Category: Elementary

If you are interested in Canadian law, but don’t want to go through the long process of a law degree and taking the bar exam to become a practicing lawyer, then working as a legal secretary might be the career for you.

One of several legal support roles, legal secretaries typically work in law firms and provide administrative and other assistance to lawyers and other law firm employees.  Many legal secretaries begin their career working in a small firm, and as they build experience they move into larger and more prestigious law firms.

It’s important to note the difference between legal secretaries and legal assistants or paralegals. These terms are often used interchangeably but do in fact describe two different legal support roles.  Specifically, legal assistants and paralegals have additional college or university-level education that allows them to give certain kinds of legal advice, and submit certain types of legal documentation, while legal secretaries can not do these tasks.

Responsibilities of legal secretaries include drafting correspondence and memos to clients and to other lawyers, organize client and case files, maintain client databases, take dictation and transcribe audio recordings of lawyer meetings. They will also maintain the lawyer’s schedule for client meetings, court appearances and other events.  In some cases, usually in smaller firms, legal secretaries can also assist in preparing invoices and billing clients.

Most legal secretaries will be employed directly by a law firm, but they can also be employed by court offices at the municipal, provincial and national level, or by companies that possess their own legal departments.

Some of the highlights of working as a legal secretary include being in a challenging environment that offers many different types of work, since all cases are different, and if you have a particular interest (such as financial, environmental, or employment law, for example) you can find a law office with that as it’s focus.  There is also lots of room for advancement in this career path, either working toward a more senior position in a single firm or moving into increasingly large and prestigious firms over time.

There are a few challenges to working as a legal secretary, as well.  Chief among these is the fact that the legal industry can be very stressful, as workloads can be heavy and subject to many overlapping deadlines.  This can result in long hours, especially when the lawyer you are assisting is involved in a court case or other intensive client file.

While specific experience in the legal field is usually not required to begin working as a legal secretary, many employers prefer to hire workers who have completed a one to two-year college diploma for secretarial, executive assistant, or legal secretary.

Salaries for legal secretaries range from around $27,000 for entry-level workers with limited experience and those working at smaller firms, up to $60,000 for those with some years of experience and working at a larger firm or company.  This is approximately starting at the hourly minimum wage for your province, up to around $25 per hour for those with experience.

Sources:

https://www.monster.ca/career-advice/article/be-a-legal-secretary-canada

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=1242

https://www.paralegaledu.org/canada/

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

https://www.thebalance.com/the-difference-between-paralegals-and-legal-assistants-2164542

It’s a job that’s not for the faint of heart. When the wild things come into contact with regular city and suburban life, you might need a little help to get that little critter out of the house or workplace. But being an animal control worker is not just about being a creature wrangler, they handle many jobs from unruly household pets out of control to wildlife, small and large, who stray too close to civilization. Very often, they also help to recuperate abused animals and help them to recover from a pained life, including impounding animals, interviewing others who may have witnessed any wrongdoing, etc. To start off in this job, you need a high school diploma, but in certain jurisdictions, you will also need on-the-job training and certification that says you are fit to handle with potentially dangerous animals. As an animal control worker, you will have to respond to calls made throughout the city and put yourself in potentially dangerous situations to maintain the peace.

What are the perks of the job?

Some of the perks of the jobs include a median annual wage of roughly $36,000, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics and in Canada, the most commonly reported wages are $23.82 per hour. A few of the benefits that come with being an animal control worker is the fact that you do not need a college degree for this position (freeing you of student debt as soon as you start your job), the prospects are looking good with a growth of about 15% between 2012 and 2022, you work directly with animals and the humane treatment of our furry friends, and a largely independent working lifestyle where a boss isn’t watching you 24/7.

What are some of the setbacks?

Unfortunately, every job has a few setbacks, and some of the issues associated with being an animal control worker include having to euthanize an animal which can take its toll on a person emotionally. Also, handling animals (especially rabid animals) can be very dangerous and as animal control, you may come into contact with a few unsavory individuals who abuse animals and have a hostile attitude towards you. The other potential issue is that you will be expected to be on call for evenings, weekends, and possibly even holidays

How can I grow with this career?

There isn’t too much room for promotion in the animal control worker line of work aside from either working in social advocacy groups or excelling in different levels of government. For example, an animal control worker who is employed at a state level would earn a higher income than a worker who is employed by their local government. To enter into the job, you must be trained for the profession and learn what to expect when dealing with aggressive animals.

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

A thorough knowledge of a government job could prime an animal control worker for other forms of work within the government, provided they have the proper training. With a boots-on-the-ground skillset, the animal control worker profession could possibly help an employee find work in another hands-on field like construction and other trades jobs after the licenses are earned.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: “33-9011 Animal Control Workers”

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes339011.htm

Indeed: “Animal Control Officer Salaries in Canada”

https://ca.indeed.com/salaries/Animal-Control-Officer-Salaries=

Learning Path: “Pros and Cons of a Career as an Animal Control Officer”

http://learningpath.org/articles/Becoming_an_Animal_Control_Officer_Job_Description_Salary_Info.html

Study.com: “Animal Control Worker: Job Description, Duties and Outlook”

https://study.com/articles/Animal_Control_Worker_Job_Description_Duties_and_Outlook.html

Not many people consider pursuing hydrology (a fancy word meaning the study of water) as a career, but perhaps after today, you might even give it some thought. A hydrologist is someone who studies the movement of water whether it is rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation, surface water like rivers and stream, and ground water reservoirs and how it impacts the immediate environment around them. There could be many factors influencing the health of an ecosystem’s water supply. A few general tasks that a hydrologist completes on a day-to-day basis include: testing PH levels in local water supplies, measure properties like volume and speed, collect samples to detect any abnormal features, research ways to minimize damage to the water environment, and evaluate local projects and constructs like hydro dams and water treatment facilities. The career can be split into two more specific specializations: groundwater hydrologists and surface water hydrologists.

To begin pursuing this career, you will need to go to post-secondary school and earn a bachelor’s degree in hydrology and water management to one day acquire an entry-level position. If you want to aim higher, then a master’s degree or a Ph.D. is needed. In some states and provinces, the working hydrologist may need a government-issued license. You can operate on the field collecting water and soil samples or you can be an in-office hydrologist who largely analyzes data and compares them to previous year’s sets.   

What are the perks of the job?

A few perks that the hydrologist can enjoy is a higher than average median annual income, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has calculated to be $80,480 as of May 2016. It also has a positive outlook of a 10% increase between 2016 and 2026. If you are a field hydrologist, you could benefit from decent outdoor work. If the great outdoors isn’t exactly your pace, a desk job is also an option. That level of flexibility could appeal to many would-be hydrologists.

What are some of the setbacks?

Attaining a career in hydrology can be more difficult than other careers within the environmental science field. The specific skillset that hydrologists are trained in make career-shifting a bit more difficult than with other careers. The work could also be considered boring after a few years of analyzing samples of the same regions with little excitement. Field work could also have some hydrologists working longer hours than they initially intended.

How can I grow with this career?

Hydrologists generally work at a state level, but some can excel in their careers to the point where they go on expeditions to places like Antarctica where they can participate in bigger projects. That way, they can make a bigger difference to the scientific community.

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

Other scientific or analytical within environmental studies can support the specific skill set and training that a hydrologist enjoys, making their desirability to be hired somewhat as strong as other professions.

Reference:

Career Centre: “Hydrologist”

http://www.careercentre.dtwd.wa.gov.au/Occupations/Pages/hydrologist.aspx

Learning Path: “Pros and Cons of a Career in Hydrology”

http://learningpath.org/articles/Hydrology_Careers_Job_Description_Salary_Information.html

Truity: “Hydrologist”

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

Many people have New Years resolutions to get in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle, or are just generally interested in pursuing a healthier lifestyle for other reasons. Often times, people need a bit of help to stay on track with their fitness goals and diet plans. That’s where the personal trainer comes in. Personal trainers are responsible for helping their clients set up their fitness goals and achieving them through hard work and dedication. Because of their near-constant with people, a personal trainer needs to have great communication skills, have a great personality, have a solid working knowledge of muscular anatomy, and have a personable teaching style when educating clients. If you’re an active person who loves meeting new people and helping them be enthusiastic about a healthy lifestyle, here’s why being a personal trainer might appeal to you.

What are the perks of the job?

If you’re already an athletic person, then this career probably sounds like a dream come true. A few other perks of the job include the satisfaction of helping others achieve their goals and dreams, and working with a gym or working by yourself (providing some career flexibility depending on how you prefer to work). The job outlook is also relatively positive, sporting a projected 12% growth between 2012 and 2022. It’s also one of the few jobs where practically no experience is required, although you would need to maintain a certain level of physical fitness and be pleasant to work with. To boot, Salary.com reported that the median annual salary is approximately 58,000 as of January, 2018.

What are some of the setbacks?

This job isn’t without a few cons however, largely that there are a few clients who are going to be difficult to work with because they either have a poor attitude or are largely unmotivated. It can also be especially complicated if you are a self-employed personal trainer and need to promote yourself, making this as much a sales job as it is a fitness career. However, working at a gym can be just as taxing with the amount of self-promotion you have to conduct to maintain enough business to be employed by the gym you are working for

How can I grow with this career?

While some personal trainers prefer to remain as an employee in a gym that provides training services, some personal trainers go the self-employed route and work to create their own business. It is not always necessary to have a college degree when pursuing this line of work, though having a business degree as well as a degree in studying muscular anatomy can certainly be a feather in your cap when you’re trying to get ahead in this job.

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

You certainly could! This physical nature of the personal trainer career gears the employee to be able to handle other jobs that require a lot of labour. With the proper training, the former personal trainer could look forward to a job in the trades, especially since they also have open options to work for a company or be self-employed.

Reference:

Azcentral: “Pros & Cons of Being a Personal Trainer”

https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/pros-cons-being-personal-trainer-8992.html

Fitness Careers: “Personal Trainer Job Description”

https://www.fitnesscareers.com.au/newsview/personal-trainer-job-description-48

Salary.com: “Personal Trainer Salaries”

https://www1.salary.com/Personal-Trainer-Salary.html

Study.com: “Personal Trainer: Job Description & Career Requirements”

https://study.com/articles/Personal_Trainer_Job_Description_and_Requirements_for_Starting_a_Career_in_Personal_Training.html

Everyone faces daunting problems at one point or another in their lives. Social workers help families, individuals, and groups with some of those problems in order to allow them to lead better lives. It is a complex career with many emotional peaks and valleys, and one that comes with a heavy burden and large set of challenges. For those able to take on that emotional weight, the rewards are plentiful and the impact that can be had is immense.

Social workers are assigned patients and help them with a many number of issues. They welcome patients to centers designated to social work and assess their needs, difficulties, and future goals. Support groups, programs, and educational resources are selected and provided to these patients to meet their needs. The social worker is also tasked with helping families and individuals with problems they experience emotionally and socially. They help these people find jobs and get back on their feet, and maintain a caseload of patients over time.

Aside from the immense pride to be had in aiding people in unfortunate circumstances, social workers also get to meet those from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. They may work regular full-time hours for consistency, but many also have shifts that allow for flexibility in their schedule. Conversely, the stress and emotional turmoil of working with struggling patients can be intense.

Typically, social workers can expect to make close to $50,000 annually. Those starting out in the profession tend to earn around $33,700. After some years of experience, that salary can reach over $71,000. Those working shifts can expect to make anywhere from $19 to $45 per hour. Although there are many people looking for social worker positions, competition is not expected to be that strong thanks to the demand for the profession. From 2015 to 2024, there will be around 31,500 positions and 30,500 people looking to fill them.

Job seekers are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree in social work. A Master’s degree can be very helpful in more competitive regions. As patients in Canada are coming from all over the world, it can be very beneficial to speak other languages aside from English. Patience and management skills are a great asset in dealing with the many cases that come along. Entry-level jobs are typically supervised and more administrative in nature. Becoming a social worker usually requires being a member in the association of social workers for a particular province. After many years of experience, it is possible to move on to a supervisor or managerial role.

Social work is at once both infinitely rewarding and endlessly stressful. If an aspiring social worker is able to accept the difficulties that come with the job, the satisfaction of providing crucial help to so many lives can vastly outweigh the negatives of the career. Those looking to pursue the field can find volunteer positions helping others and pursue social work courses at the post-secondary level. An amazing career of helping countless lives awaits.

Sources:

Job Bank. “Social Workers.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=9219&lang=eng&noc=4152&action=final&regionKeyword=Toronto%2COntario&s=2&source=2&titleKeyword=social+worker#report_tabs_container2

PayScale. “Social Worker Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Social_Worker/Salary