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Tag: career

  • How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    Have you ever been sitting in class wondering exactly how your teacher became your teacher?

    Well, most public school teachers obtain a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) from a university. Some specialize in one subject matter, such as Art, Health, Science, Drama, Math, Music, Social Studies, Physical Education and Guidance and Counseling. Some train in a specific grade level, like early-childhood education, elementary school (including kindergarten) and middle or high school. Most teachers experience a wide range of subject matter (usually referred to as “teachable” subjects.)

    Teachers also need to obtain a teaching certificate from the province they are teaching in to certify they are qualified to do so.

    The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, for example, offers an education program that requires students to already have a Bachelor’s degree in order to get accepted. The education program lasts 11 months and consists of taking classes and completing a work study program – meaning that, in order to complete the program, all students need to work in a classroom as a student teacher.

    The minimum passing letter grade at UNB is a C. All teachers who graduate from UNB need to have a C or higher average, and a GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least 2.7.

    Aside from education and on the job training, it is also necessary for teachers to possess certain qualities in order to be successful. Teachers should be sensitive to the needs of students. They have to be trustworthy and patient (as all students learn at their own pace). They need to be organized and good at time management. They need to be on-time every day, creative, motivational and good communicators.

    So, the next time you are sitting in class wondering how your teacher is qualified to teach you, remember they have studied and worked for many years to get the skills and training needed to do so.

  • A Job in Nature: Deep Sea Diver

    A Job in Nature: Deep Sea Diver

    For thousands of years, people have wanted to dive deep under the water, either for fun or for a special purpose. Over two thousand years ago, during the time of Alexander the Great, people were already inventing ways to help them breathe underwater. By 1538, Greek divers were able to sink all the way to the bottom of the ocean and come back to the surface without getting wet. However, the diving bells that they had were heavy and difficult to use. People could spend only a fairly short time under the water, and they found it hard to move around.

    That all changed in 1949. A diver named Jacques-Yves Cousteau and an engineer named Emile Gagnan designed a device called the Aqua-Lung. It had two hoses attached to a tank of air and allowed divers to breathe for long periods of time underwater. Later, this kind of equipment for breathing underwater became known as scuba gear. This equipment has made it possible for people to work as deep sea divers, working under the water.

    The most famous deep sea diver was Jacques Cousteau. Besides inventing the Aqua-Lung, Cousteau worked as a deep sea diver for the military during the Second World War. After the war, he became a scientist. He explored the bottom of the world’s seas and oceans to find out about the fish and other animals living there and to record the information for the future. Throughout his life, he tried to help people understand the oceans better and to try to protect the animals living in them.

    Scientific research is a big part of what many deep sea divers do. Other divers work for the military, taking care of equipment or cleaning the bottoms of boats. Still other divers do similar kinds of work in cleaning and maintenance, but for commercial businesses such as shipping companies. Almost any job that involves going under the water can be part of a deep sea diver’s work.

    How can you have a career as a deep sea diver? Training requirements depend on the specific job that the diver has to do. A scientific researcher, for example, normally has to study in areas like biology or oceanography. However, basic requirements for work as a deep sea diver are a high school diploma and diving training. The diver’s safety can depend on this type of training, and it is normally very thorough.

    The work that deep sea divers do is very important. Salaries can vary, depending on where people work and what they do.  Generally, however, they make over $50,000, and they might even make more. Diving can be very tiring work, and it is also difficult or even impossible in bad weather. Because of these factors, divers generally work underwater for less than half of the year. They might spend the rest of the year writing or teaching about what they discovered underwater or getting themselves in shape for the next round of dives. Does this sound like a good job for you?

  • Networking: Your Tool to Success

    Networking: Your Tool to Success

    There is a saying that you will become very familiar with in life as you enter university and eventually into the workforce. The saying goes: it’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know that matters.

    This may not make sense to you at first glance. I’ll be the first to admit that it didn’t make sense to me at first either. After all, I had spent years trying to learn as much as I could about my specific course of study. I figured that the more knowledge I had under my belt the better my chances were at getting into a great graduate program or getting a job in my desired field. But I soon discovered that this was not the case. Don’t get me wrong, either. Knowledge is important – very important! But so is your network.

    So, what is a network? A network is a person (or group of people) you interact with and exchange information with. Put simply, it consists of anyone you know and have developed a relationship with. Your network can include your family, friends, past and current colleagues, former high school teachers, past and current university professors, past and current bosses (assuming you have a good relationship with them), etc. Your network can even include people you met at the gym, coffee shop or church! The possibilities of who make up your network (and how large your network is) is only limited by the number of people you know. And I bet there are a lot of people you know in your life!

    Not everyone in your network needs to know each other. What’s important, though, is that the people in your network know you and like you. It wouldn’t be a good idea to have someone in your network who speaks poorly about you. This is because a network consists of people who help (not hinder) you in your career. Let’s consider the numerous advantages of having a network. For instance, when trying to find a job, a network can:

    • Provide you with internal job postings leads that may not be advertised to the general public
    • Provide you with contact names (people whom you may not be able to access on your own)
    • Put in a good word for you. Word-of-mouth referrals always have influence!
    • Provide you with advice during your job search process
    • Provide ongoing mentorship throughout your career

    Often, these things are more powerful and influential than WHAT you know. Again, this is not to suggest that knowledge and expertise aren’t important – they are! But when knowledge and expertise are coupled together with a lead on an internal job posting, a word-of-mouth referral and a contact name, your chances of getting that job go up tenfold, compared to another candidate who just has the knowledge and expertise.

    Remember that relationships are important, and this is no different in your personal life than it is in your professional life. So build your network and be part of someone else’s network. The benefits you reap from it are endless, especially since we live in a world where it’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know that matters!

  • Becoming a Pharmacist

    Becoming a Pharmacist

    Contrary to popular belief, there is more to pharmacy than just prescribing medication and administrating drugs. Pharmacists have a variety of responsibilities that range from providing dietary advice to patients and helping insurance companies develop pharmacy benefit packages. Pharmacists also need to provide information on the safe use of the drug as well as any side effects related to it. They are responsible for keeping detailed records of patients’ drug use and purchases. With this information, they can inform patients on any risks related to using multiple drugs at once. Beyond this, a pharmacist has the duty of closely monitoring their patients’ responses to certain drugs to see if the prescriptions are effective. Their background in chemical and biological science gives them excellent product knowledge and allows them to see if drugs are having their desired effects.

    One of the most crucial tasks performed by pharmacists is filling prescriptions. They are responsible for crushing, mixing, measuring, and bottling drugs for customer use. This process is called compounding and is unique for different types of drugs. This part of the job requires great accuracy and precision. Small mistakes can have a big effect on unsuspecting patients.

    Working Conditions
    Pharmacists are generally found working for retail stores, grocery stores, hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and nursing homes. It is not as common but they may also work for government agencies and militaries. Research institutions also hire pharmacists for developing and testing potential drugs.

    Pharmacists generally work regular shifts due to the fact that they tend to work in places that have established hours of operation. These pharmacists work an average of 40 hours a week. However, those who work in hospitals may experience irregular, long hours and may be called in for nights, weekends, and holidays.

    Personal Characteristics Required
    Pharmacists require certain personal characteristics in order to be successful in their work. It is absolutely essential that they are accurate and precise. Minimal mistakes can have large impacts on patients and the reputation of the pharmacy. It is also very important that prospective pharmacists have excellent communicational skills. They must be able to clearly convey information on the recommended dosage of drugs as well as their side effects and risk factors. They must possess good teamwork skills due to the fact that they seldom work alone. Lastly, all pharmacists need to be incredibly organized to prevent a mix up in prescriptions or ingredients for certain drugs.

    Future Growth Prospects
    Within a pharmacy, there is plenty of room to move up to superior positions and to get promoted. The pharmacists who work in retail and grocery stores tend to start at staff level but can potentially become store managers and supervisors. After multiple years of experience within the same company, a pharmacist could even obtain an executive position at their company’s headquarters.

    Salary
    The salary of a pharmacist ultimately depends in their place of work and experience. The average salary for pharmacists is between $70,000 and $100,000. However, many pharmacists who have worked in the field for a while find themselves making more than $100,000 a year. People involved in private practice have a greater chance of surpassing $100,000 than those who work for retail and grocery stores.

  • I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    I Want to Be Like Lady Gaga!

    Imagine what it would be like to be a famous musical star, walking up onto stages around the world to sing to your cheering fans. You could be like Lady Gaga, recording music and giving live concerts for a living. You might become famous all over the world for the songs that you compose and sing. If you love music and have the talent to develop your own musical style, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

    Many careers in entertainment require talent. This is especially true of singing. The person later called Lady Gaga discovered her talent early in life. She was born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York City in 1986. She was already learning to play the piano by the time she was four years old. Over the next years, she practiced a lot and learned more about her craft. By the time Stefani was eleven years old, she was good enough to be accepted as a student at a famous music school called Julliard. However, she decided to study at a private Catholic school instead. Three years later, she was ready for her first performance.

    When Stefani was twenty years old, she went to study at the Tisch Scool of the Arts at New York University. She ended her studies before she graduated to develop her own style. In 2005, she began working with Def Jam Records. Two years later, she began recording songs with Interscope Records, where many other famous singers record their music. In 2008, she received awards for her album, The Fame. One of the songs from this album, “Poker Face,” made the singer even better known. By this time, she called herself Lady Gaga.

    Being a singer like Lady Gaga involves much more than just singing songs. After writing their songs, singers perform at concerts in parks, concert halls, and other places. Often, they go on tours of different cities to give concerts for their fans there and to promote their recordings. They record songs and make music videos. They visit music stores and attend award shows and parties. The talk to fans and sign autographs. While they are doing all of these things, they still need to keep on composing songs and practicing their skills.

    If this kind of job appeals to you, the first step is to decide what kind of music you like to sing. Some singers perform many different types of music, but most of them find a style that suits them and then stay with it. What kind of music do you like? Every type of music has a different way of using the notes that make up songs. Some use pianos and others use drums and guitars. Learning the rules of music theory is an important step in becoming a singer and songwriter.

    If you enjoy composing music and performing your songs in front of other people, a career as a singer and songwriter might be right for you.

  • The Salary Question

    The Salary Question

    When pondering career options in a world where career insecurity and market fluctuations dominate, it is important to look at salaries for the professions that you are interested in pursuing to ensure you are building yourself a career that will allow you to enjoy a good quality of life. Just like selecting a university major, selecting a career path can leave you feeling satisfied or it can leave you feeling disappointed, based on your success in your major and your career of choice. Salary comes into play when you are planning your career because it will determine what kind of life you lead. If you neglect to look at salary with romantic ideals that money is meaningless and just pieces of paper, you may be left in the dust, struggling to pay for your overlooked comforts and even necessities.

    Looking at salaries can be more complicated than it sounds. With a lot of websites out there claiming to give the most accurate information, it is important to remember that not every site on the internet offers sounds advice. When looking at salary information, be sure to select a website that slims down your search results to at least time period and place. When you know how recent the information is, you are able to examine the claims much more critically. Similarly, when you know where the results are showing from, you can determine whether the results are applicable to you or not. For example, looking at results for teachers salaries from the year 2000 in California is not going to be of much value to you. Try to select a website that will allow you to narrow your results to time and place, and if possible, select a website with actual job postings as opposed to estimated salary ranges for the particular jobs. When you can look at what actual job placements are offered in your selected career you will be able to get an idea of what will be available five years from now when you are navigating the job market and looking for a suitable job.

    Determining what kind of salary range will be appropriate for you can be discovered by taking a look at your existing budget and where your priorities lie. Also, having a look at the housing market in areas where you are considering living in the future is a good idea. This information is readily available on your favorite news websites. Often comparing what kind of lifestyle a certain salary can afford you compared to another salary can help you to choose the right career for you. Good luck!

  • Hairdressing – Beauty as a Trade

    Hairdressing – Beauty as a Trade

    Hammer, screwdriver, wrench, scissors, shampoo, styling product – on the outside, a career in hairdressing shares little with a career in engineering or construction, yet they’re more similar than one would think.

    Often, when thinking about careers in the trades, the first thought is to the construction, industrial, or automotive industry. In fact, many service-based careers such as chef, child and youth worker, special events coordinator, and hairdresser are also considered skilled trades. Through on-the-job training and in-class sessions, you can become a certified hairstylist.

    Similar to a construction worker, a hairdresser prepares their work area with an array of tools including scissors, razors, combs, curling iron, and other specialized apparatus to accomplish different styles and techniques. With training, this equipment can be used to meet clientele needs, whether it be a quick trim or a full make over.

    A position in hairdressing is much more than just styling and beautifying clients. A hairdresser can also be responsible for the training or supervision of other stylists and assistants. Hairdressers are often business-minded individuals; often completing administrative tasks such as record keeping, supply ordering, and salon upkeep.

    A career as a hairstylist fits into the service sector in the Ontario College of Trades, requiring those interested in becoming a hairdresser to earn a Certificate of Qualification through apprenticeship training and examination.

    With individuals always seeking to invest time into looking good and feeling good, there is always a demand for hairstylists. Hairstylists can find work in this high-demand career working for beauty salons, hotels, and hospitals, or working in an at-home salon.

    While contemplating future career options, it’s important to investigate all opportunities available. Many may skip over the skilled trades assuming there aren’t any opportunities suited to their needs; when in fact there are plenty of opportunities within the skilled trades for creative, business-minded, driven individuals seeking a rewarding, high-paying career in a secure industry.

    From construction to automotive to the beauty-inspiring, service-based industry that includes hairdressing, there’s a career in the skilled trades for you.

  • Financial Benefits of Going to Trade School

    Financial Benefits of Going to Trade School

    These days, student debt is big news. Television programs and newspaper reports often feature the stories of university graduates, tens of thousands of dollars in debt, being forced to take low-paying jobs because there is no work in their fields. If you are close to graduating from high school, you might be worried about how you can ever manage the pressures of such a difficult situation. Have you ever considered trade school as an option? Going to a trade school rather than university or college can be a good decision for both personal and financial reasons.

    Making the decision to attend trade school depends very much on your interests and career goals. If you want to become an engineer, lawyer, or doctor, university is your only option. If you want to work in many other fields, such as technical writing, a community college is a good place to become qualified. However, earning official qualifications at a trade school might be best if you want to become an electrician, pipefitter, or hairstylist. Certification through a trade program will give you the practical skills you need to become qualified for the job you want.

    Going to trade school is a good way of getting into a stable, high-paying career quickly. Graduates of colleges or trade schools are more likely than university graduates to find work in their chosen field soon after graduation. Trade programs are generally only a few months long, and then the graduates can usually find work almost immediately. People who graduate from a trade school are likely to become successful in their chosen careers quite quickly.

    One of the main benefits of trade school is its practical focus. In a university engineering program, for example, students might learn about the theory behind why pulleys make it easier to lift heavy objects. In trade school, students would learn how to build and use pulleys. The background information on why things work is important for people in the planning and theoretical branches of the job. For day-to-day work, however, practical knowledge is often more useful. Graduates from universities and colleges often have little practical experience when they graduate, but trade school graduates come out ready to work.

    Going to trade school also has an advantage over going straight from school into a job. In trade school, people learn the job in a logical, step-by-step manner while also having the chance to apply what they have learned on the job. In many countries in Europe and elsewhere, graduates of trade schools receive higher wages than people who have no particular qualifications. The financial benefits can be worth the initial expense.

    Are you interested in getting into a high-paying, stable job after you finish high school? Consider trade school as an option for your future.

  • Why Trades? Labour Shortages in Canada

    Why Trades? Labour Shortages in Canada

    The trades are one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada and, as such, there are projected labour shortages in the coming years. This means there are more jobs than there are people to fill them. For this reason, a career in trades is a great way to ensure you will have employment when you leave school.

    Red Seal Trades:
    Based on the Canadian Occupations Projections for Red Seal trades, there are 24 Red Seal trades with projected labour shortages.

    Construction:
    The national construction labour force is estimated to rise by 100,000 workers between 2012 and 2020. The industry will need to replace 219,000 workers that are expected to retire over the next decade.

    To address expansion and replacement demand requirements, industry will need to recruit an estimated 319,000 new workers to construction.

    Growth in construction will be concentrated in the non-residential sector related mostly to resource projects. Trades required for this type of construction work include: boilermakers, carpenters, construction estimators, construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, crane operators, electricians, gasfitters, ironworkers, plumbers, sheet metal workers, steamfitters and pipefitters, and welders.

    Oil and Gas:
    By 2015, employment in the oil sands sector is projected to increase by 29 per cent over 2011 levels, or approximately 5,850 jobs.

    The pipeline sector will add about 530 jobs over the same period.

    The industry will need to do significant hiring to replace retiring workers and for turnover.

    Mining:
    The mining industry will need 112,000 new workers by 2020.

    Forty per cent of the industry are 50 years old or older. One third of the workforce will be eligible to retire by 2015.

    In Ontario, for example, employers will have significant hiring requirements– almost 16,000 workers over the coming decade will be needed just to replace retiring workers and people who leave the mining workforce in Ontario for other reasons.

    Automotive:
    In the automotive industry, cumulative shortages over the next ten years are projected to range between 43,700 to 77,150 positions.

    Overall, almost one-half (48.1%) of employers reported that the insufficient supply of qualified staff to hire was a significant or very significant issue for their organization.

    Labour shortages were seen as a major problem among employers in the motorcycle repair sector (57.1%) and auto body/collision repair sector (54.3%).

    Tourism:
    By 2030, demand for labour in the tourism sector will grow to 2.1 million jobs, an increase of 33 per cent.

    The growing gap between labour demand and the number of available workers will cause a significant number of jobs to go unfilled over the next 20 years.

    By 2030, shortages in the tourism sector could grow to 228,000 jobs, leaving 10.7 per cent of potential labour demand unfilled.

    If the expected shortages are not mitigated, the sector could forgo $31.4 billion in potential revenues by 2030.

  • Learning about the Red Seal Program

    Learning about the Red Seal Program

    What is the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program?

    The Red Seal program was established to provide skilled workers with greater mobility across Canada. Through the program, certified journeypersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their Certificate of Qualification by successfully completing, where applicable, an interprovincial standards examination. The program encourages standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification programs. The Red Seal allows qualified persons to practice their respective occupation in any province or territory in Canada where it is designated, without having to attempt further examinations. To date, there are forty-five occupations included in the Interprovincial Red Seal Program.

    What other benefits come from enrolling in a “Red Seal” Trade Apprenticeship?

    You have probably heard the radio commercials from the Government of Canada recently about the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant program. Right now there is a very high demand for tradespeople of all varieties. This is why the Government of Canada created the Incentive Program to attract people to learn a trade.

    That’s right – you can get paid twice to learn a trade, instead of running up high tuition bills while you learn! To learn more about the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant Program, please visit the Service Canada website.