Category: Latest News

The April showers might still be pouring down for a lot of us, but the May flowers are sure to bloom. Have you given much thought to your summer? It’s shaping up to be the most “normal” summer we’ve had since 2020 — so be ready to make the best of it! Get out for a bike ride, a run, or a long stroll. Apply for summer jobs, make some plans with friends, and get going on your goals. It’s time to get moving!

For those on the job hunt, the latest issue of JPD has advice on picking references. If you already have a job, we take a look at whether it’s a good idea to take on a second one. For those considering relocating for a new job, we have advice on that too!

From building better habits, such as studying French or stretching regularly, to tackling big modern issues such as remote learning for students with disabilities and the dangers of social media addiction, JPD has got you covered. Make sure to also check out our career profiles, including ones on public relations specialists and graders and sorters for agricultural products. Get moving and get reading!

I’d like to give a big thank you to the wonderful writers who made this issue possible: Meghan Brown, Tiffany Chang, Olivia Condlln-Wilby, Mara Hurst, Susan Huebert,  Sarah Leung, Linda Mendes, and Rochelle Pangilinan. Enjoy the latest issue, and enjoy your May!

Regards,
Anthony Teles, Vice-President of Content

Sunsets are later and days are warmer, meaning spring is truly here. It was a long winter made even more challenging with ongoing pandemic restrictions. But now is the time to take a leap, start fresh, and embrace the “new normal” we’ve talked about since the early days of COVID. And that’s no April Fool’s joke.

Looking to add some green to your neighbourhood this spring? Learn how you can start a community garden. Anxious about returning to in-person classes? We have advice on how to ease your way back into it. Focused on finding a job? Check out some tips on how to go about the job hunt.

As you move ahead and pandemic restrictions go away, don’t forget money-saving techniques from the past two years. Take a chance on something you’ve always wanted to do, such as writing a novel (we’ve got tips for that!). If the recent crisis in Ukraine has you nervous, read about how to protect your mental health during times of crises.

Take a look at some more articles from our latest issue below. Happy Spring!

Regards,

Anthony Teles, Vice-President of Content

Little did we know what was in store for us back in March 2020. Here we are two years later in a very different world. As the world reopens, things might return to “normal,” but we can’t just forget the past 24 months.

We are still coping with the loss of the past two years — not only the victims of COVID-19, but also the time we lost with friends and family, as well as experiences outside our homes. We are still coping with the anxiety and fear. But with every cloud comes a silver lining, and there are definitely positive changes afoot.

Remote options for work and school have become the norm. There is a greater awareness of public health concerns, from wearing masks to not showing up to the office or classroom when you’re sick. Many people have had a chance to reflect on what truly matters to them and readjusting their lives accordingly, including yours truly.

As more things return to in person, this month JPD takes a look at how to dress to make a good first impression, and how to make new friends in post-secondary school. We reflect on how ADHD diagnoses have increased during the pandemic, and look ahead to the International Day of Happiness on March 20th. There are also profiles on Futurpreneur.ca, a site supporting young entrepreneurs, as well as the careers of marine engine technicians and teacher assistants.

Check out those articles plus the featured ones below and more. Have a great March Break and enjoy the first days of spring!

Sincerely,
Anthony Teles, Vice-President of Content

The days are slowly getting longer as winter drags on. February is often a challenging month with yet another snowfall and bitter cold temperatures. The pandemic nearing the two-year mark doesn’t help. Provinces like Ontario and Quebec are just starting to ease restrictions, and we are all wondering what the next stage of Covid-19 will look like. While you’re inside staying warm, take a look at what JPD has to offer this month.

This month, we have recommendations for avoiding burnout from online schooling, advice for those going into their final semester of post-secondary life, and pointers for handling a Zoom interview. We welcome international students who have made the major decision to come here with some helpful tips for settling in Canada, as well as advice for those struggling to decide on their major and considering an undecided major.

Beyond school life, we take a look at how the climate crisis has impacted BC, ways to overcome your fear of driving in order to get your licence, and a list of jobs that require great eyesight.

As provinces begin to ease Covid-19 restrictions and we take cautious steps towards reopening, JobsPeopleDo will continue to guide you through this new normal. For now, enjoy our latest issue! To get started, check out our featured articles below:

How weird is it that it’s now 2022? Imagine if someone had told you what the past two years would bring back in 2019. Rising case counts, new restrictions, and a return to online schooling for many are just the latest in an unpredictable pandemic. But it’s still the New Year. That means just as we always have in years past, we’re talking about resolutions, new hopes, and encouragement for a fresh start.

This month, JPD has tips on how to set goals, both short and long-term. For high school students looking ahead, that can mean selecting a post-secondary school, a daunting task with or without a pandemic. For soon-to-be graduates and job hunters, that can mean preparing your cover letter to get the job you want.

January can be a tough month as we head back to school or work and say goodbye to the holiday season. In this issue, we take a look at why January has been said to have the saddest day of the year, and offer a career profile on mental health counsellors who work to help those that are struggling.

We can simultaneously take precautions against COVID-19 while looking ahead to what the year has to offer. After nearly two years, we’ve gotten pretty good at balancing the pandemic with our plans. JPD continues to be your online resource as you tackle remote schooling, working from home, and your goals for 2022 and beyond. Let’s do this!

For some, the pandemic has made time come to a crawl, while for others it has made it sprint. Either way, we’ve made it to the final days of 2021. I hope your December gives you a chance to slow down, catch your breath, and take a chance to reflect on the past two years.

With the nature of school and work looking more and more like it will be permanently changed, it is more important than ever to be aware of remote options and how to prepare for them. Check out examples of remote work opportunities you can do while in school, as well as advice on balancing your virtual education with remote work.

As the pandemic stretches from months to years, this issue takes a look at our mental health. This includes how COVID has impacted those with social anxiety, as well as a look into what panic attacks are and how to cope with them. Of course, a lot more is happening in our world outside of COVID. In this issue, we take a deep dive into the recent UN climate change conference, and offer tips on avoiding overspending now that the holiday season is in full swing.

From the shifting nature of work, to the climate crisis, to new COVID variants, there is a lot to consider as you work on your education and career goals. JobsPeopleDo will continue to help navigate you through all of those and more in 2022. For now, take some time to relax. Happy Holidays everyone!

Regards,
Anthony Teles
Vice-President, Content & Social Media

As we head into the New Year and perhaps, just perhaps, the final days of COVID-19 measures, I’m happy to welcome you back for a new issue of JobsPeopleDo. We are resuming our regular monthly publishing schedule, so look forward to new content on a regular basis just like before.

It is surreal to think it’s been 20 whole months since everything changed back in March 2020. So much has happened. The world is such a different place now. Even as increasing vaccination rates and relaxed restrictions hint at a return to “normal,” the lasting effects of the pandemic can already be felt. JobsPeopleDo will continue to offer support in a world where youth are more socially aware than ever, and remote work and schooling are increasingly the norm.

In this issue, you will find some reflections on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, including the reasons why the holiday has been created, and how Indigenous communities are necessary in the fight against climate change. There are also articles looking ahead to the upcoming winter months, with exercises you can do in your dorm room and advice for those suffering from the lack of sunlight and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Of course, the pandemic remains a major topic of discussion, and you will find advice on staying active while stuck at home, as well as transitioning from high school to post-secondary education during this time.

Stay safe and take care!

Regards,
Anthony Teles
Vice-President, Content

As the weather cools and the days shorten, students are back in class, whether in person, remotely, or as a hybrid model, all part of our “new normal.” Schools across Canada are finding different ways to make this work – now, and for the long-term.

The Upper Canada District School Board in Brockville, Ontario has two options for students this school year. Synchronous remote learning involves real-time teaching through Microsoft Teams or a D2L platform. Asynchronous remote learning allows students to study at their own schedule using uploaded instructional materials. The Holy Trinity School in the Greater Toronto Area has online and face-to-face classes take place at the same time. Remote students join classes through Google Meet to let them interact with students in the classroom, and use Google Classroom for activities.

Elsewhere, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District had high schoolers return to classrooms in a blended model for 2021, alternating in-class learning between two groups of students: Those with last names starting with A through K, and those with surnames starting with L through Z. Over in British Columbia, the province is using a provincial Learning Management System as an online course platform for all schools. The Chilliwack School District in British Columbia is offering hybrid learning in which students are connected to a single school. Students go to classrooms three days a week and work online the other two days, and have the option to return to their catchment school at any time during the year as long as there is space.

Hybrid models and remote learning are here to stay. As always, JobsPeopleDo is here to help you on your journey. Look forward to new articles for our next issue in November!

It’s been more than 12 months since the “original” shut down. Take a moment to think back to those crazy few days where the whole world changed. We were suddenly all at home, hunkering down, and wondering what in the world was going on. In the span of 365 days, we have come to (somewhat) normalize social distancing, telecommuting, mask wearing, and our new reality.

The New Year and last days of December are usually the time when the world reflects on the past 12 months, while individually we might do the same for birthdays or anniversaries. The pandemic has given all of us a year to look back on collectively. What did your life look like at the start of March 2019? What are the biggest changes between then and now? Which parts of your life are worse? Which parts have actually, just perhaps, gotten better?

So much can happen in a year — for better and for worse. On one hand, it’s been difficult not seeing my family and friends regularly, especially my grandfather who’s felt so trapped at home. Being less physically active has meant lethargy and weight gain. On the other hand, more time at home has meant more video calls and reconnecting with friends I had not spoken to in ages. Teleconferencing has greatly reduced the anxieties I would have commuting and with in-person meetings. And perhaps most importantly, my dog has had her best year ever.

Despite the challenges of the past,  this year has helped me get a better sense of what I need to be happy. Hopefully it has done the same for you. As we approach the anniversary of when our world turned upside down, focus as much as possible on the positives of this drastic change. This new reality is a newfound chance to shape our lives for the better.

Anthony Teles