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  • Career Profile: Travel Agent

    Career Profile: Travel Agent

    Imagine being able to travel around the most interesting tourist spots in the world and getting paid for doing it. Finding a job like that might be difficult, but becoming a travel agent can be the next best thing. Although travel agents work mainly to plan other people’s trips, their work can often include many other benefits such as the chance to see and explore travel destinations. It can be a busy and sometimes frustrating job, but for anyone who is organized and likes to work with people, it can be a fun and fulfilling career.

    Have you ever helped make arrangements for a trip that you went on with your family or friends? If so, you probably used the Internet to search for information on the places you wanted to see. You might have reserved your flights and hotels online and maybe even booked tickets for trains or other local transportation. In the past, only travel agents had access to the kind of information that people can now find for themselves. Many travelers now prefer to take care of many of their own arrangements. However, well-qualified travel agents can still have an important role in making sure that people have the best possible experiences on their trips.

    The most important requirement for travel agents is knowledge of various destinations and the needs of travelers. Travel agents can help them learn about what kinds of sights and activities are available. They have experience in working with tour guides and hotel managers. This gives them an advantage in dealing with different situations that the tourists might encounter. They can advise travelers on what to take, what they need to do to avoid getting sick, and anything else that they might need to know.

    Becoming a travel agent normally requires no specific training or education beyond a high school diploma. However, some people find that getting a certificate in travel and hospitality or even a degree from a university is helpful for their work. Most of all, travel agents need the ability to use computers to find information and to work well with people. Travel agents should be friendly and efficient, able to find information easily. Good organizational skills are essential, and some knowledge of a second or third language is helpful. Salaries are generally between about $23,000 and $47,000, depending on experience.

    Some travel agents work alone, but others work in travel offices. Many travel agents never need to leave their home cities to do the job, but personal experience with travel is helpful. Some travel agents might even be asked to stay at some of the overseas hotels so that they can really know the good and bad points of the places where they send people. If you like working with people and would like to see the world, the job of travel agent could be a good choice for you.

  • Career Profile: Meat Cutter/Butcher

    Career Profile: Meat Cutter/Butcher

    If you ever help with making supper for your family, you know that preparing food is a group effort. Your mother or father might do most of the cooking, but maybe you help to set the table or to chop the vegetables. Even before the food gets to your house, several people have probably been involved in preparing it. There are the farmers who grew grain for flour. Next, bakers used the flour to make the bread that your parents bought. If you eat meat, there are probably several more people, including the farmers who raised the animals and the meat cutters who prepared the food for sale. Meat cutters play an important role in making sure that the meat people eat looks and tastes good, and also that it is well kept and safe for people to eat.

    Meat cutters, sometimes also known as butchers, are often the last people to deal with meat before it goes into people’s homes and then to their tables. Retail meat cutters work in grocery stores and other places where people go to buy their meat. They clean, cut and weigh meat before putting it into packages for sale. They make sure that the store is clean and that the meat is stored at the right temperature and under the right conditions to keep it fresh. They advise people about the best kind of meat for their family meals or for restaurant or banquet meals. They report to their supervisors about problems such as products that have spoiled or are not up to the store’s standards.

    In restaurants, meat cutters prepare food according to what the diners want. They have to learn to prepare certain cuts of meat and to remove the bones from meat if necessary. They also have to work with fish and other items on the restaurant’s menu. Other meat cutters work at processing plants, preparing meat to send to stores and restaurants. In addition to cutting up meat to sell to customers, they might also grind up meat and turn it into sausages or remove the bones from ham or other kinds of meat.

    Working as a meat cutter can be a good job, but it also has challenges. A high school diploma is often necessary. Some meat cutters also learn their trade through classes, but others learn on the job. Physical endurance to stand for long hours and the ability to use sharp knives and slicers are the most important requirements. Often, meat cutters have to work in cold environments and be able to work well with others. Salaries vary a lot from one region to another, but meat cutters generally make between about $25,000 and $48,000 per year. Gaining experience or learning a special skill can help meat cutters rise to the top income level.

    Do you love food and working with meat? Can you learn to help customers and to stand for a long time? If so, the job of a meat cutter might be right for you.

  • A Career as a City Planner

    A Career as a City Planner

    According to Wikipedia, city planning is a technical and political process concerned with the control of the use of land and design of the urban environment, including transportation networks, to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities. It concerns itself with research and analysis, strategic thinking, architecture, urban design, public consultation, policy recommendations, implementation and management.

    Being a city planner can be a very exciting career choice that has many rewards, such as working on a team, having an impact on the physical world
    around you, and getting a chance to try and help build a sustainable community. In order to be successful as a planner, a solid education from an accredited institution will be your best foundation. After high school, you will have to go to University for an undergraduate degree followed by a Masters degree in Planning. Your undergraduate degree can be in Environmental Studies, Geography, Political Science or other related discipline. Getting good grades will be important to ensure you are able to gain admission to the Planning Masters program.

    There are many great schools in Canada that offer programs in city planning. Dalhousie University in Eastern Canada has several options at the undergraduate level with a Bachelor of Community Design and a Major in Environmental Planning. Other options include a major in urban design studies, environmental studies or community design and sustainability. If you are looking for something out in western Canada, you could try UBC’s programs in Community and Regional Planning as an Arts degree or as a Science degree. Their School of Community and Regional Planning is one of Canada’s oldest schools, being established in 1952. McGill University in Quebec offers a Masters in Urban Planning for those looking to add a little French to their lifestyle.

    As a city planner you can expect to make a good salary and to work alongside engineers and other professionals under the umbrella of government and private organizations, such as Scheffer Andrews Ltd. in Edmonton and Calgary. According to payscale.com, the salary outlook for a career in urban planning can have you earning between $39,991 and $85,110 with an average income of $58,141. Depending on the company you get hired on with, you can expect to have medical and dental benefits and a pension plan. As with all occupations, the more senior you become in your position the more you can expect to earn.

  • Career Profile: Carpenter

    Career Profile: Carpenter

    Most people like building things at some point of their lives. Do you remember piling blocks on top of each other when you were younger? How would you like to spend your working life building anything from skyscrapers to bathroom cabinets? If you like the idea, you might want to consider a career as a carpenter.

    Carpenters do a variety of jobs in any construction project. They help estimate costs, read the blueprints that help builders know what to do, and help measure and cut materials for construction. They might supervise other workers and help make sure that they follow all of the rules for safe building procedures. Being able to follow detailed instructions is important in carpentry work.

    Carpenters work with many different tools as they help shape wood or sometimes other materials into whatever structure is needed. Many famous buildings, including the CN Tower in Toronto, have had carpenters involved in the building process. Most carpenters in Canada work in the construction industry, although some still work with smaller projects for individual customers. Some carpenters have their own businesses, while others work for established companies.

    What qualities to carpenters need to have? Besides an interest in building things, they need certain personal characteristics. They need to be fairly healthy and strong, with the ability to work when they’re standing, crouching, or kneeling. They need to be good with their hands and to have good balance. Small injuries are common for carpenters, especially when they deal with dangerous chemicals or work with materials that can fly out and hit them. Because of the dangers, an awareness of safety is an important quality for carpenters.

    Besides all of these characteristics, carpenters need to have the right mental qualities. Sometimes, carpenters’ work involves quick calculations of measurements, and they have to be good at mathematics. An ability to work well with people is also important, as well as a tolerance for long working days. Both technical and personal skills are important in carpentry work.

    Do you have the qualities that carpenters need to succeed? If you do, you can start to plan the next steps of your career. The first step is to find a company or an individual carpenter willing to take you on as an apprentice. After learning on the job and receiving technical training at a school for about four years, you can then take an exam. If you pass, you will be a registered carpenter with the ability to work anywhere in Canada. Salaries in carpentry can range from about $45,000 per year to $60,000, and sometimes even more.

    Carpentry is a great choice for anyone who likes to build. If that describes you, a career in carpentry might be your best choice.

  • Career Profile: French Teacher

    Career Profile: French Teacher

    A French teacher’s task is to inspire students to enjoy the French language. Learning is made much easier if the learner is enthusiastic about it; thus, a French teacher must demonstrate the benefits of speaking and using French every day. It is certainly not an easy job, but with enough passion and patience it can be a very rewarding one.

    Education
    In Ontario, teachers must hold a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree from any recognized University. A primary/junior teacher (grades K-6) will have a degree in any discipline (although a variety of courses is recommended). An intermediate/senior teacher (grades 7-12) is required to have a certain number of courses in two “teachable” areas – for example, French and History. Then, a teacher must take a one-year Bachelor of Education degree.

    “Teacher’s College”
    The Bachelor of Education is a combination of education classes and student teacher training. An example schedule would be six months of courses and two months of student teaching. French teachers would also take courses specific to teaching French to the age group they have chosen.

    The French Classroom
    The first year of employment in any profession is often the most difficult, and teaching is certainly no exception. In teaching, there is a lot of autonomy – that is, the teacher gets to decide what happens in his or her classroom without supervision. For some teachers, this is very scary, while others love the freedom. Teaching French is unique in that it involves teaching many classes of students at different grade levels. A single French teacher may teach six different classes every day, either in his or her own classroom, or by traveling from classroom to classroom.

    Skills and Challenges
    A French teacher must be highly organized, particularly because the job requires so much flexibility. Teaching grade 2 French, then grade 4 French, then back to another class of grade 2 French requires quick adjustment and well-planned materials. The job also requires a great deal of confidence, as does any teaching position; however, the French teacher might teach in front of students as well as coworkers, if he or she is on a “rotary” schedule. Teaching French can also be challenging because many students see French as an unnecessary chore; it can be quite challenging to earn class interest and attention as a result. A solid background is also required, as students quickly become skeptical of a teacher whose French knowledge is limited.

    Rewards
    For people who cannot imagine working in an office, the classroom is a liberating environment. Teachers direct the action of classrooms, and can decide what the class is doing at any given time. The feeling of getting a student interested in French, or having already-interested students show enthusiasm in the classroom, is the reason many teachers go into education. It is an extremely challenging but rewarding occupation.

    One word of caution, however: teaching should never be chosen for the vacations or “shorter hours.” Despite what non-teachers might say, teaching is a profession that is every bit as demanding, if not more demanding, than it is rewarding.

  • Career Profile: Journalist

    Career Profile: Journalist

    Journalists can have a specialty.  In large organizations, the journalists may specialize in only one task. In small organizations, each journalist may have to do many different tasks. Here are some of the jobs journalists do:

    Reporters gather information and present it in a written or spoken form in news stories, feature articles or documentaries. Reporters may work on the staff of news organizations, but may also work freelance, writing stories for whoever pays them.

    General reporters cover all sorts of news stories, but some journalists specialize in certain areas such as reporting sport, politics or agriculture.

    Sub-editors take reporter written stories and put them into a form which suits the special needs of their particular newspaper, magazine, bulletin or web page. Sub-editors don’t usually gather information themselves. Their job is to concentrate on how the story can best be presented to their audience. They are often called subs. The person in charge of them is called the chief sub-editor, usually shortened to chief sub.

    Photojournalists use photographs to tell the new. They ether cover events with a reporter, taking photographs to illustrate the written story, or attend news events on their own, presenting both the pictures and a story or caption.

    The editor is usually the person who makes the final decision about what is included in the newspaper, magazine or news bulletins. He or she is responsible for all the content and all the journalists. Editors may have deputies and assistants to help them.

    The news editor is the person in charge of the news journalists. In small organizations, the news editor may make all the decisions about what stories to cover and who will do the work. In larger organizations, the news editor may have a deputy, often called the chief of staff, whose special job is to assign reporters to the stories selected.

    Feature writers work for newspapers and magazines, writing longer stories which usually give background to the news. In small organizations the reporters themselves will write feature articles. The person in charge of features is usually called the features editor. Larger radio or television stations may have specialist staff producing current affairs programs – the broadcasting equivalent of the feature article. The person in charge of producing a particular current affairs program is usually called the producer and the person in charge of all the programs in that series is called the executive producer or EP.

    There are many other jobs which can be done by journalists. It is a career with many opportunities.

  • Career Profile: Baker

    Career Profile: Baker

    We’ve all been unsure about where we want to go in life, and some of us don’t figure it out for years. The trick is that you can’t sit around, and expect it to come to you. You have to get out there and give things a try, explore all of your options. Let me help you, and introduce you to the world of culinary arts, where you can really Bake Your Cake and Eat it Too.

    The culinary industry is really something different, designed for special individuals with various talents. If you’re saying to yourself “Oh, I know how to cook, I can do this,” that’s simply not enough. However, on the other side of this you don’t have to know how to cook, or bake to be successful. I find that the real keys to be successful in the culinary arts are to have passion, and creativity. The industry is always growing and taking in new restaurant and bakery owners, but there is a trick to becoming successful at it.

    I find that the culinary industry is taking a turn in a new direction. Sure you can run a successful restaurant serving the same old basic dishes that another restaurant has up the street from you, but why not try to achieve something different? If you’re into science, let that combine with the culinary arts- you’ll be whipping up dishes that will be the talk of the town. Or if you’re more into baking, science is already a key role in making successful recipes.

    Most of you have seen movies like Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and I’m sure some of you have dreamed of having your own chocolate wonderland. Well guess what, if you put forth passion, dedication, and outstanding creativity- you can! The culinary industry leads to extraordinary career paths and dreams. You can take a simple concept of a cake, and create a whole new culinary business that will have people travelling for miles, just for your creations.

    No one wants a job that they don’t enjoy. Working is soon going to be one of the most important aspects of your life. Why not do something you’re going to love, and get paid for it! Let the joy of creativity flow with the feel of accomplishment and pride when you serve customers your delightful creations. The look of amazement on people’s faces when they check out your products is something that will keep you motivated, positive, and ready for more.

    The culinary arts have such a rewarding career path- you can do anything you dream of. Become a food scientist, a food taster, or a famous TV Chef. Design your own bakery or restaurant that becomes internationally famous. Or let’s live the dream here, and create a candy workshop or chocolate wonderland where you get paid to design, make, experiment with and eat candy! Let your ultimate dreams guide you to be wherever you want, and become whatever you want. With a step into the career path of culinary arts, there are no limitations- just your imagination.

  • Career Profile: Lawyer

    Career Profile: Lawyer

    Lawyers are often the most important people for maintaining justice and making sure that the rules of society are followed. These rules that determine how business is conducted between individuals and organizations are the walls and the structure that ensure people are safe, happy, and able to lead fulfilling lives. Lawyers are the people that defend justice and they help to advance society in a logical and well reasoned fashion.

    Becoming a lawyer involves a lot of hard work, and being a lawyer involves a lot more hard work. To become a lawyer, one must complete high school with good enough grades to get into an undergraduate degree in university. When choosing an undergraduate degree, one may want to select something that is of interest such as science, arts or engineering, or one may wish to select something very particular to law like history, politics, environmental studies, ethics or law. The most important thing is to get grades that will allow you to enter law school – once you pass the LSAT exam. You will want to be in the high 70’s and up in order to get into a school. For the more competitive schools, you will want to score in the high 80’s and up. It is also important to be aware of what the requirements are for the particular school you are aiming for.

    The LSAT is an exam composed of tests evaluating reading comprehension and logical and verbal reasoning proficiencies. The average score on an LSAT is 150, with a low of 120 and a high of 180. It costs around $160 US dollars to undertake. Different schools accept different scores, and, once again, knowing what score is expected from the school you want to get into is the best way to determine how prepared you need to be. Once you gain acceptance into law school, you have four years of rigorous studying of laws and many tests to pass to ensure your successful completion of your program. It is also important to always be prepared for class, as you will often be called upon to answer questions.

    As a lawyer, there are many benefits and perks in addition to the hard work that you will have to do. The benefits include having a highly respected social status – being a lawyer puts you in a position of responsibility where others will look at you as an authority on the law. As a lawyer you will be working independently as well as on a team. You will be working on a team made up of judges who ultimately determine what is right and what is wrong, as well as officers of the law, more commonly known as police officers – the people who act on the ground to ensure that the law is put in effect. Finally, you will also enjoy being well paid, making $90,000 to start and then moving into the upwards range of $200,000 (source: ivyglobal.ca).

  • Career Profile: Hairstylist

    Career Profile: Hairstylist

    Every day, you brush your teeth and wash your face. You eat your meals, go to school, maybe play some sports or go to a music lesson. Maybe you even have a routine of activities that you do each month or every two months. If you’re like most people, at least every month or two, you go to visit a tradesperson. That tradesperson is not an electrician or a plumber or any of the jobs that people think of when they talk about the trades. This is the person who cuts and styles your hair – most often known as a barber, hairdresser, or hairstylist.

    Training as a hairstylist is similar to other trades training. In Canada, people who want to become hairstylists have to complete high school or have an upgrading certificate like a GED. After that, they can either go to a college where they learn the techniques they need to know or go through a two- or three-year apprenticeship where they learn on the job. Once they finish this training, or if they have enough experience without it, they can apply for a license to practice their trade.

    Once they have their training and licences, hair stylists can begin to work. People working in this field go by many different names. They can be called barbers, hairdressers, or hairstylists if they spend most of their time dealing with hair. Cosmetologists deal with hair, skin and nails, although they often specialize in a particular area (such as keeping fingernails and toenails healthy and looking good). Believe it or not, someone who helps prepare the bodies of people who have died might be called a mortuary beautician. As you can see, there is a wide range of careers within this field!

    Like any other type of work, a job as a hairstylist has both good and bad points. The career is good for anyone who likes to be with people, since it involves dealing with customers all day. It usually involves a lot of standing, which can be tiring, and the workload can vary a lot from day to day. Many hairstylists also answer phones, book appointments, and keep track of payments. Unless they join an already established shop, they need to find a place to work and then to buy the tools of the trade: scissors, chairs, shampoos, lotions, and anything else they normally use. With advertising and a few good customers, becoming successful is possible.

    Generally, hairstylists can do fairly well once they become established. In 2010, the average salary was about $25,000 a year, although people in management positions made more. If you love to help people look their best and enjoy one-on-one customer service, becoming a hairstylist might be the right career for you!

  • Train to Be a Wind or Solar Technician

    Train to Be a Wind or Solar Technician

    One of the fastest-growing segments of today’s job market are “green careers,” such as wind and solar technicians. These careers are perfect transitions for those with previous construction experience who are seeking a career with potentially unlimited job growth. As more businesses and homeowners become more concerned about protecting natural resources and using alternative energy sources, these careers will be in high demand.
    People who are interested in becoming solar technicians can begin by researching online green energy courses. One of the best available resources is Solar Energy International, or SEI. This online training resource lets those who have previous construction experience or have completed an apprenticeship program gain access to training resources prior to beginning their studies.

    Solar Installation Careers
    There are many areas of interest that solar technicians can choose to specialize in such as:
    – Photovoltaic installation (PV)
    – Solar thermal installation
    – Sustainable building

    Photovoltaic installation, also known as PV, involves the placement and repair of solar panels. Solar thermal installation involves installing solar water heating equipment, mostly for homeowners. Sustainable building involves designing and implementing long-term solar energy systems for residential and commercial properties.

    Selecting a Training Program
    The key to beginning a career in solar energy is selecting a training program that is properly certified and offers a combination of coursework and hands-on training. When searching for online green energy courses, it’s a good idea to select programs that work with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Technicians who become certified usually have more work opportunities available to them, so it’s important to make sure the training program selected meets the desired certification standards. Most introductory training programs last six weeks, with one of those weeks designated for hands-on training at a solar energy facility.

    What Skills Do I Learn?
    Once a person is registered for a solar technician training program, it’s time to start learning the specific skills needed for the job. Since most technicians have previous construction experience, they are already skilled in blueprint reading, basic math and safety procedures associated with construction. Most solar technicians begin by taking classes in Solar Electric Fundamentals and Grid-Direct Design, introducing them to the basics of solar energy installation and repair. These courses provide information on renewable energy resources and how to measure solar electrical efficiency and load analysis. After learning the basics, students move on to learning basic PV system applications, system components and site and safety analysis.

    Hands-on Training
    Many community colleges are leaders in solar energy training, offering combinations of online and hands-on training. Students should sign up quickly for classes, because they can fill up fast. Solar energy programs are popular with military veterans who have been discharged and are seeking civilian jobs.