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  • 5 Careers You May Not Realize are Skilled Trades

    5 Careers You May Not Realize are Skilled Trades

    While it’s true that when most people think of “the trades,” the first things to come to mind are jobs like metalworking, electricians, millwrights and plumbers.  But physical careers like these aren’t the only option for students thinking of pursuing a career in the skilled trades.  Not every trade requires working with large tools, performing heavy lifting or high levels of physical activity.

    Service trades are also skilled trades, but can be less physically demanding. They require similar levels of education and work experience, such as college courses, co-ops and apprenticeships, and offer lots of opportunities to advance and build a strong, life-long career.

    Chef

    Chefs in the food service industry are skilled tradespeople, and they have the education and work experience to back this up. They can work in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools and many other places, and are responsible for overseeing food preparation, creating menus, catering events, hiring and managing kitchen staff, and purchasing kitchen equipment. Becoming a chef requires a combination of college education, apprenticeships and work experience, culminating in the Red Seal exam for certification to work anywhere in Canada.

    Bakers

    Another skilled service trade in the food industry, bakers work in bakeries, catering companies, hotels, hospitals and other institutions that serve food.  Bakers are also often self-employed and run their own bakery or baking services business.   They prepare baked goods including pies, breads, rolls, muffins, cakes and cookies, and often experiment to create new recipes.  Red Seal certification is also available to bakers who complete the required experience hours and examination.

    Barbers and Hairstylists

    The neighbourhood hairstylist and barber are obviously skilled, but not everyone realizes that this profession falls under the trades.  But like other trades, hairdressers and barbers are required to complete a college program, as well as an apprenticeship. There is a Red Seal certification available to hairdressers and barbers as well.

    Child and Youth Worker

    Another career that doesn’t immediately look like a skilled trade is that of being a child or youth worker.  These service workers work with young children and youths in order to improve their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.  A college program is usually required, as this career covers a wide range of skills from nutrition and diet management, assessing the progress of a child’s development, assisting with learning, including reading, writing and math, assisting children with disabilities and more.

    Horticulture and Landscape Technician

    These tradespeople are responsible for beautifying outdoor spaces for both private homes and public areas.  Horticulture technicians will study and cultivate plants for use in landscaping and will provide treatment to sick or damaged plants.  Landscape technicians will design and plan landscape projects, oversee the planting and maintenance of trees and other plants, and advise on solutions for irrigation and land use.  This career features a lot of self-employment by owning and operating their own business, but these professionals can also work for golf courses, landscaping companies, greenhouses and national parks.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/

  • Three Great Careers You May Not Realize Are Trades

    Three Great Careers You May Not Realize Are Trades

    What do you think of when you see the phrase “skilled trades?”

    Many people’s thoughts will go straight to a few of the most recognizable trades, such as electricians, carpenters, mechanics, or plumbers.  But there are actually many different jobs you see every day that are considered skilled trades, but which may not be obvious at first glance.  This means that even if you aren’t interested in working a job related to construction, there are lots of other exciting and profitable careers to choose from that still fall under the category of skilled trades.

    Hairstylists and Makeup Artists

    If you’re interested in fashion trends and using your artistic skills on other people, then developing a career as a hairstylist or makeup artist is a great way to go. Considered a service trade, these jobs require a keen eye for detail, steady hands to wield a makeup brush or stylists’ scissors, and a desire to help people feel great about themselves by giving them a great look.

    Hairstylists will often work in a salon, taking regular appointments, but both hairstylists and makeup artists can also work independently in their own business.  Often, these tradespeople will choose to specialize their business toward a specific type of work, such as wedding hairstyles and makeup.  They can also be employed freelance or with a studio doing hair and makeup for movies and television.  Most hairstylists and makeup artists take a combination of college or beautician trade school courses, as well as working apprenticeships, to learn the skills they need.

    Chef

    Do you have a love of food, cooking, and creating new recipes to share with friends and family?  Working as a chef is a perfect career for someone who loves learning new things about the food we eat, and making others happy and healthy by cooking them great meals.

    Chefs are skilled tradespeople who work in kitchens, restaurants, event venues, cafeterias, hospitals, and many other places where meals are required to be prepared and served.  They can be employed by these places directly, or chefs can establish themselves as independent catering businesses and hire on for specific events.  Many trade schools and colleges offer culinary programs designed to train chefs, but you can also start directly in a kitchen as an apprentice to learn the ins and outs of this trades career.

    Dental Hygienist

    Working as a dental hygienist is a great career choice for those who are interested in the medical field, but who may not want to become a doctor or nurse.  These skilled tradespeople perform the initial part of a standard dentist’s visit, including cleaning a patient’s teeth, examining their gums, administering fluoride or mouthwashes, and assessing a person’s overall oral health.  They work alongside dentists and medical receptionists to manage patient information, and must have excellent interpersonal skills to work smoothly with both coworkers and the patients they are examining.

    Dental hygienists typically complete a college degree to learn the necessary medical and dental background and develop their hands-on skills.  There will also be training and other practical practice before working on an actual person.

    And Many More!

    Of course, these are only three examples out of dozens of skilled trades.  However, these three very different trades demonstrate the breadth of trade careers available.  Whatever your interests–whether you want to do something artistic and creative, something that nurtures other people, or something related to healthcare and the wellbeing of others–there’s a trades career out there for you!

  • Getting Your Hands Dirty May Be Your Proudest Moment

    Getting Your Hands Dirty May Be Your Proudest Moment

    Much has been said about the trades industry and how it’s an industry that solely relies on physical strength. However, if there’s anything that the pandemic made us realize is that those who work in the trades are essential workers and are the ones who work the hardest, making them valuable in any community. Without them, we would not have been able to survive the challenges brought about by the virus that affected all of us on a global scale.

    These Jobs Are Essential

    One of those who rally behind opposing the general idea that the trades industry is something to frown at is Mike Rowe, the star of the show “Dirty Jobs” on the Discovery Network. Rowe is extremely dedicated to the cause that he launched his own nonprofit organization that promotes training for skilled trades, like welders, plumbers, pipefitters, carpenters, and auto repair technicians.

    So far, the organization has awarded $5 million in scholarships over the last 12 years. Rowe was inspired by his grandfather, who, although he finished only seventh grade, was already a master electrician by the age of 30. Rowe strongly believes that people should do away with the notion that only those with four-year degrees can lead to jobs with six-figure annual salaries. In addition, some of the famous billionaires today weren’t able to earn their degrees, including Michael Dell and Bill Gates, as well as the late Steve Jobs. As they say, for every rule, there is an exception.

    It’s Not Just a Man’s World Anymore

    Skilled trades in Canada are currently under a shortage of qualified workers as the younger generation continues to be lured into jobs that provide them with the convenience of being able to work from the comfort of their own homes. It has especially gotten more difficult to convince college- or university-bound students to carve their career path in skilled trades instead.

    With this labour shortage in the skilled trades, BuildForce Canada reports that Ontario, in particular, will need to hire 103,900 in the construction and maintenance industries over the next decade as the Ontario government predicts that one in five new jobs in the province over the next five years is expected to be in the trades.

    There’s no easy way to fill in the gaps, but embracing the idea that women can also be instrumental in answering the labour shortage in the skilled trades industry is a good start. After all, the misconception that trades are merely for men is as outdated as fax machines. And there are various organizations who are determined to break down these barriers, including the recently launched Women in Steel Toes or WIST. WIST has its own website and Facebook page where women share their experiences working in the trades, particularly in construction. They intend to inspire the younger female generation to consider career paths in the skilled trades, where they will have a plethora of options, something that wasn’t promoted before.

    The Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training programs are also determined to further the cause of inspiring women to get into skilled trades. They provide free training for small groups of women in specific trades at various colleges throughout Ontario. The provincial government is a huge supporter of this, and one program, announced last fall, hopes to fund 24 women to receive training as horticultural technicians or arborists at Humber College. The federal government is not far behind with backing the idea, as it also provided funding for a countrywide roll-out of an outreach for teen girls.

    Brain Power

    With the false impressions about the skilled trades industry slowly dissipating as the case should be, it’s interesting to note that these fallacies have little basis in the first place.

    For example, working in construction is no mean feat, and it’s not merely about physical strength or endurance. A construction worker has to be an excellent problem solver, or how else can you erect a building from nothing at all?

    Other skilled trades work like plumbing and electrical require an impeccable sense of attention to detail; otherwise, all homeowners will see are flooded bathrooms and faulty electrical wiring.

    Skilled trades require mental prowess and physical dexterity, and those who are up for a challenge can truly feel at home in this career path.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.equipmentjournal.com/on-the-job/women-in-steel-toes-aims-to-normalize-women-on-jobsites/

    https://www.tvo.org/article/you-wouldnt-be-interested-in-that-fighting-stereotypes-about-women-in-the-trades

    https://www.startribune.com/dirty-jobs-host-will-make-the-case-for-hands-on-work-at-home-garden-show/568081402/

    https://www.leaderonomics.com/articles/leadership/why-it-pays-to-get-your-hands-dirty

  • How Appearance May Affect Job Interview Results

    How Appearance May Affect Job Interview Results

    You received an offer for an interview, and now you wait in anticipation. What do you wear? What do you say? How do you display that you are the right candidate for the job?

    Ideally, you would love to be hired purely on your qualifications. Unfortunately, sometimes the moment that you step in front of the interviewer, the decision has already been made — for a reason that has nothing to do with your skills.

    As much as it may be hard to admit, appearance plays a factor in the hiring process, leaving applicants with limited options to showcase their skills.

    What is Appearance Discrimination?

    Everyone has biases, regardless of whether they are aware of them or not. It is a natural way human brains categorize items. While it is impossible to be completely free of biases in decisions, being more aware of those influences can be helpful.

    Appearance discrimination is the different treatment of people based on how they look. “Appearance” is a broad term that encompasses multiple categories of the way people look. Attributes like height, weight, hair colour, hair style, clothes, and makeup combine to make a person’s image.

    Even with a list of qualifications, people assume ideas about others from an initial meeting. Appearance plays a factor in those first impressions. The reality may differ from a person’s first perception, but no doubt, first impressions are powerful.

    Does Appearance Discrimination Exist?

    In a 2017 study conducted by the Saint Louis University School of Law, results showed that workers and applicants were often evaluated based on how much their appearance matched the presumed ideal for masculine or feminine individuals. Their images had more weight to their perceived worth as an employee than the words etched on their resumes.

    Additionally, according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, height and weight specifications are aspects that are evaluated in areas that are traditionally male-dominated. However, these qualifications are based on the qualities of men who belong to the majority group in Ontario.

    This leaves people, such as women or people of colour, incapable of reaching such qualifications. For example, people of Asian descent are, on average, smaller in stature than the majority group of Ontario’s population.

    Appearance Discrimination and Law

    Both B.C. and Ontario’s Human Rights Codes do not label it illegal for employers to make conclusions based on appearance. However, in some cases, doing so may infringe on a person’s rights.

    Actions such as requiring applicants to attach a photo to their resume expose employers and applicants to potential legal trouble. For example, if a Sikh applicant was denied a job because he wore a turban, an employer can be liable. That action is not acceptable.

    In contrast, it is acceptable to require the disclosure of applicants’ personal information if it is relevant to the job. However, such circumstances are very minimal. As such, specifications like one’s weight and height are not considered bona fide, or legitimate, qualities to demand.

    Reducing Appearance Discrimination

    Admitting that this bias exists is the most important step to reducing appearance discrimination. Without acknowledgement of the bias, steps to solve it cannot be taken.

    In the hiring process, employers have the most power to reduce appearance discrimination. While applicants themselves have limited options to reduce this bias, they can start with submitting resumes without photos. Photos are scarcely a legitimate requirement for jobs, making them unapplicable to most job listings.

    Employers’ hiring tools may also help reduce appearance discrimination through technology: LinkedIn has a “hide names and photos” feature, and there are many other platforms that will make resumes anonymous. Employers should evaluate every applicant with the same list of requirements to keep the process fair. In addition, employers would benefit from diversifying their hiring teams to ensure lessened levels of discrimination.

     

    Sources:

    “9. The Duty to Accommodate.” Ontario Human Rights Commission, https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-preventing-discrimination-based-creed/9-duty-accommodate.

    Blair, Jonathan. “Equality in Hiring – When Are Interview Questions Discriminatory?” BC Human Rights Clinic, 24 Oct. 2018, https://bchrc.net/equality-in-hiring-when-are-interview-questions-discriminatory/.

    Hilgers, Laura. “5 Ways to Reduce Bias When Screening Candidates — and Find More Talent.” Talent Solutions Blog, LinkedIn, 19 Oct. 2021, https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/talent-acquisition/ways-to-reduce-bias-when-screening-candidates.

    Indeed Editorial Team. “FAQ: Should I Include a Photo on My Resume? (With Tips).” Indeed Career Guide, 31 Aug. 2021, https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/photo-on-resume.

    Jones, Jeff. “APPEARANCE DISCRIMINATION: IS IT ILLEGAL?” UCBJ – Upper Cumberland Business Journal, https://www.ucbjournal.com/appearance-discrimination-is-it-illegal/.

    Pavlou, Christina. “Unconscious Bias in Recruitment: How Can You Remove It?” Recruiting Resources: How to Recruit and Hire Better – Workable, https://resources.workable.com/stories-and-insights/unconscious-bias-in-recruitment.

  • Summer Jobs for Students

    Summer Jobs for Students

    One of the hardest times to find a job is in the summer – especially as a student. Thankfully, there are some jobs that are ideal for students. These companies often hire students exclusively because they are short-term. Student organizations also tend to pay slightly more to students, so keep a sharp eye out for them. Look for organizations such as that, and if that fails, here are a few good alternatives:

    Door-to-door

    Getting a job with a door-to-door company is easy; the hard part is finding a trustworthy employer. A lot of door-to-door companies are less than reputable, so it’s important to do your research before you decide to work for one. Furthermore, make sure that you are paid hourly as opposed to commission-based payment. Your paycheck should reflect the amount of time you worked, especially as a student. Make sure you get paid on schedule, as well. Now, in all fairness, door-to-door is, in my opinion, one of the hardest jobs to keep doing. It’s hard work, and nobody trusts solicitors in this day and age, so don’t be surprised if you don’t have a lot of success. If you do decide to do door-to-door, you can make a lot of money if you stick with it. However, the hours are very long and the work is draining, so be warned. If you have a strong work ethic and motivation to do well, you can do very well with sales.

    Manual Labor

    There are plenty of student jobs available for people who don’t mind putting in a bit of work. There are often student-run painting services; these jobs are a great way to earn some money, as both the pay and hours are good. If you aren’t keen on painting, consider roofing. If you’re up to it, the pay is very good. The work, however, can be very straining in the hot summer sun. If that isn’t your cup of tea, there are always other options.

    Internships

    Another option for students is to look for internships in the summer. While most internships are unpaid, they often open up doors to paid positions. These positions are great, as normally they might require training, but since you’ve been doing the job in an intern capacity, you already know what to do. Because of this, these jobs often pay more than normal. Even better, there are often offices looking for student secretaries during the summer, so check around. These jobs are similar to the post-internship positions, without the need to do all that unpaid work.

    Finding a job in the summer can be a challenge, but if you’re up to it, there is plenty of money to be made. If you are willing to put in the work, you can make a lot of money over the summer. Work hard, keep your eyes open for good job opportunities, and have fun.

  • How Summer Break Can Affect Your Ability to Learn in September

    How Summer Break Can Affect Your Ability to Learn in September

    As a student myself, I completely understand the struggle behind summer break. Despite the fact that almost everyone loves it: the heat, hanging out with friends, and the freedom. There are downsides to it as well, especially when it comes to getting back into the routine in September. When students go from constantly learning, focusing and being in a productive environment to suddenly sleeping through the day, constantly on electronics, and not learning, what effect does this have on their mindset and their ability to learn in September?

    A main struggle I have noticed throughout teens at my school who face entering school in September is getting back into the swing of things, mainly with sleep schedules. Most teens have a tendency to stay up late talking to friends, and then start their days at around 10am the following day. However, when school begins again, they are forced to start waking up around 8am, depending on their routines. In addition to waking up earlier, most students are used to going to bed late, thus throwing off their entire sleep schedules. After a long day at school, sports and activities, they’re exhausted. However, due to summer break altering students’ schedules, they find it difficult to fall asleep, and therefore lack getting the sleep that they need to function and focus at school.

    In addition to the sleep and energy deprivation teens experience following back-to-school, they also experience a downfall of motivation, along with mindsets becoming slightly altered from the fact that they haven’t been learning for 2 months. Our brains tend to stick to routine; it’s what it understands. School is almost like a habit for brains; from going to school every day at a certain time, learning specific subjects during parts of the day, and then going home and giving their brains a chance to relax. However, in the summer, teens’ brains lose touch with our routines since they change every day. In some ways, summer break and the effects it has on students’ learning skills can relate to a very unique style of teaching music. Every day, the student would practice all of the songs they knew. It begins with a few simple songs. Students play those songs daily, then gradually add more songs as they continue to learn them. Your hands and brain absorb the constant routine of playing those songs every day, and students can feel as though they are engraved in your mind and will remember them; but that’s not necessarily the truth. I used this technique of learning piano once, but I quickly got annoyed with the repetitiveness of the songs and gave up. A few months later, I had completely forgotten how to play those songs that I once knew so well. To teenagers, those simple songs are like their version of school. They go to school every day and repeat the same routine over and over. Just as I forgot how to play those songs, teenagers lose their focus and their determined mindsets, along with a lot of the knowledge that they had recently learned, solely because they are no longer putting their minds and knowledge to use.

    Therefore, summer break causes challenges for teens when it’s time for back to school because our brains become re-wired to a different routine and a different reality.

    Sources:

    1. https://childmind.org/article/teenagers-sleep-deprived/
    2. https://www.wtps.org/cms/lib8/NJ01912980/Centricity/Domain/1794/Should_school_be_year_round.pdf
  • My Summer Camp Counsellor Experience

    My Summer Camp Counsellor Experience

    By Erin Rebello

    During one summer while in high school, I worked as a camp counsellor at a sports camp for boys and girls ranging in age from 5 to 13 years old. I worked with 3 other counsellors to facilitate the 6-week program through July and August.

    Why I Did It

    A lot of my friends had already landed their first jobs, and I felt as though summer would be the perfect time to start earning and saving! My parents are generally pretty strict about me getting a job, and didn’t want it to interfere with my education, so camp counselling during the summer was something that worked for my situation. It’s also a great place to start for a lot of people because it requires little to no work experience and looks great on resumes! Camp counselling also aligned with my interests, seeing as I love working with kids, and I hope to pursue a career as a pediatrician, where I would be working with kids daily. Finally, I wanted to start saving for post-secondary and make a contribution to my RESP, and this job allowed me to do just that!

    What I did

    As a camp counsellor, you really have to be versatile! Every day we had a different schedule with different activities to do with the kids, from basketball drills to dodgeball to arts and crafts. Since this was a sports-based camp, we focused on exercise and physical fitness. It was important for counsellors to have some physical stamina because kids, especially kids in a sports camp, NEVER STOP! We had to run drills with them, take a quick break, then move on to the next activity almost immediately. Though this part was difficult at first, the three other counsellors and I were soon accustomed to it. Through our position, we learned a lot about leadership, especially in terms of taking care of children.

    Pros and Cons

    Like anything, there were pros and cons to spending my summer working as a camp counsellor. One pro is that I gained a lot of work experience by doing something which I thought was a lot of fun. Another positive is that I met a lot of new people and had the opportunity to build lifelong connections with my fellow counsellors. This job also reaffirmed the belief that I want to work with kids in my future career. However, there were a few downsides. For one, I spent a large portion of my summer working as a counsellor, which left me less time to hang out with friends. As well, though the kids were usually well-behaved, at times they were not!

    My Favourite Part

    I’d have to say that my favourite thing about camp was the connections we made with the kids. Throughout my 6 weeks of working as a camp counsellor, I met so many kids with so many different goals and aspirations. One thing that I’ll cherish forever is how the older kids helped the younger kids, encouraging them to try their hardest and cheering them on when they managed to score a point. The whole experience was a lovely reminder of how wonderful children can be.

    Final Thoughts

    Overall, I loved working as a summer camp counsellor! This experience is unlike any other job because it really gives you the chance to have an impact on the lives of the kids you work with. This summer job boosted my confidence and improved my leadership skills, all while being a fun experience. Though I was able to save for my post-secondary education, I think that the greatest compensation was not the money, but the rewarding experience. I would definitely recommend this job to anyone interested in improving their skills and having fun at the same time!

  • Get Sun and Exercise by Working an Outdoor Trades Job This Summer (French version available)

    Get Sun and Exercise by Working an Outdoor Trades Job This Summer (French version available)

    Summer break is coming up, which means it’s time for many students to start looking for a summer job.  While most towns and cities will have the usual restaurant and retail opportunities, not everyone is cut out for – or interested in – these jobs.  If you prefer being active and outdoorsy, then summer is a great time to find a job that lets you work outside and stay physically active.

    Luckily, there are lots of outdoor trades that hire high school and college-age students during the summer.

    Gardening, Horticulture, Landscaping, and Forestry

    Some of the most common outdoor summer jobs for students can be found in the areas of gardening, horticulture, landscaping, and forestry.  You’ll find a wide variety of opportunities, all of which involve working outdoors with plants for contract companies, municipal governments, and businesses such as golf courses or nurseries.

    Gardening and landscaping companies are busiest in the summertime, with busy work schedules and many customers.  Working for a gardening or landscaping company includes tasks such as mowing lawns, planting flowers, shrubbery, and grass for commercial and residential customers; installing and maintaining specialty features such as fountains, ponds, or ornamental landscaping; and assessing or treating diseased plants and trees.

    Horticultural businesses such as plant nurseries and greenhouses need workers to water plant stock, move and arrange the plants available for purchase, and assist customers with choosing their purchases and loading plants and supplies into their vehicles.

    Forestry jobs that hire students over the summer include tree planting, brush trimming, assisting with tree surveys and assessments, and working in tree nurseries.

    You will find these jobs under titles such as Arborist, Landscape Gardener, Horticultural Technician, Conservation Technician, Lawn Care Specialist, Forestry Technician, Tree Planter, and Groundskeeper, to name a few examples.

    National and Provincial Parks

    Canada’s national and provincial parks system is a popular destination during the summertime, with events, campers, and day visitors coming to enjoy our country’s natural beauty.  Student summer workers are an integral part of the parks system, fulfilling roles including trail and campsite maintenance, guided tours and customer support for park guests, or setting up before and cleaning up after events.

    Many parks also need tradespeople skilled in water and wastewater management, equipment operators for forklifts or ATVs, maintenance and operation of boats and marine equipment, as well as general mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.

    Working in the parks system also provides lots of opportunities to interact with people, both your coworkers and the park visitors.

    These summer jobs can be found under titles such as Park Staff, Park Interpreter, Maintenance Technician, General Labour, Groundkeeper, Tour Guide, and more.

    Green Energy

    Green energy is a growing industry, with a great deal of energy generation from renewable sources involving at least some work outdoors.  Trades jobs in this industry can include installing and maintaining green energy equipment or technologies such as solar panels or energy-efficient HVAC systems, as well as working with power generation stations dealing with hydro or wind turbines.  Other opportunities could include assisting with site surveys for future green energy projects.  While some jobs in this industry require technical training or certification, if green energy is a career you’re interested in, there are internships and co-op positions that are suitable for students.

    Jobs in green energy can be found under titles such as Solar Panel Installer, HVAC Technician, HVAC Installer, Sustainability Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, and others.

     

    Sources

    Become. “Get Outside! Careers in the Great Outdoors.” https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/outdoor-careers/.

    Indeed. “Jobs That Help the Environment That Require No Degree.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-that-help-the-environment-no-degree.

    Job Bank. “Forest technologists and technicians.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/17904/22437.

    Job Bank. “Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/22564/22437.

    Ontario Parks. “Careers at Ontario Parks.” https://www.ontarioparks.com/careers/.

    Taylor, Philip. “40 Summer Jobs for Teens and College Students.” Part-Time Money. https://ptmoney.com/10-fun-summer-jobs-for-teens-and-college-students/.

  • How to Deal with a Failing Grade (French version available)

    How to Deal with a Failing Grade (French version available)

    No one is perfect, especially when it comes to school; after all, we’re all still learning.  Part of the learning process means that you might not completely understand everything you’re taught the very first time.  Practice is necessary, which is why we do homework, group projects, in-class assignments, and tests.  These are all ways to learn, understand, and apply the things we’re taught.

    Because these are part of the learning process, it means that sometimes, you might get a failing grade.

    What a bad grade doesn’t mean is that you’re a bad student, can’t be taught, or shouldn’t be trying to learn a certain subject.

    Getting a bad grade can be disappointing and discouraging, and you’re allowed to be upset.  However, it’s important not to let being upset make it harder for you to keep trying to learn and understand.

    There are a few key things to keep in mind when you’re dealing with a bad grade.

    Try and Keep Calm While Your Process the Grade

    Being upset is okay, but try not to let these feelings overwhelm you or become a storm of anger and frustration.  Everyone gets a bad grade at some point in their education; it’s not the end of the world.  Take some time away from thinking about your grades to help yourself calm down.  You can spend time with friends and family, enjoy a hobby, do some physical activity, or simply focus on something that isn’t school.

    Talking about the grade and your upset feelings can also help.  Find a friend, teacher, or family member you trust and share how you’re feeling.  Chances are good that they will be able to help you understand and deal with the situation.

    Ask Your Teacher for Feedback

    Your teacher’s job is to help you learn, and they don’t give out bad grades to be mean.  They are simply showing you what you still need to learn.  When you get a bad grade, talk to your teacher and ask them to show you where you made mistakes and how to fix these mistakes.  Sometimes all you need is a bit of an explanation or seeing a different way to work through a problem, in order to understand.

    Your teacher will also be able to point you toward resources that will help you learn, such as study guides, online resources, and practice questions or practice tests.  They may also be able to offer a make-up assignment or test that you can complete in order to get a better grade.

    Find New Study Strategies

    Not every student is equally good at all subjects, but because of the way a classroom is structured, usually, the teacher spends most of their time teaching everyone the same way.  Everyone learns slightly differently, and if you get a bad grade, it might simply be that you need to find a new way of studying the material that works better for you.

    This could be as simple as spending more time studying and doing practice questions for subjects you have trouble with, asking your teacher to explain it a different way, or studying with a friend and helping each other learn the material.

    Or, it could be as intensive as finding a tutor, or seeking out hands-on extra-curricular programs that can help you learn.  Your teachers, guidance counsellors, family members, and local libraries are all good resources to speak with when you are looking for new ways to study a subject.

    The most important thing to remember is that sometimes a bad grade is just part of the learning process.  All it means is that you still have some learning to do.

     

    Sources

    Dolin, Ann. “How To Handle Bad Grades: A Practical Guide For Parents.” Educational Connections. https://ectutoring.com/bad-grades.

    Ekkanath, Shivani. “6 Smart Tips for Dealing With a Bad Grade.” CollegeXpress. https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/6-tips-dealing-bad-grade/.

    Pritchard, Ashley. “How to Deal With a Bad Grade.” WikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Bad-Grade.

  • The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business with a Friend (French version available)

    The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business with a Friend (French version available)

    Starting a business with a friend may seem like a fun and exciting idea. Although it may be a great idea, it also has its disadvantages. If you are curious about whether starting a business with a friend is a good idea or not, this article is just for you!

    Pros

    • You Know Each Other’s Strengths and Weaknesses

    If you start a business with a friend whom you have known for a long time, you probably know their strengths and weaknesses. They also probably know yours. This will help both of you decide which duties are best for each of you. There will also be fewer surprises when you are working with someone you already know.

    • You Can Spend More Time with Your Friend

    Working with your friends can make you excited to go to work each day. You get to talk about more than just business throughout the day. A large amount of your life is spent at work, so it is important to work with people you get along with.

    • You Can Freely and Comfortably Communicate

    If you’re starting a business with a friend, it’s most likely going to be with someone you can freely and comfortably speak to. When running a business, it is very important to communicate and remain on the same page as your partners. Working with a friend can help you comfortably communicate your thoughts.

    • You are Each Other’s Support System

    Starting a business is not easy, but doing it with a friend can help make it a little less overwhelming. You and your friend will be sharing this amazing experience and will go through all the highs and lows together. You could give each other the confidence and support needed to continue running the business.

    Cons

    • It May Be Difficult to Be Straightforward

    When communicating with a close friend, it may be difficult to be straightforward. This could be because you may not want to hurt your friend’s feelings. You may also be afraid of losing your friendship over a disagreement. For these reasons, you may not always be as honest as you would like to be.

    • It Can Be Difficult to Know Who Is in Charge

    If you start a business with a friend, it may be difficult to know who the boss is, especially if the business is equally divided between you both. There may be times when one of you works more than the other, making you feel like you deserve a larger part of the business. If there is a lack of communication, it can lead to bigger issues and could also lead to your business failing.

    • You Could Lose Your Friendships

    When working with a friend, you should keep in mind that there is a possibility that you could lose your friendship. You may not know what your friend is like in a business setting. You two could also have different goals, which can cause conflicts. These conflicts could potentially lead you two to part ways. This is why it is important for you and your friend to always openly communicate with each other.

    • Drama Could Get in the Way

    When doing business with a friend, drama can get in the way. It could make it difficult for you to separate your professional life from your personal life. For this reason, it is important to set boundaries when you first begin working together.

    Starting a business with a friend has many pros and cons. Whether or not one should start a business with a friend is very personal. It is something that should be carefully thought through and reflected upon.

     

    Resources

    Desmarais, Christina. “11 Pros and Cons of Building a Business With Friends.” Inc. https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/11-pros-and-cons-of-building-a-business-with-friends.html.

    Kelly, Marsha. “The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business with Your Friends.” Zen Business. https://www.zenbusiness.com/blog/pros-cons-starting-business-friends/.

    Litonjua, Eduardo. “Should you start a business with a friend? Pros, cons and key questions.” Keap. https://keap.com/business-success-blog/networking/should-you-start-a-business-with-a-friend-pros-cons-and-key-questions.

    Scribaceous. “The Pros & Cons of Starting a Business with a Friend.” https://scribaceous.com/pros-cons-of-starting-business-with-friend/.

    Susman, Aron. “The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business With Friends.” Business Collective. https://businesscollective.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-starting-a-business-with-friends/?syndicate.