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  • Jobs for People Who Love the Cold (French version available)

    Jobs for People Who Love the Cold (French version available)

    Although many people tend to hate the cold weather, there are people out there that enjoy the cold weather. You may be one of these people. Maybe you’re considering finding a job that will allow you to work in a cold climate. The following jobs are perfect for those who love the cold weather.

    Ski Instructor

    Ski instructors work in cold environments. They teach people how to ski on ski slopes and mountains. They also instruct their students on how to wear their safety gear, the equipment they must use, and how to ski safely. Skiing is a winter sport, which means if you are a ski instructor, you must work and most likely live in snowy areas for a while.

    Skating Rink/Arena Worker

    Since skating rinks are made of ice, they must be in cold areas to avoid the rink from melting. These rinks could be outdoors in the winter and indoors as well. There are many positions available to pick from at arenas and skating rinks. This is a good job for those that enjoy the cold weather as well as skating.

    Construction Worker

    Construction workers work all year round. A lot of them have to work outdoors, and this also means during the winter. They work in the snow as long as it is tolerable and safe to do so. Although they work during the winter season, construction workers don’t work when it is extremely cold outside or when there is a snowstorm.

    Adventure Guide

    Adventure guides lead groups through the outdoors and engage in many outdoor activities. These activities include hiking, rock climbing, camping, and rafting. In colder seasons, they lead activities such as mountaineering, snowshoeing, and skiing. They also teach some survival and safety skills with each activity. Although it is more common to see adventure guides working in warmer temperatures, there are also some that work in mountain areas and colder climates.

    Snowplow Operator

    Snowplow operators drive snow and salt trucks to clear the snow and ice on the streets and major roadways. They help make the streets safer for vehicles and pedestrians to travel through. Snowplow operators may have to travel to areas that are having snowstorms to provide emergency assistance. This job is great for those who enjoy driving and are comfortable operating heavy machinery. 

    Winter Resort Employee

    Winter resorts are great to visit if you love the cold, but working there could be even better. This way, you could stay in the cold environment more often. Most winter resorts offer activities such as sledding, snow tubing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides. There are many different positions you could choose from that will give you the opportunity to work in a cold climate.

    You don’t have to spend the cold seasons hiding from the weather. These jobs are perfect for those that enjoy the cold. They can help you make the most out of your winter since most of them are only available during the winter season.

     

    Resources

    Indeed. “8 Jobs in the Snow for People Who Enjoy Cold Weather.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-in-the-snow

    Monster. “5 cool jobs for people who love the winter.” https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/5-cool-winter-jobs-1204

    Norah, Jessica. “Ski Holidays for Non-Skiers: 25 Things to Do at a Ski Resort If You Don’t Ski.” Independent Travel Cats. https://independenttravelcats.com/ski-holidays-for-non-skiers-things-to-do-at-a-ski-resort-if-you-dont-ski/

    Singh, Gursh. “7 of the Best Seasonal Jobs For You to Get This Winter.” Credit Canada. https://www.creditcanada.com/blog/7-of-the-best-seasonal-jobs-for-you-to-get-this-winter

  • Seasonal Jobs to Help Your Wallet

    Seasonal Jobs to Help Your Wallet

    By Rabia Khan

    Do you want to earn extra income and shop during the sales season? It’s always a great idea to go out and work when the holidays are in full swing. A seasonal job helps one to combat loneliness and also financial distress. It helps to keep the mind free from the depression that comes with dreary weather conditions and being stuck indoors.

    Personal gift shopper

    The winter months have a lot of festivities. Personal shoppers help the consumer to shop wisely and pick up stuff that is appropriate as a gift. Maybe closer to Valentine’s Day, a client is confused about what they need to buy. By taking into account the requirements of the customer, these personal helpers make it their duty to advise in the best way possible to help pick up things that meet their needs.

    Retail sales associate

    A retail store needs a lot of floor attendants because of the ongoing flow of customers. The primary duty or function of this role is to provide customer service.

    Gift wrapper

    Retail stores hire gift wrappers for customer purchases. Gift wrapping is a fine art and needs finesse and patience. So gift wrappers are a big help in making beautiful packages out of items that have been purchased.

    Chef

    During the holiday season, there is an increased demand for culinary items. A culinary education is a must so that the chef does not fall short of the restaurant’s requirements. People are always going to eat no matter what, and a place that appeals to their taste buds is something that they will not abandon.

    Tutor

    There is always a never-ending demand for tutors. Students are always looking for well-qualified tutors to help with their mid-term exams, applying for higher education, and more. Qualified tutors are hard to come by, and because of online learning, tutors are often asked to work remotely.

    Keep in mind that while the holiday season may be a big time for seasonal work, the holidays are not the only time to check out these kinds of jobs! Here are a couple of examples of seasonal jobs that you can find during warmer weather:

    Summer camp counselor

    Camp counsellors are supposed to be very responsible, mature, caring, and trustworthy professionals who oversee the activities in summer camps. They may have to take charge of little children or teenagers, all of whom need to be handled with sensitivity and discipline. Camps are of various kinds depending upon the activities involved. This can include sports, athletics, education, arts, crafts, and other disciplines.

    Tax preparer

    Tax preparers need to be good at accounting and math, as well as with numbers in general and in preparing different types of tax returns. Tax preparers ensure that company taxes are filed properly and on time. This is also a seasonal job and one that pays well.

  • Why Winter is the Best Time to Work on Creative Projects

    Why Winter is the Best Time to Work on Creative Projects

    Winter can really suck. Sure, there are the holidays and freshly fallen snow can be very pretty – but otherwise, it can be a cold, depressing time. Or is it? Old Man Winter might be keeping you indoors, but that doesn’t mean the season should go to waste. This is actually the perfect time to work on your more creative projects and hobbies. Even if you don’t consider yourself the most creative type, it’s still an ideal time to try your hand at indoor-related creative pursuits. Trying to learn a new language? Start reciting those Spanish phrases while a storm blows outside. Want to learn how to play an instrument? Grab a guitar instead of trying to shovel your way out to waste time at the mall. You can also draw, design websites, work on your book, etc. There are so many indoor activities that often get ignored while students are sitting around bored during the wintertime on holiday vacation. Here are some solid reasons why winter is the best time to work on creative projects:

    It’s Just Too Cold Outside to do Anything Physical and Recreational

    Unless you’re skiing, tobogganing, or doing anything else that requires a lot of snow, then it’s a real hassle to go outside during the winter to engage in any recreational activity. Instead of slogging yourself out into that unpleasant weather, you should consider staying cozy indoors with a hobby that you always considered trying. Maybe that turbulent storm is trying to tell you something about your artistic destiny!

    Winter Scenes can be Inspirational When You’re Short on a Muse

    Maybe you want to write or paint, but you don’t know what scene to paint or what subject to write about. The thing about winter is that, as dreadful as it can be sometimes, there is also a beauty in it. If you feel entombed by a stubborn snow day, then use this feeling as your muse and pick up the guitar to play the blues. Paint a picture of a drab winter day and use the picture-perfect example right outside your window. It’s a heck of a lot better than sitting around bored and complaining about the weather.

    Creativity Keeps the Winter Blues at Bay

    Winter tends to be the most depressing season of the year. This makes sense when you consider the lack of sunlight, the fact that the trees aren’t brimming with lush, green leaves or flowers like usual, but are torn down to their bare bones and look… well… dead. Seasonal Depression (or Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a mood disorder which has symptoms that can be worsened or triggered by the passing of a certain season. Most people who have this disorder experience it during the winter months. If you are one of these people that suffer from this condition (or the ‘winter blues’ are just getting you down), keeping yourself engaged with a creative project can be very helpful in maintaining good mental health and keeping yourself in good spirits!

    You Probably Won’t Find a Better Time to Finish that Project

    During all other seasons, you’re probably going to be hanging out with friends more often, or get into other outdoor activities, or maybe you just flat-out won’t have the time to finish that creative project. If you’re stuck inside with little else to do, you’re more likely to blow the dust off that creative project and get it finished once and for all. It’s a well-organized way of spending your time effectively on a season-to-season basis.

    Maybe you prefer to be outdoors during the winter, or maybe you’re one of these seasonal shut-ins. In any case, winter time is the perfect time for a creative project. It might even make for a great Christmas gift for friends and family!

  • Changing SAD into GLAD: Ways to Combat Those Winter Blues

    Changing SAD into GLAD: Ways to Combat Those Winter Blues

    With winter conditions settling in Canada earlier than in the last few years, it’s important to bring to light one underlying effect of the cold weather that seems to be buried in the avalanche of discussions about winter tires, appropriate cold-weather gear, and safe winter sports accessories: SAD or seasonal affective disorder.

    SAD is a type of depression that is prevalent during the cold season, but could also happen during spring and summer. SAD typically make individuals experience sleeping difficulties, lethargy, irregular appetite, irritability, and a constant feeling of hopelessness.

    People with SAD often manifest symptoms once fall begins when the days start getting shorter. SAD doesn’t have a clear cause, but generally it’s believed that the lack of sunlight is a major factor for one to develop SAD.

    Fortunately, there are ways to keep these so-called winter blues at bay to avoid them being disruptive to one’s normal way of life. Read below for some of these tried-and-tested tips.

    Take in as much sunlight as you can.

    With winter, shorter days and longer nights are a given. By the time you are done with work or school, there’s typically not a lot of time left to get that much-needed rays of sunshine. However, there are ways that you can.

    For example, during your breaks in between classes or work tasks, step out and take a walk, instead of confining yourself to your desk. On weekends, if you want to meet up with friends for dinner, suggest a brunch instead so you’ll have time to bask in the sunlight.

    Keep the sweet cravings under control.

    Treating yourself to sweets is fine occasionally. We all enjoy our favourite chocolate bar or a pastry from our go-to bakery. However, one should be aware when the cravings go out of control.

    While it’s good to give in to them for satisfaction, sugar highs often turn into sugar lows, and one ends up feeling more down than when they started. Thus, if you need to snack on something sweet, go for natural snacks like nuts or fruits.

    Brighten up your winter wardrobe.

    When it comes to fashion, it’s often said that one should dress according to the season, no matter how cliché that may sound. Spring means a lot of florals, summer means bright colours, and autumn means neutrals.

    When it comes to winter wear though, the majority seems to throw out anything within a colour palette out the window and merely go for black. Scientists actually believe that the colours you wear have an effect on your mood, so go for a bit of fashion adventure: choose a bright-coloured winter jacket or a scarf in a shade that truly pops. You’ll be surprised by how it changes how you feel.

    Get together with friends and family.

    As the holidays roll around during wintertime, it may be challenging to schedule some much-needed quality time with friends and family, but it’s important that you keep in touch and do your best to share a cup of coffee or a meal or two with your family or friends.

    Of course, since COVID is still around and has not totally bid us goodbye, ensure that you take the necessary precautionary measures to avoid exposure, like wearing a mask indoors and others.

    SAD is definitely a potential enemy for anyone living in a country with winter. The effects of longer nights and not getting enough sunshine are difficult, but one can cope with them. Try the steps above and hope for the best!

     

    Sources

    https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/274-you-are-not-alone

    https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/seasonal-affective-disorder-2/

    https://themuse.ca/getting-ready-for-the-canadian-winter/

    https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20221031/seasonal-affective-disorder-peak-november

    https://discovermagazine.com/health/what-you-can-do-about-seasonal-depression

  • Turn the Winter Blues into Winter Booms!

    Turn the Winter Blues into Winter Booms!

    Years ago, the “winter blues” may have been something close to an urban legend—something that was commonly talked about, but not investigated enough. Now, quite a number of recent research findings have attested that the winter blues does exist, and some concerned groups and organizations are making an effort to do campaigns to bring more awareness on the subject matter.

    So, what exactly are the winter blues, and why should they worry you? As the name suggests, the winter blues are most common in the winter. In the branch of psychology, one who has the winter blues has seasonal affective disorder or SAD. According to a GlobeandMail.com article, SAD affects one in every five Canadians.

    Most experts agree that the winter blues have one common cause: the lack of sunlight at wintertime. Of course, there is a big difference between just having the doldrums and having SAD, and talking with a professional can help narrow this gray area. People who have a tendency to suffer from SAD can benefit from the following strategies:

    Spend quality time with friends and family.

    Unless you are planning to follow the example of bears and hibernate for the rest of the winter season, spend as much good time with the people close to you as you can. It can be something as simple as meeting up for coffee before your classes or ordering pizza for dinner.

    Take advantage of the sunlight whenever you can.

    Shorter days and longer nights are part of every winter. What you can do to make up for that is to get as much sunlight as you can. This means making changes to your routine. For instance, if you normally head out to take a run or jog after your classes, why not do it before your classes instead? If you usually meet your friends after classes, why not meet up for brunch instead?

    Eat right.

    A nice cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows is always believed to be an effective way to combat the blues. However, go easy on filling your body with too much sugar. Be sure to make fruits and vegetables a part of your daily diet.

    Include bright colours in your winter attire.

    You may rely on fashion magazines to know what’s hot and what’s not when you go winter wear-shopping, but don’t let those things dictate what you wear 100 percent. Sure, you wouldn’t want to look like someone from the 1950s era, but it’s nice to add some bright hues in your winter attire even though the fashion bigwigs don’t approve. According to scientists, wearing bright colours can lift your spirits. If you don’t want to go overboard, include a pop of colour in your outfit—like a rainbow-hued scarf or headgear.

    Indulge in the things that make you happy.

    When it comes to conquering the winter blues, sometimes we have to consciously step away from the things that make us sad. For example, if you know watching a particular movie or TV program or listening to a certain type of music or artist will make you gloomy, why indulge in those things in the first place? Instead, focus on those things that make you smile. And don’t worry if other people think it’s not cool or it’s corny. Remember, that is why the term “guilty pleasure” was invented.

    The above are just suggestions to beat the winter blues. However, if none of them work for you, it would be a good idea to seek professional counselling.

     

    SOURCES:

    Kirchheimer, Sid. “Beating Winter’s Woes.” WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/beating-winters-woes?page=3

    Pearlman, Jennifer. “Sick of the cold? 5 ways to beat the winter blues.” The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health-advisor/sick-of-the-cold-5-ways-to-beat-the-winter-blues/article23178249/

    Standish, Jules. “Colours to boost your mood! Don’t be scared to clash – scientists have found brighter clothes make you happier!” Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2864623/Colours-boost-mood-Dont-scared-clash-scientists-brighter-clothes-make-happier.html

  • Shaking Off the Winter Blues

    Shaking Off the Winter Blues

    By Erin Rebello

    With shorter days and colder weather, it can be easy to catch a typical case of the winter blues. We’ve all been there, snuggled under piles of blankets and hoping for warmer days ahead! Thankfully, as winter nights melt into spring mornings and the weather warms up, there are tons of ways to get out and about and chase away those winter blues! Below is a list of tried and trusted ways to get rid of the winter blues and embrace the changing of the seasons.

    Go on a Hike: It might still be a bit chilly outside, but as my soccer coach has always reminded me during our freezing winter practices, the best way to get warm is to get moving! One of my favourite things to do during the summer is go hiking; it’s a great way to relieve stress and connect with nature. Even when it is cold, hiking is still a great way to get outside, and there are many benefits as well! For example, there’s less of a crowd, so it’s easier to social distance. Hiking in the winter also gives you a completely new perspective on the forest around you, due to the differences in flora and fauna. Even if hiking isn’t typically your thing, I encourage you to try it out at least once during the early spring!

    Start a Garden: Although it’s a bit too early to start growing plants outside, March is actually the best time to start growing your annual plants. If you’re an avid gardener, you may have a lot of experience with growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Although most people sow seeds directly into their garden during April or May, the very best gardeners start their seeds indoors. By allowing your seeds to germinate and grow sprouts indoors, you’re able to start them off in controlled conditions, where critters like squirrels, rabbits, and slugs can’t munch on them. You can also cull any plants that aren’t growing properly, ensuring that your garden is highly productive. After starting your seeds off indoors, you can bring them out in April or May, where they can then expand and grow into a beautiful garden!

    Do Some Outdoor Art: I may not be the most artistic person, but I do love getting creative now and then! I tend to draw inspiration from the world around me, which is why I love creating art outside, where I’m surrounded by things that inspire me! From cars to clouds, to insects, to the sprouting grass peeking through the frost, early spring has so much to offer in terms of inspiration. Even if you don’t consider yourself the most artistic person, I challenge you to go outside your comfort zone and try some outdoor arts and crafts. All you need is a few paints or crayons, and you too can create your own work! If you’re planning on hiking during the spring, consider taking your art supplies with you and creating a piece right after your hike – when you’re full of inspiration!

    Warm Up with Some Hot Chocolate: Finally, although the weather might still be a bit bleak and cold, it doesn’t mean that you have to be! Instead of waiting for Mother Nature to heat everything up, you can make your very own (and very delicious) source of warmth. Hot chocolate can also be a great refresher after you’ve finished hiking, doing outdoor art, or planting your garden. With the help of a parent, you can mix a couple of spoons of hot chocolate mix with some boiling water. Add in some mini marshmallows or whipped cream, and you’re good to go! Just be sure to let it cool before sipping so you don’t get too hot too fast and burn your tongue!

    The winter blues are normal, but they don’t have to be something that stays with you until spring. Using these tips and tricks, you can shed those winter sorrows and prepare for a spring and summer full of warmth and joy!

  • Career Profile: Environmental Lawyer

    Career Profile: Environmental Lawyer

    Many people care about the environment, but not everyone has a chance to do much about it. People can sign petitions and write to the government. They can do their best to use less energy and to clean up after themselves. Right now, you can learn about the environment and do what you can to avoid polluting it. In the future, you could help even more by becoming an environmental lawyer.

    Traditionally, lawyers have dealt with issues like criminal trials, contracts between businesses or other groups, and helping people deal with other legal matters. A newer branch of the legal profession is environmental law. In this profession, lawyers work with government legislation regarding the environment. They try to be sure that the laws are effective and that people are obeying them.

    Because this branch of law is still quite new, it can be difficult to find a job as an environmental lawyer. However, getting an education in a related field can help. Earning a bachelor’s degree in a field such as environmental studies, resource management, business, or philosophy at a university is a good start.

    After finishing an undergraduate degree, students write an exam called the LSAT to test their abilities. If they pass this test, they can go to law school to become lawyers with a specialty in environmental law. Five universities in Canada offer degrees in this specialty: York University, McGill University, University of Ottawa, Université Laval, and University of Calgary.

    Becoming an environmental lawyer is not a quick process. Normally, a bachelor’s degree takes at least three or four years, and a law degree takes at least two or three more. In some provinces, law school graduates are required to work for another year in an apprenticeship called student-at-law.

    During this time, the students work with a fully-trained lawyer to gain experience in the day-to-day practice of law. They receive a salary, but not at the rate they will later earn. After they complete that and a program at the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education, they can normally begin their careers as lawyers.

    Once they finish their education, environmental lawyers might work with governments, or they might set up private practices as consultants. They might work on projects for universities or environmental organizations, or even for small groups of people trying to make a difference in their communities. Much of the work involves research and gathering information on threats to the environment or on ways that people can help preserve species or protect streams and rivers.

    When environmental lawyers work as advisers and consultants, they give their clients information they need for potential lawsuits or other actions. However, they may sometimes become more involved, possibly going to trial against polluters or taking other actions. Although the hours can be long and the job can be stressful and tiring, it is not usually very physically difficult. Salaries generally range between $54,000 and $147,000 per year.

    Much of Canadian law depends on past decisions that the courts have made. Because environmental law is still new, lawyers need to find other ways of making their point. This could make the field difficult but exciting. If you want to help nature and you enjoy challenges, becoming an environmental lawyer might be right for you.

     

    Bibliography:

    Academic Invest. “How to Become an Environmental Lawyer.” https://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/environmental-science-careers/how-to-become-an-environmental-lawyer.

    Canadian Environmental Law Association. “Who We Are.” https://cela.ca/about-us.

    LLM Guide. “LLM Programs in Environmental Law/Energy Law/Resources Law—Canada. https://llm-guide.com/schools/canada/concentration/environmental-law-energy-law-resources-law.

    Payscale Canada. “Average Attorney/Lawyer Salary in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Attorney_%2F_Lawyer/Salary.

  • Career Profile: Epidemiologist

    Career Profile: Epidemiologist

    The COVID-19 pandemic is still on everyone’s minds. Schools were closed, and businesses were shut down. Epidemiologists are working to find a solution to the problem. Someday, you might be able to help people overcome another crisis like this by becoming an epidemiologist. If you like science and research, this might be a good choice for you.

    Epidemiologists are very important at a time like the pandemic. Basically, epidemiologists study diseases that pass easily from one person to another. When these infectious diseases start to affect hundreds or thousands of people at once, they are called epidemics. If they affect many different countries, they are pandemics. Epidemiologists identify the diseases and find out what causes them. If possible, they find a cure and develop a vaccine for the disease.

    Much of the work of epidemiologists is in labs or offices, where they study samples from patients or look at data about where the epidemic started, how it spread, and many other factors. Sometimes, they might need to gather information at hospitals or other places where they can learn more about the illness.

    Generally, epidemiologists work regular hours, but in crises, they might have to work in the evenings or on weekends. The work is generally not physically demanding, but it can be intense in public health emergencies. Salaries start at about $57,000 per year and can rise to about $100,000. Epidemiologists work with various levels of government, in universities, private organizations, or with international development agencies.

    Depending on where they work, epidemiologists might work with different diseases. COVID-19 is in many countries around the world. The Ebola epidemic was more local, staying mainly in Africa. Other diseases like SARS have spread more widely, but they still tend to be worse in some areas than in others.

    Becoming an epidemiologist involves university studies, normally a master’s degree in epidemiology or in public health,h with a substantial number of courses in epidemiology. A bachelor’s degree in the physical sciences or a related topic is good preparation for further studies in the field. People getting into this field should be prepared to be in university for at least five or six years after high school, and possibly longer if they write a thesis as part of their studies.

    Epidemiologists have a very important role when they help to cure deadly diseases. People in this field should be able to work alone when they are doing research, but they should also be able to work with other people. Knowing where to find information is very important. If you are interested in this job, you can plan to take biology and chemistry classes in high school. Even now, your science and health courses are very important preparation for the work. Good reading skills are also essential because epidemiologists need to read about the latest scientific research.

    Working as an epidemiologist can be a very challenging but rewarding job. If you enjoy research and you want to help people, this could be the right job for you.

    Bibliography:

    Academic Invest. “How to Become an Epidemiologist.” https://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/biology-careers/how-to-become-an-epidemiologist.

    Government of Canada. “Field Epidemiologists: Disease Detectives of Public Health.” https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/97581.html.

    Payscale. “Epidemiologist Salary in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Epidemiologist/Salary.

  • Career Profile: Electric Motor System Technician

    Career Profile: Electric Motor System Technician

    Some people love to take motors apart and put them back together. Does that describe you? If so, you might want to consider becoming an electric motor system technician. This career is good for people who enjoy working with their hands and repairing mechanical objects.

    Motors are complicated machines, with many different parts that can break or otherwise go wrong. Electric motor system technicians maintain, test, and repair all kinds of electric motors, working mainly in repair shops and manufacturing plants. Knowing about electric parts such as transformers and switchgears is very important. Technicians might work with small motors like the ones in lawn mowers, or they might work on large machines in plants and factories.

    Certification requirements for electric motor system technicians depend on the province. However, most employers require a high school graduation and a four-year apprenticeship, which includes 1,500 hours of on-the-job training mixed with eight-week periods of classroom work each year. Besides their technical skills, electric motor system technicians need to learn how to estimate costs and determine the kind of repairs required for each motor.

    People in this trade often work around other people but not necessarily with them. They need to be quite independent and to be able to solve problems that come up. Still, they need to be able to work while other people are talking or making noise nearby. The job is not especially dangerous, but car parts might sometimes fall on workers and injure them, or technicians might cut themselves on metal parts sticking out from the motors. The job can also be very messy because of the oil that keeps the parts of the motor running smoothly.

    The best way to prepare for a job as an electric motor system technician is to practice taking motors apart and putting them back together. Shop classes are useful, and mathematics and English courses will help give you the skills necessary to calculate costs and to read more about your trade. Business management classes could also be useful for starting a small company.

    Even before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped many activities in Canada and around the world, the job prospects for electric motor system technicians were only moderately good. With so many businesses and factories shut down these days, it might take time for jobs to appear again. Still, every machine has a motor that occasionally needs repairs. The skills necessary for this job are also useful for other trades, and people can learn to do other work with only minimal training.

    Working as an electric motor system technician can be busy, but with quiet periods in between. Having other options is a good idea, especially in smaller towns where fewer people need this kind of help. In some areas, it might be possible to specialize in a certain kind of motor, although it is usually best to have a wide range of knowledge of the workings of many different types of motors.

    Electric motors are a part of everyday life in our society. If you become an electric motor system technician, you will help many people work and move around as they do their daily tasks.

    Bibliography:

    ALIS. “Electric Motor Systems Technician.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/electric-motor-systems-technician/.

    Government of Manitoba. “Electric Motor System Technician.” https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/discover/mbtrades/electmotorsystech.html.

  • Career Profile: Cabinetmaker

    Career Profile: Cabinetmaker

    Each day, people use kitchen cabinets, drawers, shelves, and many other wooden storage areas in their homes. They may never think of the people who make these shelves and cabinets, but building these spaces takes a special set of skills that people need to learn and develop. Working as a cabinet maker is a good choice for people who like to work with their hands and to manage a variety of tools.

    As the name implies, this job is about making cabinets and other wooden structures for kitchens and other rooms. Although the skills can translate well to some outdoor building tasks, cabinet makers generally work indoors. They read blueprints, choose the right tools and the type of wood that the customer wants, and cut the wood to the right shapes and sizes. This step involves using different types of tools, including manual and electric saws, sanders, and much more.

    Cabinet makers sometimes work on assembly lines in factories, putting together only a small part of a cabinet or shelf. However, working in a small business is also a possibility for people who prefer to work through the entire process of putting a cabinet together. The job can be physically demanding, since cabinet makers have to be able to lift heavy pieces of wood and manage tools that can be hard to handle. Each day, cabinet makers use nails, glue, screws, or clamps to join pieces together after cutting or sanding them down to the right size.

    Although being a cabinet maker is not as dangerous as other construction jobs, it has its own hazards. Sawdust can get into the lungs, and the glue used for putting the wood together can cause breathing problems. The tools can also be dangerous to the fingers and hands. In addition, the job can be quite physically demanding as people have to lift heavy items and be active for much of the day.

    Becoming a cabinet maker involves study and practice. Each area of Canada has its own requirements, but most people go through an apprenticeship program to get into this trade. In most cases, the apprenticeship involves four twelve-month periods of preparation for the job. These years include on-the-job training, technical training, and a final exam. In most of Canada, except Saskatchewan and Quebec, certification is available but not required. A high school diploma is also necessary. Salaries start at $39,000 and rise to about $63,000 with experience.

    Being flexible is important for people in this trade. Working alone is sometimes necessary, while at other times, cabinet makers work closely with others. The days can be long when a project needs to be finished, but people in this trade can generally work regular hours. As with other jobs in the field of construction, work tends to be busiest in the warmer seasons, but it can be busy at any time of the year. In the colder months, much of the work can often be related to replacing or repairing old or broken cabinets.

    Cabinet makers have an important role in making homes and other buildings function better. If you are good with your hands, it might be the right job for you.

     

    Bibliography:

    ALIS. “Cabinetmaker.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/cabinetmaker/.

    Careers in Construction. “Cabinetmaker.” https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/cabinetmaker.

    Payscale Canada. “Cabinet Maker Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Cabinet_Maker/Hourly_Rate.