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Author: Rochelle C. Pangilinan

  • A Closer Look at a Career as a Personal Support Worker (PSW)

    Living independently or without any assistance is something that all adults aspire to, perhaps something that the young ones can’t comprehend until they have come of age. However, in some cases, living alone can be a burden especially if one has medical conditions or physical limitations. This is especially true for some members of the elderly population.

    According to Statistics Canada, the elderly proportion of the country’s population have steadily increased in the past 40 years. From 1971 to 2010, the senior population rose from 8% to 14%. It’s predicted that by the year 2036, the senior population can reach as much as 25%.

    The senior population is prone to conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and back conditions, most of which will require a form of assistance. The good news is the elderly population now have more options aside from choosing to live in senior homes where they can acquire support services for their illnesses. They can choose to reside in their own homes and employ personal support workers (PSW) to provide assistance when needed. PSWs are sometimes referred to as personal or home care aides. If this is something you would be interested in as a career, read on for more information.

    Personal Support Worker – What You Need to Know

    The main responsibility of PSWs is to provide individuals assistance with daily activities, and these may include but not limited to bathing, feeding, dressing, grooming, laundry, and cleaning. In most cases, PSWs also facilitate intake of medicines for the individuals.

    PSWs, however, don’t act alone as they collaborate with a medical group or clinical staff to streamline the individual’s treatment plans or daily regimen. PSWs must have an in-depth understanding of the individual’s needs and follow specific instructions from health care professionals regarding medication intake and other related duties. For individuals with chronic or acute conditions, PSWs are also tasked to monitor and keep track of their pulse, temperature, respiration, and others and may need to assist with other tasks like physical therapy, injections, feeding tubes, etc.

    PSWs also serve as companions for individuals who need assistance with certain activities, such as when they need to go to the hospitals or clinics for routine check-ups or run errands such as go to the bank or supermarkets.

    Salary

    According to PayScale.com, PSWs can earn $23,203 up to $44,171 a year.

    Skills

    To get started in the profession of PSW, one must first obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent and a grade 12 English credit and then work in getting a PSW certification from an approved educational institution. Most employers also require First Aid & CPR Level C or HCP Certificate. A nursing education is a big plus, as well as additional certifications and credits like senior biology, communications, or health. PSWs can move toward the careers as a Registered Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse.

    If you aspire to be a PSW, it’s important to be flexible with your hours as you may need to work different shifts depending on the individual’s needs. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are a must, as well as good judgment, problem-solving, and assessment abilities.

    Pros and Cons

    Working as a PSW means having the chance to improve the quality of life for individuals. In addition, unlike hospital or clinic settings where you deal with numerous patients daily, you get to direct your focus on one individual, thus you are able to establish rapport and build a trust-based relationship.

    Being a PSW though can be physically demanding as you will be often required to lift and do frequent movements when providing assistance, especially when the individual requires physical therapy.

    SOURCES:

    https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=PSW&l&vjk=26a0c32841585af5

    https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs/health-food-and-medical/personal-support-worker-psw

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Personal_%2F_Home_Care_Aide/Hourly_Rate

    https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-402-x/2011000/chap/seniors-aines/seniors-aines-eng.htm

  • A Closer Look at a Career as a Rehabilitation Counselor

    A Closer Look at a Career as a Rehabilitation Counselor

    According to the 2016 statistical findings of the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), there was a total of 240,682 work-related injuries, severe enough for those injured employees to take a leave from their work. The most common age group who suffer work-related injuries belong to the 50 to 54 age group.

    This shocking number should bring into focus that more efforts be completed to raise awareness of the importance of health and safety in the workplace. Of course, employees who are injured in their work environments must be provided with the necessary support they need, and this is where rehabilitation counsellors are needed. This may be a rewarding career if you like helping people get back on their feet and, more importantly, deal effectively with their circumstances and provide support and advice on how to maintain a good quality of life.

    Rehabilitation Counsellor – What You Need to Know

    On top of the list of the job mandate of a rehabilitation counsellor is to conduct evaluations of the patient’s needs and abilities and assessment of overall health. The rehab counsellor also helps patients set treatment goals. Most of the time, they would collaborate with other healthcare providers such as doctors and ask for support, as well as obtain additional input and recommendations.

    Rehab counsellors are also responsible for monitoring the progress of a treatment plan and must leverage their critical and analytical thinking skills to determine if adjustments are necessary. In some cases, they are also tasked to help find resources for the patients, such as mobility aids like walkers, wheelchairs, etc. Once the patients are assessed to be 100% fit to work, they can be rehired or re-employed by their original company. In some cases where the patients’ capabilities are limited due to the workplace injury sustained even after the rehabilitation period, they may have to undergone further rehabilitation, and so the rehab counsellor will be tasked to provide support so the patients can find alternate employment.

    Not all rehabilitation counsellors work solely with patients who’ve suffered a workplace injury or sustained a temporary disability due to employment hazards, however. Some also work with patients with existing injuries or disabilities, and it’s up to the rehab counsellors to provide them support for job training for future job placement opportunities, if possible. Rehabilitation counsellors are often under the employment of rehabilitation centres or injury services providers.

    Salary

    According to PayScale.com, a rehabilitation counsellor can earn between $36,007 up to $70,179 per year.

    Skills

    To launch a career as a rehabilitation counsellor, one must obtain a master’s degree in counselling or any related field, which typically includes integrated academic training programs in health sciences, psychology, and practical field experience. It’s a requirement to obtain relevant certification and licensing.

    To be successful in this career, rehabilitation counsellors must have finely tuned communication skills and advanced problem-solving abilities. In addition, they have to possess a talent for providing a supportive and diplomatic approach to people’s problems and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from all walks of life.

    Pros and Cons

    An advantage of being a rehabilitation counsellor is being able to work directly with people and help them with their goals of re-employment or job placement. It is a rewarding career as they are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals.

    A disadvantage though is facing the possibility of frustration when the support services provided are not enough. Sometimes rehab counsellors hit a wall as some patients’ injuries or disabilities may be so severe that their job opportunities are relatively limited and thus the potential for re-employment or job placement is extremely low. It’s this scenario when rehab counsellors must remain steadfast to their goals, while continuing to provide motivational counselling.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.indeed.ca/jobs?q=rehabilitation%20counsellor&l=Toronto%2C%20ON&vjk=ddcb5dafcf8f3095

    http://www.senecacollege.ca/ce/community/health-care/york-sen-rehab.html

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Rehabilitation_Counselor/Hourly_Rate

    https://www.safety-reporter.com/articleview/28353-partial-permanent-impairment-not-a-recurrence-of-injury/

    http://awcbc.org/?page_id=14

  • Fill Out Your Blank Canvas – Looking into Art Scholarships

    Fill Out Your Blank Canvas – Looking into Art Scholarships

    With the government’s strong emphasis on STEM-centred educational programs, it’s not surprising to see why efforts to promote arts education are taking a backseat. After all, if you quickly glance at a list of Canada’s most in-demand jobs, you will see most of them require a degree founded on STEM-focused education, such as Utilities Manager, Engineering Manager, Health Care Manager, Statistician, and the like.

    Still, if you are passionate about the arts, it’s only natural that you pursue a career in the arts and kick that off with an art degree. A career in the arts may not be the most coveted, but it can open doors to a rewarding and lucrative career such as an art director or a designer. Furthermore, a degree in creative fields can prove to be an advantage if one aspires to go into business because they have established themselves as imaginative thinkers and problem solvers, according to an article in The Star. It’s a valuable learning attribute.

    What it comes down to is to do things that interest you, so if you are set on a arts degree, obtaining a scholarship is for sure a good way to get things started. Here are some of your options:

    Abbondanza Fine Arts Scholarship

    University of Lethbridge – Lethbridge, AB

    With its motto built on creating and inspiring students, it’s no wonder that this university offers one of the most notable arts scholarships in the country through the Abbondanza Fine Arts Scholarship with value of up to $4,500. Four deserving full-time students currently enrolled in a Master of Fine Arts are eligible for this scholarship provided that they have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and has verifiable excellence in studio courses.

    Constance McFarland Memorial Art Award

    University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB

    The University of Alberta is highly regarded because of its quality visual arts programs which aspire to foster creative thinking in learners, while at the same time encourage to enhance their individual mode of expression. They also offer certificate arts-focused programs for both beginners and casual artists of all levels. Through the estate of Constance Nettleton McFarland, herself an alumni of the university’s Faculty of Arts and Science, the institution awards $300 to $600 to students enrolled in the Extension Visual Arts Program who have demonstrated their creativity, skill and craftmanship, as well as community involvement.

    Fine Art Student Union Bursary, Dharma Master Chuk Mor Memorial Scholarship

    University of Toronto – Toronto, ON

    It’s a given that this prestigious university is a huge supporter of the arts, so it’s no surprise that they provide several arts scholarships. Among them are the Fine Art Student Union Bursary and the Dharma Master Chuk Mor Memorial Scholarship. The Fine Art Student Union Bursary was established by the Fine Art Student Union and is to be awarded to students on the basis of financial need, and academic merit may also be considered. The eligible recipients should be current students enrolled in a Specialist or Major Program in Fine Art History or Visual Program in Fine Art History or Visual Studies. Meanwhile, the recipient of the Dharma Master Chuk Mor Memorial Scholarship is a student in a Major or Specialist Program in Art, and both academic and financial need are considered.

    Entrance Scholarship

    Emily Carr University of Art & Design – Vancouver, BC

    This institution, named after the widely respected Canadian artist Emily Carr, offers arts scholarships that can help aspiring artists follow in her footsteps. The scholarships are open to secondary school students, both local and international, who have proven their academic prowess and artistic potential. Local award recipients can receive a scholarship that covers the full amount of tuition for their first year, while international award recipients can receive anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.

    Entrance Scholarship, Student Scholarship

    Nova Scotia College of Art and Design – Halifax, NS

    Nova Scotia is well-recognized for bringing talented artist Maud Lewis into the fore, and this school hopes to discover similar emerging artists through its entrance scholarship. NSCAD has in store for future art superstars entrance scholarships ranging from $500 to $8,000, which are renewable for each of the four years of study. In addition, NSCAD also offers over $170,000 to current students provided they are enrolled in at least one semester and are in good standing.

    Anything above caught your fancy? It’s time to get to work to increase your chance of getting that arts scholarship.

    SOURCES:

    https://my.nscad.ca/scholarship/entrance-scholarship.ezc

    https://www.ecuad.ca/admissions/scholarships-and-financial-aid/scholarships-for-incoming-students

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MtoGnNkg9enTqigbGpweDYvjWXXovzaIfR2uJ-3-9tw/view#heading=h.c8l3fc14nsft

    https://www.uleth.ca/graduate-studies/awards/abbond%C3%A0nza-fine-arts-graduate-scholarship

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/talent/why-liberal-arts-degrees-are-more-valuable-than-you-might-think/article34031330/

    https://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2015/09/07/why-an-arts-degree-still-gets-you-a-great-job-mayers.html

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/talent/why-liberal-arts-degrees-are-more-valuable-than-you-might-think/article34031330/

  • Business School Bound?

    Business School Bound?

    Due to their exceptional transformative business ideas that make the world a better place, today’s business leaders manage to grab headlines just as much as politicians or celebrities. For example, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, who recently hit a net worth of $100 billion, made the news recently for his philanthropic pledge of $2 billion to curtail homelessness and promote early childhood education for low-income children, while maintaining a strong hold on the business market with his company.

    In any case, it can’t be denied that the most powerful people these days are the ones who made it big with their small business ideas (Bezos, for example, launched Amazon.com in his garage in 1994). Business executives can encompass various high-level positions at companies and organizations, including chief executive, financial and operating officers, executive VP, and executive directors, which are some of today’s most coveted positions in a wide variety of companies and organizations.

    If you’re eyeing a business-focused career path, it will be an advantage to have a foundation through a business degree at a top-rated business school:

    Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

    Toronto, Ontario

    It’s no wonder why the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is one of the highest rated schools in the country as it’s virtually a one-stop shop for aspiring business developers and executives. The institution offers everything from an undergraduate degree (Rotman Commerce) to full-time MBA programs. In addition, they offer a Global Executive MBA package that will prepare future business men and women to conquer the global market. Among the notable alumni are Bank of Montreal CEO William A. Downe and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce CEO and President Victor Dodig.

    Stephen Jr. Smith school of Business (formerly Queen’s School of Business), Queen’s University

    Kingston, Ontario

    The Smith School of Business in Queen’s University is also one of the top-ranking business schools in Canada. It also offers an undergraduate program, which is the Bachelor of Commerce, a four-year program which provides learners an in-depth knowledge and understanding of business strategies and concepts. After this, they can work towards a Certificate in Business or a full-time MBA. Noteworthy alumni include former president and CEO of Royal Bank of Canada Gordon Nixon.

    HEC Montréal

    Montreal, Quebec

    This institution offering internationally recognized management education programs is ideal for aspiring business executives who are fluent in French, both in written and oral communication, although they also offer MBA programs in the English language. HEC Montreal is well-known for their one-of-a-kind Worldly Mindset module, wherein students learn about management under unfamiliar circumstances or setting (last year, the students went to Argentina). Thierry Vandal, CEO of Hydro-Quebec, is among HEC Montreal’s prestigious alumni.

    Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia

    Based in Vancouver, BC, this school offers an innovative and all-encompassing suite of business programs, from an undergraduate degree of Commerce to full-time MBA, that equip its learners with an in-depth understanding of global business perspectives and the international marketplace. It’s particularly lauded for its mandatory Global Immersion Experience where students consult on business issues of local businesses and acquire first-hand knowledge of the cultural implications of business choices. Among its top alumni is Robert H. Lee, chairman and founder of Prospero, a highly acclaimed real estate firm based in Vancouver, BC.

    Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta

    Edmonton, Alberta

    The Alberta School of Business has maintained a long track record of continuous accreditation, one of the longest in Canada. It’s perhaps one of the few institutions that offer a diverse suite of specializations, including international business, public policy and management, natural resources, energy and the environment, sustainability, finance, and innovation and entrepreneurship. A business education founded on this institution can certainly help one launch a successful business career, just ask Richard Haskayne, president of Hudson Bay Oil and Gas. He kicked off his illustrious career with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with the university.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-magazine/article-considering-an-mba-or-executive-mba-heres-a-guide-to-canadas-best/

    https://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/top-10-mba-programs-canada

    https://www.canadianbusiness.com/lists-and-rankings/best-mba-programs/2016-reputation-ranking/

    https://www.macleans.ca/economy/canadas-top-25-best-jobs-2018/

  • Career Profile: Postmaster and Mail Superintendent

    Career Profile: Postmaster and Mail Superintendent

    In the past, people mainly wrote letters to each other when they wanted to communicate at a distance. E-mail and phones have changed that, but the postal system is still important. Working as a postmaster and mail superintendent can be a very useful and interesting job.

    You might have heard of superintendents at your school, who check on teachers to make sure that they are doing what they should. Postmasters and mail superintendents do a similar kind of job in the post office. They might arrange shifts, maintain records, work with both sides if there is a strike, and otherwise make sure that everything is working well. Postmasters might collect money from people who rent mailboxes and deal with complaints from the public. In a small town, they might get to know the public personally, but they might not have much contact with people in larger centres.People in this field might work different shifts or have regular hours, depending on the needs of the job. In some cases, they might need to know how to fix mailboxes, cut keys, or do other tasks that require special skills.

    Postmasters and mail superintendents need to know the rules of the postal system. For example, they should know what to do with mail that has no proper address on the front or that has no stamps on it. They should know who deals with each part of the system so that they can find any problems and help make sure that everything gets done. In small post offices, postal superintendents might need to do many of these jobs themselves.

    Salaries for postmasters and mail superintendents can vary a lot. Starting salaries are just under $21,000, but with experience they can rise to about $75,000, especially in larger cities. The basic requirements are a high school diploma and experience in retail sales or other work with the public. If you want to get into postal work, you might want to get some experience by working in a store and dealing with customers.

    Working in a post office is not hard physically, but it can be stressful. If things go wrong, such as if some mail gets lost or if workers are unable to do their shifts, the postmaster might need to spend long hours trying to solve the problem. People in this job need to be calm and to be able to work well with others.

    Every town and city in Canada has a post office, and many small communities also have jobs for postmasters and mail superintendents. The best place to find a job is in a bigger city, but some small places also have opportunities. Like in many areas, jobs can be hard to find for young people, but people still need to receive their mail, and postmasters can help to make that happen. If you want an important job, why not become a postmaster and mail superintendent?

    Bibliography:

    Canada Post. “Postmaster – Provided Premises (Group Office).” https://clients.njoyn.com/CGI/xweb/Xweb.asp?tbtoken=YFtfShgXCBx1EHF5MVVdCFM%2FeBJEcCdcc0hYV10MExFcK0sYWTVoBWoHdAkbVhZST3AqWA%3D%3D&chk=dFlbQBJe&clid=23060&Page=jobdetails&Jobid=J0618-1403.

    Indeed.com. “Canada Post Superintendent yearly salaries in Canada.” https://ca.indeed.com/salaries/Superintendent-Salaries-at-Canada-Post.

    Payscale.com. “Average Salary by Job for Canada Post Corporation Employees.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Employer=Canada_Post_Corporation/Salary/by_Job.

    Sokanu. “What Does a Mail Superintendent Do?” https://www.sokanu.com/careers/mail-superintendent/.

  • Career Profile: Cargo and Freight Agents

    Career Profile: Cargo and Freight Agents

    Moving anything from one place to another can be complicated. It involves knowing how to get from one place to another, being able to move the materials safely, and making sure that they get to where they need to go. Cargo and freight agents can help.

    Suppose that you wanted to give a birthday present to a friend who lives in the same city or town as you do. You could arrange to get together so that you could deliver the present in person. If your friend lived in a different city, you would probably need to go to the post office to send the present by mail.

    Cargo and freight agents are like postal workers, but for large shipments. Instead of just small packages like birthday presents, they might help deliver furniture, large shipments of food, or anything else that people want to send. They work for companies and individual people who have large amounts of goods that they want to move from one place to another.

    Much of the work of a cargo and freight agent is with customers, helping them decide on the best way to move their goods. They might choose to send very heavy or bulky objects by train or ship, for example, while they could choose to send lighter objects by air. Cargo and freight agents can also help with deciding the best way to pack the things that customers want to send. Breakable objects would need special care while a shipment of pillows, for example, would need little protection.

    Becoming a cargo and freight agent requires little formal education other than a high school diploma, but people in this field have to know a lot about the different methods of shipping goods. They should know about weights and different kinds of packaging, and what the dangers to the cargo might be, such as weather damage or the possibility that the goods might be crushed by heavier objects. People can learn a lot of what they need to know on the job, but being good with mathematics will help cargo and freight agents with the calculations that they need to do.

    In Canada, only Ontario and Quebec currently require any official registration to be a cargo and freight agent, although individual employers might ask for specific qualifications. For example, they might need their employees to be bilingual in French and English. An organization like the Canadian International Freight Forwarding Association can help people upgrade their skills.

    Much of what cargo and freight agents do is in offices, where they need to be good with paperwork and dealing with customers. Sometimes, however, they might need to help pack or unpack containers and lift heavy objects where a certain amount of physical strength is helpful.

    Cargo and freight agents can earn anywhere between about $29,000 and almost $52,000. Jobs might be available in shipping companies, post offices, and even factories. If you like to make plans and organize, the job of cargo and freight agent might be right for you.

    Bibliography:

    CIFFA. “CIFFA Education.” https://www.ciffa.com/education/.

    Hearn, Gordon. “Doing Business as a Freight Broker in Canada.”  https://www.tianet.org/TIAnetOrg/docs/Frameworks/CanadianFreightFramework.pdf.

    Indeed.com. “Freight Operations Agent.”  https://ca.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=823d8d7b7dcc4cc3&advn=9904401638271178&from=serp&dest=https%3A%2F%2Femployers.indeed.com%2Fj%2Fview-job%3Fid%3Db69f03ea30ad62cb172e&desth=ca91f31883caa3a40c2e4244dfe1d12a&prevUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fca.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3DFreight%2BAgent&tk=1cnasqfgbad5i92c&dupclk=1&acatk=1cnasqo0ia45hc9i&pub=6917c08ec3ecf6012dd26f3773156e870cace3277f6b99df.

    Payscale.com. “Cargo and Freight Agent.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Cargo_and_Freight_Agent/Salary.

    Peter Suess. “FreightForwarder/Load Broker.” https://www.pstc.ca/services/operating-authority-permits-and-licensing-usa-canada/freight-fowarder-load-broker/.

  • Mental Health Heroes: A Career Profile of Mental Health Counselors

    Mental Health Heroes: A Career Profile of Mental Health Counselors

    We do a lot to stay healthy. From exercise to eating right, there is plenty of research you can do on how to keep your body in good condition. But for a long time, the health of our brains was often ignored. With the advent of mental health awareness and campaigns to address depression, anxiety, and beyond, that is changing. Yet mental health has always been a major issue. Every day, mental health counselors are helping those who are struggling. These individuals are trained to discuss a variety of topics and help their patients through a myriad of problems. It is extremely challenging, but often life-saving work.

    Mental health counselors are part of the healthcare industry. They are working with patients suffering from depression, substance abuse, family difficulties, and more. Counseling comes in different forms, and may include helping patients with their way of thinking, and can occur in one-on-one sessions or in groups. Counselors may specialize in a certain area, such as young adults or families. It is the ideal profession for someone who is compassionate, patient, and a good listener. It is extremely rewarding to turn patients’ lives around, but it is far from easy to listen to people who are struggling on a regular basis. Counselors must be able to cope with that challenge.

    In Canada, mental health counselors make an average annual salary of about $53,000. This can range from around $35,000 for those at the entry-level, and go up to about $73,000 for those who have been working for more than 10 years. Entry-level counselors are trained to provide services based on certain ethical guidelines and help those who are mostly functional in their lives but experiencing mild symptoms. Counselors with more experience often work with those who are struggling to a greater degree in both symptoms and functioning.

    Counselors must be certified and typically require master’s-level education in the fields of counseling or human psychology in order to pursue work in the field. A degree certificate or transcript is required in order to apply for membership in an accredited body such as the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association.

    Many counselors move on to other roles after 10 to 20 years of experience. These positions vary widely, but can result in more focused work and greater pay. Counselors can focus on addictions as an addiction counselor, on younger people as a child and youth worker, or on crises as a crisis counselor. Career advisors and case managers are likely to make higher salaries. Mental health encompasses many different areas of life, and therefore opens up many opportunities for people who dedicate their lives to helping others.

    Mental health is far from an easy subject to talk about. Even with all the steps forward society has taken in removing the stigma of mental illness, it is still hard for many people to discuss the issue in earnest. This is why mental health counselors are critical. These individuals are specifically trained to help those who are suffering and guide them in taking the necessary steps to improve their lives. It is emotionally challenging work, but work that can make an enormous difference. Mental health counselors are the silent heroes walking among us, helping countless people suffering in silence to find stability and happiness in their lives.

    Sources:

    Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association. “Certification.” https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/membership/certification/

    Kelowna College of Professional Counselling. “How to become a Counsellor or Psychotherapist in Canada?” https://www.counsellortraining.com/how-to-become-a-counsellor-or-psychotherapist.php

    PayScale. “Mental Health Counselor Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Mental_Health_Counselor/Salary

  • Career Profile: Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

    Career Profile: Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

    When you see someone wearing a dress or shirt with a unique shape or interesting design, do you ever wonder how these clothes were made?  Or do you wonder how clothes are made in large numbers yet are all exactly the same? Fashion designers might be the inspiration for cool clothes, but the patternmakers are the real stars–taking a clothing design from a picture, and turning it into a wearable piece of clothing.

    Fabric and apparel patternmakers create the master pattern for making a piece of clothing, and this pattern will be used by a factory or seamstress/tailor to cut fabric into the right shape and then sew all the pieces together to make a shirt or dress.  Patternmakers measure a clothing design or model, draw out all the shapes to cut the fabric into, and will make instructions on how the pieces fit together into a piece of clothing. This is the master pattern, which will be used to make many copies of the same clothes.

    If you want to work as a patternmaker, you will need to know lots of information about different fabrics, how to use scissors and exacto knives, how to measure and draw, and how to sew by hand and using a sewing machine.  Most jobs in patternmaking only need a high-school diploma, though if you take classes on fashion or sewing at a college it can help you get jobs that pay more or give you better opportunities.  Patternmakers find their jobs anywhere clothes are being made, such as clothing factories, costume design companies, or directly with fashion designers.

    While most patternmaking used to be done by hand with tape measures and paper, these days much of a patternmaker’s job will be on the computer working with digital models of clothing designs.  This means you also need to know how to use a computer to create patterns, which you can learn by taking classes or getting a job that will train you when you start working there.

    If you want to get a job as a patternmaker when you’re an adult, it’s a good idea to start learning some of the skills you will need as early as you can.  Even if you’re in elementary school, there are lots of ways to start!  Learning to sew by hand is easy for someone to learn at any age, and it is an inexpensive hobby since all you need are some needles, thread, and fabric.

    Your local library will have lots of books that can teach you how to draw a clothing pattern, and then all you need to do is practice!  For example, you can start with designing patterns for your own Halloween costumes, and get your parents or older siblings to help you put it all together.  You can also practice creating patterns for clothes to dress your action figures and dolls–and this is a great way to learn because you will only need small amounts of fabric, which keeps things less expensive.

    You can also look for a local community group or school club that enjoys fashion, clothes-making, crafting, or sewing, because this is a great way to meet people who share your interest and can teach you new tricks or help you practice.

    Sources:

    https://www.livecareer.com/occupation-overview/textile-apparel/fabric-apparel-patternmakers

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/skills/5934/22437

    https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/careers/search/profile/summary/51-6092.00

  • Career Profile: Urban and Regional Planners

    Career Profile: Urban and Regional Planners

    Roads, cities, and towns may seem like they grow organically from existing infrastructure, but in fact every new addition to a urban or rural landscape is planned out carefully.  This is the job of Urban and Regional Planners, who are experts in designing and planning new additions to residential, commercial, and rural areas.

    Urban planners typically focus on cities and towns, while regional planners will focus on a wider area that can include residential towns, but can also be comprised of rural or undeveloped land.  In both cases, planners are responsible for mapping out the best way to use available land and resources to expand a city or town, taking into account natural and environmental factors, existing infrastructure, individual needs of a community, roads and highways, and water sources.

    Urban and regional planners are responsible for a variety of tasks, including collecting and analyzing data on a city or region (such as demographics, economy, population, political representation or cultural representation), developing land use and community plans, process applications for land development permits, or supervise new and ongoing development projects.  Some planners will also specialize, such as focussing on environmental planning for parks, nature preserves, campgrounds, and waterfronts, or infrastructure projects such as transit and transportation, water and sewer systems, or schools.

    The most common workplace for urban planners will be in an office environment, but it is likely that you will be required to travel locally, such as around your city or nearby rural areas, in order to examine and oversee project sites, perform surveys, and ensure the project runs smoothly.  You will also have to be skilled in using computers, and specific software such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), computer aided design (CAD) or computer aided engineering (CAE) programs, Building Information Management (BIM) software, and project management platforms.

    To become an urban planner, you will need at minimum a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, geography, engineering, architecture, or a related discipline.  Depending on the company and job responsibilities, you may also need a Master’s degree in one of these fields, especially if you want to advance through managerial positions or into the executive and consulting spheres.

    In most of Canada, you will likely need to be a registered member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and some provinces may also require registration with a regulatory body, such as the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

    The salary range for urban planners starts at around $43,000 for entry-level positions, with a salary of up to $90,000 per year possible after gaining experience.  This will also depend on the job, as smaller companies may not have salaries as high as, for example, the government or consulting sector.

    Sources:

    https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/urban-and-regional-planning

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Urban_Planner/Salary

    https://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2018-2019/programs/community/planning/

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/22460/22437

  • How to Make Your Own Halloween

    How to Make Your Own Halloween

    Halloween is coming soon! It can be fun for all, especially if you’re having a party.  Here are some ideas for how to make your own Halloween fun:

    Take care to accommodate your friends’ needs – is it too spooky? Are there food allergies you need to consider? Or is there flashing lights that would be too uncomfortable because of how quickly they would come on or because of a medical condition? Not everyone is comfortable with talking about what they’re scared about, so if someone asks, assure them of potential risks.   If you’re not sure, tell them your plans and let them decide for themselves.

    First off, the famous phrase: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. For example, could you use that bottle of pop, decorate it with some paint and make a truly spooky skeleton? Are there items within your garage or recycling box that with a bit of imagination you could use again? In addition to that, you could consider fabric straps to decorate an item, which are also available in craft stores. Straps are enough of what you need instead of large amounts, if you are also considering a budget.

    More so to this point, craft stores have so many ideas as well within their aisles so it’s a good place to start for how to make your own Halloween, especially something you may have seen for a higher price. (They do offer some decorations that are both creative and at a more decent price compared to big-box stores.) I would recommend making your own decorations are often much cheaper, and incredibly more rewarding because you accomplished it yourself.

    There are good ideas everywhere: through the Internet, magazines and craft books available in your library as well. Cooking magazines, books and websites even have food options (such as decorations for snacks), which allows you to change things due to allergies or food sensitivities. There’s even multiple creative ways to use a pumpkin other than carving it, such as painting it so it’s no longer the typical orange; decorate it with a mini-costume of its own with glasses, a mini-hat or even a funny nose. You could even still carve the pumpkin, instead of a face, consider making a statement or another design. (This may be more advanced, but there are specialized tools that can help you achieve this.)

    For the truly spooky, you could consider a home-made haunted house; restricting to a dark room/area – basement or kitchen, keeping light so guests can still see (but not too much), preparing a banquet of experiments conducted within that room with spaghetti as brains for example.  But nothing is scarier than a campfire (or a flashlight indoors similar to a campfire), discussing spooky stories of your own making, from the horror classics or making it a fun game where everyone says one word or sentence at a time; or even watching horror movies in the dark.

    It’s easy to make your own Halloween celebration. The question is, what are you looking to achieve: A day party with your closest friends? A sleepover party? A party with little children? Once you know When and Who, you can plan How for a great time!