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Author: Jasmin Bollman

  • December Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    December Scholarships of the Month – Apply Now!

    Welcome to our listing of ten new scholarships for December! Be sure to check out the information for each one to see if you are eligible to apply.

    2013 is only one month away, which means many scholarships for the summer and fall 2013 academic years will begin accepting applications. It’s never too early to start working on your applications for scholarships next year! You work hard for your grades – now go out and get that free money!

    1 – AFOA and Potash Corp Aboriginal Youth Financial Management Award – For Aboriginal students in Grades 11 and 12. Amount of Award: $5,000. Application deadline: January 11, 2013.

    2 – Nova Scota Recycles Contest and Scholarship Program – For Nova Scotia students in Grade 12. Amount of Awards: $750-$5000. Application Deadline: February 8, 2013 (Earlybird deadline is December 14, 2012).

    3 – House of Commons Page Program – For students beginning their university or college studies in the National Capital Region. The page program involves working at the Hosue of Commons for 15 hours per week beginning in August 2013 (hours will be worked around university/college schedule). Amount of Award: $13,049 over the 12 month period of work, including a lump sum payment of $1200 at the end of your work placement. Application Deadline: December 20, 2012

    4 – Kin Canada Bursaries – 35 different awards for students across Canada. Amount of award: $1000. Application deadline: February 1, 2013

    5 – Explore Language Immersion and Bursary – Five week French immersion course for students across Canada. A bursary is also provided to cover all costs of the program. Amount of award: $2000. Application deadline: February 28, 2013.

    6 – Youth In Motion – Top 20 Under 20 Program – Open to Canadian students under the age of 20 who have demonstrated significant amounts of innovation, leadership and achievements in their life, school, community, province or country. Amount of award: No set financial reward. Prize is based on networking opportunities, free trip to Toronto and media recognition as a youth leader. Application deadline: Spring 2013.

    7 – Encana Community Scholarship – Awarded to a Grade 12 student entering post-secondary studies in an oil and gas industry-related field. Amount of award: $2500 for each year of your degree. Application deadline: May 2, 2013

    8 – Scholarship of the Bell Aliant Pioneer Volunteers – Awarded to a Grade 12 student living with vision loss in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. Amount of award: $2000. Application deadline: April 30, 2013.

    9 – ECO Canada Newalta Aboriginal Environmental Scholarship – Three awards available to Aboriginal students across Canada who have shown leadership in their communities in the areas of environmental protection, resource management, or environmental sustainability. Amount of award: $2500. Application deadline: May 14, 2013.

    10 – The Colonel Douglas H. Gunter Award – Open to all senior students across Canada who will be graduating from high school in Spring 2013. Five awards available. Amount of award: $1000. Application deadline: April 15, 2013.

  • Volunteering Abroad – A “Travel Bug” Cure!

    Volunteering Abroad – A “Travel Bug” Cure!

    Imagine what it would be like to travel the world when you finish high school. Just think of walking along the Great Wall of China, seeing the ancient tombs and Pyramids of Egypt, or exploring the Coliseum in Rome. If you have the “travel bug” you might find the idea exciting. Unfortunately, travelling to see these places can also be very expensive and could cost much more than you can afford. However, you might still be able to see the places you want without using up all of your money. One of the best ways of doing this is through going abroad for short-term or long-term volunteer assignments.

    Depending on what you want from travel, a volunteer assignment could be an ideal way of seeing the world. Tourists tend to stay in hotels and to visit the standard tourist sites like historic buildings, museums and monuments. They frequently avoid eating much of the local food in case it makes them sick. Usually they have very little contact with the people of the country, other than tour guides or staff in hotels and restaurants. For some tourists, getting away is not much different from being at home.

    Volunteers, on the other hand, usually get to know about everyday life in the places they visit. They frequently work together with the local people on projects directly related to the people living in the region. They might help build schools, work with orphans, study the habits of animals, or even help dig up ancient monuments. They might teach English or help with the children at the local school. Special skills might be necessary for some assignments, but strength and the ability to work hard in the sun might be all that’s needed for others.

    Some volunteer assignments might last for a few weeks or be part of an ongoing service to the local people. Many volunteer organizations offer both short-term assignments that last a few weeks and long-term assignments that can last several months or even a few years. A short assignment might fit well during summer holidays, while others might need to wait until you can take a year off to go somewhere for a longer period of time. If you’re thinking of volunteering abroad, it’s a good idea to check with several different organizations to see which one is the best fit for you.

    Another question to consider is the cost. Most short-term overseas volunteer programs involve some payment to cover the costs of expenses such as housing and food. There are often additional costs such as airfare to and from the assignment. In exchange you’ll get far more help and support than you would ever get while travelling alone. The costs might even be lower than for other kinds of travel. If you like the idea of seeing the world but want the safety and comfort of having help from other people, volunteering abroad might be the right choice.

    Does volunteering abroad sound good to you? If so, it’s never too early to start finding out about the possibilities you can consider!

  • It’s Your Future – Make It Great!

    It’s Your Future – Make It Great!

    As the holidays approach, many of you will be preparing to graduate from high school in a few months. With this impending life change come some big decisions. What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go? It can seem unbelievably overwhelming! This month on JobsPeopleDo.com, we offer you several editorial pieces that help and encourage you to seek out your path. Now is the time to start asking yourself what you love to do and discovering if you can turn it into a career. It is vitally important to follow your instincts and your heart.

    After exams this month, you will get a much-deserved break to recharge and prepare yourself for the next semester. Take this time to relax and think about your future. Enjoy the time you spend with your family. Don’t forget that, at this time of year, there are many volunteer opportunities available to you. Help a person or family in need! Be kind and open your heart.

    However you celebrate, or if you celebrate at all, we wish you a happy and pleasant break period. We will see you right back here in January, where we’ll help you on your way to discovering the career best suited to YOU. It’s time to follow your path!

    Jasmin Bollman, Assistant Editor

    Don’t forget: Be a mentor – someone needs you!

  • Myth: I Don’t Need Money – My Parents Pay For Everything!

    Myth: I Don’t Need Money – My Parents Pay For Everything!

    Many young students might think that having their parents pay for their school tuition, shelter, transportation, food, clothing, hygiene products, entertainment and anything else would provide them with enough money to survive university. But this is a myth! The reality is that money is more than something that is used to purchase the things you want and need. Making money is more than just having money in your pocket, it is building your path to independence and self-sufficiency. Making your own money on top of whatever amount your parents are giving you is a great way of creating independence for yourself. This is hugely important because when you are not dependent on others for every aspect of your material survival, you can feel empowered and able to make your own choices. Having the feeling that you control your own life and are not dependent on your parents will inevitably allow you to see your life more clearly and to see exactly how your own decisions affect your life.

    Working is valuable for gaining money and for experience that can be used in different areas of your life. When you work you are taking on responsibility and people are depending on you to do the job. Having people depend on you instead of constantly depending on others is empowering and reinforces your independence. Additionally, building your work experience looks great on a resume and will help you later in life when looking for a job and for getting through your day-to-day life tasks that inevitably require some taking on of responsibility.

    Having your own money also allows you to have a little fun and minimize the guilt you feel when you spend the money your parents give you. If you want to go on a trip to Wonderland with your friends, get your nails done or even buy some new shoes, having your own source of income will allow you to make these little trips and purchases that make life worthwhile. When you have your own money, you are more in charge of the direction that your life will take. Overall, money enables you to be independent and to make choices better suited to you than you would if you were dependent on your parents.

  • Follow Your Instincts

    Follow Your Instincts

    There is pressure to know what career you ought to settle on for the rest of your life, even well before you are finished high school. Students are guided toward a career at a young age and are expected to follow the direct path counselors and parents present to them. Decisions about the future can be made for a variety of reasons including salary, job availability and aptitude, but there is no better reason than natural inclination and passion to help you determine your future employment.

    When it comes to how to choose what to do for the rest of your life, it is most important to take your time and really consider what it is that you enjoy. Is there something you love to do and learn about? Why not consider investing in education to make it your profession? If you follow your passion and interests you will find yourself working in a field that allows you to build continuing joy in your life. Take a closer look at your hobbies and investigate whether or not you could see yourself making a living in a relatable field. Work does not need to be mere labour; it has the potential to be a labour of love.

    The next step is confirmation. Can you turn your interests into a profession? Investigate, research and do your homework. What kinds of jobs are available in your area of interest? Is it really feasible or should you continue to search other avenues?

    Now that you have found something you think you would love to do, take the next step and offer your time as a volunteer. Be bold and assertive. Talk yourself into a place of business that you can learn from and experience the tangible reality of your choice. If you do this and discover you are not suited to the trade or craft, do not be afraid to change paths. Perhaps a pivot rather than a jump is in order. You may not need to change directions completely but simply tweak the dream a little to suit your needs.

    It is important to lean on your intuition when it comes to your future. Do not decide on a career solely based on numbers. To do that is a potential set up for burn out and early disenchantment. Take the time to understand what you really enjoy and trust that you have the skill set to see your dreams realized. It takes more than hard work to be successful – there is a necessary component of happiness and contentment that not only sets the course, but helps define just what success means to you.

    When you follow your instincts and choose a career path based on something you enjoy, life becomes an exploration of your interests and the anticipation of each new day lingers well into the future.

  • Can I Change My Major?

    Can I Change My Major?

    If this is your first year in university or college, you will have now made it through your first semester. At this point, you may be questioning if you made the right decision in regards to the major you selected. It can be a confusing time and you may find yourself asking endless questions; the chief of which will be if you can change your major.

    The answer? Of course you can change your major. University is a time of change as you discover and/or reaffirm what you are interested in, what you want to study and the career path you would like to pursue following your education. Many go in looking to study politics to find themselves in the midst of a history degree by their third year, while some change faculties completely and move from an English major in their first year to a biology major in their second.

    Sometimes it can be difficult and, in some instances, it may set you back and force you take a few extra credits. But it is a common occurrence in post-secondary education and you are not alone! That being said, you have to be careful when switching majors or minors as it’s a big decision.

    Unless you are in a specialized program, students generally don’t have to declare their major until second year. So take advantage of your time! Many will tell you to take a variety of courses in your first year and they’re completely right. Take courses that you think may lead into your major, but don’t be afraid to take some random courses also. Roman history? Sociology? Applied chemistry? Who knows, you may just find your new passion!

    Keep in mind that at some universities you will have to complete some first year pre-requisites to continue your studies in a particular field of study. So don’t forget to sign up for those first year art history seminars if that’s a subject you may want to pursue as a major, minor or just for fun.

    Hopefully by your second year you’ll have a better idea of the direction you want to take your education. Though the option to switch majors is always available later in your post-secondary career, the later you wait the more backtracking you’ll have to do to catch up to your fellow students. Many who switch later potentially face losing those extra credits usually reserved for niche electives, have to take extra summer courses or, in some cases, may even have to tack an additional year or two onto their degree.

    It can be more work, but sometimes that’s what it takes. This is your post-secondary education, which will hopefully shape your own outlook and your future career path. If you feel like you need to make a change – go for it! Sometimes it means a few extra classes, but if it is what you want, it’ll be worth it.

  • Career Profile: Architectural Technician

    Career Profile: Architectural Technician

    Job Summary
    Preparing documents in construction and architectural design and constructional standard. Strong emphasis is placed on protecting the environment, energy conservation, sustainable design and construction strategies.

    Is it for me?
    This program is for those who like to be challenged and to be creative. If you like to design things or enjoyed building houses in the popular game “Sims”, this may the right path for you! A job as an Architectural Technician would guarantee you an exciting and rewarding career in the construction and design field.

    Summary of Duties
    Architectural technicians are responsible for:
    – The working of drawings
    – Construction design
    – Construction methods
    – Construction materials
    – Building science
    – Computer assisted design
    – Drafting and building information modeling
    – Protecting the environment and energy conservation through design

    General Information about the Position
    As an architectural technician, you will have career in the construction industry, working with architects, engineers, builders, contractors and municipal building departments. Using state of the art computer technology, you will prepare designs, construction drawings and specifications needed to communicate with the clients, construction professionals and approving authorities.

    The challenges of being an Architectural Technician
    Challenges vary from having tight deadlines (although you always manage to find a way to get there!) and coming up against unforeseen problems on site, which can vary from minor to major redesigns of a building. You will also be tasked with keeping up-to-date with the latest and most current legislation.

    If this sounds interesting to you, why not check out some of the career colleges and universities that offer this program? You can find them on our Education tab right here on JobsPeopleDo.com!

  • Try Courses That Seem Interesting To You

    Try Courses That Seem Interesting To You

    With a new semester almost upon us, it may be time for you to choose specific classes that can help you get where you want to go. Choosing a major is one of the hardest parts of applying to university. Whatever you decide to study, try some courses that seem interesting to you whether they’re in your major or not. If you’re drawn towards philosophy and you don’t know why, try out a class anyway. See what it is and whether you see a place for yourself in it.

    Remember – university is basically the start of your career, even though it can be difficult to decide so early in life what you want to do. That’s why it’s designed to let you experiment with electives. It could be that you’ve always wanted to take a sculpture class, or it could be that, while registering for your classes, film history to 1940 somehow just jumps out at you. Try it. Find out why. You might find a new passion!

    Plenty of people end up switching their majors part of the way through university. Someone might start in biology only to realize, after taking a photography class, that they have a great passion for cameras.

    Lots of people also like to try out a minor. Just because you’re a biology major, it doesn’t mean you have to take all science courses. You can have a minor in theatre if that’s what interests you. Who knows – maybe some day your interests will intersect in a spectacular theatrical production explaining the process of digestion!

    The work involved in doing well at university is more than a full-time job. When it comes time to read 50 pages from the textbook every week or write that final essay, it will be painful to do if you’re not interested in the material. You’ll learn plenty of fascinating stuff in pretty much any class, but if the subject interests you, you can have a lot of fun while you’re at it.

    University is also the time when most people start taking charge of their own lives. Many people move out for the first time and start paying rent or working at part-time jobs. In the end, you’re the only one responsible for whether you succeed or fail. Keep in mind that taking responsibility for yourself means more than meeting deadlines and paying rent. You have to start putting your life in motion, which means learning about what interests you, what you’re good at and where you can go with it.

    A career isn’t the only thing that defines you. The famous author Vladimir Nabokov studied butterflies and made up chess problems in his spare time. A successful salesman may be part of an amateur radio club or a hockey team. It’s good to know what you want out of life and to have a career plan, but don’t forget about all those things that make you who you are.

    In the end, following your interests is the practical thing to do. Even for a doctor, there are so many specializations that you are able to go in any direction you want. What area you choose to focus on is going to be the thing that helps you to stand out and helps to define your life. In the meantime, it will make your education a lot more fun.

  • A Five Year Degree – The Financial Benefit

    A Five Year Degree – The Financial Benefit

    Many people believe that gaining a degree should take four years. Most programs at colleges and universities are designed as four year programs, often with students moving together in cohorts, or with higher level classes being offered only in alternating years. This is a system that is overdue to change, as there are several advantages to taking an extra year for studies.

    The first benefit is financial. Colleges and universities are expensive, and even with bursaries, scholarships and grants, it can be hard to make ends meet. By spreading the fees over five years, they become slightly more manageable, though the resulting extra year of living expenses must be weighed. As well, taking fewer classes per year allows for availability for a part time job, so that students may graduate with less of a debt load.

    Another benefit is a little more breathing room in the schedule, more time to focus on each class and not face quite as much pressure. Moving to a five year schedule, students can go from five classes a term to four or even take fewer during the school year and do some over the summer, at the school or through an online university. This allows for a better life balance, with more time for other activities, be they work, fitness, social or simply having more time to study for the classes one is taking. If the program is one that makes use of cohorts, it may be impossible to spread the education out in the final years of school, but this model still works for most students.

    So why not investigate the possibility of stretching your degree out to five years? You may find that it is the perfect circumstance for you! You’ll save money and reduce your stress level.

  • Athletic Scholarships and You

    Athletic Scholarships and You

    The road to college for ordinary senior high school students commonly includes the dreams of big scholarships to top universities. This is particularly true in the opening years of senior high school, just before the reality of grades and athletic competition emerges as a reality. The unfortunate fact is that typical athletic scholarships are a lot more challenging to earn than ever before. Particularly to ones top choice school with some of the most popular athletic teams.

    This doesn’t suggest that a young competitor has to shelve the hope of obtaining a scholarship, but it most certainly means that they should expand the range of appropriate universities and have some tuition back-up plans just in case they only obtain partial help. It’s equally crucial to recognize that several of the sports are much more competitive than others. Scholarship choices are still created by individuals and in that case marketing and salesmanship is still essential at the same time. Unless the youthful competitor is an absolute rising superstar, they will need to relate a compelling tale about their abilities and make an aggressive case for the style of scholarship they prefer. Here’s an excellent rule to follow – if your young athlete is presently being sought by scouts from multiple colleges and universities, you have very little to fret about. In all other instances you will have to advertise and present a convincing account about your rising star.

    Step one is acquiring information and carrying out research on the programs you’re interested in. Each and every university will have varied scholastic requirements. No amount of athletic skill will completely rise above a failing academic record. You really should become familiar with the coaching staff at each university or college and start reaching out to these people with e-mails and letters. You want them to become accustomed to your youngster’s name and maturing skill. You will need to create highlight reels and profile pages using an on-line company.

    The process of getting sports scholarships is no longer only about be the superstar high school athlete. There are many alternate techniques and success in applying for scholarships now includes a component that is almost like image management. Undoubtedly some athletic capability will be called for, but know-how of exactly what is available and the ability to promote yourself is essentially just as essential.

    If one understands that it might be necessary to put together a portfolio of scholarships and accolades to offset university fees, then the field of possibility instantly broadens. There are a host of smaller awards based upon athletic and scholarly requirements. As a matter of fact, some might not even require that the student play the sport on the official university team, which would really surprise most inbound freshman.

    Finally, historically underprivileged minorities or females might also have resources obtainable in exclusive scholarship categories. Again this falls in the category of blending a selection of awards to balance out as much tuition as feasible. However, one thing is apparent across the board – that each student will have to present themselves in the best possible light. The presentation, marketing and telling of an interesting story about your youthful student is almost of equivalent significance to the actual performance during the course of high school.