jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    1/36 | november/december 2011 |

    +

    tips for

    safe travels

    Women on the wire // explore endless career opportunities in telecom

    Global perspectives // consider a masters in development studies&

    go yourown way

    ThewoMenS

    iSSue

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    2/36

    BUSINESSDEGREES

    business.humber.ca

    4-YEAR DEGREES THATARE BUILT FOR BUSINESS.

    Accounting

    e-Business Marketing

    Fashion Management

    Human Resources ManagementInternational Business

    International Development

    Tourism Management

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    3/36

    YOU KNOW

    WHO YOU

    ARE

    You have the confidence and skills to be your

    own boss. Next Summer, make your own rules.

    Employ yourself and others. We have been

    developing leaders and entrepreneurs for 40

    years. Find out more take our entrepreneurial

    test at assessmentquiz.collegepro.com

    Now interviewing for limited internships and manager positions.

    For more info call 1-877-900-5627 ext.221 or email [email protected]

    Only1%ofthestu

    dent

    populationhasthe

    ability

    tobeentrepreneu

    rial.

    collegepro.com

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    4/36

    2 november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    1 College Pro9 The Home Depot15 CBC Radio-Canada22 Magna Electric

    Corporation22 Federated Co-operative22 NAV CANADA26 The Source29 CGI

    whoshiring

    stuff tobuy

    yay!more school

    Hey. Did you know that thesecompanies have lots of entrylevel positions? Visit theirwebsites to see a full list ofpositions available.

    IFC Humber, The BusinessSchool (Undergrad)

    3 Humber, TheBusiness School: EventManagement

    5 Humber, The BusinessSchool: Global Business

    29 Georgian College,Canadian AutomotiveInstitute

    30 Humber, School ofMedia Studies andInformation Technology

    30 Centennial College31 Brock University31 Niagara College31 Queens University31 Ross University31 Schulich School of

    Medicine and Dentistry31 Sheridan College

    IBC Humber, The BusinessSchool

    OBC Algonquin College

    7 Rogers Wireless12 Excel25 Brisk

    Success Story Do you know what a culvertis? No? Neither did we. CN's Chelsea McLeod

    explains. Brought to you by Rogers Wireless.

    Career CupidWhen it comes to careers,choosing one is a lot like picking a flavour of

    ice cream.

    Interview SmartsCanon Canada's Ma-rina Lichtenberg tackles a question that's sure

    to come up in your next interview.

    Start Up Learn how one young entrepreneuris taking her fashions to a global playing field.

    Soft Skills What exactly does "businesscasual" mean? Plus tips on how to carry your-

    self at work.

    Edu-ma-cation Gain a global perspectivewith a Master's in Development Studies.

    JobLife Life doesn't always allow for red car-pet ease. Here are some tips to help you work

    the room at any event.

    6

    8

    10

    13

    14

    30

    32

    17

    GO YOURWN WAYIf you're a student or recent grad thinking of embarking on an international sojourn,you're not alone. Many people are opting for work and volunteer experience over-

    seas, before settling down with a career. However, the journey may not always be

    easy when you throw in external expectations. One writer shares her story with us.

    who else?11 Wood Manufacturing

    Council16 ACE Canada21 Insurance Institute

    of Canada26 The Canadian Tourism

    Human Resource Council

    Trading UpMore and more organizations are sprouting up

    across Canada to support women in trades.

    The Changing Demographic Of The

    Insurance IndustryDid you know women make up 61 percent of the

    insurance industry?

    Women On The WireThe options for careers are endless in the

    telecom and digital media industry.

    Connecting To Careers In TechnologyYou don't always need a degree in computer

    science to establish a career in technology.

    industryinsiders

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    5/36

    business.humber.ca

    EVENTMANAGEMENTPOSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

    From trade shows to cultural festivals;

    from sporting events to fashion shows;from conferences and meetings to weddings:

    this program offers the unique skills you

    need to launch your career as an:

    Event Coordinator

    Marketing Assistant

    Special Events Organizer

    Promotion Coordinator

    Account Representative

    Trade Show Planner

    Conference Coordinator

    Corporate Meeting Planner

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    6/36

    november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    pg. 23 pg. 30

    When I was asked to step in as acting editor for November's

    issue of jobpostings magazine, I was a bit nervous. Although

    I began my career as a print journalist, my most recent expe-

    riences have, for the most part, been online. But when the

    team decided to make November our first 'Women's Issue,'

    I found myself unable to turn away. I became excited at the

    potential of what we could deliver.

    Editing this magazine has been nothing short of inspiring.

    From highlighting the role of women in various industries

    such as trades, telecom and technology, to reading about the

    up shift of women in leadership positions within the insur-

    ance industry, I was left with a constant sense of awe. We've

    come a long way, baby!

    However, none of the luxuries we have today would have

    been possible without the work done by women before us.

    The pioneering women who broke the moulds, and gave us

    the freedom of choice and possibility.

    As Career Cupid reminds us, literally a generation and a half ago,

    women were given the option of secretary, nurse or teacher as

    career choices. Now, the opportunities are endless. Women can

    choose to work in fields that run the gamut, from aerospace en-

    gineering, to publishing, to everything in between. Ladies, its

    truly a great time for us, so please make the best of it.

    Our cover story resonated with me on a personal level. In fact,

    it felt as though the author was telling you a bit of my story.

    I took off for a year after school as well, to teach in South Ko-

    rea. And I spent time (and funds) travelling to neighbouring

    countries. It was difficult getting on the plane that would

    eventually take me across the planet, but looking back now,

    I wouldnt have done it any other way.

    I believe Go Your Own Wayis a story that will speak to a lot

    of new graduates and not just to women. More and more

    students are choosing to expand their learning by pursuing

    volunteer and work opportunities overseas. I think this is

    fantastic! And I encourage you, if at all possible, to take some

    time to experience life as a global citizen; its incomparable to

    anything youll ever learn inside a classroom.

    Be open to new experiences and expand your horizons to em-

    brace endless possibilities. You have one shot at your life, so

    live it the way you want.

    Go your own way.

    publisherNathan Laurie

    [email protected]

    associatepublisherMark Laurie

    [email protected]

    acting editorSimone Castello

    [email protected]

    art directorSonya van Heyningen

    [email protected]

    contributorsKatie Edmonds, Christine

    Fader, Ross Harrhy, Alima

    Hotakie, Marina L ichtenberg,

    Emily Minthorn, AllisonMitchell, Kevin Nelson,

    Emma Woolley

    assistant salesmanagerSarah-Lyn Amaral

    nationalaccountmanagerMary Vanderpas

    sales internShannon Tracey

    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.

    I'm due for a vacation. You?

    on the cover:

    iStockphoto.com/

    Vladimir Maravic

    ditorsNOTE

    INTH

    IS

    ISSUE

    IN THIS PHOTO: SIMONE CASTELLO AT THE ANNUALHAMPYEONG BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL IN SOUTH KOREA.

    pg. 8 pg. 32If youre into flipping houses,you should read this story.

    Problem solving skills: globalcitizen style!

    Say goodbye to your days asa wallflower.

    Youll never look at ice creamflavours the same way again.

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    7/36

    business.humber.ca

    GLOBALBUSINESSMANAGEMENTPOSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

    From marketing to finance;

    from advertising to international trade;

    this program offers the unique skills you

    need to launch your career in:

    Marketing

    Finance

    Advertising

    International Trade

    Retail

    Wholesale

    Supply Chain Management

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    8/36

    6 rogers.com/careers/campuslife

    WHAT DREW YOU TO YOURCURRENT FIELD?

    My dad was an engineer as well, and when I

    was growing up, we would drive around the

    neighbourhood and hed point out the bridges,

    buildings and various structures he had worked

    on. Also, in school, I had always been interested

    in math and science. I just had a knack for it. I

    think both those things had a lasting impact on

    me and helped shape my career choices.

    TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR

    RESPONSIBILITIES:As a member of the Bridges and Structures

    team, I am currently responsible for organiz-

    ing and facilitating culvert inspections all over

    Eastern Canada. Simply put, a culvert is a pipe

    located under the track, perpendicular to it. Its

    purpose is to drain water under the track, to

    prevent it from washing out the track.

    Im in charge or coordinating when sections of

    track need assessing, and then I communicate

    with my team of inspectors to dispatch them to

    the required locations. My job takes me on field

    trips all over Eastern Canada, to see firsthand

    what my teammates are up to. This way, Imable to learn from them. Once the job is com-

    pleted, I review the inspection reports to make

    sure all the work was done according to policy.

    WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGINGASPECT OF YOUR POSITION?

    I think its the same for many people undertak-

    ing new jobs or careers; theres just a lot to take

    in. Engineering is a specialized line of work, with

    a language, a dynamic, and processes of its own.

    The transition between learning at school, in a

    more predictable and controlled environment,

    and applying that knowledge to real-life situa-

    tions can be as challenging as it is stimulating.

    WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDINGPART OF YOUR JOB?

    How much there is to learn. I gain on-the-job

    experience every single day to help keep me

    moving forward. Of course, this wouldnt be

    possible without the help of the people I work

    with. Some of my colleagues have been work-

    ing at CN for over 30 years. They have a lot toteach and they do so gladly. It is so inspiring to

    see people like them still enthusiastic about

    what they do, and it makes me want to learn

    even more about the different skills and oppor-

    tunities in my field.

    WHAT SKILLS HAVE YOULEARNED THROUGH YOUR WORKEXPERIENCE?

    For starters, I learned what a culvert actually is

    and how to inspect it! In order to do that suc-

    cessfully, you must also be able to apply math-

    ematical calculations specific to the job. Work-

    ing at CN has taught me a lot about time andpriority management too.

    WHAT DO YOU THINK IT TAKES TOBE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CAREER?

    I believe that to be a successful engineer, you

    have to be someone who likes to get the job

    done. You also have to be willing to work hard

    LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT:16 MONTHS

    DEGREE:MATERIALS ENGINEERING PROGRAM, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA.

    Sponsored by

    successstories

    Chelsea McLeodEngineer Assistant @ CN

    Some of my colleagues have been working at CN for over

    30 years. They have a lot to teach and they do so gladly.

    and to accept input from your coworkers. And

    as much as engineering requires precise and

    calculated work, you must show some flexibility

    as well, and learn to roll with the punches when

    something doesnt happen exactly as planned.

    WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE CAREERASPIRATIONS?

    To be honest, Im not quite sure about that yet. I

    really enjoy where I am and what Im doing right

    now. Ive been working as an engineer for less

    than two years, so Ive yet to master all the ele-

    ments of my job. For the moment, Im concentrat-

    ing on obtaining my professional status (similar

    to how residents must undergo on-the-job train-

    ing before they can become doctors, I must work

    alongside an experienced engineer for 4 years in

    order to obtain my own professional status).

    While Im very much open to future possibilities,

    Im still undecided as to which direction I would

    like to take my career in. There are countless op-

    portunities within engineering at CN, and Im

    only starting to learn about some of them.

    WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FORSTUDENTS LOOKING TO LANDTHEIR FIRST JOB?

    Talk to people, put yourself out there and build

    your network. Forge relationships with people

    in your field of interest, and they may be able

    to help your career advancement. In addition,

    be mindful of applying for jobs that actually

    match your skill set; submitting your resume

    for positions you are clearly over or under-qual-

    ified for can lead to disappointment.

    Read the full interview on our website at

    jobpostings.ca/rogers-success-story-chelsea-mcleod

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    9/36

    ONLY AT

    CALL 1 888 ROGERS1CLICK Rogers.com/tabletgiftVISIT Your local Rogers Retail store

    Sign up any 2 of the hottest new smartphones to a Rogers Family Planand get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1TM on us.

    SAMSUNG

    GALAXYTAB 10.1

    TM

    SamsungGalaxy S II LTETM

    MOTOROLA

    RAZRTM

    Offer only available from Rogers or Rogers Authorized Dealer locations until the earlier of December 31, 2011 or while quantities last to customers who activate two new lines (hardware upgrade

    excluded) on a Rogers Couples and Family Voice & Data Plan with a 3-yr. term and complete the online submission form at rogerspromotions.com/tabletoffer/ within 30 days of activation. Allow 3weeks from online submission for delivery. Early cancellation fees apply. Offer subject to change without notice, not redeemable for cash and may not be combined with any other offer. Limit one tableper account. Customers who select expedited tablet delivery and cancel their service within 15 days of activation in accordance with their Rogers Wireless Service Agreement, renderithem ineligible for the $0 tablet, must return it in original condition or will be charged $679.99 (plus applicable taxes). See rogers.com/tabletgift for full terms and conditions. 20

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    10/36

    AREERUPID

    meant for women, but

    the vast majority chose

    from those three flavours

    of career: secretary, nurse

    or teacher. And, whether

    or not those women ulti-

    mately found their work

    satisfying, the reality at

    the time was that the idea

    of approaching a career

    through the lenses of

    choice and happiness was

    still a long way off.

    Thankfully, many young

    women (and men) today

    have been brought up with

    the idea that they can do

    anything they want. They

    are lucky to be able to con-

    sider secretary, nurse or

    teacher as career options,

    but also to think aboutthe many other incred-

    ibly diverse jobs available,

    including firefighter, ortho-

    pedic surgeon, chemical

    engineer, chef, genetics

    counsellor, public relations

    specialist, welder, mother,

    and make-up artist just

    to name a few. Just like ice

    cream, careers have come

    a long way.

    But perhaps, like me, you

    have been to modern-day

    ice cream stores that have

    many, many flavours to

    choose from. Faced with

    such a bewildering array

    of choices, I often hesitate,

    debating my choice anddoubting myself. Is choco-

    late really what I want?

    Am I making the right

    decision? Am I missing out

    on something better?

    Sometimes, I long for the

    simple days of vanilla,

    chocolate and strawberry.

    That decision, while lim-

    ited, felt easier for me to

    Vanilla, chocolate or straw-

    berry ice creamwhich

    would you like?

    Im a chocolate girl all

    the way but, as much as

    I like chocolate, its weird

    to think that if you were

    starting your adult life a

    generation and a half ago,these were pretty much

    your only ice cream fla-

    vour options. Peanut butter

    cup or toasted marshmal-

    low flavours were still a

    long way from entering

    the mainstream ice cream

    chains or grocery stores.

    Its even stranger to realize

    that if you were a young

    woman buying one of these

    three flavours, your career

    choices, at the time, were

    equally limited: secretary,

    nurse or teacherwhich

    would you like to be?

    Of course, there were some

    pioneering women who

    ventured into fields not

    A TRIPLE SCOOP OFCAREER GOODNESS!

    by Christine Fader

    make because there were

    a finite number of options.

    I could easily prioritize my

    path: Id choose chocolate

    first and if they were out of

    that, then vanilla and only

    as a last resort, strawberry.

    Dont get me wrong, I

    am grateful that theresmore than just chocolate

    now in ice cream and in

    careers. I feel blessed to be

    able to enjoy all the variety

    and options, but choosing

    a career path from the lit-

    erally thousands of known

    and as yet unknown

    possibilities can be very

    daunting for some.

    Whether you think you

    know exactly what career

    you want or you are trying

    to figure it out, there are

    lessons from ice cream

    that can help:

    Find your chocolate.Even if you know exactly

    what you want to do (and

    especially if you dont),

    being able to articulate

    a theme(s) or keywords

    about stuff that fascinates

    you is a valuable ingredi-

    ent to help begin bulding a

    career flavour youll like.

    Cant figure it out? Seek

    help from friends, parents,

    teachers and career

    practitioners. And, dont be

    afraid to try things out!

    Be open to caramel swirl.

    Chocolate is not just a

    flavour or career option

    unto itself, but is also a key

    ingredient in many other

    flavours/careers. Once

    you know that chocolate

    is something you like, you

    can explore variations on

    that theme in flavours

    or, in the case of careers,

    job titles such as rocky

    road, mocha almond

    fudge, caramel swirl,

    chocolate ripple, etc, etc.

    Try some raspberrycrunch.Its probably not realistic

    to assume that every icecream store (or career) will

    have chocolate ALL the

    time. And, you limit your

    opportunities for growth

    and exploration if you stub-

    bornly refuse to consider

    anything BUT chocolate

    on your journey. There are

    times when youll need to

    or have the opportunity to

    go in a completely different

    direction. Instead of fixating

    on the lack of chocolate,

    why not embrace the

    chance to try something

    new and different, like rasp-

    berry crunch? You might

    find a whole new area of ice

    cream and career that

    opens up to you.

    Introducing bacon icecream.

    Believe it or not, the careeroptions visible to you

    today will be different very

    soon. Jobs we cant even

    conceive of yet are being

    created at this very min-

    ute, and, just like bacon ice

    cream, they might seem

    strange and far-fetched

    right now. Starting with

    chocolate and variations

    of that will help you seize

    opportunities as they ap-

    pear down the road.

    So, whatll it be for you: sec-

    retary, nurse, teacher, or one

    of the many other options

    available to lucky students

    today? Grab a metaphorical

    spoon and give some work

    a try. Youll be amazed at

    what unexpected flavours

    you find.

    CHRISTINE FADER WORKS AS A CAREER COUNSELLOR AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY AND IS THE AUTHOR OF CAREERCUPID: YOUR GUIDE TO LANDING AND LOVING YOUR DREAM JOB. VISIT HER WEBSITE AT CAREERCUPID.COM

    november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    11/36

    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 Canadas top

    100 employers, is currently hiring. You bring the desire to put customers first and

    well offer competitive rewards including company paid health & dental plans, 70+

    benefits, tuition reimbursement & much more.

    If you dont know which paint dries faster,

    but you like helping people...

    Apply online at homedepotjobs.ca/2152

    We are committed to diversity as an equal opportunity employer.

    Oh,bytheway,thepaintthatdriesfasteristhelatexpaint.See,youvealreadylearnedsomething.

    then we want to talk to you.

    Many positions available including:

    Cashiers SalesAssociates Department Supervisors Overnight Packdown Associates

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    12/36

    november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    So you screwed up in the interview, huh? They

    asked the ol Whats 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 wholl 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. Its a

    cheatsheet for interviews. Good luck!

    *interviewSMARTS

    with Marina Lichtenberg

    Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist

    @Canon Canada Inc.

    Whether Im interviewing someone who has years of work experience, or is a recent

    graduate, this question provides significant insight into what they consider to be

    important and why. The answer can be related to their work; a school project; something

    they did as a volunteer, or an extra-curricular activity. It also provides information on what

    they accomplished during the project. When answering, be prepared to address follow-up

    questions, such as the ones listed below:

    What was your contribution/project?

    What was its significance; what were the outcomes?

    Why do you consider it to be your most significant contribution?

    Did you lead the project or were you a part of a team?If you were a team member, what role did you play?

    How did you influence the project?

    How was success measured?

    What obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

    What deadlines were set and did you meet them?

    Knowing your successes and why you were successful is critical in addressing these types

    of questions. In preparing for any interview you should always write down some of your

    key accomplishments and what you would like any prospective employer to know about

    them. You may even want to role-play the interview with someone from your career

    centre or another trusted advisor. Remember, for most us, selling ourselves (interviewing)

    is not natural, so practice, and more practice will lead to success and possibly, land you the

    career you want.

    Find more intervew Q&A online at jobpostings.ca/interview_smarts

    *

    }

    WHAT WAS YOURMOST SIGNIFICANTCONTRIBUTION TOYOUR LAST PLACEOF EMPLOYMENTOR SCHOOL?

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    13/36

    WERC In Advanced

    Wood Manufacturing

    130 Albe rt Stree t, suite 1016

    Otta wa , ON K1P 5G4

    T613-567-5511 F 613-567-5411

    www.wmc-cfb.ca

    Wood Employee Readiness Curriculum

    Funded by the

    Government of Canada s

    Sec tor Counc il Program

    The WMC WERC Skills Deve lop ment p rog ram

    is designed to p rep a re ind ividua ls for entry-

    level oc cup ations in ad vanced wood ma nu-

    facturing and recruits specically from groups

    including First Nations, Inuit and Mtis, new

    imm igrants and pe rsons with d isab ilities.

    Par t ic ip ants o f the prog ram a re

    prov id ed w i th sk i l ls upg rad ing in the

    fo l low ing a reas

    Job Readiness

    Essential and Life Skills

    Introduction to Basic Wood Manufacturing

    Safety Training, Job Shadowing

    and Job Placement

    Successful ca nd ida tes of the m inimum 8wee k p rog ram will be b etter ab le to seek

    long term c areer opp ortunities in ca binet

    ma king, furniture, ma nufac tured housing

    and other advanc ed woo d secto rs ac ross

    Canada.

    I f you a re in te res ted in pa r t ic ipa t ing

    in the WERC p rogram in yo ur a rea or

    a m anu fac tu re r look ing fo r new en t ry

    leve l wo od wo rkers, p lea se v isi t

    w w w .w m c - c fb . c a o r c o n ta c t :

    Wood Manufac turing Co uncil

    1016 -130 Alb ert Street

    Otta wa , ON, Cana da K1P 5G4

    Tel: 613-567-5511 * Fax: 613-567-5411

    Webs i te : www.wmc-c fb .ca

    ENTRY- LEVEL CA REERS FOR FIRST NA TIONS, METIS, INUIT, PERSONSWITH DISABILITIES AND NEW IMMIGRANTS

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    14/36

    ZAP AWAY BAD BREATH

    L IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE WM. WRIGLEY JR. CO., OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES.

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    15/36

    13jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    startuparyanne

    ATHIAS

    After winning the title of ACE 2010 Student Entre-

    preneur, British Columbia Champion, youve had

    some practice presenting your business plan to

    critics. What advice would you give current stu-

    dents doing the same thing?

    Preparation is key. I cant say this enough; be pre-

    pared. Try to predict the questions you might be

    asked. If you are doing a PowerPoint presentation,

    have some extra slides at the end that will answer

    the questions you think might be asked.

    What is the culture like for young, female entrepre-

    neurs in Canada?

    Fortunately, I have never had any issues being a

    young woman in business. In Canada, we have a

    lot of support from people who want us to suc-

    What inspired you to start your own business?

    I had done Fashion Design at school in Montreal

    and then took some time off to travel around the

    world. I started out doing a capsule collection in

    Ghana and seeing the rich textile industry made

    me want to learn more. I wanted to participate

    in something more exploratory, encompassing

    and interesting, and so my friend (Molly Keogh)

    became my business partner and we got started.

    What was the biggest challenge you faced when

    getting your business off the ground?

    For me, it was giving up artistic control when I

    started working in a partnership instead of on

    my own. I had been used to designing clothes by

    myself and working with another person is always

    a challenge. Nowadays, our challenge is capacity.

    We are getting more and more orders and we have

    had to change the way we operate a bit to keep up

    with the demand.

    You started the business and then went back to do

    your MBA. Why do it in that order?

    Well my degree was in Fashion Design, and after

    four years of running my own business it was clear

    that I needed more skills that my prior education

    just didnt provide. So I went back to school and

    Molly really stepped up in terms of production and

    kept the business going.

    What surprised you most about starting a business?

    I think I didnt really know the risks associated with

    starting my own business, and I didnt know how

    hard it would be. During my MBA, I learned a lot

    about how to strategize and make better finan-

    cial plans for the company. We had zero expecta-

    tions going into the process and we didnt think

    anything would be all that difficult. If I had done

    my MBA first, I might not have gone through with

    starting the company, so maybe its just as well

    that I went in the order I did.

    The 411 on Osei-DuroOsei-Duro is dedicated to

    creating socially responsible

    and sustainable clothing tha

    encourages international and

    intercultural cooperation. I

    provides employment opportu

    nities and job training to West

    African women who would

    otherwise be underemployed

    oseiduro.com

    Interviewed by Katie Edmonds

    ceed. In Ghana, its a bit of a different story and I

    think businessmen have a hard time taking us seri-

    ously because they usually work with other men.

    Whenever I am in Canada, I am amazed and grate-

    ful at how smoothly things run for us.

    What advice would you give to another student

    entrepreneur?

    People always say you should work for a company

    and then start your own, which I agree with on

    one hand. But I also think that if you have a great

    idea, its worthwhile to take a look at the business

    and see if it will work. Try it on a small scale before

    you go bigger. And if you believe in it, dont listen

    to others if they dont. Stick to your guns.

    FULL-TIME MBA STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISHCOLUMBIA, AND OWNER OF HER OWN CLOTHING LINE, OSEI-DURO.ACE 2010 STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR, BRITISH COLUMBIA CHAMPION.

    Z

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    16/36

    softskills//by Allison Mitchell

    Do you know who your work self is? Relax! I am not suggest-

    ing that you need to pull a Clark Kent/Superman switch-a-

    roo on your way to work to become your work self, but rather

    that there should be a distinction between the hang-out-

    with-your-friends you and the work you. Your work self is

    simply a polished version of the authentic you, with profes-

    sionalism as the polish that makes you shine.

    Trying to fit into any work environment has become increas-

    ingly difficult over the past few years because they range

    from formal to casual. When starting a new job, you need to

    assess the work environment and figure out what is appropri-

    ate in terms of dress code and employee conduct. Since it is

    expected that people will change jobs and companies several

    times over their career, the ability to assess a specific work en-

    vironment, and learning to adapt to it should be a well-honed

    skill in a job seekers toolbox.

    Dress code and employee conduct are good barometers

    of how a specific work environments function. Although a

    companys dress code policy can range from formal business

    attire to casual jeans and hoodies, you should ensure that

    you keep your level of professionalism high.

    It can be challenging for people in casual work environments

    to exude the same sense of work mode as those who wake

    up every morning and put on business attire. Something

    inherently shifts when people wear suits; they tend to carry

    themselves differently and act more professional. That is not

    to say that people who wear casual clothing to work are not

    professional; rather that some people have to work harder

    to carry that same level of professionalism with them when

    they go to work in jeans and a hoodie.

    WORKyour

    selfHOW DO YOU GAUGE DRESSCODES IN VARIOUS WORK

    ENVIRONMENTS? AND WHATEXACTLY DOES BUSINESSCASUAL MEAN?

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    17/36

    15jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    A CHALLENGE?

    DO YOU LOVE

    The Media Engineering group, part of the CBC Media

    Operations & Technology team, is responsible for

    planning, designing and implementing all of the CBCsTelevision, Radio and New Media production facilities

    across the country. These facilities include studios, control

    rooms, mobile production vehicles, and digital archives.

    We are seeking Engineering & Network System

    Designers to join our team.

    As a Systems Designer you would be part of a

    multi-functional project team to develop technical

    solutions and conceptual engineering design

    specifications that meet customer requirements for

    complex media broadcast and networking systems.

    Your role would involve designing, developing, testing,

    commissioning and project management of media

    broadcast system projects.

    Iris Singh, Senior Administration Manager,

    [email protected], 416-205-2370CONTACT

    Do you love to work behind thescenes with leading edge technology?

    A common piece of advice that job seekers are given is to dress more profes-

    sionally when they have a phone interview; even though the interviewer cant

    see what they are wearing, changing clothes may help a person convey a more

    professional tone than they might if they were wearing pajamas.

    CARRY & PRESENT YOURSELF WELLYes, even your walk can speak to your professionalism. Your walk at work

    shouldnt mimic your walk when you first wake up in the morning ...Possibly

    slow and sluggish?

    When youre sitting through a meeting, make sure your posture and facial ex-

    pressions convey that you are engaged and interested. Everyone has attended a

    boring meeting, but slouching in your chair and zoning out on the conversation

    is not the best way to handle this situation. If you have suggestions on how

    to improve the interest-factor of the meeting, then you can share those ideas

    with the meeting chair once its over. By zoning out, you run the risk of missing

    pertinent information or being caught not paying attention if youre called on

    to answer a question, and you have no idea what the discussion was about.

    COMMUNICATIONAlthough you may have friends at work, its important to remember that your

    business communication at work needs to be professional. The ways in which

    you communicate at work should not mimic the texts you send to friends.

    REACTIONSHow you react in a situation can say a lot about your professionalism. There

    will be difficult and stressful situations at work, so it is always important to

    take a step back and think about your response before actually responding. The

    old adage that cooler heads will prevail is true: it is difficult to think rationally

    when you are upset, so take time and react professionally.

    Discussions involving performance feedback, whether its a formal performance

    review or an informal discussion can be particularly difficult for some. Regard-

    less of the discussions formality level, you have to ensure that your response

    is professional (even if the feedback is delivered in an unprofessional manner).

    Crossing your arms and mentally shutting down when receiving constructive

    feedback or criticism does not convey professionalism; neither does getting

    defensive and angry. Listen to the feedback and try to understand where the

    other person is coming from. You will constantly be striving to improve your

    performance throughout your career, so its best to look at feedback as a gift

    because it will often guide you to become better at what you do.

    Remember: you need to be authentic, so if you dont agree with the feedback,

    then you should respond. And doing so in a professional and succinct manner

    will give you a better chance of being heard.

    Its a lot to think about, isnt it?

    Weve established that employ-

    ees need to remain true to who

    they are, while maintaining a lev-

    el of professionalism. There are a

    variety of different work environ-

    ments that people will experi-

    ence in their quest for success. A

    person needs to be a chameleon

    and adapt to whatever environ-

    ment they are in. Whether its

    formal or casual, if you ensure

    that you convey professionalism,

    you will be seen as a professional.

    If a companys dress code is

    business casual, then ask for

    clarification of what exactly

    that means. I have seen some

    business casual dress codes

    include jeans, and others that

    dont. Be sure that you under-

    stand what business casual

    means at your new place

    of employment.

    a cautionarynote on dresscode

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    18/36

    Are you looking to gain hands onexperience before leaving school?

    With SIFE, you will not only make a difference in your

    community, but you will also gain real world experience.

    Be on a dynamic team that competes in national and

    global competitions while launching the career youve

    always dreamt of.

    What are you waiting for?

    Your future starts now.

    Visit www.acecanada.ca today!

    SIFE is a program operated by ACE in Canada

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    19/36

    Image:iStockphoto/Thinkstock

    by Alima Hotakie

    GO YOUOWN WA

    WITH THE REPERCUSSIONSOF THE RECENT ECONOMIC

    DOWNTURN, MANY NEWGRADS ARE CHOOSING TO

    VENTURE OUT ON JOURNEYSOF SELF-DISCOVERY AND

    PERSONAL GROWTHBY TRAVELLING

    AND FINDING WORKABROAD. BUT WHAT

    EFFECT CAN TRAVEL

    HAVE ON A WOMAN?ESPECIALLY IFSHE CHOOSES

    TO EMBARK ONTHE ADVENTURE

    ALONE? ONEWRITER SHARES

    HER JOURNEYWITH US

    Visit jobpostings.ca/blogs for some awesome leads on work and volunteer opportunities abroad

    jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    20/36

    18 november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    the mounting pressure on recent gradu-

    ates, whether fresh out of high school or

    university, to immediately secure a ca-

    reer path is growing. The stress of know-

    ing your exact career can often lead to the wrongchoices. We succumb to pressure and end up mak-

    ing quick and regrettable decisions. Given that we

    live in a rushed society from fast food and fast

    results to quick thrills and quick decisions its

    not surprising that we apply these same speedy

    tactics when it comes to our career choices.

    If you feel hurried and confused about your career

    path, youre not alone. I too was confused about my

    future, and unsure about whether or not to con-

    tinue my education with a masters degree, or take

    a year off to travel. Be-

    sides a career to worry

    about, I still had many

    unrealized passions.

    I knew if I jumped

    straight into a career, I

    would live a life awash

    with regrets.

    Its easy to follow

    in the footsteps of

    others. Most of my

    friends were firm in

    their undertakings.

    They already knew

    that they wanted to

    continue with grad-

    uate school, law school or teachers college. Oth-

    ers were excited to enter the workforce and make

    money right away. And there were those who

    wanted to get married, buy a home and start

    a family. I was tempted to do the same. I eventhought there must have been something terribly

    wrong with me for not knowing what I wanted to

    do with my life. I thought uncertainty before uni-

    versity was typical for students, but not after.

    As expected, I came very close to applying for a mas-

    ters program to continue building on my undergrad-

    uate degree. I had even researched some schools and

    was about to get started on the application process,

    when I started having episodes of recurring doubt.

    Is this really what I wanted? Maybe I did, but not

    now. I needed a break and some time to think

    these matters through. At this point, I needed to

    reconnect and find my inner

    voice, which I felt was getting

    lost amidst different opinions

    from family and friends. My par-

    ents, for example, were encour-

    aging me to continue with my

    studies, and my relatives were pressuring me to

    get married and start a family. Everyone had these

    unrealistic expectations for a 24 year old.

    I WANTED TO MEETMY TRUE SELF.

    What better way to find yourself than to take off

    for a year and travel? Travelling had always been a

    passion of mine. A passion I knew I had to fulfill be-

    fore settling down permanently. But before setting

    the foundation, I had to find the material first. I had

    to seek and rediscover myself. I also didnt want to

    look back at this moment 30 or 40 years from now

    and silently say to myself: What if? What could

    have been? What did I miss? And besides, the tim-

    ing seemed ideal because I was free of any major

    commitments and responsibilities that came with

    marriage and children.

    The impetus to follow my dream was finally real-

    ized when I headed to Europe right after finishing

    university. But before I got there, I had to deal withthe task of convincing my traditional parents that

    it was a good idea. I was only 24 years old when I

    first told my parents I wanted to single-handedly

    travel the world. Their immediate reaction was

    one of utter disbelief. But youre a woman, they

    said. Women dont travel alone! my mother

    and father said in unison. They believed women

    should wait until they were married and then

    travel with their male companions.

    What ensued were a series of lectures with my

    mother as the guest speaker. In typical Afghan

    fashion she advised me to wait until I was married

    I KNEW IFI JUMPEDSTRAIGHT INTOA CAREER, IWOULD LIVE A

    LIFE AWASH WITHREGRETS

    HALONGBAY, VIETNAM

    GAGESTREETMARKET,HONGKONG, CHINA

    CHICHICASTENANGO, GUATEMALA

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    21/36

    jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    tries and cities I intended on visiting. Now it was my

    turn to lecture them on the benefits of travelling.

    I wanted to submerge myself in European art, his-

    tory and culture. I told them that I intended on visit-

    ing major cities, and that I planned on visiting art

    galleries, museums and the most important sites.

    I remained firm in my quest. I didnt budge and Iwas unwilling to compromise. I told them that I

    was an adult now and that I had to learn to take

    care of myself. Eventually, I finally won my parents

    over. And what a sigh of relief that was, because

    their cloud of fear was slowly beginning to instil

    some doubt in me. Realizing that my desire to

    travel wasnt just a phase, they reluctantly agreed.

    A month after graduating from university, I

    stepped onto a plane bound towards Europe. I got

    so caught up in my travel plans that I even missed

    out on my graduation ceremony.

    In the meanwhile, my parents couldnt compre-

    hend why a summer of travelling wasnt enough.

    They kept referencing my family and friends. Look

    at your cousins, they would say. Theyve com-

    pleted university and now theyre settling down

    and getting married.

    My mother would add that the longer I waited,

    the lower my chances were of getting married,

    because I was getting older and no man would

    possibly want to marry a woman in her late twen-

    ties. My attempts to explain that late twenties and

    early thirties were acceptable ages to tie the knot

    seemed to calm her fears no less.

    Essentially, my parents believed in the following

    linear path of progress/evolution: university, job,

    marriage, children and more children (all possibly

    before you hit the age of 30). And if you deviated

    from this course you were doomed.

    and then safely travel the

    world with my husband,

    who would protect me if I

    fell in harms way. I tried to

    remind her that we werein Canada and not in Saudi

    Arabia, where, by law, wom-

    en cant leave the house

    without a male chaperon.

    But really, she was more

    worried about what the rest

    of the Afghan community

    would whisper behind my

    back, were I to travel solo.

    In stark contrast to my mother, my father was

    less of a traditionalist and more of a protector. He

    feared for my safety. He feared that I would be-come a victim of human trafficking and end up in

    a brothel somewhere in Eastern Europe or in Thai-

    land. Conversing with my father was nothing short

    of fear mongering. He would present me with themost clich of examples; namely that the world

    was a place to be feared, and that it was not as safe

    for women travellers as it was for men.

    IT WASNT JUST APHASE.

    Over the course of the next few days, my parents

    forgot about my zealous travel plans. To them it

    was a phase that would just subside just as quickly

    as it had appeared. But to show them I was serious,

    I visited the local bookstore and brought back a

    small stack of Lonely Planet books of all the coun-

    5%OF THOSE WHO TAKECULTURAL, ADVENTURE OR

    NATURE TRIPS ARE WOMEN.

    WANDERLUST (WNDR-LST)N. A VERY STRONG ORIRRESISTIBLE IMPULSE TOTRAVEL.My parents initially reckoned that my travel plans

    wouldnt extend past the summer. However, I

    returned home from my travels in Europe with a

    serious case of wanderlust. I now wanted to catch

    a glimpse of the east, and to explore parts of East

    Asia. But I faced a serious dilemma; I was running

    out of money. I had used up all my savings from

    working part-time during my university years, and

    found myself at an impasse.

    *

    THE AVERAGEADVENTURETRAVELER IS

    NOT A 28-YEAROLD MALE, BUT

    A 47-YEAR-OLDFEMALE. AND SHEWEARS A SIZE 12

    DRESS.* {

    MACHU PICCHU (PERU)

    SURIN, THAILAND

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    22/36

    november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    PHYSICALLY VENTURING ABROAD

    OPENS YOU UP TOA WIDE ARRAY OF CULTURES ANDENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

    But even then it wasnt easy.

    Since I didnt return home with

    a pocket full of savings, some of

    my relatives considered travel-

    ling a complete waste of time

    and energy. To them, the worth of something

    could only be measured in tangibles.

    Many of us live sheltered and insulated lives. We

    usually dont venture out beyond our comfort

    zones or outside our spheres of work and school.

    Our only encounters with the rest of the world oc-

    cur through the news, Internet, and every so often,

    by dining at ethnic restaurants.

    For me, travelling alone was one of the most re-

    warding and enriching experiences. From the

    humbling train conversations I had with strang-

    ers, to the small talks in coffee shops, these short

    encounters helped shape me in much larger ways.

    Theres a reason musicians, artists and chefs travel

    for inspiration. From Jimi Hendrix spending time in

    Morocco, to Jamie Oliver touring the Italian coun-

    tryside you deserve no less. So jump on that

    plane and live your life as a global citizen.

    A JOURNEY OF ATHOUSAND MILES...

    My father often said that I couldnt possibly see

    the entire world. Despite my repeated attempts

    to clarify that my plan wasnt to travel indefinitely,

    he still wouldnt listen. I simply wanted a year or

    two to travel. I didnt understand why it was com-

    pletely alright to spend the same amount of time

    on a masters program or double that on a PhD, but

    not on travelling.

    Most people, my parents included, dont see the val-

    ue of travelling. They cant comprehend that its a les-

    son in history and culture. I learned more about the

    Second World War, for example, visiting the Dachau

    concentration camp as well as the museums in Ger-

    many than I did in all my high school history classes.

    It was then that I decided to work abroad for a year

    and teach English in South Korea. Teaching would

    fund my travels and provide me with an oppor-

    tunity to explore other parts of the world during

    my breaks. My parents were skeptical at first, but

    slowly started supporting my endeavours.

    *

    80%OF ALL TRAVELDECISIONS AREMADE BY WOMEN

    TREE ROOTS ATTAPROHM,ANGKORWAT, CAMBODIA:

    QUECHUAWOMANWEAVING,

    URUBAMBAVALLEY,PERU

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    23/36

    21jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    LET YOURSELFLEARN.

    Travelling can be one of the most empow-

    ering experiences for anyone. Not only

    does it encourage self-growth, but it also helps you make con-

    nections across the globe. It lets you be a student outside the

    classroom. For me, travelling was a three-dimensional experi-

    ence. It impacted me physically, intellectually and spiritually.

    I can confidently say that my travel experiences were some

    of the most incredible moments in my life moments that

    truly took my breath away.

    DRESSCODEIS KEY.I learned my lesson the hard

    way. While visiting the ancient

    city of Fez in Morocco, I made

    the terrible mistake of wearing

    shorts on a hike. If the glares

    and constant whistling wasnt

    uncomfortable enough, the

    participation of the local police

    proved more worrisome. Now,

    of course, shorts dont elicit such

    extreme reactions in all regions

    of Morocco. In the more liberal

    coastal city of Essaouria, for in-

    stance, the exposure of excess

    skin and women clad in bikinis

    are common sights and youll

    rarely fall victim to heckling or

    sexually suggestive comments.

    What is accepted in oneculture may be frownedupon in another.

    In East Asia, for example, bare legs (clad in

    booty shorts) turn less faces than a bit of cleav-

    age and exposed arms (think of tube tops, tank

    tops and halter tops). So do your research and

    respect the local cultural codes to avoid trouble.

    KEEP ANOPEN MIND.IN ALL FAIRNESS, NOT EVERY MAN IS LURKING ANDWAITING FOR A WOMAN TO PREY ON; THAT IS AGROSS GENERALIZATION. IN FACT, FROM MY OWNTRAVEL EXPERIENCES, MANY OF THE MEN I MET TOOK

    ME UNDER THEIR WINGS AS PROTECTION FROM THEADVANCES OF OTHERS. THEY TREATED ME LIKE ASISTER. AND OF COURSE, IF YOU PLAN ON HEADINGOUT AT NIGHT, ALWAYS EXPERIENCE THE NIGHTLIFE INA GROUP. THERES MORE SAFETY IN NUMBERS.

    Travel NotesWhile concern for women travellers is both widespread

    and legitimate, and travelling alone isnt without its

    dangers, its also considerably exaggerated. The world

    isnt your enemy because of your gender in fact,

    its considerably accommodating. You just have to

    be aware of your surroundings, and of the cultural

    sensitivities associated with different parts of the

    world. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

    BODY LANGUAGESPEAKS VOLUMES.This is true, especially around

    men. Dont appear overly friendly

    or flirtatious. Non-verbal cues are

    perceived differently across the

    world. From my own experiences,

    men in Southern Europe, NorthAfrica and East Asia are often

    under the false impression that

    western women are generally

    more sexually liberal than their

    counterparts in the rest of the

    world. Feel free to ask children

    and women for directions if you

    feel uneasy asking men.

    *Source: The Pacific Asia Travel Association,gutsytraveler.com/2010/12/31/women-travel-statistics-the-latest/

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    24/36

    22 november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    Federated Co-operatives Limited(FCL) is proud to be a part of the

    Western Canadian business community.

    For over 80 years, FCL has provided

    employment opportunities in a wide

    variety of disciplines including:

    Accounting, Agriculture, Engineering,

    Human Resources, Information

    Technology, Marketing, Pharmacy and

    Retail Management. To learn more about

    our company and our exciting careeropportunities visit our website today.

    www.coopconnection.cawww.coopconnection.ca

    Federated Co-operatives Limited

    P.O. Box 1050

    401 22nd Street East

    Saskatoon SK S7K 3M9

    [email protected]

    Federated Co-operatives Limitedintegrity excellence responsibility

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    25/36

    jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    Imag

    e:Hemera/Thinkstock

    by Emily Minthorn

    The cool thing about being a girl in the 21stcentury is that you can be whatever you

    choose to be when you grow up: an astronaut,

    an F-1 driver, a molecular gastronomist. You

    can even be a plumber?

    And a carpenter. And a welder. And a pipefit-

    ter. The skilled trades, long considered the sole

    province of only the manliest of men, are finally

    opening up to women workers in a big way. And

    while men do continue to make up well over

    90 percent of workers on sites across Canada,

    things are starting to shift.

    Helping to bring about this shift are the dozensof programs available across the country, de-

    signed specifically to get women ready to pick

    up a trade. At Women Building Futures, an Ed-

    monton-based organization that helps women

    develop careers in trades, its the Journeywoman

    START Program a 17 week course that teaches

    basic worksite skills, while allowing students to

    get a taste of the different trades available.

    Meanwhile, in Victoria, theres Camosun Col-

    leges Women in Trades Exploration program.

    This 12 week survey gives students a chance to

    try out each of the skilled trades programs the

    A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS HAVESURFACED ACROSS THE COUN-TRY TO HELP WOMEN ESTAB-LISH CAREERS IN TRADES.

    school has to offer. Of course, in just a couple of

    days you dont really get a sense of the trade in

    a big-picture way, but we do give a good sense of

    the typical work environment, says Training De-

    velopment Coordinator Karen McNeill. Chances

    are youll find yourself hanging drywall one day,

    and learning to wire a home the next.

    Once youve discovered which trade suits your

    talents, youre on your way to becoming an ap-

    prentice the trades equivalent of an entry-lev-

    el position. You spend 10 months a year work-

    ing, and two months in school, and you alternate

    back and forth, until you have your work hours

    accumulated, explains JudyLynn Archer, Presi-

    dent and CEO of Women Building Futures. Thats

    right, ladies: youll be getting paid to learn.

    SPEAKING OF MONEY,YOULL BE EARNING IT

    AS WELL.This is definitely a high paying world, says Ar-

    cher. The money you can earn in trades is much

    greater than the money almost anywhere else.

    Youll earn good money fast like, right away.

    And the jobs are out there. Employers are re-

    ally seeing the value of having a woman on site,

    explains Nancy Moore, Manager of Employment

    Services and Skilled Trades at The Centre for

    Skills and Development Training in southern

    Ontario. Women bring a variety of skill sets to

    the job, a different way of doing things, a more

    collaborative approach.

    industryinsiders

    Soft skills aside, were also experiencing what

    Archer describes as a worker shortage of levels

    unknown to us in this countrys history. Its just

    demographics. People are retiring. Thats good

    news for women.

    SO WHAT KIND OF GIRL

    DOES IT TAKE TO MAKEA TRADESWOMAN?

    We have a pretty good mix of ages and back-

    grounds, Moore says of the women enrolled at

    The Centre. Some have just graduated from

    colleges and universities and realized that they

    wanted something more hands-on and physical;

    some are women who never really had the op-

    portunity to establish a career.

    Even if youre already on your way to a degree

    or diploma, you can still pick up a trade after

    youre done. We need technologists, we need

    engineers, architects, we need project manag-ers big time. Having an undergraduate degree

    gives you a pretty good foundation for a strong

    career, Archer explains. We see lots of women

    who have a degree, and then decide to get into

    the trades. They find the work challenging, men-

    tally and physically. Its like getting paid to stay

    fit, and you need to be on your game, every day.

    When asked what the future of trades looks like

    for women, she laughs and replies: Fabulous!

    ITS LIKE GETTINGPAID TO STAY FIT, AND

    YOU NEED TO BE ON

    YOUR GAME, EVERYDAY

    tradingup

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    26/36

    24 november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    the changing demographicof the insurance industry

    by Katie Edmonds

    When Karen Foster began her career in the in-

    surance industry in 1978, she was hired on as a

    dicta typer, and was one of a handful of female

    employees at her company. Now, Foster works in

    management for the Capital District Health Au-

    thority in Halifax, and as much as the technol-

    ogy has changed over the years, so has the de-

    mographic landscape of the insurance industry.

    The number of women in insurance has bal-

    looned over the past few decades, with the ratio

    of females to males shifting. Women now make

    up 61 percent of employed staff, with an increas-

    ing number of them acquiring leadership roles.

    When I started out, my role was secretarial work

    mostly, explains Foster. There werent manywomen in senior roles, or even on the road, or in

    supervisory roles at that time. It just wasnt done.

    Over the years we have seen quite a shift.

    The shift Foster mentions is a step in the right

    direction, but for a large number of female insur-

    ance workers surveyed, it isnt enough.

    According to the Women in Insurance Leader-

    ship Insight Report, a new research study re-

    leased this past September at the Insurance

    Networking News Women in Insurance Lead-

    ership Forum in National Harbor, Md., female

    respondents in the insurance industry generally

    agree they still have a long way to go before their

    representation begins reflecting their percentage

    of the general population. However, they also ac-

    knowledge things are progressing the right way.

    industryinsiders

    The study highlighted 41% of respondents re-

    porting that 5% or less of senior leadership roles

    in their organizations are filled by women. InCanada, of all senior management positions in

    the insurance industry, women hold 23 percent

    of those titles.

    In comparison to other similar industries, were

    doing okay, says Trevor Buttrum, Career Connec-

    tions Program Coordinator at the Insurance Insti-

    tute of Canada. If you look at the financial sector,

    or if you were to do a comprehensive labour mar-

    ket survey, it seems like women are doing okay in

    the insurance industry in terms of management

    roles, but theres still work to do. At our senior

    echelons, we are not where wed like to be, but weare certainly moving in the right direction.

    Margaret Parent, Director of the Professionals Di-

    vision at the Insurance Institute of Canada says

    the increasing number of women drawn to the

    field of insurance makes complete sense, and

    she expects even further growth in numbers.

    As for the leadership roles, Buttrum says it is just

    a matter of time before the number of women

    has equaled or even surpassed that of men in thisfield. We recognize that our talent crisis is loom-

    ing, he explains. The insurance industry has

    been good to a lot of people which means that

    they have had long, healthy careers. In addition,

    around 49 percent of workers in the insurance in-

    dustry are baby boomers, and it is expected that

    they will be retiring within the next decade or so.

    We have been looking at a few different options

    in terms of managing this transition, including

    phased retirement planning and a new talent

    acquisition schedule, Buttram details. We have

    always had this in the back of our minds, butnow we are putting pen to paper and coming up

    with a more formalized strategy.

    With numbers of women in the industry on the

    up and up, Buttrum expects that the same effect

    will carry over to the upper management posi-

    tions. He can already see that any history in divi-

    sion of roles by sex has been put aside so that

    skill and ability are the criteria for advancement.

    People think of the insurance industry as an old

    boys club filled with balding white men. Its not

    that anymore, Buttrum says. What you need

    for a leadership position are qualifications, expe-

    rience and a desire to move into that role. That

    gives us a really good pool of applicants and a

    good shot at seeing women move into those

    roles. Its a really exciting time for the industry.

    AS FOR THE LEADERSHIP ROLES IT IS JUST A MATTER OFTIME BEFORE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN HAS EQUALED OR EVENSURPASSED THAT OF MEN IN THIS FIELD

    Women now make up 61 percent of the insurance industry, with an increasing number in leadership roles.

    Insurance is sort of the best kept secret, em-

    ployment wise, explains Parent. Insurance jobs

    are pretty much everywhere, so chances are that

    there will be a good job available wherever you

    live. The companies are generally good to work

    for; you can have a good work-life balance in a

    lot of roles, and good benefits. Its a flexible work

    environment with loads of opportunities which

    is what women want. Its what anyone wants.

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    27/36

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    28/36

    26 november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    emerit -

    The mark of a

    true professional.

    emerit is a program

    of the CTHRC.

    CERTIFICATION

    Increase job confidence and performance by having

    your mastery of occupational skills, knowledge and

    experience recognized with an industry-endorsed

    credential.

    Visit emerit.ca/cert2011TODAY!

    Raising

    In HR

    the bar

    10th Annual Tourism &Hospitality HR ForumNovember14-16, 2011

    Rodd Charlottetown, PEI

    Achieving Excellence:

    This project is partially funded by theovernment of Canadas Sector Council Program.

    cthrc.ca/hrforum2011

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    29/36

    27jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    by Emily Minthorn

    Telecommunications offers career opportunities

    for grads in almost any field of study, including

    marketing, engineering, business management,

    communications, high tech development, media,

    and more. Within the industry, they work to de-

    sign, build, implement, and promote technology

    that allows everyone on the planet to do some-thing very simple, yet vital communicate. And

    despite the perception that women arent good

    at technology or math, communication, says

    Andrea Tavchar, program coordinator for the

    public relations program at Humber College and

    a leading researcher in social and digital media

    issues, is a soft skill that women excel at.

    There are a lot of opportunities in telecommu-

    nications technology and digital media for wom-

    en, agrees Stephanie MacKendrick, President at

    Canadian Women in Communications (CWC).

    Of course there are sectors or companies that

    are heavily male populated, but it varies by com-

    pany. If I was a young woman looking for a job,

    Id look for companies that pay attention to tal-

    ent strategy, because if theyre smart and basing

    on talent, theyre going to be woman-friendly. In

    terms of the skills that are needed, women just

    have to be part of the equation.

    So whats it like at the moment in the telecom

    industry? Strong content development skills are

    really needed in the telecom, mobile, and tech-

    nology sphere, notes MacKendrick. She also of-

    fers that specifically of interest to young women

    just getting started is the whole field of social

    media as a communication function in business.

    Ah, social media. Seems like you cant read more

    than halfway through a magazine article with-

    out coming across it. Tavchar identifies the role

    of community manager as a job title she thinks

    offers new grads a great opportunity for inter-

    esting work. But just because youre young, kid,

    dont get cocky.

    She warns against the myth of the so-called

    digital native the belief that anyone young

    enough to have grown up with the Internet is

    somehow naturally good at using it. But suggest-

    ing young people know social media applications

    better than the next person just because theyre

    young, is inaccurate, she explains. However, if

    they learn professionalism, judgment, analysis

    with these literacy skills, it is an advantage that

    the students have by graduation day, and theycan go into a workplace and do an effective job.

    So what are the young women of today best

    qualified to do other than Tweet and Tumblog?

    Anything, says MacKendrick, enthusiastically

    and no one is holding them back but them-

    selves. Women tend to be so self-conscious. If

    there are 10 qualifications listed for a job, they

    want to be able to tick off all 10 before they even

    apply and I think men are okay checking off

    five or six and just applying anyway, and theyve

    got it right. You want to have to stretch, you want

    to be able to learn and grow at your job.

    In an industry as bigas varied telecom,

    young women reallycan be anything theychoose to be.

    And what kind of woman does it take to succeed

    in telecom? The industry really favours people

    who are willing to take calculated risks, who are

    comfortable with learning on the job as they

    go, and who are good with transferring skills

    as things change which they do, constantly,

    advises MacKendrick. One of the biggest things

    women can do to thrive in this industry is to

    not be afraid of technology, not be intimidated

    by uncertainty, and not be intimidated by the

    magnitude of whats out there. Just decide what

    youre interested in, and then go for it.

    Going for it, in MacKendricks view, means get-

    ting yourself out there and getting your network

    on. Networking shouldnt feel like cod liver oil;the networking opportunities you take advan-

    tage of should be the ones youre really interest-

    ed in, because your enthusiasm shows.

    And above all, love your job, even before you have

    it. Immerse yourself in the industry, she urges.

    Follow blogs and Twitter feeds. Keep up to date.

    Theres so much happening out there right now,

    its really interesting and there are so many

    opportunities. The more you get into that leading

    edge, the more you realize its a great place to be.

    WOMENON THEWIRE

    industryinsiders

    Inage:Hemera/Thinkstock

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    30/36

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    31/36

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    32/36

    30 november/december 2011 | jobpostings.ca

    centennialcollege.ca The Future of Learning

    Whatbewant to

    You

    Do

    ies. This amalgam reflects the forward-thinking

    nature of the field, and the effort that goes into

    providing new problem-solving strategies. We

    have a course here which is half engineering stu-

    dents and half development studies students,

    continues Epprecht. They plan a project together,

    such as the construction of a bridge, and then

    make it work. The engineers come from the tech-

    nical side of things and our students, from a more

    holistic approach.

    When it comes to jobs, this multi-faceted discipline

    also has a variety of branching career paths. Some

    students find it interesting to work in the voluntary

    sector, while others work in governmental organi-

    zations, both nationally and internationally, of-

    fers Quadir. Some have accepted Canadian public

    sector jobs with organizations like Health Canada,

    Environment Canada, or in social services.

    Developmental problems arent limited to any one

    type of organization or geographical area however,

    and opportunities are cropping up in the private

    sector. A lot of big corporations are struggling to

    understand their role in the world, and to act in

    a corporately responsible and socially conscious

    manner, says Epprecht. Theyre specifically look-

    ing for grad students who understand develop-

    ment in the big picture, and thats what our stu-

    dents bring to the table.

    Of all the shortages

    were facing in the

    world today, a shortage

    of problems isnt one.

    Whether were talking

    about the struggles of

    the developing world

    or inequality in the

    west, theres a shift in

    paradigms happening

    all over the globe, as

    we slowly realize our

    ways of looking at these issues is outdated. Devel-

    opment Studies is a relatively new field of study

    thats gaining traction, and this masters program

    offers a fresh approach thats sorely needed.

    Tackling large-scale, multi-faceted problems can

    be a daunting task, and it can be difficult knowing

    where to start. The focus of the program is mainly

    on understanding the challenges of development

    facing the world today, looking at it from a critical,inter-disciplinary perspective, explains Dr. Fahim

    Quadir, Graduate Program Director in Develop-

    ment Studies at York University. We look at issues

    such as poverty, sustainability and social justice at

    the national and international levels. Its about im-

    proving the human condition.

    The old solution of throwing money around with-

    out careful consideration is naive at best and dan-

    gerously counter-productive at worst. There are a

    lot of clever people out there, and theres a lot of

    money being poured into development by vari-

    ous agencies, and you might say its made things

    worse, agrees Marc Epprecht, Graduate Chair of

    Global Development Studies at Queens Universi-

    ty. We have to understand why just giving money

    to a country like Bolivia doesnt work, and in fact

    often makes things more unequal.

    In order to effect change, its important to have

    the right tools at your disposal. We teach a logical

    framework to make the whole process of develop-

    ment more coherent, says Quadir. We want the

    issues we discuss and debate in class to be applied

    in a practical context.

    No program could possibly teach a magic formula

    for solving problems, but thats hardly the point.

    We hope our students will be able to think out-

    side the box thats been constructed over the last

    fifty years of aid and trade, and take into account

    factors like religion and gender relations, for exam-

    ple, says Epprecht. Theres no cookie-cutter solu-

    tion that will work in Botswana as well as it works

    in Indonesia. We hope our people will be able to

    change the course were on.

    Looking at these issues requires a variety of lenses.

    At Queens we dont have a single faculty member

    who has a degree in Development Studies, laughs

    Epprecht. They come from the social sciences and

    humanities: history, geography, anthropology, po-

    litical science, sociology and environmental stud-by Kevin Nelson

    edu-ma-cation

    Develop a GlobalPerspective

    The Masters

    in Development

    Studies program

    applies a multi-

    disciplinary

    approach to the

    worlds problems.

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    33/36

    31jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011

    Niagara CollegeTop-rated for student satisfaction, Niagara

    College provides outstanding applied

    education for a changing world. With state-

    of-the-art facilities on newly redeveloped

    campuses & responsive cutting-edge programming, we

    offer students real-world experience before graduation.

    NiagaraCollege.ca

    Brock UniversityBrock is a rapidly growing University,

    offering 41 dynamic Masters and PhD

    program within 6 academic faculties. With

    our strong sense of community and personal

    investment in our students, Brock is a great

    choice for your graduate education.

    Visit us at today at Brocku.ca

    SCHOOL

    TUFFeez

    careers. education. ideas. all of it.

    (Need some helpz!)

    graduate school directory

    Queens University100+ graduate programs with world-

    class research opportunities and strong

    support to enrich your educational

    experience and advance your career. Set

    your ideas in motion. Consider graduate

    studies at Queens.

    queensu.ca/sgs

    Sheridan CollegeOur one-year graduate certificate programs enhance your diploma or degree

    with a blend of theoretical knowledge and work experience that fully prepare

    you to launch your career. Choose

    from more than 20 programs in

    the arts, business, technology

    and community service fields.

    sheridaninstitute.ca

    Schulich School of Medicine& DentistryThe University of Western Ontarios Schulich School

    of Medicine & Dentistry provides state-of-the-art

    research facilities and mentorship by internationally

    recognized scientists. We offer 15 graduate

    programs. Create tomorrows discoveries today.

    uwo.ca/schulich/gradstudies

    Ross UniversityRoss University is a provider of medical and veterinary education offering MD

    and DVM degree programs, and has over 11,000 successful physicians and

    veterinarians practicing in the

    US and Canada. If you are

    interested in a career in medicine,

    contact us today.

    RossU.edu

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    34/36

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    35/36

    business.humber.ca

    9Event Management

    Fashion Management & Promotions

    Financial Planning

    Global Business Management

    Human Resources Management

    International Development

    International Marketing

    Marketing Management

    Public Administration

    ways to

    launchYOUR CAREER

    POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATES IN:

  • 7/31/2019 jobpostings Magazine (November/December 2011)

    36/36

    GO to AlgonquinCollege andCHANGE your

    life for the better.Whether you want to GO EXPLORE,

    GO CREATE, GO BUILD, or to

    simply GO FURTHER, Algonquin

    College will give you the guidance,

    skills and hands-on experience you

    need to get you on your way.

    Like thousands of graduates, youll

    discover that Algonquin College

    is the place where you can learn,

    practice, connect and be inspired

    by professors who are passionate

    about your success.

    So dont waitGO FOR IT today

    been dreaming about.

    Learn more about the

    programs and create your

    own personalized Viewbook at

    GoAlgonquin.com/YourFuture