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  • Why Get a Bachelor of Arts Degree?

    Why Get a Bachelor of Arts Degree?

    People often wonder what the point is of getting a Bachelor of Arts degree. After all, there are no obvious career paths out there for history or anthropology majors. You don’t just graduate with a degree in philosophy and immediately become a professional philosopher, unlike a trade program where you graduate from an engineering program and immediately become an engineer. Even though you might have doubts, a BA will help you in the job market and in other ways that you may never have thought about.

    There are many jobs out there that require a university degree. I spent a year teaching in Seoul, South Korea, for example. Having a university degree was the only requirement to get an interview. My year in Seoul was one of the best experiences of my life and it led me to further teaching and travel opportunities. Other people are also able to find work in their area of interest right out of university; some psychology majors get work in labs, for example. Many other jobs don’t strictly require a university education, but like to see an applicant who has a degree. This is particularly important when there are many people competing for one position.

    There are reasons employers looks for university graduates. A Bachelor of Arts degree can get you things that are impossible to measure, such as teaching you how to think critically. Getting through a university class isn’t about knowing all the right answers – it’s about figuring out how to think for yourself and express your ideas. It can be a lot of work, but it’s work that you’re doing to improve yourself and not just to get a diploma.

    When you’re feeling tired and a deadline is coming up, writing an essay feels like a nuisance. But as you write you’re learning how to put together a solid argument. You’ll find that the more essays you write and the more advanced your courses get, the better you will become at expressing yourself. You can learn to analyze things in detail and get a clearer view of the big picture. These are skills that are useful and highly desirable to potential employers.

    Studying in university also teaches you to manage your time well and to take responsibility. You and you alone are responsible for whether or not you go to class or do your assignments and how much effort you put into them. University helps to set you on track for things you want to do. You can take those four years to learn what you love. Some people fall in love with a particular course or area and go on to get a PhD. Other people don’t have such a clear path to their dreams, but they still gain a lot of experience and knowledge.

    A university degree is a lot of work and if you think it’s not for you, that’s fine. If you want to go to a technical college and become an electrician, you should go for it. Just make sure you do what you like and you’ll find out where you want to be.

  • Working As A Vet Tech

    Working As A Vet Tech

    Nature of the Work
    Pet owners, zoos and aquariums expect excellent care from their veterinarians and thus to provide the optimal services, veterinarians use veterinary technicians and technologists to assist them, much as doctors use nurses in the medical field. Job duties vary depending on the employer, but generally technicians and technologists complete similar tasks for their employers even though there are differences in the formal education and training of the two titles. Most technicians work in private veterinary practices; but because of their additional education and training, technologists can choose to work in jobs that are more advanced research related.

    Job Description of a Veterinary Technician and Technologist
    Veterinary technicians and technologists usually work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. They are often required to perform skills such as venipuncture, or skin scrapings to treat and diagnose health concerns of the animals as well as performing various medical tests. Tests they conduct include blood work ups, urinalysis, and taking tissue samples. They may assist in dental care and surgeries and may be required to perform and maintain anesthesia. Other duties might include taking patient histories, expose and develop X-rays and radiographs, dressing wounds, applying splints, and taking vital signs. There are a variety of diagnostic tests which the veterinarian may rely on the technician or technologist to conduct. Experienced veterinary technicians may be expected to train new personnel in the clinic or discuss a health issue with a pet’s owner. In some practices they may be required to assist in administrative tasks such as maintaining treatment records and inventory records of supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals.

    In most clinical private practices, the technician and technologist will assist in the care of small animals such as cats and dogs, but also may perform duties with animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, birds, mice and lizards. It is rare for a technologist to work in practices that care for both small pets and large wild animals.

    Another area of work for technologists and technicians is research facilities. In these facilities veterinary technicians and technologists work under the supervision of veterinarians as well, but they may also be supervised by a physician. The job duties in this area of the field may include administering medications, and recording information about the animals such as diet, genealogy, food intake, and weight. They may be required to monitor and record signs of pain and distress in animals, sterilize surgical equipment and provide postoperative care. Veterinary technologists may be required to give an animal a vaccination or euthanize an animal.

    In some instances, veterinary technologists assist in research projects that involve other scientists in medical-related fields. They can work in biomedical research, livestock management, pharmaceutical sales or wildlife medicine. There are increasing opportunities for technologists in the biosecurity and disaster preparedness jobs.

    Job Outlook
    The job outlook for veterinary technicians and technologists is excellent as there is a need to replace those leaving the field and there are limited numbers of qualified technicians graduating The demand for the positions is not expected to be met in the period of 2008-2018 as the field is expected to grow at a much faster rate than the average.

    The biggest factor in the expected growth rate of 36 percent is the attitude of pet owners. Pets are often considered part of the family and pet owners are becoming more affluent, knowledgeable and more willing to pay for advanced veterinary services for their pets. This is expected to continue to increase the demand for veterinary services and thus the increase in veterinary clinical practices that will need assistants.

    It is expected for the number of pet owners utilizing veterinary services to grow and increase job opportunities. Advanced services such as surgical procedures or preventive dental care will provide more opportunities for those technicians and technologists who specialize in those areas. Demands for feline services and medicine are expected to rise as the number of cats as companions is steadily growing. It is expected animal shelters, humane societies, animal control facilities, boarding kennels, animal hospitals and clinics will want to replace veterinary assistants with highly skilled technicians which will further the demand for workers who are specialized in specific areas.

  • Follow Your Instincts

    Follow Your Instincts

    There is pressure to know what career you ought to settle on for the rest of your life, even well before you are finished high school. Students are guided toward a career at a young age and are expected to follow the direct path counselors and parents present to them. Decisions about the future can be made for a variety of reasons including salary, job availability and aptitude, but there is no better reason than natural inclination and passion to help you determine your future employment.

    When it comes to how to choose what to do for the rest of your life, it is most important to take your time and really consider what it is that you enjoy. Is there something you love to do and learn about? Why not consider investing in education to make it your profession? If you follow your passion and interests you will find yourself working in a field that allows you to build continuing joy in your life. Take a closer look at your hobbies and investigate whether or not you could see yourself making a living in a relatable field. Work does not need to be mere labour; it has the potential to be a labour of love.

    The next step is confirmation. Can you turn your interests into a profession? Investigate, research and do your homework. What kinds of jobs are available in your area of interest? Is it really feasible or should you continue to search other avenues?

    Now that you have found something you think you would love to do, take the next step and offer your time as a volunteer. Be bold and assertive. Talk yourself into a place of business that you can learn from and experience the tangible reality of your choice. If you do this and discover you are not suited to the trade or craft, do not be afraid to change paths. Perhaps a pivot rather than a jump is in order. You may not need to change directions completely but simply tweak the dream a little to suit your needs.

    It is important to lean on your intuition when it comes to your future. Do not decide on a career solely based on numbers. To do that is a potential set up for burn out and early disenchantment. Take the time to understand what you really enjoy and trust that you have the skill set to see your dreams realized. It takes more than hard work to be successful – there is a necessary component of happiness and contentment that not only sets the course, but helps define just what success means to you.

    When you follow your instincts and choose a career path based on something you enjoy, life becomes an exploration of your interests and the anticipation of each new day lingers well into the future.

  • Can I Change My Major?

    Can I Change My Major?

    If this is your first year in university or college, you will have now made it through your first semester. At this point, you may be questioning if you made the right decision in regards to the major you selected. It can be a confusing time and you may find yourself asking endless questions; the chief of which will be if you can change your major.

    The answer? Of course you can change your major. University is a time of change as you discover and/or reaffirm what you are interested in, what you want to study and the career path you would like to pursue following your education. Many go in looking to study politics to find themselves in the midst of a history degree by their third year, while some change faculties completely and move from an English major in their first year to a biology major in their second.

    Sometimes it can be difficult and, in some instances, it may set you back and force you take a few extra credits. But it is a common occurrence in post-secondary education and you are not alone! That being said, you have to be careful when switching majors or minors as it’s a big decision.

    Unless you are in a specialized program, students generally don’t have to declare their major until second year. So take advantage of your time! Many will tell you to take a variety of courses in your first year and they’re completely right. Take courses that you think may lead into your major, but don’t be afraid to take some random courses also. Roman history? Sociology? Applied chemistry? Who knows, you may just find your new passion!

    Keep in mind that at some universities you will have to complete some first year pre-requisites to continue your studies in a particular field of study. So don’t forget to sign up for those first year art history seminars if that’s a subject you may want to pursue as a major, minor or just for fun.

    Hopefully by your second year you’ll have a better idea of the direction you want to take your education. Though the option to switch majors is always available later in your post-secondary career, the later you wait the more backtracking you’ll have to do to catch up to your fellow students. Many who switch later potentially face losing those extra credits usually reserved for niche electives, have to take extra summer courses or, in some cases, may even have to tack an additional year or two onto their degree.

    It can be more work, but sometimes that’s what it takes. This is your post-secondary education, which will hopefully shape your own outlook and your future career path. If you feel like you need to make a change – go for it! Sometimes it means a few extra classes, but if it is what you want, it’ll be worth it.

  • Career Profile: Architectural Technician

    Career Profile: Architectural Technician

    Job Summary
    Preparing documents in construction and architectural design and constructional standard. Strong emphasis is placed on protecting the environment, energy conservation, sustainable design and construction strategies.

    Is it for me?
    This program is for those who like to be challenged and to be creative. If you like to design things or enjoyed building houses in the popular game “Sims”, this may the right path for you! A job as an Architectural Technician would guarantee you an exciting and rewarding career in the construction and design field.

    Summary of Duties
    Architectural technicians are responsible for:
    – The working of drawings
    – Construction design
    – Construction methods
    – Construction materials
    – Building science
    – Computer assisted design
    – Drafting and building information modeling
    – Protecting the environment and energy conservation through design

    General Information about the Position
    As an architectural technician, you will have career in the construction industry, working with architects, engineers, builders, contractors and municipal building departments. Using state of the art computer technology, you will prepare designs, construction drawings and specifications needed to communicate with the clients, construction professionals and approving authorities.

    The challenges of being an Architectural Technician
    Challenges vary from having tight deadlines (although you always manage to find a way to get there!) and coming up against unforeseen problems on site, which can vary from minor to major redesigns of a building. You will also be tasked with keeping up-to-date with the latest and most current legislation.

    If this sounds interesting to you, why not check out some of the career colleges and universities that offer this program? You can find them on our Education tab right here on JobsPeopleDo.com!

  • Bullying Is Everyone’s Problem

    Bullying Is Everyone’s Problem

    There is no doubt that bullying is a problem which has been around for a long time – within all forms of human interaction, there have always been those that not only feel superior to others but feel the need to demonstrate this at any cost. Where bullying was once mostly confined to the schoolyard, now more and more children are plugged in to the internet. This has made the problem significantly worse, becoming more insidious, dangerous and sometimes even fatal.

    By now, most people will have heard about the B.C. girl who, having been relentlessly bullied for a number of years online, combined with her allegedly fragile state of mental health, felt it was necessary to end her own life. Sadly, she is certainly not the first to do this and will not be the last. While it is impossible to find any shred of positivity in the current situation, the fact is that social media allows more people to become aware of the severity of the problem. Although bullying will likely never be completely eliminated, this may lead to concrete measures being taken to severely diminish it over time.

    While it is obvious that the bully and the bullied are the central players, the problem of bullying is far-reaching, affecting family, friends, entire schools and workplaces. It is no surprise that the majority of people who are aware that some form of bullying is taking place are more likely to ignore it rather than take action. However, it is a fact that by becoming involved, whether simply standing up to the bully on behalf of the victim or making friends with the victim (who are often in great need of friends), the bully will think twice about his or her actions. Of course, this is not always the case and sometimes a greater degree of intervention is needed.

    The first step for anyone being bullied, or for those that suspect it is happening to someone, is to speak up. It is widely believed, particularly among kids, that ‘telling’ is akin to ‘tattling’ which is just not the case. The fear also may be that by telling someone they may inadvertently make the problem worse by angering the bully. While this is a genuine concern, it certainly should not be a reason to remain silent. Making bullying known through Facebook or some other form of social media may not always be the best idea as this can leave the victim open to even more abuse and torment from anonymous comments made by online bullies and ‘trolls’. Even if the victim is reluctant to speak up, they can still get support through one of the many anti-bullying organizations that exist online such as www.kidshelpphone.ca, www.pinkshirtday.ca and www.antibullying.net.

    While it is obviously the victim of bullying that requires the most immediate help, one shouldn’t forget that by letting them continue their behaviour, the bully’s future can also be put in jeopardy. It is rare that a bully simply bullies for the sake of it and by getting help early on they can avoid problems later in life. According to Free From Bullies, 60% of adults aged 18-24 who once bullied end up with criminal convictions, a fact that can have an effect on society and the economy as a whole.

    There is no simple solution to the problem of bullying and it is very sad that even adults who should know better can be just as guilty as children. The problem will not be stamped out overnight, but through talking, understanding and, most importantly, taking action, we can make small steps to fight back.

  • Finding a Career in Words: Editing as a Profession

    Finding a Career in Words: Editing as a Profession

    What would you do if you found a mistake in something you’d read, like a menu in a restaurant, an online blog or a newspaper? Would you just try to ignore it or would you try to tell someone about it? If you chose the second option, you might want to consider working as an editor someday. Editors are people who love words and writing, and who want writers’ thoughts to be communicated as clearly and effectively as possible, whether on paper or online. Editors are the link between writers and readers.

    Many different jobs can be part of an editor’s work. Some editors work as managers of newspapers, magazines or publishing companies. They decide what materials to publish and what to reject or to send back to the author for rewriting. Others work directly with authors to help them improve their work by making suggestions about the style or content. If a novel has far too many characters for readers to remember or is written in a very difficult style, stylistic or substantive editors can help.

    Near the end of the process, some editors work with the layout of the book or article, deciding how to fit it onto the page and make it look presentable. Others check names, dates and facts to ensure they’re correct. Just before the book or article goes to be printed or put on a website, a proofreader or copy-editor might look at it to check for mistakes in word usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling. If all of these parts work together, the result is a well-written and accurate document.

    To some extent, almost everyone is an editor. Have you ever checked your friend’s school assignment for mistakes? You were acting as an editor then. Have you ever stopped in the middle of a sentence to think of a better way of saying something? You were editing your own words. Professional editors do that kind of thing for a living.

    Generally, editors are not required to have any particular education in order to work. However, a Bachelor’s degree in English literature, creative writing or communications is very helpful. Some editors might also be required to obtain professional certification in areas such as technical communication. They might need to take courses on a variety of topics to keep their knowledge current. For many editors, a good knowledge of grammar is essential. Nouns, verbs, and prepositions are daily concerns for many editors. Reading all kinds of fiction, non-fiction and poetry is another form of training for editors. The more they read, the better prepared they’ll be to work with other people’s writing.

    In some cases, becoming an editor means a steady job with a regular paycheque. In most cases, however, the work is far more uncertain. Freelance editors who work with many different people have to be comfortable with an uncertain income. They have to be willing to work long hours and often to find another job to support themselves. For many editors, however, the enjoyment they get from the work is worth the trouble.

    So if you love words, why not consider becoming an editor?

  • Don’t Be What Others Want You to Be – BE YOU!

    Don’t Be What Others Want You to Be – BE YOU!

    What makes you different from others? Many people struggle to answer this question. It is the differences in each other that make us unique. We may have many things in common with each other, but there will always be one skill, one trait, one quality that sets us all apart.

    College is a good example of this. In it, there are thousands of students of different ages and from various walks of life learning something they have taken an interest in. When you are choosing programs, you are faced with a long list of career options and you may skim through a few without taking interest, knowing that this particular program is not for you. However, it may be exactly what someone else wants and it’s because of this that we are able to have a functioning society. There are so many jobs and for each job there is someone who this job is for. We have doctors and dentists, teachers and chefs, engineers and business owners, garbage collectors and police officers and we all need each other but could not do each other’s jobs. I would not want my dentist making my food or Gordon Ramsey teaching my children. We are not all supposed to be great at the same things. Though society and its media encourage us to look alike and be alike, it actually needs us to be different and, more importantly, ourselves.

    Too many people hide their true talents and skills, in fear that they will stand out too much as being “different”. They fear that they will end up unhappy, doing a job they don’t really like. We all seek acceptance in each other to the point that we lose ourselves and more or less put our true self away in a box, trying to mold ourselves to suit the desires of other people. Change or self-improvement is a good thing, IF you’re improving YOURSELF. Going to school, losing weight, building some muscle, changing your hair color, whitening your teeth – these are all fine things but they do not change the core of you. You are still you when you graduate; You are still you a few pounds lighter. These are only improvements on what you already are and it doesn’t change the true you inside.

    It is so important to discover yourself and be yourself because society needs you just as you are. Realizing this will help you bloom and excel in things you are passionate about. It is easy to have things in common with people these days thanks, to media, trends and culture. It’s okay to have fun with those things, but don’t lose yourself in it and don’t let it consume you. For everyone’s sake, do not be something you are not.

    The world doesn’t need another one of THEM. It needs just one of YOU.

  • A College Students’ Guide to Smart Foods

    A College Students’ Guide to Smart Foods

    With Halloween fast approaching, it is more tempting than ever to indulge in candy and sweets – especially when they all go on sale November 1 so stores can make room for Christmas stock! So how can you avoid these temptations and ensure you keep up your energy with healthy foods?

    I once had a math teacher who would tell us about his college days – the mistakes he made, his strange professors, and, what stood out the most, his diet. He consumed Pop Tarts and Coke every day for a whole year! Though it is a fast and delicious choice, you would not be doing yourself any favours. College is a whole new world for everyone. If you are dedicated, you will have little time and energy to make healthy meals like the ones we’d get at home. Here are a few quick and easy tips to boost your energy levels and stay healthy as a busy college student.

    1. Morning Banana: Holy benefits, Batman! Bananas are packed with nutrients and vitamins everyone can use. They are a natural mood booster, protect your eyesight (due to the combination of vitamin C and carotenoids), aid your digestion and keep your bones healthy. Smoker? Bananas can help! Bananas contain vitamins B6 and B12 as well as potassium and magnesium which help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. In the stressful life of a college student, our body’s potassium levels will drop as the stress goes up. Bananas are a great, natural way to re-balance your potassium levels. It’s Bananas!

    2. Nut case: With monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, folic acid, magnesium, copper, protein and fiber, nuts are rich in antioxidant phytochemicals. Nuts are generally high in protein and therefore a great snack for hungry, on-the-go college students. Try almonds, walnuts and pecans (avoid the ones drenched in sugars and salt!). Choosing a cereal containing nuts is also a great way to bust hunger.

    3. Hello Blueberry! Blueberries improve memory, motor skills and reverse age-related declines in balance and coordination. Add a few brainberries, I mean blueberries, to your daily diet to keep your mind sharp and clear all year!

    4. Hot Cocoa! A study from Cornell University showed that two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder has almost two times the antioxidant power of red wine, 2-3 times the power of green tea and 4-5 times the power of black tea. The antioxidants in hot cocoa protect brain cells from “oxidative stress” that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders. So warm up a cup of cocoa, snuggle up and STUDY!

    Stay away from greasy junk foods that drain your energy and ultimately do you no good. Try making your own meals or packing healthy snacks. If you find yourself eating in a cafeteria, try to choose something like a salad or wrap with veggies. Pizza, burritos and hot dogs are not your friends. Good luck and stay smart!

  • Languages Open Doors!

    Languages Open Doors!

    You might wonder what’s the point of learning a language that you don’t need to speak in order to get by. It’s a question worth asking and there’s more than one answer. Languages will help you in some obvious ways and some ways you might not expect, whether it’s opening doors to travel, providing job opportunities or giving you a unique perspective on the world.

    One of the obvious advantages of learning other languages is that they allow you to see places you wouldn’t otherwise see. Nearly every city that people travel to has something called the “tourist circuit.” What that means is there’s an area of the city filled with hotels, restaurants and activities like boat tours that are mostly reserved for tourists. These places are easy to visit, because everyone who works there speaks English. Sure, anyone can appreciate riding an elephant in Laos even if they don’t speak Laotian, but there’s much more to see in a country.

    If you go to Germany and speak German, you can talk to a local on the bus and find a club to see some good live music. If you go to China and speak Mandarin, you can leave the tour group and find out what “Chinese food” really is. More than that, just being able to have conversations with the locals is worth it. There’s a feeling of satisfaction from having worked at learning a language and reaching the point where it can get you more than the ability to read a menu.

    Languages also help with your career. Businesses from video game testing to restaurants to customer service often search for employees who speak a second language. If you’re in sales and you happen to speak Korean, you have a leg up in the industry when dealing with Korean customers. Businesses know that. It might seem strange to be learning Portuguese in an English-speaking country, but that means when an employer needs someone to edit documents written in Portuguese or deal with Portuguese customers, you have a rare skill that gives you a huge advantage in the job market.

    Knowing an additional language will also give you access to another culture. You get a master key to a whole set of books, music and movies that most other people can never see. Even within Canada, English news and French news will give you different points of view on the same issue. If you can read both, or if you can listen to your local Spanish radio station, you’ll know about things that other people will never have heard of and you’ll have more well-rounded knowledge about your city and environment.

    There are plenty of ways to learn a new language. Many people start learning in high school, but you can also attend private classes. Probably the most exciting way to learn is through a foreign exchange to an area that speaks the language. After all, studying a language will give you all the basics you need, but you have to actually use it if you want to understand it and to speak it smoothly.

    So if you happen to find Italian interesting, take your school’s Italian class even if you can’t see how it will help you right now. Follow your gut and you’ll end up in fascinating places.