Category: Featured Articles

  • Summer Jobs for Students

    Summer Jobs for Students

    One of the hardest times to find a job is in the summer – especially as a student. Thankfully, there are some jobs that are ideal for students. These companies often hire students exclusively because they are short-term. Student organizations also tend to pay slightly more to students, so keep a sharp eye out for them. Look for organizations such as that, and if that fails, here are a few good alternatives:

    Door-to-door

    Getting a job with a door-to-door company is easy; the hard part is finding a trustworthy employer. A lot of door-to-door companies are less than reputable, so it’s important to do your research before you decide to work for one. Furthermore, make sure that you are paid hourly as opposed to commission-based payment. Your paycheck should reflect the amount of time you worked, especially as a student. Make sure you get paid on schedule, as well. Now, in all fairness, door-to-door is, in my opinion, one of the hardest jobs to keep doing. It’s hard work, and nobody trusts solicitors in this day and age, so don’t be surprised if you don’t have a lot of success. If you do decide to do door-to-door, you can make a lot of money if you stick with it. However, the hours are very long and the work is draining, so be warned. If you have a strong work ethic and motivation to do well, you can do very well with sales.

    Manual Labor

    There are plenty of student jobs available for people who don’t mind putting in a bit of work. There are often student-run painting services; these jobs are a great way to earn some money, as both the pay and hours are good. If you aren’t keen on painting, consider roofing. If you’re up to it, the pay is very good. The work, however, can be very straining in the hot summer sun. If that isn’t your cup of tea, there are always other options.

    Internships

    Another option for students is to look for internships in the summer. While most internships are unpaid, they often open up doors to paid positions. These positions are great, as normally they might require training, but since you’ve been doing the job in an intern capacity, you already know what to do. Because of this, these jobs often pay more than normal. Even better, there are often offices looking for student secretaries during the summer, so check around. These jobs are similar to the post-internship positions, without the need to do all that unpaid work.

    Finding a job in the summer can be a challenge, but if you’re up to it, there is plenty of money to be made. If you are willing to put in the work, you can make a lot of money over the summer. Work hard, keep your eyes open for good job opportunities, and have fun.

  • How Summer Break Can Affect Your Ability to Learn in September

    How Summer Break Can Affect Your Ability to Learn in September

    As a student myself, I completely understand the struggle behind summer break. Despite the fact that almost everyone loves it: the heat, hanging out with friends, and the freedom. There are downsides to it as well, especially when it comes to getting back into the routine in September. When students go from constantly learning, focusing and being in a productive environment to suddenly sleeping through the day, constantly on electronics, and not learning, what effect does this have on their mindset and their ability to learn in September?

    A main struggle I have noticed throughout teens at my school who face entering school in September is getting back into the swing of things, mainly with sleep schedules. Most teens have a tendency to stay up late talking to friends, and then start their days at around 10am the following day. However, when school begins again, they are forced to start waking up around 8am, depending on their routines. In addition to waking up earlier, most students are used to going to bed late, thus throwing off their entire sleep schedules. After a long day at school, sports and activities, they’re exhausted. However, due to summer break altering students’ schedules, they find it difficult to fall asleep, and therefore lack getting the sleep that they need to function and focus at school.

    In addition to the sleep and energy deprivation teens experience following back-to-school, they also experience a downfall of motivation, along with mindsets becoming slightly altered from the fact that they haven’t been learning for 2 months. Our brains tend to stick to routine; it’s what it understands. School is almost like a habit for brains; from going to school every day at a certain time, learning specific subjects during parts of the day, and then going home and giving their brains a chance to relax. However, in the summer, teens’ brains lose touch with our routines since they change every day. In some ways, summer break and the effects it has on students’ learning skills can relate to a very unique style of teaching music. Every day, the student would practice all of the songs they knew. It begins with a few simple songs. Students play those songs daily, then gradually add more songs as they continue to learn them. Your hands and brain absorb the constant routine of playing those songs every day, and students can feel as though they are engraved in your mind and will remember them; but that’s not necessarily the truth. I used this technique of learning piano once, but I quickly got annoyed with the repetitiveness of the songs and gave up. A few months later, I had completely forgotten how to play those songs that I once knew so well. To teenagers, those simple songs are like their version of school. They go to school every day and repeat the same routine over and over. Just as I forgot how to play those songs, teenagers lose their focus and their determined mindsets, along with a lot of the knowledge that they had recently learned, solely because they are no longer putting their minds and knowledge to use.

    Therefore, summer break causes challenges for teens when it’s time for back to school because our brains become re-wired to a different routine and a different reality.

    Sources:

    1. https://childmind.org/article/teenagers-sleep-deprived/
    2. https://www.wtps.org/cms/lib8/NJ01912980/Centricity/Domain/1794/Should_school_be_year_round.pdf
  • My Summer Camp Counsellor Experience

    My Summer Camp Counsellor Experience

    By Erin Rebello

    During one summer while in high school, I worked as a camp counsellor at a sports camp for boys and girls ranging in age from 5 to 13 years old. I worked with 3 other counsellors to facilitate the 6-week program through July and August.

    Why I Did It

    A lot of my friends had already landed their first jobs, and I felt as though summer would be the perfect time to start earning and saving! My parents are generally pretty strict about me getting a job, and didn’t want it to interfere with my education, so camp counselling during the summer was something that worked for my situation. It’s also a great place to start for a lot of people because it requires little to no work experience and looks great on resumes! Camp counselling also aligned with my interests, seeing as I love working with kids, and I hope to pursue a career as a pediatrician, where I would be working with kids daily. Finally, I wanted to start saving for post-secondary and make a contribution to my RESP, and this job allowed me to do just that!

    What I did

    As a camp counsellor, you really have to be versatile! Every day we had a different schedule with different activities to do with the kids, from basketball drills to dodgeball to arts and crafts. Since this was a sports-based camp, we focused on exercise and physical fitness. It was important for counsellors to have some physical stamina because kids, especially kids in a sports camp, NEVER STOP! We had to run drills with them, take a quick break, then move on to the next activity almost immediately. Though this part was difficult at first, the three other counsellors and I were soon accustomed to it. Through our position, we learned a lot about leadership, especially in terms of taking care of children.

    Pros and Cons

    Like anything, there were pros and cons to spending my summer working as a camp counsellor. One pro is that I gained a lot of work experience by doing something which I thought was a lot of fun. Another positive is that I met a lot of new people and had the opportunity to build lifelong connections with my fellow counsellors. This job also reaffirmed the belief that I want to work with kids in my future career. However, there were a few downsides. For one, I spent a large portion of my summer working as a counsellor, which left me less time to hang out with friends. As well, though the kids were usually well-behaved, at times they were not!

    My Favourite Part

    I’d have to say that my favourite thing about camp was the connections we made with the kids. Throughout my 6 weeks of working as a camp counsellor, I met so many kids with so many different goals and aspirations. One thing that I’ll cherish forever is how the older kids helped the younger kids, encouraging them to try their hardest and cheering them on when they managed to score a point. The whole experience was a lovely reminder of how wonderful children can be.

    Final Thoughts

    Overall, I loved working as a summer camp counsellor! This experience is unlike any other job because it really gives you the chance to have an impact on the lives of the kids you work with. This summer job boosted my confidence and improved my leadership skills, all while being a fun experience. Though I was able to save for my post-secondary education, I think that the greatest compensation was not the money, but the rewarding experience. I would definitely recommend this job to anyone interested in improving their skills and having fun at the same time!

  • Get Sun and Exercise by Working an Outdoor Trades Job This Summer (French version available)

    Get Sun and Exercise by Working an Outdoor Trades Job This Summer (French version available)

    Summer break is coming up, which means it’s time for many students to start looking for a summer job.  While most towns and cities will have the usual restaurant and retail opportunities, not everyone is cut out for – or interested in – these jobs.  If you prefer being active and outdoorsy, then summer is a great time to find a job that lets you work outside and stay physically active.

    Luckily, there are lots of outdoor trades that hire high school and college-age students during the summer.

    Gardening, Horticulture, Landscaping, and Forestry

    Some of the most common outdoor summer jobs for students can be found in the areas of gardening, horticulture, landscaping, and forestry.  You’ll find a wide variety of opportunities, all of which involve working outdoors with plants for contract companies, municipal governments, and businesses such as golf courses or nurseries.

    Gardening and landscaping companies are busiest in the summertime, with busy work schedules and many customers.  Working for a gardening or landscaping company includes tasks such as mowing lawns, planting flowers, shrubbery, and grass for commercial and residential customers; installing and maintaining specialty features such as fountains, ponds, or ornamental landscaping; and assessing or treating diseased plants and trees.

    Horticultural businesses such as plant nurseries and greenhouses need workers to water plant stock, move and arrange the plants available for purchase, and assist customers with choosing their purchases and loading plants and supplies into their vehicles.

    Forestry jobs that hire students over the summer include tree planting, brush trimming, assisting with tree surveys and assessments, and working in tree nurseries.

    You will find these jobs under titles such as Arborist, Landscape Gardener, Horticultural Technician, Conservation Technician, Lawn Care Specialist, Forestry Technician, Tree Planter, and Groundskeeper, to name a few examples.

    National and Provincial Parks

    Canada’s national and provincial parks system is a popular destination during the summertime, with events, campers, and day visitors coming to enjoy our country’s natural beauty.  Student summer workers are an integral part of the parks system, fulfilling roles including trail and campsite maintenance, guided tours and customer support for park guests, or setting up before and cleaning up after events.

    Many parks also need tradespeople skilled in water and wastewater management, equipment operators for forklifts or ATVs, maintenance and operation of boats and marine equipment, as well as general mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.

    Working in the parks system also provides lots of opportunities to interact with people, both your coworkers and the park visitors.

    These summer jobs can be found under titles such as Park Staff, Park Interpreter, Maintenance Technician, General Labour, Groundkeeper, Tour Guide, and more.

    Green Energy

    Green energy is a growing industry, with a great deal of energy generation from renewable sources involving at least some work outdoors.  Trades jobs in this industry can include installing and maintaining green energy equipment or technologies such as solar panels or energy-efficient HVAC systems, as well as working with power generation stations dealing with hydro or wind turbines.  Other opportunities could include assisting with site surveys for future green energy projects.  While some jobs in this industry require technical training or certification, if green energy is a career you’re interested in, there are internships and co-op positions that are suitable for students.

    Jobs in green energy can be found under titles such as Solar Panel Installer, HVAC Technician, HVAC Installer, Sustainability Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, and others.

     

    Sources

    Become. “Get Outside! Careers in the Great Outdoors.” https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/outdoor-careers/.

    Indeed. “Jobs That Help the Environment That Require No Degree.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-that-help-the-environment-no-degree.

    Job Bank. “Forest technologists and technicians.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/17904/22437.

    Job Bank. “Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/22564/22437.

    Ontario Parks. “Careers at Ontario Parks.” https://www.ontarioparks.com/careers/.

    Taylor, Philip. “40 Summer Jobs for Teens and College Students.” Part-Time Money. https://ptmoney.com/10-fun-summer-jobs-for-teens-and-college-students/.

  • How to Deal with a Failing Grade (French version available)

    How to Deal with a Failing Grade (French version available)

    No one is perfect, especially when it comes to school; after all, we’re all still learning.  Part of the learning process means that you might not completely understand everything you’re taught the very first time.  Practice is necessary, which is why we do homework, group projects, in-class assignments, and tests.  These are all ways to learn, understand, and apply the things we’re taught.

    Because these are part of the learning process, it means that sometimes, you might get a failing grade.

    What a bad grade doesn’t mean is that you’re a bad student, can’t be taught, or shouldn’t be trying to learn a certain subject.

    Getting a bad grade can be disappointing and discouraging, and you’re allowed to be upset.  However, it’s important not to let being upset make it harder for you to keep trying to learn and understand.

    There are a few key things to keep in mind when you’re dealing with a bad grade.

    Try and Keep Calm While Your Process the Grade

    Being upset is okay, but try not to let these feelings overwhelm you or become a storm of anger and frustration.  Everyone gets a bad grade at some point in their education; it’s not the end of the world.  Take some time away from thinking about your grades to help yourself calm down.  You can spend time with friends and family, enjoy a hobby, do some physical activity, or simply focus on something that isn’t school.

    Talking about the grade and your upset feelings can also help.  Find a friend, teacher, or family member you trust and share how you’re feeling.  Chances are good that they will be able to help you understand and deal with the situation.

    Ask Your Teacher for Feedback

    Your teacher’s job is to help you learn, and they don’t give out bad grades to be mean.  They are simply showing you what you still need to learn.  When you get a bad grade, talk to your teacher and ask them to show you where you made mistakes and how to fix these mistakes.  Sometimes all you need is a bit of an explanation or seeing a different way to work through a problem, in order to understand.

    Your teacher will also be able to point you toward resources that will help you learn, such as study guides, online resources, and practice questions or practice tests.  They may also be able to offer a make-up assignment or test that you can complete in order to get a better grade.

    Find New Study Strategies

    Not every student is equally good at all subjects, but because of the way a classroom is structured, usually, the teacher spends most of their time teaching everyone the same way.  Everyone learns slightly differently, and if you get a bad grade, it might simply be that you need to find a new way of studying the material that works better for you.

    This could be as simple as spending more time studying and doing practice questions for subjects you have trouble with, asking your teacher to explain it a different way, or studying with a friend and helping each other learn the material.

    Or, it could be as intensive as finding a tutor, or seeking out hands-on extra-curricular programs that can help you learn.  Your teachers, guidance counsellors, family members, and local libraries are all good resources to speak with when you are looking for new ways to study a subject.

    The most important thing to remember is that sometimes a bad grade is just part of the learning process.  All it means is that you still have some learning to do.

     

    Sources

    Dolin, Ann. “How To Handle Bad Grades: A Practical Guide For Parents.” Educational Connections. https://ectutoring.com/bad-grades.

    Ekkanath, Shivani. “6 Smart Tips for Dealing With a Bad Grade.” CollegeXpress. https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/6-tips-dealing-bad-grade/.

    Pritchard, Ashley. “How to Deal With a Bad Grade.” WikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Bad-Grade.

  • The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business with a Friend (French version available)

    The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business with a Friend (French version available)

    Starting a business with a friend may seem like a fun and exciting idea. Although it may be a great idea, it also has its disadvantages. If you are curious about whether starting a business with a friend is a good idea or not, this article is just for you!

    Pros

    • You Know Each Other’s Strengths and Weaknesses

    If you start a business with a friend whom you have known for a long time, you probably know their strengths and weaknesses. They also probably know yours. This will help both of you decide which duties are best for each of you. There will also be fewer surprises when you are working with someone you already know.

    • You Can Spend More Time with Your Friend

    Working with your friends can make you excited to go to work each day. You get to talk about more than just business throughout the day. A large amount of your life is spent at work, so it is important to work with people you get along with.

    • You Can Freely and Comfortably Communicate

    If you’re starting a business with a friend, it’s most likely going to be with someone you can freely and comfortably speak to. When running a business, it is very important to communicate and remain on the same page as your partners. Working with a friend can help you comfortably communicate your thoughts.

    • You are Each Other’s Support System

    Starting a business is not easy, but doing it with a friend can help make it a little less overwhelming. You and your friend will be sharing this amazing experience and will go through all the highs and lows together. You could give each other the confidence and support needed to continue running the business.

    Cons

    • It May Be Difficult to Be Straightforward

    When communicating with a close friend, it may be difficult to be straightforward. This could be because you may not want to hurt your friend’s feelings. You may also be afraid of losing your friendship over a disagreement. For these reasons, you may not always be as honest as you would like to be.

    • It Can Be Difficult to Know Who Is in Charge

    If you start a business with a friend, it may be difficult to know who the boss is, especially if the business is equally divided between you both. There may be times when one of you works more than the other, making you feel like you deserve a larger part of the business. If there is a lack of communication, it can lead to bigger issues and could also lead to your business failing.

    • You Could Lose Your Friendships

    When working with a friend, you should keep in mind that there is a possibility that you could lose your friendship. You may not know what your friend is like in a business setting. You two could also have different goals, which can cause conflicts. These conflicts could potentially lead you two to part ways. This is why it is important for you and your friend to always openly communicate with each other.

    • Drama Could Get in the Way

    When doing business with a friend, drama can get in the way. It could make it difficult for you to separate your professional life from your personal life. For this reason, it is important to set boundaries when you first begin working together.

    Starting a business with a friend has many pros and cons. Whether or not one should start a business with a friend is very personal. It is something that should be carefully thought through and reflected upon.

     

    Resources

    Desmarais, Christina. “11 Pros and Cons of Building a Business With Friends.” Inc. https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/11-pros-and-cons-of-building-a-business-with-friends.html.

    Kelly, Marsha. “The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business with Your Friends.” Zen Business. https://www.zenbusiness.com/blog/pros-cons-starting-business-friends/.

    Litonjua, Eduardo. “Should you start a business with a friend? Pros, cons and key questions.” Keap. https://keap.com/business-success-blog/networking/should-you-start-a-business-with-a-friend-pros-cons-and-key-questions.

    Scribaceous. “The Pros & Cons of Starting a Business with a Friend.” https://scribaceous.com/pros-cons-of-starting-business-with-friend/.

    Susman, Aron. “The Pros and Cons of Starting a Business With Friends.” Business Collective. https://businesscollective.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-starting-a-business-with-friends/?syndicate.

  • The Health Benefits of Swimming and Tips for Practicing Swimming (French version available)

    The Health Benefits of Swimming and Tips for Practicing Swimming (French version available)

    Swimming is an activity that people of all ages can do. It has many health benefits, and it is great for your body as well as your mind.  If you don’t swim regularly, maybe this article will convince you to hop in the pool more often!

    So, what are some of the benefits of making swimming a habit?

    It Can Reduce Stress

    Like other exercises, swimming can reduce your stress. It can help you keep your mind off of things that could be stressing you. When you exercise, your body reduces the stress hormones and releases endorphins. Endorphins are natural “feel-good” chemicals that help boost your mood. If you’re feeling stressed, go for a swim and you will feel better by the time you get out.

    It Works Out Your Entire Body

    Swimming works out your entire body. It may seem like your arms and legs do most of the work, but that is not the case. Swimming can strengthen your core, tone muscles, build strength and endurance, and also increase your heart rate. When swimming, you will feel a burn in your body in as little as 20 minutes. There are many different strokes you could do. Each of these strokes focuses on different muscle groups. These strokes include breaststroke, backstroke, sidestroke, butterfly, and more.

    It Has a Lower Impact on Your Joints

    Most workouts are either high intensity and hard on your joints or low intensity and easy on your joints. Swimming has a lower impact than other cardio exercises. This is because water holds you up and will reduce the stress and the impact on your joints. Since you are being held up by the water, your chances of injury are reduced.

    Tips for Practicing Swimming

    • Don’t Waste Your Breath

    You may end up inhaling water if you gasp for air every time your head reaches the surface. Instead, you should exhale all the air from your lungs before taking another breath. Beginners usually need to take a breath more often, but as you build endurance, you’ll be able to control your breath much better. When taking a breath, make sure to alternate sides. This will reduce the strain on your neck and shoulders.

    • Keep Practicing

    When you watch professional swimmers swim, you may think that they make it look easy and relaxed. This is because they have been practicing for a very long time and still continue practicing. In order to improve your swimming skills, it is important to keep practicing.

    • Get Feedback

    Receiving and listening to feedback is a good way to know what you are great at doing and what you need to work on. If you can, try to get a coach or a friend to watch you swim and later give you feedback. Another option is to record yourself swimming. The next time you swim, make sure to keep the feedback in mind.

    If you’re looking for a low-impact, stress-reducing workout for your entire body, then go hit the pool!

     

    Resources

    Bean, Matt. “Seven Steps To Better Swimming Technique.” Runner’s World. https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/triathlon/a764520/seven-steps-to-better-swimming-technique/.

    Berry, Jennifer. “Endorphins: Effects and how to increase levels.” Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320839.

    House, Lydia and Morgan Fargo. “12 major benefits of swimming that’ll convince you to take it up, from better sleep to weight loss.” Women’sHealth. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/g27268961/benefits-of-swimming/.

    Marcin, Ashley. “What Are the Top 12 Benefits of Swimming?” Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-swimming#get-started.

    Petty, Amber. “13 Reasons to Just Keep Swimming.” Greatist. https://greatist.com/health/benefits-of-swimming.

    Poirier-Leroy, Olivier. “Swimming Tips: The 7 Fundamentals of Faster Swimming.” YourSwimBook. https://www.yourswimlog.com/swimming-tips/.

  • April 2025 Scholarships – Apply now!

    April 2025 Scholarships – Apply now!

    Optimist International Essay Contest
    Scholarship Value: $2,500
    Awards Available: 45
    Award Deadline: April 15, 2025

    Devine Family Scholarships
    Scholarship Value: $50,000
    Awards Available: 2
    Award Deadline: April 15, 2025

    Fred Hindle Bursary
    Scholarship Value: $5,000
    Awards Available: 2
    Award Deadline: April 15, 2025

    Gary Knechtel Memorial Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $10,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: April 15, 2025

    Lift Parts Express Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $500
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: April 30, 2025

    Emmett and Loretta Regan Memorial Award
    Scholarship Value: $4,500
    Awards Available: 2
    Award Deadline: April 30, 2025

    Bobby Orr Entrance Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $2,100
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline:  May 1, 2025

    TC Energy Scholarships
    Scholarship Value: $5,000
    Awards Available: 850
    Award Deadline:  May 3, 2025

    Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $12,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline:  May 27, 2025

    Voice for Animals High School Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $500
    Awards Available: 21
    Award Deadline:  May 31, 2025

    Luke Santi Memorial Award
    Scholarship Value: $1,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline:  May 31, 2025

    MADD Canada Youth Bursary Fund
    Scholarship Value: $10,000
    Awards Available: 3
    Award Deadline:  May 31, 2025

    Pet Food Association of Canada Martha ‘Marty’ Wilder Honorary Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $5,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: June 1, 2025

    Algonquin College Tuition Contest
    Scholarship Value: $5,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: June 30, 2025

    Durham College Tuition Contest
    Scholarship Value: $5,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: August 29, 2025

    Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Excellence for Black Students
    Scholarship Value: $6,000
    Awards Available: 30
    Award Deadline: Ongoing

    Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Excellence for Indigenous Students
    Scholarship Value: $6,000
    Awards Available: 30
    Award Deadline: Ongoing

  • Indigenous Student Scholarships for April 2025

    Indigenous Student Scholarships for April 2025

    First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Women’s Scholarship – Women’s Program (Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario)
    Scholarship Value: $1,250
    Awards Available: 4
    Award Deadline: April 30, 2025

    First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Women’s Scholarship – Women’s Program
    Scholarship Value: $12,500
    Awards Available: 2
    Award Deadline: April 30, 2025

    Kenneth R. Good Family First Nations Student Award
    Scholarship Value: $7,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: May 1, 2025

    Kathleen Blinkhorn Aboriginal Student Scholarship
    Scholarship Value: $2,000
    Awards Available: 5
    Award Deadline: May 2, 2025

    Calgary Foundation First Nations, Métis (Metis) and Inuit Graduate Bursary
    Scholarship Value: $3,000
    Awards Available: 2
    Award Deadline: May 15, 2025

    First Nations, Métis and Inuit Undergraduate Bursary
    Scholarship Value: $3,000
    Awards Available: 6
    Award Deadline: May 15, 2025

    Yukon First Nations Heritage
    Scholarship Value: N/A
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: May 31, 2025

    James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Awards
    Scholarship Value: $2,500
    Awards Available: 6
    Award Deadline: May 31, 2025

    Innovation Place Scholarships for Indigenous Students in the Sciences
    Scholarship Value: $5,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: June 1, 2025

    Petro-Canada Award for Indigenous High School Students
    Scholarship Value: $750
    Awards Available: 8
    Award Deadline: July 1, 2025

    Dr. & Mrs. G.B. Gowd Bursary for First Nations Women
    Scholarship Value: $1,000
    Awards Available: 1
    Award Deadline: October 15, 2025

    Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Excellence for Indigenous Students
    Scholarship Value: $6,000
    Awards Available: 30
    Award Deadline: Ongoing

  • Saving the World One Project at a Time: A Profile of Environmental Engineers

    Saving the World One Project at a Time: A Profile of Environmental Engineers

    The world is changing at a rate like never before. City populations are getting bigger and technology is more advanced. That has a major impact on the environment. We are faced with problems such as pollution, the creation of new laws, and how land should be used. This is done with the help of environmental engineers. These professionals use their education, skills, and technology to help find solutions to growing problems related to air, water, soil, and more.

    Environmental engineers work either in an office environment or in the field. They have the responsibility of measuring the impact of projects run by the government or companies and offer advice on how laws and other issues may affect projects. In addition, they test the quality of the air and water, make sure waste and garbage from projects do not harm the planet, and help design systems to help the environment. These engineers may get to travel to different locations and work on many different projects that have a huge impact on the world. On the other hand, there is also a lot of stress in dealing with major developments run by the government or large companies. Environmental engineers have a huge responsibility to make sure the environment is not harmed.

    The salary in this career field can range from about $51,000 to $90,00. The average salary is about $67,000. The career outlook for this job can be seen by looking at the field of civil engineering, which this career is a part of. From 2014 to 2024, it is estimated there were about as many people looking for civil engineering jobs in Canada as there are positions with about 17,000 openings and 16,600 job seekers. This means that, while there will be competition, finding a job is very much possible.

    Environmental engineers may work for government agencies or consulting firms, as well as large companies in industries for forestry, mining, and more. This means there is a lot of potential to work in many different locations for different types of organizations. Your role can grow from writing proposals and assisting in small projects to designing technology and playing a part in major developments that affect millions of people.

    If this career is of interest to you, then you will want to work towards a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field. For more advanced positions, you will require a master’s degree in a related engineering field or even a doctorate. Depending on where you live, you may need to obtain licensing from the association of professional engineers for that province. It is not an easy path, but it is most definitely a rewarding one.

    Environmental engineers may not have a flashy role that will make them famous, but they have the opportunity to make sure major projects do not harm the environment. This very important role helps to make the planet livable for humans for many years to come. Environmental engineers are not just working to help people today but striving to help all the people who will come after us.

    Sources:

    PayScale. “Environmental Engineer Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Environmental_Engineer/Salary