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Category: Campus Life

  • Career Profile: Translator/Interpreter

    Career Profile: Translator/Interpreter

    If you attend a typical Canadian school, you have probably spent some time studying another language. Learning another language is a good way to expand your knowledge and to practice skills like memorization, which you might need in other parts of your life. It can even lead to a career as a translator or interpreter.

    Have you ever tried to talk to someone who was unable to understand your language? Maybe your grandparents came from a different country and never learned to speak English well. Maybe some classmates or neighbours have just moved to Canada and speak a different language. Sometimes, you can manage to communicate by pointing at things and maybe drawing pictures of what you want. However, this method can be very limited, and people can easily misunderstand what the others are saying. This is why translators and interpreters do work that is very important. They help people who know one language to understand what people from another language are saying.

    Translation and interpretation are basically two parts of the same field of work, but translators generally deal with written language and interpreters deal with spoken language. Translators might work in government offices, schools, or other places where documents need to be translated from one language to another. Interpreters work directly with people, translating speeches as they are being given or helping deaf people to speak with hearing people. Translators can consult dictionaries or stop and think about the best words to use, but interpreters need to be able to think quickly and to translate words as soon as the speaker says them.

    Becoming a translator or interpreter takes a lot of skill but not much education. A high school diploma is often enough, although a bachelor’s degree might be necessary in some cases. Some employers might also prefer to hire people who have taken special courses in translation skills through language institutes and community colleges. In Canada, certification as a translator or interpreter is also available through the Canadian Translators, Terminologist and Interpreters Council.

    The main requirement for most translators and interpreters is language fluency. People who want to work in this field must know at least two of the world’s 6500 languages – their own and one other. If they know more languages, however, their chances of finding work are far higher than if they know only two. The level of fluency is also important. Someone who knows medical terminology in several languages, for example, might be able to get work as an interpreter in a hospital. Someone whose knowledge of the language is more basic, however, might want to work in a school, helping parents and teachers communicate with each other. Since it can take a lifetime to get to know a language thoroughly, some translators and interpreters specialize in certain topics, like sports or history. Depending on where they work, translators and interpreters might make between $26,000 and $58,000 per year.

    Do you love languages? If you want to become a translator or interpreter, it’s never too early to start practicing your language skills.

  • Do Poets Make Money?

    Do Poets Make Money?

    Oscar Wilde wrote, “The best work in literature is always done by those who do not depend on it for their daily bread and the highest form of literature, poetry, brings no wealth to the singer.”

    For those of you who aren’t familiar with Mr. Wilde, he was an Irish writer. He wrote plays (The Importance of Being Earnest is one of his most famous), poetry and one novel (The Picture of Dorian Gray). He was born in 1854 and died in 1900. Although he enjoyed much success during his lifetime, he died alone and destitute (poor) in France at the age of 46.

    Oscar Wilde is just one example of the many “tortured artists,” whose works failed to financially sustain them during their lifetime, but live on as celebrated classic pieces of literature to this day. William Blake, Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost were all great poets who were mostly unrecognized for their talents during their lifetime.

    Emily Dickinson, who is arguably one of the best female poets of all-time, was a recluse who only published 7 poems while she was alive. After her death it was discovered she had written over a thousand pieces.

    In today’s society there are some successful writers who make a living as poets: Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Robert Munsch and Margaret Atwood to name a few. But for the most part, the words Oscar Wilde wrote over a century ago remain true. Most people write poetry not for the money, but for the enjoyment it gives them. Some writers say they “need to write,” while others use it as a tool to express their true emotions. Poetry enriches the human experience by passing on knowledge and insight that may otherwise go unnoticed.

    There are a number of jobs available for people who enjoy reading and writing poetry:

    – Teaching is a great way to encourage others to develop a respect for poetry and to encourage others to write themselves. You could teach an English class at a high school, which would give you the opportunity to teach poetry as well as fiction and grammar. A job at a college or university would allow you to teach a more specified class in your chosen field. You could also make some extra money by offering your services as a poetry tutor.

    – If you simply love poetry because you love to write, a career in journalism may be an option. You could write stories for the local newspaper or look into freelance writing for specific types of magazines or online blogs that interest you.

    – You could work as an editor of a poetry magazine or for a publishing company that publishes books of poetry – or even write for a greeting card company.

    – You could work at a bookstore, open up your own independent book shop with a large poetry section or work as a librarian at your local library. One of the perks of working at a library or bookstore is that you can arrange for poetry readings and book signings by local authors. You could also organize writing seminars and book groups.

    Despite what career path you decide to take, keep writing even while knowing it may never make you rich. It will, however, enrich your life with the insight and perspective it provides. And who knows? Maybe someday you’ll prove Mr. Wilde wrong and become one of the lucky few who have long, successful careers selling thousands of poems or maybe you will become a Noble laureate in literature and win a gold medal, a diploma and a sum of money (which is currently around $1,100,000 U.S.).

  • Staying Healthy During Exam Season

    Staying Healthy During Exam Season

    Exam season is easily one of the most stressful times of the year for students. For some, it might even be the worst.  Now image how bad the season would be if you were sick! To prevent this, it’s important that you’re taking the necessary steps to cater to your health. Below are some tips to help you survive that dreaded time of year. And even if exam season has passed for you (thank goodness), just keep these tips in mind for the next time around.

    When it comes to exam season, sleep is almost always the first thing that goes out the window for students. It doesn’t have to be this way! If you set your schedule up properly, you can find yourself catching a full night’s worth of sleep every day! The key to this is studying in advance. Far too many students begin studying for two or three days before the actual exam. Because of this, they find themselves pulling consecutive all-nighters. If you begin studying about a week in advance, you can spread your notes across more days and you’ll have with a few more hours each day to allocate to sleep! Also, don’t be afraid to take a nap once in a while. If you find yourself dozing off every other minute, you’re probably not retaining any information. In this case, you might as well just take a quick nap to re-charge yourself.

    Believe it or not, a lot of students actually refuse to sleep at all because they fear sleeping in for an exam and missing it! Although it’s a valid concern, it’s definitely not healthy. Instead of pulling an all-nighter out of fear, set several alarms or ask a friend to set an alarm then give you a wake up call! This works especially well if you’ve got a roommate.

    Your brain is like a giant battery that needs to be recharged often enough to keep it functioning properly. With all the craziness of exam week, many students forget to eat properly, opting for highly caffeinated beverages and chocolate bars instead. Not only is this unhealthy, but it will also work out for the worst in the end. Your body and your brain will be running low on energy which will ultimately reduce the amount of time that you can stay alert and retain information. To give yourself the energy that you need, take some time out of studying to have a well-balanced meal. In fact, you should set a daily schedule for eating so that you make sure you’re on the right track. It’s far too easy to get lost in the notes and readings that you have to do and forget about your healthy

    One of the most important things that students forget to do is cater to their mental health. With hours of endless studying on the schedule, it’s easy to find yourself feeling down. If this is the case for you, take a few minutes every now and then to treat yourself!  Spending a few minutes with some friends or doing a bit of exercise will make you feel far more energized. You’ll be able to get back to your studies with a refreshed mind and perhaps a smile on your face too!

     

  • How to Choose Your Classes

    How to Choose Your Classes

    You’ve gone to university fairs, read the websites, explored your options, submitted your applications and have finally chosen your new university or college. That’s the hard part. Now you just have to choose your first year classes and you will be ready to go. For many this is the fun part, though you should give serious consideration to your course selection as it may shape the next few years of your post-secondary education. You don’t want to find yourself forced into summer school or an extra year of your undergrad just because you are missing those few extra prerequisites. Sometimes it is easy – you may know exactly what you want to do or have selected a program that has your classes laid out for you. Regardless, don’t be afraid to be a little adventurous.

    You want to cover your bases, that’s a given, but this is also your opportunity to explore alternative subjects, different ideas and new concepts. If you have an idea of what subject you want to pursue, maybe try some to help compliment that. Want to study English? Try taking a Sociology or Art History class as well. It’s always good to test the waters. First-year courses are often (though not always) designed to give students a taste of what could be in store for them if they decide to pursue that subject further. Or, if you are still set on studying English, then these classes may give you a unique perspective or could turn into an interesting minor that makes your degree distinct and stand out from the pack.

    You never know, you could surprise yourself and end up going a completely different route then you would ever have imagined. Just remember to think ahead. There is
    nothing worse than seeing that history class on the course list that so speaks to your own personal interests and would compliment your degree so well only to find out that
    you don’t have the necessary prerequisite. At the end of the day, it’s your degree and your choice. There are an infinite array of course, degree and specialization combinations out there that can reflect your individual interests and aspirations and you should make decisions that reflect that. Just remember to cover your bases and don’t be afraid to be a little adventurous – your post-secondary education can surprise you.

  • Get Your Volunteer Hours!

    Get Your Volunteer Hours!

    As you know, all high school students need to have 40 hours of community service in order to graduate. Use this information to discover where your 40 hours can best be used.

    Volunteer Centres work in local communities to strengthen volunteering and citizen engagement. With more than 200 in Canada, each volunteer centre’s name, size, structure and services reflect the unique characteristics of their community.

    To find a volunteer centre in your area, click here.

    Many volunteer centres are independent non-profit organizations, while others are part of a United Way, Social Planning Council, Community Information and Referral Centre or municipal services. Though diverse in many ways, they share the following common functions:

    – Promote volunteering

    – Build the capacity of organizations to engage volunteers

    – Facilitate connections between people with volunteer opportunities

    – Provide leadership on issues related to volunteering and citizen engagement

    If you want to volunteer, your local volunteer centre is there to connect you to opportunities in your community. It may have a database of volunteer opportunities or can connect you directly to opportunities within its member organizations.

  • The Value of Volunteering

    The Value of Volunteering

    Volunteering has almost become a dirty word in some circles, and it’s not hard to see why: when you’re looking for a job, giving away your labour for free can seem counter-productive at first. In spite of this, statistics show that some 12 million Canadians take part in volunteer activities each year—that’s nearly half the population . Let’s take a closer look at what you gain when you decide to volunteer.

    First and foremost, volunteering is a great opportunity to learn about yourself and what you enjoy doing. No matter where your interests lie, chances are there is a volunteer opportunity out there for you. Do you love animals? Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Are you passionate about the arts? Volunteer at a music festival. Think you might want to become a doctor? Volunteer at a hospital. You might love it and decide you want to pursue a career in that field—or you might discover that a particular job just isn’t for you.  Either way, you’re gaining valuable self-learning and awareness. Volunteering is the ultimate tool for exploring your interests and experimenting with different kinds of work.

    Not only can volunteering give you a chance to indulge your hobbies and find your passion, it looks great on a resume. Whether you spend a year doing it or just a weekend, volunteer experience can signal to employers that you’re the kind of person who has varied interests, takes initiative and isn’t afraid to try new thing. Given the number of resumes most employers go through, it never hurts to have something that sets you apart from the crowd.

    Another area where volunteering can be invaluable is networking. If you’re having a hard time finding work in a particular field, volunteering is a great way to break into the industry and get your name known. The contacts you meet through volunteering could serve you as references in the future, or they might be able to let you in on trade secrets or even job opportunities that aren’t available to the general public. Most organizations are extremely grateful for the work volunteers do and are more than willing to help you out if they can, so don’t be afraid to ask.

    The final reason to try out volunteering is the simplest: it feels good to give back. Volunteers are the lifeblood of many charitable organizations; without them, the good work these places do would never be possible. Keep in mind that volunteering is best experienced when it’s something that you find personally meaningful. Luckily, given the wealth of volunteer opportunities out there, finding one that matches your passion (and fits your schedule) shouldn’t be too difficult.

    This article has covered a few of the main benefits of volunteering, but don’t take our word for it. Get out there and discover the value of volunteering for yourself!

  • Would You Benefit from a Tutor?

    Would You Benefit from a Tutor?

    Many students will experience difficulties with academic subjects at some point during their academic career, but all universities provide some type of resources to help during those times.

    Professors are probably the best people to ask when you need some clarification about something, but they usually have limited office hours. In that case, your school’s resource centre is your best bet to finding more accessible help. Hiring a tutor through your school also means a higher likelihood that the person is a reputable tutor and could even be offered at a subsidized cost to you.

    You can find a tutor outside of your school, but consider taking the extra time to ensure the person you hire is in fact knowledgeable in the field and understands the tutee/tutor relationship in order to be worth the money you are paying.

    “I think it depends on how much help one needs as a tutee. If one is lagging behind in a class and wanting to catch up, then tutoring will be helpful as it re-teaches the material; but if one needs tutoring for a specialized personal need or wants to excel in an area, then tutoring is only useful if the tutor is competent and one-on-one, and most tutors are not competent enough for that”, said Virginia Zhao, 4th year UBC student.

    “To that effect, I don’t find tutoring helpful in most situations. When I need help, instead of asking for a tutor, I ask for ‘higher authorities’ such as teachers [and] professors…they are more helpful and efficient than peers” continued Zhao.

    For more specialized purposes, such as wanting to start building a foundation for a particular career while still in school, you might consider working with a mentor. Mentors – whether you work with them in your job or at school – have proven to expand knowledge, help narrow down focus and improve decision-making in their mentees.

    Colleges and universities might have mentorship programs in place where students are carefully matched to their mentors to ensure both parties will gain value from the experience. If a student is even more certain about what they want to do when they finish post-secondary they should consider becoming members of the related associations and join programs where mentorship is available.

    “My mentor was easy to get along with and was very helpful in refining my technical skills” Marko Martic, IT Diploma graduate from BCIT, said. “I Kept in touch with my mentor even after I was done my program and he introduced me to a network of people in my field that eventually helped me find my job”.

    “Maybe one day I’ll have the opportunity to be a mentor and help someone like my mentor helped me – there are always mentees looking for mentors and more people will see the benefits once they get into it” Martic said.

  • Frugally Fashionable

    Frugally Fashionable

    One of the hardest parts about being a student – especially a fashionable one – is budgeting. Some students are not always privy to the deals and steals of the trade. Just because it’s an expensive article of clothing doesn’t mean that  you automatically have style. The key to being stylish and keeping some pocket money is to pay attention to what is around you. Look at fashion and style news and look through “look books” of your favourite stores online. You will see that there are some things you can recreate for a lot less.

    For example, I took a look at my favourite fashion bloggers – yes, they wear Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana – all things that I certainly cannot afford. However, I also took note of a lot of the pieces I liked the most – then went on a thrift shop day!  The biggest trend I have been noticing this winter season is over-sized wool and cashmere coats, and on my outing to Salvation Army I found the most beautiful, Italian-made, cashmere and wool coat in my size for only $7.99!

    Not stopping there, I also left with a wonderful oversized winter coat (durable, water resistant, fleece removable insulation) for $19.99 and a blue knitted sweater (originally from H&M) for $7.99. To top it off, the cashier also notified me that every Friday is half-off everything in the entire store – imagine all the savings!

    It is not hard to find frugal ways to stay fashionable, as long as you are able to recreate what you like from the runways and what suits you best. You can even find DIY fashion blogs that help you add some kick to an old thrift shop garment. You will be surprised of the results you get!

    Remember – the best way to be fashionable is to be true to yourself. No matter what you wear, you will look stylish because you are uniquely you!

  • Career Profile: Psychiatrist

    Career Profile: Psychiatrist

    Do you consider yourself a good listener? Do your friends usually come to you when there’s something troubling them? Do you really enjoy helping people and making a difference in their lives? If you’ve answered yes to most of these questions, then you might want to consider a career as a psychiatrist!

    A psychiatrist is a type of doctor that deals with people suffering from mental and emotional disorders. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients who suffer from a wide variety of problems. Some of these problems include schizophrenia, paranoia, hallucinations, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. When diagnosing these disorders, psychiatrists can utilize their medical background to consider biological factors. Some psychological disorders are associated with chemical imbalances in the brain. Medical backgrounds give psychiatrists the authorization to prescribe drugs to their patients. If necessary, psychiatrists can recommend hospitalization for certain patients as well.

    Psychiatrists spend a great deal of time with their patients, attempting to find the source of their issues. During therapy sessions, they try to get their patients to understand their problems by talking about their thoughts, experiences and feelings. Often psychiatrists will find that many of their patients’ problems stem from unresolved grief issues. In such a case, they could direct their patient to a grief counselor or address the issue during some therapy sessions. Psychiatrists also help people to gain control of harmful behaviors and bad habits. Depending on the issue at hand, psychiatrists may schedule therapy sessions for a patient once a week or once a month if the problem is less severe. The length of psychiatric evaluations varies from patient to patient. Regular sessions may be as long as one hour while follow-up visits may be as short as 20 minutes. These sessions may occur individually but group sessions are not uncommon. Psychiatrists are responsible for tracking their patients’ progress by keeping detailed reports of their sessions. After years of experience psychiatrists can choose to specialize in specific fields such as forensic psychiatry or child psychiatry. They may also go into private practices or partnerships which would usually result in a significant increase in their salary.

    There are many other factors that determine the salary of a psychiatrist. Their experience, place of work and specialization can have a major impact on the amount of money they receive annually. In 2004, the average salary for psychiatrists was $180,000 a year. The salaries for psychiatrists escalate rapidly as they gain more experience in the field. Eventually, they can earn up to $300,000 a year.

    It’s important to take note of the physical, emotional and mental disadvantages to working in the field. Psychiatrists work long hours and can be called at moment’s notice to evaluate a patient. This can become physically draining, especially if you’re constantly being called away at odd hours of the night. Also, the stress of dealing with troubled individuals who suffer from a wide variety of problems can be emotionally taxing. It is difficult to not become emotionally attached to patients and to remain unbiased when listening to their thoughts and feelings.

    Although it takes a great deal of schooling and training to become a psychiatrist, the job can be incredibly rewarding. Having a career that allows you to help people on a daily basis can be incredibly worthwhile.

  • How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    Have you ever been sitting in class wondering exactly how your teacher became your teacher?

    Well, most public school teachers obtain a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) from a university. Some specialize in one subject matter, such as Art, Health, Science, Drama, Math, Music, Social Studies, Physical Education and Guidance and Counseling. Some train in a specific grade level, like early-childhood education, elementary school (including kindergarten) and middle or high school. Most teachers experience a wide range of subject matter (usually referred to as “teachable” subjects.)

    Teachers also need to obtain a teaching certificate from the province they are teaching in to certify they are qualified to do so.

    The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, for example, offers an education program that requires students to already have a Bachelor’s degree in order to get accepted. The education program lasts 11 months and consists of taking classes and completing a work study program – meaning that, in order to complete the program, all students need to work in a classroom as a student teacher.

    The minimum passing letter grade at UNB is a C. All teachers who graduate from UNB need to have a C or higher average, and a GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least 2.7.

    Aside from education and on the job training, it is also necessary for teachers to possess certain qualities in order to be successful. Teachers should be sensitive to the needs of students. They have to be trustworthy and patient (as all students learn at their own pace). They need to be organized and good at time management. They need to be on-time every day, creative, motivational and good communicators.

    So, the next time you are sitting in class wondering how your teacher is qualified to teach you, remember they have studied and worked for many years to get the skills and training needed to do so.