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Author: Susan Huebert

  • Le poseur de moquette

    Dans beaucoup de maisons, certains sols sont recouverts de carrelage ou de planchers en bois, d’autres sont recouverts de moquette. La moquette peut sembler comme une partie naturelle d’une pièce, mais quelqu’un doit la poser. Pour la personne qui est méticuleuse et manuelle, le travail de poseur de moquette pourrait être un bon choix de carrière pour vous.

    Comme de nombreux emplois comparables, le métier de poseur de moquette est lié de près au secteur de la construction. Après qu’une grande partie de la maison ou des bureaux a été construite, on a besoin de la rendre agréable à vivre ou à y travailler. Pour certaines pièces, cela comprend la pose de moquette pour conserver les planchers chauds en hiver et doux pour les pieds. Avec une moquette ou un autre revêtement, les pièces semblent prêtes pour y vivre.

    L’installation de revêtement de sol est un travail qui demande beaucoup de précision. Si une moquette est trop grande pour l’espace de la pièce, elle peut bouchonner d’un côté ou ne pas s’ajuster correctement. Si elle est trop petite, elle laissera les côtés de la pièce sans revêtement. Dans ce travail, c’est très important de prendre des mesures précises, puisque faire des erreurs peut causer beaucoup de problèmes. Si la moquette a besoin d’être réinstallée, ça peut coûter très cher et prendre beaucoup de temps.

    En plus de savoir prendre de bonnes mesures, le poseur de moquette doit comprendre les différences entre les divers types de sols et de moquettes. Certaines moquettes peuvent demander des colles plus fortes que d’autres pour coller au sol. Le poseur de moquette a besoin de pouvoir évaluer le sol et le revêtement pour en choisir le bon qui va s’assembler correctement.

    C’est important de préparer le sol et la moquette. Autrement, la colle au dos de la moquette n’adhèrera pas au sol. Le poseur de moquette peut avoir besoin de poncer les parties rugueuses du bois ou en coller certains endroits avant de poser la moquette.

    La majorité du travail du poseur de moquette se fait à l’intérieur, sauf pour quelques balcons ou terrasses. En général, la météo n’est pas un critère, mais la majorité se fait, malgré tout, pendant les mois plus chauds lorsque la construction est en pleine activité. L’hiver, lorsque les projets sont moins nombreux, le poseur de moquette pourrait probablement trouver un autre emploi si c’est possible. Au plus fort de la construction, cette personne de métier pourrait devoir faire des heures supplémentaires, mais en général, elle travaille quarante heures et cinq jours par semaine.

    Pour devenir poseur de moquette, il faut effectuer un apprentissage, bien que certaines personnes apprennent le travail sur le tas. L’apprentissage est de six mille heures, divisées en six parts égales. Environ quatre-vingt-dix pour cent de la formation sont consacrés à la pratique, le reste se fait en classe.

    Les postulants pour l’apprentissage ont besoin, au minimum, de la 10e année d’école secondaire ou de l’équivalent et d’avoir au moins seize ans. Pour ce travail, comme pour beaucoup d’autres emplois, des compétences en mathématiques et en anglais sont importantes. C’est également important d’avoir un dos musclé pour pouvoir se baisser ainsi qu’une assez bonne vue, avec ou sans lunettes.

    Le salaire pour l’apprenti commence à 21 $ l’heure et peut monter jusqu’à 37 $ la dernière année. Le poseur pleinement formé gagne en général 19 $ l’heure ou 27 000 $ par année au début de sa carrière et peut gagner jusqu’à 35 $ l’heure ou 133 000 $ par année à la fin. Le travail peut être exigeant physiquement et la personne peut changer pour un travail plus administratif ou de supervision lorsqu’elle vieillit.

    Les perspectives d’emploi dans la pose de moquette reposent sur l’économie et d’autres éléments. Les grands centres urbains ont probablement plus d’emplois que de plus petites localités, mais le travail peut se trouver n’importe où. Au fur et à mesure que les employés plus vieux s’en vont en retraite, plus d’emplois deviendront disponibles. Les moquettes s’usent et ont besoin d’être remplacées même lorsque la construction ralentit, mais ce genre de travail peut être limité.

    La pose de moquette peut être un travail difficile, mais intéressant. Si vous êtes manuel, il pourrait être parfait pour vous.

     

    Bibliographie :

    Careers in Construction. “Floor Covering Installer.” https://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/floor-covering-installer.

    College of Carpenters and Applied Trades. “Floor Covering Apprenticeship.” https://www.theccat.ca/floor-covering-apprenticeship/.

    Job Bank. “Floor Covering Installer in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/21553/ca.

    Payscale Canada. “Carpet Installer: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Carpet_Installer/Hourly_Rate.

  • Préparer de bonnes références

    Qu’est-ce que sont des références ?

    Lorsque vous postulez pour un emploi, des références sont des personnes en qui vous avez confiance de donner une bonne évaluation sur vous. Selon la situation, des références peuvent être toute personne comme votre ancien patron, un enseignant ou même un ami. Voyez cela comme lorsque vous achetez quelque chose en ligne : une évaluation en ligne vous aide à avoir une meilleure idée de l’article et des références font la même chose pour vous envers les employeurs.

    Vous pouvez avoir beaucoup de références, mais c’est important d’en avoir de bonnes. Lorsque vous rencontrez des employeurs, c’est mieux de présenter vos qualités que vos défauts. Vous ne voulez pas choisir comme références des personnes avec qui vous ne vous entendez pas. Non seulement de bonnes références ont une bonne opinion de vous, mais ce sont des gens qui vous connaissent bien.

    Quelles sont les sortes de référence ?

    Il existe deux sortes de références : professionnelles et personnelles.

    Les références professionnelles sont les personnes avec qui vous avez travaillé comme les patrons, les superviseurs ou les collègues. Ces personnes ont été en contact avec vous grâce au travail ou au bénévolat. Si vous êtes étudiant, les employeurs ne s’attendent pas à ce que vous ayez des références professionnelles. Si vous n’avez jamais travaillé, le bénévolat est une autre bonne possibilité pour obtenir des références professionnelles.

    Les références personnelles sont des personnes qui n’ont pas travaillé avec vous, mais qui peuvent quand même bien détailler vos qualités. C’est important de ne pas choisir des membres de votre famille comme références parce qu’ils sont plus susceptibles de donner de bons détails sur vous… même si vous n’est pas un bon travailleur.

    Des exemples de références personnelles sont des enseignants, des amis, des voisins ou des entraîneurs. Si vous n’avez pas d’expériences de travail ou de bénévolat, des références personnelles peuvent quand même vous aider.

    Comment prépare-t-on de bonnes références ?

    1. Demandez la permission

    Avant que quelqu’un puisse être vos références, vous devriez vous assurer qu’il est d’accord. Habituellement, vous donnez à l’employeur le nom des références, leur numéro de téléphone, leur adresse courriel et ce qu’ils sont : votre enseignant, votre ancien patron, ou votre ami. Ne donnez pas les coordonnées de vos références sans leur accord. Non seulement cela pourrait être compliqué pour elles, mais elles ont besoin de temps pour préparer ce qu’elles vont dire.

    1. Parlez du poste à vos références

    Pour que vos références soient efficaces, vous avez besoin de leur donner des détails sur le poste pour lequel vous postulez. Imaginez passer un examen sans même en connaître le sujet : c’est ce que ressentent des références qui doivent écrire une lettre de recommandation sans être préparé. C’est important non seulement de leur parler du poste, mais c’est bien également de leur expliquer où vous en êtes. Sont-elles un bon choix pour ce poste ? Expliquer à vos références les compétences que vous avez et dont elles devraient être au courant avant de parler à l’employeur.

    1. Remercier vos références

    Lorsque quelqu’un est d’accord pour être vos références, il choisit de faire un travail qu’il n’est pas obligé d’effectuer. Il fait un travail supplémentaire pour vous. Les références devraient être remerciées pour leur temps et leurs efforts. Ne pas le faire détériorerait la relation que vous avez avec elles et elles auraient moins l’envie de le faire la fois suivante. Remercier vos références signifie que vous savez qu’elles font quelque chose de sympathique pour vous et que vous les respectez.

     

    Sources :

    Doyle, Alison. “What Is a Personal Reference?” The Balance Careers, 9 June 2021, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-a-personal-reference-2062060. Accessed 12 Apr. 2022.

    Indeed Editorial Team. “Tips For Choosing The Best Job References.” Indeed Career Guide, 28 Feb. 2021. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/choosing-best-job-references. Accessed 12 Apr. 2022.

    “What Is A Reference? Who Would Make A Good Reference?” Volunteer Toronto, 11 July 2016, https://www.volunteertoronto.ca/blogpost/1302191/251606/What-Is-A-Reference-Who-Would-Make-A-Good-Reference. Accessed 12 Apr. 2022.

  • Le spécialiste en relations publiques

    Si vous marchez dans la rue principale de votre ville ou votre localité, vous verrez probablement toutes sortes d’entreprises. Pour certaines d’entre elles, une publicité dans le journal local est suffisante. Pourtant, parfois, les services d’un spécialiste en relations publiques pourraient être efficaces. Si vous aimez aborder les gens et les aider à mieux connaître les entreprises ou les services, vous pourriez envisager de devenir spécialiste en relations publiques.

    Supposons que vous vouliez acheter quelque chose de particulier, mais n’êtes pas sûr du meilleur endroit pour le faire. Vous pourriez rechercher des informations en ligne ou vérifier de la publicité sur papier. L’information que vous trouverez pourrait être le travail d’un spécialiste en relations publiques. Dans ce domaine, les gens écrivent des rapports, des discours, de l’information pour des sites web et d’autres sortes de documents pour renseigner le public sur des entreprises ou autres organismes.

    En plus d’écrire des documents d’information, le spécialiste en relations publiques planifie des ateliers, des activités de collecte de fonds, des cérémonies et d’autres évènements. Préparer des entrevues et des conférences de presse fait partie aussi de son travail. Il peut assister personnellement à ces évènements, mais il peut laisser le travail à d’autres personnes, comme les responsables d’entreprises qu’ils représentent.

    Rester en contact avec les médias est important. Dans cette profession, les gens doivent bien représenter l’entreprise pour que le public puisse obtenir des renseignements qui les aident à prendre de bonnes décisions. Parfois, le spécialiste en relations publiques doit gérer des situations négatives, comme, par exemple, lorsque le propriétaire de l’entreprise est surpris à faire quelque chose d’illégal, mais le travail est souvent d’aider les gens à avoir une bonne impression d’une entreprise ou d’un organisme.

    En général, le spécialiste en relations publiques travaille des heures normales, mais il peut avoir à travailler le soir et le week-end. Le travail se fait à l’intérieur, mais pour certains évènements, il peut être effectué dans des parcs ou d’autres endroits à l’extérieur. Dans ce domaine, la capacité de bien communiquer est importante ainsi que l’endurance pour les longues heures que le spécialiste en relations publiques doit parfois effectuer.

    Les exigences de formations pour le spécialiste en relations publiques sont variables, mais habituellement, il faut un baccalauréat en relations publiques. Dans ce domaine, certaines personnes peuvent travailler après juste quelques cours, d’autres obtiennent une maîtrise et un doctorat, mais chaque emploi est légèrement différent.

    En général, le salaire annuel pour le spécialiste en relations publiques commence autour de 40 000 $ et peut monter jusqu’à 72 000 $. L’expérience rend le travail plus facile, surtout en rencontrant d’autres spécialistes en relations publiques et en découvrant d’autres façons de communiquer avec le public. Cette profession peut se faire tout au long de la vie professionnelle, mais les compétences acquises dans ce domaine peuvent être utilisées pour d’autres sortes d’emploi, comme l’enseignement ou la vente.

    La préparation pour le travail de spécialiste en relations publiques commence à l’école secondaire ou même plus tôt. Des cours en anglais permettent d’apprendre à bien écrire et des cours en gestion donnent l’occasion aux étudiants de comprendre ce qui fait le succès d’une entreprise. Des cours en mathématiques ou en comptabilité peuvent être également utiles.

    Le spécialiste en relations publiques fait un travail important en mettant en contact les entreprises et le public. Si vous choisissez cette carrière, vous pourriez faire une différence pour beaucoup de gens.

     

    Bibliographie :

    Canadian Public Relations Society. “Pathways to the Profession.” https://www.cprs.ca/getattachment/Certifications/Post-Secondary-Programs/Post-Secondary-Programs_Pathways-to-the-Profession_2018_Eng.pdf.aspx?lang=en-CA

    The Chang School of Continuing Education. “Public Relations.” https://continuing.ryerson.ca/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=198753

    Job Bank. “Public Relations Specialist in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/20976/ca.

    Payscale Canada. “Public Relations (PR) Specialist.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Public_Relations_(PR)_Specialist/Salary.

  • Est-ce les études postsecondaires à distance, aident les étudiants en situation de handicap ?

    Maintenant que nous sommes, au Canada, dans la troisième année de la pandémie de COVID-19, les différents types de formations donnent aux étudiants un sentiment d’accessibilité et de restriction. Certains préfèrent l’apprentissage en ligne, d’autres préfèrent les cours en personne, mais ce n’est pas un choix qu’ils peuvent faire eux-mêmes. Puisque les restrictions de la COVID-19 changent à tout moment, ils doivent malheureusement être prêts à déplacer leur environnement d’études.

    Pour les étudiants en situation de handicap, qui bénéficient déjà d’accommodements, le déplacement de l’environnement des classes ajoute des problèmes. Cependant, pour certains d’entre eux, la mise en place du choix à distance peut être avantageuse. Cela suscite une question :  quels sont exactement les avantages et les inconvénients des études à distance pour les étudiants ayant un handicap ?

    Comment les étudiants en situation de handicap gèrent-ils les études à distance ?

    Les étudiants avec un handicap font l’expérience des études en ligne de façon différente et pas seulement par rapport aux étudiants sans handicap. Leur vécu de l’apprentissage à distance repose sur la nature et l’importance du handicap.

    Par exemple, une personne ayant seulement un handicap physique a une expérience différente avec la formation à distance comparée à une personne qui a seulement des difficultés d’apprentissage. Par conséquent, la grande diversité de personnes et d’expériences signifie que les avantages et les inconvénients sont différents pour chacun.

    Les conditions avantageuses de l’apprentissage à distance

    Pour les étudiants en situation de handicap ou souffrants de douleurs chroniques, l’absence de déplacement peut être bénéfique. Pour certains étudiants, il leur faut peut-être sauter ou abandonner des classes parce que l’environnement en personne n’est pas accessible. En plus, il peut y avoir des cas dans lesquels leur handicap les empêche d’assister aux classes en personne régulièrement. Selon le cours, la participation assidue peut être nécessaire pour le réussir, mais ce n’est pas toujours possible.

    Participer à des cours, par écran d’ordinateur interposé, signifie que les étudiants avec un handicap physique peuvent gérer leur santé selon leurs besoins sans nuire à leurs études. Des édifices éventuellement inaccessibles et des déplacements fatigants ne sont plus des problèmes pouvant freiner leurs études.

    Les inconvénients des situations d’apprentissage à distance

    Pour les étudiants en situation de difficultés d’apprentissage, les études à distance ne sont pas toujours idéales. Beaucoup d’entre eux ont besoin d’un horaire répétitif qui reste le même : ça peut être difficile de s’adapter à n’importe quelle modification. En plus, l’apprentissage à distance signifie malheureusement un manque de soutien. Pour les étudiants qui ont besoin d’un soutien personnalisé, c’est plus difficile de l’obtenir dans un environnement en ligne.

    Par exemple, les étudiants souffrants de TDAH, peuvent obtenir des accommodements comme la possibilité de passer des examens dans une salle séparée et calme puisque les distractions perturbent l’apprentissage. Pour ceux qui doivent suivre les cours à la maison, un environnement tranquille n’est pas assuré. La possibilité d’assister aux cours en personne est, pour eux, une bonne solution.

    L’avenir de l’apprentissage à distance

    L’apprentissage à distance existait avant la pandémie. À plus petite échelle, il y avait un choix pour les étudiants postsecondaires. On espère que la pandémie deviendra endémique — lorsque le virus est encore là, mais ne se répand plus aussi rapidement qu’avant — mais le monde n’a pas encore atteint cette condition. À cause de l’état actuel de la pandémie, l’apprentissage à distance est probablement là pour rester.

    À travers le pays, beaucoup d’établissements postsecondaires rétablissent les cours en personne avec des modalités diverses. Certains ont enlevé la nécessité du port du masque et de la preuve de vaccination sur le campus, pendant que d’autres ont toujours ces précautions en place. Actuellement, aucune forme d’apprentissage ne satisfait tout le monde, mais on peut espérer qu’une sorte d’équilibre pourra être trouvé.

     

    Sources :

    “COVID-19: Updates for Canada’s Universities.” University Affairs, 13 Apr. 2022, https://www.universityaffairs.ca/news/news-article/covid-19-updates-for-canadas-universities/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

    DeClerq, Katherine, and Ashley Legassic. “‘It Ain’t Over:’ COVID-19 Won’t Become an Endemic until the World Is Vaccinated.” CTV News Toronto, 16 Feb. 2022, https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/it-ain-t-over-covid-19-won-t-become-an-endemic-until-the-world-is-vaccinated-1.5783291. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

    Loeppky, John. “With the Shift to Online Learning, Students with Disabilities Face New Barriers.” Macleans.ca, 1 Dec. 2020, https://www.macleans.ca/education/with-the-shift-to-online-learning-students-with-disabilities-face-new-barriers/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.

    Wong, Tiffany. “Remote Learning for Students with Disabilities.” Reach Canada, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.reach.ca/english/news/remote-learning-for-students-with-disabilities.htm. Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.

    Wotherspoon, Jennifer. “How Can Educators Support Students with LDs While Hybrid Learning?” LD@school: Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, 4 Feb. 2022, https://www.ldatschool.ca/ate-hybrid-learning/. Accessed 13 Apr. 2022.

  • Don’t Put Your Eggs in One Basket: The Pros and Cons of Juggling Two Jobs

    Don’t Put Your Eggs in One Basket: The Pros and Cons of Juggling Two Jobs

    Juggling two jobs may not be the easiest thing but it can be beneficial. Some people may be able to handle it, while others may not. If you are considering working two jobs, the following are lists of pros and cons, as well as tips for juggling two jobs.

    Pros of Having Two Jobs

    • Your Income Increases

    Working two jobs means that you will have more than one stream of income compared to when you were working one job. It can help relieve any financial stresses you may have. It is also a good way to save more money if you are trying to reach a goal.

    • Learn New Job Skills

    When working more than one job, you have the opportunity to refresh skills you haven’t used, as well as learn new ones. These skills could help improve your resume, which can help you with future jobs or careers. It can also help you learn more about yourself, and discover what you are good at and what you need to improve.

    • Help You Discover Your Dream Career

    Having a second job can give you more of an opportunity to discover your likes and dislikes. You should keep track of what you enjoy and don’t enjoy about each job. This may help you have an idea of what career you would like to pursue, or if the career you are pursuing is right for you.

    Cons of Having Two Jobs

    • Less Free Time

    While working two jobs, you will not have as much free time as you did when you were working one job. You will spend most of your time working. This may not be a con for those that are constantly bored and don’t have much to do during their free time.

    • Increased Stress

    Working two jobs can leave you feeling stressed. Having to go back and forth between two different work environments with completely different people can be overwhelming. It is important to recognize when you are feeling stressed and to find healthy solutions that can help you cope with your stress.

    • Feeling Drained of Your Energy

    Working two jobs can make you feel mentally and physically tired. With a busier schedule, you may not be getting as much sleep. Your body may eventually get used to your busy schedule but it may not be healthy for your mental and physical health. It is important to try to get as much rest as possible throughout the day.

    Tips for Juggling Two Jobs

    • Manage Your Time

    Time management may be difficult due to your busy schedule. Having a planner with your schedule and daily tasks can help you manage your time and stay organized. If possible, try to plan your week ahead of time for you to be aware and remember what you have to do that week.

    • Take Care of Yourself

    Your days may be so busy that you might forget to take some time to take care of yourself. Remember to eat healthy meals, stay hydrated, and get as much rest as you can throughout the day. Set reminders if you need to and check in with yourself each night before going to bed.

    • Carefully Choose Your Second Job

    If possible, your second job should be carefully selected. Try finding a job with a good wage that will help you build your skills. A job that is near your home or your other job is another thing you should look out for.

    • Stay in Touch with Friends and Family

    With your busy schedule, it is easy to become isolated. You may forget to check in with friends and family. When you have the extra time, call or text your friends and family to check in and catch up with them.

    As mentioned, working two jobs has its pros and cons. Whether or not one is able to handle both jobs depends on the person and their lifestyle. If you are considering working more than one job, take some time to reflect and make sure if it is best for you.

     

    Resources

    Dulin, Jon. “10 pros and cons of a second job you need to know.” Side Hustling Money. https://sidehustlingmoney.com/pros-and-cons-of-a-second-job/.

    Graham, Jerry. “Is a Second Job Worth It?” Kinda Frugal. https://www.kindafrugal.com/is-a-second-job-worth-it/.

    Hotmart. “Is taking on a second job worth it? Find out the pros and cons.” https://blog.hotmart.com/en/second-job/.

    Indeed. “15 Tips for Balancing Two Part-time Jobs.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-balance-two-part-time-jobs.

    Indeed. “How To Balance Working Two Jobs at Once.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/balance-working-two-jobs-at-once.

    Taute, Maria. “The Pros And Cons Of Having Two Jobs.” Odyssey. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/pros-and-cons-having-two-jobs.

  • Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products (French version available)

    Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products (French version available)

    At a grocery store, you can see all kinds of foods, including meat, fruit, and vegetables. Before the food gets there, graders and sorters work to divide the food into categories to send it to the right place. If you are a good observer and like to work with your hands, the job of grader and sorter for agricultural products might be right for you.

    In grocery stores, eggs come in different sizes and colours. Other products also come in different varieties, shapes, and sizes. Certain types of grain or other products also have various qualities. Some types are fit for people to eat, but others are suitable only for animals. Sorting through these types of agricultural products is important for keeping people safe and giving them products that they want.

    Graders and sorters work with unprocessed foods to sort into grades according to condition, size, weight, and colour. Any defective products, such as damaged fruit or eggs that have gone bad, go into the garbage or compost, but other products go into their own containers, where they might wait for further processing. Being able to estimate weight by feel is a useful ability, although scales are normally available for graders and sorters to use.

    Good vision with or without glasses is important for this work, but people also need to be observant. Sometimes, a small detail like a slight bruise on some fruit can make a difference to the grade of a product. Manual dexterity to be able to handle small and sometimes breakable objects is also essential. Physical stamina is helpful, since people in this career might need to stand for hours at a time, often at conveyor belts where they need to work steadily for long periods.

    Educational requirements can vary, but generally a high school diploma or the equivalent is necessary for this job. Mathematics and English skills are useful, and community college courses in agriculture could be helpful. In some cases, graders and sorters might need to supervise other workers, and business-related courses could be useful for those tasks. However, many people learn on the job.

    These days, food can come from almost anywhere in the world. Much of the work for graders and sorters of agricultural products is near farms or processing plants, but jobs can also be available at ports or border crossings. If a shipment comes in, graders and sorters might need to work long hours to get the products on their way, but generally the hours are fairly regular.

    Wages for graders and sorters begin at just under $16 per hour or $20,000 per year and can rise to more than $22.60 per hour or $36,000 per year. As people age, they might want to move into supervisory roles, but they can continue in this job as long as they are physically able.

    Being a problem solver is a good quality for people in this job. Sometimes, equipment might fail or a shipment might be late, and the worker will have to find a solution. Knowing at least the basics of how machines work can be helpful. Also, knowing how to manage other workers can open up new opportunities for other jobs related to grading and sorting. Even knowing how to deal with animals can be helpful.

    Working as a grader and sorter of agricultural products might not seem like a very exciting job, but it is important. Without these people working behind the scenes, it would be difficult for farmers to sell their food or the people to buy it. If this job appeals to you, why not consider exploring this option?

     

    Bibliography:

    CareerPlanner.com. “Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products.” https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Graders-and-Sorters-Agricultural-Products.cfm.

    Careers.org. “Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products.” http://www.job-hunt.careers.org/occupations/45-2041.00/graders-and-sorters-agricultural-products.

    My Next Move. “Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products.” https://www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/45-2041.00.

    Payscale Canada. Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Grader_%2F_Sorter%2C_Agricultural_Products/Hourly_Rate.

  • The Dangers of Always Being on Social Media and How to Beat the Addiction

    The Dangers of Always Being on Social Media and How to Beat the Addiction

    Social media consists of online platforms in which people can communicate with friends or family, as well as other people with similar interests. There are many social media sites. Commonly used sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Although social media can have its advantages, always being on social media can be harmful in many ways.

    Sleep Can Be Negatively Affected

    Using social media at night can affect the quality of your sleep. You might see something that could leave you feeling anxious, envious, or sad. These feelings could keep you up at night. The continuous lack of sleep can be harmful to your physical health. Try to replace the use of social media with another activity. Meditation, reading, and stretching are a few activities that can help you fall asleep. Also, try to keep your phone or any technology away from you to keep you from using social media at night.

    Special Moments Are Missed

    You may miss the special moments in your life if you are always spending your time on social media. At concerts or sporting events, a lot of people focus too much on taking pictures and videos to later post on social media. Although it is fine to capture the moment, it is also nice to live in the present. At gatherings, you may feel the urge to go on social media. Try to talk to others instead. It is important to communicate with others in person, in order to develop your social skills.

    You Compare Your Life to What You See Online

    Always looking at pictures and videos of other people’s lives can make you start comparing your life to theirs. You may begin feeling envious or upset and think that you and your life are not as great. It is important to remember that most people only post their highlights on social media. They may prefer not to post when they are having a bad day or not feeling confident with themselves. For this reason, you don’t get to see the low moments of those people’s lives. Try not to compare yourself and your life to posts you see on social media.

    Using Social Media Can Become an Addiction

    Social media apps can be addictive. When you open a social media app, you never know what posts you are going to see. The element of mystery will keep you coming back. You may even subconsciously open the apps and scroll for hours.

    If you think you may be addicted to social media, the following points can help you beat your addiction:

    • Turn off your notifications

    It can be very difficult to stay away from social media when your phone is always lighting up with new notifications. Turning off your notifications can help decrease the urge to always check what is happening online.

    • Avoid using your phone at night and in the morning

    Many of us have the urge to use our phones right before bed and check them right after we wake up. Before you sleep, keep your phone out of reach. This will help keep you from using it before going to sleep and picking it up after waking up.

    • Find a new hobby

    What did you enjoy doing before you had social media? Try to get back into old hobbies or find a new one! You could learn a new skill, learn to play an instrument, or even learn a new language. You will see how much free time you have when you aren’t scrolling through social media all day.

    • Deactivate or delete your accounts

    If you are having trouble fighting the urge to check your social media, you could temporarily deactivate your account or delete the apps off your phone. This is called a “digital detox”. If you think it is best, you could also permanently delete your accounts.

     

    Resources

    Avison, Phoebe, and Mia Mercado. “7 Easy Ways to Detach Yourself from Social Media.” Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/life/144893-7-ways-to-stop-your-social-media-addiction.

    Deveraux, McKay. “The Dangers of Social Media for Teens.” Outback Therapeutic Expeditions. https://www.outbacktreatment.com/the-dangers-of-social-media-for-teens/.

    nidirect. “Social media, online gaming and keeping children safe online.” https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/social-media-online-gaming-and-keeping-children-safe-online.

    Vanas, Dylan. “5 Dangers of Social Media.” Entrepreneur. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/377940.

    Ward, Isabella. “6 Ways to Beat Social Media Addiction.” Time to Log Off. https://www.itstimetologoff.com/2020/10/25/6-ways-to-beat-social-media-addiction/.

  • The Goal of High-Speed Internet Across Canada: The Universal Broadband Fund

    The Goal of High-Speed Internet Across Canada: The Universal Broadband Fund

    The internet remains an essential part of our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a stronger case for the internet’s critical role in people’s lives. The internet serves as a central tool, functioning as a way for people to connect with their social spaces.

    The importance of the internet — especially high-speed internet — in the world we live in today, is a large driving force behind Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund: The Government of Canada’s plan to provide high-speed internet to all Canadians by 2030.

    What is The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF)?

    The Universal Broadband Fund, or UBF, is an investment from the Government of Canada to support high-speed internet across the country. “High-speed internet” is defined as internet access with at least 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) download speed, and 10 Mbps upload speeds.

    $2.75 billion dollars will be put towards installing infrastructure dedicated to providing high-speed internet. This will be in the form of projects and programs, and for devices like satellites. The fund is projected to connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026, with 100% coverage by 2030.

    What is the Digital Divide?

    The gap between internet access in urban areas compared to their rural counterparts is called the “digital divide.” The COVID-19 pandemic especially made this divide more noticeable, with a lot of services transitioning online. For students, this may mean having to miss class; for employees, this may mean having to miss a meeting; for people in need of healthcare services, this may mean that they cannot connect with a healthcare professional.

    In 2020, Josh Tabish at The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) noted that Canadian internet service providers have neglected rural communities because they were not “worth it financially.” The UBF would help shoulder some of this cost that is demanded by internet service providers.

    Who Lacks High-Speed Internet Access?

    Almost 99% of Canadians living in urban areas have high-speed internet. However, this number is only 46% in rural areas, and only 35% within First Nations communities. For those who do have internet in those areas, the internet quality is often poor, yet more expensive.

    Four years ago, the average price for 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed was $88.02 CAD per month in rural communities; this price was $72.60 CAD per month for those who lived in urban communities. However, the price seems to have gone up overall: those in B.C.’s Chawathil First Nation during 2020 paid approximately $130 CAD per month for internet at 1 Mbsp download speed.

    The Future Goal

    With 2030 eight years away, there is still time for improvement. The gaps in internet accessibility need to be addressed not only in location, but also price and quality.

    Internet within rural communities lacks the improvement seen with its increasing pricey fees. In April 2020, CIRA found that internet download speeds in rural areas were 12 times slower than download speeds in urban areas. Hopefully the UBF will help Canadians within rural communities connect better, and with a quality that matches a more reasonable price.

     

    Sources:

    Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). “2018 Communications Services Pricing in Canada.” Communications Monitoring Report 2019, Government of Canada, 21 Jan. 2020, https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/policymonitoring/2019/cmr2.htm. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. British Columbians to Benefit from a Historic Plan with up to $830 Million toward Connecting All Remaining Rural Households in the Province to High-Speed Internet. Government of Canada, 8 Mar. 2022, https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2022/03/british-columbians-to-benefit-from-a-historic-plan-with-up-to-830-million-toward-connecting-all-remaining-rural-households-in-the-province-to-high-.html. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Universal Broadband Fund. Government of Canada, https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/139.nsf/eng/h_00006.html. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

    “New Internet Performance Data Shows the Staggering Scale of Canada’s Urban-Rural Digital Divide.” Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), 8 May 2020, https://www.cira.ca/node/8736. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.

    Stewart, Briar. “How COVID-19 Worsens Canada’s Digital Divide.” CBC News, 23 Sept. 2020, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/covid-19-highlights-urban-rural-digital-divide-1.5734167. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.

  • Canada Mental Health Week 2022

    Canada Mental Health Week 2022

    This year, Canada Mental Health Week runs from May 2nd to May 8th. This annual awareness week discusses the topic of mental illness and mental health. It draws attention to its importance, and how we can help ourselves and others who may be struggling. On the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) website, there is a toolkit directed at Canada Mental Health Week that includes infographics, social media post designs, posters, and many other things to help spread awareness. Not only this, but there is a helpful article section on the website to learn more about how to be empathetic and the power that lies within it.

    Empathy is the ability to understand and share feelings of another. This is when you put yourself into the other person’s shoes and try to feel what they are experiencing to help your understanding. However, this is not a trait you are born with; it can take time to learn and refine the skill. Empathy has much more to do with listening rather than trying to verbally make connections between experiences. The simple act of listening to someone tell their story and what they have struggled with helps break the stigma around mental illness. Listening without judgement creates a safe place to discuss these tricky subjects.

    Empathy is often mixed up with sympathy, but they are very different concepts. Sympathy is when you feel pity or sorrow for another person. Empathy and sympathy can often go hand in hand, however sympathy focuses more on your reaction to a situation rather than the other person’s emotions. Being sympathetic is not a bad thing! When it comes to mental health, sometimes the last thing a person struggling needs is to be pitied. Pity can cause a feeling of embarrassment and shame, which can create a more uncomfortable environment. Empathy is the key to opening up the conversation about mental health and giving a platform to those who are struggling.

    Mental health has been a large problem in my life. In the second grade I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, GAD, and ever since then I’ve been plagued with worry. Anxiety is something that runs in my family, so my diagnosis was not the end of the world. I learned quickly how to calm myself down and how large my comfort zone is. I made it my mission to help get rid of the stigma revolving around mental illness and help others open up and share their experiences. After so many years of facing this battle, I decided it was time for me to get medicated and start therapy. I was honestly ashamed at first. Why did I need all this extra help? Why can’t I just be normal? And that was when I figured out that normal is not a reliable idea.

    Everyone on this planet is vastly different. We all experience life in different ways and we have our own battles. I didn’t hear of many people talking about mental illness and mental health and how important it is. I took it upon myself to be transparent with my anxiety and create a space where I, and others, can open up about mental health. I was vocal about my medications and going to therapy, and soon after my friends opened up to me about their struggles. Multiple friends told me about their own mental health struggles and they gave therapy a shot as well. I had complete strangers contact me on social media sharing their own stories. Being vulnerable was probably the scariest thing I have ever done. But hearing from all of these people who didn’t feel safe talking until now, made it all worth it. Being empathetic and receiving that empathy back from others made such a welcoming space, and it felt amazing to feel like I was not alone in this. Canada Mental Health Week is furthering this stigma breaking and helping people like myself feel accepted with our struggles.

    This boundary breaking must continue to keep this conversation going. Be vulnerable, be empathetic, and be kind. Reach out to the people you love and let them know you’re there for them. This is a time to help each other and be better when it comes to mental health awareness.

     

    Sources

    Canada Mental Health Association. “Mental Health Week.” https://www.mentalhealthweek.ca/.

  • Juggling Two Jobs: How to Handle the Decision and the Work

    Juggling Two Jobs: How to Handle the Decision and the Work

    Taking another job is not what most people want to do in their free time. Sometimes, these situations arise out of necessity rather than a person’s wants.

    It can be for multiple reasons such as needing more income, wanting more variety in your work, or wanting more job security.

    While the pandemic has made holding multiple jobs even easier with remote options, some Canadians worked many jobs before more workplaces became remote. In 2018, almost 6% of Canadians worked two or more jobs.

    When faced with the decision to take another job, how do people come up with their answer? With many factors to consider such as availability, location, and pay, the thought process can be overwhelming. To lay out the advantages and disadvantages of working multiple jobs, here are some points to consider:

    Advantages of Taking Another Job

    1. An Opportunity to Make More Money

    It seems simple enough: the more jobs that you work, the more money that you make. Additionally, adding another job to your schedule ensures better job security. Not every job is reliable, and some people need constant income as time goes on.

    1. An Opportunity to Try Something New

    No fixed rule says that every job needs to be in the same field of work. A second job can be your chance to explore a new field. You can be a writer by day, and a truck driver by night. Not only does trying a new type of job expand your thinking, but you can also gain new skills. Superheroes are not the only people that can enjoy dual lives!

    1. An Opportunity to Meet New People

    Another job means another social circle. This is a chance to make new connections! Expanding your number of connections is a good chance to form important relationships. You never know when someone can make a good friend or a good future reference.

    Disadvantages of Taking Another Job

    1. Too Many Jobs, Too Little Time

    During the 24 hours each day, there is only so much that someone can do. Ask yourself if the additional pay is worth working more hours. Depending on if your job is considered part-time (working less than 30 hours per week) or full-time (more than 30 hours per week), the added hours may be too much to handle.

    1. The Risk of Burnout

    Having so much work to do is not only time-consuming, but stressful. You risk burnout, an exhausting feeling, which is not only unhealthy but also poorly affects your job performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes burnout as something that evolves from work life, if not dealt with correctly. It is important to prevent burnout because it can happen multiple times. The continuous strain on your body is not good long-term.

    1. Worse Quality of Work

    Related to the risk of burnout, going from one job immediately to another is not so simple. If there are no breaks in between, the quality of the work you do is going to suffer. You could produce brilliant results at the first job, and horrible results at the second job, because you started with 50% of your energy. If you lack time, you could be stuck in a loop of making terrible work.

    Tips for Handling Two Jobs

    1. Try to Find a Job with Flexibility

    More flexibility in a second job means that you have more time to plan a schedule. Remote jobs are some of the best options for flexibility. There is no travel time! You will have more time in between your two jobs, as well as potential time to yourself. Some remote jobs do not have fixed work hours, so you can still reasonably plan your own schedule.

    1. Plan a Goal

    Each job is a stepping stone to a goal. While it can be tough to handle two jobs sometimes, remember that it does not have to be like this forever. A goal helps keep your motivation in check. The excitement of inching closer and closer to the finish line motivates people to keep going.

    1. Keep an Organized Schedule

    If you take on multiple jobs, your personal schedule will become busier. To make sure that you keep track of everything, write down a schedule. Keeping a planner, writing down reminders in your phone, or keeping a desk calendar are just some ways to plan and visualize your schedule.

     

    Sources:

    Augustine, Avery. “How to Balance Multiple Jobs (and Your Personal Life, Too!).” The Muse, https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-balance-multiple-jobs-without-losing-your-mind. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

    Buhl, Larry. “Moonlight: Pros and Cons of a Second Job.” Monster, https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/moonlighting-pros-and-cons-of-a-second-job-hot-jobs. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

    “Career Burnout.” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/career-burnout. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

    Moore, Dene. “Worker Burnout Is Becoming Endemic and It’s Everyone’s Job to Treat It.” The Globe and Mail, 7 Feb. 2022, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/future-of-work/article-worker-burnout-is-becoming-endemic-and-its-everyones-job-to-treat-it/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

    Postmedia News. “1 Million Canadians Juggling Jobs, Working 50-Hour Weeks: StatsCan.” Toronto Sun, 30 Oct. 2019, https://torontosun.com/business/money-news/1-million-canadians-juggling-jobs-working-50-hour-weeks-statscan. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

    “TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT IN B.C.” WorkBC, https://www.workbc.ca/jobs-careers/explore-careers/types-of-employment-in-bc.aspx. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.