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  • Summer Jobs – Are They Useful?

    Summer Jobs – Are They Useful?

    It’s summertime again, and besides gasping for that first breath of summer freedom and that thing called a “social life”, it also means looking for a part-time job.

    So what is the ideal summer job for you?

    Ask yourself what area of work you are interested in, or what skills you think are essential for a certain career. For example, many careers involve people skills – dealing with customers in a daily face-to-face environment. Becoming a cashier or waiter would be an opportune job for developing your communication skills.

    Perhaps you are interested in management? If you have any tourist hot spots in your city, getting a job within tourist areas and understanding how the tourism industry operates could be a beneficial summer job! Don’t let the thought of having to start at a lower-level position scare you away from a good experience; being able to understand how a company works from the ground up can improve your understanding of management.

    Perhaps engineering is your cup of tea? Getting a job at a retail technology store would be ideal. Previous Niagara Falls resident Zachary Edmonson spent a couple of months in the summer acquiring knowledge working in an Apple tech support company before heading off to Sheridan College in Oakville.

    “Acquiring the technological knowledge and customer service skills, as well as working independently, was a priceless experience for what I am looking to do,” Zach said.

    Understanding the reality that nationwide budget cuts have diminished the number of jobs available to students is essential when hitting the summer job market.  Be creative; even “typical” teenage jobs like fast food can be a great learning experience.  Many large fast food companies have intramural sports teams and volunteer opportunities that increase job value and learning experiences

    Current Brock student Heather Long is volunteering at an after-school program called “When I Grow Up,” where she is learning how to deal with different types of children.

    “I set the room up and organize days for the kids, like ‘physics’ day and ‘musician’ day,” Heather said.

    She usually supervises 12-13 kids between herself and one other employee. Learning how to work with children will benefit Heather in her future career as a teacher.

    There can be time for some fun in the sun, but manage your time wisely! It is never too early to think ahead about what skills you think will boost your resume and get you your dream job.

  • Making the Most Out of Your Summer Vacation (French version available)

    Making the Most Out of Your Summer Vacation (French version available)

    As the weather gets reliably warmer and the assignments begin to die down, you have probably realized that the school year is coming to a close. If you’re a post-secondary student, it’s likely your break is just around the corner; if you’re in high school, you’ve got just a couple of months to go. That in mind, start thinking about how you’re going to spend your time on vacation.

    It may seem great to have all that time on your hands, but it’s important to use it wisely. Being out of school for a few months can cause your brain to get a little lazy, which unfortunately means that the cramming you did for finals isn’t going to stick unless you keep at it. You worked hard for the better part of the year, so you definitely don’t want that knowledge to go to waste.

    Of course, there’s another side to summertime that doesn’t focus on academics. You can use the time to advance your goals, practice your hobbies or just explore. Think of how little free time you have during the school year: aren’t there so many things you wish you could have done? Capitalize on your summer vacation to cross some things off your bucket list.

    There are many ways you can make the most of your summer. Here are some suggestions.

    Summer employment is a good way to gain work experience, as well as make some money (which can be particularly important for those of you heading into post-secondary). A job can teach you responsibility, time management, and work ethic. If you’re looking for something humanitarian or more relevant to your career goals down the line, consider applying for an internship or volunteering for an organization you love.

    We all have something that makes us tick, and summertime can be a great opportunity to practice your hobbies (or develop new ones). If you’re looking for a challenge, try something new—you have a few months to take a class or follow a self-coaching program in an activity you’ll enjoy.

    If you have the opportunity, travelling, exchanging, or a road trip with some friends is a great way to explore (and take advantage of the lovely weather). If travel is not financially or logistically feasible for you, take some time to explore where you live. There’s sure to be a unique restaurant you’ve never eaten at or a fun event you’ve never checked out.

    Think about setting goals for the coming year, and take the opportunity to get a head start. School may seem ages away at the start of the summer, but free time (regrettably) goes fast. If you think ahead, you’ll be at a great advantage once the new semester begins.

    And finally, don’t forget to relax. School’s out, you worked very hard, and you deserve some time just for you. Take a break and live your summer on your own terms—you’ve earned it.

  • Perfecting the Art of the Job Interview

    Perfecting the Art of the Job Interview

    Ah, the job search. Endless applications, emailing resumes…it seems like a never-ending process! However, scoring an interview is just a matter of time and being patient. When you finally do get the call to come in for an interview, you need to be prepared – often you will be called in on short notice.

    And who am I to give advice you ask? Well, I am currently a recruiter for a marketing company and have done full-cycle recruitment for various companies. You’d be surprised at the strange things I hear when I am interviewing potential candidates! Based on this experience, I want to offer you some of my interview “do’s and don’ts”.

    Don’t # 1:
    The most common mistake I find in job interviews is candidates mentioning that they applied to so many jobs that they don’t remember applying to this one. As a recruiter, the first question I usually ask is, “Have you heard of our company before?” Saying that you haven’t because you have applied to so many jobs shows me that you don’t really care about this position, so why should I even continue the interview? By then I’m already turned off.
    Do:
    Do your research! I can’t emphasize this enough. It’s so important and requires little time. There’s really no excuse not to. It’s a matter of Googling a company name and just remembering at least three points about the company that you can talk about. Doing your research will ensure that you appear knowledgeable and it shows that you are actually interested in the position and being a part of the company. In addition, keep track of all the jobs that you apply to. That way, you can easily refer to it when an employer calls you.

    Don’t # 2:
    Don’t be too honest. I’m not saying you should lie in your job interview, but when I ask a candidate, “Why are you interested in this position?” don’t reply back saying that you just need a job, you need to support your family, you need to pay your way through school. This is too much information and shows me as an employer that you are just interested in making money and not interested in the job itself.
    Do:
    So how should you answer that question? Start by explaining why you want that position. Maybe it fits your skill set, you feel you can excel in the job environment, you can hone your sales skills, etc. Name anything that tells me why I should hire you and why you would be good fit for the company. Remember you are trying to sell yourself and trying to show the employer that you are actually interested in the position.

    Don’t #3:
    Don’t dress casually. Jeans, t-shirts and running shoes are definite no-no’s. You are not going for a walk in the park, it’s a job interview! So take it seriously. First impressions are everything and dressing casually shows that you don’t care about this position and, as an employer, I wouldn’t want you to represent my company.
    Do:
    Dress professionally. Suit and tie for men, blazers and business pants for women. Image is everything and an appropriate business look shows that you would be a great representative of the company. Most importantly, you will be taken seriously.

    My final tip: Be patient. You applied to a job and are now waiting for a call from the employer. Do not call the employer that same day to follow-up. In fact, some employers do not like phone calls at all. Be mindful of the fact that employers are very busy – think about how many resumes they receive in one day. There are many people out there in the same boat as you who are looking for work, so patience is key. Consider sending a follow-up email within a week to see if the position has been filled.

    These are only a few do’s and don’ts for job interviewing. Remember, sometimes it’s just a matter of practice. The more you go to interviews, the more comfortable you get. In a matter of time, you will perfect the art of the job interview. I wish you the best of luck! Happy interviewing!

  • Am I Employable Yet?

    Am I Employable Yet?

    Taking on a post-secondary degree is an important decision that many students make. However, though this education is challenging and eye-opening, sometimes it can be difficult to translate what you learn in class to the workforce. This is particularly true of many university undergraduate degrees, which, due to their strict academic and theoretical nature, often prepare students for careers in research and academia, but sometimes do not provide much information on how to apply their skills in other fields.

    Since post-secondary is such a grand investment, you should have at least a rough idea of what kind of work you’d like to get into once you graduate. It’s important to consider whether you are building up the skills that will be necessary to secure and maintain a job in that field. Unfortunately, good grades don’t always guarantee an easy job hunt.

    Here are some employability skills that are transferable to many work environments, and what you can do now to start developing them.

    Critical thinking. Problem-solving, open-mindedness, and mental flexibility are all part of this skill, and all of these things can come in handy in the workforce. Having an employee who can always see the other side of an issue, and analyze any problem down to its core, is an asset in fields from law to business to engineering.

    What can I do now? Read and evaluate academic papers, solve logic puzzles, and voice your opinion in classroom discussions.

    Organization and time management. In many cases, large projects in the workforce no longer come with a “late-penalty” safety mechanism. That said, staying organized and on top of things is key to actually accomplishing those tasks. Procrastination may have worked in undergrad, but it won’t fly for long; think about how embarrassing it would be for a company project to fall because you didn’t hand in your work on time.

    What can I do now? Categorize your notes and course materials, plan ahead for deadlines, and keep a to-do list.

    Perseverance. Good employees don’t give up after their first try—in fact, they often keep going, trying to find alternative solutions, after a number of small failures. By doing this, you’re showing the employer that the work matters enough to keep trying. This is important in the workforce because you are often faced with competing projects and difficult group dynamics, obstacles you must work to overcome.

    What can I do now? Evaluate yourself when you make mistakes, push yourself to complete extra credit, and speak to your professors and teaching assistants for advice.

    Improvisation. The power to think on your feet is an absolutely underestimated skill. Presentations aren’t always going to go the way you want, or you might discover information that may compromise the value of the project you’re working on. Go with it. Employers will be impressed if you are able to make the best of any situation.

    What can I do now? Challenge yourself by asking “what if” questions, engage in debates, and broaden your knowledge by learning concepts from different fields.

  • Career Profile: Golf Caddy

    Career Profile: Golf Caddy

    Playing games can be fun and relaxing, but sometimes people need help. If you play any team sports, you know how important it is to work together with the others to get a goal or a touchdown. Golf is not normally a team game, but the players can often use help. Golf caddies used to be essential to the game. Even though fewer people work in this field than in the past, it can still be an interesting job to have for people who enjoy golf and spending time outdoors.

    Before the invention of golf carts, caddies were essential to every golf course. Golf clubs and other equipment can be very heavy, and caddies would carry everything so that the players could concentrate on the game. They would estimate distances between wherever the ball landed and advise the players on the best club to use and smooth out any part of the course that got disturbed so that it would be good for the next player. They would look at the weather, ground conditions, and other factors and try to help make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.

    With motorized carts, most players no longer need caddies to carry their heavy bags around, and many of them prefer to make their own decisions about how to play the game. However, caddies are still necessary in some contexts. Elderly players, for example, might not have the strength to carry golf bags and might also appreciate having someone to help them decide about their next move. In addition, professional players normally have caddies who can tell them about the course and make sure that they can concentrate on the game. A good caddy can help a player win important tournaments and win large prizes.

    Becoming a golf caddy takes time and experience but no particular education. Basic math skills are important for keeping score, and knowledge of weather patterns can help. However, the most important requirements are to know about the game and to know the particular golf course where the people are playing. Caddies need to know where the player has to hit the ball next and what might cause problems along the way. Caddies also need to know the rules of golf and how to use all of the different equipment.

    Salaries for golf caddies can vary a lot. Some people in this field work for one or two golf courses and receive regular salaries. Others get paid according to each bag that they carry and can earn up to about $5000 in one summer. In professional tournaments, caddies often also receive a percentage of the prize money if the golfer wins. Sometimes this amount can be quite large, and caddies can earn a lot of money by doing their job well. If this idea is appealing to you, why not start practicing your golf skills?

    Bibliography:

    Answers.com. “How Much Do Caddies Earn.” http://www.answers.com/Q/How_much_do_caddies_earn.

    Careers.org. “Career Occupational Profile for: Golf Caddy.” http://www.careers.org/occupations/16812/golf-caddy

    Cameron, Patrick. “How Much Money Do Golf Caddies Make?” http://www.golflink.com/tips_5167_much-money-do-golf-caddies.html.

    Herrfeldt, Bill. “How to Be a Golf Caddy.” http://www.golflink.com/how_1185_be-golf-caddy.html.

    Payscale.com. “Average Salary for Industry: Golf Course.” http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Industry=Golf_Course/Salary.

    Roland, James. “How to Become a Professional Golf Caddy.” http://golftips.golfsmith.com/become-professional-golf-caddy-1888.html.

    Wikihow.com. “Be a Golf Caddy.” http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Golf-Caddy.

  • NEADS Job Board: August 2015

    Event Planner position with the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) – Apply by August 5, 2015

    Organization: National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS).

    Website: www.neads.ca Part-Time Contract (2 year project)

    Hourly compensation: $22.50 per hour

    Location: Ottawa

    Job description:

    The Event Planner will plan 7 full-day employment workshops from October, 2015 to March 2017 in cities across Canada.

    The Association’s head office is in Ottawa, but the consultant can work on the project from anywhere in Canada. Required skills and knowledge:

    Previous experience with the planning of conferences/workshops/meetings;

    Must be detail-oriented, thorough and precise;

    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

    Communicates professionally at all times including when under pressure;

    Must be able to work to deadlines;

    Familiarity with database software and management an asset:

    Works well with a team and independently;

    Bilingualism an asset.

    Education and Qualifications:

    Post-secondary education preferred, either current student or recent graduate.

    In order to apply for this position, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability for the job (with the subject line: NEADS Event Planner) to: Frank Smith, National Coordinator by August 5, 2015: frank.smith@neads.ca

  • What Kinds of Jobs are in Agriculture?

    What Kinds of Jobs are in Agriculture?

    If someone asks you to name a job in agriculture, chances are the first thing to come to mind is farming. When you are interested in agriculture, but working on a traditional animal or crop farm is not the type of work you wish to do, it can be difficult to learn what other options are available. Luckily, these days there are many different jobs in the agricultural industry besides farming.

    Food Scientists ensure that food production is safe and healthy, and help to develop new foods and other agricultural products. They often go to university and study subjects including chemistry, biology, and genetics. These scientists study things like food allergies, reasons why food goes bad and how to prevent this, or how to make processed foods healthier, more nutritious, and better tasting.

    Agricultural Officers work to ensure research laboratories and outdoor field production follow municipal, provincial, and national regulatory standards. They will also conduct investigations when a company disobeys the regulations, act as consultants, and give advice to companies and government agencies.

    Plant or Animal Biologists work in research labs studying ways to use, grow, and protect our food crops and animals, or in civilian and government positions working to affect legislature and laws. Research can include how to fight plant or animal pests and diseases that can affect food production, and ways to help food crops grow faster or in poor conditions.

    Inspectors with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspect and certify industrial food production and processes, to ensure they comply with sanitary production, and other health and safety regulations.

    Veterinarians are important members of the agricultural field, specializing in produce animals such as cattle, chickens and other birds, and pigs, to ensure that they are healthy and well-treated. They will also advise on matters of public safety, such as disease control.

    Hydroponic and Aeroponic Farmers are related to traditional farmers, but use special techniques to grow plants with little or no soil, and often indoors. Hydroponic farming works by having the plants grow in pots or containers with their roots in a water mixture containing minerals and nutrients. Aeroponic techniques are similar, but have the plants’ roots hanging into an empty space or container, where they are surrounded by a fine mist of nutrient-rich water. This type of farming is becoming very popular, because they can produce a large volume of food crops with very little land requirements, as since these are typically indoors, a hydroponic farm can operate inside a building with several floors, each dedicated to different crops if desired.

    Horticulture and Landscaping Technicians grow primarily non-crop plants, usually for ornamental indoor and outdoor use, and are responsible for breeding, growing, planting, and maintaining them. They can work at greenhouses, landscaping companies, golf courses, or municipal and regional parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

    Sources:

    Government of Canada Job Bank – Explore Careers by Occupation

    http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/occupation_search

     

  • Career Profile: Small Engine Mechanic

    Career Profile: Small Engine Mechanic

    A Small Engine Mechanic repairs and services small gasoline and diesel-powered equipment such as lawn mowers, motorcycles, boats, zero-turn mowers, snow mobiles, garden tractors and chainsaws. Mechanics can specialize in generators and power sports motors that include outboard motors, ATVs and dirt bikes.

    Typical responsibilities include prioritizing work orders, inspecting and testing engines, estimating repair costs, diagnosing and isolating faults as well as adjusting and replacing parts. Customer service is an important role for the mechanic. They advise customers on the work performed and show them how to take care of the equipment.

    No day is routine in the life of a Small Engine Mechanic. In the morning, either the mechanic or foreman reviews and prioritizes the work orders. The day can start with a simple problem such as an oil change and end with a highly complex problem such as the motor not starting due to a carburetor problem.

    To be a successful mechanic, you need a strong mechanical and electrical aptitude as well as excellent problem solving abilities. You need to figure out if the problem is as simple as needing an air filter change or as complicated as the engine suddenly stopped running. Good manual dexterity is a must since you’ll manipulate a lot of small parts and use a variety of tools.

    You may get a customer like me who knows absolutely nothing about machinery and they may not explain the problem properly. They may just tell you “my lawnmower won’t start” which doesn’t say much, so you need imagination to picture what could have happened. For example, did the customer neglect or abuse it? Did they fill the machinery while the engine was running? Or did they use it improperly? Answers to questions like these will help you diagnose the problem.

    The job of a Small Engine Mechanic is very cerebral because you have to focus on a lot of detail for complex tasks like taking a carburetor apart. A carburetor has a lot of small parts. If you take it apart in the wrong order or get the parts mixed up, you may have a very hard time putting it back together and your carburetor could end up like Humpty Dumpty who fell of the wall.

    If you’re in high school, you can take courses in electronics, mechanics, business math and science to prepare for a Small Engine Mechanic career. You can get experience by working part-time or during the summer at a mechanic shop then further your education in a certificate program at your local college.

    Most Small Engine Mechanics work full time during regular business hours, but they may work more hours during peak times. Employers who hire mechanics include shops, marinas, motor vehicle dealers, garages, boatyards, equipment rental companies, wholesale distributors, and parts dealers. An experienced Small Engine Mechanic can earn about $59,288 or $16.50 per hour.

    If you’re mechanically inclined, practical and love problem solving, a Small Engine Mechanic career may be a step in the right direction for you.

    References:

    Education Experience For Motorcycle And Small Engine Repair Worker http://www.careerexplorer.net/education-experience/education-experience-motorcycle-and-small-engine-repair-worker

    Payscale.com – Small Engine Mechanic (Canada) http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Small_Engine_Mechanic/Hourly_Rate

    Small Engine Mechanics http://job-outlook.careerplanner.com/Small-Engine-Mechanics.cfm

    Small Engine Technician http://www.ycdsb.ca/departments/instructionalservices/scp/documents/smallenginetech.pdf

  • Career Profile: Personal Shopper

    Career Profile: Personal Shopper

    Some people love to shop by themselves or with friends. Others, however, find the process very tiring or boring, or they might be too busy to spend much time on it; these people need a personal shopper.

    Suppose that you go into a store to look for a gift to buy for a friend or relative. Maybe you already knew what you wanted to get, or maybe someone else gave you advice on what to buy. Personal shoppers learn what people want and then try to help them find it, either by telling them where to go or by going out and shopping themselves.

    The first step in personal shopping is normally getting to know the customer’s needs and wishes. An interview with the client is the first step so that the shopper knows what kinds of items to buy or to recommend. Some personal shoppers work through large department stores or other shops, but some set up their own businesses.

    Many personal shoppers work in a specific area such as groceries or garden tools. A common type of personal shopping is in buying groceries for elderly people or others who have trouble walking around or carrying heavy loads. The personal shopper asks the client about allergies, tastes, and anything else that might be important and then goes out to buy the items at the store before taking them back to the client’s home. Sometimes, a personal shopper might take the client along to look at what is available, but not usually.

    In many cases, working as a personal shopper might be a daily or weekly job, but in some cases, it might be something special like shopping for a wedding or family gathering. Personal shoppers need to keep track of their clients and be able to remember what each client wants. An ability to work with money is necessary, and an understanding of different brands, colours, and designs is useful.

    Becoming a personal shopper normally requires experience but no particular education. Most employers are likely to prefer someone who has graduated from high school. Personal shoppers should also be able to keep up with the latest trends by reading about them or getting help from store managers.

    Salaries for personal shoppers can vary widely, depending on where they work. The average salary for people in this career in Canada is about $25,000 per year, but some personal shoppers can earn $100,000 or more. Most people start by working in a store where they learn about the products and working with the public. As they gain experience, they will have the skills they need to become personal shoppers in an established store or in their own businesses.

    Do you enjoy shopping with your friends and family? Do you have a good sense of what people like and what suits them? If so, why not consider becoming a personal shopper?

     

    Bibliography:

    Farfan, Barbara. “Personal Shopper Job Description – Retail Career Job Profile of Personal Shopper.” http://retailindustry.about.com/od/retailjobscareers/p/personalshopper.htm.

    Henricks, Mark. “Starting a Business as a Personal Shopper.” http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/75238.

    Kennedy, Casey. “How to Become a Personal Shopper.” http://www.ehow.com/how_15306_become-personal-shopper.html.

    Wow Jobs.com. “Average Salary of Jobs Matching Your Search: personal shopper Salary in Canada.”

    Wow Jobs.com. “Personal Shopper Salary in Canada.” http://www.wowjobs.ca/salary-personal+shopper.

  • Career Profile: Locksmith

    Career Profile: Locksmith

    Locks and keys have been around for thousands of years, almost as long as people have had belongings they wanted to protect. Ancient Egyptians and Assyrians had locks, and many wealthy Romans would wear key rings around their fingers as a sign of wealth. Locks have changed a lot over the centuries, and electronic locks are adding new challenges to the task of keeping belongings safe. Throughout all of these changes, however, the locksmith trade has been essential.

    Whenever people have locks, they need a locksmith to keep everything working the way that it should. Some locksmiths in Canada learn the necessary skills by studying at a school like the Academy of Locksmithing in Ontario. They learn about different types of locks and about the hardware (doorknobs, etc.) that goes along with a lock. They learn how to duplicate and cut keys and find out how to fix problems, such as when a key breaks off in a lock. Through an official program like this one, students learn the basics of what they need to know to get work in their field.

    Getting experience on the job can be just as important as learning in a classroom. Many people work as apprentices with experienced locksmiths so that they can learn on the job and see what it is really like. That can be especially important for locksmiths who install security systems or other complicated devices.

    Once they learn the necessary skills and become known to their clients, locksmiths can make quite a good living. In Canada, the median (middle) wage is $32,000 per year, but some people can make a lot more or a lot less. If you want to become a locksmith, it is important to develop your skills as much as possible so that you can advance in your trade.

    Besides the basic knowledge of how locks work, locksmiths need to develop other skills. Because they work with their hands on very small objects, they need to have good coordination and abilities with their fingers. They should be able to work alone but also to be able to communicate well with customers. They should be prepared to work all kinds of hours, sometimes even at night when there are emergencies and people need to get through locked doors.

    Locksmithing is very detailed work, and people in this trade have to be able to make sure that every part of each lock is in place. Keeping detailed records of customers is also essential, especially for locksmiths who run their own businesses. Problem-solving is a good skill to have for repairing locks, and patience is important for taking the time to make sure that everything is working properly.

    Working with locks can be a good job for people who have the types of skills and personal characteristics that the job requires. Do you think that you would have enough patience and attention to detail? If so, maybe you should consider becoming a locksmith.

     

    Bibliography:

    Canadian Universities.net. Profile of Academy of Lockmithing.” http://www.canadian-universities.net/Career-Colleges/Academy_of_Locksmithing.html

    Careers.org. “Occupation Profile for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers.”

    http://www.careers.org/occupations/49-9094.00/locksmiths-and-safe-repairers.

    Government of Alberta. “Occupational Profile: Locksmith.” http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile.html?id=71003092.

    Joblense.com. “Career Profile: Locksmith.” http://www.joblense.com/career-description/technical-careers/career-profile-locksmith-2/.

    Monster.ca. “Locksmith.” http://jobview.monster.ca/Locksmith-Job-Oshawa-ON-CA-151563375.aspx?jobPosition=1.

    Wikipedia.org. “Lock (security device).” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_%28security_device%29