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Author: Anthony Teles

  • Un monde de mots : la carrière de rédacteur et d’auteur

    Les rédacteurs et auteurs font face au défi de mettre des mots sur des pages et des écrans. Ils doivent réfléchir combien et quels mots utiliser,  au flot des phrases et l’impact qu’elles auront sur leurs lecteurs. Et ils doivent avoir un but – un texte de site internet qui incite les clients à acheter un produit ou le sujet d’un roman qui rejoint les lecteurs. C’est une carrière qui peut être très enrichissante et hautement décevante, et qui peut être poursuivie de toutes sortes de manières.

    En 2014, il y avait plus de 54 000 personnes travaillant comme rédacteurs ou auteurs au Canada. Ils écrivent des contenus pour permettre à des entreprises de vendre leurs produits, imaginent des histoires pour les lecteurs et des blogs pour des sites internet. Les rédacteurs doivent être persévérants car ils travaillent souvent seuls et à distance. C’est fréquemment un travail solitaire. Ils doivent s’assurer que les mots qu’ils utilisent, plaisent à l’éditeur ou à l’employeur à qui ils présentent leurs écrits, et ils doivent gérer, parfois, de très mauvais commentaires. Malgré tout, ils ont beaucoup de liberté, ce qui est différent d’autres emplois à plein temps. Ils peuvent travailler à partir de chez eux, dans des bibliothèques ou des cafés. Ils n’ont pas d’horaires fixes. Les auteurs ont la satisfaction de composer des contenus qu’ils communiquent en ligne ou dans des livres, et sont lus par un large public.

    Le salaire moyen annuel des rédacteurs est autour de 40 500 $. Au début, ils commencent autour de 26 700 $ et peuvent monter jusqu’à 66 000 $. Ceux qui se concentrent sur l’écrit technique ou des révisions peuvent gagner plus que d’autres. Bien qu’il y ait beaucoup de candidats qui cherchent du travail dans ce domaine, il y a aussi de nombreux emplois disponibles. Entre 2015 et 2024, on s’attend à ce qu’il y ait un peu plus d’offres d’emploi que de chercheurs d’emplois dans cette profession. Il se peut qu’ils ne trouvent pas précisément l’emploi qu’ils veulent, mais ils trouveront sûrement un travail qui s’y rapproche.

    La plupart des gens dans ce domaine finissent par se diriger vers les arts, les loisirs et le divertissement. Il existe beaucoup de cours et de programmes collégiaux qui proposent des crédits pour démarrer. De nombreux employeurs recherchent des personnes possédant un diplôme de premier cycle d’écrits sérieux, comme  l’anglais ou l’histoire. À partir de là, les diplômés peuvent suivre des stages ou des ateliers qui leur permettent mettre le pied dans la porte.  Ces occasions les aident à rencontrer les bonnes personnes et le réseautage y est très important.

    Comme les rédacteurs et auteurs ont beaucoup de liberté et travaillent souvent comme indépendants, il leur est possible de changer de domaines et d’avoir un autre emploi. Les scénaristes peuvent aussi écrire des articles. Les rédacteurs techniques peuvent aussi écrire dans des blogs. Tant qu’ils peuvent gérer leur temps et gagner assez d’argent pour couvrir les dépenses courantes, il existe beaucoup d’occasions de changer de domaine ou de progresser dans la profession. C’est une bonne idée d’avoir un emploi à temps partiel régulier. Cela vous donne assez de temps pour écrire, mais vous permet aussi d’avoir un revenu durant les périodes où les occasions d’écriture se font plus rares.

    Les auteurs et rédacteurs peuvent changer des vies avec leurs mots. La technologie moderne permet de communiquer ces mots de toutes sortes de façons,  et procure des occasions d’emploi partout dans le monde. Ceux qui veulent devenir rédacteurs doivent rechercher les occasions d’emploi et gérer un degré important d’incertitude. La meilleure chose à faire est de commencer à écrire immédiatement, à cet instant. Faites du réseautage, continuez de chercher du travail, et surtout, quoi qu’il arrive, continuez d’écrire.

    Sources:

    Job Bank. “Authors and Writers.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=5121&action=final&ln=n&s=2

    PayScale. “Writer Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Writer/Salary

    Truity. “Writer or Author.” https://www.truity.com/career-profile/writer-or-author

  • Career Profile: Animal Control Worker

    Career Profile: Animal Control Worker

    It’s a job that’s not for the faint of heart. When the wild things come into contact with regular city and suburban life, you might need a little help to get that little critter out of the house or workplace. But being an animal control worker is not just about being a creature wrangler, they handle many jobs from unruly household pets out of control to wildlife, small and large, who stray too close to civilization. Very often, they also help to recuperate abused animals and help them to recover from a pained life, including impounding animals, interviewing others who may have witnessed any wrongdoing, etc. To start off in this job, you need a high school diploma, but in certain jurisdictions, you will also need on-the-job training and certification that says you are fit to handle with potentially dangerous animals. As an animal control worker, you will have to respond to calls made throughout the city and put yourself in potentially dangerous situations to maintain the peace.

    What are the perks of the job?

    Some of the perks of the jobs include a median annual wage of roughly $36,000, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics and in Canada, the most commonly reported wages are $23.82 per hour. A few of the benefits that come with being an animal control worker is the fact that you do not need a college degree for this position (freeing you of student debt as soon as you start your job), the prospects are looking good with a growth of about 15% between 2012 and 2022, you work directly with animals and the humane treatment of our furry friends, and a largely independent working lifestyle where a boss isn’t watching you 24/7.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    Unfortunately, every job has a few setbacks, and some of the issues associated with being an animal control worker include having to euthanize an animal which can take its toll on a person emotionally. Also, handling animals (especially rabid animals) can be very dangerous and as animal control, you may come into contact with a few unsavory individuals who abuse animals and have a hostile attitude towards you. The other potential issue is that you will be expected to be on call for evenings, weekends, and possibly even holidays

    How can I grow with this career?

    There isn’t too much room for promotion in the animal control worker line of work aside from either working in social advocacy groups or excelling in different levels of government. For example, an animal control worker who is employed at a state level would earn a higher income than a worker who is employed by their local government. To enter into the job, you must be trained for the profession and learn what to expect when dealing with aggressive animals.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    A thorough knowledge of a government job could prime an animal control worker for other forms of work within the government, provided they have the proper training. With a boots-on-the-ground skillset, the animal control worker profession could possibly help an employee find work in another hands-on field like construction and other trades jobs after the licenses are earned.

    Reference:

    Bureau of Labor Statistics: “33-9011 Animal Control Workers”

    https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes339011.htm

    Indeed: “Animal Control Officer Salaries in Canada”

    https://ca.indeed.com/salaries/Animal-Control-Officer-Salaries=

    Learning Path: “Pros and Cons of a Career as an Animal Control Officer”

    http://learningpath.org/articles/Becoming_an_Animal_Control_Officer_Job_Description_Salary_Info.html

     

    Study.com: “Animal Control Worker: Job Description, Duties and Outlook”

    https://study.com/articles/Animal_Control_Worker_Job_Description_Duties_and_Outlook.html

  • Career Profile: Hydrologist

    Career Profile: Hydrologist

    Not many people consider pursuing hydrology (a fancy word meaning the study of water) as a career, but perhaps after today, you might even give it some thought. A hydrologist is someone who studies the movement of water whether it is rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation, surface water like rivers and stream, and ground water reservoirs and how it impacts the immediate environment around them. There could be many factors influencing the health of an ecosystem’s water supply. A few general tasks that a hydrologist completes on a day-to-day basis include: testing PH levels in local water supplies, measure properties like volume and speed, collect samples to detect any abnormal features, research ways to minimize damage to the water environment, and evaluate local projects and constructs like hydro dams and water treatment facilities. The career can be split into two more specific specializations: groundwater hydrologists and surface water hydrologists.

    To begin pursuing this career, you will need to go to post-secondary school and earn a bachelor’s degree in hydrology and water management to one day acquire an entry-level position. If you want to aim higher, then a master’s degree or a Ph.D. is needed. In some states and provinces, the working hydrologist may need a government-issued license. You can operate on the field collecting water and soil samples or you can be an in-office hydrologist who largely analyzes data and compares them to previous year’s sets.   

    What are the perks of the job?

    A few perks that the hydrologist can enjoy is a higher than average median annual income, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has calculated to be $80,480 as of May 2016. It also has a positive outlook of a 10% increase between 2016 and 2026. If you are a field hydrologist, you could benefit from decent outdoor work. If the great outdoors isn’t exactly your pace, a desk job is also an option. That level of flexibility could appeal to many would-be hydrologists.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    Attaining a career in hydrology can be more difficult than other careers within the environmental science field. The specific skillset that hydrologists are trained in make career-shifting a bit more difficult than with other careers. The work could also be considered boring after a few years of analyzing samples of the same regions with little excitement. Field work could also have some hydrologists working longer hours than they initially intended.

    How can I grow with this career?

    Hydrologists generally work at a state level, but some can excel in their careers to the point where they go on expeditions to places like Antarctica where they can participate in bigger projects. That way, they can make a bigger difference to the scientific community.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    Other scientific or analytical within environmental studies can support the specific skill set and training that a hydrologist enjoys, making their desirability to be hired somewhat as strong as other professions.

    Reference:

    Career Centre: “Hydrologist”

    http://www.careercentre.dtwd.wa.gov.au/Occupations/Pages/hydrologist.aspx

    Learning Path: “Pros and Cons of a Career in Hydrology”

    http://learningpath.org/articles/Hydrology_Careers_Job_Description_Salary_Information.html

    Truity: “Hydrologist”

    https://www.truity.com/career-profile/hydrologist

  • Career Profile: Bread and Pastry Baker

    Career Profile: Bread and Pastry Baker

    The scent of fresh bread or sight of desserts can make anyone smile. Bakers put in many hours and lots of hard work to make those delicious dishes possible. It takes a lot of training and years of experience to be able to make complicated recipes. They do more than just feed people. Their baked goods are like art, and can make a major difference for a party, birthday, or special occasion. Becoming a baker is not easy, but it is definitely rewarding.

    Bakers can be found not only in bakeries, but also restaurants or many other places that serve food. They often have early morning or evening shifts, and during that time they work hard to create unique breads and pastries. Bakers who start their own business and run their own bakery will probably be working from morning to night.

    For bakers, a lot of joy can come from bringing food creations to life. They get to take part in the process of putting a bunch of ingredients together in a way to make something special. There is further happiness in helping people enjoy quality meals and celebrate with desserts. There are a lot of stresses in the job as well. Customers can be very demanding, and only expect the best when pastries or cakes are going to be served for a special, once-in-a-lifetime celebration, like a wedding. The hot temperatures of the oven and kitchen can be tough to deal with, and bakers must be able to stand on their feet most of the day. Baking with complicated recipes also means paying attention to every detail and watching closely while the food is in the oven.

    The starting annual salary for a bakery can be around $22,500. After some years of experience, they can make around $44,500 per year. For those working shifts, the hourly wage can range from minimum wage to about $20. In 2014, there were around 43,800 bakers employed in Canada. Finding a job might be a bit of a challenge. From 2015 to 2024, there are expected to be 10,500 baking jobs and 12,800 people looking for work. Most hopeful bakers will be able to find work, but it will take schooling and experience to help make that happen.

    Many bakers train at a college in the culinary arts. It is important that they gain experience wherever they can, perhaps in a volunteer role or as an assistant. After some years of work, they can progress to own their own bakery. It is also possible to eventually be in charge of baking high-end cakes, desserts, and breads for major, high-profile events or fancy restaurants.

    Whether you are making a simple treat in your own kitchen or a unique cake for a special event, baking always requires a lot of effort and is endlessly rewarding. Those interested in the career should be baking as much as they can at home, and finding volunteer or part-time work at bakeries or food establishments. From there, they can look at college culinary programs after high school. These are the first steps in a career of bringing smiles to the faces of many happy customers.

    Sources:

    Job Bank. “Bakers.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=6332&action=final&ln=n&regionKeyword=Toronto%2COntario&s=2&source=2&titleKeyword=baker#outlook

    PayScale. “Baker Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Baker/Hourly_Rate

  • Being a Personal Trainer

    Being a Personal Trainer

    Many people have New Years resolutions to get in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle, or are just generally interested in pursuing a healthier lifestyle for other reasons. Often times, people need a bit of help to stay on track with their fitness goals and diet plans. That’s where the personal trainer comes in. Personal trainers are responsible for helping their clients set up their fitness goals and achieving them through hard work and dedication. Because of their near-constant with people, a personal trainer needs to have great communication skills, have a great personality, have a solid working knowledge of muscular anatomy, and have a personable teaching style when educating clients. If you’re an active person who loves meeting new people and helping them be enthusiastic about a healthy lifestyle, here’s why being a personal trainer might appeal to you.

    What are the perks of the job?

    If you’re already an athletic person, then this career probably sounds like a dream come true. A few other perks of the job include the satisfaction of helping others achieve their goals and dreams, and working with a gym or working by yourself (providing some career flexibility depending on how you prefer to work). The job outlook is also relatively positive, sporting a projected 12% growth between 2012 and 2022. It’s also one of the few jobs where practically no experience is required, although you would need to maintain a certain level of physical fitness and be pleasant to work with. To boot, Salary.com reported that the median annual salary is approximately 58,000 as of January, 2018.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    This job isn’t without a few cons however, largely that there are a few clients who are going to be difficult to work with because they either have a poor attitude or are largely unmotivated. It can also be especially complicated if you are a self-employed personal trainer and need to promote yourself, making this as much a sales job as it is a fitness career. However, working at a gym can be just as taxing with the amount of self-promotion you have to conduct to maintain enough business to be employed by the gym you are working for

    How can I grow with this career?

    While some personal trainers prefer to remain as an employee in a gym that provides training services, some personal trainers go the self-employed route and work to create their own business. It is not always necessary to have a college degree when pursuing this line of work, though having a business degree as well as a degree in studying muscular anatomy can certainly be a feather in your cap when you’re trying to get ahead in this job.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    You certainly could! This physical nature of the personal trainer career gears the employee to be able to handle other jobs that require a lot of labour. With the proper training, the former personal trainer could look forward to a job in the trades, especially since they also have open options to work for a company or be self-employed.

    Reference:

    Azcentral: “Pros & Cons of Being a Personal Trainer”

    https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/pros-cons-being-personal-trainer-8992.html

    Fitness Careers: “Personal Trainer Job Description”

    https://www.fitnesscareers.com.au/newsview/personal-trainer-job-description-48

    Salary.com: “Personal Trainer Salaries”

    https://www1.salary.com/Personal-Trainer-Salary.html

    Study.com: “Personal Trainer: Job Description & Career Requirements”

    https://study.com/articles/Personal_Trainer_Job_Description_and_Requirements_for_Starting_a_Career_in_Personal_Training.html

  • One Person Can Make a Difference: A Social Worker Profile

    One Person Can Make a Difference: A Social Worker Profile

    Everyone faces daunting problems at one point or another in their lives. Social workers help families, individuals, and groups with some of those problems in order to allow them to lead better lives. It is a complex career with many emotional peaks and valleys, and one that comes with a heavy burden and large set of challenges. For those able to take on that emotional weight, the rewards are plentiful and the impact that can be had is immense.

    Social workers are assigned patients and help them with a many number of issues. They welcome patients to centers designated to social work and assess their needs, difficulties, and future goals. Support groups, programs, and educational resources are selected and provided to these patients to meet their needs. The social worker is also tasked with helping families and individuals with problems they experience emotionally and socially. They help these people find jobs and get back on their feet, and maintain a caseload of patients over time.

    Aside from the immense pride to be had in aiding people in unfortunate circumstances, social workers also get to meet those from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. They may work regular full-time hours for consistency, but many also have shifts that allow for flexibility in their schedule. Conversely, the stress and emotional turmoil of working with struggling patients can be intense.

    Typically, social workers can expect to make close to $50,000 annually. Those starting out in the profession tend to earn around $33,700. After some years of experience, that salary can reach over $71,000. Those working shifts can expect to make anywhere from $19 to $45 per hour. Although there are many people looking for social worker positions, competition is not expected to be that strong thanks to the demand for the profession. From 2015 to 2024, there will be around 31,500 positions and 30,500 people looking to fill them.

    Job seekers are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree in social work. A Master’s degree can be very helpful in more competitive regions. As patients in Canada are coming from all over the world, it can be very beneficial to speak other languages aside from English. Patience and management skills are a great asset in dealing with the many cases that come along. Entry-level jobs are typically supervised and more administrative in nature. Becoming a social worker usually requires being a member in the association of social workers for a particular province. After many years of experience, it is possible to move on to a supervisor or managerial role.

    Social work is at once both infinitely rewarding and endlessly stressful. If an aspiring social worker is able to accept the difficulties that come with the job, the satisfaction of providing crucial help to so many lives can vastly outweigh the negatives of the career. Those looking to pursue the field can find volunteer positions helping others and pursue social work courses at the post-secondary level. An amazing career of helping countless lives awaits.

    Sources:

    Job Bank. “Social Workers.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=4152&action=final&regionKeyword=Toronto%2COntario&s=2&source=2&titleKeyword=social+worker#report_tabs_container2

    PayScale. “Social Worker Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Social_Worker/Salary

  • Making Music Happen: A Profile of Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

    Making Music Happen: A Profile of Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

    Musicians bring songs to life for ears around the world. But they can only do so if their musical instrument is working the way it should. Repairers and tuners of musical instruments make sure pianos, guitars, saxophones, and more work properly and sound great. This can be a wonderful career that lets people meet different music makers in many different locations.

    Repairers must figure out the problems with an instrument that is not working properly, and determine what parts need to be replaced. They must know about all the parts, big and small, that make up an instrument, including strings, bridges, felts, keys, and more. Tuners work on the pitch of the sound that comes out of each instrument. They make sure that the sounds match the music notes they are supposed to play. Repairers and tuners work at shops, or travel to homes, concert halls, and more in order to work on instruments of all sizes.

    Most people in the industry are piano technicians and focus on that instrument and its strings. According to the Government of Alberta, the average salary for the career is $42,713. One may start out making around $17.41 per hour, and work their way up to an hourly wage of around $25.62. Many people work for experienced repairers and tuners or take training programs in order to be qualified for the job. Employers usually look for people who have graduated high school. There are not many training positions with employers compared to the number of people looking for work, so it can be hard to find opportunities. After years of working for an employer, people in the field can eventually do work for major concerts or even work on rebuilding high-quality pianos.

    The duties of repairers and tuners might take place in a shop, factory, school, music store, or someone’s home. Those who work for an employer will have a regular 40-hour work week. Some may choose to be self-employed and go to homes and places with instruments that need fixing; this would mean a different schedule every week. Repairers and tuners get to meet many different people and help talented musicians create music that makes players and audiences happy.

    Repairers and tuners usually focus on one type of instrument, and this can include string, bass, or percussion instruments. They often lift heavy equipment or instruments, and must make sure their hands and ears remain healthy in order to do their job. It is important that they get along with the musicians they help and fellow repairers and tuners, as they are working closely together to get the job done.

    Young children learning music in school, music teachers helping others discover the joys of music, and talented musicians playing for large audiences all depend on their instruments. Musical instrument repairers and tuners help to make sure that pianos, guitars, organs, and more are working and ready to be played by people of all ages. This can be a very challenging and rewarding career, and one that does not take many credentials. Those interested in this field should start studying music and becoming familiar with instruments they want to focus on. Repairers and tuners may not be the ones on stage or in the classroom, but they play a very important role in making music happen.

    Sources:

    Government of Alberta. “Musical Insturment Repair Technician.” https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/musical-instrument-repair-technician/

    Mywage.ca. “Musical instrument makers and tuners.” https://mywage.ca/home/career/canada-job-salary/canada-musical-instrument-makers-and-tuners

  • Career Profile: Web Developer

    Career Profile: Web Developer

    Almost every company, television show or hobby exists online as a web page, forum or content provider, but where do all these online items come from?

    Web developers are the professionals who create, design, maintain and operate websites and other Internet and Intranet-based resources for companies and individuals. They are responsible for building both the front end (user interfaces) and the back end (server interfaces) for web sites and other networked applications.  This means they need to be familiar with many different coding and programming languages, including HTML, Java and JavaScript, CSS, Python, Perl, Ruby and PHP, to name just a few.  Developers will also need to understand how to create, maintain and query databases.

    Web developers need strong interpersonal skills and communication skills, as they will regularly work in teams and deal with clients to create websites and manage projects.  They also need to be detail oriented and have a good attention to detail for testing and debugging code.  Web developers are often either part of a marketing team, or an IT team, depending on their expertise.

    Typically, a web developer will work either in an office for a company, government agency or other organization, or they can work from their home as an independent freelancer.  Web development is especially suitable for freelancing, since much of the work is project-based with a defined beginning and end, and nearly all of the development process can be done digitally and remotely.

    Becoming a web developer doesn’t necessarily require a formal education, though in many cases getting a degree is still be a good idea.  Web development is an accessible career path without the need for a degree because there are many online avenues to learn how to code, provided you are willing to dedicate the time and effort into teaching yourself the necessary skills.  There are lots of free resources to help you learn to code websites, ranging from YouTube video tutorials, to online classes called Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs.

    A college or university degree may still be beneficial, however; especially if you want to eventually advance your career into project management, supervisory or other leadership roles.  Many post-secondary schools offer diplomas and degrees in web development, which will cover the necessary practical skills and coding languages, and also teach you topics such as graphic design, marketing, social media strategy, project management, and database management.

    Most of these college or university programs will take between one and four years to complete, depending on the degree or diploma program, and whether you are enrolled full time or part time.  Many of those degrees can also be done entirely online, so it’s not a requirement for you to live in a town or city that has a college campus.

    Web developers usually start their career with a salary of around $35,000 per year, which breaks down to a bit more than minimum wage, at the hourly scale, for full time employment.  As you gain work experience and seniority, salary can reach up to around $72,000 per year.  The national average salary is about $49,000 to $50,000 per year.  Your salary will also depend on the hours you work, and this can vary significantly depending on the individual job.

    When employed by a company or government office, hours are likely to be regular daytime hours, but there will often be on-call or overtime hours during busy periods and important project deadlines.  Freelance web developers can have more control over their hours, but certain projects may still require long hours, including evenings and weekends, in order to complete them on time.

    To learn more, check out our video HERE.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Web_Designer_%26_Developer/Salary

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

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_developer

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=2175&action=final&ln=n&s=0&source=6#job_opps

  • Career Profile: Biologist

    Biology is a broad field of study that encompasses the study of plants, animals, and people — essentially every living thing in the world.  Because biology covers so much information, there are many paths to follow when you want to work as a biologist, with lots of specialties to suit whatever your area of interest might be.

    If you want to understand how living things work, how they interact with each other, and with their environment, then a career as a biologist could be for you.

    Most biologists specialize in a specific area, such as:

    • Microbiology, the study of microorganisms
    • Ecology, the study of large-scale organisms’ interactions with each other and their environment
    • Zoology, the study of animals
    • Evolutionary biology, the study of evolutionary change in organisms
    • Botany, the study of plants
    • Genetics, the study of plant, animal and human genomes and DNA
    • Biochemistry, the study of the chemical processes of living organisms

    This is only a sample of possible specializations; basically, if something belongs to a living thing, biology has a specialty for it.  There is also a lot of overlap between different specializations in biology, so often biologists will work, study or research across a number of different topics.

    Biologists can work in academic settings as professors or researchers, or work for companies and government agencies. They can teach at all levels of education, from high school to colleges or universities, teaching biology and other sciences.  Biologists commonly work in labs performing research and creating experiments to test theories.  They will also write grant proposals to apply for project funding.

    Some biology careers involve travel and field research to study plants and animals in their natural habitat, which can take you all over the world.

    The hours a biologist works will vary depending on the type of biology career they are pursuing.  Teachers will have regular schedules tied to the school year and class times, which will mostly be during the day.  Researchers’ hours will vary depending on whether they are on a project or out on field research, which can involve long hours on location with no set schedule, including working on nights and weekends.

    Average salaries start around $40,000 to $45,000, and will also vary depending on your career choice between teaching or researching.  Wages for biologists in Canada start around $17 to $25 per hour, and can reach an average of $50 to $65 per hour for experienced workers or highly funded research projects.

    Biologists need to study the sciences and math throughout their schooling, starting during high school, and there are biology careers available at every level of education.  College graduates in biology can work as teachers, or as technicians or assistants in labs and on field assignments.  University graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can work as academic researchers, professors, researchers, consultants and advisors on policy or large projects for companies or the government.

    To learn more, check out our video HERE.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=2121&ln=n&s=3#report_tabs_container2

    https://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/biology-careers

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biologist

    https://professionalbiology.com/about-apb/

  • Career Profile: Astronomer

    Career Profile: Astronomer

    Astronomy offers exciting career paths in Canada.  Astronomers are scientists and researchers who study celestial objects such as the sun and moon, the other planets in our solar system, exoplanets in other parts of space, distant stars and ancient galaxies.

    Astronomers analyze data from telescope and sensor observations, and sometimes design and build equipment for astronomy such as telescopes and satellites.  Most astronomers in Canada work in universities, where they teach and pursue research projects; others will work with the National Research Council, where they perform research with or work to maintain international telescopes and observatories in which Canada is a partner or member.

    As part of their research, astronomers will have to make presentations about their work at conferences, and write grant proposals to apply for funding for their research projects.  Many astronomers also participate in community outreach to share their knowledge of space and science to kids, teens and adults.  This means that astronomers need to have strong communication skills, writing skills and interpersonal skills.

    The work schedule for an astronomer can vary, from regular hours working at a university as a professor, to working long hours or overnights while travelling or working on site at an observatory.  Salaries for astronomers in Canada range between $40,000 to $70,000 for post-doctoral researchers, and these amounts are largely dependent on grant funding on a project-per-project basis.  Professors at a university can start with a salary around $80,000 and can reach $120,000 to $150,000 for the most experienced and senior professors.

    Pursuing a career in astronomy in Canada usually requires a PhD in astronomy, with at least three to six years of work as a post-doctoral research student.  This is on top of completing a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in astronomy, physics, planetary sciences or other related fields of study, which usually takes four years and one to two years, respectively.  While some internships are available for students throughout their years of study, most astronomers will gain the bulk of their skills and experience through contributing to research projects during their graduate and post-graduate degrees.

    If you want to become an astronomer, it’s important to start early and get the necessary education in high school and your early years of college or university.  In high school, be sure to take as many science courses as you can, particularly physics and chemistry, as well as mathematics, computing and programming.  During your undergraduate degree, studying physics, astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, and mathematics are all useful to work toward an astronomy career.

    For more information, check out our video!

    SOURCES:

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/i-want-to-be-an-astronomer-what-will-my-salary-be/article24512769/

    https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/astronomer/

    http://casca.ca/?page_id=93

    https://www.noao.edu/education/being-an-astronomer.php