Career Options High School 2016

VOLUME XI, FALL 2016

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THE NEW

COMPUTER SCIENCE:

TRENDY PROGRAMS

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LEAD TO

azine to A unique mag ts find the help studen ve and build work they lo want the life they

WHY COOL & CREATIVE CO-OPS TECH CAREERS! MAKE A

DIFFERENCE!

WAYS TO

FIT TRAVEL INTO YOUR STUDENT JOURNEY

CONTENTS WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR ADVERTISERS...

been said that travel is the only It’s thing you spend money on that actually makes you richer. page 12

4 Apply Alberta 9 Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) 14 Humber College, School of Social and Community Services 8, 21 Insurance Institute of Canada – Career Connections 2 Lassonde School of Engineering, York University 5 Microsoft Canada 6 Ontario College Information Fair 22 Student Life Expo

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CAREER OPTIONS As always, you can check out the latest issue of Career Options online, or browse the archives for more great feature articles from past issues. But there’s a lot more in store at our website, careeroptionsmagazine.com

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WHY CO-OPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Many Canadian millennials struggle to bridge the gap between post-secondary school and employment

COMPUTER SCIENCE MYTHS AND NEW REALITITES: Multidisciplinary programs and cool creative careers

By Allison WIlliams

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By Michelle Brandes

GOING GREEN Where to work in Canada’s green economy

HIRING FOR DIVERSITY Leading initiatives across industries

By Ben Filipkowski

By Allison Williams Instagram.com/CareerOptionsmag

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WAYS TO FIT TRAVEL INTO YOUR STUDENT JOURNEY Study abroad, volunteer or pack and go!

J umpstart your career with a CO-OP! page 7

By David Meffe

CO high school edition 3

Editor-in-Chief | CACEE Lisa Russell Associate Editor | gordongroup Melanie Williams Project Management | gordongroup Melanie Williams Art Direction / Print Management | gordongroup Leslie Miles Design and Layout | gordongroup Leslie Miles Director of Advertising Sales | gordongroup Kirill Kornilov Advertising Sales | gordongroup Colleen Hayes, Stephan Pigeon Distribution Coordinator | gordongroup Ghada Sbaiti

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“WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?” “WILL YOUR FIELD OF STUDY GET YOU A JOB?” “WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?”

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Contributors Michelle Brandes David Meffe

Ben Filipkowski Allison Williams

Career Options High School Edition is published annually by the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE), 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 202, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2T9.

For advertising and subscription inquiries, contact Kirill Kornilov, Director of Advertising Sales, gordongroup: Tel.: 613-288-5363 Fax: 613-234-8655 Email: kkornilov@gordongroup.com www.careeroptionsmagazine.com ISSN: 1712-1183 The Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) is a national, non-profit partnership of employer recruiters and career services professionals. Our mission is to provide authoritative information, advice, professional development opportunities and other services to employers, career services professionals and students.

NOTE: The opinions expressed within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect CACEE policy. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher.

The National Student Resource of: Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers 720 Spadina Ave., Suite 202, Toronto ON M5S 2T9 www.cacee.com PM 43136012

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VOLUME XI, FALL 2016

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By Allison Williams

WHY CO-OPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Many Canadian millennials struggle to bridge the gap between post-secondary school and employment.

T

oday’s young jobseekers contend with roughly twice the unemployment rate of older generations.1 Even more pervasive is the issue of underemployment, with many millennials settling for roles well below their level of education or qualifications.2 Why is it so challenging for talented youth to secure good jobs? It’s not because Canadian companies aren’t hiring. Rather, employers are seeking individuals with experience or skills that most new graduates don’t possess.3 And although many firms are willing to pay a premium for candidates who meet their qualifications, they are increasingly unwilling to invest in training for those who do not.4 Amidst these challenges, some Canadian employers have taken up the charge to meaningfully equip graduates with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. In the case of co-operative education, this process begins long before students even receive their degrees.

Cooperative education combines academic learning with on-the-job training, closing the gap between theoretical knowledge and application.

When done right, co-op enables students to amass the experience and skills necessary to thrive in their field of interest upon graduation. In a recent study, 82 percent of employers reported offering post-graduate

employment to a former co-op student or intern who worked at their workplace.5 Once employed, these graduates are also better compensated, earning $2-3 an hour more than their peers6. Given that over 80 percent of employers believe that co-op is beneficial for developing skills in their industry, this comes as no surprise.7 Great co-op programs do more than just provide on-the-job experience; the best programs also offer students a platform to explore potential career pathways, become more conscious and reflective learners and achieve a level of personal growth.8 Canada’s top co-op employers combine all the elements of a truly transformational learning experience, rooted within a broader youth-conscious workplace culture.

There are more and more Canadian employers offering co-op programs across various industries that display all the ingredients for success: coaching and mentorship, exposure to meaningful work, regular feedback and evaluation, generous compensation and opportunities for upward mobility within the organization. These employers provide students with the tools to seamlessly connect the classroom to the world of work. Don’t forget to check out co-op programs offered by both the schools and employers you’re interested in. CO

CO high school edition 7

CO-OP BY THE NUMBERS9

1. http://www.td.com/document/PDF/economics/special/ YoungAndRestless.pdf

> University co-op students report lower mean debt amounts than their peers ($19,000 compared to $23,000), and are also significantly less likely to report carrying aboveaverage debt loads

2. http://www.td.com/document/PDF/economics/special/ YoungAndRestless.pdf

> Two years after graduation, university graduates who completed a co-op program on average earned $8,000 a year more than graduates who did not participate in co-op10 > 69% of co-op graduates believe their experience was instrumental in finding employment following graduation11 University Co-op Graduates by Program Percent of university co-op graduates

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3. http://www.minerandminer.ca/data/Miner_March_2014_final(2).pdf 4. http://www.ousa.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/OUSAYouth-Employment-Submission-Sept-2013-Final1.pdf 5. Work-integrated learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: Survey of Employer Impressions 6. Work-integrated learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: Survey of Employer Impressions 7. Work-integrated learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: Survey of Employer Impressions 8. http://www.heqco.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/WIL_Experience_ON_ Graduates_ENG.pdf 9. http://www.heqco.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/WIL_Experience_ON_ Graduates_ENG.pdf 10. http://www.heqco.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/WIL_Grad%20Followup%20ENG.pdf 11. http://www.heqco.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/WIL_Grad%20Followup%20ENG.pdf

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ALLISON WILLIAMS studied Life Sciences at Queen’s University, where she served as President of the undergraduate student government. She writes about trends in higher education.

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0 STEM

Social Science

Business

Health and Arts and Social Services Humanities

Discover a variety of exciting career options.

After high school, what’s next? What are you good at? What are your ambitions? No matter what you answer, you may be surprised to learn that because insurance affects virtually everything we do in life and business, the industry offers a variety of pathways which can fit with your education and career goals.

More colleges and universities in Canada are offering courses and programs that will prepare you for a career in insurance.

Insurance and Risk Management programs are offered at BCIT, University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, Grant MacEwan University, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Red River College, Fanshawe College, Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, Mohawk College, Seneca College, Durham College, Université Laval, NBCC, CCNB. Find out more by visiting the Career Connections website.

You may be surprised to find that insurance isn’t what you think. It’s a whole lot more.

www.career-connections.info

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CO high school edition 9

By Allison Williams

HIRING for DIVERSITY

Leading Initiatives Across Industries

C

anada’s diversity has always been central to its national identity, a reality that may be truer now than ever before.

Today, diverse populations are enjoying unprecedented levels of educational attainment and legislative support.

Parliament Hill is home to the most diverse cabinet in its history. Canada ranks among the most multicultural nations on the planet,1 and is in the process of welcoming new refugees from abroad while working to deepen the acknowledgement of its Indigenous history.

By reflecting the diversity of the Canadian population within its workforce, Canadian industry invariably benefits. Studies consistently confirm an intuitive phenomenon: companies are stronger and more innovative when they are comprised of a diversity of perspectives and voices. On an organizational level, a diverse employee base means having access to the best and brightest for each job.

Building a diverse workforce is also an important part of the puzzle for advancing the country’s global competitiveness, playing an essential role in increasing the size and the quality of the national talent pool. Statistics Canada projects that all net labour force growth after 2011 will be generated by new immigrants,2 and the percentage of visible minorities is expected to double. Amidst an aging workforce, the Indigenous population is exceptionally young and contributes to labour market growth at twice the average rate.3

WHAT EXACTLY IS WORKPLACE DIVERSITY? While there are many factors that contribute to the diversity of a society, employment equity places an emphasis on groups whose workforce participation has been limited as a result of historical, cultural, or systemic barriers. Diverse groups include New Canadians, visible minori10

VOLUME XI, FALL 2016

ties, Indigenous peoples, women, members of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) community, and persons with disabilities.4 In an effort to reduce the historical barriers felt by these groups, many organizations have developed policies, strategies, and initiatives focused on recruiting and retaining diverse employees.

Although recognition of the issue has received a wide level of acceptance across industry, Canadian companies still have a long way to go.

Today, diverse employees are 3 times more likely to leave an organization because of lacking support from their employer.5 And although persons with disabilities remain significantly underemployed, a Statistics Canada survey reveals that 90 percent of people with disabilities did as well or better at their jobs than non-disabled co-workers.6 The successful introduction of meaningful levels of diversity into individual sectors is far less uniform. For some industries, making the change also means overcoming a historical lack of diversity and pervasive reputation that could slow progress. And yet it is from some of the industries historically touted as bastions for sameness that some of Canada’s best diversity initiatives have come.

TECHNOLOGY The technology sector has been a fixture in the media in recent years as an industry starved for diversity. Although Canadian statistics are not readily available, diversity reports from the U.S. offer some indication.

For instance, 94 percent of Google’s tech staff is white or Asian and 82 percent is male, with trends worsening at the senior level.16 This challenge has been acknowledged by global tech giants including Facebook and Google, with politicians and industry alike developing policies and programs to address the diversity shortage. Particularly in an

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industry whose massive growth is projected to continue unabated, bringing diverse populations into the fold is a necessity. Several companies across Canada are taking the lead, and diversity in hiring practices will only improve this sector.

BANKING17 Over the course of its history, the banking industry’s lack of diversity garnered considerable notoriety. Despite their prior reputation, however, banks were among the earliest adopters of widespread equitable hiring practices, quickly becoming leaders in the effort to build a more representative workforce. Today, banks boast some of the most diverse employee bases.

Nevertheless, there’s still progress to be made; despite the increase in diversity across the industry, there are some areas of the banking practice where diverse applicants still struggle to break through. For example, although women constitute 62 percent of the workforce at Canada’s 6 largest banks, only 32 percent of securities agents, investment dealers, and brokers are female.

DIVERSITY METRICS IN CANADA’S BANKING INDUSTRY (2014, Canada’s Six Largest Banks)18 • As of 2014, women constitute 62.0% of the workforce at Canada’s six largest banks • Women occupied 34.5% senior management positions • Representation by people in visible minorities reached 29.6% in 2014 • Visible minorities accounted for 12.1% of all senior management positions • Representation of people with disabilities: 4.1% Recognizing the continued benefit of hiring for diversity, Canadian banks have implemented a number of programs to recruit – and retain – employees from diverse backgrounds.

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Many areas of the business world carry a historied reputation for building homogeneous employee bases, and management consulting and professional services is no exception. That said, many companies in Canada have undertaken multi-pronged efforts to establish a culture of diversity within their organization; this is true now and will continue into the future.

Canadian Diversity by the Numbers7 WOMEN 50.4% of Canada’s population8 48.0% of the employed labour force9 37.0% of those employed as managers10 VISIBLE MINORITIES 19.1% of Canada’s population 17.8% of the workforce11 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 4.3% of Canada’s population12 3.5% of the workforce13 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 5% of Canada’s population (15-64 years) 4.9% of the workforce14 NEW CANADIANS 10.2% of Canada’s population 15.5% of the workforce15

1 http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/07/18/the-most-and-least-culturally-diverse-countries-in-the-world/ 2 http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/diversity-workforce-matters.cfm 3 http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/diversity-workforce-matters.cfm 4 Although the primary focus of this article will be diversity policies specifically pertaining to these aforementioned groups, it is important to recognize that diversity encompasses a wide range of identities and backgrounds, and can consider many additional factors such as geography, language, politics and beliefs.

5 http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/diversity-workforce-matters.cfm 6 http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/diversity-workforce-matters.cfm 7 Data based on reports from 2011 National Household Survey 8 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11475-eng.htm 9 https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-012-x/99-012-x2011002eng.cfm 10 http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/rc-cr/stat/wic-fac-2012/sec7-eng.html, based on 2009 data.

LAW The face of the legal profession in Canada is changing dramatically, with remarkable diversity numbers amongst the youngest lawyers in an industry that was – until recently – overwhelmingly white and male. At the forefront of this shift is an increase in the number of female lawyers, a group that comprised just 5 percent of lawyers in Ontario in the early 1970s. Increased participation of Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities has followed as well.19 Many of Canada’s law firms have made significant strides towards developing a more diverse workforce. CO

ALLISON WILLIAMS studied Life Sciences at Queen’s University, where she served as President of the undergraduate student government. She writes about trends in higher education.

11 http://www.labour.gc.ca/eng/standards_equity/eq/pubs_eq/eedr/2011/report/ page03.shtml 12 http://www.labour.gc.ca/eng/standards_equity/eq/pubs_eq/eedr/2011/report/ page03.shtml 13 http://www.labour.gc.ca/eng/standards_equity/eq/pubs_eq/eedr/2011/report/ page03.shtml 14 http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang= E&Geo1=PR&Code1=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Canada&SearchType=Begin s&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 15 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/71-606-x/2012006/t043-eng.pdf 16 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/talent/ technology-community-facing-an-ethnic-diversity-problem/article27434180/ 17 http://www.cba.ca/en/media-room/50-backgrounders-on-banking-issues/120banks-as-employers-in-canada 18 http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/women-canadian-us-and-global- financial-services 19 http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/912/LSUC-report-shows-major-demographic-shift-in-profession.html

CO high school edition 11

WAYS TO FIT

TRAVEL INTO YOUR

A GROWING BODY OF ACADEMIC LITERATURE SHOWS THAT STUDYING IN ANOTHER CULTURE NOT ONLY MAKES YOU SMARTER, IT COULD ALSO PUT YOU AHEAD OF THE GAME PROFESSIONALLY.

By David Meffe

STUDENT JOURNEY STUDY ABROAD, VOLUNTEER OR PACK AND GO! 12

VOLUME XI, FALL 2016

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STUDYING ABROAD While the tradition of academic travel goes back centuries, with the amount of inter-scholastic exchanges in existence, today it’s not so much a matter of what you want to study as where you’d like to go. Most Canadian universities offer a wide range of possible study abroad destinations at partner institutions in Europe and Asia, or more culturallyclose-to-home options like Australia or the United States. Learning in another country can be a great way to not only make new friends, it can be a much-needed change of scenery for students in an academic or existential funk that might be considering the dreaded “just one year off” or dropping out of school altogether.

But more than just great Instagram photos and a newfound propensity to pretentiously correct anyone who might mispronounce the word ‘croissant,’ a growing body of academic literature shows that studying in another culture not only makes you smarter, it could also put you ahead of the game professionally. A study published in 2013 by researchers at INSEAD, an international graduate business school, shows that a student’s ability to adapt and learn in a new cultural environment can predict how interactively complex their ideas might become in the future.

Moreover, studying abroad also offers students the ability to learn a new language or lay the foundations of a professional network that could extend well across the boundaries of their own country, giving them a leg up on competition grounded locally.

If that isn’t enough to entice you, a recent study conducted by the EU showed that the European student exchange program was partially responsible for the birth of over a million children in the past 27 years, since one in four people who took part in academic exchanges in Europe met their current life partner while studying abroad.

VOLUNTEER OR TEACH ABROAD

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or better or worse, the twenty-first century has ushered in an unprecedented era of global connectivity tethered by online information sharing and the reshaping of international social space – a brave new world, but what of the people in it? More than ever it’s imperative for young people to travel, not only to satisfy curiosity, but also to dream, fear, make new friends or simply risk the unknown for the sake of nothing, everything and all the things in between.

It’s been said that travel is the only thing you spend money on that actually makes you richer, and while the sentiment is touching in its fortune-cookie flavour, I agree with a grain of salt. While travel of any kind requires some form of investment, it’s possible to see the world without breaking the bank in the process. It’s not quite as simple as taking the guided tour, but if you’re willing to compromise, step out of your comfort zone once in a while and maybe work a little for your keep, stepping out your front door can be a lot easier than you think – and sometimes more rewarding in the process.

If studying isn’t for you, but you still want to see something radically different, just to give your worldview a good shake up and maybe do a little altruistic good at the same time, welcome to the wonderful world of international development.

Work in this expanding sector exists in many forms: everything from development assistance and capacity building in the global south, to teaching English or French as a second language across the world.

The goal in this kind of work should never be to get rich or to “save the world,” but rather to learn first hand that cultural exchange is a two-way street – for everything you teach someone else, you should always allow yourself to learn something in return.

But while development work remains noble in its roots, the image of volunteering abroad has been somewhat cheapened by the rise of the so-called “voluntourism.” You’ve no doubt heard of it or seen fliers posted around campus halls or trendy cafes. Young people are duped into paying exorbitant fees for short trips to “third world” villages in order to build schools or churches for seemingly destitute communities incapable of helping themselves. What often follows is a long stay at lavish hotels or resorts to cool down after a long, strenuous week or two of work.

While undoubtedly moral in their original intentions, the organizers of these goodwill trips often trick youth into believing this as the only avenue to experience life with the other half and lend a helping hand. But saviour complexes and social media narcissism aside, there’s no shortage of tales about rural African villages filled with rows of unused, shabbily constructed primary schools that lay in ruin, while those same communities still struggle with access to clean drinking water or basic literacy.

Unfortunately, the industry is full of scams that not only portray short

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volunteering stints as a sustainable solution to global inequality, they guilt young Canadians into believing that they must shell out of pocket for the opportunity, or better yet, plead with their parents to pay.

The trick, in this case, is to find work that you’re really passionate about, rather than just going somewhere for the sake of it. Try getting involved in a more concrete way with organizations committed to long-term growth in the developing world, rather than those selling the opportunity to slip a Band-Aid on the problem and take a selfie. Commit yourself for at least two months wherever you decide to work, integrate yourself in the local culture and learn to take a step back and reexamine the way you see yourself and the role you want to play in the world.

PACK A BAG AND GO If you’re still unsure about academia, or in what capacity you’d like to change the world, don’t sweat it. These are great questions that take a long time to answer. The last on this list is a time-tested tonic for the wayfaring wanderlust blues: pack a bag and go. While some have taken a literal blindfolded dart to a map of the world approach on this one, a more sensible option is to find somewhere that not only fits your interests, but also your pocketbook. If this is the case, it’s totally up to you if you want to plan it ahead of time or just wing it and see where the wind takes you.

Neither are bad options.

This is where the abilities to compromise and consolidate become key to success – lessons that really only the road itself can teach. When it comes to travelling cheap, the Internet age has opened up a whole new world of possibilities put together by crowdsourcing and kept relevant by

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constant peer review. Instead of a ritzy hotel or lonely motel, hostels offer a great way to meet loads of other travellers as long as you’re open to sharing a room with a few friendly strangers – hostelworld.com is a great place to start exploring. Instead of buses or trains, try booking an online ride share with someone already heading in your direction – you’ll split gas money with the driver and usually have interesting company along the way. For the more adventurous, online communities like couchsurfing.com offer the chance to stay in the homes of locals and expatriates across the world, especially if you’re willing to reciprocate in the future. While some of these options might seem sketchy to the unseasoned, sometimes it pays to trust in the kindness of strangers – some of whom are not as different from you as you might expect.

In his 2002 travel epic Dark Star Safari, author Paul Theroux wrote that when it comes to travel, “you go away for a long time and return a different person – you never come all the way back.” So rather than seeing travel as the kind of thing you save and splurge on quickly, think of it as an investment into something that you become part of – finding your place in a world so much greater than yourself. CO

DAVID MEFFE is a freelance journalist, photographer and blogger from Montreal – his work focuses on human rights and development Africa.

He is based in Wales, completing a master’s degree in war and conflict reporting.

The School of Social and Community Services provides pathways for students to pursue a career and make a difference in their community. Outstanding student services, state-of-the-art facilities and practical work placements along with expert faculty make for a rewarding student experience. We are dedicated to delivering more than an education - we are changing lives!

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VOLUME XI, FALL 2016

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Computer Science and New Realities:

Myths

and Cool Creative Careers

Multidisciplinary Programs

By Michelle Brandes

W

hat’s the first image that pops into your mind when you hear “computer programmer”? Do you think of a guy – maybe a socially awkward math nerd sitting alone in a dark room in front of a computer screen? That’s the stereotype and unfortunately, it’s so pervasive that a Google search on the subject will yield images of just that.

The reality though is that not only will knowledge of computers and programming become increasingly necessary for the jobs of the future, but there are incredibly exciting, collaborative, creative and socially significant careers that emerge from a background in programming and computer science.

there are incredibly exciting, collaborative, creative and socially significant careers that emerge from a background in programming and computer science.

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Yes – it’s true, programming has traditionally been seen as a “boy’s club” and much has been written about the shortage of women in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) but the time has come to debunk the myths around computer science, the skills required to get into the field and the careers that exist for graduates. As you’ll see below, computer science represents a wealth of opportunity for young women and men.

Our false images of computer programmers have also partially been fed by a shortage of visible female role models in the field. From that same Google search mentioned above, one of the few images of a woman in the field is that of Ada Lovelace from the 1800s, who was the first computer programmer. Women have been an integral part of the computer science world since the beginning, but for a variety of reasons, those images have not entered our collective consciousness.

Fortunately, we now have a plethora of inspiring women in the field who are actively encouraging young women to enter computer science programs. Meet Brittany Melnyk, one such role model. In high school, Brittany was into the arts and athletics and never set out to pursue a career in computer science. She is now the Academic Programs & Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). Brittany received her B.Sc. in Computer Science from U of S and is currently pursuing an MBA. Brittany has a passion for encouraging women and girls to explore Computer Science and as a subject matter expert, she has much to say about all of those unfortunate myths that pervade the computer science field.

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Myth #1

You need to be a math genius to succeed in Computer Science.

Get all of those “1s” and “0s” out of your mind, because computer science isn’t all about number crunching. While you do need some math skills (in many cases the admission requirement is one basic grade 12 math credit), the path you choose in computer science will dictate how much math you need to learn. According to Brittany, the math skills necessary to succeed in computer science are things like good analytical skills, logic, deductive reasoning and attention to detail. Coding, like math, is a skill that improves with practice, so don’t let math scare you away from pursuing a career in computer science!

Myth #2

Computer science isn’t creative.

Actually, the world of computer science is a very creative discipline where programmers are using their imagination (and their technical skills) to create new products like virtual reality suits, design the latest cool games (think Pokemon, Candy Crush or Subway Surfers) or use technology and coding as a means of artistic expression in the film and television world or the visual arts.

Myth #3

Helping professions are incompatible with computer science.

Our world is becoming increasingly technical as we interact with computer systems in everything that we do – from using our smartphones to paying for our groceries. Innovative life saving technologies come from leveraging those computer systems to make a difference in the world. There are many innovative, research and development projects on the go at the University of Saskatchewan. Projects include using computer assisted analysis to determine which genes are being affected by cancer drugs and digitizing desired crop traits to create healthier and more stable crops.

Myth #4

Computer science is anti-social.

Now, back to that image of the programmer working alone in his basement. Let’s completely throw that idea out the window. Computer science is very collaborative and is all about finding solutions to human dilemmas like how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases or how to stream the best music. The solutions are derived from pulling together teams from different skills sets and disciplines to work together to reach conclusions.

So – now that we see there’s a place in computer science for people who are social, creative, artistic, altruistically motivated (and not math geniuses), let’s take a look at some cool computer science programs across Canadian university campuses.

YORK UNIVERSITY For Lalaine Ulit-Destajo, a fourth year student in the Honours BA Digital Media Program at York University, the world of computer science was a complete mystery to her when she entered the program. Like many of her peers, Lalaine’s first exposure to programming and coding was on Day 1 of school.

Lalaine was a strong artistic student in high school who thought that computer science was boring number crunching. She was attracted to the program at York because of its strong artistic component.

The Digital Media Program is an interdisciplinary program which is a partnership offered through the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design and the Lassonde School of Engineering. The program is the only one of its kind in Ontario and offers the opportunity to marry engineering and computer science with a variety of visual, media and performing arts classes. Talk about the best of all worlds!

The program is currently quite small, with only 50 students per year and a male–female ratio of 55:45. The size of the program is one of its many attractive features, as the student body and faculty are very supportive and encouraging. Students are inspired to reach to new heights, to try new things and to not fear failure.

Graduates of the program go on to become game developers, user experience architects, creative coding artists, digital media strategists and graphic artists.

UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN The Interactive System Design program at the University of Saskatchewan is another multidisciplinary program that combines courses in Art & Art History, Psychology and Computer Science. Graduates of the program emerge with both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree.

Students in the program learn all about the design and development of interactive systems like the ones that we use every day on our computer operating system or smartphones.

The combined training that students get in art, psychology, and computer science prepares them for a variety of careers like web and game design, usability testing, interface development and front-end requirements analysis.

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Alida Horsley is a graduate of the School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT) program at Simon Fraser University. With her Bachelor of Arts in hand, she is currently working at the National Film Board as an interactive designer. Alida, like Lalaine, did not originally see herself in computer science. In high school, her passion was the arts and this was where she excelled, rather than in the world of math and science.

After high school, Alida wanted to complete a degree where she could utilize her talent and creativity but where she would also gain valuable work skills that would enable her to get a job once she graduated. The School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) at SFU was the perfect program for Alida. It is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers in creating new media and designing inventive technologies. According to the SIAT website, “A SIAT education combines the science of human experience, the analysis of media and culture, the creation of original and experimental works of art, and the implementation of new technologies.”

With a 52% female population in the program, it clearly appeals to women. In this collaborative and supportive environment, students are encouraged by one another and by faculty to try new things, to experiment and to not hold back for fear of failure.

Alida has found herself in a career that she could never have imagined and believes that the “…methods and jargon people use to talk about computer science make it much more inaccessible than it should be.”1 Perhaps this is something we should all take to heart as we consider the language that we use when we talk about computer science.

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We’ve all heard about the shortage of skilled information technology workers that Canada will be facing in the near future.

Knowing that, it seems to be a wise investment for the youth of today to consider incorporating computer science into their post-secondary education.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: It seems clear that the computer science field is changing, as students are exposed to a variety of ways to incorporate computer programming into their other areas of study. But this is not enough for the many passionate women who have started not-for-profit organizations across the country to encourage girls and young women and welcome them into the field. With classes networking events, and an opportunity for young women to connect with female role models, these organizations serve to open the doors to girls as young as eight into the computer science fold.

Here are some amazing organizations across the country inspiring women everywhere: Ladies Learning Code (& Girls Learning Code) Dames Making Games Chic Geek Girl Geek Dinners Tech Girls Canada FITC Girl Force

dedicated to that cause, whether it’s the protection of animals or poverty.

Students learn how knowledge of programming can help people change the world.

As an advocate and strong believer in the value of a computer science education, Brittany Melnyk views computer science as a basic tool, just as basic as the need to read and write. She encourages post-secondary students to at least try one computer science class and consider the possibility of doing a minor in computer science, it can be combined so naturally with any other discipline from health sciences to humanities, business, art or psychology.

We’ve all heard about the shortage of skilled information technology workers that Canada will be facing in the near future. Knowing that, it seems to be a wise investment for the youth of today to consider incorporating computer science into their post-secondary education. With such a wide variety of exciting, creative, socially responsible and collaborative careers available, there just may be something to appeal to even the most hard core technophobes! CO 1 http://www.sfu.ca/siat/about/siat_spotlight/AlidaHorsley.html

Ladies Learning Code even has a separate division, Girls Learning Code, and with camps and school programs, it opens the doors of computer programming to kids as young as eight years old. According to Brittany Hemming, a Front End Web Developer and one of the chief instructors at Girls Learning Code, girls like to understand the “why” behind programming, so the camps and classes begin with the students picking a cause to focus on. Through programming, they create a website 18

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MICHELLE BRANDES is a Toronto-based Career Development Practitioner who is passionate about helping people find their unique path to career happiness and success.

GOING GREEN

WHERE TO WORK IN CANADA’S GREEN ECONOMY

By Ben Filipkowski

I

t’s official – Canada is going green. With a monumental $6.75 billion investment by the federal government into green energy and clean tech, Canada has committed to developing its green infrastructure and protecting the environment. This change in economic focus means a huge shift towards – and investment in – careers and jobs in the green energy sector.

Even before he was elected to the top office, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was a vocal supporter of green investment with strong convictions about what it could do for Canada’s economy. In a speech made in June 2015 in Vancouver,

Trudeau offered a uniquely Canadian analogy for the marriage of green interests to the economy.

“They go together. They go together like paddles and canoes. If you don’t take care of both, you’re never going to get to where you’re going,” said Trudeau. “Because you can’t have a strong economy without a healthy environment.”1 Focusing on Canada’s green interests will bring about a number of changes – chief among them, a new focus on growth sectors such as wind and solar energy. With focus comes investment, which should translate to jobs down the road. But first, a little more about these growth sectors.

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What is STEM anyway?

To some, the answer is obvious, especially if you’ve stepped into any sort of secondary or postsecondary institution in the last year.

STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

It’s an education grouping, used in schools to improve competitiveness in science and technology development.

WIND ENERGY Currently, Ontario and Quebec lead Canada in the development and adoption of wind energy installations. There is tremendous potential for wind energy in Canada, with the possibility of developing both onshore and offshore projects.

How it Works • Harnesses wind energy through the use of turbines • Wind pressure passing over turbine blades generates lift (like an airplane wing), causing them to turn • Kinetic energy of wind is turned into mechanical energy and then converted to electrical current via a drive shaft • Current is transmitted to a substation for distribution The Numbers • 23 percent growth in 2015 alone2 • More than $3 billion invested in 20152 • 10,500 jobs created in 20152 • $650 million in potential lease payments to landowners in Ontario alone2 • Generation of 4 percent of Canada’s electricity, with a strategy outlined by the Canadian Wind Energy Association* to expand to 20 percent2

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Profiling Canadian Power Leaders Wind energy is taking hold on a global level, with regular increases in the size and scope of planned and completed projects.

One such project, Gemini, is an offshore wind farm in the North Sea off the coast of Holland.

Gemini comprises 68 square kilometres of space in the open water, with construction well underway on the numerous turbines that stretch 88.5 metres above sea level. The company behind this impressive undertaking, Northland Power, is based out of Toronto. With solar and wind projects abroad and close to home, Northland is a Canadian company leading the way in alternative energy projects.

Each turbine is manufactured onshore, transported to the site of the wind farm, and installed. In addition to the almost-90 metres of turbine above the waterline, up to an additional 36 metres are submerged below the surface.

Teams of engineers develop and oversee each installation, supported by a small army of workers and a support crew. Barges, boats, and specialized equipment are required, and the public images of Gemini’s construction are truly spectacular.

The construction alone for projects of this nature creates massive investment in local job markets. In addition to employment growth in areas such as construction, engineering, and project management, local business also sees a shot in the arm.

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SOLAR ENERGY When people hear the words “green energy”, solar energy is probably the first option that springs to mind. Solar energy is most common in southern British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and across the prairies.

How it Works • Sunlight is absorbed by photovoltaic cells made of silicon and other materials, which are arranged in panels • Photons in sunlight excite electrons in the cells, causing them to move and generate current • Current is transmitted to a substation and stored for distribution The Numbers • As of 2014, solar energy comprises 1 percent of total energy production, despite massive growth • The industry experienced 58 percent growth in 2013 • Growth doubled total capacity between 2012 and 2014 • Ontario leads total solar capacity at nearly 8 gigawatts3 • 17,000 households are powered by Grand Renewable Solar Project, the largest solar installation in Canada

STEM Skills in the Green Infrastructure

Profiling Canadian Power Leaders • Like their peers in wind energy, Canadian companies in the solar energy space are taking the world by storm.

Canadian Solar, based out of Guelph, Ontario, has established itself as a jack-of-all-trades solar developer, with projects extending from its own backyard all the way to Europe and beyond.

The company started out small back in 2001, but when the German government began to implement feed-in-tariff programs in 2004, Canadian Solar found its niche as the go-to for rooftop installations.

Now, 12 years later, it’s one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers, and has expanded to include installation and operation services as well. The company’s rapid growth has allowed it to develop a vast number of projects, everywhere from Napanee to Thunder Bay and Germany to Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps more so than other green alternatives, solar energy has a huge impact on municipal and environmental planning. As with other energy sectors, engineering, planning, and construction jobs will be a vital part of its growth. In the years to come, research and development of solar technology will continue to push it towards greater affordability and availability.

The time is right for a solar push in Canada, and it’s sure to be an explosive market filled with opportunity.

BRIGHTER TODAY, GREENER TOMORROW No matter the scale, the next step is clear – the shift in Canadian energy infrastructure to green alternatives has begun.

With the federal government on board and investing in Canada’s green future, the sector has no shortage of great jobs. As projects and initiatives get off the ground, the opportunities will no doubt only increase.

Investment is the first step in developing Canada’s green infrastructure, but it won’t be the last. The very word “infrastructure” gives a sense of how big a movement this is. For STEM students – and eventually all Canadians – the job market is about to get a whole lot more exciting. CO 1 “ For the Record: Justin Trudeau’s Pitch on the Environment.” Macleans.ca. N.p., 29 June 2015. Web. 08 Aug. 2016.

2 Statistics provided by WindFacts.ca (http://windfacts.ca/why-wind-works) 3 http://cleanenergycanada.org/trackingtherevolution-canada/2015/

BEN FILIPKOWSKI is an Ottawa-based writer interested in history, technology, and politics, and can usually be found wandering around a museum.

With the shift towards a green infrastructure, Canadian companies and other local employers are going to need skilled thinkers and planners with a background in related STEM fields. But how does that degree tie in with a green job?

SCIENCE • Research that supports project planning and development Research on green energy and tech subsectors Innovation and development • Serve as green energy ambassador or authority for communications or a consultancy TECHNOLOGY • Development of new technologies • Improvement and innovation of existing technologies • Projects to improve generation ENGINEERING • Design and development of projects and installations • Oversight of production Development of new technology MATHEMATICS • Development of computer science applications for use in technical systems • Use of biomathematics in biotechnology • Operations research that maximizes profits, minimizes costs, and determines the best possible solutions to challenges • Financial management of projects

Your interests, education and experience could add up to a great career in insurance. Visit www.career-connections.info to find out how!

If you’re looking for a career path that offers variety, flexibility, above average advancement and a real sense of community, then there could be a career with your name on it in Canada’s property & casualty insurance industry.

110,000 Canadians work in the insurance industry. It is a close-knit professional community that reflects the face and values of Canadian society.

Insurance. It’s not what you think, it’s a whole lot more.

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