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Category: Campus Life

  • Everyone Deserves R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: Embracing Other’s Beliefs and Values

    Everyone Deserves R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: Embracing Other’s Beliefs and Values

    Ask anyone what they know about Canada, and most of them will tell you that apart from it being one of the most beautiful countries in the world with the breathtaking natural landscapes and amazing cityscapes, Canada is also well known for being one of the most multicultural and diverse countries in the world.

    This means that no matter what corner you live in or study at, you’ll always be bound to come across individuals who are from a different culture than you are. However, multicultural does not only pertain to ethnicity or background or place of origin although this is the common misconception. It also refers to gender, class, mental capabilities, physical abilities, age, values, and religious and spiritual beliefs.

    Differences in beliefs and values are two of the most common causes for divide or separation as living in Canada has already exposed the large population to different ethnicities and races and has thus flourished acceptance. However, disparities in beliefs and values are more challenging to accept but not impossible, of course. Here are some pointers to help you become more embracing of other people’s beliefs and values different from your own:

    Be aware of who you are.

    As teenagers, of course, we are still discovering who we are and what we can offer the world once we become adults. However, as teenagers, you already have a good idea of your own belief and value system although it is incomplete. You already know what you are capable and not capable of, and you are already aware of what you are willing to do or not willing to do. This is not to say that we are closing to being influenced, however, with self-awareness, you can make well-informed decisions yourself and can acknowledge where you stand when it comes to topics and issues and you don’t try to be a people-pleaser.

    Keep an open mind.

    In an extremely diverse Canadian society, it’s highly recommended that you keep an open mind. You will always be running into someone who does not have the same beliefs or values as you do, and you should train your mind to be okay with that and have an open mind. Don’t force anyone to change themselves for you as you don’t want yourself to change for anyone, right? For example, not everyone celebrates Christmas and not everyone believes in gift-giving during this holiday and you can’t force a change in them if that is what they have been accustomed to. Let them be, and respect their decision.

    Know that differences are a catalyst for growth and change.

    Have you ever thought about what if everyone is the same with their values and beliefs because they are controlled that you can’t tell anyone apart and deviation is highly discouraged? This is the idea of the novel “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, which of course did not end well. If we all are the same, then we will find ourselves as stagnant and without purpose because there is dormancy for us to acquire additional knowledge or wisdom or greater understanding of life, things that we can only obtain if we immerse ourselves in different cultures. The contrasts are what fuel us to aim for additional learning and enrichment of our overall well-being.

    Don’t rely on stereotypes.

    Remember the Oscar award-winning animated film “Zootopia”? Yes, most of us think that animated movies are for kids, but this one served an important life lesson: it is time to get rid of stereotypes. While the film’s supposed breakdown of stereotypes is played for amusement (it is a cartoon, after all)—for example, the title character, Judy Hopps, is a fluffy, cutesy bunny who showed she has the courage of a lion, and a secondary character, Clawhauser, a donut-loving cheetah who’s the most friendly in the police precinct—they point out we can’t make assumptions of one’s character or attitude because of their appearance. We have to learn there is more that lies beneath.

    It’s not easy to be completely accepting of people who hold different values and beliefs, but if we put an effort to it, we can do it. Living in harmony is not about being one and the same in everything; it is acknowledging the differences among all of us and yet striving to make everything work despite of it.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.bcm.edu/news/psychiatry-and-behavior/the-importance-of-respecting-other-cultures

    http://www.goodchoicesgoodlife.org/choices-for-young-people/r-e-s-p-e-c-t/

    http://www.lifecoachexpert.co.uk/acceptingotherpeopledifferences.html

    http://thedreamcatch.com/accept-other-peoples-differences/

    https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/How-to-Accept-and-Respect-other-Cultures

  • Get That Stamp of Approval: Preparing Recommendation Letters

    Get That Stamp of Approval: Preparing Recommendation Letters

    Completing scholarship applications is often a tenuous process for students, requiring a lot of patience and determination. However, once the goal is obtained, the rewards are priceless. Often, one of the requirements in scholarship applications include letters of recommendation, similar to when one seeks employment or applying to graduate school and is required to present references who can attest to their experience, skills, and talent. The references are often employers, teachers, instructors, counsellors, mentors, and advisors.

    If you’re new to the world of recommendation letters, it does seem daunting to accomplish at first. When you know exactly how the process works, however, you’ll be surprised why you were worried in the first place. Read below for pointers on getting recommendation letters.

    Check how many recommendation letters you’d need.

    Some organizations or institutions may only require one, while others at least three or more. It is best to check with them first on how many you’d need before proceeding to the next step. Make a list of all the possible referees you could have and arrange them according to the one whom you think can put you in the best light possible. This means those whom you have not only an ideal professional working relationship with but also share a genuine friendship with. On your list, have at least two or three back up in case the others do not pan out.

    Verify the timelines and method of delivery.

    It’s important to check the deadline for submission for the recommendation letters so you can inform the referees ahead of time. Ideally, they will need to be informed at least a month before the deadline. Informing them a week or two is a definite no-no. Remember, even though you are close to them or some of them, you have to show that you respect their time and thus you are giving them enough time to write the letter.

    Also check if the referees can send their recommendation letters directly or if they have to come through you. The former is actually the preferred method as reviewers or admissions committees consider the direct ones to hold more weight as they are confidential and are thus more honest and accurate.

    Ask formally via a letter or email.

    Simply casually mentioning to a referee that you would like a recommendation letter from them as if you are asking them what their favourite colour is highly discouraged. Remember, they are not obliged to provide you this letter, and they can easily refuse if they feel they are not asked properly. The best way to ask is by handing them a letter of request or sending them an email about your request and confirming they have received it afterward.

    Be clear with the content requirements.

    Whether you plan to request via a printed letter or an email, ensure that you are clear on what you need from them, including the timelines, and you make them aware of your target and goals and what aspect about you can they best mention, such as a project you’ve done or volunteer experience you’ve accomplished that you are most proud of. Letting them know that they can include personal observations of you can add a more personal touch, like how you handled a conflict in class, etc.

    Also, it helps if you can make time to arrange a brief meeting with them in case there are needs for clarification. If they agree, schedule it according to their convenience, not yours.

    Follow up when necessary.

    If you have not heard back from a potential referee for a week after you’ve formally handed your request, it is okay to follow up through a simple email or a brief phone call (if you have their number). However, again, no one is obligated to write you a letter so you should not be demanding. Do follow up when necessary but make sure to do it in the most courteous and respectful way possible and nicely remind them of the timelines. Remember they have demanding schedules and for sure other students have asked the same of them, so a little reminder goes a long way.

    Don’t forget to say thank you.

    Once they’ve informed you they’ve completed the recommendation letters, offer your appreciation by a simple handwritten thank you note or an email. Include in your note that you will make sure to keep in touch and keep them posted on what the result will be for your application so they feel they are part of the process too.

    So there you go! Getting recommendation letters is not a tangled web of a process as many would like to believe once you know what goes through it. So follow the steps above and get the ball rolling on those recommendation letters for your application. Good luck!

    SOURCES:

    https://www.petersons.com/college-search/letter-recommendation-how-ask.aspx

    https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/your-high-school-record/how-to-get-a-great-letter-of-recommendation

    https://www.princetonreview.com/business-school-advice/letters-of-recommendation

  • Careers in Social Justice

    Careers in Social Justice

    When you see a homeless person begging on the street, you might walk by quickly or you might decide to do something to help. If the second one is your choice, you might be suited to a career in social justice. If you are very much concerned about fairness and helping your community, you can find many different careers in social justice where you can help others.

    Many different jobs are related to helping other people. Medical careers, for example, help people when they are injured or sick. Teaching helps children and adults learn what they need to know for all kinds of daily tasks and for getting good jobs. However, careers in social justice give a different kind of help.

    Suppose an immigrant comes to Canada and was a doctor in their previous country, but could not find work here despite being well trained. Someone working as a social justice lawyer could help this person to get the right documents here to be able to work as a doctor. Or suppose that an employer refused to pay workers for some extra work that they did; a labour advocate could try to convince the employer to give the employees what they deserve.

    Two of the most common areas with careers in social justice are in law firms and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Human rights lawyers sometimes work with government agencies to help change bad laws and to make sure that people receive the help they need. Another important area where lawyers work is in dealing with unjust imprisonments. For example, when a Canadian teenager named Omar Khadr was imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay by American authorities, a Winnipeg lawyer managed to help him get back to Canada. Another Canadian citizen, the journalist Mohamed Fahmy, was able to return to Canada with the help of a human rights lawyer.

    Law firms are very important in the field of human rights, but nongovernmental organizations are also good places to find work in social justice. Many of these organizations work in areas like poverty reduction and helping people find jobs. They might help people start small businesses or open up homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

    Generally, NGOs do more than just trying to deal with the surface problems, like giving out food and warm clothes. They also try to change the systems that keep people poor and in need. Some people work as advocates for many different marginalized groups in society. They might write articles, meet with government officials and business leaders, or give talks to community groups and other organizations.

    Working in social justice can be very rewarding but also frustrating, especially when progress seems to stall. People working in this field need to enjoy what they do and be able to deal with disappointment. In nongovernmental organizations, salaries can be quite low, depending on where they get their funding. Lawyers tend to be well paid, but the work they do in social justice might be different. Whatever the pay, however, a career in social justice can be a good choice.

    Bibliography:

    John Glenn College of Public Affairs. “Career Opportunities in Social Justice.” http://glenn.osu.edu/career/guides-resources/careerguides/Career-Opportunities-in-Social-Justice.pdf

    Joshee, Reva. “Opportunities for Social Justice Work: The Ontario Diversity Policy Web.” http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/isp/UserFiles/File/OpportunitiesForSocialJusticeWork.pdf

    Social Work Degree Guide. “5 Jobs for Those Committed to Social Justice.” https://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/lists/5-jobs-for-those-committed-to-social-justice/

    University of Windsor. “The Social Justice Path.” http://www.uwindsor.ca/law/544/social-justice-path.

  • Career Profile: Tile Setter

    Career Profile: Tile Setter

    So you know that you want to enter the trades, but you’re still not sure what trade you might like the most. Here’s one to think about: the terrazzo (which is a funny word for a speckled floor made out of chips of marble, quartz, granite, and glass), tile and marble setter. What these tradesmen do is they set different terrazzo, tile, and marble patterns down in buildings to cover the inner walls, the floors, or the outside walls. To take up this job, you need to be able to mix and place mortar (a paste that helps tiles stick to walls and floors) and cement down to keep tiles in place when setting them down; be able to measure a workable area before laying tile down; be able to remove and replace broken tiles; know how to use power tools that are needed in the job – and how to do all of this work safely.

    What are the perks of the job?

    As a novice terrazzo, tile, and marble setter, you can expect an entry-level salary of around $37,473 and an intermediate salary of about $74,611. As with any trade, a career like this also has a very positive outlook, meaning you will very likely get a job after training in this field. Most marble setters enter the building finishing industry where workers join a union. Terrazzo, tile, and marble setters can also be self-employed, which means they work at their own business and make their own money. Another perk that most people entering the trades enjoy is that the education and training not only costs you nothing – but you actually get paid while taking an apprenticeship program!

    What are some of the setbacks?

    There are a few issues people might have with the idea of becoming a terrazzo, marble, and tile setter and that’s the amount of work involved. The working day isn’t the usual 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM work day, you only get to go home after the job is done. The lack of certainty in the hours and the amount of hard work in this career could be a problem for some people. The industry could also do poorly sometimes which would cause marble setters to go unemployed for certain periods of time.

    How can I grow with this career?

    There are a few ways to be promoted in this career: being hired by a construction company, residential and industrial building developers and masonry contractors presents its own chain of promotion capabilities. Another way to move up in this career is to become your own boss and start a tile setting business. Being self-employed has its own risks, but the reward can be very high if your business does well. You can even hire your own group of terrazzo, tile, and marble setters and expand your business.

    That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

    The skills that you gain from working as a terrazzo, tile, and marble setter can be used for many other trade-related careers like bricklaying, cement masonry, marble masonry, cement and concrete finishing, drywall finisher, floor covering installer, construction craft-worker, and restoration mason.

    All in all, being a terrazzo, tile, and marble setter has a very good future in the trades industry and requires a lot of physical work, which can appeal to a lot of people.

    Reference:

    Truity, “Tile or Marble Setter”: https://www.truity.com/career-profile/tile-or-marble-setter

    ApprenticeSearch.com, “What does a terrazzo, tile and marble setter do?”: http://www.apprenticesearch.com/AboutTrades/GetTradeDetails?tradeId=101&

  • How to Get a Great Scholarship Recommendation Letter

    How to Get a Great Scholarship Recommendation Letter

    Letters of recommendation are an essential part of many scholarship applications.  They provide a way for the scholarship award committee to learn about you from people who know you personally, and can vouch for your academic abilities and your suitability for your chosen college or university program.

    Recommendation letters, also known as reference letters, can have a significant effect on your chances of winning a scholarship, so it’s important to understand how to get the best letter you possibly can.

    These four tips will help ensure you receive a great recommendation letter:

    Ask Someone Who Knows You Well

    You want to be sure and ask for recommendation letters from people who know you well.  However, you should not ask family members or close friends, since a scholarship committee will not consider these letters to be impartial.

    Your best option is to ask teachers, employers, the leader of your church/temple/mosque, or another community organization.  You want someone who can speak to your academic skills and how they will relate to your studies, and who can talk about your personal qualities that make you a deserving recipient of the scholarship.

    Give Them Lots of Time to Write

    Chances are, anyone you ask for a letter will be busy, and might even have multiple letter requests, so it’s important to give them at least 3-4 weeks notice before the scholarship deadline when you ask for your letter.

    This ensures that they will have lots of time to complete the letter and either send it directly to the scholarship committee, or return it to you. This is also to make sure they don’t have to rush and can take the time to write a positive and detailed letter.

    Provide All the Details of the Scholarship

    Asking someone to write you a letter isn’t enough on its own.  To get a letter that best demonstrates why you’re ideal for the scholarship, it’s vital to provide all the details the letter writer will need to know.

    The information you should provide your letter writer includes details of the scholarship and its requirements, info about your school and program of study, as well as a sample of your writing or other work, depending on the scholarship.

    This way, the letter writer will be able to highlight the right aspects of your qualifications.

    Remember to Express Your Thanks

    Always follow up with your letter providers to express your thanks for their willingness to give you a recommendation.  Not only is this polite, but it will leave things on a good note that can be useful if you ever need to ask them for another letter or reference in the future.

    Handwritten thank you notes are the best way to let them know, as it is personal and shows that you value their help.  It’s also a nice touch for you to update them after receiving the scholarships you applied for.

    Sources:

    https://www.petersons.com/college-search/letter-recommendation-how-ask.aspx

    http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/scholarships/tips/recommendations.html

    https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/2013/03/07/6-ways-to-get-great-scholarship-recommendation-letters

  • What You Can Do with an English BA

    What You Can Do with an English BA

    It takes a simple Google search to see just how many people search what to do with an English degree. For the most part, people already think that the arts is more of a hobby than anything else, English included. Apparently, reading is for the bath and long commutes. “What are you going to do with that?” “Are you planning on becoming a teacher?” “You know, English majors don’t really get anywhere.” “Only one in a million writers make it.” You don’t even need to be an English major to hear these things; just the thought of it welcomes unsupportive opinions.

    Well, as an English major, I’m here to tell you that that there are plenty of things you can do with an English degree besides being a teacher. If you have some inkling as to where you’d like to go for university of college, they usually have a list of jobs available for each program. For example, I graduated from the University of Toronto and if you head over to their website, they have a list of career options available for my degree. Some of the job suggestions include print journalist, fundraiser, editor, marketing researcher, director, insurance broker, lawyer, and librarian. The list includes dozens of suggestions.

    There are also plenty of people who have written about their experiences online to give you some inspiration that yes, it’ll be tough, but you also won’t be unemployed and wishing you had done what your parents suggested. Selloutyoursoul.com is a great blog that has been updated recently to include more positions for those enrolled or recently graduated from the humanities. News reporters, copywriters, public relations, and corporate blogger are just a few of the suggestions available. The suggestions also come with good tips for breaking into specific fields. So, if you’re looking at journalism, the blog suggests: “before getting a job you need to understand the principles of journalism. And being a smart writer with interesting ideas for articles helps. Be sure to get some writing samples together.”

    It may seem a little disheartening to know that so many people have researched what to do with an English major, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get a career with a degree in English. A lot of people before you have wondered the same thing, which is why there are so many options available for researching your future career path.

    It’s important to do your research. It’s important to speak to someone to who has the experience not only in your field but also as an English major. One piece of advice I would give is that you should get some experience in as early as you can. I was on my student paper for five years and it may not seem like much but it’s such a great stepping stone for bigger things. You don’t just learn journalistic practices either. You learn marketing, team management, event planning, administrative techniques, and copy editing. Even if you were to volunteer with a club on campus that’s designed for writers or English majors, you’re bound to learn something from them as well like how to work well with a team, plan events, coordinating events, and being a part of a community that has similar interests.

    But, hands down, the most important thing is to do your research. Speak to someone who graduated from an English program. Speak to someone in the field. Read about people who made something of themselves. You might surprise yourself with how many options are available.

    Sources:

    http://www.selloutyoursoul.com/2011/12/19/jobs-for-english-majors/

    https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/english

    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/careers-by-major-english

  • CBC Podcast for High School Students

    CBC Podcast for High School Students

    CBC has introduced a new podcast, specifically designed for high school students called This is High School. So, if you’ve ever had a hard time trying to explain the difficulties of high school, have your parents and grandparents watch this podcast. What CBC did was put 50 cameras in a high school and let them run for eight weeks. The end result is this six-part series currently available for your viewing pleasure.

    South Kamloops Secondary School in British Columbia had allowed for CBC to record the everyday scenarios of the school. People obviously were a little freaked out at first but the awareness of cameras doesn’t last forever and soon, teachers and students and faculty members began behaving like their normal selves again. You may think that the cameras caught the kind of situations you might see on an after-school special, but the podcast digs deeper into serious struggles that students deal with, reminding people that these things happen more often than we think they do. We all know that high school is a life-changing time and This is High School shines a light on that.

    Each episode focusses on two students having to deal with the various events that plague a high school student’s life. The producers of the podcast got the chance to see how students and teachers truly interact with one another, exposing both sides of a kid trying to figure themselves out and a teacher trying to shape their students into educated people ready for the adult world.

    Available on CBC’s website is biographies for each of the highlighted students. One of the students, Karsen, is a drama student who deals with anxiety. Though, her anxieties tend to melt away when she’s on stage. Harry is a confident First Nations student who enjoys bantering with his teachers and wants to become an advocate for First Nations people. Maddy is a student who is a bit shy around adults but way more extroverted around her friends, like many high school students.

    But, the podcast also focusses on the staff and faculty. For example, Vice-principal Blake Buemann needs to deal with the fact that his good nature doesn’t fly with some of the more troublesome students of the school. You’ve got the biology teacher, Dom, who gets along pretty well with his students and has all the typical fixings of a stereotypical biology classroom (including the skeletons and tarantulas).

    One of the most inspiring things about This is High School is their focus on the everyday lives of everyday people. It doesn’t paint anyone to be the bad guy and doesn’t try to act like high school kids are the only ones who need to find balance in their lives. But, they also don’t take away from their struggles to focus on those of the teachers. The neutral podcast allows for someone to learn something in every episode, which is one of its greatest strengths.

    The creators also tried to ensure that their balanced understanding stretched into the comments section, which is why they kindly ask on their Facebook for people to leave “kind and fair” comments. Their inclusivity also allows for people to suggest edits for their Facebook page, should you want to see a serious change made. This is High School also has a Twitter and an Instagram page.

    The first season is available for viewing so if you feel like you or anyone in your life has something to learn about the struggles of high school, pop on over to their website and have a watch.

    Sources:

    https://www.facebook.com/thisishighschoolcbc/

    http://www.cbc.ca/thisishighschool/videos/about-this-is-high-school

  • Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities, Part 2

    Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities, Part 2

    In part 1 of this article series, I gave three common places where high school students may volunteer and fulfill the mandatory 40 hours of community service they need in order to earn their diploma. Their high school, local hospitals and nursing homes, and non-profit organizations they admire were the three. In part 2, I suggest three different other ways to find volunteer opportunities.

    The Volunteer Toronto website

    Volunteer Toronto is an amazing organization with a more than 40 years-long history of connecting those who want to volunteer and those who want volunteers. Their website has a search page (http://www.volunteertoronto.ca/networking/opening_search.asp) that allows you to really narrow down the options to exactly what you are looking for. Despite the presence of Toronto in the name, you can specify a country, a city, an organization, length of desired placement, as well as various categories such as “suitable for groups,” “wheelchair accessible,” and “fundraising.” If you really don’t know where to start your volunteer search, I highly recommend trying out the Volunteer Toronto search page. Adjust your criteria as needed if you end up with too many or too few volunteer opportunities.

    The GoVolunteer website

    GoVolunteer.ca is another established online tool that you can use. Its scope is narrower than Volunteer Toronto, because the opportunities it lists are only for non-profit organizations in British Columbia and Alberta. Their search page (http://www.govolunteer.ca/volunteer-opportunities) asks for your city or postal code, which will allow you to sort search results by distance to your location. Moreover, you are presented with a long list of charity categories, including indigenous services, youth development, environment and animals, disability services, and women’s services, and you may select any or all of them in your search. There are more advanced search options than the Volunteer Toronto website: for example, you may indicate your desired time of day, position type, and volunteer skills. Again, if you need to, adjust your search criteria to ensure you get a good number of options, not too many, not too few.

    The Volunteer Canada website

    Established in 1977, Volunteer Canada is yet another established organization that supports and facilities volunteering. What sets it apart from the above two is that Volunteer Canada works not only with volunteers and non-profit organizations, it works with businesses, governments, and educational institutions. Another thing that sets is apart is that instead of giving you a search page, Volunteer Canada has put together a Volunteer Quiz! It has questions like, “When friends sell tickets to a fundraiser, which cause are you likely to support?” to which you can choose one of six responses, including “A youth suicide prevention hotline,” and “Medical research for a disease that has touched your life.” At the end of the quiz, you are given some statements about you and your volunteer matches. This quiz is ideal for any student who wants an inventive way of finding opportunities and to learn something about yourself along the way.

    By now, you have probably figured out what these three online resources have in common. These websites are ideal for any student who does not know where to start their search. By giving you multiple search categories and lists of options, you not only get a clear idea of what kind of opportunities are available but you can also tailor your search to your specific wants and needs. I think any one is sufficient for your needs, but between the three of them, I am certain you will find the perfect volunteer placement for you!

    References:

    1. https://www.ontario.ca/page/volunteering-ontario
    2. http://www.volunteertoronto.ca/page/AboutUs
    3. http://www.volunteertoronto.ca/networking/opening_search.asp
    4. http://www.govolunteer.ca/about-us
    5. http://www.govolunteer.ca/volunteer-opportunities
    6. https://volunteer.ca/about
    7. https://volunteer.ca/volunteer
    8. https://volunteer.ca/quiz/english/questions.html
  • Getting the Most out of Volunteering

    Getting the Most out of Volunteering

    At a younger age, volunteering can have some major benefits. If you have approached a teacher, guidance counselor, a parent, or a volunteer organization seeking different ways to volunteer, you’re not the only one. More and more young people are finding ways to connect with others through volunteer work and it can be very rewarding. If you want to get the most out of volunteering, just take a spin through some of the benefits:

    #1 – It’s Actually a Lot of Fun

    Most young people who volunteer end up enjoying the people they work with and also achieve a sense of satisfaction from it all. For example, volunteering at a hospital can be a fun way to get to know an entire group of people that you wouldn’t otherwise come into contact with. Coaching a sport or helping out as a referee can be a fun way to develop leadership skills. Volunteering at events also gets you into that event for free. So all in all, not bad!

    #2 – The People you Meet Can actually Turn out to be Very Special

    Volunteering for young people gives you the chance to connect with people in a different way. To these people, you’re not just a student or a young person. You’re there to help. That’s a different dynamic. Students who volunteer often form strong relationships with the people they meet. Volunteering at a children’s centre, a homeless shelter, or even being a youth representative on a committee of some kind all puts you in front of different people. When you get to know them, friendship comes quickly.

    #3 – It Gets you out of your Comfort Zone

    Try something new. If you are scared about getting up in front of people or are looking to be a little more confident in yourself, volunteering puts you in the position to do that. Especially if it’s volunteering around something you genuinely enjoy, getting you to open up a bit in a role that you’ve never had to be in before can be challenging but fun.

    #4 – Make a Difference in People’s Lives

    Not only are you getting benefits out of helping in a volunteer role but one of the most powerful things that many young people feel from volunteering is knowing that they’ve made a difference. Just think about it. Every day, you’re putting a little more positivity and love into the world that was not there before. No matter where or to whom you’re volunteering, you’re helping people in your community and that’s not something that everybody does. At the end of your term as a volunteer, that’s something to really be proud of.

    Try Volunteering

    It can be intimidating trying to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. Speak with your parents about the kind of volunteer work you are looking for and get them to help you find an organization who needs the help. Sometimes, your school might also have different volunteer positions open for students to apply for.

  • Getting Your Volunteer Hours!

    Getting Your Volunteer Hours!

    So you’re looking to fill those required 40 hours of volunteer service– we get it, it’s not easy. The requirement to fill 40 hrs of volunteering is easy for some and difficult for others. No matter what you think of it, volunteering is a necessity and is actually important for many reasons besides fulfilling rules to graduate.

    It provides an opportunity for you to learn more about yourself, to meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, to act in a role that you wouldn’t otherwise have, and to possibly evaluate different career opportunities. Along with this exploration, volunteering also builds self-confidence and provides you with some work experience that you can put on your resume!

    So naturally, the next part of the process is where to look for volunteer opportunities. The first thing to keep in mind is to find out what the guidelines are, and what is considered eligible and ineligible volunteer activities. This is key. You don’t want to invest a large amount of time into something that your school board refuses to see as volunteer work. From there, it’s about finding something that appeals to you.

    Many students seek out local libraries, local charity organizations, and even the school itself for volunteer opportunities. Libraries are particularly popular as they often have reading buddy programs and similar ventures. If you don’t know where to look, speaking with a guidance counselor or even a parent, as they might be able to suggest some unadvertised opportunities for you to contribute a little bit of your time. Cities across Canada also have volunteer centres, which help distribute volunteer opportunities among the community. If you are down on your luck and don’t know where to look, checking in with one of these centres may prove to be fruitful.

    Think about what skills you are looking to gain. For example, if you are interested in becoming a personal trainer, perhaps there is a volunteer program at your local gym you might be able to plug into. Or, if you’re seeking a career in animal welfare, perhaps your local animal shelter can use a helping hand on the weekends.

    Beyond thinking about what you might want to do long-term for a career, also give some thought to the causes you are passionate about. If you’re passionate about the environment, check out some local green organizations and their event listings. There might be something you can do there. If you’re really into women’s rights, there are a number of organizations that could probably use some help. Once again, check events listings. These are very helpful. Even going on local classified sites for volunteer listings might help inspire something in you.

    There’s no shortage of volunteer work, no matter where you are in Canada. The difficulty can be finding the right volunteer opportunity for you. Luckily, you have a fair bit of time to clock in forty hours. Don’t wait for the last minute, but also, don’t panic if it’s only been two weeks and you haven’t found anything. Speak with anyone who you figure might be able to point you in the right direction. Volunteering is a lot of fun, a great way to brighten up the community a little bit, and, for most people, is a truly awesome experience. Find what appeals to you and get involved.