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  • Career Profile: Ski Lift Mechanic

    Career Profile: Ski Lift Mechanic

    Imagine what it would be like to carry someone up a mountain slope. Very few people could do that on their own, but they can if they work as ski lift mechanics. These skilled workers help to keep downhill skiers going up hills and mountains so that they can enjoy their sport.

    Normally, people go skiing only in winter and early spring, but ski lift mechanics work all year to keep the lifts working in good order. Have you ever gone skiing? If you have, you might have seen two types of ski lifts. One type has long wires called cables close to the ground where people can hold on as their skis slide up the slope. The other has bench-style chairs attached to cables, which carry people far above the ground to the top of the hill. Both types of lifts need people to look after them.

    During the snowy season, ski lift mechanics can be very busy. With people using the lifts every day except in bad weather, mechanics have to make sure that all of the equipment is working well. It is very important that the lifts are safe for people to use because otherwise they might fall and get hurt. Mechanics need to check the cables and other parts to make sure that they will work smoothly and not fail in the middle of the day. They might need to work in the dark to make sure that the lifts are working when people want to use them. Sometimes, they also first install the lifts and then continue to take care of them later on.

    Even when ski season is done, mechanics still have a lot of work to do.  They need to repair or replace parts and test the lifts to make sure that they are working. On high mountains which have snow all year, mechanics have to work hard to keep the lifts working all the time. Often, mechanics also operate  and fix the lifts.

    Getting work in this field usually requires a combination of training and experience. Some ski lift mechanics need certificates, and many people also work in an apprenticeship to learn from experienced mechanics. Some employers are willing to train their workers, but others might want people to get some education or experience before they start. A career college might be a good place to start looking for any necessary training.

    Ski lift mechanics people should be able to work well with others in all kinds of weather conditions, including blizzards and extreme cold. Generally, they earn between about $26 and $28 per hour. In Canada, most of the jobs would be in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, but other areas might need mechanics, as well. Do you love to ski? Maybe you can combine that interest with your future job.

    Bibliography:

    Apprentice Search.com. “What Does a Ski Lift Mechanic Do?”  http://www.apprenticesearch.com/AboutTrades/GetTradeDetails?tradeId=81&TradeName=ski-lift-mechanic.

    Go Ski Alberta. “Jobs.” http://www.goskialberta.com/jobs/.

    Go 2 Tourism HR Society. “Lift Mechanic.” https://www.go2hr.ca/careers/lift-mechanic.

    Technical Standards & Safety Authority. “Ski Lift Mechanic Certification.” https://www.tssa.org/regulated/ski/skiLiftCertification.aspx

  • Make Them Laugh: A Career in Comedy

    Make Them Laugh: A Career in Comedy

    You know how to make them laugh. Witty retorts roll off your tongue. All your friends know you as the funny one. A career in comedy looks to be in your future, but what steps do you have to take to get there? The arts in particular can feature bigger roadblocks, including little job security, erratic hours, and low pay. But for many, those are small sacrifices to make to pursue your passion.

    You may have years of school ahead of you, but there is still lots you can do in the meantime to jumpstart your comedy career. From the moment you decide to take funniness seriously, it is time to get writing. Comedians spend a lot of their time outside performances working on their material. Always have a pad of paper or phone on you ready for notes and ideas. Commit yourself to coming up with at least 10 jokes per day. That might seem like a lot. Perhaps you are afraid most of those jokes will be awful. And you’re right. All of that material creation might only net you a few usable jokes on a good week, but the only path to good material is through a plethora of unusable bombs.

    Performing that material, however daunting, is critical. Your friends are a great source of a safe audience that can help you overcome stage fright. But it will be necessary to go in front of strangers as well. Take advantage of class presentations, school assemblies, and volunteer opportunities in theatre. Comedy can take varied forms, including stand up, improv, and scripted performances, and it is a good idea to try them all to find your preferences.

    Many post-secondary schools offer drama-related programs. However, you will want to consider studying a non-related field. Not only can you simultaneously take comedy courses in and outside your school, such as The Second City Training Center, you will also prepare yourself for a day job. Many comedians have noted that it took several years or more to find success, and a sustainable source of income is important in the meantime. That may not be ideal, but finding an enjoyable job that can also inspire your material is an important stepping stone in building your career.

    National Household Survey data from 2011 demonstrated that 36% of comedians found work as independent artists. Another 20% were employed by theatre companies such as the Second City. The number of comedians in television have decreased over the last three decades, while the film and television industry saw an increase from 9% to 17% from 1991 to 2011. This type of work often requires juggling multiple jobs at once. In 2010, the average employment income for actors and comedians who were not full-time was $25,407.

    The work may not provide the greatest income, nor may it be very stable, but the arts are for those whose passion outweighs those issues. If comedy is that important to you, then it is time to take it seriously.

    Resources:

    Actors and Comedians. Service Canada. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/5135.shtml

    How to Become a Stand-up Comedian. The Art Career Project. http://www.theartcareerproject.com/become-comedian/

  • STEM Career Profile : Film and Video Editor

    STEM Career Profile : Film and Video Editor

    The position of film and video editor–which is usually a freelance position–is the technical side of a creative field. This career requires you to be precise and systematic; you would be responsible for putting together raw recorded materials into a completed product for broadcast or purchase. Usually the material you will use is a compilation of dialogue, camera footage, sound effects, special effects and graphics. Typically, freelance editors work on short-term contracts specifically for post-production studios, corporate employers and television companies.

    Canada has a fast growing film and television industry, specifically in Toronto and Vancouver. There is so much production, so many jobs, and so much opportunity for creative satisfaction and financial gain. The typical varieties of productions that employ film and video editors are television programs, feature films, music videos, corporate training videos and commercials. This–like any creative employment field–is highly competitive; the trick to success is lots and LOTS of work. Get yourself into internships and build up your portfolio like it is the most important thing in your possession. Many editors need to also provide voice-over and commentary writing, suggest and select music, experiment with style techniques and different graphic elements, and being 100% concerned with the quality of editing and audio and video engineering. Degrees are not entirely necessary, but showing commitment and determination is incredibly important. Work experience and a website profile are a must-have. Use LinkedIn every day and make your portfolio available to the cyber world.

    Film and video editors get to read scripts and meet with directors in order to understand the vision intended for the film. Furthermore they must always have a sense of how the shooting is going by visiting sets, and they look for the best combination of performance, photography, continuity and timing. According to Payscale, the median average salary of a video editor is around $40,000 a year, and a high salary would be around $77,000. Of course, depending on what company you work for and how large the project is, these salaries can be lower or even higher.  This is not a job for those who want to be lax. But all the work leads to all the money…so start working on those editing skills!

  • STEM Careers Profile: Industrial Psychologist

    STEM Careers Profile: Industrial Psychologist

    Humans are fascinating creatures that spend most of their time in the workplace trying to make a living. Are you curious about why and how people act the way they do? Maybe psychology is the right field for you. There are many different types of psychology, but industrial psychology is one of the most continuously profitable fields. Industrial and organizational psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour, specifically in the workplace. So, let us learn a bit a more about this exciting STEM career (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

    These types of psychologists use research and evaluation methods to apply the best work methods in a company in order to make things run smoothly. Each company and organization has its issues, and often these issues involve communication, conflict resolution, processes, professional competence and effective management. The job of an industrial psychologist is to increase the productivity of employees, develop screening procedures for new applicants, and getting to the roots of workplace problems. Really, anything that has to do with performance in the workplace is the concern of an industrial psychologist. But the great thing about psychology jobs is that you do not have to stay in one place; they can work in colleges and universities and function as trainers, coaches and consultants. Industrial psychologists often work in an organization’s human resources department. But sometimes they can act as an independent consultant and get called into an organization in order to solve a specific problem. This job requires a minimum of a Master’s degree, but typically a Doctorate is preferred by hiring companies.

    While the most important thing when choosing a career is to choose something that both makes you happy and keeps you challenged and interested, psychology jobs also have a strong financial draw. According to PayScale Canada as of 2011, the average salary of a psychologist is $44, 510, and the highest salary may reach $148, 188 per year. Workplace psychology jobs also offer a fair amount security and comfort. If you like people and solving problems, this may be the field for you.

  • STEM Career Profile: Environmental Engineer

    STEM Career Profile: Environmental Engineer

    Do you like researching, testing and then finding solutions to things? Do you care about lakes, forests, air pollution and just the environment in general? These things could make you a great career and, truthfully, a lot of money! A STEM career (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in the field of environmental engineering is extremely rewarding and perfect for the person who wants to continuously be challenged in meaningful ways.

    As an environmental engineer you may deal with issues surrounding public health, recycling, waste disposal as well as issues related to water and air pollution control. This is a career for the science lover and the problem solver. Not only will you need to create solutions to environmental problems, but also work with existing solutions to make them even better. This means that you have your entire career to get better. Not only does your job make the world look better, but it keeps people healthier. As an environmental engineer you will analyze specific data, design municipal water supplies, prevent environmental catastrophes by designing regulations, perform quality checks, and correct and control malfunctioning equipment and research.

    Most environmental engineers work in architectural management or scientific and technical consulting firms; but there are also places for environmental engineers in state government or federal and local government offices. So what kind of education do you need? As a minimal, you will need a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in either environmental engineering, civil or chemical engineering. It does not hurt to get a Master’s degree for maximum salary potential, but not always necessary. The most important thing is to get yourself in to internships or cooperative engineering programs. Rack up that credit and experience- for once you do, the possibilities are endless and your wages will climb. A typical salary for an environmental engineer is between $57,000 and $95,00. This career promises to be satisfying on a personal, political and environmental level- go for it!

  • STEM Career Profile: Climate Change Analyst

    STEM Career Profile: Climate Change Analyst

    The world’s climate has become a major topic of discussion in recent years. As temperatures change and the impacts are felt, it has become a deeply divisive and problematic issue. Yet it is not all doom and gloom. There are many people working hard to better understand this phenomenon and how humans can best respond to it. If you find yourself drawn to the subject, you might want to consider becoming a climate change analyst.

    This field requires a strong understanding of both science and policy. On one hand, you may focus more on the former, in which you would be collecting data and analyzing it. On the other hand, you may be drawn more to the political side of the matter, and in that case you would be creating policies related to Earth’s climate. Be prepared to analyze everything from the atmosphere and the oceans, to the ice up north and the greenhouse gases in metropolitan areas, and beyond. If this complicated data intrigues you, the scientific approach may be for you. If you would rather focus on implementing those results, the world of policy making may be your calling.

    Climate change analysts spend much of their time at a computer to analyze data and prepare their research. Yet you may also be out and about analyzing the rising sea levels or measuring the use of fossil fuels. Further work and analysis may be required in a lab.

    In order to do all of that, you will need at minimum a bachelor’s degree. Many in the field pursue master’s degrees or a Ph.D. in order to find better jobs. For your studies, consider subjects such as geology, geochemistry, physics, geophysics, and meteorology. Jobs in the field typically do not require certification, but it can be helpful to join professional groups to help your career. One example is the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. You can expect to make an average salary of $47 000 per year in Canada as a specialist in climate change. With experience and post-graduate education, that can increase to an average range of $68 000 to $72 000 annually.

    Your research and findings can help Canadians find ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Perhaps your research will lead to methods of reducing or eventually eliminating the use of fossil fuels. It could lead to discoveries in renewable energy that would allow for greater use of solar power or other safer energy sources. Your reports are part of a collaborative effort that can make its way to the Minister of the Environment. This can lead to monumental changes in laws and policies that affect everyone.

    The climate has become one of the major issues of the 21st century. It may be an urgent issue, but it is far from a hopeless cause. More and more action is being taken to ensure a positive future for humanity. This means there are more and more job opportunities for those aspiring to be climate change analysts.

    Sources

    Eco Canada. Climate Change Specialist. http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/climate-change-specialist/

    Sokanu. What does a Climate Change Analyst do? https://www.sokanu.com/careers/climate-change-analyst/

  • Why You Should Create a Goal Journal

    For some people, making plans and goals and following through on them is an easy and daily part of life. But truthfully the majority of people have a hard time putting the steps in to achieve their goals. Many people are visual and seeing your goals on a page in physical form can better help you to visualize future accomplishments. And of course, it is fun! Success is infectious and seeing documentation of that success can fuel further success. Let’s go through some ways that creating a goal journal can help you while also being a rewarding and creative experience:

    Articulate what you want.

    By documenting what you wish to see happen, you are seeing your achievements at a closer distance. Something about writing down your goals can make them seem easier to accomplish. To begin, buy yourself a journal that reflects your personality; this is a book of YOU. Both the current you and the future you. On the first page, write down a goal you have and bullet points listing the ways you may achieve that goal. As you write down these points, consider the ones that would work best and the ones that would not and then cross them out. Set up a timeline that you can work with, and steps that you can make on the road to the ultimate achievement of that goal.

    Record your progress.

    Keeping a journal will allow you to look back on the struggles and headways made in your quest to achieve your goals. This can help you both build up momentum and inspire yourself. Remember that failure is necessary for success. Through trial and error you WILL achieve your goals, but patience is essential. When you fail at achieving a step, write in your journal why you failed and how you can correct that in the future. You will notice yourself grow as you work through the kinks.

    Find out the why and the how.

    Be sure to write down why you wish to achieve the goal; maybe you have not worked out why you want to achieve your goals or how that can be done and that is what is slowing you down. Sometimes we want things for the wrong reasons. Once you figure out why you want to meet your goal finding out how will become clearer. Often times using pictures or objects will help you visualize your goal, so paste pictures, tickets, letters or quotes into your journal. Take everything that is floating around in your brain and transfer it on to the page. This will solidify your goal and make it seem like a physical and achievable object.

    Prove you have solved problems in the past.

    Seeing the progress you have made in physical format will give you a newfound sense of self-pride and security. If you see that you have not been solving problems or not solving them in a neat and proactive way, know that that is simply another obstacle to overcome in your quest for your goal. Make a list of the personal quips that are blocking smooth transition and short-term achievements. But remember that everything is a process; do not judge your speed but rather address ways to better yourself.

  • Motivation in the Dog Days

    Motivation in the Dog Days

    You can feel it. There is a sense of unease as the final days of summer arrive. After spending two months away from school, the return is daunting. Maybe you do not want summer vacation to end. Perhaps you fear the idea of stepping up to a higher, more challenging grade level. Motivation is key to getting back into the swing of things. But it is also easily lost amidst those worries. Here are a few things you can do to build up your motivation for the new school year:

     Listen to your emotions!

    If you are feeling nervous, lazy, or frustrated, it is tempting to think the solution is to just ignore those feelings. Yet many scientific studies show that is not the solution. Emotions are too intertwined with how our brains work to rely on logic alone. If you find you are procrastinating and do not want to think about the new school year, this is your body’s misguided attempt to help your mood by avoiding a seemingly bad situation. Accept that you are sad, angry, or confused, and take time to truly understand why. Only then can you turn towards a more positive mindset.

    Reward yourself!

    It may seem simple, but rewards work. Set a reminder in your phone’s calendar to accomplish something by a specific time, and include the reward you receive for doing so in the notes – perhaps you get to purchase something you wanted, or give yourself more binge-watching time. If you do not meet the deadline, you do not get those rewards. It may feel disingenuous, as though you are not doing it for the right reason. But it is a proven way to change behaviours, which in turn helps you see the more substantive reasons for doing them.

    Get out there!

    It may be tempting to do all this from your bedroom. But your home is filled with distractions. Step outside to a coffee shop, library, or other spot with wi-fi, and you will likely get much more done. Get together with your friends to form a study group, and set goals that you will follow up on. This is a very positive form of peer pressure that can push you to get things done. Try to find a time that the group can meet on a regular basis. This will create consistency as responsibilities start to pile up, and make everything feel less daunting.

    As you venture your way to high school, university, and beyond, the mounting workload can feel like too much. Taking time off is vital, but getting back into the swing of things is never easy. It is important to remember that this is not unique for you and not unique for younger people either. So it is important to build good habits. Do not keep yourself locked up inside. Most importantly, work hard to stay positive and understand why negative emotions creep up when they do.

    Sources

    Eric Barker. How to get motivated, according to science. The Week. http://theweek.com/articles/445446/how-motivated-according-science

    Hooie, Lauren. How to Stay Motivated This New School Year. The Odyssey Online. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/stay-motivated-school-year

  • Speaking in Tongues – Tips for Learning a Foreign Language

    Speaking in Tongues – Tips for Learning a Foreign Language

    In a multicultural country like Canada, it is quite common to hear people speak a language other than Canadian English–whether you are at school or just on the street. As such, we are exposed to how beautiful languages from different countries are, and the thought of studying a foreign language might have popped into our mind a few times.

    Establish your reason.

    Being impressed by people who speak say French or Nihongo is usual for most people. After all, these languages are wonderful indeed. However, if your reason for taking a stab at learning a different language is to impress people as well, then you may have to rethink your intentions. It should be a worthwhile reason such as you wish to stay in France for the whole summer or you want to be closer to your Japanese friends.

    Be prepared for hard work.

    Think that learning a new language is like memorizing the Periodic Table of Elements? Think again. Remember, the process to become fluent in a language other than you are accustomed to takes time and effort—it does not happen overnight, and it certainly does not happen like magic. Sometimes, it takes a lot of modules for you to get to the basic level even. While it does take a lot of hard work, perseverance, and patience to be fluent in a foreign language, keep in mind that the rewards are great.

    Immerse yourself in that culture.

    Perhaps you have heard people say that there is a big difference between a traveler and a tourist. A traveler immerses themselves in the country’s culture, while a tourist just observes and focus on the must-sees. When you are learning a foreign language, don’t be a tourist. Make sure you act as a traveler and immerse yourself in that country’s culture. If you are learning Greek, for example, keep an eye for related events like Greek food festivals and film festivals. Of course, if you do get an opportunity to travel to Greece, then that’s even better.

    Watch foreign language films.

    Speaking of film festivals, it is extremely helpful to watch the films of the language you are studying. For instance, you wish to become more fluent in Spanish. You will find a plethora of films that are in that language at the public library or DVD store. Doing so will teach your ears to become accustomed to the sounds. Once you are confident in your learning skills, you can even watch the films even without the subtitles.

    Practice, practice, practice.

    No one studies a new language to keep it to themselves. Thus, don’t hesitate to try your hand at actually writing and speaking it. If you are learning Portuguese and you have Portuguese classmates, by all means, speak what you have learned in front of them. For sure, they will be more than charmed by your efforts to learn their native language and will be truly happy to help you out. Don’t be scared of making mistakes, even when it comes to pronunciation. As they say, these mistakes are opportunities for you to learn.

    Now that you have read these suggestions, you will be most likely ready to take on the challenge of studying a foreign language.  Know these tips by heart and have a go at it. Good luck.

    Sources:

    https://www.babbel.com/magazine/10-tips-from-an-expert

    https://www.markmanson.net/foreign-language

    http://lifehacker.com/top-10-tips-and-tools-for-learning-a-new-language-1703201725

    http://time.com/3453841/secret-learn-foreign-language-adult/

    http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/30/learning-another-language-ten-tips

  • Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – We All Have Our Different Stories

    Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – We All Have Our Different Stories

    Canada is known to be one of the world’s most multicultural countries, and everywhere you go, you will likely encounter with a cultural background that is different from yours. Often, when we meet such people, we unconsciously create an invisible barrier that prevents us from reaching out and eventually learning that we might have a lot of things in common with those people than we originally thought.

    We are often quick to judge that there is no getting past these cultural differences. We are too hasty to think to ourselves, “What is the point anyways? They would not know what my culture is like and I have no idea of what their culture is like.” We jump to conclusions that there are bound to be disagreements anyway. In doing so, we miss out in learning about other cultures or worse yet we miss out on what could be perhaps lifelong friendships.

    Sometimes, though it is not a cultural difference at all, but the moment when we feel other people are different from us in other ways, we fast-track to the conclusion that there is something wrong.

    If you find yourself making silent judgments about other people even before you get to know them, perhaps it is time to make an effort to eradicate that behaviour.

    Be conscious of your thoughts.

    At times, you may not even be fully aware that you are making conclusions about the people you meet. Perhaps you tend to chock it up to human instinct. However, the first step to stop judging other people is to be conscious that you are doing so. Watch yourself.  Perhaps you succumb to the behaviour when you are with your friends or family who are quick to judge others. Try to attend an event in your neighbourhood on your own—maybe a tree-planting effort or any volunteer event—and see if you are quick to judge when you meet new people.

    Let go of stereotypes.

    Stereotyping may seem acceptable in pop culture and comedy, but in real life, it is best to get rid of this habit. Not everyone will fit into a stereotype—no matter how hard you convince yourself that they do. A square peg does not fit a round hole, and there is nothing wrong with that. Every individual is their own person. Once you let go of the stereotypes you have learned in films and TV shows, you are ready to embrace people who are not like you.

    Give other people a chance to share their story.

    There is that adage that birds of the same feather flock together. Oftentimes, we find a sense of belongingness in people who are most like us—whether it is similarities in culture, beliefs, interests, likes, dislikes, habits, behaviour, you name it. Once you encounter people who do not share your passion for Literature, for example, you tend to be dismissive right away. For instance, you work day and night to finish a term paper on Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, and they would rather rely on Google, everyone’s best friend. You are quick to conclude they are lazy and incompetent. However, you did not give them a chance to explain their side. Maybe literature is really not their thing, and they excel more in Physics or Calculus, which can be subjects you will need their help on.

    Do a self-examination.

    At times, some people are quick to judge others to mask the insecurity or envy they have. Stop and take time to think about the common denominator that prompts you to judge other people. Do you have a classmate who seem to cruise in all of your classes and still end up with the highest grades in class while you study hard and don’t even come close to those marks? You are quick to judge that someone else is helping him or her with homework and other school projects. You might not know that that classmate is trying to stay positive and doing the best he or she can in school to gain a scholarship to support future college studies due to his or her parents’ messy divorce that ended up in both parties’ financial ruin.

    The next time you feel yourself judging other people, stop. Remember that everyone has their own story. Just allow yourself to listen to that story.

    SOURCES:

    http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18203/stop-judging-start-living-how-to-become-a-happy-accepting-person.html

    http://www.positivelypresent.com/2009/05/stop-judging.html

    http://zenhabits.net/judgy/