Author: Susan Huebert

Suppose that you wanted to write a book about your life or something interesting that you know about. If you know how, you could publish your own book and give copies to your friends and family. When you finish school, you could even consider turning those skills into a career.

Knowing how to use a computer is a fairly basic skill these days. People use computers at school and at work to write papers, reports, and other documents. Desktop publishers work with writers, editors, and graphic designers to produce everything from one-page reports to full-length books on various topics. Normally, other people do the writing and choose the graphics for the documents before the desktop publisher works to get them ready for people to read.

Unlike many other jobs, desktop publishing is normally project-based work. Deadlines can make the work very busy at times, and desktop publishers might have to work long hours when a project is nearing the end. At other times, they might have very little to do, especially if they work on their own with private clients. Some desktop publishers can find work with governments or other large organizations, but others work with people wanting to write their life stories or to publish other personal documents.

Becoming a desktop publisher normally involves learning on the job instead of taking any special training. Still, people in this type of work can benefit from taking courses in art, graphics, or computer programs. They need to know about the latest trends in publishing and be able to use publishing software for different types of documents. Publishers should know how to change documents from one format to another, depending on what the client needs.

People in this field spend a lot of time at their computers, but they also need to talk to clients to find out what they want. Attending conferences could also be useful for many desktop publishers, so that they can discuss new ways to do their work. Most of the time, however, people in this job tend to work on their own, even if they work in offices.

Salaries for desktop publishers can vary a lot. People who run their own businesses in this field might have only occasional work and need to find another job to earn enough money to make a living. In general, desktop publishers earn between about $33,000 and close to $60,000 per year. The work is not physically difficult, but it can be tiring mentally.

Almost anyone can become a desktop publisher, but certain characteristics can make it easier. Anyone who is careful about details but also creative is likely to enjoy working as a desktop publisher. Some topics that people write about can be fairly complicated, but good desktop publishers can make even the most obscure topic look interesting by using the right font, pictures, and colours. They can also help to proofread the documents to make sure that they are as accurate as possible.

Desktop publishing is the kind of job that requires both creativity and attention to detail. Does that describe you?

Bibliography:

Careerjet.ca. “Desktop Publishing and Graphic, Ottawa, ON.” https://www.careerjet.ca/jobview/357580cfc5a8edf6e5f5839aadf480b3.html.

Learning Path.org. “Pros and Cons of a Career in Desktop Publishing.” http://learningpath.org/articles/Becoming_a_Publisher_Job_Description_Salary_Information.html.

Payscale Canada. “Desktop Publisher Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Desktop_Publisher/Salary.

Truity.com. “Desktop Publisher.” https://www.truity.com/career-profile/desktop-publisher.

It is not a fancy title but being an administrative assistant in an organization is more important than what most people think. Administrative assistants are often the “go to” person, and since they are involved in most aspects – if not all aspects – of a company’s operations, they are the best person to ask if you want to get something done or if you want to get a message across. In some organizations, administrative assistants are called office coordinators or office managers because they are the liaison between management and staff and are the ones ensuring a smooth work flow overall.

Administrative Assistants– What You Need to Know

Administrative assistants are essentially the heart of any organization. Their primary designation involves clerical and administrative duties such as organizing day-to-day schedules, preparing reports and presentations, responding to calls and completing email correspondence, coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, and others.  However, CEOs, CFOs, directors, department heads, managers, and supervisors all rely on administrative assistances to keep them in check and ensure they fulfill their functions and commitments.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, anadministrative assistantcan earn as much as $29,530 – C$51,521 a year. In some companies, they are entitled to bonuses, profit-sharing, and commission.

Skills

If you are planning to be an administrative assistant, there is a minimum requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent. However, it is an advantage if you have an associate’s degree. Certain educational institutions also provide certificates in administration, and this can be helpful if you are hoping to further your career. Most colleges and universities offer these courses online for the students’ convenience.

To be an efficient administrative assistant, pivotal assets are effective communication skills, excellent time management skills, and outstanding organizational skills. Since the job involves varying duties on a daily basis, administrative assistants are also expected to be efficient in workflow prioritization and multitasking, especially when there are tight deadlines to meet or big sales to close or high-profile projects to complete. Administrative assistants must also have excellent collaborative skills and attention to detail.

Pros and Cons

A great benefit of being an administrative assistant is you are always in the know in an organization and therefore you also have the power to influence the key decision-makers. Since you work with the higher-ups, you have opportunities to share your opinions on certain matters and you gain respect in that aspect.

Perhaps a disadvantage is that since you are often relied upon for tasks, you do have the tendency to be the first one in the office and the last one out. It is a job that comes with high pressure since you are dealing with people from all organizational levels on a daily basis and must ensure that their issues or inquiries are attended to efficiently and timely.

SOURCES:

https://ca.indeed.com/Administrative-Assistant-jobs-in-Toronto,-ON

https://www.randstad.ca/administrative-assistant-jobs/

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

There are numerous jobs that afford you the opportunity to pursue continuous professional development, substantial financial gain or fame, or a well-rounded sense of accomplishment. However, there are only a few that puts you directly on the path of making a great contribution to change the world. Such is the role of a special education teacher. As with all teachers, SPED teachers have the power to mold young students and prepare them for the future ahead.

SPED Teachers – What You Need to Know

SPED teachers primarily work with students with a variety of learning disabilities, developmental delays, or limited mental or physical capabilities and aiding them in learning the subjects in the curriculum and engaging them in activities focusing on building self-esteem and leadership skills. Because of the nature of their job, a big part of the SPED teachers’ tasks is to provide assistance to students not just in terms of their learning capacities, but also in terms of functionality and mobility.

In addition, since students in special education classes have varying capabilities, it is up to the SPED teachers to truly understand the students’ needs and ensure these needs are met so the students can transition into regular classes in the immediate future and eventually realize their full potential when they become adults.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a SPED teacher can earn as much as $31,028 – $53,641 a year.

Skills

If you are contemplating a career as a SPED teacher, completing a bachelor’s degree in special education is the first step. In this coursework, you will gain valuable insight on child development, educational psychology, and special education policies. After completing this four-year degree, it is also an advantage to do another year to learning speech therapy or getting familiarized with nonverbal learning disabilities. Acquiring certification in Special Education can prove to be extremely fruitful as employers and hiring managers take this to mean commitment to the industry. A degree in Psychology or Sociology can also be fruitful endeavours when going into this field.

As being a SPED teacher requires having to deal with students from preschool to high school, they are expected to have the natural ability to work well with kids and have a nurturing and caring attitude to them. They should have a wealth of knowledge in behavior management strategies, as well as in childhood development and overall psychology of children and adolescents. Because of the challenges involved in the profession, special education teachers must have a lot of patience.

Pros and Cons

Being a SPED teacher means you have the benefit of making a difference in the world. You work with kids and help them achieve their full potential. It is a job that is satisfying and fulfilling emotionally and mentally especially for those with a passion for helping the youth.

A disadvantage is that it is a job that has its varying sets of difficulties tied to it as the kids they will work with on a daily basis are unpredictable. They must be prepared to deal with any type of challenge and persevere and must be excellent when it comes to problem-solving and conflict resolution.

SOURCES:

https://www.alleducationschools.com/special-education/special-education-teacher/

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Special_Education_Teacher%2C_Preschool%2C_Kindergarten%2C_or_Elementary_School/Salary

If you know of anyone who likes to read, they are probably one of those who are hyperaware of grammar and spelling. Some people automatically refer to them as grammar sticklers. However, anyone should know that one small mistake in spelling or punctuation can change the whole meaning of the sentence. In some cases, it not only results to outright embarrassment, but also loss of costs or profit.

Take for example in 2007 where a car dealership in order to drum up their sales came up with a plan to mail out 50,000 scratch tickets of which one will reveal a $1,000 cash prize. However, the marketing company instead printed all 50,000 scratch tickets revealing a $1,000 cash prize, leaving the dealership with egg on its face. They could only offer the “winners” a $5 Walmart gift card (which lead to $250,000 in loss).

Proofreaders – What You Need to Know

Writers and editors are usually the people who gain accolades for their output, but their work would not be successful without proofreaders checking every letter, every sentence, every paragraph, and every page, ensuring the overall work has its quality and consistency.

Proofreaders can work with a variety of materials depending on the nature of business they are employed with.  These materials can range from manuscripts, news articles, magazine articles, transcripts, advertising or marketing materials like brochures and pamphlets, and even legal or medical documents. There are also proofreaders who mainly work independently and they work with types of materials, including academic documents like dissertations and term papers. Their primary goal is to ensure that these documents are 100 per cent error-free and according to the organization’s guidelines and standards. In cases where documents have visual accompaniments, proofreaders are also required to ensure these come with the accurate captions or descriptions.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a proofreader can earn as much as $26,488 – $68,148 a year.

Skills

If you are thinking of joining the workforce as a proofreader, completing a degree in English or any related field will get your foot in the door. Acquiring certificates in editing in universities that offer continuing studies education can also be a huge help.

To be a successful proofreader, you need to have an acute sense of grammar and spelling, as well as attention to detail and dedication to accuracy. You also need the skills and knowledge to retain information as every organization has their own specific guidelines with regards with how to proofread a copy or text. In other companies, proofreaders do more than verify grammar and spelling, they are also responsible for checking if language is consistent and the ideas are presented in a cohesive manner. Thus, it’s often the case that proofreaders are voracious readers themselves.

To enhance your proofreading skills, you can get in touch with associations like Editors.ca which constantly offers seminars in proofreading.

Pros and Cons

A great benefit of being a proofreader is you get easy access to written work that are not yet released in public. Although you are bound to confidentiality agreements, of course, you get to enjoy news articles or magazine articles before the world lays eyes on them and so there is a feeling of prestige.

A disadvantage of the job is that you often have to meet tight deadlines. Publications, whether print or digital, all have their timelines and so you have to get the work done efficiently and as timely as possible.

SOURCES:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/49935/10-very-costly-typos

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