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Tag: women

  • Why Should Girls Get Involved with STEM?

    Why Should Girls Get Involved with STEM?

    In our society, girls seem to be underrepresented in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Even more interesting is that in contrast to girls, boys seem to be actively involved in all of these fields. So what’s the deal? Why are girls not participating in these fields as much as boys? These are questions that are stumping researchers and other experts.

    There is a stereotype that has been circulating around, that maybe girls just aren’t as good at these subjects as their male counterparts. However, research suggests that there isn’t any evidence to support this claim. We all know girls are just as capable and smart as boys. Researchers have found that, when tested, girls are equally as successful in any of these subjects as boys. However, as long as this negative stereotype continues to persist it can cause real harm. It can actually cause girls to believe that they aren’t good at these subjects before even trying them. There is a natural bias for people to assume that science and math are fields best suited to males and that the arts are better suited to females. Why not disprove this theory?

    People also believe that maybe girls aren’t involved in STEM because there aren’t enough female role models in these fields to look up to. Seeing women who are thriving and successful in these fields could make them more enticing to younger females. People like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have made their fortunes in fields related to STEM. However, there still seems to be lacking female equivalents. It would be great to see females who have invented or developed ideas related to STEM in our society. The women that are contributing and involved in STEM should be given more visibility in order to promote these fields.

    There are many reasons why girls should get involved in STEM. Firstly, positions related to these fields are abundant. Why not make contributions to them and stand out from others? Scientists are trying to solve some of the most difficult questions in our time. Engineers are designing different things that we can use to better our lives and make things easier. With the internet and other forms of communication becoming more popular, there are a wide variety of job opportunities relating to technology.  People in these professions are doing creative and innovative things. In addition to this, these positions provide a person with a really great income (who doesn’t like money?). Helping the world and making great money doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me!

  • Not Your “Typical” Welder: Women In The Trades

    Not Your “Typical” Welder: Women In The Trades

    Let’s be honest – how many of us girls grew up dreaming of being a mechanic or a welder? The answer is probably not many, and if you did you probably didn’t tell anybody because of the possibility of them thinking you were weird. When I was little I first wanted to be a marine biologist; I loved animals and wanted to work with them very badly. Then my life goal changed from a stunt car driver to a photographer to a mechanic and finally a welder.

    One of the things I was most excited about going to high school for was that I was now able to take the auto mechanics and construction classes. I took them all through high school and loved every minute of it. I learned, fixed and made things that a lot of people didn’t. How many of you can honestly say you are comfortable with changing a flat tire on your own? I can say with all honesty I am and that’s because of my awesome auto teacher. My technology teachers not only gave me the skills and knowledge about their trades but also the courage to love the trades; to not be scared of trying something totally out of my comfort zone and to not care about what people think.

    I got the smart remarks in class – “Girls can’t do that” and the classic, “Don’t break a nail!” Taking those courses gave me the courage to pick something not many girls pick for a college program – Welding Technician. I knew two things that I wanted for sure out of what I picked for a program. I wanted to be able to get a job and I wanted to make money. I know those are not the best reasons for someone to pick a program, but they were honest. I had originally wanted to be a mechanic because of how much I loved my auto class but I soon realized there were a lot of mechanics and not a lot of jobs. So I had cut up an exhaust pipe about two times in auto with an old oxy-acetylene torch and I knew welding was an in demand job, so I decided on being a welder. The only knowledge I had on welding was what I learned from those two experiences using the torch, so not a whole lot.

    I remember showing up for my first welding class and them telling me that I would need safety boots, safety glasses and a welding helmet for tomorrow. The first thing I thought to myself is, “What have I done?! I have gotten myself into something I can’t handle, I know nothing about welding! This is a horrible idea.” Then it got worse after I got all my equipment and they asked me to actually weld something. I don’t think I have ever sweated that much for a school assignment and it wasn’t from the heat of my torch. But with practice, some really great teachers and perseverance, I got the hang of it and now I am actually a very good welder. I am able to weld in shielded metal, arc welding in flat, horizontal and vertical positions. I can use gas metal arc and flux core arc welding machines and I am learning tungsten arc welding at the moment.

    For those of you out there wondering what kind of woman I am, I would say I am not your typical looking welder, but then again isn’t that what we are trying to change? The notion of what the “typical” welder looks like? So this is what the typical welder looks like – a petite 19-year-old woman, who stands at five feet and two inches, has a boyfriend and loves to go shopping just as much as anyone. The moral of the story is look at trades when you are deciding on college programs – any trade! Believe me, it’s a rewarding experience that is challenging.

    If I can do it, you can do it.

  • Bridging the Gap: Women in Skilled Trades

    Bridging the Gap: Women in Skilled Trades

    A documentary by Elizabeth Smith, in association with Rogers TV

    In this awesome documentary, we get to see hardworking, dedicated women working in the trades industry of Canada. It is a helpful summary of women that have made extraordinary leaps in the trades industry, building a great reputation for excellence, accuracy and attitude. The 23 minute documentary goes over the things you have to do, have or acquire in order to become a trades-woman. It sheds a very positive light on women and their future in the trades, and what kind of obstacles you may have to overcome in order to reach your goals. Being a trades-woman is not only a good vocation, but a really great way to make a living, financially.

    Presently, the video states that only 4% of people in the trades are women. An interesting and challenging trade for women is high pressure welding and fitting. In the documentary, you will meet the first woman to work on the pipeline in Canada, Courtney Chard. As it stands, male pipeline fitters make up 99.1% of the trade, where women make up .9%. These numbers can rise if we all learn more about the opportunities available, and “take gender out of the equation”. Courtney presses that if you like hard work and an honest, decent pay check, you can do it. You will face challenges with other male workers, but if you can brush those trivial things off, you will do well.

    You will also meet Lynn Mackinlay, a certified Red Seal Cabinet Maker from Nova Scotia. She presses that if you have an understanding of the oppression issues that women face in the trades, you will be able to accept any challenges faced. Lynn says that it is often a cultural and systemic issue when it comes to women working in the trades, and we need to look past it. This is a strange stigma, because women have been literally working in the trades since the 40s during the war.

    So, check out this Rogers documentary and learn all you can about working in the trades- they’re waiting for you!

    http://rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=73&gid=220812

     

  • Feminism and Its Many Perspectives

    Feminism and Its Many Perspectives

    When you ask people what they think feminism means, you will likely get a variety of answers. Some may say it means a feminist is a woman who can do anything that a guy can do, while some may say a woman who is happily single.

    Such definitions sometimes hit a moot point, however, and are entirely generalized. If a woman can’t do hard labor, does that mean she can’t be a feminist? And what about women who are leading blissful lives with their male partners? Does this mean they can’t be feminists?

    People that are active on social media tend to have a lot of opinions of what feminism is, and what it means to be a feminist. In our digital age, there is a lot of attention paid to how women are illustrated and portrayed on and off the internet, causing many debates and discussions to commence around the world.

    One thing that is not arguable, is that feminism encourages women to speak their minds and be themselves. Being a feminist also means supporting the rights of women, whether it is concerning their reproductive system, or the ability to speak up when threatened by violence or other means.

    A good thing to do is to stop putting the term “feminism” in a box. The media has an incredible influence on young people, and it tends to confuse the masses. Feminism may mean different things to people, but it absolutely means equal rights for both genders in work, home and beyond. Whatever your beliefs are, be supportive of other women, regardless of the differences in beliefs and opinions. Just be your own individual and always make the best effort to achieve your dreams and ambitions. Feminism is about togetherness, so let’s get together!

    SOURCES:

    http://feminist.com/resources/artspeech/genwom/feministteacher.html

    http://www.genderandeducation.com/issues/why-is-feminism-a-%E2%80%9Cdirty-word%E2%80%9D-among-teenage-girls/

    http://lipmag.com/opinion/why-teenage-girls-need-feminism/

    http://elitedaily.com/women/thats-just-like-rules-feminism-5-instances-support-fellow-women/872867/

  • Females Supporting Females

    Females Supporting Females

    As young children it seems much easier to get along with others. You befriend new playmates on the playground in minutes. Neighbourhood kids are among our closest allies. Differences aren’t noticed as quickly. Judgements aren’t made as fast. But somewhere along the way, this changes. As you will grow, your interactions with peers will change. By the time you reach middle school or high school it may feel like you are in constant competition with each other.

    Friends gossip to each other constantly; sometimes even about each other. What is she wearing? Why does she wear so much make-up? Why doesn’t she ever wear make-up? She dresses too provocatively. She flirts too much. She’s such a tom-boy. She’s too tall, or too short; too smart, too dumb; too cocky, too shy, too fat, too skinny. It’s all just too much. You may find yourself feeling as though it is impossible to live up to other girl’s standards.

    As a girl growing into a woman, you need to support your peers, rather than ban against them. You need to build each other up, not tear each other down. There is a lot of pressure put on girls and women to act a certain way. They should be nice but not too nice. They should know how to take charge, but not be too bossy. Don’t be a bully, but don’t let others walk all over you. This continues from adolescence into adulthood. Lots of women feel compelled to “have it all”… careers, families, social lives etc. They feel the need to be successful at their jobs, take care of the kids, cook, clean, car pool, go out with their friends and support their life partner; to be both traditional and non-traditional at the same time. With all of the pressure that is put on females, it’s important that you have the support of your peers. This starts with how you treat each other. You need to let go of the girl versus girl mentality, not holding each other to stereotypes about what you both “should” and “shouldn’t” do, or “should” and “shouldn’t” look like.

    Here are a few things you can do to be more supportive of other females:

    • Make a conscious effort not to be part of the drama anymore.
    • Make encouraging comments rather than discouraging ones.
    • Only be competitive when it’s appropriate (competition isn’t necessarily a bad thing). As long as it’s not done out of jealousy, judgement, fear or anger.
    • Be a mentor or role model for younger girls in your life.
    • Don’t judge or criticize others and the choices they make.
    • Inspire others to do their best.
    • If someone is struggling be there to help them up. Don’t keep pushing them back down.
    • Empower each other.
    • Don’t use boys and relationships as a weapon against each other.
    • Don’t retaliate if someone says or does something to hurt you. Instead try to understand why they said or did it.
    • Stop calling each other slurs. What you say matters. Kinder words equal kinder actions.

    A quote by Rosa Parks (often considered the “first lady of civil rights”) says it perfectly, “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” When you can do this, you can work together; when you empower instead of put down, everyone can benefit.

     

     

  • Trades Programs for Women Across Canada

    Trades Programs for Women Across Canada

    Well, I can’t pretend that I don’t know women have it… a little more difficult than men when it comes to pretty much anything. When you’re trying to earn your diploma in the trades it can be even more difficult. But, JPD is here to help women in their respective fields, find programs that are right for them.

    YWCA Toronto offers a lot of great programs for women in the trades. YWCA Toronto offers a 34-week program in partnership with George Brown College. This free training program is for women interested in becoming a residential air conditioning systems, mechanic and gas technician. The programs offer things like better hours, higher pay, and a chance for self-employment. Women 16 and older are eligible to apply.

    There are also programs available for electricians. This particular one is in partnership with Centennial College for a 33-week program. You learn things like job readiness, training in refrigeration and air conditioning, and an 8-week work placement when you’re all done with the program.

    Mohawk College offers programs for women as well, not to mention they include several facts on their web page discussing women’s roles in trades: “Shortages in skilled trades have forced industry to think differently about who they can attract, retain and promote within the skilled trades. This change of view has been able to provide an abundance of opportunities for women who are considering skilled trades careers.”

    Obviously, women’s programs are not just sequestered in Ontario. British Columbia’s Okanagan College Women in Trades Training offers tons of opportunities for women to learn about the trades. They have the chance to learn about plumbing, welding, sheet metal, and automotive, among other things.

    Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives women the opportunity to attend specific sessions for carpentry (repairing holes in and applying sheath to drywall, framing walls), basic tasks in electrical and plumbing trades, and welding (cleaning, cutting tools, learning to weld steel).

    Women Building Futures is another great tool for female students to use as a source of empowerment and information, but also for application deadlines. The articles offered on their site range from Aboriginal women talking about their role in construction and local employers who are working to make a difference for women in the workplace.

    Nova Scotia Advisory Council on The Status of Women provides women with information on lots of programs readily available for them to apply to. Programs like Techsploration, Webgrrls International, and Women in Global Science and Technology are all linked on their main site so female students can look at which ones interest them.

    The time for women to “prove” themselves ended a long time ago. Women are just as valuable as men in any trade and now, it’s easier than ever for women to enter programs and become whatever they want to.

  • Scholarships for Women in Engineering

    Scholarships for Women in Engineering

    Are you a girl that is looking into a career path in the engineering field? There are a wide variety of scholarships and other opportunities to help assist you with funding your STEM-career dreams. Check out a few of the scholarships below:

    The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Canada

    The Generation Google Scholarship

    The Google Lime Scholarship

    Palantir Scholarship for Women in Technology

    Bill 7 Award (those identified as part of the queer community)

    GWIN Scholarship

    Amelia Earhart Fellowship

    Canadian Federation of University Women

    Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada – Graduate Student Award of Merit

    L’Oreal Canadian National Fellowship Program

  • Scholarships for Women in Engineering

    Scholarships for Women in Engineering

    Are you a girl that is looking into a career path in the engineering field? There are a wide variety of scholarships and other opportunities to help assist you with funding your STEM-career dreams. Check out a few of the scholarships below:

    The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Canada

    The Generation Google Scholarship

    The Google Lime Scholarship

    Palantir Scholarship for Women in Technology

    Bill 7 Award (those identified as part of the queer community)

    GWIN Scholarship

    Amelia Earhart Fellowship

    Canadian Federation of University Women

    Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada – Graduate Student Award of Merit

    L’Oreal Canadian National Fellowship Program

  • Scholarships for Women in Engineering

    Scholarships for Women in Engineering

    Are you a girl that is looking into a career path in the engineering field? There are a wide variety of scholarships and other opportunities to help assist you with funding your STEM-career dreams. Check out a few of the scholarships below:

    The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Canada

    The Generation Google Scholarship

    The Google Lime Scholarship

    Palantir Scholarship for Women in Technology

    Bill 7 Award (those identified as part of the queer community)

    GWIN Scholarship

    Amelia Earhart Fellowship

    Canadian Federation of University Women

    Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada – Graduate Student Award of Merit

    L’Oreal Canadian National Fellowship Program

  • Women in Skilled Trades

    Women in Skilled Trades

    You’re a girl that knows what she wants.

    Rolling up your sleeves for a demanding, rewarding, and well-paying career that combines both your hands-on and creative interests; that’s the future you want. And now is the perfect time to go get it!

    Currently, the Canadian government is working to address a skills mismatch, which has many workers under trained or unprepared for the current economy’s workforce.

    According to a February 2013 publication titled Looking for a job? Why you should consider a trade in The Globe and Mail, there will be a shortage of one million tradespeople in Canada by 2020. For women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, this means that now is the perfect time to start the path to career success in this high-demand industry.

    While some may be nervous to start a career in the skilled trades, which has been and is predominantly male, there are a number of support programs and aids available to assist women as they train for a career in the trades.

    The government of Ontario offers a Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology Training program, which provides unemployed and underemployed women in communities with a high demand for skilled trades and IT professionals funding and training both in-class and on-the-job.

    Additionally there are other organizations and support programs throughout the province, country, and world dedicated to women interested in the trades. For example, Women in Nuclear (WIN) offers mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities for women interested in nuclear energy.

    Similarly, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction provides support for women interested in pursuing a successful career in the construction industry.

    There are plenty of other programs designed for women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, offering a community of mentorship, funding, networking, and support specifically for women.

    With a growing presence of women entering the skilled trades, there has also been a growing presence of women’s skilled trades equipment and clothing. Moxie Trades provides mentorship, support, and apparel for women working in the trades. Whether it’s pink work boots, hard hats or safety glasses, or speaking at events across North America, Moxie Trades is a voice for women in the trades.

    Once thought of as primarily a male industry, women are moving toward more inclusion in the skilled trades.

    If you’re looking for a rewarding, secure, financially stable career in your future – it’s time to invest in the next steps toward a career in the skilled trades.