Category: Elementary

Be your own boss. Never follow the crowd. These are both good pieces of advice that you will hear from many people. And yet, many people do not follow that advice. If it is so common, and sounds like the right thing to do, then why do not so many people not do it? A lot of that is because of fear, comfort, and uncertainty.

Fear is a tricky emotion. It can help us stay out of very dangerous situations and know when to be careful. But fear can also keep us from doing things that we truly want to do. Many people stay at jobs they hate, live in places they do not want to live, and do things every day that they do not want to do out of fear. They are afraid of what might happen if they make a change or if they disappoint certain people, like their parents or friends.

To get past this fear, you need to be able to see yourself as a leader and know how to learn from your mistakes. When you are in a bad situation or do something wrong, it is important not to look down on yourself. Instead, focus on what you can learn from what happened and how it can help you grow. Leaders and bosses are never perfect, but they are always learning.

Being comfortable sounds like a good thing. We want to sit in comfortable chairs and lie down in comfy beds. But when we are too comfortable in a chair or bed, we do not want to get up. That can be the same problem when following the crowd. People stay in jobs they do not really want or live a life they do not want to live because even though it is not what they want, it is at least comfortable. Being comfortable can mean getting stuck.

It is important to focus on the present. You need to think of whether you are really happy with what is happening in your life right this moment. Start getting out of your comfort zone with small decisions in your life. Look for little things where you have trouble trusting yourself. For example, you might always let your friends decide where to go for food. Take charge by being the one to say where you will eat. These small decisions, if done regularly, will help you realize what you really want and that you can make big things happen for yourself.

Uncertainty can be the toughest thing to face for many people. Even if we are brave and trust ourselves, we never know for sure what will happen if we quit a job, change the way we live, or move to a whole new city. There are no guarantees that things will get better. When we do not know what the outcome will be, we can be too afraid to take any steps. When we follow the crowd and play it safe, we may not be happy, but at least we know what tomorrow will look like.

Focus instead on embracing the unknown. There might be a lot of risks, but there are a lot of advantages to making changes. Focus on that and use that positive thinking to keep moving forward. When we get caught up in the unknown, our brains will come up with all the ways things can go wrong and keep us from making the changes we need. Do not waste time thinking about what could happen. Make things happen instead.

When people end up following the crowd, it is not because they really want to or because they really chose to do it. They are giving in to fear, comfort, and uncertainty. When you are aware of these three problems and take the time and energy to stand up to them, you can be your own boss. “Follow your heart” sounds simple but is never easy. Start putting in the work and effort now, and your future self will thank you.

Sources:

Ishak, Raven. “9 Ways to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself & Trust Your Own Decisions.” Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/articles/163531-9-ways-to-stop-second-guessing-yourself-trust-your-own-decisions

Meyer, Sean. “Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Follow the Crowd.” Be Yourself. https://byrslf.co/heres-what-happens-when-you-don-t-follow-the-crowd-de4bbf669279

Social workers might not be as conspicuous as government officials, politicians, or even the police or law enforcement personnel, but they are equally important in keeping the community safe and stable. Although they might not be in the spotlight, social workers play integral roles in establishing a better society.

Social Workers – What You Need to Know

Social workers’ main responsibility is to work closely with individuals and families to evaluate a variety of issues and to be of assistance to help in understanding and cope with emotional and social issues. They can work with people from specific age groups, cultural backgrounds, socio-economic status, gender, and others, depending on the organization they are employed under. For instance, there are social workers who work under agencies that specifically deal with immigrant families.

Regardless of the type of organization or branch they are working for, social workers’ primary goal is to leverage their critical and analytical thinking skills, so they can do a thorough needs assessment of the individuals or families who come to them for help or who are usually referred to as their clients. Once they are able to properly identify the clients’ needs, they must harness their research abilities to find information that are relevant to address those needs. While social workers refer the clients to other resources like support groups and the like, it is their responsibility to provide comprehensive information on what the next steps would be.

In some facilities, social workers are also assigned with responsibilities that promote socialization among affected individuals. For instance, a social worker under the employment of a shelter may be asked to help with activities planning such as movie nights or field trips.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a social worker can earn an average of $49,979 per year with potential for profit sharing in some cases. The branches where social workers can earn the most are in group therapy, patient counseling, and child advocacy.

Skills

For aspiring social workers, a good step to start is to earn a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Canadian university that has been accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE). The education and training will involve theoretical courses and practical training. It will be a definite plus to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work as well.

After completing the necessary education, they must obtain a license prior to working as a social worker anywhere in Canada. Each province has enacted legislation and established social work regulatory bodies to govern the profession in line with the legislation.

Most importantly though, an important aspect to thrive in this industry is having the natural desire to help people and guide them to be valuable members of the society. They should possess a keen understanding of people from all walks of life to be able to leverage sensitivity for a multitude of cultures, backgrounds, and lifestyles and build trust and understanding.

Pros and Cons

A career in social work can prove to be a truly rewarding one—emotionally speaking—if you like helping people and the community.  Every social worker will have their favourite heartwarming story to tell about a client they have helped in their communities. Being an instrument for positive change is definitely something to look forward to as a social worker.

Being a social worker can be physically demanding in terms of work schedule when you are trying to beat deadlines as per client requirements or keeping with a quota for clients’ needs assessments. In some instances, it can be emotionally or mentally draining as well especially when you are assigned to cases of delicate nature, like providing assistance to victims of domestic or child abuse. In such cases, social workers must not let their emotions get in the way of their work and ensure the individuals are provided with the appropriate resources or are referred to the correct services.

SOURCES:

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

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/i-want-to-be-a-social-worker-what-will-my-salary-be/article17782489/

https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/node/21/policy-and-regulations/regulatory-bodies

Did you ever find yourself watching a TV show or movie or browsing a website and suddenly you are motivated to buy the product or service that’s being advertised? That’s the work of a marketing manager. However, effective marketing encompasses simple consumer engagement—it also involves brand building efforts and initiatives to establish customer loyalty. As marketing guru Al Ries wrote, “Marketing is not a battle of products, it’s a battle of perceptions.”

Whenever a brand succeeds, like Nike or Apple, it always starts with a well-delivered, carefully crafted marketing campaign that involve and engage customers, an effort led by the marketing manager. Let’s delve deeper into this exciting career.

Marketing Manager – What You Need to Know

A professional working in the capacity as a marketing manager means he or she is the one who takes in charge of supervising or creating the various advertising or merchandising sales campaigns for a company. Marketing managers can work with a single product, a product line, a brand, or the entire company. They typically work alongside creative, research, advertising, and sales teams to come up with the most strategic and effective marketing campaigns.

While the marketing manager designates responsibilities to the staff to see a marketing campaign through, he or she typically has the final word on certain decisions and thus to be an effective marketing manager, one must have a good grasp of market research and a great amount of marketing insight to be able to determine which approaches or styles appeal to the target consumer.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a marketing manager can earn $40,659 – $90,310 per year with potential for bonus, profit sharing, and commission. Marketing managers with at least 12 years of experience in the field can move towards the role of Marketing Director where they will be primary decision-makers for strategic planning, analytics or forecasting, market research, and budgeting.

Skills

If you have your sights set on a marketing manager career, get ready to earn a BA or BS degree in marketing, advertising, or communications. It also pays to have an MBA or other advanced degree. To reach management level, most organizations require at least 10 years or more experience in the marketing field, preferably with background in website, social media, or any digital form of marketing, apart from the traditional print or broadcast experience.

Since a marketing manager is steering the marketing ship, so to speak, it is beneficial to have expert problem-solving skills. Suffice it is to say, a good marketing manager must be an effective leader in bringing out a marketing team’s suite of strengths in implementing integrated, global and national campaigns and programs utilizing the full range of available media to increase brand presence, drive market share, and grow profits and revenue.

Pros and Cons

For many, working as a marketing manager means there is never a dull moment. One is tasked to deal with a variety of products or brands, and that can be incredibly exciting. It is considered to be a fulfilling career in a lot of aspects.

For some, that means a great deal of challenge as it is a fast-paced working environment, and there is barely any time to slow down. Marketing managers can also face the challenge of not being able to close the loop with the sales team, which happens when marketing efforts are producing quality leads or gaining significant public attention but not leading to new clients or customers.

SOURCES:

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

https://blog.globalwebindex.com/marketing/10-powerful-examples-of-marketing-that-works/

https://blog.hubspot.com/insiders/problems-marketing-managers-face

Canada’s tourism and retail industries are enjoying peak numbers according to a latest report by CBC News based on research by Destination Canada. In 2016 alone, Canada attracted an additional 1.2 million visitors compared to the previous year (2015), which was 33% above target. These visitors went on to spend over $1.5 billion, which was 36% above target.

With this ever-growing numbers, the tourism sector, currently providing nearly 10,500 jobs, is expected to grow even more. One job that will continue to flourish because of vibrant tourism activities will be the concierge, so this is one career that is worth looking into.

Concierge – What You Need to Know

A concierge professional is a customer service representative who works in hotels, resorts, shopping malls, or residential facilities, including privately owned condominium properties and homes. Some corporate office settings have also adopted the concierge approach.

When in tourism-related work environments, the concierge’s main task is to provide a positive guest experience. They serve as the first point of contact for guests or customers and they are the go-to personnel when tourists want to know about shopping or dining options or the best spots to visit. While it’s true that Siri or Alexia can provide this information, the concierge can do more as they can also make recommendations and advice based on their personal experience so there is a personal touch—and that’s something Siri or Alexia can’t provide.

The concierge can also perform other tasks on behalf of the hotel guests or customers: from arranging to pick up laundry to booking a luxury beach resort. In some establishments, the concierge is also mandated to perform in capacities related to safety and security.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a concierge can earn between $24,486 up to $44,887 per year with potential for bonus, tips, and overtime. With exceptional performance and years of experience, a concierge can earn higher level positions such as an operations manager where they can manage a team of front desk agents, night auditors, and concierge professionals.

Skills

To start off a career as a concierge, it’s beneficial to earn a high school diploma or its equivalent or GED. Of course, because of the nature of their work, the priority quality all concierge must have is refined customer service skills so they can always provide outstanding customer service to tourists, guests, customers, or tenants. A concierge must also have exceptional verbal and written communication skills to correspond with customers and provide them with the comprehensive information they need.

In addition, they have to have expert observation skills and must be meticulous in record keeping and report writing. Maintaining grace under pressure is also a must in this undertaking.

Pros and Cons

A career as a concierge can be an exciting one as one will have to deal with all types of people all the time. Since every customer is different, a concierge can expect every day to be different. Of course, this can also be challenging as one will have to be flexible to adopt or adjust a certain customer service approach and tailor it to the customer’s personality type. At times, they will have to deal with the pressure of accommodating the demanding requests of VIP guests.

Another challenge is dealing with a high volume of guests during peak seasons.

SOURCES:

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

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/travel-canada-numbers-1.4682484

https://www.destinationcanada.com/sites/default/files/archive/686-2018-2022-corporate-plan-summary/2018-corporate-plan-summary-e-february-5-2018.pdf

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/11/cb.hotel.concierge/index.html

Some people love to be outside, enjoying the fresh air. Are you one of them? Imagine a job where you could be outside for most of the day, helping people who want to learn about nature. Wilderness guides take visitors on trip for fishing, hiking, climbing, and other activities to show them new things and keep them safe.

Many people like to walk or ride their bicycles around the areas where they live. Sometimes they want to do something a bit more challenging, like rock climbing or white water rafting. Until they gain enough experience to go on their own safely, they might need the help of someone to show them the way.

Becoming a wilderness guide takes a lot of knowledge but not necessarily much education. Some wilderness guides have a high school education but learn everything they can about the area where they want to work. They learn the names of plants and animals and learn how to avoid dangers. Other guides get International Wilderness Guide Certification or take courses through local organizations.

Not all areas are the same. Being a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains would be very different from the same job in a flatter area like Manitoba. Being a wilderness guide for people who want to hunt or fish would not be the same as helping rock climbers. Most wilderness guides have to prepare for all kinds of hikes, climbs, and other trips that they have to take.

Physical strength and general health are some of the most important factors for becoming a wilderness guide. If you want to get into this work, you will need at least a high school education. At this level, salaries begin at about $23,000 per year, depending on where the jobs are, how long they last, and how difficult they are. At higher levels, wilderness guides can earn over $200,000 per year, but they have to be very knowledgeable and be willing to take risks that others might not want to attempt.

Some of the jobs that wilderness guides do are not very exciting. They have to set up tents for the night, cook meals, and maybe help with health problems. Knowing first aid is essential because people can easily get cuts and scrapes, or even broken bones. If the weather is rainy or cold, guides might need to make decisions about when to end a trip and return home. They might have to help visitors who are tired or sick to get back home and deal with any emergencies that happen.

Trips into the wilderness can be short, sometimes only a day or two. Others can be a few weeks long and involve a lot of preparation. Guides might have to shop for food and other supplies to take with them. Work in this area can be very busy in certain seasons but very quiet in others. A skiing area, for example, would have much less work in summer than in winter.

Do you love outdoor adventures? You should consider becoming a wilderness guide.

Bibliography:

Go2 Tourism HR Society. “Outdoor Adventure Guide.” https://www.go2hr.ca/careers/outdoor-adventure-guide.

International Wilderness Guide. “Course Description.” https://internationalwildernessguide.com/about/.

Neuvoo.ca. “Outdoor Guide.” https://neuvoo.ca/salary/outdoor-guide/.

State University.com. “Outdoor Guide Job Description, Career as an Outdoor Guide, Salary, Employment – Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job.” http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/534/Outdoor-Guide.html

Checking the weather each day is a common activity, and the news is full of discussion on climate change and how this will affect people, cities, and agriculture.  But where does all this information come from?

Atmospheric science, also often called climatology, is a branch of environmental science that focuses on the study of Earth’s atmosphere, climate, and weather.  Atmospheric scientists and climatologists will use tools such as weather balloons, satellite data, radar and sensor systems to collect and analyze data on droughts, storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, pollution and air quality, air pressure and temperature, and the ozone layer, then make forecasts and predictions.  They can also take historical records study the climate and weather of the past, both the recent past and hundreds or thousands of years ago, or study how the Earth’s atmosphere interacts at the boundary of outer space and how this affects the planet’s climate.

Climatologists will take their research data and use sophisticated computers to develop weather and climate models for both short term, like the weekly weather forecast, and long term, like predictions for climate change over a decade or longer.  They will also create weather and climate maps, advise local and national government on climate and weather-related topics, and can issue public safety warnings during instances of dangerous weather events.  These scientists often work indoors in labs and offices, but will often also travel and do field work outside in order to gather data.

The data and forecasts developed by atmospheric scientists are vital to many other industries, including governmental bodies, the military, transportation and commerce, agriculture, and environmental organizations.

A bachelor’s degree in climate science, atmospheric science, environmental science or a related field is usually required for most entry level positions, such as lab and research assistants, fieldwork technicians, and teaching environmental sciences at the high school level.  Teaching at the college and university level will require a Master’s degree, as will research and fieldwork positions with governmental and environmental organizations. For advanced academic research positions, and government or military advisory and consulting, often a Ph.D. will be required.

Starting salaries for climate and atmospheric scientists are around $40,000 per year for entry-level positions, with an overall industry median of around $56,000. As these scientists move up through their careers, they can reach salary levels as high as $80,000 or a bit higher in experienced positions in government and research organizations.

Sources:

https://www.sokanu.com/careers/atmospheric-scientist/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/atmospheric-scientist

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

Chemistry is more than just a class you take in high school.  The field of chemistry is the study of all things chemical, which includes processes, configurations, synthesis and manipulation of chemicals, and from the atomic and molecular level through all different states of matter.

Working as a chemist means mostly working in a laboratory setting, but many different companies and organizations employ chemists.  Some of the primary places chemists can work include research labs at universities or corporations, chemical manufacturing plants, pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, oil and gas processing plants, and in agriculture, plastics, cosmetics, minerals, pulp and paper, food and beverages, environmental management, medical research and healthcare, among others.

Because this field covers a wide variety of topics, pursuing chemistry as a career path opens up many different opportunities and types of jobs. Depending on which of these industries you’re interested in working for, there are many different specialties for chemists, such as biochemistry, nuclear chemistry, neurochemistry, forensics, and medicine.

Chemists perform research tasks such as testing formulas, substrates, and reagents, then collecting and analyzing the data.  This means they are highly skilled in using lab equipment for chemical analysis and processing, such as machines and techniques for high pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, titration, and data analysis.  Chemists are also familiar with the scientific method, which they use to plan experiments, and have a high attention to detail.  They also need good communication skills, for writing notes, reports, and academic articles about their experiments, and for working on research teams with other scientists.

If you have an interest in chemistry but don’t want to spend your life in the lab, there are also many opportunities to work as high school and college chemistry teachers, or to pursue additional degrees in business or law and leading a company and offering guidance to governments and corporations.

Most careers as a chemist will require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering; for advanced careers, lead research positions, and professorships, a Ph.D. is usually required, as well.  In addition, chemists need a strong understanding of mathematics, physics, biology, and scientific safety procedures and equipment.  Adherence to safety protocols is essential in this field, as many chemists work with chemicals that are extremely hazardous, such as compounds that are toxic, corrosive, infectious, and volatile.

Salaries for Canadians working as chemists average around $51,000 per year.  Entry level positions and those just beginning their careers see salaries starting around $37,000 per year, with experienced chemists and those working advanced careers can receive salaries as high as $80,000.  For these experienced chemists, there can be opportunities for grants, fellowships, and inclusion in special projects and research teams, which can come with greater salaries and the opportunity to travel within Canada and internationally.

Sources:

https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-chemistry-degree

https://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/chemistry-careers

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

https://jobs.newscientist.com/article/what-does-a-chemist-do-/

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=2112&action=final&ln=n&regionKeyword=Toronto%2COntario&source=0&titleKeyword=chemist#job_opps

Most people in Canada learn how to read when they are still young. Soon after that they begin to learn about arithmetic, history, and all kinds of other topics, but learning about money can take years. Economic matters can be especially difficult for young people, but it can be very important to get help with financial literacy as early as possible to avoid problems in the future.

When people’s businesses fail or they lose all of their money, they might declare bankruptcy. In the past, middle aged or older people were the main ones to file for bankruptcy after they had worked, bought property, and spent their money. In recent years, more and more people between eighteen and twenty-four are going bankrupt. An earlier education in finances could help prevent this from happening.

Managing or avoiding debt is often one of the most important aspects of financial literacy. When people get out of school, or even while they are still in high school, they often want to buy cars and maybe move into their own homes. All of these things take a lot of money, and many people might spend more than they have saved. Before they realize it, they might have far too much debt to pay off with what they earn. Still, not all debt is bad, and people need to learn the difference.

Debt is only one of the topics that young people need to know about.  They should know when they can save money on cheaper items and when it is best to pay more. They should learn to keep track of their bank accounts and investments, but also learn what they need to know for the future when they live on their own.

Suppose that you want to buy a car to help you get to your part-time job or to go out with your friends. You will first need to calculate how much money it would take to buy a car, pay for gas, and take care of repairs to see if taking the bus is cheaper. If you want to go to university or college after high school, you will need to save money or get student loans which you will have to repay later. How can you decide what to do with your money?

Your parents, friends, and teachers might be able to give you financial advice, but a professional opinion is often very valuable. The first thing to do is to decide what you need to know. Do you need help with making a budget so that you know how much money you can spend each month? Maybe you already want to start preparing a budget for when you go to university or college.

When you know what you want to learn, you can find the information to fit your needs. Banks have always been places where people could get advice about money, but now many of them are also offering courses for young people. Websites can also be useful, although it is important to make sure that the information is accurate. Do you want to become financially literate? It’s never too early to start learning.

Bibliography:

Cunningham, James. “Teaching Youth to Manage Money.” https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/news/canadas-financial-literacy-blog/teaching-youth-manage-money.html.

Nelson, Jacqueline. “Count Me In, Canada will aim to improve financial literacy.” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investor-education/count-me-in-canada-will-aim-to-improve-financial-literacy/article24880312/.