Category: Elementary

  • How You Can Develop a Healthy Career as a Dietician

    How You Can Develop a Healthy Career as a Dietician

    Having health and fitness goals is very popular amongst people, especially when the new year rolls around. But since not everyone is an expert in diet and fitness, people generally need to consult with a dietician or nutritionist. If this is the career you would like to pursue, then this is where you come in! A dietician’s job is to consult with their patients and understand their health and diet needs, formulate meal and diet plans to abide by their clients’ needs, continuously evaluate and document a patient’s progress and re-develop their diet, as well as keeping up-to-date on new developments in the nutritional field and educate people on these new findings.

    If you are passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and you find yourself encouraging others to meet their goals, then this may be the job for you. Part of the job description is to have a strong understanding of the chemical composition of food and how it impacts the body, so if you have a passion for biology, then that is another reason to consider this career. Here is how you can work your way into a healthy career as a dietician:

    What are the perks of the job?

    The joy of helping people reach their fitness goals is one of the biggest perks associated with this career. According to Payscale, It also has a sustainable salary with an average income of $59,863 (which stands above the national average of $51,000, according to Workopolis). Being a dietician can also be a relatively low-stress job, especially if you go the entrepreneurial route and become a self-employed dietician with your own clinic where you can set your own hours.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    Getting ahead as a dietitian can be complicated as an entry-level career in the field requires a bachelor’s degree, but further advancement in the field may require a master’s degree. This level of education can be unaffordable for many students or can present a strong barrier if school is not their strong suit. However, the dedicated student can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree to succeed in their field. Another potential issue is that dietitians must have strong people skills and regularly interact with customers and clients. There can be times when clients are difficult to consult with which can be stressful for some dietitians.

    How can I grow with this career?

    An entry-level job within the field can enjoy a job as an associate or dietitian in a health clinic. As you gain more experience within the field and possibly gain more educational certificates and credit, you could eventually become a researcher within the field, public health representative or an advanced clinical dietitian. Otherwise, you could try your hand at running your own clinic and run your own set of registered staff. There are plenty of options for the dietitians willing to combine their nutrition skills with other skills.

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

    Having a bachelor’s degree in science with a specialization in dietetics can make you adaptable for other directly related careers, like being a dietetic technician. There are other second- and third-tier careers that you would be qualified for, such as a cooking or baking career with your knowledge of food, educational roles such as being a professor within the field or a high school health teacher or having a career in an entry-level nursing job.

    Reference:

    MyPlan.com, “Dietetics/Dietitan (RD)”: https://www.myplan.com/majors/dietetics-dietitian-rd/related-careers-51.3101.html

    PayScale, “Registered Dietician Salary (Canada): https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Registered_Dietitian/Salary

    Truity, “Dietician or Nutritionist”: https://www.truity.com/career-profile/dietitian-or-nutritionist

    Study.com, “Dietician: Educational Requirements”: https://study.com/articles/Dietitian_Educational_Requirements.html

  • Career Profile: Massage Therapist

    Career Profile: Massage Therapist

    There aren’t too many workplace environments quite as relaxing as the massage parlour or spa, with small running waterfalls, candles lit around the room, and a smiling Buddha. When people think of an ideal work environment and a perfect picture of relaxation, they often think of a space closely resembling a massage clinic. Being a massage therapist puts you in this environment every day – but it is not a pleasure cruise all the way through. The journey it takes to become a massage therapist and the work you have to put into your day-to-day work. This line of work requires that you have an in-depth understanding of the musculoskeletal system (the system in the body made of the muscles and the skeleton) to help tease out muscular knots, consult with patients to diagnose issues with their body so that you can begin to treat that pain, keep up with the latest research within the massage therapy industry, help patients understand what their ailments are and guide them on how they should and should not be stretching, as well as documenting the patient’s progress.

    As a massage therapist, you can form relationships with clients through repeated appointments that can last a few minutes up to an hour. Most work part-time, though there are a handful of massage therapists that either work full-time or they begin their own practice in a clinic. As far as education goes, a student would need to complete a post-secondary school program that abides by the provincial guidelines established by the registered massage therapy organization. This program can range from 500 hours to 1,000 hours to complete depending on the program.

    What are the perks of the job?

    If you are passionate about helping people work out their bodily pains and issues, then the perks to a career in massage therapy can be obvious. As well, it can be a slow-stress occupation with a minimal amount of educational requirements before landing a position. The average $47,168 yearly salary (according to PayScale) is also somewhat close to the average Canadian salary of about $51,000 (according to Workopolis).

    What are some of the setbacks?

    The biggest setback is the fact that most massage therapist jobs are part-time and securing a full-time position can be difficult. Some massage therapists decide to start their own clinics, however, that requires business-building prowess and even then, it can still be difficult to get your own location off the ground.

    How can I grow with this career?

    Most massage therapists start out as a part-time practitioner, so there are a few paths to take in this career, whether it is through going full-time, developing your own business, or if you choose a specialization. Massage therapists can also take on certain specializations, such as a deep tissue massage therapist or become an expert in a certain style of physical therapy.

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

    People trained in massage therapy can be eligible for other careers related to the musculoskeletal system, like taking on a career as an athletic trainer (as long as they received other job training), a physical therapist or an exercise physiologist. With an understanding in physical therapy and leading a healthy lifestyle, massage therapists can also transition to other careers within the health industry if they fulfill other educational and training program requirements.

    Reference:

    CollegeGrad, “Massage Therapists”:

    https://collegegrad.com/careers/massage-therapists

    PayScale, “Average Registered Massage Therapist Hourly Pay”: https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Registered_Massage_Therapist/Hourly_Rate

    MyPlan.com, “Massage Therapist: Job Description”: https://www.myplan.com/careers/massage-therapists/description-31-9011.00.html

    Truity, “Massage Therapist Career Profile”:

    https://www.truity.com/career-profile/massage-therapist

  • Career Profile: Accountant- Having Fun with Numbers!

    Career Profile: Accountant- Having Fun with Numbers!

    Has math always been your strong suit? In all of these subjects you attend at school, was math the one you were always looking forward to? If you enjoy showing off your prowess with numbers, then you should consider pursuing a career as an accountant. Accountants handle many tasks involving finance and numbers, including: reviewing financial statements and documents for customers, clients and businesses; analyzing account information to prepare documents for clients with assets and liability in mind; recommends certain wealth-building strategies to clients that will help them reach their financial goals; approve expense reports within larger corporations; and promoting financial literacy amongst clients and customers.

    As far as educational requirements go, a bachelor’s degree in finance or business is necessary. Many businesses also look at educational extras like a graduate’s degree. It may be somewhat more complicated to get an entry-level job in this field, however it is a very rewarding career with many perks and a strong outlook. Here is how you can count your way to an accounting career:

    What are the perks of the job?

    The perk that stands out the most is the career’s average median salary of $64,014 (according to PayScale) which stands above the national average of $51,000 (according to Workopolis). The perks keep rolling in if you are excellent with numbers and have a strong passion for helping people manage their finances and making everything money-wise clear to them. It is a career that can help many people who struggle to understand the complex world of money management. Many surveyed workers have also reported an exceptionally high satisfaction with this line of work. Accountants and auditors also have strong future job projections numbers with an 11% growth rate.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    Being an accountant can be a very stressful career with an immense amount of workload, working and re-working financial statements and crunching numbers, and especially if clients decide to disregard your advice and harm their own financial standing in the long run. It is also considered difficult to achieve career with high educational requirements.

    How can I grow with this career?

    Accountants can be promoted from entry-level accounting positions to intermediate accountants and senior accountants. This path has a relatively straightforward promotion track, having the worker succeed by excelling in their current tasks and taking on more responsibilities that align with their gathered experience. Some accountants also take on careers as auditors, which run in the same vein as accounting.

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

    There are many other financial and business-related careers that accountants can enjoy. Job titles like budget analysts, tax collectors, credit analysts, and professors or teachers specializing in math and accounting classes use the same math and numeracy skills as being an accountant.

    Reference:

    Monster, “Accountant Job Description Sample”:

    https://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/recruiting-hiring-advice/job-descriptions/accountant-job-description-sample.aspx

    MyPlan.com, “Accounting”:

    https://www.myplan.com/majors/accounting/related-careers-52.0301.html

    PayScale, “Average Chartered Accountant Salary”: https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Chartered_Accountant/Salary

    Study.com, “Senior Financial Accountant: Job Description, Duties and Requirements”: https://study.com/articles/Senior_Financial_Accountant_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html

    Workopolis, “The average Canadian salaries by industry and region”:

    https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-much-money-are-we-earning-the-average-canadian-wages-right-now/

  • Career Profile: Dentist

    Career Profile: Dentist

    When you think of the career that you want to pursue for the rest of your life, you probably imagine a career that pays well and gives you a strong level of respect. Not many other careers command the respect and pay the bills like being a dentist. A dentist works with many patients to improve their dental health, diagnose issues, and give advice to maintain overall oral health. This is a particularly important job since oral health often has an impact on overall health in patients. They also oversee other tasks, like making dental models of patients’ teeth to map out certain issues, examine x-rays to find issues with teeth and gums, clear out cavities and rot, conduct regular cleaning sessions involving flossing, fluoride, and teeth scraping, write prescriptions for necessary antibiotics, and straighten teeth and conduct other minor surgeries.

    What are the perks of the job?

    The immediate perks to being a dentist in Canada is the high annual pay, which can average out to $108,195 a year or about $54.02 an hour (according to Payscale). Starting salaries alone can have you earning about $59,000 a year. The profession also commands a certain level of respect not only in the medical field, but in regular life. For dentists that pursue the entrepreneurial route and begin their own practice, they can also enjoy flexible hours and the independence to run the business as they long as they abide by regular medical practises.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    While the money sounds great, the amount of years you will spend in school is extensive. First, you need to take a bachelor’s degree program related to the field that teaches you in-class training over the course of four years. Most students take a degree in microbiology, anatomy, chemistry, and biology. After you get your undergraduate degree, you can then apply for a doctorate in a dental program from a college approved by the Canada Dental Association (for a complete list of their approved schools, refer to their Contacts for Admission page). Many of these programs offer a Masters of Science in Dentistry, a Ph.D in a dentist-related field or a medical doctorate.

    How can I grow with this career?

    Many dentists either work within larger companies or begin their own dental practice. As dentists start off, they can specialize in many different fields or take on many different positions, such as: dental public health specialists, oral radiologists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and oral pathologists. There are different ways dentists can either be promoted or take on a new specialty.

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

    The prospects you earn from working within the dentistry field can be transferred to many other professions, according to Prospects.com, including: a professor teaching in scientific fields or within dentistry, a science writer, a primary or high school teacher within the science fields, a health promotion specialist, and many others.

    Reference:

    Payscale, “Average Dentist Salary”:

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

    Prospects, “Dentistry”:

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

    Truity, “Dentist”:

    https://www.truity.com/career-profile/dentist

    Study, “Dentist Education Requirements and Career Information”

    https://study.com/dentist_education_requirements.html

  • Learning World History

    Learning World History

    For some of us, World History isn’t a subject we would go eagerly to school for. Having to memorize all those dates, names, and events doesn’t appeal to us as much as solving mathematical equations or reading inspiring literary pieces. However, World History offers merits that Math or Literature can equal. As American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, and author Carl Sagan wrote, “You have to know the past to understand the present.” The next time you dismiss your World History lectures and throw your World History textbook into your pile of “Not So Important” or “For Later,” read on for some insight and you’ll likely change your mind.

    History fosters understanding of the present and future

    Similar to what Sagan stated, it’s favourable to learn about the past because this leads to a strong understanding of the present and eventually what lies ahead. For instance, studying how people, communities, and nations interact with one another in olden times gives us a good idea about the essence of power and leadership, as well as the harrowing effects of war and conflict in societies. These are themes that are perpetual, and they are significant themes whatever decade we are in. Having an in-depth knowledge of these will then help us plan ways to manage the future and form better societies, while keeping past mistakes in check.

    History promotes insight to ourselves

    Globalization and multiculturalism are essential components of the modern world. However, it does not mean that we can completely do away with our roots. Learning about your roots and how your ancestors fit into the narrative of your country or your community can eventually lead you to figure out your place in the world, especially if your ancestors had to overcome struggles. This way, you gain an insight of you as an individual and be more appreciative of the roads your ancestors paved for you so you are where you are now.

    History encourages research and then you can make your own interpretations

    History books give us a good idea of the Five Ws and one H—Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?—but you have the choice to do your own research and form your own conclusions. Some books don’t contain all the information you need so you have to gather facts of events on your own in some cases. You can also turn to visual material, physical artifacts, as well as oral and digital sources, to obtain more information, ensuring to evaluate their reliability and credibility at the same time. Eventually, you will have sufficient information at hand to interpret and help establish your own opinions on the matter.

    History expands your perspective

    Having a multi-layered understanding or knowledge of world events allows you to have a perspective that not all things can be simply classified as black or white—sometimes things are in between. This means that while you may not agree with how some events took place or you may not be on board with the decisions of some world leaders, you learn how to be open-minded and be more acceptable of views that differ from your own, instead of being outright dismissive or defensive of them. World history has taught us differences between societies will always exist but we must make efforts to learn to co-exist without conflict despite those differences.

    History boosts your comprehension and communication skills

    An extensive knowledge of history isn’t just good for History-focused Trivia Nights with your family or friends (although that’s a good thing too especially if the price up for grabs is a luxurious vacation). Being a history buff also means that you learn things chronologically and therefore can easily pinpoint that  A leads to Event B and so on. In addition, because you gain a deep understanding, you enhance your skills in communicating by sharing your findings and conclusions.

    History readies you for various professions

    Being knowledgeable in history doesn’t mean the career path only available to you is a history teacher or historian. In fact, there are numerous professions you can get into if you know a thing or two about history. For example, since being excellent in history means you excel in research and analysis as well, you can look into professions such as a researcher or analyst. The options are limitless. In fact, you’d be surprised that some of the world’s most respected leaders like Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, and Dwight Eisenhower and some of the world’s most acclaimed figures in the arts like H.G. Wells all studied or majored in history at university level.

    Now that you have a comprehension of the benefits of having historical knowledge, here’s hoping that you’re more motivated now to learning even more.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/outside-is-for-everyone-mec-apologizes-for-lack-of-minorities-in-its-ads-1.4147396

    https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Navigation/Community/Arcadia-and-THP-Blog/June-2016/Why-It%E2%80%99s-Important-That-We-Study-History

    https://alphahistory.com/why-study-history/

  • When They Can’t Call You on Your Cellphone – How to Cope when You Lose Your Mobile Phone

    When They Can’t Call You on Your Cellphone – How to Cope when You Lose Your Mobile Phone

    When your mobile phone is confiscated, do you feel that your world has suddenly stopped turning? OK, maybe we’re being overly dramatic here, but according to a report published by the Varnier Institute, that statement isn’t entirely stretching it. In fact, the study revealed that 49% of Canadian young students said they will be upset or unhappy when they lose their cellphone privileges. In addition, these students are obviously so dependent on their phones that more than 1/3 of those surveyed said that they sleep with their smartphones beside them.

    Still, there are situations when your parents decide to remove access from your precious device for a certain period of time, which often feel like an eternity if you’ve grown so accustomed to it. You may have an important test coming up, a valuable family member coming for a visit, a household chore that’s overdue, or simply a form of discipline enforced on you for violating your curfew. Now, while it’s fine to feel displeased or hurt with the decision, remember that it’s not the end of the world. You can survive these times when no one can call you on your cellphone. In turn, be ready to gain these valuable experiences.

    You can actively engage.

    Do you remember the last time you were 100% present for a family activity, like game night or movie night, or a day out with your friends at the mall? By this, we mean 100% attentive or in the moment—no distractions like looking at your text messages or seeing if you got lots of likes with your Instagram photo. Yes, even a quick peek at your email inbox means a point against that 100%. If you don’t remember, then most likely it hasn’t happened yet or it’s been too long. Now that you can’t go online or send text messages, use this time to connect with your family or friends and give them your undivided attention. Who knows, you might be happier without your mobile device after all.

    You can enhance your verbal communication skills.

    OK, you might ace it in Emojispeak, but when was the last time you shared your thoughts and ideas without relying on emoticons or emojis? Probably another thing that’s hard to remember, right? With your mobile phone out of your hands now, you can discover the value of communicating the old-fashioned way—by perusing your vocal chords and making sounds to form actual words or what people normally refer to as speech. Yes, you may not have noticed it, but relying too much on technology to communicate can derail speech abilities, according to a Baylor University study published in the Journal of Personality and Individual Differences.

    You can be a healthier you.

    Having no access to your cellphone does not mean keeping away the doctor completely, but you can for sure pick up healthy habits while you are smartphone-free. For one, too much screentime actually causes eyestrain, something that you might not feel yet but will eventually in the long run. In addition, excessive cellphone use leads to disruptive sleep. This is because mobile phone use prevents bedrooms from being sensory deprivation zones, thus resulting in sleep deprivation. With non-existent cellphone access, you’ll notice that you feel well-rested when you wake up in the morning.

    You can focus on other things.

    Not having to worry about whether you’re invited to a party or not by checking your phone every minute will give you peace of mind, while at the same time, you’ll noticed that you’re now more focused on other things. Maybe you’ve always wanted to join the field hockey team but never got around to it because of online distraction or maybe you’ve always wished to try your hand at playing guitar but never had the attention to take up guitar classes? Now is the best time to explore what your interests are and find out where you can excel at (aside from texting and taking Instagram-worthy shots, of course).

    It’s normal to feel anxious the first few days without your smartphone, but trust us, you’ll surprise yourself and realize that there are so many things you are capable of doing without having to rely on your mobile phone. While you’re in protest now that your parents confiscated your phone, in due time, you’ll appreciate the gesture they’ve done for you and savour the things mentioned above.

    SOURCES:

    https://vanierinstitute.ca/online-lives-canadian-youth/

    https://www.womansday.com/relationships/family-friends/a58985/mom-took-sons-phone-away/

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/parenting/will-happen-take-childs-phone-away/

  • Being One with Nature: Dos and Don’ts of Hiking

    Being One with Nature: Dos and Don’ts of Hiking

    In this era of smartphone companies churning out new models by the minute and social networking sites and apps mushrooming by the second, it may be hard to imagine that there’s an activity that allows you to tune out from the modern world ( only temporarily) and be one with nature: hiking.

    Outdoor enthusiasts look forward to this activity whenever they can although they may have different reasons for loving it—some long for the relaxing fresh air or the breathtaking scenery, while some long for the exercise that goes along with it. Whatever the reason is, there’s no denying its ever-growing popularity across all cultures that one Canadian retailer specializing in outdoor recreational gear and clothing found itself in hot water recently for allegedly targeting a limited audience with their advertising and marketing campaigns (the company has since apologized and vowed to make changes).

    Hiking is an activity that is open to anyone who enjoys partaking in nature sightseeing and getting much-needed physical exercise at the same time. One can be as young as a toddler or as old as 82 (like Dale Sanders who became the oldest person to hike all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail within a year). It’s always good to start young as long as you keep these tips handy for a safe hiking:

    Dos

    Do plan the hike carefully.

    If you’re a beginner hiker, it’s best to work with adults who are veteran hikers. They can best choose the right trail which is ideal for young hikers. For example, the scenic West Coast Trail in Vancouver Island has a rough terrain that calls for crossing rivers and walking on slippery hills and uneven paths, so this is best left for the seasoned hikers. Meanwhile, the Pointe-Taillon National Park, Quebec Park is an ideal choice for novice hikers like you since it offers minimum elevation changes. One other very important thing to do is ALWAYS tell someone where you are going and what time. If you were ever to get lost and no one knew where you were, it could turn out very badly.

    Do pack wisely.

    Be smart about the provisions you bring for the day! Keep a light first aid kit handy as it’s better to be safe than sorry. As for the food, keep in mind that it must be easy to prepare or requires minimal or no preparation, must not need to be refrigerated, and must remain intact all throughout (so a slice of blueberry cheesecake is out of the question because it would not hold up during a hike). Some recommend making your very own homemade trail mix consisting of healthy chips or crackers, nourishing dried fruits, and nutritious nuts like cashews or almonds. And of course, bring enough water to avoid dehydration during the hike.

    Don’ts

    Don’t think that nature is always your friend.

    Another one good reason why hiking is a great way to pass the time is the Instagram-worthy views that you’ll encounter. Who doesn’t want a selfie when you’re in magnificent spot like the BANFF? However, nature can turn into your worst enemy if you aren’t careful. Canada for one boasts of dangerous foliage and flora like the infamous Poison Ivy so be aware of what you may face during the hike. Some are even like a sheep in wolf’s clothing like the wild parsnip which has lovely yellow flowers that form a flat-topped umbrella-esque cluster—they are pretty to look at, but underneath they can turn a nice time into a nightmare, giving you itchy, red blisters upon touch.

    Don’t rush.

    Beginners’ hiking trails can vary in distance—some may be just under two hours, some may be more. Whatever it is, know that hiking may be a physical activity, but there’s no need to rush yourself as if you are running the marathon. Take your time in walking through the path and remember that you’re out in nature, so take in the breathtaking views for as long as you like. It’s cliché, but yes, a hike is the best time to stop and smell the roses.

    So now that you know essential do’s and don’ts in hiking, are you ready for your first hike?

    SOURCES

    https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/outside-is-for-everyone-mec-apologizes-for-lack-of-minorities-in-its-ads-1.4147396

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/10/26/an-82-year-old-man-hiked-the-entire-appalachian-trail-then-he-danced-a-jig/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3feeb125e22c

    https://www.slice.ca/travel/photos/best-hiking-trails-in-canada/#!west-coast-trail-vancouver-hike

    https://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/travel/article/10-best-hiking-trails-in-canada

    https://www.ourwindsor.ca/whatson-story/5743130-5-poisonous-plants-of-southern-ontario-you-should-avoid/

    https://www.livescience.com/54456-tips-for-hiking-with-kids.html

    http://www.sandiegofamily.com/out-and-about/hiking-with-kids

  • How You Can Have an Adventurous Career as a Commercial Diver

    How You Can Have an Adventurous Career as a Commercial Diver

    There are a lot of things that make the ocean interesting and compelling, so it is no wonder that many people take an interest in scuba diving. But did you know that you could actually have a fulfilling career in deep sea diving? A commercial diver is someone who can take this passion and make a career of it by working alongside commercial oil rigs to test for damage and inspect the conditions of man-made underwater structures, fix problems as they arise with welding tools, work with surface technicians to solve problems in deep water, recover objects that are lost to the depths, as well as other regular technical tasks that require someone experienced in scuba diving. This means that this career not only requires a love for the ocean, but it also requires a knowledge of mechanical equipment and power tools. Commercial divers need spatial awareness, people skills while consulting with a rig crew, a comfort in being submerged underwater for a long period of time, amongst other general labour skills. It can also be a very physically demanding job.

    What are the perks of the job?

    The most glaring perk for students considering this career is that you are able to spend a lot of time underwater. If scuba diving is an exciting activity for you, then this is a good opportunity to make a living from it. As well, if you are passionate about machinery and engineering, then this career may be a perfect way for you to exercise your mechanic passion. Another solid benefit from this job is the very livable average salary, which is about $75,020, according to PayScale. Common benefits to this career include the standard health and dental benefits with many placement offers including vision benefits as well. Because of the specified skill set that this career requires, it is also a very high in demand job, especially along Canada’s west coast, according to California Diver.

    What are some of the setbacks?

    Being a commercial diver can be a very physically demanding job and require a large amount of contact with the rest of the rig crew, requiring a great degree of social skills. It also requires specific expertise in certain fields, which can make it a difficult job to get into. It is also important for commercial divers to be able to think quickly on their feet (so to speak) when things go wrong.

    How can I grow with this career?

    Commercial divers will generally receive small pay increases as they move forward in their career after evaluation by supervisors. It is possible that a talented commercial diver may be promoted to become a supervisor or a superintendent after a few years in the industry.

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

    There are many other careers that require the same skills used in the commercial diver career: deep sea diving and engineering. Different careers requiring these skills include: deep sea diver, divemaster (someone who leads recreational diving groups), navy diver, general scuba diver, non- destructive testing underwater welder, salvage diver, underwater assistant and underwater welder. There are a few job roles reserved for individuals who are skilled at underwater diving.

    Reference:

    California Diver, “Commercial Divers In Demand on Canada’s West Coast”:

    http://californiadiver.com/commercial-divers-needed-on-canadas-west-coast/

    Career Planner.com, “Commercial Diver”:

    https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Commercial-Divers.cfm

    Chron, “Entry Level Commercial Diving Salary”:

    https://work.chron.com/entry-level-commercial-diving-salary-3886.html

    My Plan.com, “Commercial Divers”:

    https://www.myplan.com/careers/commercial-divers/description-49-9092.00.html

    PayScale.com, “Commercial Diver Salary”:

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Commercial_Diver/Hourly_Rate

  • Career Profile: Furniture Finisher

    Career Profile: Furniture Finisher

    Have you ever sat on a rough piece of furniture that gave you a splinter in your finger or leg? No one likes to use uncomfortable chairs or to sit at tables that might collapse under the weight of their lunch, but they might not realize that a special kind of trade is all about making sure that furniture is ready to use when people buy it. Furniture finishers help to make people’s homes comfortable and livable.

    Making a piece of furniture involves many different tasks. First, people have to get the wood, cut it to the right size and shape, and get it ready to put together. That is where furniture finishers begin their work. They repair any parts that need it, including filling in gaps where wood might have been gouged out, or sanding down rough edges if necessary. They apply stain to turn the wood into different colours to match people’s homes, and add lacquer or paint if necessary.

    The job of furniture finisher in a factory normally comes at the end of the manufacturing process, and it can be somewhat rushed if there have been delays along the way. Still, with other people around to help, furniture finishing does not have to be very stressful. Often, furniture finishers work closely with other people to get the work done in these situations.

    Another option for finding work in this trade is to work in a small shop where people come to get their furniture repaired and restored. In this situation, furniture finishers also need to know how to take tables, chairs, or dressers apart and put them back together without damaging them. Sometimes, they might work with very dry and brittle wood, and they need to know the right chemicals to use to restore old pieces. In small shops, furniture finishers are likely to work alone or with one or two other people.

    Furniture finishers need to know a lot about the materials that they work with. If you want to get into this field, courses in chemistry and mathematics can help provide the information and skills that you need for choosing the right products to use on the wood and tell you how much you need of each one. If you use too little, it might not be effective, but if you use too much, it might start to eat through the wood or cause the metal parts to rust.

    Furniture finishers might have trouble finding work in difficult economic times when people have little money to buy furniture, but the skills are useful for many other fields, such as working in maintenance at an office or school. Generally, furniture finishers earn between about $30,500 and $57,500, but the salary can vary a lot, depending on how big the company is and other factors. If you want to get into this trade, it is a good idea to have a second or third area where you can work, such as window repair or fence construction.

    Working as a furniture finisher can be a good job for people who are patient and good with their hands. If that describes you, why not consider this career?

    Bibliography:

    Careers.org. “Occupational Profile for Furniture Finishers.” http://www.careers.org/occupations/51-7021.00/furniturefinishers.

    Job Bank. “Furniture Refinishing Varnisher in Canada.”

    https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/summary-occupation/12756/ca.

    Payscale.com. “Furniture Finisher: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Furniture_Finisher/Hourly_Rate.

    Study.com. “Furniture Finishing Classes, Diplomas, and Degree Program.” https://study.com/furniture_finishing_class.

  • Career Profile: Arborist

    Career Profile: Arborist

    Growing plants can be fun, but it takes a lot of work. For arborists, working with plants and trees is sometimes difficult, but it can also be a good job.

    Arborists work to grow plants and trees keep them healthy. They plant seeds, water and fertilize the soil, prune or trim plants if necessary, check for diseases, and do whatever they need to do to keep plants healthy. They also have experience cutting trees down and identifying them. They often have the nick name of “tree surgeon”.

    Arborists might work at tree nurseries, universities, government departments, or any other places that work with the outdoors. Sometimes, their employers might ask for something special, like a group of fruit trees in a park. Often, the arborists need to look at the soil, climate conditions, and other factors to make a decision about what would grow best.

    Becoming an arborist takes a lot of education. If you want to get into this job, you will need to take science subjects like chemistry and biology in high school. In the early grades, it can be helpful to learn as much as possible about how plants grow. Most arborists have at least a bachelor’s degree from a university or a technical diploma from a college.

    This type of work can have a lot of variety. Some arborists spend much of their time outside, working with plants or making plans for what to do next. This work can be quite dirty, since it involves digging in the soil and working with fertilizers and water. Gardening gloves can help, but arborists who work outdoors should be prepared to come home with mud on their hands and clothes. This is especially true if people have to go out in a storm to deal with an emergency.

    Do you like dealing with urgent problems or do you prefer to work quietly with time to think and plan? If you like to work ahead, you might choose to spend your time as an arborist doing research and possibly teaching classes.

    Suppose that you need to replace the trees in an area where diseases or insects have been killing many of the plants. If you have good records of what you have already tried, you can more easily decide what is best to try next. If you have not been keeping good records, you might accidentally try the same thing twice and waste time that you could use for other work.

    Salaries for arborists can vary a lot. Generally, they start at about $15 per hour and can rise to $29 per hour, or $32,000 to $64,000 per year. Arborists can combine a few different jobs, such as teaching a class or two during the winter and doing work out in the field during the summer.

    Sometimes, arborists specialize in a certain type of plant or weather conditions. For example, the plants that grow in Ontario might not grow in British Columbia or Saskatchewan. Arborists might specialize in the kinds of plants that grow in places with mild or very harsh winters.

    Working as an arborist can be very fulfilling for people who enjoy plants. You might want to consider this career.

    Bibliography:

    Eco Canada. “Career Profiles: Arborist.” http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/arborist.

    Learning Path. “Arborist Career Information.” http://learningpath.org/articles/Arborist_Career_Info.html.

    Payscale.com. “Arborist: Hourly Rate.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Arborist/Hourly_Rate.

    Study.com. “Arborist Job Description, Duties and Requirements. https://study.com/articles/Arborist_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html