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  • Career Profile: Watch Repairer

    Career Profile: Watch Repairer

    When people want to know the time, they often just look at the watches on their wrists. With so many people wearing them, a career as a watch repairer could be a good choice for anyone with the ability to do detailed work.

    Watches might look simple from the outside, but they can be very complicated inside. Watch repairers need to know all about the batteries and mechanisms inside the watches so that they can find out what is wrong if, for example, the watch is running fast or slow. They also need to know how to clean watches, attach new bands to them, and do many other tasks to help watches work well. If they work alone or in small shops, they also need to deal with customers and keep track of payments, supplies, and other needs of the business.

    Repairing watches requires an ability to use a variety of tools, from tiny screwdrivers to large drill presses and other machines. People in this type of work might need a certain amount of strength to use the larger machines, but they also need steady hands and good vision to be able to work with very tiny objects. Cleaning watches is a large part of the job, and people need to be able to take watches apart and put them back together.

    In some shops, watch repair people also need to estimate costs of repairs and be able to communicate well with customers. They might work alone or with a group of people in the same shop. In larger businesses, they might have no contact with customers.

    Canada used to have many places where students could learn to repair watches. But many of them have closed. The Ecole Nationale d’Horlogerie in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, is a good option for students who are able to study in French. Granton Institute of Technology in Toronto still teaches watch repair in English. Online courses are useful, and learning on the job is another good way of becoming qualified. In some parts of Canada, certification is required to work in watch repair.

    You can already begin to prepare for this career in high school. Classes in mathematics or business management can help with running a store, and any courses that help with manual dexterity can help. For example, a class in electronics could teach you how to handle small tools and delicate mechanisms.

    Working hours can vary for people in this field. In most shops, people can expect to work during regular opening hours. Still, deadlines for finishing a repair might mean working late into the evening or beginning early in the morning.

    Salaries for people in this field can vary, depending on their level of experience and where they work. The job is very close to watchmaking, where people generally earn between $46,000 and $80,000 per year. Watch repairers can expect to earn somewhat less, but their salaries are often very good, as well. As with other jobs, experience helps to increase people’s ability to earn a good salary.

    Watches are always changing, and the people who repair them need to keep their knowledge current. The need for watch repair might eventually decrease, but it is still a good career to choose.

    Bibliography:

    Canadian Universities. “Clock Servicing and Watch Repair Ontario.” http://www.canadian-universities.net/Career-Colleges/Programs/Clock_Servicing_and_Watch_Repair-Ontario.html

    ICS Canada. “Online Jewelry Design and Repair School.” https://www.icslearn.ca/programs/creative-design/jewelry-design-and-repair.

    Muschi, Christine. “Time is Running Out for Canada’s Last Watchmaking School.” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-is-running-out-for-canadas-last-watchmaking-school/article4899835/.

    Payscale.com. “Watchmaker Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Watchmaker/Salary

  • From Paper to Screen: A Beginners’ Guide to Virtual Drawing

    From Paper to Screen: A Beginners’ Guide to Virtual Drawing

    When you think of drawing, the first image that probably comes into your mind is a pen and paper. However, did you know that in the mid-1950s, there was a French electrician who serendipitously found an alternative to the good ol’ pen and paper to show of one’s talent for illustrations? One day, Andre Cassagnes was simply installing a light switch plate and peeled off its translucent decal, making pencil marks on it. He realized then that he could make a drawing toy.

    This invention would eventually be known as the Etch A Sketch, and with the help of business partner Paul Chaze and accountant Arthur Granjean, the man who filed and paid for the patents, Cassagnes’ drawing toy has sold 175 million units worldwide since it hit the market in 1960. Today, surprisingly, it remains a well-loved toy despite the popularity of video games, gaming consoles, and mobile game apps.

    Etch A Sketch has helped countless artists develop their drawing skills. There has been a slew of impressive artworks created through this modest playing device, from the Mona Lisa to Mount Rushmore. This proves that honing your sketching skills doesn’t necessarily have to involve a pen and paper. It can be done through an Etch A Sketch or, if you’re tech-savvy, a tablet. If you’re interested in virtual drawing, here’s a guide to get you started.

    Get the right tools.

    Just as carpenters need the right tools to build, artists need to be well-equipped to create. Virtual drawing tools abound – you can use different types of tablets, pencils, or styluses to sketch your masterpiece. Tablets can range from graphic tablets, display tablets, or all-in-one tablets. The costs for these devices can vary, and the all-in-one tablets carry the highest price tag out of the three types. However, as the name suggests, you can use this type of tablet more as it’s a hybrid of a tablet and a computer.

    Choose the right software.

    There’s a plethora of apps you can put to the test, like Adobe Photoshop Sketch, Adobe Illustrator Draw, Inspire Pro, Procreate, Pixelmator Pro, Inkist, Sketch Club, and plenty of others. Make sure to take the time to look into the costs involved for these applications as some are free, while others entail fees, usually in the form of a monthly subscription. In addition, there are apps that are compatible with specific operating systems. It’s truly up to you to decide which you’ll be most comfortable with.

    Learn with the professionals.

    What’s great about virtual drawing is that there are various opportunities to learn without having to step out of your home. There are paid classes where professionals can teach you about techniques, and there are free ones which can offer you the same thing. If you want a more methodical approach, an actual class requiring enrollment seems like the ideal choice, but if you’re looking to expand your knowledge without necessarily spending anything, virtual drawing tutorials are available on YouTube.

    Connect with fellow virtual drawers.

    Building a connection with people with similar interests can also help you enhance your sketching skills since you can exchange tips and suggestions. It’s also a great way to learn about different types of artists, and this can help you figure out your own style. Plus, you can arrange for meet-ups like museum trips, where you can get inspired and get your creative juices flowing.

    While pen to paper will never die, it’s great that artists now have an option to doodle with their tablets and make it easily accessible to others. So it’s time to start drawing!

     

    Sources

    Belliveau, David. “Digital Painting: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide.” Paintable. https://paintable.cc/digital-painting-the-ultimate-beginners-guide/

    Eisley, Will. “The Benefits of Digital Drawing.” TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/24/the-benefits-of-digital-drawing/#:~:text=The%20benefit%20of%20drawing%20with,from%20scratch%20on%20the%20desktop

    Fawcett, Kristin. “11 Well-Drawn Facts About The Etch A Sketch.” Mental Floss. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71947/11-well-drawn-facts-about-etch-sketch

    Hilder, Rosie. “The best online art classes in 2022.” Creative Bloq. https://www.creativebloq.com/features/online-art-classes

    HuffPost. “15 Amazing Etch-A-Sketch Creations.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/etch-a-sketch-anniversary_n_3581395

    Mudgal, Amrish. “45 Best Drawing Apps and Art Apps in 2022 (Free & Paid).” Pixpa. https://www.pixpa.com/blog/drawing-apps

    Ravenscraft, Eric. “Can the iPad Replace a Professional Drawing Tablet?” PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/news/can-the-ipad-replace-a-professional-drawing-tablet

    Rosenfeld, Laura. “A Brief History Of The Etch A Sketch: Why We’re Still Fascinated By The Toy After 55 Years.” Tech Times. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/67257/20150710/etch-a-sketch-history.htm

  • The Inclusivity of Young People’s Theatre

    The Inclusivity of Young People’s Theatre

    The Young People’s Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, was formed in 1966 with the goal of bringing high-quality productions to the stage for children to enjoy. Since then, they have brought a variety of great stories to the stage. Theatre is a powerful form of art for all ages that incorporates storytelling, music, and dance in a live setting to provide an experience unlike anything that a screen can offer. But the nature of live performance can also exclude large groups of individuals. The storytelling is lost on blind children who cannot see the onstage action. The music is nonexistent to those who are deaf. The entire experience can be overwhelming to those on the autism spectrum. Young People’s Theatre is aware of this and has found an ingenious solution.

    The theatre has strived to offer presentations of their shows with these specific groups in mind. The intention is not to dilute the art, but rather to increase inclusivity. For the deaf or hard-of-hearing, Young People’s Theatre offers interpreted performances. The play is presented as it usually is, but with the addition of interpreters who “shadow” the actors by following them as they move about the stage. These interpreters use American Sign Language to translate what the character they follow is saying. In 2018, this was utilized to bring the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel The Secret Garden to life, as well as a translation of Selfie, which was originally in French.

    Bringing theatre to the blind or partially sighted is another challenge. On television, audio descriptions can help describe the action. Yet this would be a distraction for others in the audience in a theatre setting. Young People’s Theatre utilizes technology to circumvent this. These performances feature live audio description provided by professionals, but done through earpieces and small receivers for audience members who will benefit from it. The information shared includes set pieces, costumes, and physical action onstage. This was done for The Secret Garden in 2018.

    For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the loud noises and high energy of the theatre can negatively affect them and tarnish any of the positives that the art provides. Young People’s Theatre presents relaxed performances in which the plays themselves remain intact, but the performances are subdued with a more relaxed attitude. Noise and movement are reduced, and the lighting is adjusted so that the room is not as dark as usual. A relief area is provided for those who need a break during the play. In addition to The Secret Garden and Selfie, Young People’s Theatre presented six other plays this way in 2017 and 2018.

    The theatre continues to strive to be an inclusive environment for kids of all ages. Their production of One Thing Leads to Another had babies and their parents sit on the floor and were encouraged to play during the performance. The performers utilized colours, sounds, and movement catered to those babies, who became as much performers as the professionals. In another example, Arabic interpreters were used at performances welcoming children of Syrian refugee families. Amber Ebert, the School and Community Programs Manager, stated that they “are not just welcoming people in,” but also “making people feel welcome when they are here.”

    The Young People’s Theatre has been around for over 50 years, and is not going anywhere anytime soon. That means more and more plays are being presented in new ways to encourage inclusivity. Instead of looking at it as an obligation, the company employs creative techniques that enhance the plays and bring them to life with new and exciting methods. This taps into the universality of the art of theatre, which brings stories to audiences in ways that no television, laptop, or phone screen ever could.

    Sources:

    Fields, Sabrina, and Andrea Pothiboon. “Young People’s Theatre: Building community and learning through play.” Neighbourhood Arts Network. http://www.neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org/learning-room/learning/young-people-s-theatre-building-community-and-lear.

    Young People’s Theatre. https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca/.

  • Why Should I Take French Classes?

    Why Should I Take French Classes?

    French might not be your favourite subject. I mean, it might be – and if it is, you should definitely take it. Keep learning and improving, discover new words, and build on what you already know. But it probably isn’t your favourite subject, or you wouldn’t be having a hard time deciding whether or not to take it!

    If you struggle with French, why should you continue to take it?

    It’s always better to start early. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard, as adults, say that they wish they’d paid more attention to French while they were in school. Some have tried to learn French later, but it’s always easier to build on what you’ve known for years than to start from scratch.

    Knowing French will help you to learn other languages. Even if you aren’t interested in knowing French, learning it anyway will make it much easier for you to learn languages in the same “family.” For example, you will have an easier time learning Italian, Spanish, or Romanian if you already know French.

    Your job choices will double – at least – if you speak French. No matter what you want to do when you’re older, you will have many more opportunities to do it if you speak French. Most jobs in Ontario actually require people to speak and understand both English and French.

    You’ll be able to watch and read some pretty cool stuff. If you like reading comic books, your library will double. You’ll be able to read things that French kids enjoy, like Astérix and Obélix. You can watch movies like Le Roi et L’Oiseau. That has the added bonus of being little brother or little sister-proof, so when you feel like a break, you can pop in a French DVD – they won’t understand! Voilà – instant alone time.

    Before you decide to stop taking French, think carefully about whether or not you might one day wish that you hadn’t. Make a pro/con list. Talk to your parents, or do some French research online. If you decide that you definitely don’t want to keep learning French, fine – but make sure that you don’t stop just because it’s difficult. It’s usually the harder things in life that end up being most worthwhile.

  • Artistic Director Career Profile

    Artistic Director Career Profile

    An event like a play or a ballet can seem very simple to the people in the audience, but a lot of work goes into putting everything together. Many people are part of the process, but one of the most important is the artistic director. People in this job work with playwrights, directors, managers, and others involved in a production to help make it all come together. If you enjoy the performing arts and are good at dealing with people, this job could be a good choice.

    Many artistic directors work with theatre companies, where the first task is to choose what to perform with the group. This aspect can be difficult since the artistic director needs to consider the abilities of the performers, the cost of setting up the stage, and much more. An artistic director might choose a play that has already been written or commission someone to write a new one, depending on the theatrical group and what kinds of plays are available. The selection of plays might follow a theme or be based on other criteria.

    Once the schedule is set, the artistic director begins to make arrangements for the season. This part involves hiring managers, set and costume designers, performers, and anyone else who is needed for the show. Dealing with the budget is also an important part of an artistic director’s job, and being able to speak with people at charities, government agencies, and other funding groups is important.

    As with many jobs, being able to read and write well is important for artistic directors. In high school, courses in English and mathematics are useful. Theatre courses are also good, and business courses could also be valuable. Over half of artistic directors have a bachelor’s degree and some have a master’s degree. However, in some cases, someone with high school or a GED can find work as an artistic director. Generally, salaries start at $40,000 and can rise to $109,000 per year.

    Working as an artistic director normally does not involve much physical strength, but it can require endurance to manage long days. Normally the work is indoors, although some people might work in outdoor theatres. Being able to work with people, including possibly spending long periods on the phone, is important.

    Artistic directors require patience, persistence, and the ability to make good choices. A bad choice of play or a wrong theatre could cost the group large amounts of money. Thus, artistic directors need to be sure to gather their information carefully and to find the best options for what they need. Much of this kind of information comes with experience, but even young artistic directors can find a good group of people to help them.

    Normally, an artistic director will personally direct at least one performance each year. This task involves knowing about acting, movement on the stage, special effects, costumes, and anything else that is part of the performance. The artistic director should have a wide range of knowledge about the theatre and different styles of acting. For some productions, the artistic director might need to know about music, dancing, sword fighting, or other special skills.

    Working as an artistic director can be a challenging job, but it can also be exciting for people who enjoy the performing arts. It could be the right job for you.

     

    Bibliography:

    American Association of Community Theatre. “Artistic Director.” https://aact.org/artistic-director.

    Glassdoor. “Artistic Director Salaries in Canada.” https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/artistic-director-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm.

    IESA: Arts & Education. “Artistic Director: Job Description.” https://www.iesa.edu/paris/news-events/artistic-director.

    Payscale Canada. “Average Artistic Director Salary in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Artistic_Director/Salary.

    Zippia. “How To Become an Artistic Director.” https://www.zippia.com/artistic-director-jobs/.

  • Career Profile: Hippotherapist

    Career Profile: Hippotherapist

    Horses can be fun to ride, but they are good for much more. Hippotherapists work with horses to help people with physical and mental needs to recover from illnesses and injuries or to overcome other issues in their lives. If you are comfortable around horses and enjoy working with people, this job might be right for you.

    For people who have trouble walking long distances, riding a horse can be a good chance to get out into nature and to enjoy the fresh air. People who have trouble using their hands can benefit from the work of putting the bridle, reins, and saddle on a horse or from brushing the horse down after a ride. Sometimes, children or adults who have trouble connecting with other people have an easier time working with animals. Being around horses can be very calming, especially with a hippotherapist to guide the process.

    Hippotherapists (“horse healers”) should be very comfortable around horses and know all of the basics about how to ride, how to calm a frightened horse, what to feed the animals, and when to call a veterinarian for a sick horse. They also need to know about the different types of therapy, such as physical therapy for people with balance problems.

    Often, people in this field have training in another branch of therapy before they specialize in hippotherapy. This training could be a sixteen-month occupational therapy course where they learn about ways to keep people’s minds active as they recover from illnesses. It could be a physiotherapy diploma from a college or a four-year degree in therapy from a university. Short courses specifically in hippotherapy are also available at various colleges, and training on the job is also helpful.

    Most jobs in hippotherapy are likely to be away from large cities or towns, in places where there is enough room to keep several large horses. Still, they have to be close enough to people so that patients can come for their therapy. Jobs in this field are not common, but people can make their own jobs if they want. For example, they might want to offer hippotherapy in connection with riding stables at a summer camp so that the horses already have a place to stay and people to look after them.

    Starting salaries for hippotherapists are just under $42,000 and can rise to nearly $63,000. The job involves a lot of work outdoors or in barns, which can be very uncomfortable in winter. Hippotherapists might need to look after and feed the horses, as well as do paperwork to keep track of the patients and their therapy. Working with other therapists, doctors, and family members might also be necessary. People in this job might need to work long hours, especially in the evenings and on weekends when patients are available to come.

    Like any other job, hippotherapy can be difficult, but it can also be very interesting and useful. If you feel comfortable with horses and enjoy working with people, the job of hippotherapist might be right for you.

    Bibliography:

    BC Therapeutic Riding Association. “Therapeutic Writing and Hippotherapy.” http://bctherapeuticriding.com/therapeutic-riding/.

    Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. “A Career in Occupational Therapy.” https://www.caot.ca/site/rfs/res_for_students?nav=sidebar.

    Capilano University. “Rehabilitation Associate Diploma.” https://www.capilanou.ca/programs–courses/program-profiles/rehabilitation-assistant-diploma/.

    Salary Expert. “Therapeutic Riding Instructor.” https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/therapeutic-riding-instructor/canada.

  • Canadian Government Programs Offering Short-Term Work for Students

    Canadian Government Programs Offering Short-Term Work for Students

    For many, summer means a vacation before school resumes in the fall. Some students see a break as an opportunity to find work. Luckily, the Canadian government provides some programs catered towards students looking for short-term work in between schooling.

    Canada Summer Jobs

    Under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program, Canada Summer Jobs provides youth aged 15-30 with employment during the summer. The program aims to help younger Canadians smoothly transition into the workforce. These jobs start in April at the earliest and end in early September at the latest. Youth within this program receive safe, inclusive, and healthy work environments.

    Eligibility

    • Must be between 15 and 30 years old at the beginning of the employment period
    • Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person with refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act during employment
    • Must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and be legally able to work in Canada

    Young Canada Works (YCK)

    Young Canada Works (YCK) is a government job program open to high school, college, CEGEP, and university students. YCK offers short-term jobs through two programs that help students earn work experience and skills, and explore various regions within Canada.

    Youth Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCWHO)

    The YCWHO program employs students aged 16-30 in positions related to Canadian heritage. This includes jobs helping heritage organizations such as museums and libraries. The program ranges from 6 to 16 weeks for full-time work, but it also offers part-time.

    Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages (YCWBOL)

    The YCWBOL program allows students aged 15-30 to hone their language skills while working. Students will use their first or second language in an official language minority community. This program requires a working knowledge of both English and French. According to the University of Western Ontario, working knowledge means discussing topics comfortably necessary for workplaces.

    The Senate of Canada’s Student Employment Program

    For students in Ottawa, the Senate offers employment and COOP opportunities during the school year and the summer. Students will spend time in or near Parliament Hill gaining useful skills.

    Fields of work include:

    • Communication
    • Finance and procurement
    • Human resources
    • Information management
    • Legislative services

    Eligibility

    For student employment or COOP, students must:

    • Be at least 17 years old
    • Be an official full-time student in a recognized secondary or post-secondary institution, or be enrolled as a full-time student for the fall
    • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

    COOP opportunities place students in their field of study for 16 weeks during one of these time periods:

    • September to December
    • January to April
    • May to late August

    Student employment during the school year or summer (early May to late August) places students in either part-time or full-time positions. The senate calculates wages based on criteria such as relevant work experience and years of study.

    These government employment programs for students expose individuals to unique experiences while improving their skillsets and knowledge about Canadian culture. By engaging through Canadian heritage organizations, working in both official languages, or working at the Senate itself, Canadian students can explore a variety of options for short-term work.

  • Learning on the Job: My Experience as A Fast-Food Worker

    Learning on the Job: My Experience as A Fast-Food Worker

    During the summer after grade 10, I got a part-time job in fast food, where I worked five-hour shifts, Monday through Friday. My tasks were what many normally associate with these kinds of positions. When I started, cleaning was my main responsibility. I’d wipe down tables, sweep and mop the floor, wash trays, replenish dining room supplies, and take out the garbage just before leaving for the day. After that, helping with food preparation, like making sandwiches, became another regular task. The last was using the cash registers.

    As mentioned above, I started off with cleaning and ended up creating a comfortable routine for myself. Nevertheless, it was all I did for the first five weeks, so I didn’t have many direct interactions with customers throughout that period of time, other than some approaching me to either ask a question or express a complaint/concern. I would then pass these on to my more senior co-workers unless I could assist them on my own, which happened occasionally. The same applied to when I also prepared food.

    I’m very introverted, so I wasn’t eager to handle the cash register because this evidently meant speaking with customers face-to-face on a regular basis. Of course, I did eventually, but didn’t spend as much time doing so as I should have due to this initial hesitation. I remember being quite nervous while people told me their orders, especially on days when the restaurant was busy. However, luckily for me, my circumstances were mostly ideal as my manager as well as co-workers were instructive, but also showed a lot of support while I was learning how to carry out transactions and deal with customers. I recall one occasion where a co-worker kindly told me that I should have put a customer’s change into their hand after I just slid their change across the counter toward them. I appreciated all the helpful pointers they provided and how understanding they were.

    Overall, I learned how important it is to take the initiative. Though working in fast food was definitely a good experience as my very first job, I could have made the experience even better by being more assertive and willing to take on responsibilities that intimidated me. Oftentimes, feeling discomfort in this regard remains necessary while gaining certain skills. It was also a reminder that even though mistakes will be made, these mistakes can lead to growth if introspection is involved. It’s a difficult undertaking without a doubt, but having that positive perspective makes a huge difference.

    As I reflect on my time there, I would say the most valuable takeaway was, rather than worrying so much about what might go wrong, focusing on how acquiring various skills (particularly interpersonal ones in this case) could be beneficial, long-term. Remaining aware of the positive possibilities can act as an incentive and a way to increase self-confidence. Stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial if you know there’s a possibility of enhancing existing skills and/or learning something new.

  • Incognito – 4 Jobs that You Didn’t Know Were Skilled Trades

    Incognito – 4 Jobs that You Didn’t Know Were Skilled Trades

    Trades play an important role in the Canadian economy, but sadly, misconceptions still persist about the profession. Some people continue to believe that it’s wholly a man’s world, while some carry on with their perception that the trades are all about working in construction, complete with hard hats and work boots. While the construction industry does involve a large number of people with trades skills, it doesn’t automatically mean that all trades equal construction work.

    In fact, you’d be surprised that there are a good number of jobs that you probably didn’t know were skilled trades. Let’s dive into some examples.

    Landscape Artist

    Landscape artists or designers are often second fiddle to architects, builders or engineers when residential or commercial spaces are mentioned. In reality, they are just as important, and as you’ve probably guessed by now, they fall under skilled trades. In commercial spaces, landscape designers make sure the landscape complements the brand’s aesthetics. In residential spaces, they ensure your home is truly your dream living space.

    To succeed in this industry, one would have a good balance of creativity and practicality at the same time. Not only do they have to make sure their designs meet aesthetic purposes, but they also have to make sure they are functional. This skilled trade also requires horticultural knowledge as well as IT savviness, since there are numerous software programs available now to help them see their vision in digital form.

    Child & Youth Worker

    When people say they want a successful career, that usually means financially rewarding. However, for some people, career success means a chance to make a lasting impact on others, such as a child & youth worker, which is also surprisingly considered a skilled trade. Child and youth workers have the opportunity to mould young ones and get them ready for the future ahead—and you can’t put a price tag on that.

    Whatever work environment they are involved in, whether recreational centres or summer camps out of the city, child and youth workers must provide a healthy and safe environment for kids, making sure it is inclusive and engaging as well. These professionals are well-versed in practice and theory pertaining to childcare and the instructional methods used to enhance physical, cognitive, and emotional development.  Advanced to expert knowledge in behaviour management strategies and overall psychology of children is also an advantage.

    Educational Assistant

    There are a slew of jobs that offer financial rewards, but only a few allow you to make a great contribution to change the world. Such is the role of educational assistants, who primarily work with students to understand their learning capabilities and help them with their academic goals, while at the same time building on their self-esteem and leadership skills to prepare them to thrive in the real world.

    It is up to the educational assistants to truly assess students’ needs and ensure these needs are met so the students can realize their full potential when they become adults. It is an advantage to have knowledge in child development, educational psychology, and education policies.

    Special Events Coordinator

    If you’re fond of attending events like food festivals or film festivals, you probably don’t realize the

    painstaking work behind it. But you’ve got the special events coordinator to thank for because they who ensure everything is in place before, during, and after the event. This is an exciting profession for sure, but it involves a lot of time and effort, and guess what, it also falls under skilled trades.

    Special events coordinators have to be masters in planning and organizing, and should possess excellent leadership abilities and collaborative skills. While an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in any related field, such as Business Administration or Public Relations, is an advantage, much of the skills needed to succeed in this field is actual experience in customer service, communications, or public relations.

    There you have it, five examples of skilled trades in disguise. Now that you’ve got an idea, which one do you think will fit you best?

    SOURCES

    https://talentegg.ca/

  • Work Experience and Internships – What’s Available for High Schoolers

    Work Experience and Internships – What’s Available for High Schoolers

    In high school, and sometimes even earlier, many students start to look for summer jobs to earn money and to learn something about working for a living. Sometimes, however, high school students can get involved in special work experience projects and internships. These types of experiences can be very valuable for teaching students the skills they need for the future in settings that help them use these skills later in life.

    Both work experience and internships can be valuable for students who want to start preparing for the future. People sometimes confuse “work experience” and “internship,” since they can often appear to be the same. However, work experience is normally for a shorter period than an internship, and it is usually unpaid. Although many internships are also unpaid, traditionally, the expectation was that internships included at least a small salary to help participants pay their bills while they were in the program.

    Work experience and internships normally involve both practical and theoretical work. It tends to be very practical, with students following workers around to see the job first-hand. Students in these programs might be given projects to complete so that their supervisors can test their progress. For example, a student working at a veterinarian’s office might compile information on certain types of animals, including common illnesses and best treatments.

    Almost any business, school, or government office might have work experience programs or internships. However, some of them are specifically designed to help high school students get the experience they need to help them in their future careers.

    The Crimson Education website lists some of the internships available to high school students in Canada. One example is the SickKids’ Student Advancement in Research (StAR) Internship. This program works through the University of Toronto to help students learn about medical research and to complete a project that uses the skills that they have gained.

    Hamilton also has a summer student program that accepts students aged fourteen or older to learn skills such as communication, collaboration, and time management. Meanwhile, the students also have a chance to meet with potential employers and to receive an assessment of both their strengths and areas that need improvement.

    Although many internships are local, some are open to students from any part of the country. The House of Commons Youth Opportunities program gives high school students the chance for paid internships in areas including computer science, engineering, graphic design, accounting, and many other fields. Students should be at least sixteen years old to participate in this program.

    Many other parts of the country also have opportunities to learn special skills. In British Columbia, for example, Level One of the Youth Employment Program is open to students who have registered for high school in the past six months. The Manitoba government has a High School Apprenticeship Program for the trades, and Saskatchewan has the Saskatchewan Youth Internship Program, also related to the trades. Many other programs are available across the country.

    Being part of a work experience program or internship might seem difficult, but it can be worth the effort. You can already start to look for opportunities wherever you live.

     

    Bibliography

    Crimson Education. “10 Summer Internship Opportunities for Canadian High School Students.” https://www.crimsoneducation.org/ca/blog/internships-for-high-school-students/.

    Government of British Columbia. “Youth Employment Program.”  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/careers-myhr/job-seekers/internship-co-op-opportunities/youth-employment-program.

    Government of Canada. “Students and Graduates—Young Canada Works.” https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates.html.

    Government of Manitoba. “Youth Apprenticeship Programs.” https://www.gov.mb.ca/aesi/apprenticeship/discover/youth/index.html.

    Indeed. “10 Student Internships You Can Consider (With Benefits).” https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/student-internships.

    Saskatoon Industry Education Council. “Saskatchewan Youth Internship Program.” https://saskatooniec.ca/syip/.

    Student World Online. “The Difference Between Work Experience, Internships and Volunteering.” https://www.studentworldonline.com/article/the-difference-between-work-experience-internships-/162/.

    University of Waterloo. “Enrichment Programs for High School and Elementary Students.” https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/visit-waterloo/high-school-enrichment-programs.