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| april 2011 | careers. education. ideas. all of it. & TO BOLDY GO The future of biomedical engineering NEW GAME Careers in the video game industry student debt affects your career how

jobpostings Magazine (Vol. 13, Issue 8)

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Canada's largest career lifestyle magazine for students and recent grads. This issue's feature story outlines how student debt affects your career.

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| april 2011 | careers. education. ideas. all of it.

&to boldy goThe future of biomedical engineering

New gameCareers in the video game industry

student debtaffects your

careerhow

BUSINESS DEGREES

business.humber.ca

BUSINESS DEGREES IN:

Accounting e-Business Marketing Fashion Management Human Resources Management International Business Tourism Management

1jobpostings.ca | april 2011

3 The Home Depot (Part-time) 9 Aecon 11 College Pro 13 The Source 15 OSCO Construction Group 15 Chair-man Mills Inc. 15 The New England Center for Children 25 Tommy Hilfiger Canada OBC Canon Canada Inc.

who’shiring

Hey. Did you know that these companies have lots of entry level positions? Visit their websites to see a full list of positions available.

stuff to buy

yay! more school

who else?

IFC Humber, The Business School (Undergrad) 21 Seneca College 29 Hult International Business School 29 Humber, School of Social and Community Services 29 Durham College 30 Humber, School of Media Studies and Information Technology 30 Queen’s University 31 Brock University 31 Canadian Automotive Institute, Georgian College 31 Centennial College 31 Conestoga College 31 Fanshawe College 31 Ithaca College 31 Queen’s University 31 Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry 31 Sheridan College 31 Trent University IBC Centennial College

6 Insurance Institute of Canada 21 School Finder 22 Scholarships Canada 24 Canadian Grocery HR Council

5 Rogers Wireless 7 Excel

What happens when the money you borrowed to pay for school

affects your career decisions? A look at how student debt can

have you putting off your life plans, and what you can do about it.

16

Imag

e: iS

tock

phot

o/Th

inks

tock

8interviewsmarts — Paul Sayers from Hydro One gives

us a few tips.

10careercupid — Don’t

cheat on your new job with an-

other job.

14startup — Kendal Netmaker

on sports, Aboriginal youth, and

Moose Meat Apparel.

4Success Story — Keira De-

nyse Balderston on dedication,

hard work, and finding time to

play guitar. Brought to you by

Rogers Wireless.

6From our blogs — Probably the worst job. Ever.

12Soft Skills — The last impression.

30Edu-ma-cation — Save the world with a Master’s of

Social Work.

32JobLife — Showing up is half

the battle.

21To Boldly Go… — The bright

future of biomedical engineering.

23What the Textbook Won’t Teach Ya! — When it comes

to trades, getting out to shows,

meeting people, and getting your

hands dirty can bring your career

to the next level.

26Pick your Character — Tester,

programmer, animator, sound de-

signer, producer… these are just

a few of the positions in the video

game industry. Press start to con-

tinue.

28One Rung at a Time —

Climbing the retail ladder can be

tricky, but you can’t beat the view

from the top.

how student debt affects your career

2 april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

"I probably wouldn’t have been as confident today without the sports that I’ve played. And I think if more Aboriginal youth would find these teams to play on, we could develop more positive things for the Aboriginal communities."

Kendal Netmaker, from Start Up (page 14)

noteI have debt. A lot of debt, actually. And I’m very late on mak-ing payments. In fact, I’m pretty sure that they are going to garnish my wages any day now. I try, though.

I had to drop out of university during my fourth year because I had too much debt, and couldn’t pay my rent (ever get an eviction notice? Not fun). I landed a position with a magazine, which was the bees knees at the time, but I needed to make more money. So I quit, and decided to work in another indus-try where I could potentially make more money. I was miser-able working that job, and it soon became apparent that I wasn’t paying off my loan any faster than I was at the last job. I was working longer hours, had no vacation, and no benefits. Then, the company I was working for fell on dark financial days, and I took a pay cut. And then the creditors started call-ing. I used to wake up sweating, panicking about that bill that I couldn't pay. So I asked myself, is the stress I’m experiencing from my debt worth this job?

It wasn’t. If I was going to be stressed and poor, I may as well be happy in my career. So I enrolled in a post-grad program, ignored all my bills, and took out more loans to get to, well, to where I am now. Since graduation, I’ve given up a place to live, food, and lots of pride. But I’m here now, doing what I love. Was it worth it? Yes. Could I have done it a little more strategically? You bet.

If you take away anything from this month’s feature story on how student debt can affect your career, make sure that

Jason Rhyno

what you are studying, what you are investing in, is worth the cost. Higher education typically leads to a better career, but if you are studying something that you don’t enjoy, stop it. Right now.

I recently received an email from a student who is torn be-tween two programs, both of which are housed at the school I attended. Being a reader of jobpostings magazine, she dis-covered that I attended one of the programs, and took the ini-tiative to ask me a lot of questions. She was curious about the quality of the program, whether or not there were work-study options, how well did the program prepare me for a career in book and magazine publishing, and whether the program would make her more “marketable” in the “real world.” I an-swered her immediately, and then passed her email off to some of my former classmates so that she could benefit from their unique perspectives. If you are thinking of doing a post-grad, or a master’s, this is one of the smartest things you can do to make sure you are getting the best educational bang for your borrowed buck.

It’s going to be tough finding a career in your chosen industry, and probably even tougher with all that debt on your shoulders. But stay positive, stick to your guns, and don’t get disheartened. If you love what you are studying, you’ll end up loving your ca-reer. And hopefully the money, as they say, will follow.

Best of luck with the spring job hunt.

editor’s

our favourite quote this month:

publisher Nathan Laurie

[email protected]

associate publisher Mark Laurie

[email protected]

editor Jason Rhyno

[email protected]

graphic designer Sonya van Heyningen

[email protected]

contributors Jeff Sebanc, Kevin Nelson,

Christine Fader, Allison

Mitchell, Laura Manuel.

editorial intern Andrew Williams

national account managers Sarah-Lyn Amaral,

Lori Blanchard,

Mary Vanderpas

jobpostings

Published by Passion Inc. 25 Imperial Street, Suite 100 Toronto, ON M5P 1B9

jobpostings.ca 1-877-900-5627 ext. 221

jobpostings is published eight times in the school year. Issue dates are September, October, November, January, February, March, April, and May. Copies of jobpostings are distributed to over 105 universities and colleges across Canada. Contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reprinted in whole or part without permission of the publishers. Take the time to write a really good cover letter. Standard cover letters will not get you the job.

on the cover: © iStockphoto.com | Olena Chernenko

Oh, by the way, the paint that dries faster is the latex paint. See, you’ve already learned something.

You may not know everything when it comes to home improvement, but after our training and hands-on coaching you will. The Home Depot, one of Canada’s top 100 employers, is hiring for spring. You bring the desire to put customers first and we’ll offer competitive rewards including company paid health & dental plans, 70+benefits, tuition reimbursement & much more.

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rogers.com/careers/campuslife

What drew you to your current field?My father was a partner with a big firm and was able to talk to me about all of the opportu-nities available to CAs. With a true passion and interest in the field of business, I knew that this designation would be invaluable in shaping a successful future career. A few key attractions of the accounting profession are that I would be exposed to a wide variety of industries and business issues while working with many differ-ent, highly intellectual individuals; being able to travel and being placed in a nourishing training ground to develop my skills. Every day I learn something new, something I can take forward with me in anything I do in the future. This is why I chose accounting.

Tell us a bit about your responsibilities.There are many responsibilities. Working for an accounting firm means that you have to be “accountable” (no pun intended), not only on a personal level but also on a team level. On a daily basis, I am responsible for completing key sections on an engagement. I am responsible for communicating any issues that I find with my senior in order to ensure they are properly resolved. I am responsible for communicating with both the team and the client on related business matters. Overall, the responsibilities can be summed up as working hard and en-suring that I continuously work efficiently and strive for excellence in meeting all deadlines.

What is the most challenging aspect of your position?There are many challenging aspects of my po-sition, but all of them are incredibly positive. I would say that one challenge would be learn-ing to balance personal time and work time. I am just finishing my first “busy season,” as it is called in the industry, where we have to work hard to get all of the work done in order for

our clients to issue their year-end financial statements. Because there are long hours

sometimes, it was important to ensure that I set time aside for the things that I love to do. Finding time in my week to run, play the guitar, and hang out with friends was challenging but also taught me how efficient I really can be on both a professional and personal level. Another key challenge would be that there is a huge learning curve in this job. This challenge is also one of

the most rewarding parts of my job as well. Ev-ery day I am faced with something new and it is important to confidently and assertively as-sess the issues and be aware of what questions I need to ask.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?That is an easy one — everything! Honestly though, it is the people I get to work with and the daily learning. I am constantly either strengthen-ing my work skills or developing new ones. There is not a day that goes by when I do not have a positive take-away in terms of skill develop-ment. And back to the people — my teams have all been fantastic. We have a lot of fun together while at the same time supporting each other both on the job and in personal and career-relat-ed development. KPMG has an amazing support system in place, which, through being both a mentor and a mentee, I have the opportunity to learn from others and create new stretch goals.

What do you think it takes to be success-ful in this career?Dedication, hard work, and accountability to personal and career-related growth. It requires that you take advantage of all of the opportuni-ties available within the firm. Opportunities can range from on the job experience to getting in-volved in the community with the support of the firm. From what I have seen, the most success-ful individuals are those that take full account-ability for their own learning and development, ensuring that they are truly enjoying as well as benefiting from the work that they do.

What advice do you have for students looking to land their first job?Talk to as many people as possible—friends, family, teachers, counsellors, firm representa-tives. Get as much information as possible and then assess it on a personal level to figure out what works for you. Create specific goals and analyze the path and support that you will need to attain them. Also, make sure that you are de-veloping the skills that firms are looking for. Get involved in the community, act as a mentor for others, be dedicated to your studies. If you are working hard, then a potential employer will recognize this. Remember that landing a job is a two way street — yes a firm is hiring you, but you are also hiring them as well.

Company KPMG (Vancouver office)

Position Staff Accountant

Length of employment 1 year

Degree Bachelor of Commerce (BComm), Currently Completing Masters in Professional Accounting (MPAcc)

Sponsored by

successstoriesKeira Denyse Balderston

4

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april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

had a bad Job…

from our blogs | 02/25/2011

A bad job is in the eye of the beholder. What one

person considers to be an endless grind of suck,

another might find a limitless source of chal-

lenge and joy. For example: I know people who

work in the service industry and would do just

about anything — undertake a third or fourth

round of schooling, participate in some seri-

ously shameless schmoozing — to escape the

front lines. I also know several career servers

who've been perfecting their craft for decades,

who would never think of doing anything else;

one of these recently opened her own restau-

rant. And regardless of the particulars, even

the worst jobs often have something to teach

us about ourselves, the world, or whatever.

That said, some jobs are really just... awful.

Take the psychologically-damaging, low-pay-

ing, truly craptastic plight of the Internet Con-

tent Reviewer, for example:

"Ricky Bess spends eight hours a day in front

of a computer near Orlando, Fla., viewing some

of the worst depravities harbored on the Inter-

net. He has seen photographs of graphic gang

killings, animal abuse and twisted forms of

pornography. One recent sighting was a photo

of two teenage boys gleefully pointing guns at

another boy, who is crying...

“Workers at Telecommunications On Demand,

who make $8 to $12 an hour, view photos that

have been stripped of information about the us-

ers who posted them. Rapidly cycling through

pages of 300 images each, they are asked to

flag material that is obviously pornographic or

violent, illegal in a certain country or deemed

inappropriate by a specific Web site.”

You can read the rest in The New York Times then

get back to me on this. What was your worst job

ever? The one with the barely-there pay, the in-

sufferable colleagues, the total lack of redeem-

ing qualities — the one you quit with Maguire-

esque fanfare and aplomb. And did you need

counselling after you escaped? Let's hear it.

Imag

e: ©

Get

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/Jup

iterim

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/ liq

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by Emily Minthorn

aNd you thought you

GOODBYECOFFEE BREATH

april 2011 | jobpostings.ca8

aQDescribe a specific situation when you built a good working relationship with others?

So you screwed up in the

interview, huh? They asked

the ol’ “What’s your greatest

weakness” question and you

responded with “cupcakes,”

hoping to get a laugh. Awkward.

Lucky for you we have friends

on the inside – recruiting

friends (the people who’ll be

interviewing you). It cost

us a few favours, but they

finally agreed to explain

why they ask what

they ask, and what

the best answers are.

It’s a cheatsheet

for interviews.

Good luck!

smarts* interview

by Paul Sayers

Aboriginal Recruitment Consultant

@ Hydro One Networks

The ability to create and maintain successful working relationships is an essential component of success in any job. However, people skills do not come naturally or easily to all people. Although work experience and education are two critical criteria in obtaining a position, increasingly it is the personality of the candidate that sets them apart from their competitors and successfully lands them the job.

Relationship building is important for numerous reasons, but in the workplace it’s a valuable skill to have in everyday dealings with co-workers, and equally important if your job requires you to work with external clients.

This is one of my favourite questions because it allows me to gauge how a candidate interacts with people, how they would work on a team and how their relationship building

process works. It is an immediate indicator of a candidate’s personality since those who are “people persons” tend to respond in a reasonable amount of time and have numerous life experiences to pull from to answer this question. Candidates who struggle with this question tend to lack a proper response or sit in uncomfortable silence.

I’ve seen several candidates go into a tailspin in a job interview because they struggle with this question. However, if people skills are not your strong point, here are a few tips to remember if you want to develop this skill:

Be open and friendly to everyone. Treat others the way you like to be treated. It’s simple, but effective.

Be yourself but remember to keep it within a professional context.

Become a good “listener.” People skills are not only about being an effective communicator, but also about really listening to what a co-worker or business contact is saying. Effective two way communication is the end result if all parties involved are engaged and really listening to what the other person is saying.

Find out if your school offers public speaking workshops or clubs, and sign up and join. It is proven that active participation in these groups leads to improved communication skills.

Maintain semi-regular contact with co-workers and business clients who are not a part of your everyday work day. A short email to touch base with them every few months says that you value them as a colleague/client. This will always be beneficial especially if there is a possibility that you may work more closely with them in the future.

These are some of the tips that have worked for me and guided me throughout my career. Remember, when you are applying for a position, your competition may have an equivalent level of experience and education, but in an increasingly competitive job market, a person with exceptional interpersonal skills will walk away with the job.

As a fast-paced and growing organization, Aecon isactively interested in talented new and soon-to-begraduates looking to begin their careers in theconstruction and infrastructure development industry.

Challenging work, diverse opportunities, a learningculture, the latest technologies and room to grow:as a 50 Best Employer and the largest publicly tradedconstruction and infrastructure development companyin Canada, Aecon can offer you that and more.

From the CN Tower to the Calgary Olympic Oval, frompower plants and hospitals to highways and gasdistribution networks, Aecon has been building thingsthat matter for over a century.

Build a career that matters with Aecon.

Aecon offers many opportunities to begin and continueyour career.

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To apply:http://careers.aecon.com/BuildingCareers.aspx

Send your resume, quoting “Grad Opportunities”in the subject line.

www.aecon.com

A Place to Build Your FutureWe welcome talented students and graduates to join our team.

career cupid

stayed home in Canada

and got buried in more

snow. Okay, so, I guess it’s

not hard to see the begin-

ning of the attraction.

But it didn’t end there.

There were campus tours

and meetings with fasci-

nating faculty and students

from all over the world.

There was even some over-

coming of adversity (I’m

always a sucker for that)

as we learned about what

it’s like to live in a place

where there isn’t a single

Tim Hortons or Starbucks

(or even reliable electricity).

But most of all, there was

an incredible community

of people who were so pas-

sionate about what they

were doing that it made me

want to join them.

Now, we’ve gone our sep-

arate ways and I won’t lie,

I’m feeling quite bereft.

It’s as if I’ve been dating a

pretty hot guy and he also

happens to come with a

great family. Even though,

y’know, officially, I’m

already in a committed

career relationship here

in Canada.

You don’t have to stay in

the same job forever, but,

my little crush is a prime

example of how easily and

quickly you can complicate

your career. Most students

I see don’t have a long-

term job that they’re being

wooed away from, but they

often mess up their career

relationships because of a

crush, nonetheless.

A most common career

blunder is students who

accept a job offer (the

Christine Fader works as a career counsellor at Queen’s University and is the author of, “Career

Cupid: Your Guide to Landing and Loving Your Dream Job.” Visit her website at careercupid.com

I’m recuperating from

a crush. You know the

feeling. You can’t stop

thinking about them,

you wonder what they’re

doing right now and you

daydream that they’re

dying to call you.

I thought I looked pretty

good. I wore the good

shoes and took my fancier

pens, and it seemed as

if there was… y’know…

chemistry. They stood

there day after day, all

friendly and interesting

and sort of twinkly to

boot and they made me

get a crush on them, even

though I’m already in a

long-standing relationship.

Funny, how an invitation

from a Caribbean medical

school can do that to a

girl. I was invited to tour

their Miami and Dominica

campuses — in February

— while my regular job

my cheatin’ heart

by Christine Fader

romantic equivalent of

getting engaged) but don’t

notify outstanding job ap-

plications that they’re now

employed (the romantic

equivalent of continuing to

date while you’re engaged).

It happens easily. After all,

you have to hedge your

bets, right? You apply to

more than one job to help

increase the odds that

someone will want to

interview you and hope-

fully offer you a job. And

from there, it’s one small

step to drama which can

end badly.

Perhaps the outstanding

applications look a little

more appealing but you

don’t want to lose out on

a job in hand for a job you

don’t know you’ll get. So,

you accept the first job

but sort of stick it in your

pocket and keep going to

other interviews or waiting

for the call from the other

jobs. You might not think

it’s a big thing but if you

do get offered something

by hot job down the street,

first job is not going to be

happy to be thrown over.

And sometimes that

unhappiness has teeth

that will bite your career

for some time to come. Re-

cruiters in particular fields

often know each other. You

might want to work for the

first organization at some

point in the future. You

will probably see the first

organization at industry

events and how awkward

will that be? In particularly

harsh cases, first organiza-

tion might actually sue

you for reneging on your

job offer because you’re

breaking a legal contract.

It’s like a big ol’ Hollywood

divorce and you thought

that all you were doing

was backing out of a job at

Flap Jack Attack.

So, before you accept a

job, ask for time to make

the decision. Then, weigh

the pros and cons. Even

though the jobs you are

dreaming about look really

amazing, it’s important to

note that most times, you

will rarely be accepting A

PERFECT JOB. There are

always compromises to

make.

Ask yourself: on balance,

can I give and gain some-

thing from this job that

makes it worth pursuing at

this time?

Don’t accept a job until

you’re ready. And once you

do accept it (remember, it’s

like getting engaged!), with-

draw from the outstanding

applications you have out

there. There will always be

things that look like better

options so remind yourself

that you are leaving those

exciting possibilities intact

for the future.

As for me, I have steeled

myself against my Carib-

bean crush by reminding

myself of something I

hadn’t fully considered

while I was dreaming about

my hot new, palm tree ca-

reer: life without Starbucks.

I love my Canadian job.

april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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get to spend a physically active summer working outside with your peers.

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1-877-277-9787collegepro.com

the lastimpressionby Allison Mitchell

Follow up »You may or may not have to follow up after an inter-view. It will really depend on what the interviewer told you about the timeline of the interview process (and if they didn’t tell you this timeline, then that should have been one of your questions!). For ex-ample, if they told you that they would be contact-ing you with their decision within a week and it has been two weeks since your interview, then by all means, follow up. Maybe you weren’t the successful candidate or maybe the interview process got tem-porarily sidetracked; either way, you want to know.

You can follow up with a phone call first, and if the interviewer isn’t available, then send an email. Just let them know that you are following up on the in-terview that you had on (insert date) for (insert po-sition title) and you are wondering if a decision has been made. If you were not the successful candidate, then ask for feedback; you can use this information to improve your chances the next time you go to an interview. Following up in a professional manner is a great last impression to leave them with.

A great first impression is extremely important, but you cannot rely solely on that first impression. You have to follow through and leave an equally great last impression. Even though I am referring to only the first and last impressions, you really need to bring your A-game to the whole interview; there is no room for coasting in an interview. Some people are so nervous about the interview that they breathe a sigh of relief when the interviewer stops asking questions and they don’t follow through on the last impression. The first and last impressions tend to make the most impact, so keep this in mind the next time you are in an interview… and thank you for tak-ing the time to read about last impressions!

Everyone knows how important it is to make a great first impression; especially when you go to a job in-terview. You spend time preparing for the interview and looking your best so that you can wow the inter-viewer, but have you ever thought about the last im-pression that you are leaving? Imagine that you‘ve made a stellar first impression but didn’t bother worrying about the end of the interview: what im-pression is the interviewer left with? It’s that last im-pression that can propel you into the next round of interviews, so you need to make it memorable.

interviewing the interviewer »In my mind, the last impression starts as soon as the interviewer gives you an opportunity to ask your questions. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the position, the team, the manager, the company, and the next steps in the interview process. Use this opportunity! Failing to ask questions means that you don’t get the infor-mation that you need in order to make an informed decision of whether this position and company are the right fit for you (remember: when you go to an interview, you should be interviewing the com-pany as much as the company is interviewing you). It could also tell the interviewer that you aren’t in-terested enough in the position or company to pre-pare and ask questions. Is that an impression that you want to leave the interviewer with?

closing the interview »Once the interviewer has finished asking their questions and you have finished asking yours, it’s time to say goodbye. This goodbye may happen wherever your interview took place or, if the inter-viewer walks you out, it may happen at the front door of the company’s building. This could be the last face to face contact you have with the inter-viewer: shake their hand, look them in the eye and thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet. Most people are pretty good at this, but it is so simple that everybody should be doing it. Start-ing to walk out the door and then turning around to do this step as an afterthought doesn’t count.

thank-you Note »You made it through the interview and you have left the building — congratulations! But, you still aren’t done with making a good last impression. The next step is to send a thank-you note. Some interviewers don’t put a lot of weight on receiving a thank-you note while some consider it extremely important. Play it safe and always send a thank-you note, and while you never know how the in-terviewer feels about them, it certainly can’t hurt; it can only help you. An interviewer will be meeting with several people so why not give them another reason to remember you?

Now the question: email or handwritten thank-you note? Tough call. It really comes down to timing. If you know that the interviewer will be making a decision quickly, then email is a good option. If you know that the decision will be made in a week or so, then try a handwritten note. If you are local to the company, then drop it off instead of relying on the mail. Even when dropping it off at the compa-ny, it may take a few days to get to the right person, so keep that in mind.

jobpostings.ca | april 2011

impression

softskills

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e: ©

iSto

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oto.

com

/Jen

ny H

orne

14 april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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Interviewed by Jason Rhyno

23 years old. Athlete, coach, student

and owner of Moose Meat Apparel: The

first clothing company in Canada to

create, support and develop Aboriginal

youth-based sports teams and have sales

year-round. Studying Native Studies at

University of Saskatchewan.

ACE 2011 Student Entrepreneur

Saskatchewan Champion.

Where did the inspiration come from for Moose Meat Apparel?

It all started back on my men’s volley ball team. We started calling ourselves “moose meat,” and basi-cally that name kind of created a big fan base for us. People liked our name, they liked our slogan, our humour — everything. So I thought there’s an op-portunity here to make a clothing line because of the response, and there’s also an opportunity to do something good with it as well, as in creating more sports teams with the name Moose Meat.

Can you tell me a little about those initial stages of getting Moose Meat off the ground?

I found some mentors to help me because I don’t have a business background. I made my first busi-ness plan and I entered in a few business competi-tions, one being the Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge in Saskatchewan, and the second one being the Wil-son IQ Idea Challenge at U of S. I ended up finishing first in the Aboriginal one and fifth in the Wilson one. So that’s how my start up plan came, and that’s how I was able to get my first batch of inventory.

You mentioned some mentors. How did you go about finding mentors?

I found someone who was an Aboriginal cloth-ing company owner, and his name was Timothy Lewis. What he owns is Tansi Clothing; what he does is promote Aboriginal languages through his clothing. I asked him via Facebook if we could meet up, and that’s how it all started. He met with me after classes and evenings once a week, and encouraged me to do this. He helped me with my first business plan as well.

What were some of the biggest challenges at this stage?

The first challenge for me was having the confi-dence in myself to do this. I don’t have a business background; I’ve never taken a business class be-fore, even prior to starting the business. I think that was the biggest challenge — believing in myself. The competitions really gave me that confidence. If I hadn’t won any of the startup competitions, I wouldn’t have started right away

Can you talk about the importance of sports in re-lation to youth? There are some funding problems with sports and youth teams here in Canada. I’m curious as to your thoughts on that.

I’ve seen the problem back when I was growing up — that Aboriginal youth had trouble being a part of mainstream sports teams. The primary reason for that was funding and the whole income situ-ation. That’s what I faced as a youth. I had trouble getting to and from the city to play on the volleyball team. I was fortunate to be gifted in many sports, but I could only afford to play one sport, and I think I could have excelled in all of them. But I was still fortunate to play volleyball and it carried me on to college; I played two years there then transferred to U of S. That’s why I created these sports teams as well as pursue my clothing line, because I’ve seen what it does for me, I’ve seen what it does for my friends, some of whom are top players in Canada. Sports are very powerful and that’s one area that needs to be developed, funding-wise for sure.

How do you think sports can combat some of the traps that a lot of youth fall into, especially Aborigi-nal youth?

The first thing is being part of a team. I think be-ing part of a team allowed me to open up, because, for a lot of First Nations people, we’re brought up a little differently than mainstream society, espe-cially if you live on a reserve. We’re more traditional and taught to not be too open to everything, so I guess being part of a team kind of opened me up that way and helped me meet new people. And it helped me develop my skills — one of them being confidence. I probably wouldn’t have been as confi-dent today without the sports that I’ve played. And I think if more Aboriginal youth would find these teams to play on, we could develop more positive things for the Aboriginal communities.

Any advice for students starting their own business?

I would find really positive people to inspire you, because that’s the hardest part — just believing that you can do it. I was the only one holding myself back from pursuing this idea. If you find positive people to help you, they will really help you start up any idea you have.

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It is a frequent refrain: a post-secondary education is the key to a professional

job. And a professional job should be one’s ticket to saving a nest egg, purchasing a home, perhaps starting a family, and saving for retirement. Students, for the most part, tend to be comfortable financing their post-secondary education with loans; they are told that this is ‘good debt.’ Yet today’s graduates are facing difficult deci-

sions when it comes to managing their money and career. Nearly 60 percent of Cana-dian post-secondary students graduate with some form of debt, and the average Canadian graduate owes tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a debt that can tie your hands, holding you back from moving onto the next stage of your life.

by Laura Manuel

jobpostings.ca | april 2011

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meet university graduate Jordan Stanley from Na-naimo, British Columbia. He’s well educated but

paralyzed with debt. Two years after graduating from Thompson Rivers University with a tourism degree, Stanley went back to school. “I was having trouble finding a well-paying job in the tourism field, and my student loan payments were diffi-cult to manage on my monthly income.” Stanley returned to school to study accounting, taking on more student debt. With over $50,000 in student loans, he now feels immobilized when he consid-ers his career. “I have been forced to take jobs that I really didn’t want because I need to pay back my student loans. The jobs that I have taken have usu-ally not been in the area that I wanted, or even in the firms that I wanted to work for.”

At Wilfred Laurier University Career Centre, career advisors confirm there is a trend in how students approach their career search. “Anecdotally speak-ing, we would say with debt increasing, students are more apt to take the first job that comes along versus investing energy, volunteer time, and more money on additional credentials to pursue a more lucrative paying career. Students have a sense of urgency to just pay the bills, and that means ob-taining ‘a career’ becomes second to getting ‘a job’ to pay their debt.”

In the fall of 2010, the Canadian Council on Learn-ing (CCL) released a report about the long-term consequences of student debt. According to the CCL, the average debt for university graduates dou-bled between 1990 and 2000. Today, the average debt for university graduates is $26,680, while the average for college graduates is $13,600. The report also found that the proportion of students gradu-ating with student debt increased from 49 per cent in 1995 to 57 percent in 2005.

These high debt loads are impacting the career choices of graduates. There is evidence that current post-secondary students are keen to secure a career with the government or work in the not-for-profit industry. But these aspirations may evaporate when graduates, like Jordan Stanley, are faced with a large student loan and juggling day-to-day living expens-es. Erin Mills, senior research analyst with the CCL, agrees. “Some [graduates] may re-consider their ca-reer choice, particularly in the event of poor wages.”

The CCL’s report also found that large student debt affects more than careers. As Mills explains, “Gradu-ates who had borrowed were less likely than non-borrowing graduates to have retirement savings and investments, and were less likely to own their own homes.” Stanley confirms that he is part of the group that Mills refers to, admitting that he’s had to put off buying a house. “I have no savings for retirement.”

is it worth it?w hile student debt increases, the outlook is still optimistic for new graduates. According to the University of Alberta’s

most recent employment survey, those with a post-secondary education are likely to secure better pay-ing jobs in the long-run. The key is to avoid a hap-hazard approach to attending college/university. A post-secondary education is an investment. And, like any serious financial investment, a strategic ap-proach is best.

Bronwyn Rice, student aid administrator at McGill University, encourages students to approach their education with an investment-like strategy. Rather than get bogged down in loans that may be misdi-rected, Rice advises students to carefully examine and plan for their education, finances and career. “Students need to be realistic about their postgrad-uate earning power relative to their level of educa-tion — underestimating that could be dangerous,” explains Rice.

The career advisors at Wilfrid Laurier University echo Rice. They encourage students to consider their reasons for pursuing a post-secondary de-gree. Before embarking on additional education, they suggest that you do effective occupational research. This way, you can assess whether or not a degree/diploma is worth the time and money.

Sometimes, the post-secondary education road is not the best fit for an individual. Taking a year or two off to think about one’s education and finances is a sign of wisdom, not foolishness. “Once a stu-dent has calculated the cost versus the resources available, it may indeed come to light that suspend-ing studies is a better option than going into more debt,” says Rice.

maNagiNg studeNt debt

f or many students, financing their edu-cation with loans is a given. The key to having student debt is effective manage-ment. Rice suggests making a budget of monthly expenses, and accounting for where borrowed money is spent. She also

stresses that government student loans are su-perior to bank loans, credit cards or lines of credit. “All Canadian government guaranteed loans are interest free for the student while they are [study-ing] full time. With all programs there is also a pos-sibility of loan forgiveness should the student finish their studies within the prescribed time frame, so the overall debt could be reduced.”

Don’t underestimate other sources of financial sup-port, either. Rice advises students to consider other methods of financing their education: savings, part-time work, scholarships/grants, and family support. They can help decrease the amount you need to borrow year after year, and much of it you don’t need to pay back.

Tracy Watson from Money Mentors, an Alberta-based credit counselling organization, warns that young graduates are often not aware of how much debt they have accumulated. She recommends writing out a list of debts including student loan payments, credit cards, and any other debts such as car loans. This way, you can have a clear picture of how much you owe and when it is due. Watson encourages new graduates to seek help if they are having difficulty managing their debt. Credit Coun-selling Canada is an organization that can assist graduates. Often, free credit counselling is available.

lookiNg Forwardrice maintains that “Higher education is surely worth the cost.” The key is to apply a strategic approach when taking on student debt. And, if necessary, have

the courage and wisdom to take time off from pur-suing higher education to re-evaluate one’s strat-egy. This way, debt can be kept to a minimum and easily managed when you embark on your shiny, new career.

Stanley admits that in retrospect he might have done things a little differently. “I think I would have definitely tried harder in my classes and applied for more scholarships and grants than I did.”

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20 april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

upon many areas of medicine, Yip explains,

“having a solid grounding in biology, chemistry

and physiology, in addition to one’s core engi-

neering training,” — chemical/mechanical/elec-

trical/et cetera — “is essential in order to fully

understand the complexity of the biomedical

problems.” The scope of work is mind-boggling-

ly enormous, he says, adding that that’s also

what makes it such an attractive field. “There

are opportunities for individuals with core

training in all of the classic engineering fields.”

So while an undergraduate degree is definitely

enough to enter the field, an advanced degree

will prepare you for a more focused position.

Meanwhile, over at Ryerson University, Peyman

Moeini is studying in his third year of biomedi-

cal engineering. “Biomedical engineering [at

Ryerson University] is an engineering discipline

that is closely related to electrical engineering,”

adding that it’s 60 percent electrical, 20 percent

science and 20 percent mechanical. Students

in the field are expected to become highly spe-

cialized engineers, applying these engineering

skills toward different disciplines of medicine.

“[Medical] devices are rapidly becoming more

complex, meaning strong knowledge in both

engineering and science [are] required to design

medical machines,” Moeini explains, stressing

the importance of how the electrical and me-

chanical tie into the science when it comes to

creating biomedical tools and equipment.

Yip speaks of the future of biomedical engi-

neering positively, calling it not only bright but

talking of the huge opportunities being brought

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“It’s alive! Oh, in the name of God! Now I know

what it feels like to be God!” Dr. Frankenstein

shouts none too subtly to the skies in the 1931

film — you guessed it — Frankenstein, thus

becoming one of the most iconic portrayals of

what could be fiction’s first modern biomedi-

cal engineer.

Okay, so today’s biomedical engineers are a bit

classier than Dr. Frankenstein was, but the basic

idea is more or less the same: apply engineering

techniques to the many fields of medicine. Only

instead of dirty old used body parts dug up from

Victorian graveyards, biomedical engineers are

in the business of putting people back together

using brand spankin’ new, state of the art artifi-

cial bits and pieces. From joints and limbs to or-

gans and tissues, what we’re seeing today rivals

any mad scientist of fiction as far as displaying

the ambitious drive toward a future where hu-

man beings can be fixed as easy as any vehicle.

“Engineering has always been about solving

problems,” explains Christopher Yip, associate

director of graduate studies for the biomedi-

cal engineering program at the University of

Toronto. “In biomedical engineering, the focus

is now on solving problems in the medical con-

text.” It’s a discipline of medicine that has had,

and will continue to have, significant impacts in

the world of health care. “Biomedical engineers

are involved in everything from medical devices

[and] imaging to regenerative medicine. Stem

cell bioengineering, tissue engineering and bio-

materials to biosensors and diagnostics devices

to rehabilitation engineering and clinical care.”

Yip goes on to explain the potential for “rapid

diagnosis of disease and facilitating treatment

strategies to cure disease.” He breaks down the

engineering approach to help in all aspects of

health care delivery: “From diagnosis to preven-

tion, treatment, rehabilitation and cure.”

Obviously it’s a field for not only the forward

thinking but the creative as well. So now you’re

thinking, “Great! With biomedical engineering

having its finger in so many delicious medical

pies I’ll have no problem choosing an area to

specialize in!” So just what should you know

before heading in to a biomedical engineering

program? Well, because it’s a field that touches

the bright future of biomedical engineering

To Boldly Go…

by Jeff Sebancindustryinsiders »

forward by “exploiting some of the exciting new

insights in stem cell biology, systems biology,

regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, bio-

sensing...” It’s obvious he could go on for hours

discussing the possibilities. Of course there are

always the more conventional applications as

well, such as medical devices and robotics. Be-

ing receptive to new advances is important, he

explains, as well as being able to understand

and work within them.

So perhaps the Frankenstein analogy isn’t too far

off. With the future potential of biomedical engi-

neering looking vastly infinite, who’s to say what

incredible advances in medicine might be discov-

ered… just don’t attack anyone with pitchforks.

21jobpostings.ca | april 2011

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what the text-book can’t teach ya.

industryinsiders

by Andrew Williams

~ begin ~

(what the textbook can’t teach ya.)

24 april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

doing is betterReading is great, but doing is better.

Think of any field, and you’re bound to find successful

people who didn’t wait for school to teach them how to do

their job. Instead, they dove headlong into what they love,

turning a passion into a skill and becoming the best at what

they do. And like knives, skills need to be honed and sharp-

ened, especially in the trade industry where skills are an as-

set. In this industry, hobbies and extra-curricular activities

are your whetstone.

Landscaping is among the more accessible trade careers

out there. Indeed, serious revenue is made here, enough to

make it into a full-time job. But landscaping also presents

the perfect mode to get a taste of a major trade industry

when not in class. Manufacturing is another area where

fields often overlap, including fabricating and construction.

Apart from that, home renovation allows students to work

with lighting, windows, wiring, and roofing with proper

safety equipment and supervision.

Car modification is a great way for auto enthusiasts to get a

hand’s on feel of the automotive industry, especially if you

plan on being a mechanic or engineer. Vehicle customization

can help you develop a keen knowledge on the multitude of

car parts from the various manufacturers, and also learn the

basics of automobile assembly and aesthetics. Nick Samain,

show manager for the Canadian Manufacturing Technology

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Where’s the action? Just about everywhere – from grocery to warehousing, from store management to store design, from marketing to real estate. You could be a store manager running a multi- million dollar operation, a pharmacist dispensing pharmaceuticals to customers, or a grocery clerk making sure shelves are stocked and customers are served.

Whatever your career interests are, you’ll find a career path that’s right for you.

Bag one in the grocery industry.

25jobpostings.ca | april 2011

doing is better

Show (CMTS), says “The larger demographics of

attendees that you’ll find coming to CMTS is for

the automotive industry.” Samain is a four-wheel

drive enthusiast himself, and an active partici-

pant at a Jeep club. “Definitely, motor sports are

something. From a student perspective, you don’t

need to have a lot of money, you just need to ask

around and ask if you can help out and volunteer.

The good thing about those types of communities

is that you’d mostly find people who want to pass

on the knowledge provided there’s interest.”

CMTS is just one of the trade shows that could

help students prepare for a career, aside from

hobbies. These exhibitions are one of the best

ways to see what the industry has to offer and

network with others. CMTS heads to Toronto

every two years, and of the 10,000 attendees,

roughly 700 to 1,000 of them are students in

the trade and manufacturing industry. “We see

two types of students,” says Samain. “We see the

ones who come to the show dressed any way

they want, and walk around for magnets and

pens. [But also] we see a lot of students who

come to the show, and they’re looking at this as

a real opportunity to go and make connections.”

Paul Maryschak, BUILDEX show director, adds

that it’s the responsibility of the student to get

out there and meet people. “It’s all up to the

individual student as far as how effective they

are with [networking],” says Maryschak. He ex-

plains that at the BUILDEX expos, held annually

in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, you have

the chance to meet representatives from various

companies dealing with interior design, renova-

tion, construction, and real estate management.

You also have to opportunity to meet top execs

and vice-presidents, who walk the show floor

and attend the seminars themselves. “If you

want to meet with some higher-ups, there’s defi-

nitely plenty of opportunity there.”

At the core of any trade hobby is the idea that

practice makes perfect. Samain asserts that

when it comes to the field of design, students

should work it into their daily routine, even if

they’re designing something for their apartment.

In addition, schools typically make computer

programs in design available for students at dirt

cheap prices, so saying you’re broke is no excuse.

The more adept you are with a skill set, the eas-

ier it could be to transfer it from one field to an-

other, explains Maryschak. “Just because you’re

in interior design doesn’t mean you have to work

for an interior design company; you may end up

working for a builder,” he says.

One thing to note with some types of trades is

that they require supervision, especially for nov-

ices. This makes having one as a basement hobby

rather difficult. So whether you’re working with

heavy machinery or hazardous material in the

classroom, or sharpening your welding skills in

your garage, make sure you’re doing it with some-

one who’s experienced. “If you’re going to try

something, ask,” Samain insists.

Learning never depended on having to open a

text book. In fact it’s quite the opposite. It’s the

hands on experience that really solidifies your

skill sets. When not in the classroom taking

notes from the instructor, or in the library study-

ing for that exam, you should make the time

to get your feet wet, and look for opportunities

to meet those who are doing what you love, no

matter the industry.

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~ end ~

We are currently seeking talented individuals for all positions in our stores across Canada. If you are a strong leader, ambitious, possess great interpersonal skills and are customer-service driven, APPLY NOW!

Please forward your resumé to [email protected]

or bring a copy of your resumé to a Tommy Hilfiger store. For more information about our current career opportunities or for store locations visit tommy.ca.

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HARD-WORKING, TEAM PLAYER, FUTURE LEADER, SUCCESS-MINDED

NOVA SCOTIA • NEW BRUNSWICK • MANITOBAONTARIO • QUÉBEC • ALBERTA • BRITISH COLUMBIA

by Andrew Williams

“Lately, there’s definitely been a big push in the portable — iPhones, iPads, tablets and that kind of thing,” says An-

tonio Santamaria, head of engineering at Ottawa’s Artech Studios. He explains that touch interfaces and different

kinds of input mechanisms are making these portable devices, including cell phones, an avenue where the industry

is heading. Also, more opportunities are becoming available for teams to be working on content aimed at portable

and mobile markets. Alex Hyder, studio lead at Playfish Montreal, adds that mobile devices have been contributing

to the popularity of social network games, which have introduced whole new groups of people to this market.

Pickyour Char-acterIn the old days, video games were confined to the vice of socially awkward, sports-phobic nerds who sat in

front of the Nintendo and saw dating as a horrifying and alien concept. Or so the stereotype goes. But now,

video games themselves have matured and hit the dating scene, so to speak, and are among Canada’s most

diverse and fastest growing markets of the past decade. If you aim to get in this industry’s entourage, there

are a number of roles that can suit your skills, background, and what you’re passionate about.

27jobpostings.ca | april 2011

Animators typically work with powerful software en-gines such as Maya and 3D Studio MAX. Like the other areas of development, ani-mators work as a team along with the artists and mod-elers. “Usually, we look for people who have the techni-cal skills and the traditional artistic ones you would learn doing old fashioned anima-tion,” says Santamaria. They would also work closely with programmers, as this area may require a programmer’s coding expertise.

Modelers are a distinct but related role in game devel-opment. “You can almost think of them as digital sculptors,” says Hyder. Mod-elers design any object the animators must bring to life, while artists provide details such as texture.

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industryinsiders

“[Producer’s] a more senior role,” says Santamaria. “It’s not something you’ll start out as.” Producers play a supervi-sor role and oversee much of the logistical and marketing aspects of a game (much like in film), and work closely with management. That’s not to say game producers have no technical know-how. “Usu-ally they’ve come up from a development role, so they’ve been in the trenches,” says Santamaria. “I wouldn’t ex-pect a producer to crack open some code and start writ-ing something, but certainly when your development team is saying they can’t do something, you should have an idea why.”

Another senior level posi-tion. These folks are more conceptual and less tech-nical. As a designer you’ll conceive of the content of the game, layout, and even its overall theme. “[Game] Designers are typically very difficult to categorize,” says Hyder, explaining how some might have PhDs in philoso-phy, while others might be writers. “They come from all over.” A game designer may not necessarily deal with any of the programming, but typically knows scripting language and would work closely with the program-ming team among others.

Perhaps the most multi-fac-eted aspect of game develop-ment. In the gaming industry, programmers write the code for game engines, which can be tweaked here and there to determine how the finished product would look and feel.. Programmers also code for the base functions of charac-ters, game play, even sound. They’re essentially the tool and die makers in this in-dustry, but work closely with many other personnel on the development team.

It’s a fairly comprehensive role in that they deal with au-dio mixing, music and sound tracks, and sound effects. “Making realistic sounding dialogue is very difficult,” says Hyder, explaining the play-by-play in sports games such as Madden and NBA Live. Sound design requires considerable technical proficiency to suc-cessfully compile all the raw sound data into a cohesive “package” that would weave seamlessly during game play.

Before official release, games are tested for quality assur-ance, ranging from compli-ance to corporate guidelines, compatibility, bugs, and oth-er issues. “Essentially your responsibilities are to verify the integrity of the game it-self and verify that it meets the criteria that’s necessary for it to get published,” says Santamaria. Gamers might be familiar with beta testing, which is when a developer allows external users, mostly volunteers, to test the prod-uct and relay feedback to the development team. This method reveals bugs the programmers may have missed, but also gives game enthusiasts a chance to get a taste of the industry.

Employers such as EA and Artech Studios are looking for students who have

a technical background in scripting, art, programming, and communication

skills. But as always, having that hands-on experience outside of your studies

would really make you stand out.

28 april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

school teacher Mr.Davis always said, ‘arm yourself with knowledge

and utilize it to the max’,” he recalls. “The more experience you

have and knowledge you develop, the more an individual stands

out from the next candidate.”

It’s true that some people work their way up from the ground-floor,

but sometimes there are other ways to prove yourself. While attend-

ing Humber College of Business, Khangura heard from his classmate

Meetul Shah about the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) program.

As a non-profit initiative of Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship

(ACE), the program aims to help students become adept at business

through the development of projects that better their communities.

“At the time, I was working for myself, doing video production and

providing DJ services for various private events,” says Khangura. His

classmate’s passion about starting a SIFE group on-campus inspired

him. “Being an entrepreneur at heart, I spoke with Meetul and of-

fered my services to assist with the start up at no cost.”

As he became more familiar with the program, he assumed more

of a hands-on role in the campus group and opportunities arose

from there. Through SIFE, Khangura was offered a summer intern-

ship at Walmart that carried on as a part-time job while in school,

doing special projects for the company. He has now accepted a full-

time position as an Assistant Store Manager when he graduates.

“The ACE initiative had helped generate an interest from employers

in recruiting a SIFE student,” he explains. “I wouldn’t have had the

opportunity to meet with employers at that particular time in my

education without the program.”

Once you’ve got your foot in the door, it’s important to maintain

the upward momentum. “It can be hard to get noticed,” says Diotte.

“Offering to take on anything that helps the team achieve com-

mon goals and making yourself the ‘go-to’ person definitely helps.”

When things go wrong at work, opportunities can arise. “Some peo-

ple are lucky in that they find themselves in a situation that can

make them shine,” says Laurent Lapierre, an associate professor at

the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. “A crisis

can provide a chance to show commitment to the firm, but it can also be risky,” he warns.

“It can reveal a person’s lack of managerial potential.”

Another way to advance is to keep communication open. “If there’s no formal performance

feedback provided, ask your boss to help you identify areas for growth,” offers Diotte. “That

way you’ll know your boss is paying closer attention to your performance and you’ll under-

stand how you can develop to meet your goals.” It might seem obvious to you, but it doesn’t

hurt to let others know of your ambition. “The first step is letting your employer know

you’re interested in moving up,” says Khangura. “Once a manager is aware of an associ-

ate’s development plan, they’ll do their part in developing an individual to the level where

they can perform that particular job’s duties.” Checking your attitude and pre-conceptions

at the door is advisable. “Avoid assumptions that you won’t have a good relationship with

your boss,” says Lapierre. “Carefully determine what your boss expects from you. Put simply,

they will invest more time in helping you progress if they view you as having the talent and

commitment to help achieve managerial objectives.”

It’s also important not to burn out on the way to the top. “Good friends have pulled me aside

from the beginning and, even if it was only half an hour or so, we would hang out at a coffee

shop,” says Khangura. “My family also stresses the importance of home-time. Those are the

key ingredients in achieving a balance.”

Imag

e: G

oods

hoot

RF/

Thin

ksto

ck

by Kevin Nelson

Those of us who’ve done time at a retail store know there’s

more to keeping it running smoothly than stocking prod-

ucts and jockeying a register. It’s a fine mix of customer ser-

vice and business savvy. If you’ve got the drive and know-

how, but feel like it’s a long ways from working the retail

floor to sitting in that cushy office chair, don’t despair. It’s

not impossible to climb that ladder — you’ve just got to

know where you’re grabbing.

While some of the more menial tasks associated with retail

might appear pointless, putting your time in at the bottom

doesn’t have to be fruitless. “Sometimes gaining experience

in various departments can help you gain a better under-

standing of how a business works at a macro-level,” says

Monique Diotte, career advisor at the University of Wind-

sor’s Odette School of Business. “It can make you a more

effective manager with a more long-term perspective in

your approach.” As an entrepreneur and a business student,

Sunny Khangura has learned this lesson well. “Like my high

climbiNg the re-tail ladder caN be tricky, but you caN’t beat the view From the top.

industryinsiders

ONE rung AT A TIME

29jobpostings.ca | april 2011

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prepare is through diligent work at the undergrad level,” Sandys advises. “Students should develop skills in critical analysis and reflective practice, and good, clear writing skills are a major asset. Also, experience working with diverse populations is a must — the more, the better.”

A master’s degree can be a valuable asset for recent graduates and experienced social workers alike. “It enhances one’s employability in the short run,” says Sandys, “and increases the likelihood of moving into supervisory roles in the future.” Of course, the deci-sion to pursue further education should always be subject to a person’s view of the big picture. “I think it’s important to have a clear understanding of what social work is, and why a student is choosing social work as a career, as opposed to law, sociology or an-other related field,” says Litvack. A person’s academic and practical background should also factor into the decision. “Consider whether you’ve had a solid enough experiential background to get the benefit from advanced study,” cautions Sandys. “Students need to have a solid understanding of the societal factors that lead to the marginalization of certain groups within society, and be deeply committed to issues of social justice and equity.” This commitment is important, as the stakes are high and the road is long. “I would urge prospective students to consider whether they’re up to the difficult but rewarding task of working to promote change,” continues Sandys, “even it requires years of dedicated effort.”

As the backbone of the Canadian social infrastructure, social workers are on the front lines, offering key services to peo-ple at risk. It can be a demanding line of work, and preparing to face the challeng-es that arise on the

job takes a lot of mental and emotional stamina. University degrees in social work give a student the necessary skills, and the theoretical and practical background necessary to grapple with real-world problems. But knowing how far to pursue educa-tion to achieve one’s career goals can be a dilemma in itself. If ‘Master’s or Bachelor’s?’ is a burning question in your mind when considering your ca-reer in social work, read on!

It’s important to note that policies and programs dif-fer from school to school in Canada, or even in On-tario alone. “At Ryerson, we offer a one year Master’s program to those who’ve completed a Bachelor’s in Social Work,” says Judith Sandys, interim director of the School of Social Work at the university. When screening applicants for the program, there are some important factors that come into play. “We look for students who have demonstrated a high academic achievement in the Bachelor’s program,” she continues. “Also, ideally, people with substantial social work experience.” At some universities, how-

ever, it’s not necessary to have a Bachelor’s in Social Work to enter the master’s program. “A lot of people come from psychology, political science or women’s studies backgrounds, or even other professions, such as law, nursing or teaching,” observes Andrea Litvack, director of the Master’s of Social Work pro-gram at the University of Toronto. “The first year of our two year master’s program is generic, introduc-ing students to various subjects that are important. By the end of the first year, however, the playing field is pretty level. Those with a Bachelor’s in Social Work enter the second year of the program.”

One of the differences between obtaining a master’s and a bachelor’s in social work is the question of fo-cus. “The bachelor’s is a generalist degree that pre-pares students to work in a variety of settings, while the master’s is characterized by particular areas of specialization,” says Sandys. “The master’s curricu-lum includes theories, policies and practices relevant to a student’s major area of social work practice.” This is also the case at the University of Toronto. “Our master’s offers a specialized understanding of social work,” explains Litvack. “For example, if you choose to pursue a specialization in mental health, you’ll have a much better grasp of issues, work and research in that area.” It’s not all theory, however, as Social Work is one of the more applied areas of the social scienc-es. “At Ryerson, our master’s program includes 450 hours of field experience,” confirms Sandys.

As far as preparing to undertake a master’s, there are some important things to keep in mind. “It’s an intellectually demanding degree, so the best way to

If you’re in the right place, one idea – your idea – can have a profound impact in far-reaching and unexpected places.

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32 april 2011 | jobpostings.ca

with Ross Harrhy

jOblife

Often, it’s the time you put in during the first few months that count the most: you’re learning the basics of your new job, the type of working envi-ronment that you are in, and proving that you should stay past the probation period.

Show up early, and stay late.This is crucial for making a good impression; it shows that you want to be there getting your work done. You may not be able to do it all the time, but I think you should never let your boss be in the office before you, and if you can help it, you should rarely leave before he or she does. When your boss walks in and sees you sitting at your desk already knee deep in the day’s projects, they are bound to no-tice. When they sign off for the night and you are just finishing up another project, they will know that you are serious about what you do. Of course, you shouldn’t be staying late because you’ve been dawdling all day on your regular tasks, but this is a great time to go the extra mile. Try it, you’ll be surprised how many of your colleagues don’t use this simple practice to their advantage.

Showing up is half the battle

Go home sick, after you’ve shown up for work. I don’t know about you, but I always feel guilty when I get sick, and worry that people think I’m playing hooky. Not to mention, sometimes you may feel sick first thing in the morning and then feel fine a few hours later. So, unless I’m vomiting all over myself and other horrible things which make it impossible to even get to work, I head out as usual and see how I feel once I’m in the of-fice. Now I know what you’re thinking: “Then I’m spreading my bug to all of my colleagues!” I’m not condoning going to work in dire straits — I’m just saying if you’re feeling a little under the weather, it’s better that you head in and tell your boss. They can see that you look a little pale and groggy, compared to if you call and fake a cough because you’re unsure if they will believe you or not. Then you’ve earned your sick day in my books.

Show up for EVERYTHING. When I started my current position, I was show-ing up early, leaving late, sweating streams at my desk as I pumped through project after project and tried to overcome what I didn’t know and make better what I did. If I was invited into a meeting or presentation I made sure I was there, and if I need-ed to make up the time afterwards at my desk, I did. Then the annual dinner came up where all of our customers attended as well as staff. It was a big to-do where relationships could be grown from formal meetings into casual conversations and friendships. And I got sick. Now, I know what I said a minute ago, but at the time everybody was scared of Swine Flu and so nobody wanted me around them, let alone eating dinner and drink-ing wine with them. I can understand that — but the missed opportunity came up all the time at meetings only letting up once I was able to attend the following year. So for an entire year I was null on conversations about the dinner, how good it was, funny things that happened, and of course everybody seemed to forget I was sick; in fact, I felt people just thought I didn’t show up because

I must not have felt like it (free fancy dinner and bottomless glasses of wine! Are you

nuts?). It just took that much longer to build and work on my relation-ships both within the company

and out. So I’m telling you, you have to work hard, but show-ing up is half the battle.

Imag

e: D

igita

l Vis

ion/

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If my dad taught me one thing over the years, it’s always been that you have to work hard for success. When I was a kid it seemed like my dad was always working — he made time for us kids, no worries there, we just went to work with or for him — but he was ALWAYS working. He would get calls late at night that would drag him out to a work site and he wouldn’t return until early the next morning, crash on the couch fully dressed, and wake up again a couple hours later to shower, change, and head back out. He still does that now, even though he’s getting older and the kids have all (but one) moved out. He’s still out and moving, now in charge of the company he’s helped build to what it is today. He’s smart, he’s got the skills, but the biggest reason I think he’s found success in his own way is the fact that he shows up! He always shows up.

I’ve taken this to heart with each and every job or position I’ve taken. For me, it’s imperative that if you want the job, and you want the people who count to see you mean it, you show up, you stay late, you do whatever it takes to get the job done.

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what do you to bewant

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