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Author: Meghan Brown

  • An Introduction to Finding Accommodations for Blind Students at College and University

    An Introduction to Finding Accommodations for Blind Students at College and University

    Choosing a college or university and going off to school for the first time is an exciting and important step. If you are an incoming student with a visual impairment, the accessibility options and academic accommodations schools can offer you can influence your choice. Many of the possible options for accommodation will be familiar to you from high school, but the specific offerings at each school may differ.

    When you are comparing schools, make an appointment with an Academic Counselor and with the Student Services department. They will be able to give you comprehensive information and details of the school’s academic supports, as well as the accessibility and other amenities available on campus and in residence. If you are accustomed to specific accommodations, be sure to ask if they are available at your prospective school.

    Service animals are always welcome on college and university campuses and in most student residences, if you choose to live on campus. Just be sure to confirm that the campus residence you are interested in is properly equipped for the service animal to live with you.

    Along with the usual accommodations and accessibility options, with every year there are more high-tech, mobile, and internet-connected tools available to students with visual and other impairments.

    There are options for whatever methods you prefer when studying, and they way you learn best with your level of visual impairment; digital recorders, both audio and video, are a great tool when attending lectures. In addition, many computer, smartphone, and tablet apps that can provide text-to-speech and speech-to-text functions to help you prepare notes and write assignments.

    Some schools also offer note-taking assistance from an aide or another student, but availability of this service will vary between schools, and should be inquired about specifically if this is a service you wish to use.

    For students taking STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs, there are talking standard and scientific calculators available, with various functions including a voice reading the buttons pressed, or the equations on screen.

    Whether you prefer to use audiobooks or Braille textbooks, your college or university can order these for you. As it may take a few weeks to a few months depending on the text, most schools will request that you submit your textbook order as soon as you have registered for your classes, to allow time for the books to arrive before the start of class.

    One thing to keep in mind is regarding accommodations for writing tests, midterms, and final exams. Unlike in high school, where your teacher is familiar with you and your Education Plan, and most likely makes the exam arrangements, in college and university the exams are scheduled by computer. It is up to students to contact their academic counsellor and request accommodations for date and time, separate rooms, verbal exam taking, having an aide to assist, or any other accommodation you require.

    Whatever college or university you choose, they will do their best to ensure you enjoy your educational experience with them. Once you’ve decided on your school, get ready for a great few years!

    Sources:

    University of Western Ontario Student Development – Services for Students with Disabilities

    http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/ssd/

    University of Western Ontario – Accessibility: Services for Students with Disabilities

    http://accessibility.uwo.ca/resources/support_services.html

     

     

  • If I Knew Then…

    If I Knew Then…

    Advice on careers, finance, and life from Harvard Business School’s Class of 1963

    Each month, JobsPeopleDo will be featuring a special quote from a graduate of the Harvard Business School Class of 1963. The following quotes are insightful and can be used to inspire and encourage the right career path for you…

    Steps to find fulfilling work:

    1. Take the initiative to investigate the places you think are of interest. Ask good questions.
    2. Go with the self-assurance of having written on an index card each of your past accomplishments (including where you simply helped other people do their thing) in three forms:
    3. A simple phrase; e.g., “top salesman in New York office for three years”
    4. A three-sentence statement of the problem, your solution, and the result
    5. A one-page explanation or anecdote to share if asked to give details
    6. Use those cards deftly to encourage people to talk to you — showing you listen on their level and understand whatever they tell you. Remember: The more they talk, the smarter they’ll think you are.

    ~ Ron Leslie ~

    Via http://hbs1963.com/

  • Go with the Flow!

    Go with the Flow!

    I have to admit something. I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. And I turn 40 in a few weeks. And that’s OK!

    My career and education path has been full of changes. Graduating from High School, I was going to be an Economics major. I thought it would give me the best chance of a stable job when I graduated. Turns out, I hate economics! But I loved my Geography and Anthropology courses. Luckily, that’s what first year is about, finding subjects that peak your interest. So I changed my major to dual Geography-Anthropology only to then lose my part time job and move home with my parents. The university in their city didn’t have an anthropology department so my major became Geography. However, once I graduated with my BA, I realized I would have to get higher education to carry on in that field, but I didn’t love it enough to work towards a Master’s degree. So I decided to work for a little bit. While working as a waitress, I decided to get a certificate from the local college in Business Administration. I liked the Human Resources part; people made sense to me. But I stayed a waitress because the money was good and I had a pile of student debt. A few years later, I met and married my husband, who with his military career, took me around the world, and gave me two children. During the next fifteen years I earned two more college certificates, one in being a teacher of adult learners, and one for graphic design. Both I took online in my spare time. Now I work part time in a retail store and I own my own business doing graphic design, photography and freelance writing. How’s that for going with the flow? If you would have told me in High School that I would one day be getting paid to be creative, I would have laughed at you.

    The idea that a person knows exactly what they will do with their life at 17 or 18 is ridiculous. Even if you are 100% sure of the path, life sometimes takes twists and turns you weren’t expecting. Good and bad things will be thrown at you, and it’s your ability to deal with those events that determine how successful you will ultimately be.

    The best part about being open and going with the flow, is that every experience you have, can be brought with you. I may not be “using” my degree, but the research and study skills from those years are a core part of every course I took afterwards. The customer service skills I learned as a waitress, I use in my freelance business. The software I learned in business, I use every day. Even the cultural awareness I gained while travelling is invaluable.

    In short, be open to new possibilities. Learn from failure, say yes to new things, challenge yourself to try scary things. Sometimes the things we fear doing the most, are precisely the things we need to be doing.

    And, remember, two steps forward and one step back isn’t failure….it’s dancing the tango!

  • Goal-Setting: Tips and Tricks

    Goal-Setting: Tips and Tricks

    Need to get something done? A strategy may be in order. Conscientious people know what they want and make concrete plans to get it, completing small tasks each day and slowly but steadily progressing towards their desired result. In other words, they’ve mastered the art of goal-setting, a fantastic skill that can help you further your achievement.

    Goal-setting is an asset when you’re working on long-term projects or towards your own self-fulfillment. It is also a skill that transfers well into higher education as well as into the workforce, where you will have more and more tasks and responsibilities to manage—and where it becomes even more important to keep your eye on the ball.

    Here is some advice that will help you develop your goal-setting skills, and that may, in turn, contribute to your long-term success.

    Dream big, start small.

    I’m sure a part of you secretly dreams of saving the world—whether it’s discovering the cure for cancer or being on the first human expedition to Pluto, we all have dreams that are certainly worth investing it. That being said, it takes small steps to accomplish any goal. Keep your long-term ambitions in mind, but stay focused on what you can do today that will bring you one step closer to achieving them.

    Keep it regular.

    Turn goal-setting into a habit. For instance, you can start your morning off by making a list of three things you want to accomplish by the end of the day. Though these things can be related to your long-term goals, don’t forget about daily chores and tasks to accomplish—even small things like completing your overdue homework or cooking a healthy meal can turn a regular day into a productive one.

    Motivate yourself.

    Most people want to be productive, but laziness or apathy often gets in the way of their accomplishments. Solve your potential lack of motivation by having a long-term vision that will pull you out of bed when all you want to do is sleep in. It’s also recommended that you reward yourself for your hard work: for example, when you reach 10 successfully completed goals, you can have a day off to relax.

    Hold yourself accountable.

    We all slip up from time to time, and that’s perfectly normal, but try not to let getting sidetracked become a bad habit. If you slack off or forget your responsibilities, make a commitment to yourself that you’ll do better next time—after all, you owe it to yourself and to your future. To help you keep track of your progress, you can use a goal-setting journal for personal reflection.

  • I want to go to Law School; Now what?

    I want to go to Law School; Now what?

    A post-secondary education can take you down many roads; in fact, many students choose to pursue higher education post-grad. For all of you competitive, ambitious individuals who love paperwork as much as you love debate, going to law school has probably at least crossed your mind.

    To get into almost any law school in Canada, you need three things: at least 2-3 years of university experience (though the vast majority of students attend law school after completing their undergraduate studies), a great score on the Law School Admission Test (the LSAT), and a stellar personal statement or application (giving the selection board insight into why you are right for their school).

    University Experience

    When it comes to law school, the undergraduate major that you choose really doesn’t matter as long as you have the required university experience. Popular “pre-law majors” include social sciences (political science, criminology, sociology) and humanities (English, history, philosophy). However, individuals in programs from life sciences to commerce to music have done very well in law school, too.

    It’s smart to study what you love: not only will you enjoy your undergraduate studies; you will likely achieve the high marks you need to get into the law school of your choice. Many law students also use their undergraduate experience as a supplement for a future career—for example, a future environmental lawyer would benefit from an ecology degree.

    The LSAT

    The LSAT is a demanding multiple-choice test that requires a lot of preparation. There are three graded sections to the test. Firstly, you will be required to complete “games”, essentially logic puzzles involving a variety of situations. Secondly, you will have to analyze arguments for their premises, conclusions, and weaknesses. Finally, you will complete a reading comprehension exercise. (The LSAT also has an essay portion that is not graded, but that admissions boards can look at when evaluating your application).

    To prepare for this test, you need to make studying a top priority. Many students attend classes and hire tutors, and it is strongly recommended that you complete practice exercises and mock tests. Though the test is difficult, if you study hard, you will do well, and (like the SATs in the U.S.) you can always take it again if you are unhappy with your score, time permitting.

    Personal Statement or Application

    Essentially, the personal statement is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills and explain why you would make a good addition to the school. Many students describe their long-term aspirations as a lawyer, and the things they hope to learn from their time at their school of choice. When writing your statement, it’s smart to keep in mind the profile of the schools to which you’re applying, as well as what you plan to get out of your law degree.

    Law school is not for the faint of heart, but if you set your mind to it, you will succeed. If you think a career is right for you, get cracking on your applications!

  • Having a Tutor in College and University

    Having a Tutor in College and University

    Deciding to get assistance from a tutor during your academic career depends on how you feel about your classes, your grades, and your study skills, and does not mean you are a bad student. There are good reasons to get help from a tutor for a single assignment, a specific course, or for the whole semester, regardless of your grades.

    Maintain or Improve Academic Standing

    Grades are often the main consideration when deciding to get a tutor. You want to do well in school, and a tutor can help. Particularly for students who are relying on grade-dependent scholarships and grants, having a tutor can ensure you are able to keep your grades up where they need to be to continue receiving this support. Depending on the direction of your academic career, future programs may require minimum grades for application and consideration.

    Get Help for a Particular Assignment, Course, or Subject

    No one is an expert in everything, and you may have a class or assignment containing a lot of new material with which you are not familiar. If you start feeling confused or overwhelmed by course material, a tutor can be a great help. They can explain and demonstrate concepts, offer study tips, and suggest ways to organize the information to increase understanding. They can also help you plan and outline assignments, or read over a draft of a report or essay and offer suggestions for improvement.

    Recover From a Low Grade

    You don’t necessarily want to wait until after you get a low grade on an important exam or assignment to consider getting a tutor. However, if that is what happens, a tutor can help you review your work, explain the comments from your professor, and talk through where you could have improved or what you may have missed. Then they can help you study and work on future assignments, for a better understanding of the material next time.

    Tutoring can help you at any time during school – not just when you‘re a freshman or having trouble with a class. You can gain a clearer understanding of course material and avoid low grades before they happen. You will also gain confidence in your study skills and in your ability to complete assignments. Getting a tutor early on and having regular meetings with them (even if it is just a few times a month) can give you an excellent academic boost.

    There are various options for finding a tutor. Most colleges and universities offer tutoring services free through academic counselling and student services departments. These can be either drop-in sessions, or pre-arranged appointment times for one-on-one assistance. External tutoring services also operate independent of any specific school, though usually there is a fee.

    Lastly, if you know another student in your year, or a year or two ahead, you can ask them personally if they would be willing to tutor you. Just remember to take the tutoring sessions seriously, as they are willing to share some of their time with you.

    Sources:

    http://www.collegeparentcentral.com/2010/05/tutoring-can-help-your-college-student-succeed-twelve-reasons-to-start-early/

    University of Western Ontario Student Development Centre

    http://sdc.uwo.ca/learning/

     

  • Activism at School and Beyond

    Activism at School and Beyond

    What do student strikes in Montreal, people signing petitions about unjust laws, and asking for better working conditions in Central America have in common? When people try to help others by changing the way the world works, it can often be referred to as activism. No matter how old or young you are, you can be an activist and try to change the political, environmental, economic, or social order of the world. It is not just about changing things to the way you want them to be, but changing things for the better while working with people to find a common ground that will benefit the masses, not the few.

    People get involved in activism for many different reasons. Eight hundred years ago, students in France protested against the issues that concerned them in the universities and towns. Three hundred years later, students in Korea protested against what the king was doing. Over the centuries since then, students have continued to protest against things that they believed were wrong or unjust.

    Activism can take many forms, whether it’s about local or international issues. It can also be a good opportunity to learn about the world and about the problems that people are experiencing. Organizations like Amnesty International, for example, offer courses and workshops for students so that they can learn more about how to be advocates for people in need. Talking with other people can also be a good way to learn about how to become involved in activism.

    Knowing what issues interest you is the first step in becoming an activist. For example, if you have no interest in sports, you are unlikely to be very effective in being an advocate for hockey or football teams. However, if you care about poverty issues or about opportunities for young workers, you can find many organizations with information on how you can get involved.

    Once you know what issues you would like to pursue, you can find people to help you bring causes to light. Signing online petitions is one way of getting involved, and various social service organizations can provide information on issues that need your help. Your school might also have a special project that you can participate in.

    Are you interested in social justice and equality? Organizations like the Centre for Social Justice or Make Poverty History can be good places to start. With many of these kinds of organizations, people can choose their level of participation. If you want to sign petitions, you can do that. If you want to help organize rallies, you might have an opportunity to do that together with other people in the group.

    Many issues are ongoing, such as poverty or the need to help refugees. Others, however, might just involve short-term activism. A few years ago when the Quebec government wanted to raise tuition fees in universities, the students held a protest to try and keep their fees from increasing. Other students got involved in the Occupy movements in various cities to protest student debt and the greed of business leaders.

    If you are passionate about a certain subject and want to make a difference in the world, why not start now?

    Bibliography:

    Amnesty International. “Be a Youth Activist.” http://www.amnesty.ca/get-involved/be-a-youth-activist.

    Catalyst Centre. “School of Activism.” http://www.catalystcentre.ca/school-of-activism/.

    The Centre for Social Justice. “About.” http://www.socialjustice.org/index.php?page=about.

    Rabble.ca. “Quebec government lock-out of students will only add ‘fuel to the fire.’”

    http://rabble.ca/taxonomy/term/3170?page=4.

    Wikipedia.org. “Student Activism.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_activism.

  • How to Live with Roommates

    Many of you may be currently attending post-secondary away from home, or on your way to do so. Whether you’re living in a student residence or have decided to sign a lease on the apartment, chances are you’re not going to be living alone.

    A roommate is not just a great way to save on rent and groceries; in fact, many roommates eventually become very close friends. That said, sometimes it can be difficult to share a space with another person, especially if you’ve gotten used to your old habits. It’s certainly going to be different than living at home.

    Firstly, don’t be fooled by the glamourized Friends-style dynamic—it’s likely that you and your roommate won’t be perfectly compatible. Their sleep schedule, eating habits, and daily routines in general can be completely different than what you’re used to. Moreover, your personalities may clash sometimes, which can lead to conflict over even the smallest issues. However, living with someone different than you can also help you realize how different people live their lives; it can be a positive learning exercise for the both of you.

    Tip: Share your routines. Tell each other about when you go to bed at night, what your class schedule is like, and whether you like crunchy or smooth peanut butter. If you’re clear with one another, you might be able to find some common ground.

    Moreover, living with a roommate can mean that your privacy is limited. Not only are you sharing a space, all of your stuff is in there with you! Some roommates are perfectly fine with sharing everything (lending one another clothes, spotting each other money for pizza, etc.). Many roommates share a bedroom without being bothered. But if you really like your privacy or you’re used to being on your own, this can be a difficult transition.

    Tip: Set ground rules. Maybe you aren’t comfortable if your roommate borrows something without asking you first, but if you didn’t make that clear to them, they might not think they’re doing anything wrong. It also helps to let one another know if you want the apartment to yourself or if you want to be left in peace one day (e.g. studying for finals).

    Finally, considering that your apartment needs upkeep, you have to pull your weight. You’re probably used to doing chores at home, but living on your own is a totally different level of responsibility. You and your roommate are going to need to clean, shop for groceries, do laundry, and pay bills, among other things. If you have a roommate who tends to slack off—or you are the roommate who slacks off—things can get annoying, fast.

    Tip: Split and schedule. There is a lot to do, but you don’t have to do it by yourself! Create a chore list and commit yourselves to following through on your particular duties. You can also change it up every couple of weeks if it gets boring (you do laundry this week, and dishes next week).

  • The Changing Job Market for the Future Generation

    The Changing Job Market for the Future Generation

    To understand the changing job market, we need to know why it changes. There are four main drivers for change: economics, technology, demographics such as age, culture or gender, and consumer behaviour. Changes in one or more of these areas can greatly affect the job market; so when planning for the future, it’s always better to look at labour market trends rather than today’s hot jobs.

    With the economy being in a constant state of flux, businesses are forced to become more competitive and seek new ways to understand consumer and market trends. Data analysts, market researchers, skilled sales people will be hot opportunities for those with the right skills.

    Many jobs are being replaced with technology, but with this comes new job opportunities. This is why we’re seeing a decline in clerical and repetitive jobs such as retail cashiers and data entry clerks but a rise in technology-related jobs such as engineers, application developers and designers. With new technologies also come emerging careers, such as computer security specialist, global positioning systems technician and electronic commerce specialist.

    The skilled trades present excellent opportunities and there will always be a need for electricians, welders, carpenters, construction workers, and other trades people. Today, we’re facing a shortage in skilled workers which means numerous opportunities and higher salaries.

    The population is getting older, especially in developed countries like the US, Canada and Japan. With this comes an increased demand for health related professions such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and personal care-givers.

    Business is business and people will always have to make sound financial decisions. If you’re savvy with finances and have good people skills, a career in financial services may be for you.

    Some careers will experience fluctuations in supply and demand, but there will always be a need. Examples are teachers, doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, food and beverage servers, and law enforcement professionals.

    In this ever-changing job market, you may be wondering how you can keep up. Here are five suggestions:

    Learn what is happening in the world and how it’s changing. Listen to the news, research on the internet and talk to people. Then, you can plan how to prepare yourself for the workplace.

    Find mentors or examples. If someone is doing the job you dream of, ask them to mentor you and help you get there. You’d be surprised at how much people love helping others.

    Be willing to be a novice. Look for opportunities to learn something new. Never be afraid to say “I don’t know.” To keep up with this fast paced job market, you have to stay on a learning curve.

    Change your mindset. Don’t get trapped into thinking “my approach always worked – if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!” This type of mentality will keep you in a rut, and you’ll be left behind.

    The job market is changing quickly, but it doesn’t have to be scary. There’s a place for all of us in this world; so use this time to explore new, exciting opportunities!

    ____________

    Giselle Mazurat is a resume writer living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She also writes technical and business content for government and private companies.

     

    References:

    5 Ways To Keep Up In Today’s Job Market http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2013/09/16/5-ways-to-keep-up-in-todays-job-market/

    Career trends: The essential skills you’ll need for the jobs of the next five years http://www.workopolis.com/content/advice/article/career-trending-where-the-jobs-will-be-through-2020-and-beyond/

    What new occupations and industries are emerging? http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/ojf/upComingJobs.html

    Why do Jobs Change Over Time? http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/ojf/changeOverTime.html

  • Est-ce qu’avoir votre propre empire commercial est dans votre avenir?

    Le paysage des affaires à travers le monde est en changement. Dans le passé, avec que les gens pouvaient devenir des magnats des affaires, ils avaient habituellement à travailler afin de grimper l’échelle organisationnelle, ou au moins d’avoir plusieurs années de travail acharné sous leur ceinture. Par contre, comme les jeunes entrepreneurs d’aujourd’hui, tels que le PDG de Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, et la fondatrice de MyYearBook.com, Catherine Cook, ont démontré, vous pouvez bâtir votre propre empire commercial, en même temps que vous atteignez l’âge de voter. Ils l’ont fait, alors si vous-avez même une goutte de doute qui vous dit que vous n’êtes pas capable de suivre la même voie, rappelez-vous de leur histoire de succès afin de vous inspirer.

    En réalité, transformer votre idée d’entreprise en une réalité commerciale n’est pas aussi facile qu’on pourrait le penser, et il est vrai que vous pourrez avoir à débuter à petite échelle. Le plus important est de trouver exactement ce que c’est votre idée d’entreprise, et si elle est viable. Alors, comment allez-vous exactement trouver votre moment d’eureka?

    Savez ce qui vous passionne.

    Essayer de trouver ce qui vous passionne vraiment dans la vie est un pas dans la bonne direction. Par exemple, Angelo Sotira a toujours eu une passion pour la conception graphique, même après avoir brièvement aventuré dans la conception de thèmes (skins) personnalisables de WinAmp, avant qu’il ait fondé DeviantArt, considéré partout à travers le monde comme le Facebook des artistes de l’art numérique. Pendant ce temps, Michelle Phan, a toujours eu une passion pour créer différents looks avec le maquillage, et maintenant elle est une vedette sur YouTube star et a sa propre ligne de maquillage.

    Trouvez un besoin

    Vous pouvez être fier de vos connaissances en affaires, par contre vous ne savez tout simplement pas où mettre vos compétences à l’épreuve parce que vous n’arrivez pas à trouver qu’est-ce qui vous passionne vraiment. Ne paniquez pas. Ce que vous pouvez faire est de plutôt trouver un besoin. Si vous êtes capable de créer quelque chose que les jeunes aimeront, ou quelque chose qu’ils auront de besoin, qu’est-ce que ça serait? Par exemple, ça pourrait être une application qui peut résoudre des problèmes de mathématiques en seulement quelques secondes.

     Bâtissez-vous un réseau de contacts.

     Pensez-vous que le réseautage ne sert que pour se trouver un emploi? Vous vous trompez. Vous pouvez également utiliser cette pratique lorsque vous êtes à la chercher pour des idées d’entreprise. Le réseautage vous donne accès à des gens qui sont déjà passé par là, ont déjà fait tout cela—et celles-ci sont les meilleures personnes qui consulter pour des conseils afin que vous puissiez trouver cette inspiration et planifier votre idée d’entreprise.

    Voyagez.

    Ce n’est pas pour tout le monde, mais si vous avez essayé les trois suggestions susmentionnées, et que vous n’avez pas encore réussir à penser à une idée géniale, considérez voyager afin de trouver votre moment d’eureka. Selon un article publié dans Scientific American, voyager permet aux gens à être plus réceptifs aux nouvelles idées, aux nouveaux rituels, et aux nouvelles perspectives. Peut-être que votre idée d’entreprise vous attend quelque part sur l’île exotique de Bora-Bora ou dans la ville romantique de Paris.

    SOURCES

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-aha-moment/

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/22/photomath-app-solve-math-problems_n_6025948.html

    http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/startup/a/10startingtips.htm

     http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/10420855/Students-top-tips-for-starting-your-own-business.html

     http://www.wsj.com/video/michelle-phan-youtube-star-to-business-maven/916A1AEA-1D8F-498C-A659-67A8583BDF6C.html

    http://www.fastcompany.com/59441/facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-hacker-dropout-ceo

    http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217859

    http://www.incomediary.com/top-young-entrepreneurs