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  • Looking for a Trade in BC? Think Culinary, Automotive, and Construction

    Looking for a Trade in BC? Think Culinary, Automotive, and Construction

    BC students interested in trades career paths should consider culinary, automotive, and construction jobs. According to the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) in 2021, 20 per cent of Canadians work in skilled trade markets like construction, manufacturing, services, and automotive.

    That same year, the Government of British Columbia identified the top in-demand trades jobs from 2021–2031. The top three in-demand trades were:

    • Cooks
    • Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers
    • Construction trade helpers and labourers

    BC estimates that there will be over 25,000 job openings in these fields alone, and they need more workers. Here’s a breakdown of those occupations:

    Cooks

    Cooks plan and prepare meals, clean kitchens, and order supplies for meals. They work either part-time, full-time, on call, or on contract.

    Where they work varies. Cooks work anywhere from restaurants to hotels, to schools or even cruise ships. Cooks generally work under pressure with other cooks. They need to communicate with their team and be mindful of customers’ requests.

    Education Needed and Wages
    Cooks earn an average of $33,370 yearly, with wages ranging from $15.20–$21.77 an hour. The education required for cooks depends on the employer.

    Some employers require high school completion or a culinary arts program completion, but a certification is not currently required to work as a cook in BC.

    BC’s new “Skilled Trades Certification” initiative makes trade certification mandatory, but

    it currently omits cooks. Those looking into certification need to complete a three-year apprenticeship program.

    Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers

    Automotive Service Technicians 

    Automotive service technicians adjust, fix, or replace parts of automotive systems such as brakes, fuel systems, and steering and suspension. They also test those systems to make sure they’re up to date with standards, and for the client’s satisfaction.

    Truck and Bus Mechanics

    Truck and bus mechanics adjust, fix, or replace parts of commercial transport systems, including fuel, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic systems.

    Mechanical Repairers

    Mechanical repairers test parts and functions within units, such as transmissions and engines. They need to problem solve and figure out when/how to fix or replace these parts. They must also record these problems in reports.

    Education Needed and Wages

    People within these fields earn an average of $52,140 yearly, with wages ranging from $16–38 an hour. They often work 35–40 hours a week, usually in repair shops or garages. They need good customer service skills and know how to problem solve.

    Anyone looking into these fields needs a high school diploma, and a driver’s license, with some needed specific classes of licenses. Those looking for certification need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program.

    Mechanical and automotive services need certification in the near feature, under BC’s new “Skilled Trades Certification.” Jobs such as automotive service technician are in “phase 2” of this new plan, which starts in 2024.

    Construction Trade Helpers and Labourers 

    Construction trade helpers and labourers help set up and clean construction sites. These people work anywhere that construction sites appear; this includes jobs on the road, within buildings, within tunnels, and around pipelines.

    Working hours vary, but sometimes workdays can be 10–12 hours. Since they often lift heavy materials, workers also need strength.

    Education Needed and Wages

    People within this field earn an average of $41,712 yearly, with wages ranging from $15.20–$30.00 an hour. Many construction companies require employees to have a high school diploma and a driver’s license.

    Depending on the specific role, more requirements are needed. For example, pipeline workers need one season of experience in oil and gas pipeline construction.

    Certification in BC

    For many years, BC lacked mandatory trades certification for workers. However, the Government of British Columbia decided to make it mandatory in 2021. They started with electrical and mechanical trades, which began transitioning in December 2022.

    Students can use these resources to find certification information and job training:

  • How Gaming Helps Hone Real-Life Skills

    How Gaming Helps Hone Real-Life Skills

    Video games may not teach players how to throw fireballs or capture pocket-sized monsters in real life, but they teach many people life skills.

    According to the Entertainment Software Association’s “Bringing Canadians Together through Gaming: Essential Facts 2022” report, many Canadians believe that video games help:

    • Lessen stress levels
    • Bring happiness
    • Develop teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

    Video games allow players to not only relax, but improve skills utilized outside of gaming.

    Skills That Video Games Teach

    Teamwork

    Seventy per cent of Canadian teen gamers play with others online, showcasing that many socialize through video games. Games like Among Us require players to work together to win.

    In Among Us, players work in two teams: the game assigns players as either crewmates or imposters.

    Crewmates focus on repairing their spaceship through small tasks, while figuring out who are the imposters: players whose objective is to sabotage the spaceship, or kill all the crewmates. The game encourages players to figure out roles through discussion and observation.

    In addition, since the game relies heavily on communication, some teachers use it to teach languages. The gameplay provides a space for people to strengthen their teamwork and language usage by collaborating through commands and questions.

    Problem Solving

    Problem solving requires identifying a problem, understanding what causes it, and fixing it. Many video games present puzzles as a common form of problem solving.

    Players generally make use of their resources, sometimes even newly introduced mechanics, to progress in games. Puzzles within The Legend of Zelda series display many examples of problem solving.

    The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild features many puzzle-filled shrines. Players need to use various runes to complete the puzzles. Some of these puzzles require Link to activate a Stasis rune to freeze an object for a short time, or to activate a Cryonis rune to create ice pillars that he can walk on.

    Persistence

    Video games work well for teaching persistence. Persistence means ongoing motivation, generally towards some sort of goal. Tasks like training towards a boss battle or collecting materials count as persistence.

    Minecraft teaches many skills including persistence. The gameplay revolves around managing and using resources to create structures. Schools around the world have used Minecraft to teach students, especially with the game’s Education Edition.

    A 2017 Canadian study on Minecraft noted many educational benefits from the game. According to data collected from 118 Quebec elementary school students, using Minecraft in school gave 25 main benefits: this list includes improving students’ motivation, communication, and academic skills (reading, writing, and math).

    Hand-Eye Coordination

    When a person’s eyes take in visual information, they tell their hands how to complete a task. The eyes and hands work together using hand-eye coordination.

    Video games count as activities to strengthen hand-eye coordination, as hands use a controller while eyes take in visual information from screens.

    Shooter games, such as those in the Fortnite or Splatoon series, excel at this area of teaching. Players must aim focus on a target as they progress through battles. They take in visual information at the same time they press controller buttons for the intended actions.

    Multitasking

    Many video games help players practice multitasking. By multitasking, players learn how to manage completing many actions over time.

    Life is full of multitasking, especially in post-secondary studies and jobs. Many students juggle a job with their education and social lives.

    Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet features multitasking as part of the main story. It offers many objectives that players must complete. Players must work towards three distinct objectives to finish the game.

    They must alternate between battling gym leaders, fighting giant Titan Pokémon, and challenging the rebellious Team Star. Planning and organization help keep track of the three paths as the game progresses.

    Taking a break by playing a game is not just an engaging way to relax. Playing video games combines both learning and enjoyment into something memorable. Game on!

  • Prepare for the Jobs of the Future with These Key Skills

    Prepare for the Jobs of the Future with These Key Skills

    The world is advancing at light-speed, especially when it comes to technology and its uses in every aspect of our lives.  The workforce is one of the places where these changes are being most strongly felt, with many aspects of work becoming more digital and more automated than ever.

    This means that the jobs we have now are changing, and that there will be new jobs in the future that have never existed before.

    Even without the changes to work that we expect to see over the next decade, its unlikely that you’ll be in the same job your entire working adult life. Unlike what was common in older generations, it’s now much more likely that you will change jobs every few years—especially when you’re early in your career and new to the working world.

    But there are ways to be prepared for these as-yet-unknown future career paths, even without knowing what these jobs will be, and that is to build your transferable skills.  Transferable skills are universal, and can be applied to any job – even the jobs that don’t exist yet, or that we can’t yet imagine.

    It’s a good idea to start cultivating these skills early, so you will be ready to jump into these future jobs as they appear.

    Digital Information and Data Literacy

    Everything is becoming more digital and more reliant on data, which means having strong skills in data literacy and digital technologies will be essential to success in the jobs we can expect to see in the next decade.  This skillset involves knowing how to understand and operate digital technologies – both software, and hardware—as well as knowing how to access, read and understand the vast amounts of data being generated by our technologies.

    Having strong digital and data literacy skills also means that as new technologies arise, you will be able to learn them quickly and apply them to solve problems and make decisions.

    Creativity and Critical Thinking

    No technology can match the creativity and critical thinking abilities of the human mind, and much of the work of the future will focus on generating new ideas and making these ideas into reality.  This means that being able to think creatively and critically about problems will be essential. Creativity is a key component of this, the ability to imagine solutions, new products, and innovative concepts. Critical thinking is also vital to parsing information, identifying biases, and examining the truthfulness and accuracy of the data and other information.

    These skills combined will enable you to develop creative, innovative solutions to solve complex problems.

    Adaptability and a Willingness to Keep Learning

    Being adaptable, flexible, and willing to learn new things is a key component of success, and will be more important than ever as new technologies and new careers appear on the scene.  Those who can’t or won’t adapt to these changes will simply get left behind.

    The workplace is changing rapidly, and will continue to change going forward – automation, remote working, and new digital technologies will change the shape of nearly every job.  You will need to be flexible about when and where you’re willing to work, and have the ability to rapidly assimilate and begin applying new information and processes.

    Continuous learning is part of this, and you should take every opportunity to learn new skills and technologies, take courses and training opportunities, and spend time researching and studying up on things that interest you or will be useful for your chosen career path.

     

    Sources

    https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/future-skills-youll-need-your-career-2030

    https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/future-skills

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/08/22/the-top-10-most-in-demand-skills-for-the-next-10-years/?sh=329f2b517be7

    https://hrforecast.com/a-complete-guide-to-top-job-skills-needed-for-the-future-jobs/

  • My Personal Goals for 2023

    My Personal Goals for 2023

    By Bhargavi Venkataraman

    At the beginning of December, everyone is getting into the holiday mood. This means holiday shopping, delicious food, large gatherings and, of course, thinking about New Year Resolutions! Every year, my family and I get excited to sit down and write resolutions for the upcoming year. We make a big deal about the activity and carefully ponder how we would like the next year to look. Then, we write a beautiful list of these goals and paste it on our wall to stare at during the coming year. I am unsure if we were always successful in accomplishing these goals. Still, I believe the process offers an opportunity for some well-needed reflection regarding what we want for ourselves. Over the years, I believe the goals have gotten a lot less finish-line focused and instead focus on improvement in general. I am following that trend this year and have created a list of important goals I aim to follow through with. I have listed them below.

    • Journal Regularly: This past year brought a lot of stressors for everyone, and I was going through some significant changes in my life. In my program, we do a lot of reflections which I have found to be very therapeutic for me. So, I thought the natural next step was journaling. I have been keeping with it for the past couple of months, which has been a pleasant surprise as I thought I would not be able to continue with the habit. I think one of the factors which helped me journal regularly was that I was not too strict about my frequency or quantity of writing. I sometimes write a page a day for a week continuously; other times, I write a small paragraph every couple of days. This upcoming year, I plan to continue with the habit. I want to graduate to write reasonably regularly. I hope it will provide me with some emotional clarity and also document the happenings of my life so that I can look back at them in the future.
    • Exercise Frequently: This is a very common goal for most people, and like them, I have had this goal on my list every year for nearly the past decade. However, these past couple of years, I have really seen the importance of exercise after being cooped up for so long during the pandemic. The past year, I have tried getting at least some semblance of exercise every day such as through biking, going on the treadmill, or a simple walk. I have found that I am refreshed and more motivated whenever I do this, so I am hoping to implement this habit in the new year.
    • Try Something New Every Week: This is a new goal on my list. I thought of this because of something one of my professors tells us every class. She recommends that we do one small thing that is new or weird to appreciate the little delights in life. For example, brushing with the wrong hand. I loved the idea and thought it would be interesting if I can keep something like that going long term. So, I want to try one new thing every week. It could be something small like learning how to count in a new language or something big like attempting a self-portrait. I want to document the process and look back at it in the new year.
    • Adopt a Vegan Day of the Week: This goal comes from an exercise I did for a class I took on sustainability where I was told to go vegan for the days. I am already vegetarian so I thought the switch would be easy but I found it surprisingly difficult to cut out dairy products from my life. However, it felt really good to make the switch. I thought that it helped with both my physical and mental health, being able to appreciate my contribution to a more sustainable environment. So, I want to bring this energy into the new year and try out vegan life for one day a week. This way, I can ease into the lifestyle, while also taking a step to contributing to a better environment.

    This is currently where I am at with my goals. I am sure that going into the new year, I will have more on my list. Some others that I am currently thinking of is adopting a “Sunday reset” routine which I have seen a lot of on social media, and also setting up a habit to read for 15 minutes in the night before sleeping so that I can get off screens for that time. I hope to build and sustain these habits in the new year and encourage you all to make your own list soon to envision what you want 2023 to look like for you!

  • The Best Jobs for Introverts

    The Best Jobs for Introverts

    Deciding on a career path isn’t the easiest thing in the world, especially when you feel pressure from your family or your peers. Sometimes, parents over-encourage their kids to tread on the same path that they did. Sometimes, peers try to influence others to make the same choice as they did.

    Of course, navigating your career should be based on your own decisions, and it’s up to you to find something that aligns with your passion. However, though your passion is always a good place to start, you also have to consider where your personality will fit best. For example, if you consider yourself an introvert  with dominant characteristics such as quiet and reserved, creative, prefers minimal social interactions, independent, introspective, and enjoys working alone, then a job that’s ideal for introverts could be the answer for you. Let’s look at some of your options.

    Home Health Aide

    While in most cases, home health aides collaborate with nurses to maintain a record of the patient’s progress and alert the physician or nurse of any sudden changes in the patient’s health, generally, a home health aide works mostly independently, only interacting with the patient themselves. They take charge of basic care tasks, such as administering oral medicines as needed, changing bed linens, washing and doing the laundry, and cleaning and maintaining the home.

    Home health aides also provide companionship to the geriatric population to help them in their emotional and mental well-being by entertaining them, conversing with them, and playing games with them if the patients are up to it, like puzzles or crosswords.

    Veterinarian

    Veterinarians work primarily with animals and only have minimal interaction with the pet owners. However, veterinarians also have to deal with animals in every shape and form, which means you have to prepare to deal with livestock animals like cows, goats, and pigs, as well as those from the reptilian species like snakes and lizards, and a whole slew of others.

    The most common services performed by vets include check-ups, vaccinations, administering medicine, spaying and neutering, and other surgeries. For vets who work in private practice, they also communicate with owners on how to best provide care and the need for surgery or medication in some cases. Services like vaccinations, deworming, and parasite control are also performed as needed. Vets also make recommendations on how to best maintain pet health and wellness through proper nutrition and adequate exercise.

    Multimedia Artist

    A multimedia artist creates art, specifically graphics, animation, special effects, and other visual images meant for different forms of media, whether film, TV, print, or the web.

    Multimedia artists can work for a wide variety of industries, including advertising agencies or TV or film production companies. They can work under the supervision of an art director and/or collaborate with other artists and animators. Most of the time, they work individually.

    Landscape Designer

    A landscape designer solely works with outdoor spaces, which are either residential, commercial, or government. They must know how to conceptualize an outdoor space aligned with an outdoor space’s brand and ensure the project is completed according to timelines, budget, city regulations, and environmental considerations (soil, irrigation, drainage, etc).

    While they do have to constantly communicate with city planners, engineers, property owners, and government departments, most of the time, they work on their own.

    Librarian 

    This might be the most obvious answer since librarians have a work environment that literally has “Silence, please” signs posted at every corner and encourage a love of reading.

    Librarians are primarily responsible for classifying any type of reading material and ensure their accessibility to visitors. It’s an asset to be knowledgeable in the traditional system of item organization using card catalogues, but most libraries now rely on computerized databases to keep an inventory of all reading materials, so it pays more to have skills in computer systems.

    Librarians also have to maintain the orderliness and cleanliness of all materials in a library, so they have to be readily available to collect stray items and ensure these are placed back to where they belong to.


    Sources

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

    http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/landscape-architect/

    https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Multi-Media_Artist_or_Animator/Salary

    http://www.canadafaq.ca/how+to+become+a+veterinarian+in+canada/

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Certified_Home_Health_Aide_(CHHA)/Hourly_Rate

    https://mint.intuit.com/blog/early-career/best-jobs-for-introverts/

  • A look at the AGO’s spotlight on Indigenous artists for 2023

    A look at the AGO’s spotlight on Indigenous artists for 2023

    The Art Gallery of Ontario, or the AGO, is spotlighting a range of talented Indigenous artists in the new year. Beginning in January, the AGO will showcase works by artists such as Ningiukulu Teevee, David Ruben Piqtoukun, asinnajaq, Robert Kautuk, and Raymond Boisjoly.

    In mid-January, the gallery will display works by Inuk artist Ningiukulu Teevee, a talented graphic artist and writer from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Teevee shares her unique perspective on historical and contemporary Inuit culture through visual art and writing. The Inuit Art Foundation comments on her talent for capturing and distilling stories into drawings and prints, stating that she is an artist known for her frequent and playful translation of traditional stories into dynamic compositions. A successful artist, Teevee wrote, illustrated, and published her first children’s book titled Alego in 2009, a story that recalls her experiences growing up and digging for clams with her grandmother. The story vividly illustrates her experience learning about different sea life. Teevee’s works have been showcased in various exhibitions across Ottawa, Washington, Toronto, and Manitoba.

    In January, the AGO will also open “We Are Story: The Canada Now Photography Acquisition”. This will feature newly acquired photos by 10 Canadians, including Inuk multidisciplinary artist asinnajaq, and photographers Robert Kautuk and Raymond Boisjoly. A storyteller, asinnajaq uses her art to weave together narratives of land, water, and Inuit histories. She is an advocate for the environment, community engagement, and sharing of Inuit culture through art. Robert Kautuk’s work centers around the themes of Inuit self-determination, documenting, preserving, and celebrating traditional knowledge. Lastly, Raymond Boisjoly is a Vancouver-based artist who questions the way popular media situates Indigenous art and artists within a colonial context. He offers a new perspective on investigating everyday items.

    Furthermore, more than 60 works by Inuvialuk sculptor David Ruben Piqtoukun will be featured in an exhibition. Born in Paulatuk, Northwest Territories, Piqtoukun experienced a nomadic lifestyle which he explains instilled a deep and lasting love for the beauty of land and nature. These themes are often reflected in his work. At age five, he was removed from his community to attend residential school. Through this forced change, David experienced an upheaval of his identity which led him to question his purpose. In spite of this, he has pursued life by tapping into his instincts to survive through trial and error. He started collecting traditional stories from his parents and elders, resulting in his work taking a leap into Inuit mythology. He enjoys working with various materials and now uses his artwork as a source of learning and teaching. He has a number of collections across the world; his work has been displayed in Canada, the United States, Russia, China, Greenland, and Germany to highlight a few. He has also had many solo and group exhibitions over the years. You can learn more about David’s works on his website.

    With a diverse range of artists and art styles, a trip to the AGO is a must-visit for your 2023 bucket list. Visitors between the ages of 14-25 can register for a free AGO Annual Pass which gives unlimited access to the AGO and its special exhibitions. See you at the art gallery!

  • Hopping into 2023 with the Year of the Rabbit

    Hopping into 2023 with the Year of the Rabbit

    2023’s Chinese New Year falls on January 22. With Chinese people making up 1.7 million of Canada’s population, many celebrate this tradition.

    This year highlights the rabbit, which is one of the 12 zodiac animals. Swap out the old Christmas red and green for Chinese New Year red and gold, have a feast, and take part in many festive activities for the new year.

    What is Chinese New Year?

    Chinese New Year welcomes a new year by focusing on getting rid of the bad and receiving the good. This celebration spans 15 days, starting with a feast and ending with the Lantern Festival.

    Chinese New Year is a part of Lunar New Year, which many East Asian cultures celebrate.

    Communities such as Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, and Tibetan peoples also have their own new year traditions. The cultures celebrate differently, but they follow the same lunisolar calendar.

    The Lunisolar Calendar

    While many traditions follow the Gregorian calendar, the one based on a 365-day cycle, some cultures use different calendars for celebrations.

    Lunar New Year follows the lunisolar calendar. The lunisolar calendar depends on the movements of the sun and moon around the Earth.

    Since months on the lunisolar calendar always start with a new moon, New Year’s Day differs each year.
    Lunar New Year 2022 started on February 1, while this year it starts on January 22.

    The Chinese Zodiac

    Twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac represent each year. Those animals are:

    • Rat
    • Ox
    • Tiger
    • Rabbit
    • Dragon
    • Snake
    • Horse
    • Goat
    • Monkey
    • Rooster
    • Dog
    • Pig

    Each animal year only happens every 12 years as the cycle rotates. For those born this year, they are considered rabbits. Other rabbits include people born in 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, and 2011.

    Some Chinese New Year Customs

    1. On Chinese New Year, people usually hold feasts with their families. The Chinese language is ripe with puns, and many lucky Chinese dishes are associated with positive words.

      A sound in Chinese can have many meanings, thanks to tones. For example, fish is eaten because in Chinese it also sounds like the word for “plentiful,” signaling that the new year will have a lot of good luck.

    1. Young, unmarried people receive red envelopes from older married relatives. These money-filled red envelopes bless good wishes upon the receivers. The envelopes are called different names depending on the dialect: Hongbao in Mandarin, Laisi in Cantonese, or Ang pow in Hokkien are some examples.

    The money totals to an even number, as that is also lucky. Cantonese and Hokkien people distribute pairs of envelopes, aligning with the belief that good things come in pairs.

    1. Many people watch Chinese lion dances. A team of two works each lion, with one partner as the head, and the other as the body of the lion.

      These performers showcase their agility, balance, and strength when working together as lions. A typical performance features the lions walking in a front of a crowd, before eating and spitting out lettuce. At the end, they receive red envelopes from the patrons.

    Due to the dance’s historical ties with status, most lion dancers are male. However, more lion dance communities worldwide are welcoming female and non-binary dancers.

    Events in Canada

    Partake in the festivities by checking out events in your local community.

    Many communities across Canada are holding events, such as Vancouver’s 48th Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration and Toronto’s 2023 Chinatown BIA Lunar New Year Festival.

    Let’s welcome in the new year well, and look forward to the rest of 2023. As Cantonese speakers say, Gung hay fat choy (wishing you prosperity).

  • A Quick Look into Innovations for the Visually Impaired

    A Quick Look into Innovations for the Visually Impaired

    With the world being on lockdown for two years due to COVID, travel restrictions were imposed in most countries, if not all. Once these constraints were lifted due to the pandemic finally easing up, most people had traveling as their first item on their to-do list. However, since the majority of people all had the same intentions, traveling post-pandemic whether as individuals or as families often doesn’t go as smoothly as they were pre-pandemic. For some who had to deal with constantly changing flights, cancelled flights at the last minute, crowded airports, and lost baggage, the experience turned into a nightmare.

    However, nothing can compare of the experience of a visually impaired couple traveling with their baby who came from a holiday in Greece. On their way back home, they were refused boarding by an airline unless they come with an escort. However, doing so meant that they had to pay for another seat, so they declined. It wasn’t until a fellow passenger offered to be their escort that they were allowed to board.

    Such is only one of many stories of discrimination faced by the visually impaired population. Thankfully, with the evolving social climate, things are gradually starting to change, and there are more efforts to ignite changes that can further improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. With the World Braille Day on January 4th in honour of the birthday of Braille’s inventor, Louis Braille, there is more awareness for the need of these efforts. Let’s take a quick look below.

    First, a bit of history… 

    As a kid growing up in France, Louis Braille lost his eyesight when he accidentally stabbed himself in the eye with his father’s awl. By the time he reached 10 years old, he spent time at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, where he worked on a system of raised dots that eventually became known as braille.

    Braille is a code based on cells with six dots representing letters and numbers. This made it possible for the blind to feel the whole cell unit by touching them with their fingertip and moving from one cell to the next. Unfortunately, Braille didn’t live to see how his invention changed the world as he passed away in 1852, only two years before the Royal Institute began teaching braille.

    Cellphones

    MINIVISION2 CELL PHONE

    This cellphone was especially made for the visually impaired. Its most recent edition comes with a new physical keyboard with large-spaced keys with textured relief markings and a good grip, plus voice commands to enable users to make phone calls or send text messages. It also features a built-in premium speech synthesis, camera and photo gallery, MMS, light detector, “Where am I?” geolocation function, and a physical SOS button on the back—all of which make it a truly useful device.

    Apps

    TAPTAPSEE

    There’s no shortage of apps that cater to the visually impaired to help them in their daily lives. However, there’s only a few that works for both Android and iOS devices, and one of them is TapTapSee. All you need is to point the cellphone camera and it will take a photo at any angle. Afterwards, you will hear the description of the object read back to you.

    Mobility

    HEARSEE

    While cellphones and apps can provide the visually impaired with the right directions if they need to go somewhere, it’s best to have an actual physical device that aids them in their mobility. This is where Hearsee Mobility comes in, a relatively new invention that started in 2018. This is a smart cane that’s specifically for those with vision loss at varying degrees. The cane is capable of sending signals to an app so that users can hear audible navigation and wayfinding prompts.

     

    Sources

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/07/01/three-technologies-for-the-visually-impaired/?sh=216b4ae335e6

    https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/7-best-apps-help-people-visual-impairments-recognize-objects/

    https://www.specialneedscomputers.ca/index.php?l=product_detail&p=6701

    https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/international/world-braille-day.php

    https://www.un.org/en/observances/braille-day

    https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blind-couple-baby-were-stopped-153212481.html

  • How to find and land jobs that help the causes that matter most to you

    How to find and land jobs that help the causes that matter most to you

    By Avreet Jagdev

    The work that we do matters. Not only is someone’s job usually a large part of their life because it pays their bills and ensures they have all their necessities, but we can choose to pursue jobs that make an impact, particularly in the issues we care about. This can make our jobs more rewarding and enjoyable — there’s a reason it’s said that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. And what could possibly be better than doing a job you love, while creating an impact in a social issue you care about?

    Here are some ideas to help you find and land that dream job that helps the causes that matter most to you:

    1. Start by volunteering

    A great way to get your foot in the door is to begin by volunteering for a cause you care about. This will help you gain entry into the sector or organization you’d eventually like to work in, which will make it easier for you to attain a job. Plus, your volunteer experience will strengthen your resume!

    1. Go to events for the social causes that interest you

    Another way to get your foot in the door is to attend events that have to do with the issues you care about. For example, if you want a career in politics, go to a candidate debate or rally. If you care about climate justice, go climate strike. Not only are these great opportunities to get initially involved in the cause, but it will allow you to meet great people who care about the same issues as you!

    1. Network with people who work in the social areas you care about

    Once you have your foot in the door, take every opportunity to network with those who are involved in the area you’d like to work in! Whether they’re current employees, event attendees, other volunteers, donors, or retired employees, make connections with those around you. When a job opens up, chances are that someone will reach out to you.

    1. Apply, apply, apply!

    This step can’t be avoided — apply to the jobs that interest you. Make sure you tailor your application for each position, which means writing a new cover letter and alter your resume as needed. Get a friend or family member to look over your application before you hit send, because sometimes they help catch the silly mistakes that you might miss!

    1. Optimize your cover letters

    Although I mentioned cover letters in the last step, they really do deserve their own bullet point! Although it can be frustrating to write them, cover letters are absolute game changers. They are your opportunity to let yourself shine through in your application – so make sure to take advantage of them. Talk about why you care about the job you’re applying for, and why you’ll make a great fit!

  • Gift ideas that support small businesses

    Gift ideas that support small businesses

    By Avreet Jagdev

    If you’re looking for the perfect gift – whether it’s for a loved one or for yourself – a great option can be shopping at small businesses. It’s a great way to find a unique and special gift while also supporting local companies. Supporting these businesses is important because unlike major retailers, they are run by one or a handful of people who work very hard to get their products to customers like you. Opting to buy a gift from them means that you’re supporting their craft, and shopping more sustainably as well!

    With that said, here’s some small businesses you can shop from the next time you need a gift for that special someone:

    1. Hook, Line & Tinker

    If you’re looking for a crafty present, check out the embroidery kits and other art supplies at Hook, Line & Tinker! All of their illustrations are originally designed, so if you need a unique gift for someone who loves crafting, look no further!

    1. Lala Skin Essentials

    Skincare is a timeless gift, and is especially valuable when it’s from a local business such as Lala Skin! Lala Skin provides vegan skincare free of cruelty or chemicals – all at an affordable rate. What more could you ask for?

    1. Tea Drops

    If you know someone who loves tea, then shop for them at Tea Drops! They are a woman-owned small business that sells high quality and environmentally friendly tea. You can shop by tea type, teatime, flavor, caffeine, benefit, and even mood!

    1. Give and Grow

    Give and Grow is a small women-led business that creates basketball planters. If you’re looking for a super unique gift for someone who loves plants, basketball, home decor, or all three, Give and Grow is the business to shop at!

    1. Still Classics

    Still Classics creates planners, notebooks, stationary, accessories and organizational products that help people take charge of their life. If you know someone whose days tend to be way too busy, getting them an organizational tool from Still Classics could be the game changer they need!

    1. This is Alaya

    If you’re hunting for high-quality yet affordable jewelry, head over to This is Alaya’s website! They sell all sorts of jewelry and hair clips, made for ‘everyday and everyone’.

    1. LOHN

    LOHN sells high-quality candles that are handmade by a small team in the Toronto area. Their candles are scented with natural ingredients, such as essential oils. Plus, they’re vegan and cruelty free!

    1. One Strip Chai

    Who doesn’t love a cozy cup of chai? One Strip Chai sells drinks inspired by South-Asian heritage, made of organic freshly-ground spices. They focus on ethical sourcing, and only use natural sweeteners such as honey and jaggery.

    1. Anto Yukon

    Anto Yukon sells ethical and sustainable soaps that are uniquely and artfully crafted. Each soap is hand wrapped, and made free of artificial fragrances or dyes.

    1. Shayna Stevenson

    If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind jewelry or homeware, shop from Shayna Stevenson’s small business! Her pieces are inspired by minimalism, and each is individually painted and glazed – meaning no two pieces are the same.