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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
associatepublisherMark Laurie
acting editorSimone Castello
art directorSonya van Heyningen
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.
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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 :
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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
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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.
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The mark of a
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Raising
In HR
the bar
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Rodd Charlottetown, PEI
Achieving Excellence:
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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
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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.
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31jobpostings.ca | november/december 2011
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