That said, why not kill two birds with one stone? Some campus jobs offer you the chance to work with professors or in communities that look great on resumes. You get to pick up experience, become better acquainted with staff and faculty, and better your chances of the job you want once you graduate. Plus, depending on where you work and for how long, you may be eligible for awards and bursaries rewarding your campus involvement.

    Disadvantages of a Job on Campus

    An important factor when deciding whether to pick up an on-campus job is the money. Sure, you’ll make it, but it’s probably going to be less than what you’d make outside of your school. Unless you work as a research assistant or something similar, jobs in pubs or stores probably won’t pay as much as you’d expect.

    Another factor is that you may not have a lot of options. Chances are, people already have the position you want and it’s not like a ton of opportunity pops up during the school year. Especially not as frequently as the outside world. So, you may be stuck with a less than savoury gig until you find something better.

    The Bottom Line

    It really all depends on your time, schedule, and personality in the end. Are you interested in networking with those on campus? Would you rather spend the gas money for a job that’ll ultimately pay better? Are you too slammed with homework to even think about a job?

    Consider these questions before making the leap. Once you’ve weighed your options, it’ll be easier to make the final decision.

  • Keeping a Positive Mindset During the School Year

    Keeping a Positive Mindset During the School Year

    The idea of returning to school after a long, relaxing summer is never overly enthralling. Students usually tend to dread the idea of going back; so much so that the word ‘school’ can’t even be spoken. It seems like a lot of students nowadays have a very negative perception of school. Not all, but most. I’ll admit, I wasn’t very excited to go back at all. It’s admittedly quite difficult to get back into the routine of school; you have to get up early and get ready to leave for school where you have to learn. I’m pretty sure that anyone would choose their warm comfy bed over a boring classroom. School may not be very exciting at times but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad.

    This year, I am going into Grade 11. I think that’s one of the reasons why I was apprehensive going back; time is moving very fast and I am fearful that I can’t keep up with everything. I also know that this year is going to be a challenging fight to win. Going into a new grade can be both scary and exciting; you don’t know if you’ll have any friends in your classes, or if you can continue to keep your grades up. You also go back to school knowing that each year will be at least a little bit more challenging than the other, especially in high school. You want to be able to get into a good University so that you can have a good future. Every year you constantly put the pressure on yourself. Sometimes you may not even feel motivated to get back to work, especially after the summer. Here I have provided some tips on how to keep a positive mindset during the school year.

    Establish a routine: Creating a routine for school mornings and nights always makes going back to school much easier. That way, you can create time for everything. I would suggest setting an alarm for the morning (or maybe 5 because getting up in the morning is extremely hard). Try and go to bed at a decent hour especially for back to school because studies show that teenagers between the ages of 14-17 need at least 9-11 hours of sleep to properly function. Otherwise, you get sleepier and can’t perform properly with your studies. Sleep is also known to reduce stress levels so it is important that you get a good bit of sleep during the school year.

    Take Care Of Yourself: I don’t know if everyone is like this but when I am in school, my main focus is school, and school only. I am not the best at taking care of myself during the school day, whether it be the small things like chapped lips or dirty glasses, I tend to get bothered easily during school because I am still a bit tired. I suggest to bring a small bag of items you may need during school: a small pack of tissues, chapstick, glasses cloth (if you wear glasses), maybe a small snack so that you do not get too hungry during class. Don’t just take care of yourself physically but also, mentally. School is one of the leading causes of anxiety and stress in teens. It’s important that you take your mental health into consideration during school. Don’t push yourself too much and cause a lot of stress and anxiety on yourself. There are many ways to cope with stress and anxiety during school: meditation, sleep, keeping organized, exercising which can be good for both your physical and mental health. Or, you could just try and confide in a friend or trusted adult to feel better, talking about your feelings is always helpful.

    Focus On The Positives: Everything in life has a positive side to it. Nothing’s all bad. During the school year try and look past all the stress and anxiety you may be feeling. Look at the future and how much the hard work that you are doing will pay off in the end. School is not all that bad, it can be fun too. You get to spend a lot more time with your friends and get to see them more often-this might not be the case when you graduate and people go their separate ways.

  • October 2019 Scholarships: Apply Now!

    October 2019 Scholarships: Apply Now!

    Rapid Access Scholarship

    Amount: up to $1000

    Deadline: October 1st and March 20th, 2019

    Category: Volunteerism

    Address: https://www.rapidaccesstomedicalspecialists.ca/scholarships

     

    Study and Go Abroad Fall Frenzy Contest – $1000 Apple Gift Card Giveaway

    Amount: $1,000

    Provided by: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

    Deadline: October 06, 2019

    Donor Study and Go Abroad Fairs

    Renewable: No

    Number Available: 1

    Type of Award: Contest

    Automatic Consideration: No

    Address: https://www.studyandgoabroad.com/contest/

     

    Horatio Alger Canadian Scholarships

    Amount: $5,000

    Provided by: Horatio Alger Association of Canada

    Deadline: October 25, 2019

    Donor: Horatio Alger Association of Canada

    Renewable: Yes, 5 year(s)

    Number Available: 160

    Type of Award: Bursary

    Automatic Consideration: No

    Address: https://horatioalger.ca/en/scholarships/

     

    Pretty Actions Scholarship Program

    Scholarship Value: $500

    Awards Available: 2

    Award Deadline: October 15, 2019

    Address: https://www.photoshopactions.com/pages/pretty-photoshop-actions-scholarship-program

     

    Helpjuice Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $1,400

    Awards Available: 2

    Award Deadline: October 21, 2019

    Address: https://helpjuice.com/scholarship

     

    TD Community Leader Scholarship

    Awards: 2 scholarships for each region/Province in Canada

    Value: Up to $70,000 per scholarship rewarded

    Award deadline: Open until November 15th, 2019

    Address: https://portal.scholarshippartners.ca/welcome/td_en/

    More information on scholarship: https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/solutions/student-banking/community-leadership-scholarship-for-canadians/?&cm_sp=GOOGLE:MEFALL:p24732979898&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzozsBRCNARIsAEM9kBNlfHQJc68o-Kg17MwUozkeWlzsK0fp4istf1VLNwPYLqCMjZ9V4gwaAlIdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

     

    Women Divers Hall of Fame Scholarships

    Amount: $1000-$2000

    Category: Community leadership

    Deadline: October 31, 2019 midnight

    Address: http://www.wdhof.org/scholarshipApp.aspx

     

    The Magna Carta Scholarship

    Amount: $1500

    Category: Essay written in English

    Deadline: October 31, 2019

    Address: https://www.jccf.ca/essaycontest/

     

    Thinking ahead…

    10 Words or Less Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $500

    Awards Available: 1

    Award Deadline: November 30, 2019

    Address: https://studentscholarships.org/easy.php#sthash.juVqwe7G.dpbs

     

    Burger King Scholars Program

    Scholarship Value: $50,000

    Awards Available: 10

    Award Deadline: December 15, 2019

    Address: https://burgerking.scholarsapply.org/information.php

  • Career Profile: Arborist

    Career Profile: Arborist

    Trees are an important part of parks, forests, and many other parts of the natural world. Taking care of them can be a complicated job, trying to keep trees healthy and growing properly. Arborists plant and take care of all kinds of trees, treating diseases and making sure that they have the best possible chance to thrive.

    Suppose that a tree starts to lose its leaves in the middle of summer or showed signs of insects. An arborist would go up in a machine called a cherry picker to see what was wrong. Then the arborist would find a way to cure the disease if possible. Sometimes, arborists plant trees, use sticks and other materials to prop up trees that are falling over, and prune branches that need to be removed. The job of an arborist can involve many different tasks, depending on where they work.

    Arborists can work in many different places, such as tree nurseries, landscaping companies, golf courses, and city parks. Job prospects might be limited in small towns, but people who are willing to climb to the top of trees are likely to be able to find work almost everywhere they go. Generally, arborists earn from just over $32,000 to $64,400 per year, or $16 to $30 per hour.

    To some extent, the work of an arborist is seasonal since many trees in Canada are dormant and stop growing in winter. Still, arborists can use that time to research new treatments and to make plans for the next year. Arborists need to be able to work in all kinds of conditions like rain or hot sun and sometimes to work long hours. This job generally requires a basic level of physical fitness but not necessarily much strength.

    Educational requirements for arborists depend on where they work, but generally a technical diploma or a degree in an area like botany or forestry is necessary. If you want to become an arborist, you should take sciences such as biology and chemistry in high school to prepare for your post-secondary studies.

    Some colleges and universities have programs in arboriculture. Courses in these programs include outdoor work as well as studies in the theory of how to take care of plants. If you take one of these programs, you will learn many of the things you need to know to do your job.

    The most important part of being an arborist is knowing about trees. Canada has many different types of trees, such as birch, maple, cherry, fir, and spruce. Knowing how the seasons and weather affect trees is also important. Trees in northern Canada, for example, have to survive very harsh winters, while trees on the west coast have to live with large amounts of rain.

    If you become an arborist, you could choose to specialize in a certain type of tree or work with many different kinds. Your choice could affect the availability of jobs, but you are quite likely to find work in most parts of Canada.

    Trees are important for many reasons, and arborists have an important job. If you choose this career, you will have a very useful role in your community.

    Bibliography:

    ALIS Alberta. “Arborist.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/arborist/.

    Eco Canada. “Career Profiles: Arborist.” https://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/arborist/.

    Ontario Colleges. “Arboriculture.” https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs/energy-environmental-and-natural-resources/arboriculture.

    Payscale.com. “Arborist: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Arborist/Hourly_Rate.

  • Career Profile: Chef

    Career Profile: Chef

    Everyone needs to eat, but some meals are better than others. Chefs are highly trained cooks who help to make meals special with the ingredients they use and how they prepare the food. If you like to help people experience new and special tastes, a career as a chef might be right for you.

    Many people learn to cook basic dishes like bacon and eggs or macaroni and cheese, but chefs learn to make much fancier meals than that. Most chefs need a certificate or diploma from a culinary school like Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa or the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver. Different lengths of programs are available, and students can choose to focus on a certain type of cooking, such as French or Italian. Finding a school with a Red Seal designation is important, since most employers will require that.

    Learning to be a chef involves becoming familiar with many different topics, such as the safe handling of food, how to cook dishes from different parts of the world, and other subjects. People can also choose whether to study to become a head chef or to specialize in something like sauces or desserts.

    With this training, people can find jobs in all kinds of places, such as restaurants, conference centres, and even cruise ships or catering businesses. Teaching cooking at a trade school or community college might also be a good option for some chefs.

    Salaries for chefs depend on their level of responsibility and where they work. Generally, chefs begin at about $12 per hour or over $26,000 per year and can rise to almost $21 per hour or over $50,000 per year. Over half of Canadian chefs work full time, but many people work part time and then possibly take another job as well.

    Being a chef is not an easy job. In restaurants, there might be slack times when almost no one comes to eat, but then it might be extremely busy when mealtimes come. Some foods can be prepared an hour or more in advance, but many others need to be made just before they go out to the table. Chefs can be on their feet, busily making food without much of a rest for hours at a time. Sometimes, things go wrong and a chef has to make a last-minute change to a dish to make it work.

    Creativity is a very important quality in chefs. Being able to create new dishes or to figure out what to do with limited choices will help chefs find work wherever they live. Communicating well with other people is also important, since chefs often have to work with kitchen staff who have little or no training and still be able to get meals prepared and out on time.

    Job prospects for chefs in Canada are not very good right now, but openings come up quite often. Big cities are likely to have more opportunities but also more competition for jobs. You can already start to get experience as a chef by studying cookbooks and practicing your skills. You might become a great chef someday!

    Bibliography:

    Culinary Schools.org. “Find a Top Cooking School in a Canadian Province.” https://www.culinaryschools.org/international/canada-cooking-schools/#context/api/listings/prefilter.

    Government of Canada. “Cook in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/6225/ca.

    Payscale.com. “Kitchen Chef: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Kitchen_Chef/Hourly_Rate.

    Work BC. “Chefs (NOC 6321). https://www.workbc.ca/careers/6321.

  • Trades: Why You Should Be Part of the Construction Industry

    Trades: Why You Should Be Part of the Construction Industry

    Many towns and cities across Canada are seeing unprecedented growth in size and population, which means a growing need for both and private buildings and public infrastructure–everything from single-family homes to multi-unit apartment buildings, commercial retail spaces to parks and sports arenas.  What these all have in common is the need for skilled tradespeople working in the construction industry to build and maintain these structures.  With over 50 different trades within the construction industry, anyone can find their perfect fit.

    So why should you pursue a career in the construction industry?  Here are four great reasons:

    Job Security

    In an economy often marked by employment uncertainty in many fields, the skilled trades in the construction industry offer young workers the opportunity to begin a secure career with a high level of job security.  Between the need for maintenance on existing buildings and infrastructure, and the continuing growth in new construction and infrastructure projects, tradespeople can build long and satisfying careers.  In addition, over the next ten to fifteen years a high number of workers will reach retirement age and leave the workforce, which will open up many positions for younger tradespeople.

    While construction is often matched up with thoughts of summertime, in reality the construction industry operates year-round: outdoor projects during good weather and the summer months, and indoor projects during the winter.  This means that construction industry tradespeople can reliably work any time of the year.

    Entrepreneurship

    Trades careers in the construction industry are also great choices if you want to start your own company and work for yourself, rather than for someone else.  Once you have completed an apprenticeship, college program, or Red Seal certification, you’ll be well situated to start planning to open your own construction trades business.  This gives tradespeople the opportunity to build their own company the way they want — whether that’s a one-person operation or a small team; an independent contractor, or a company that takes on and completes entire jobs.

    Great Earning Potential

    Like many skilled trades, trades careers in the construction industry often offer high salaries as tradespeople grow more experienced or train to specialize in specific skills or types of projects.  Depending on the trade, salaries can average $60,000 to $80,000 per year, with certain trades or having many years of experience leading to salaries as high as the $100,000 range during the later stages of a tradesperson’s career.

    As a tradesperson, you can also often start earning money right away, as many trades use paid apprenticeships as the primary method of training a person in a trade.  Even if the trade you want does require some post-secondary education, a college or trade school program is almost guaranteed to be more affordable than most four-year college or university degrees.  This means tradespeople can get the education they need without building up a lot of student debt.

    Work Anywhere in Canada with a Red Seal Certification

    Formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, this certification is designed to ensure that tradespeople possess the skill level and capabilities in their trade to match the national standard.  Many of the construction industry trades are designated as Red Seal trades, with set requirements for completion–including apprenticeship hours, in-class training, and the final Red Seal examination.

    One of the benefits of completing a Red Seal certification is that these tradespeople can then work in their trade anywhere in Canada without needing to pursue other provincial certifications.  This can be especially appealing to younger tradespeople who want to visit or live in different parts of Canada, either long term or for shorter contracts.  Being Red Seal certified also increases employability and chances of promotion, as well as commanding a higher salary.

    Sources:

    https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/why-construction/8-good-reasons

    http://www.red-seal.ca/about/pr.4gr.1m-eng.html

    https://buildingtrades.ca/union-careers/trades/

    https://careersintrades.ca/what-are-the-skilled-trades/construction/

  • Why Are There So Few Young People in the Trades, and How Can We Fix This?

    Why Are There So Few Young People in the Trades, and How Can We Fix This?

    The trades, like many other fields of employment, expect to see a large number of workers leaving the workforce in the next ten to fifteen years as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age.  However, currently there is a lack of young tradespeople in the workforce available to step forward and fill this gap.  It’s imperative that more young people get into the trades, but why are there so few to begin with?

    Unpleasant Myths About the Trades

    Unfortunately, there are some unpleasant myths about trades careers that are hard to dispel, such as the idea that working in the trades means being poorly paid, working unskilled labour, and enduring dirty or unsafe working conditions. These misconceptions are often reinforced by movies and television, leading many young people to decide they don’t want to work in the trades.

    How can we correct these misconceptions?

    While there’s no easy way, spreading positive information about the trades is the best way to show young people what a trades career is truly like.  None of those unpleasant myths are true of modern trades.  Tradespeople are highly skilled and highly trained professionals who are vital to every industry, from manufacturing and construction to childcare, hairdressers, and culinary experts.  Many tradespeople possess a combination of college education and on-the-job apprenticeship training, which gives them both a strong knowledge base and expertise in hands-on skills.

    Trades careers are also very well paid, often with average salaries higher than the national average for all employment.  Some trades careers can earn more than $80,000 per year, though it will depend on how many years of experience the tradesperson has and in which part of the country they are employed.  Modern trades also operate under strict workplace regulations for employment, and health and safety, subject to regular inspections by certification bodies and governmental organizations.

    Young People Don’t Know What Trades Are Out There

    Many young people simply aren’t aware of how many trades careers there are, or what these trades involve, and end up overlooking the opportunities offered by skilled trades.  Though well-intentioned, many elementary and secondary schools put the greatest emphasis on encouraging students to attend college or university to earn three and four year bachelor’s degrees.  While there’s nothing wrong with this, the result of often that schools miss out on presenting detailed information about trades careers to students at the same time.  This means that many students who are trying to decide what to do after high school may not realize how many opportunities exist in the trades.

    How can you learn about working in the trades?

    Learn the truth about the trades from another tradesperson.  If you know someone who works in a trade, such as a parent, family member, or friend, you can take some time to ask them about their work to learn what their trade involves.  Ask about the workplace, health and safety, what kind of skills they use on a day-to-day basis, and what the future of their career path looks like.  This is the best way to learn the truth about working in the trades, to help you decide if a trades career is right for you.

    No matter what you’re interested in, somewhere in the long list of skilled trades will be a trades career that is the perfect fit.

    Sources:

    https://settlement.org/ontario/employment/professions-and-trades/regulated/myths-about-the-skilled-trades-as-a-career-option-in-ontario/

    https://www.collegeoftrades.ca/

    https://oyap.com/en/about_oyap/why_the_trades/

    https://oyap.com/en/skilled_trades/myth_busters/

  • Career Profile: Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

    Career Profile: Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

    If you have a pet, you know that taking care of an animal is a lot of work. Did you know that you can get paid for looking after animals?  Becoming a dog walker and pet sitter is a good way to earn a living for people who like animals.

    Many people own animals like dogs, cats, birds, or fish. If the owners have busy jobs, they might not be able to take their dogs out as often as they need to go. When they go on trips, even for a day or two, they might need someone to look after their pets. That’s where dog walkers and pet sitters can help.

    Basically, people in this type of work look after animals for their owners. Dogs and cats are the most common animals that need care, but pet sitting could include birds, turtles, fish, or even snakes. Some pet sitters accept any kind of animal, but others might choose not to work with certain animals which are too dangerous or for other reasons.

    Dog walkers usually go to the client’s home and take the dog out for half an hour to an hour. They walk the dog and pick up after it before taking it back home. The amount that dog walkers charge varies from one area to another, but they generally charge about $20 to $30 for a half-hour walk. Frequent dog walkers can earn between $400 and $1500 per month.

    Pet sitters can earn quite good salaries if they have regular work. For pet sitters who live in houses, one possibility is to bring the animals to stay in their own homes. Pet sitters who live in apartments likely need to go to the animal’s house since many apartments don’t allow pets. Some pet sitters charge by the hour, but many charge by the day, often between about $30 and $50 per day. The fees might depend on any extra work that the pet sitters have to do, such as giving the animal medication or even grooming the animal.

    Becoming a dog walker or pet sitter normally doesn’t require any particular education, but it is a good idea to practice reading skills in case you need to read medication labels or instructions from the pet’s owners. Many people choose to buy insurance to cover the cost of injuries, lost keys, or other problems that can occur. Getting a kind of insurance called bonding is also an option.

    Working with animals takes a lot of patience and understanding. Sometimes pets can be difficult, and they might bite or scratch the pet sitter if they get upset. Being reliable is very important, since animals need their food and walks at regular times. Good physical fitness is important for dog walkers, especially if they look after energetic animals.

    People in this job might go to several places in one day or stay with an animal overnight or even for a month. Normally, they can continue to do other activities like going to school or another job while looking after animals. If you love animals and can be flexible, this might be the right job for you.

    Bibliography:

    Angie’s List. “How Much Do Dog Walkers Charge?” https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-do-dog-walkers-charge.htm.

    The Balance Small Business. “Pet Sitter Insurance in Canada.” https://www.thebalancesmb.com/pet-sitting-insurance-canada-2948238.

    Indeed. “Pet Sitter Salaries.” https://ca.indeed.com/salaries/pet-sitter-Salaries.

    Pet Sitter.com. “Pet Sitting Near Me.” https://petsitter.com/pet-sitters/everywhere/pet-sitting