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Category: Featured Articles

  • Career Profile: Archaeologist

    Career Profile: Archaeologist

    When you go to museums, you learn a lot about the past. Some museums have information about the relatively recent past, but others give information about people who lived many centuries ago in countries around the world. How do people in the twenty-first century know about the ancient Romans or even the settlers who came to North America two hundred years ago? Much of what people know about the past comes through the work of archaeologists who try to understand other cultures and people through what they left behind.

    Suppose that you wanted to find out about your great-grandmother’s life. You might ask your parents and grandparents for information, and you might also look at old diaries and maybe some of the things she owned. Archaeology is a lot like that kind of search. The main difference is that archaeologists are usually searching for information on whole communities and cultures instead of just one person. They often work far away from home, trying to learn about ancient people and to understand how they lived.

    Part of what archaeologists do is to look for objects that show what life was like in the era they are studying. Some objects might be made of gold or silver, but archaeologists can still learn a lot from even the tiniest beads or other things that the people used. Archaeologists also look for whatever written records they can find, whether they are written on paper, stone, or anything else. Digging for ancient objects, or artifacts, can be slow and difficult work, but it can be very rewarding.

    Before archaeologists get to the point of digging for artifacts, they need to study and learn about what other archaeologists have discovered. They need to learn about ancient civilizations and practice the skills they need for recognizing and preserving artifacts. This process usually involves getting at least a Master’s degree and sometimes a Ph.D. in archaeology at a university. Through this type of program, students learn about fossils, ancient art, museums, and many other topics. They might learn to read Latin and other ancient languages like Egyptian hieroglyphics and find out what people in the past used for medicine and what they ate. A wide range of knowledge can help archaeologists know how to look for artifacts.

    Being able to analyze and interpret what they find is also important for archaeologists. Only a part of their work is digging for artifacts. They also have to analyze and organize what they find, research the history and the objects, and then write about what they discover. For all of this work, they might receive between $55,000 and $60,000 per year, working for a private company, a university, or possibly the government. Working hours can be long when they are out digging, but otherwise, archaeologists usually keep regular office hours. Jobs in the area are limited, but flexibility and a wide range of knowledge can help.

    Do you love history and learning about the past? Why not consider working as an archaeologist?

  • Why Music Education Matters

    Why Music Education Matters

    Little in this world can affect people more than music—whether it’s a catchy song on the radio or front-row tickets to the philharmonic, people invest themselves in the musical world, and for good reason. Music is more than just entertainment; it can teach us valuable lessons on how to think, how to act, and how to feel. It brings people together so that they can listen and learn in harmony. It is this music we should be teaching to incoming generations, for this will shape their choices (and their lives) for the better.

    Learning to play, practice or perform music is more difficult than it seems. Mastering an instrument, whatever it may be (the clarinet, the piano, the voice), takes much dedication. There is great value in such a skill: by playing music, whether for an audience of thousands or in the privacy of your own room, you are bringing a composer’s message to life. Music is one of the most beautiful means of self-expression, and you can contribute to that simply by playing the notes on the page. The theory behind music is also beneficial, whether you’re studying the lives of famous composers or learning to write music of your own. It is essential to get a comprehensive understanding of music, not only for what it is, but for what it was intended to do.

    But this education extends far beyond musical aptitude. Aside from the obvious practical benefit of learning to play an instrument, music helps fine-tune a variety of skills. When playing in an ensemble like an orchestra, musicians are taught the importance of listening to one another, of cooperating as a team to make a beautiful, unified sound. When sight-reading a new piece, a player learns how to focus, to push through even when the subject matter is difficult beyond belief. When playing scales for hours on end, a musician becomes disciplined, determined to do whatever it takes to succeed, no matter how tedious the task.

    Musicians develop an incredible sense of precision, making sure to catch every note and rhythm and cadence, and the melody that follows demonstrates the truly incredible merit behind their hard work. Oftentimes, this merit cannot be measured: it can only be felt. The thing about music is that it expresses what cannot be put into words, and brings about feelings you didn’t even know you were capable of. It is easy to be moved by music, for it is the product of the performer’s heart and soul (oftentimes, they are telling the composer’s story through their own lens). Continuously, people are inspired by music; they are motivated to keep the tradition alive.

    Music education matters because it helps people find their passions and share them with those who will listen. By keeping music alive, we are promoting teamwork, perseverance, and hard work. And by keeping music alive, we are helping people find themselves along the way.

  • Students and Summer Jobs

    Students and Summer Jobs

    Summer is coming soon, and you might be thinking about family trips, days at the beach and long shopping trips to the mall. For some people, summer is a time to relax and to spend time with family and friends. For others, however, it can be a time to find a job and to earn money for university or for special trips or other projects. After school ends for the year, thousands of students go out looking for work at the many places that offer summer jobs. Have you started job-hunting yet?

    If you are like many other students, you might already have had a paying job. Maybe you have delivered flyers or mowed someone’s lawn to earn a bit of money for yourself. However, working at a summer job is a bit different. Many summer jobs become available in offices, stores and restaurants when the regular employees go on holidays. Sometimes employers might also take the opportunity to hire students to complete special projects that take too much time for the regular employees to finish. In other cases, the work might also be something that happens only in spring or summer, such as gardening or selling plants. All kinds of jobs become available when the weather warms up.

    Working for pay in a summer job is very different from doing chores at home. Most provinces have rules about the minimum age that people have to reach before they can get most types of jobs. New workers also need to get a social insurance number (SIN), which is a government number that allows people to work in Canada. Whenever workers start new jobs, they have to give this number to their employers. Once you have your SIN, you can start the process of looking for work.

    When you actually start looking for a job, the first place to go might be a local student employment office. Online job banks for student are also useful. However, many jobs are never officially listed in any job centre or database. Instead, many employers fill jobs through personal contacts. By talking to people about your need for work, you might be able to get access to this hidden job market.

    Finding a job that suits you is another factor in looking for a summer job. It doesn’t need to be something that you want to do for the rest of your life or even the next few years. However, it should be work that you are able to do, even if you need to learn a lot on the job. If you find a job that you can do well, you have a good chance of being hired again the next year.  You might also learn some skills that you will need to know for the future.

    Looking for a summer job is an important step in the process of becoming an adult. It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want to learn from the experience of earning money during the holidays.

  • Body Image Issues? You Aren’t Alone

    Body Image Issues? You Aren’t Alone

    In most cases a distorted view of body image has been presented by the media and simplified with male and female stereotypes. Men are all portrayed as tall, muscular and smoothly shaven, while impossibly thin women with disproportionate attributes make their way into thousands of commercials and magazines. We now know that someone with a camera and a simple grasp of Photoshop can easily change these images, airbrushing, changing size and re-colouring pictures. Simply put, the media portrayal of the human body is wrong.

    Never is there a time in an adolescent’s life that the body is focused on so much as the prom. The pressure falls a lot more on girls than it does with boys. Most (but certainly not all) guys are expected to attend prom wearing an expensive formal suit and tie, whereas girls are expected to be skinny but not too skinny, wear fashionable dresses and high heels.

    While prom is a formal gathering its important not to lose sense of your own style and personality. Wear whatever dress that you feel like wearing, or even wear pants if you’re comfortable. It’s one of the last big gatherings in high school so take this chance to be creative and express yourself! Maybe you could even craft your own outfit if fashion design is your thing. That’s not to say you should come in with combat boots and a trench coat – you should follow your school’s dress code when deciding what to wear, but let loose and have fun. Don’t let fashion trends or other people’s opinion’s decide for you. Prom is your night, so make your look your own, too.

    Prom is a time to celebrate that you are almost done thirteen years of education! This is a huge accomplishment and you deserve to celebrate it no matter your size, gender or personal style. Don’t let other people’s opinions ruin your night; stay true to yourself and your own style. In the end that’s what truly counts.

  • Transitioning to University Life

    Transitioning to University Life

    The idea of going off to college or university sends shivers of anxiety down spines and churns stomachs. Don’t worry – this is normal. It’s a big step moving from high school to post-secondary education and its natural to feel a bit nervous.

    There is usually a frosh week for university students or an orientation for those attending college. This can be a great way to meet people around campus or in your program. Post-secondary education is so diverse that making friends is easy, whether it be the person who sits beside you in class, a new roommate or someone you meet on campus.

    Living in residence is another excellent way to make friends and makes the walk to class much easier. Most schools have single rooms as well as doubles so you can be paired with a roommate. The Resident Assistant will help you get integrated into the community with a number of activities in the residence and there is usually a common room with a TV for students to relax in.

    Residence life is not for everyone, though, and there are a number of other options such as off campus housing, driving or commuting via train or bus. There is nothing wrong with choosing to live at home while attending school, either. Living out on your own is exciting but it can get pretty expensive and sometimes its nice to have the comforts of home and your friends and family.

    Post-secondary school is nothing like high school. There is no attendance sheet or principal forcing you to go to class. The professors likely won’t harass you about it so it can be very tempting to skip a class here and there. This can lead to a very slippery slope and you don’t want to find yourself facing an exam sheet without having gone to class. It’s up to you to stay organized and keep on top of your assignments; letting them pile up then dashing them all off the night before is not the best strategy. Most schools use an email and online system so you can use the Internet to keep up to date on assignments, presentations, etc.

    Every college or university has at least a few clubs or teams and activities that provide exercise and entertainment. Most schools will have a free gym for people to lift weights, run on treadmills or play indoor sports. Some schools even have a pool.

    It’s a good idea to learn about your chosen school before beginning in the fall. An excellent way to do this is to check out their websites, do campus tours and speak to anyone you might know that has gone to that school. Ask them about their experiences there.

    Leaving high school marks a major change in life. While post-secondary education certainly has its challenges, they are far outweighed by the lifelong friendships and rewards.

  • “Sine” Me Up: Why Math is Your Friend

    “Sine” Me Up: Why Math is Your Friend

    Mathematics is the pariah of school subjects—dismissed as mind-numbing, tedious and often impossible to grasp, it is frequently looked down upon in schools, in pop culture and among the general public. It’s unfortunate that math has such a miserable reputation, because it may actually end up being one of the most useful things you are ever going to learn. Math has a multitude of practical applications, whether you’re looking to make your day-to-day life a little easier or are considering it for a future career. So if you’re stuck on permutations or about to lose your marbles over that logarithmic function, don’t give up hope just yet. Math might be the thing that saves you.

    A lot of the negative hype behind math is due to the sheer amount of material—the formulae and variables and properties—and it’s increasing difficulty is enough to give anyone a migraine if not taken in stride. Math is one of those things that you just can’t get the hang of without practice. And while it may take a bit of grunt work at first, there is a certain satisfaction in finally getting the right answer. This sense of accomplishment may come as a pleasant surprise. Not only is it rewarding to see the progress of your hard work, but you can actually start to have fun with it once you get into the swing of things.

    If you’re good at math, there are many career paths that may suit your fancy. Aside from strictly “mathematics” jobs (teaching positions, research, etc.), other fascinating fields like medicine, architecture, business and engineering are excellent ways to put your skills to good use. Careers in math-related fields are great for developing problem solving and logical reasoning skills, not to mention they are often both professionally and financially rewarding. If you’re committed to your talents and willing to work, a mathematics career is definitely a valuable option to consider.

    Of course, not everyone is going to be skilled at math and that is perfectly alright. However, just because you don’t work in a math-related field doesn’t mean it isn’t a useful (and necessary) tool to have under your belt. Restaurant bills, mortgage payments, student loans, the lottery—the power of math is woven through everyday life. Oftentimes, it is the glue that holds our society together. No matter what you end up doing in the future, somewhere along the way you’ll undoubtedly need math to get you out of a jam. That’s why it is so important to keep working on your math skills: you never know when they’ll come in handy.

    From multiplication to measures of central tendency, mathematics and its multitude of concepts are true treasures to possess. You may be surprised at the many doors it opens for you in today’s world. In summation, math will contribute to your progress. Keep working on developing those skills—and embrace mathematics as a crucial tool in the smooth functioning of your everyday life.

  • Networking to Land a Career

    Networking to Land a Career

    When people get together to meet and talk, they sometimes learn a lot about each other. At family gatherings, people might find out about what their cousins or aunts and uncles are doing and how their lives are going. At parties, friends might find out more about each other and about the other people they know. What happens when job seekers and businesspeople get together? Through a process called networking, people can connect with each other in ways that can benefit them and lead to success.

    What does the word “network” mean to you? If you work with computers, you probably know that networks in this area are all about connections. The same is true in business and job searching, except that this kind of networking involves people instead of machines. When people need something, they can connect with someone who has what they want. A person who needs a job, for example, can connect with someone who is looking for employees. Someone who has something to sell can connect with someone who wants to buy it. For some people, these kinds of connections can make the difference between success and failure.

    Networking can take many different forms. Sometimes, it can be as simple as just talking to friends and family members about a product or a job need. It could involve talking to people on the street and passing out business cards. Often, however, employment agencies and business centres have more formal networking events when people can get together to meet each other.

    Suppose that you have a business of selling greeting cards. You might take some of your cards to a networking event to show to other people so that they can see exactly what they can but from you. What if you are a high school student and are unsure of what direction to take after you finish your studies? By networking at a job fair, you might be able to find out what career suits you and be able to choose the right educational path for what you want to do. Networking can help you achieve your goals.

    Usually, networking involves meeting people face to face and talking with them, which might be very difficult for some people. How can people network with others if they find it difficult to talk to strangers and to explain themselves? Some of the basic networking techniques can help for people who are not natural talkers. Preparation is very important for anyone who wants to build up a network of contacts. Having a business card to hand out, even if it includes only a name and e-mail address, can be a good way to be remembered.

    Gathering information and forming relationships are important parts of finding a good job. Following up on those contacts is as important as the first meeting, and a large part of networking happens after the actual event. When networking is done well, it can help lead people to success in their chosen fields of work.

  • Club Counselling: How Extracurriculars Can Help You Succeed

    Club Counselling: How Extracurriculars Can Help You Succeed

    I’ve always been someone who is eager to get involved. Academics are extremely important to me, but upon entering high school I started to realize the value in expanding my learning beyond the classroom. Over the years I’ve tried my hand at concert band, orchestra, choir, yearbook, newspaper, model UN, peer tutoring and more. Through this process, I found the things that really worked for me. There are so many ways you can participate in your school community. From my personal experience, taking part in these extra-curricular endeavours will be one of the most rewarding parts of your educational career.

    Extracurriculars are a fun way to connect with people who share your interests. Whether you’re running laps around the quad or bonding over molecular compounds, not only are you learning, expressing yourself and having fun—you’re doing it with like-minded and motivated peers. You might find that it’s quite easy to make friends when you have so much in common with the people around you. Oftentimes you click so well with these people that your friendships continue long after the club comes to a close.

    It is always important to focus on academics, but if you’re looking to get a balanced and entertaining experience out of your education, it is a must to make room for extracurriculars in your schedule. An academic club is a great way to expand your knowledge and learn from the people around you. And even if it’s not directly related to what you’re studying in school, any club serves as an excellent outlet for relieving stress—not to mention it can teach you other invaluable skills, like how to think creatively or be a team player.

    Aside from the skills you acquire along the way, clubs also give you the chance to put yourself out there for the people in charge, whether they are teachers or upper-year students. This is why it’s crucial to get involved in extracurriculars right off the bat: if you stick around long enough, you’ll start to make your way up the ranks. Leadership positions are hard to earn, but totally worth it. If you work at it, the payoff could be more rewarding than you ever imagined, including a wonderful sense of responsibility, the respect of your fellow peers and often an impressive title on your resume. As you can see, a mere dabble in the extra-curricular of your choice could turn into a real-world asset.

    I’m off to university next year, where I definitely plan to make extracurriculars one of my priorities. I know for a fact that the skills I’ve obtained through my involvement will come in handy in the future and working my way up to leadership positions in these fields has given me the confidence I need to succeed. Take initiative: check out what’s going on in your school community and put yourself out there. Get involved in what you’re interested in and I guarantee it will be worth it.

     

  • Managing School and Everyday Life

    Managing School and Everyday Life

    If you’re finding it hard to balance school and everyday life, you’re not alone. Many students find it hard to balance the demands of school, extracurricular activities, part-time work, family responsibilities and social demands.

    But it’s an important skill to acquire and one you will use for the rest of your life. Being able to prioritize your education, activities and responsibilities will help you maintain happiness now and into the future. Prioritizing will also help you remember what’s important and what goals you are working towards.

    Here are a few tips to help you on your way to becoming a more well-rounded, balanced individual:

    –          Create a schedule and stick to it. Write down everything you need to do on a calendar or in a day planner. Make note of class assignments and tests, practices, meetings, work hours, or specific tasks your family asked you to complete. For instance, if your mom asked you to mow the lawn on Saturday then book time to do it. This will ensure you have established time to get everything done. It will also help you realize if you have overextended yourself and don’t have enough time to complete all your tasks.

    –          Try and complete your daily home work as soon as you get home from school. You’ll still be in the school mind set and, by getting it done right away, you’ll have the evening free to relax and do something fun.

    –          If you can work while listening to music you should do it. Listening to music (on low) can make you work faster and make whatever it is you have to get done much more enjoyable.

    –          Don’t watch TV, text your friends, check Facebook and Twitter and clean out your email while you’re in the process of doing school assignments, household chore,s etc. If you do, you’ll seriously extend the amount of time it takes to get the job done.

    –          If you take the bus, use the time to read or review for a test. This will cut down on the amount of time you’ll have to spend doing homework. You could also do some during lunch or a free period.

    –          Make sure you are realistic about what you can accomplish in the run of a day. Set goals that are attainable. Successfully completing your “to-do list” each day will increase your confidence and alleviate negative thoughts and anxiety.

    –          Don’t over extend yourself with too many extracurricular activities. One person can’t complete all of their school work, be in a band, play soccer, rugby, basketball and volleyball, be on the student council and debate team, volunteer at the animal shelter, work part time at the grocery store, babysit their kid brother, go to the movies with their best friends and spend three hours a day talking to their boyfriend/girlfriend. Certain things need to be done, like school work and chores. Other things will help you get to where you want to be in the future. The rest of the stuff can wait until you have free time to enjoy them.

    –          Look for apps that can help you,  such as flash cards, organizing and scheduling apps, exercise/nutrition apps, scientific calculator apps, dictionary and thesaurus apps and a really annoying alarm that ensure you wake up on time.

    –          Be prepared. Get all of your stuff ready the night before. Get out your clothes for school. Make your lunch. Pack your uniform if you have an after school practice or if you have to work. Being prepared will make you less overwhelmed and more ready to take on the next day.

    The main thing is to stay organized and have a clear picture of what it is you are working towards. Sure, everyone wants to be able to do whatever they want whenever they want to, but sadly that just isn’t realistic. Try to remember what it really is you want to do, and if you find you’ve spread yourself too thin try talking to a parent or teacher. They may be able to help you review your schedule and see if there are areas you can cut back on or some activities you can cut out until your work load isn’t quite as heavy.

  • Do Employers Look at Volunteer Experience?

    Do Employers Look at Volunteer Experience?

    When thinking about volunteering, we have a tendency to believe that volunteer experience simply doesn’t measure up to work experience because it is not paid. Sometimes we think that volunteering is “just for fun” or “just to help out”, but we don’t really consider volunteering to be good enough to be counted as real experience.

    These thoughts are false. Volunteering is, in many ways, much better than work experience because it demonstrates initiative on the part of the individual. It also demonstrates that one can do many of the basic requirements for any job, such as working as part of a team, working independently, and performing specific job tasks that may be relevant to another job in the future.

    Employers are also interested in finding people who have experience in a particular field. Currently, it is very common for people applying to medical school or looking to work in prestigious companies to put in time as an intern – without pay. This type of experience is looked upon quite favorably and is considered as far superior to having no experience.

    Personally, having worked a volunteer position as a brand ambassador for a fitness company, I was able to land more than five jobs that I would not have been considered for had I not volunteered. At the time I was unaware of the value of volunteering and was mostly disappointed that I was not receiving any pay for my efforts. I learned many valuable skills while volunteering in addition to having the after benefits of getting other related (paying) jobs.

    Stick with it! Volunteering is a great way to get a foot in the door and perhaps begin a job placement after volunteering.