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Author: Fiona Bramzell

  • Do You Really Need a Career Guidance Counsellor?

    Do You Really Need a Career Guidance Counsellor?

    When you think about it, it’s pretty crazy. You’re young, you’re either still in school or freshly graduated, you’ve likely never had more than a part-time job while in school, and yet you’re expected to decide on what you want to do for the rest of your life! Okay, before you hit the panic button, take a deep breath, relax and seek out a career guidance counsellor.

    Even if you have a reasonably good idea about what you want to do, it is worth spending time with a counsellor just to get an objective, non-biased opinion. Talking to friends and family is fine, but they can often give advice or opinions that leave you feeling even more confused than before!

    If you are still in school, it is safe to say that you are probably aware of your school’s guidance counsellor. Most schools have them, whether they’re a permanent staff member or one who comes in once or twice a week. Their job is to help you navigate the confusing and sometimes downright frustrating work of choosing your direction in life. Unless you already know your counsellor reasonably well, which is more likely if they are a permanent staff member, your first couple of sessions may be more of a ‘getting to know you’ meeting. The counsellor is specially trained to ask specific questions to get an idea of the direction you may want to go in and also if your personality is suited to that field. You may think you want to be in the nursing profession, for example, but are you strong enough to deal with the often emotionally draining (not to mention physically demanding) shifts that the job requires? In addition to being asked to complete aptitude, skill and even IQ tests, being open and honest with a counsellor and knowing the right questions to ask will help them understand exactly what areas they need to concentrate on during each session.

    If your assigned school counsellor is not quite the right fit (feeling at ease with any type of counsellor is essential) or if you are out of the school system, it will be necessary to seek out independent help. There are many available sources, but as with any professional service you will need to do some homework first in terms of ensuring the individual, or company they work for, is licensed and reputable. Check all their qualifications and get references that can be verified. Although you will have to pay for an independent service, they will often have additional resources and knowledge that benefits other areas of career guidance. For example, once a clearer idea is established of what you want to do, they can suggest certain training courses or internships that would help you advance in the chosen field. They can also help you compose a great cover letter and resume that will get you noticed and even coach you on acing an interview.

    While you may not end up with a clear cut decision about a lifelong career, by taking full advantage of a career counsellor you will at least be setting off down the right path. The greatest journeys start with a single step!

  • What Does a Project Manager Do?

    What Does a Project Manager Do?

    The field of project management is fast growing and changing the way companies perform certain tasks. There is a high demand for project managers and those who can couple their education with technical skills. It is common for those with a career in technology to stumble into the often relatable field of project management.

    Project managers have a lot of responsibilities. Organizations depend on them to handle the resources of assigned projects. They are responsible for the initial plan of the proposed project and organizing its execution. They also ensure the proper closing of the project. Most project managers work in the field of software development, construction, architecture and industrial plants of substantial size. However, they can also work in any industry that is involved with ongoing projects of a certain scope.

    A project manager has clear roles of established authority and takes on the responsibility of the overall success and completion of projects. They manage cost, time, scope, quality and their assembled team.

    Required Learned Skills of a Project Manager:
    – conflict resolution
    – leadership
    – proficient writing skills
    – excellent oral communication
    – ability to negotiate
    – coaching/mentoring

    Required Personal Skills of a Project Manager:
    – honesty
    – integrity
    – persuasiveness
    – assertiveness
    – self-awareness
    – decisiveness

    Education
    There are different credentials a project manager can obtain. The first and most noteworthy is the PMP which indicates your level of education and proficiency. Another is the CAPM which means certified associate. Some positions only require on the job training, whereas the PMP is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute. Becoming a PMP requires a four year degree and three years of project management experience. There is a requirement of 4500 hours leading and directing projects as well as 35 hours of education. Without these requirements, you would need five years of experience as a project manager, 7500 hours leading projects and 35 hours of education relating to the field. Obtaining the credentials of a PMP means you have in depth knowledge regarding how to direct teams, lead people and provide the deliverable results all within the defined schedule, budget and resources.

    Recertification
    Every three years, a PMP is required to become recertified in their credentials. This means earning 60 professional development units (PDUs). This is not as arduous as it sounds. A PMP can earn PDUs by attending in-house training sessions, certain approved self-learning, attending seminars, workshops and webinars, or by offering volunteer hours to certain Project Management organizations.

    In the past it was not rare for professionals to ‘fall into’ the position of project manager and thus work efficiently in the role based on learned and personal skills. However, the field of project management has changed a lot over the years and it is now recognized as a valuable and necessary position. Many companies are now intentionally looking for PMPs who have the recognized credentials.

  • Are plastic bags really necessary?

    Are plastic bags really necessary?

    A national newspaper columnist wrote that “banning plastic bags will do exactly nothing to save the planet.” She went on to argue that they’re even environmentally friendly. Outright bans may not be the best solution, but plastic bags pose a big problem that must be addressed. The columnist appeared to be more interested in contrarianism for its own sake than in acknowledging the environmental harm these products cause.

    Plastic bags are bad and for the most part unnecessary. Many of us older folks remember a time, only a few decades ago, when we didn’t have them. Sure, they’re convenient, but is that an excuse to damage the environment and the life it supports?
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    A University of British Columbia study found that 93 per cent of beached northern fulmars (migratory seabirds related to the albatross) had bellies full of plastic — a substantial increase from the last time they were tested, in 1980. Head researcher Stephanie Avery-Gomm told the Globe and Mail that one bird had 454 pieces of plastic in its stomach. Eating plastic can severely harm or kill birds, as well as the 260 other marine species, including turtles and fish, that we know eat or get entangled in the stuff.

    It’s not just bags, of course. We humans have become dependent on plastic for a range of uses, from packaging to products. Reducing our use of plastic bags is an easy place to start getting our addiction under control.

    Canadians use between nine- and 15-billion plastic bags a year, enough to circle the Earth more than 55 times, according to the Greener Footprints website. (U.S. citizens use about 100 billion a year!) Few plastic bags are recycled. Most are used for a short time to carry groceries, and then maybe re-used as garbage bags or to wrap dog poop before ending up in the landfill or the ocean. Some people argue that, because they make up about one per cent of the volume of waste in landfills, we shouldn’t worry. But one per cent of the massive amounts of what’s in landfills is a lot, especially since plastic doesn’t biodegrade.

    Because they’re lightweight, plastic bags are easily carried by wind and water. Besides accumulating in the ocean, they litter our streets and natural areas, often clogging drainage systems and contributing to flooding. They take at least 1,000 years to break down, and even then, they don’t biodegrade; rather, they fragment into smaller and smaller pieces, making them more likely to be eaten by marine and land animals.

    Plastic is also a petroleum product, so continued and increasing use of it accelerates the depletion of valuable fossil fuels. According to Greener Footprint, 8.7 plastic shopping bags contain enough embodied petroleum energy to drive a car one kilometre.

    Finding something to carry your groceries in is easy; inexpensive re-usable bags come in a variety of materials and sizes. Many are small and light and can be carried in a purse or daypack. I carry one in my back pocket and have refused dozens of plastic bags as a result. Some people worry about bacteria and other contaminants that may accumulate in the bags, but you just need to wash them regularly.

    One of the bigger issues is what to put garbage in. Before the 1980s, no one used plastic bags for groceries or garbage, nor did we have composting or recycling programs, so we know that plastic garbage bags aren’t entirely necessary. The first step is to reduce the amount of garbage we produce. In fact, there’s really no such thing as garbage. It’s all resources, so we should more accurately refer to it as “waste”.

    Buying products with less packaging and reducing overall consumption of unnecessary goods is a start. Re-using, recycling, and composting also help you cut down what you send to the landfill. For the unavoidable waste, and the dog poop, use bio-compostable bags.

    Outright bans on plastic bags may not be the best solution, but education and incentives to get people to stop using them are necessary. If we have any hope of finding ways for seven billion people to live well on planet with finite resources, we have to learn to use our resources efficiently. Plastic bags are neither efficient nor environmentally friendly.

  • Benefits of Volunteerism in High School

    Benefits of Volunteerism in High School

    High school students, it’s time to get motivated! Volunteering while still in high school provides you with the framework for your future career path, as well as instills in you the importance of giving back to others. It may seem difficult to fit in volunteer hours with such a busy schedule of classes, studying and extracurricular activities, but with a little planning you can achieve your volunteer goals. Many not-for-profit organizations only require a few hours a week of your time. For example, the Ottawa Humane Society has a dog walking program that requires a commitment of 2 hours per week. If you love dogs, that is a very easy commitment to make! Even though you may not be reimbursed financially for your time, volunteering is something that can be put on your resume that will help impress future employers and university admissions officials alike. Below, a list of just some of the benefits that volunteerism can provide you:

    Impress Admissions Officials
    You’ve got the great GPA and amazing standardized test scores. But what makes you stand out from students with similar grades? The answer is what you do in your spare time. Volunteer hours and part-time jobs listed on your application will really make you shine. Volunteerism is a great way to show admissions officials that you not only care about the community, but are able to manage your time well enough to balance a volunteer job with your other commitments. By all means, don’t spend every spare minute working on your volunteer hours – you need to balance volunteerism with your personal life, too. But a sustained commitment to one particular cause over a year or two shows that you are willing to stick to something that you care about. This will be very impressive to admissions officials and work in your favour.

    Get Involved Outside of School
    Volunteering allows you to meet people you may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise, especially if you are volunteering outside of school. If you have heard the term “networking”, that is essentially what you will be doing! You are forming a network of contacts that can help you get to where you want to be. If you already have a good idea of what you want to study in college or university, you can volunteer your time in that field. For example, if you want to study psychology, why not volunteer your time with the Canadian Mental Health Association? You can find volunteer opportunities for almost anything that interests you, so spread your wings outside of your school and gain immeasurable benefits!

    Earn Academic Credit and Scholarships
    Some high schools require you to put in volunteer hours in order to graduate. Others offer extra credits or scholarship opportunities if you do volunteer your time. Check with your high school’s administration office to see if any of these opportunities are available to you. If they are, take advantage of them! A scholarship will help you to cut down on your student loans when you reach university, and extra credits will look great on your transcript to help you land the university placement of your dreams. Check out studentawards.ca to find all of the different community service scholarships that are available – your volunteerism won’t only impress your university of choice, but also the officials who will be deciding whether or not you obtain your scholarship!

    Above are the curricular advantages to volunteerism. But let’s not forget the personal advantages that come from it, too. Giving back to your community and contributing positive energy to the world will do wonders for your self-esteem and self-worth. Volunteering is the way to go!

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    Corporate Social Responsibility

    Corporate Social Responsibility

    Suppose that you are an owner or manager of a large company, and you have a choice to make. Your company has the option of working on one of two projects. One would make a lot of money for your company but could harm the environment or destroy a community. The other one would make much less money for you but would protect the local people. Which one should you choose?

    If you chose the second of the two options, you would be part of a movement called Corporate Social Responsibility, which says that businesses are responsible for how their actions affect others. For many years, people around the world have believed that businesses are not just about making money. They believe that it is the duty of business owners to try to improve life for everyone their company affects, not just themselves.

    Although the idea has been around for a long time, the term “corporate social responsibility” started to become popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The idea is that every business, large or small, affects many more people than just the owners, employees, and people who have invested money in the company.

    The people who are affected directly or indirectly by a business are known as “stakeholders.” They might be people in the community whose small business failed because a big business moved in or who become sick because of the pollution from a factory. They might also be people who have better hospitals and schools because of the wealth a business has brought to the region. Whether the effect on the community is good or bad, every business affects more than just the people who work there.

    The idea behind corporate social responsibility is to increase the good effects a business has on the community and to decrease the bad ones. Some companies help the environment by reducing their energy use. Others give their employees good benefits such as free university education and a generous retirement income. Some companies also raise money to help with special projects like protecting a rainforest or buying Fair Trade products that ensure employees producing the products are paid a fair wage for their work.

    Not everyone agrees with the principle of corporate social responsibility. Many people think that the main purpose of business is to make money, not to work at community development.  Often, the amount of time and money needed to be socially responsible deters employers from investing in socially responsible programs.

    For corporate social responsibility to work, businesses often need the government or social agencies to advise them. Industry Canada is one government agency that works with corporations and the public to try to ensure social responsibility, while the media, the public, and non-profit organizations like Greenpeace can also hold corporations responsible for their actions. Together, the different groups can help companies to benefit as many people as possible and to protect the environment.

    (how can people get involved, how can a student make a change to a company they think should be more responsible, or how can they nominate a company they think is doing a good job…give me more info and contact information, be as specific as possible)

     

     

  • Beware of Credit Cards

    Beware of Credit Cards

    Get your free stuff!

    Free CD’s, T-shirts, mugs, hats; They’re all yours and they’re all free if you sign up for a credit card.

    Sounds great, doesn’t it?

    Free swag and your very own credit card. So what should you buy first? Maybe some jeans to go with your new t-shirt, or how about a stereo to play your new CD? On second thought, why don’t you buy it all? After all, you can pay for it later, right?

    Wrong.

    Each year young adults across Canada fall into the credit card trap. It’s easy to operate under the “buy now, pay later” mentality, but a few impulse purchases now can lead to costly mistakes over time.

    According to a 2008 study by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, 6 in 10 Canadians between the ages of 18 and 29 had some credit card debt, and at least half of those reported their debt load to be “more than they can handle”.

    72% of young Canadians have credit cards. However, most of them are unaware of the problems they can face if they don’t monitor their usage.

    Credit card companies can raise your credit limit without your consent. So you should always be aware of how much you spend. Don’t assume if you have a $500 limit you’ll be declined if you reach it. The company may have raised your limit to $3000 causing you to spend more than you intended.

    You also need to be aware of interest rates, as they can add up quickly if you don’t pay your monthly balance in full.

    For example, let’s say you owe $1000 and you only make the minimum monthly payments. At an interest rate of 18%, it would take you 12 years to pay off your bill.

    Don’t let flashy cards with your school crest or the logo of your favorite sports team and free stuff be your financial downfall.

    Remember, what you do today affects tomorrow. Careless use of credit cards now can seriously damage your credit rating in the future. This will make it very difficult to buy a car, rent an apartment, start a business, start a family or buy your first house.

    Spend smart!

  • Self-Improvement 101

    Self-Improvement 101

    As we face September and the coming of a whole new school year, we are often faced with the same questions: Am I good enough? What can I do to make myself a better person, the person I truly want to be?

    I recently read an article that focused on improving one’s relationships by remembering six negative qualities of past relationships. Instead of dwelling on them, take those negative aspects and turn them into positive aspects to seek and ask for. For example, instead of looking at a past bad relationship in terms of, “I never want to go out with someone who cheats”, think, “I am looking for someone who will be true to me”. This type of thinking trains your brain to ask for what you do want as opposed to what you don’t want. It is a great way of turning negative points in your life into positive points and helping you to further your personal growth. So, for this effort in self-improvement, I suggest elaborating on the example of negative relationships. However, this time we will be using it to improve our relationship with ourselves.

    Pick six aspects about yourself that you find negative or that you would like to change. Here are my examples, and remember to replace “I don’t want” with “I do want”:
    – “I do want to be fit, athletic and healthy inside and out”
    – “I do want to be practical, smart and well-adapted to my world”
    – “I do want a job that will provide me with a source of steady income”
    – “I do want to live independently”
    – “I do want to have routines that keep me healthy and organized”
    – “I do want to have social relationships that nourish and energize me”

    Once you’ve nailed down some good goals or positive statements about what you want in your life, post these somewhere you can see them every day. Choose to look at this list whenever you have a negative or a self-destructive thought. Remind yourself of what you want: “I want to be fit, athletic and healthy inside and out”, and then move to setting and reaching a goal that will get you there. This way of changing negative cognitions into positive self-statements is a great way of improving your self-esteem and self-image. The way that we look at ourselves is in our control, and when you believe you can succeed, you can do anything!

    The important aspect to keep in mind is repetition. Be prepared to tell yourself positive statements over and over again. Be prepared for setbacks; You will have moments and days when it seems like you will not be able to convince yourself of your worth. It is those moments when you will have to be strong and hold on, feeding yourself positive thoughts to replace your negative thoughts. Eventually, with repetition, this will become a habit, an ingrained tendency, that will make your life that much easier! Good luck!

  • Map app helps bring nature into the equation

    Map app helps bring nature into the equation

    The David Suzuki Foundation and Google Earth Outreach are launching an online map that will allow residents and decision-makers to zoom in to their community and calculate the economic value of natural capital assets.

    Imagine a sleek contraption for your backyard so powerful it has the cooling effect of 10 air conditioners, quietly filters dust, allergens, and pollutants, runs for free on solar power, and its only byproduct is oxygen.

    Dream no longer. This elegant machine is a healthy, mature tree.

    Using energy from sunlight, a tree can soak up almost 400 litres of water from the ground each day, and cool the surrounding air through transpiration. Trees absorb airborne contaminants and breathe out clean oxygen. They’re such efficient air filters that Columbia University researchers estimate that for every 343 trees added to a square kilometre asthma rates in young people drop by about 25 per cent.

    What else can these handy natural contraptions do for us? The U.S. Forest Service says trees near buildings reduce air-conditioning needs by a third and, because they break the wind, save up to half the energy used for heating. According to the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture, mature tree canopies reduce the air temperature of urban areas between five and 10 degrees Celsius.

    Imagine replacing these ecological services with human-built substitutes. While we can handle cooling a building, creating city-sized air conditioning that could reduce the temperature of an urban area by 10 degrees is an engineering feat that would require massive amounts of energy.

    The sophisticated services that nature provides are not only misunderstood and underappreciated; they tend to be ignored in modern economics and urban planning. When a forest or wetland is converted to another use, municipal decision-makers focus on infrastructure costs, property values, and future contributions to the tax roll.

    We continue to deplete natural resources and degrade nature in and around urban areas, failing to recognize the contribution of ecosystem services — like clean air, fresh water, and cooling — to the economy and health of communities. As The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity initiative notes, this ecological damage is the “perfect crime”, a theft barely noticed. We wouldn’t let a bank get away with losing our life savings. We shouldn’t let decision-makers off the hook when they allow our natural wealth to be squandered.

    Encouragingly, a growing chorus of economists and policy-makers has begun advocating for a smarter way of accounting for the true value of nature — something called natural capital economics.

    Most people understand the concept of financial capital. We pay for things we find valuable. Natural capital extends that perspective to ecological goods and services. It would be expensive to develop and build facilities to replace the things nature does. So we calculate the dollar value we would have to pay if we had to provide them ourselves.

    How much is our natural capital worth? According to the David Suzuki Foundation’s research, the 7,000-square-kilometre Ontario Greenbelt provides at least $2.6 billion in non-market benefits each year. British Columbia’s Lower Mainland region is estimated to be worth at least $5.4 billion annually. Global studies have estimated the total value of the world’s ecosystem goods and services to be on par with the value of the entire global economy. In short, our natural capital is a source of staggering wealth.

    Why do we continue to fritter away these amazing assets, despite their immense value? Unfortunately most people don’t have a clear picture of what stocks of natural capital exist in their communities, let alone the true cost of converting natural areas for industrial, commercial, or residential development.

    That’s why the David Suzuki Foundation and Google Earth Outreach are launching an online map that will allow residents and decision-makers to zoom in to their community and calculate the economic value of natural capital assets. The interactive Putting Natural Capital on the Map application allows users to select a parcel of land and find out what types of natural ecosystems it contains and what economic benefits it provides.

    While economists, ecologists, and decision-makers grapple with how to estimate an appropriate economic value for nature’s benefits, I am hopeful that the field will spur communities to consider the true value of their natural riches. In the meantime, I encourage you to beat the heat and keep your community cool by investing in your own bit of natural capital — a tree for your yard or park.

  • Community Service: Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer

    Community Service: Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer

    Thinking of becoming a volunteer?

    #10: It’s good for you.

    Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It:

    • Reduces stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
    • Makes you healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one’s fate, strengthen the immune system.

    #9: It saves resources.

    Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.

    • The estimated value of a volunteer’s time is $15.39 per hour.

    #8: Volunteers gain professional experience.

    You can test out a career.

    #7: It brings people together.

    As a volunteer you assist in:

    • Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
    • Building camaraderie and teamwork

    #6: It promotes personal growth and self esteem.

    Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.

    #5: Volunteering strengthens your community.

    As a volunteer you help:

    • Support families (daycare and eldercare)
    • Improve schools (tutoring, literacy)
    • Support youth (mentoring and after-school programs)
    • Beautify the community (beach and park cleanups)

    #4: You learn a lot.

    Volunteers learn things like these:

    • Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on your self worth.
    • Government: Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
    • Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs.

    #3: You get a chance to give back.

    People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.

    #2: Volunteering encourages civic responsibility.

    Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.

    #1: You make a difference.

    Every person counts!

  • Apprenticeships!

    Apprenticeships!

    Apprenticeship is an agreement between a person who wants to learn a skill, (an apprentice),  and an employer who needs a skilled worker.  Apprenticeship is a proven industry-based training system that combines on-the-job experience with technical training to produce a certified journey person. Upon completion of the specified training period and successful writing of an examination,apprentices receive a Certificate of Qualification. On average, 85% of the apprentice’s two to five years is spent in the workplace, the rest is spent at a training institution. Apprenticeship training begins when a student first registers at a training institution, or signs a Contract of Apprenticeship with an employer, and continues until such time as the apprentice has completed all of the required technical training and has received the required industry experiences necessary to write an interprovincial examination.

    What is the Interprovincial Standards “Red Seal” Program?

    The Red Seal program was established to provide greater mobility across Canada for skilled workers. Through the program, apprentices who have completed their training and certified journey persons,  are able to obtain a “Red Seal” endorsement on their Certificate of Qualification by successfully completing an Interprovincial Standards Examination. The program encourages standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification programs. The “Red Seal” allows qualified persons to practice the occupation in any province or territory in Canada where it is designated, without having to write further examinations.

    To date, there are forty-five occupations included in the Red Seal program on a national basis. Because legislation permits each province and territory to designate apprenticeship programs for their own requirements, there are in excess of 150 apprenticeship programs available across  Canada. Human Resources Development Canada, in collaboration and consultation with the provinces and territories, produces an Ellis Chart which is a comparative chart of these  apprenticeship training programs across Canada.

    What are the entrance requirements for apprenticeship?

    To gain entry into the occupation as an apprentice, you are required to:
    – complete the designated first year courses specific to the occupation; or indenture into the occupation by an employer, who agrees to provide the appropriate training and work experiences as outlined in this plan of training.
    – be enrolled in a program of study that includes all entry and advanced level skills and required work experiences, as approved by the Provincial Apprenticeship Board.

    Each candidate must have successfully completed a high school program or equivalent and in addition may be required to have completed certain academic subjects as specified in particular plans of training. Mature students, at the discretion of the Director of Institutional and Industrial Education, may be registered. A mature student is defined as one who has reached the age of 19 and who can demonstrate the ability and the interest to complete the requirements for certification.