Career Options Magazine Winter 2017

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CAREER OPTIONS FOR CANADIAN POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS

CAREEROPTIONSMAGAZINE.COM WINTER / SPRING 2017 / VOLUME 31 NO. 1

20 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE

24 CHECKING UP ON CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE

30 BIG DEMAND IN BIG DATA

THE NEW

COMPUTER SCIENCE TRENDY PROGRAMS LEAD TO COOL & CREATIVE TECH CAREERS PAGE 10

Take your degree to the next degree.

Today’s ever-changing business climate demands analytical thinking and insightful decision making that goes beyond discipline or industry.

A CPA designation arms you with the tools and knowledge to make impactful decisions in the face of change.

cpacanada.ca/becomeaCPA

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Debunking Caption TK myths and stereotypes in the world of computer science

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Exciting, dynamic and potentially lucrative: is freelancing for you?

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By Alex Scantlebury

By Ben Filipkowski

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Stop Stressing and Talk to a Career Counsellor Turn your skills and dreams into a career

Computer Science: Myths and New Realities Cool creative programs and careers

By Michelle Brandes

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Innovators take great ideas, and build businesses around them

Checking Up on Careers in Health Care The prognosis is excellent

By Megan Stacey

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Social Entrepreneurs Create Positive Change Spotting opportunities, creating jobs, and growing stronger communities

By Conor Rochon

<<<

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Taking the “Free” Out of Freelancer Earn a wage on your own terms

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Success by Association Joining a professional association can help your career

By Marc Cousineau

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Big Demand in Big Data Not just spreadsheets and number-crunching: statistician is poised to become a “sexy” career

By Jordan Adams

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CAREER OPTIONS

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE CAREER OPTIONS WEBSITE? FOR TODAY’S MEDIA-SAVVY CAREER-FOCUSED STUDENT!

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Colleen Hayes Stephan Pigeon

» Job-hunting resources » Featured employers » Career event listings BLOGSPOT Students, career educators and guest bloggers share their thoughts about post-secondary education, entering the workforce, finding the “right” job, and getting a career on track. Submit your own blog ideas at careeroptionsmagazine.com/ community/blog.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Jordan Adams Marc Cousineau Conor Rochon Megan Stacey

Michelle Brandes Ben Filipkowski Alex Scantlebury

Career Options is published biannually in January and September by the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE), 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 202, Toronto ON M5S 2T9

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Kirill Kornilov Director of Advertising Sales, gordongroup: Tel: 613-288-5363 Fax: 613-234-8655 kkornilov@gordongroup.com gordongroup.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.

Career Options is distributed to students at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Career Options is available free of charge through campus career centres.

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Career Options is a national student resource published by the: Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers 720 Spadina Ave., Suite 202, Toronto ON M5S 2T9 cacee.com

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR ADVERTISERS… Athabasca University Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA)

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The Canadian Payroll Association The Centre for Digital Media The New England Center for Children

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“ A career in Human Resources offers a world of opportunity to make a real difference.

HR is a fantastic career choice for students because it gives them an opportunity to work with so many parts of an organization and impact the actual business results.”

Heather Briant, CHRE Senior Vice President, Human Resources Cineplex Entertainment

career in focus

When it comes to practicing human resources, membership matters. Only HRPA offers Certified Human Resources Professional, Leader, and Executive designations: the new global standard for HR excellence and professionalism.

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The CHRP, Canada’s best-known and only national HR designation, is now available exclusively from HRPA. PUT YOUR C AREER IN FOCUS hrpa.ca/infocus

By Alex Scantlebury

STOP STRESSING AND TALK TO A CAREER COUNSELLOR Every one of us is filled with talents, skills, dreams, goals, and eagerness to accomplish.

How can we blend them all together into a career we excel at and enjoy?

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his question, and the adventure we undertake when we answer it, can arise at any point in a person’s life, but it begins for most when they are entering their senior years of high school. It’s a common rite of passage: students facing choices when several post-secondary directions beckon.

Which field should you pick? Where do you want to go to college or university? Is going directly to employment after secondary school an option?

What about apprenticeship training?

No one can speak for everyone, but it is clear that making those choices at that early age can be a heavy burden.

However, there are ways to reduce the anxiety— people and services you can turn to in order to help you make the smartest decision for your future.

When we look for sources of help, we find that the options are virtually unlimited. Let’s forget that the online world exists and go traditional for a moment. To start, make a list of all the people in your life that you could go to for advice about anything. By the time you are finished, the size of the list will almost certainly amaze you. Don’t leave anyone out—parents, friends, other family members, coaches, teachers, and guidance counsellors. Include them all. Each will have different perspectives and offer you different styles of advice.

Speak to each of them and compile what they say into an overall picture. Evaluate what they say carefully. All this is important, because you’re making a choice that will shape the rest of your life.

Of course, there’s another choice that in some ways is simpler. You can go and speak to a career counsellor who works at one of the local post-secondary institutions. They answer these

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Visit

itsajuggle.ca to learn more about building career success.

questions every day and are always happy to help someone shape their future. A good example of someone who’s benefited from career counselling is Ally Bottero, a 22-year-old public relations student at Algonquin College in Ottawa who started her post-secondary career taking film studies at Carleton University.

After a couple of years, Bottero realized that, though she loved film studies, she wanted to make a change to something else.

“I went into the registrar’s office at Carleton and ended up speaking with one of their career counsellors. I told her that I didn’t know what direction I was going and I thought that maybe I needed a change. We chatted for almost an hour and through the entire chat we somehow ended up talking about the PR program at Algonquin College. It turns out I have the right mindset for communications. I don’t know if I would have found my way

THE PERSONAL CONVERSATION APPROACH WON’T WORK FOR EVERYONE, BUT THERE ARE USEFUL ONLINE TOOLS AND SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME.

there if I hadn’t spoken to a career counsellor—and I couldn’t be happier with the choice I made,” said Bottero.

Granted, the personal conversation approach won’t work for everyone, but there are useful online tools and services that are available all the time and make an excellent fallback option. Such services can be a less subjective and more comprehensive source of career counselling information. For many, it’s produced great results.

It’s a Juggle (itsajuggle.ca) is an effective and easy-to-use career counselling and advancement tool available free for anyone. The original concept for It’s a Juggle came from Dr. Linda Pardy, senior partner at The Pardy Group, who conceived it as as a toolkit for building sustainable career success.

“We design sustainable student success for the 21st-century workplace,” Pardy says. “To do this, we work with higher education and business leaders to support learners in achieving ongoing success in a complex economy.” As a professor of communications and a business partner, Pardy straddles the worlds of business and education, giving her a rich perspective from which to offer help. That help is crucially important, she says, because it helps learners “build better life stories.”

Essentially, the site offers a step-by-step planning platform that can help you answer all of the questions that arise while you plan your future.

Everything from academic planning, career assessments, career planning, advice to both entrepreneurs and small business owners, all the way through to managing your mental health throughout the process can be considered through using this tool. After reviewing what the site has to offer—and knowing that I am already happily placed in my dream career in communications— I can see how much easier the path would have been if I had known about this at the beginning.

There are some extremely specific tools online to help with individual aspects of your plan. Educationplanner.ca is offered to students in British Columbia. It isn’t your typical “college finder” app because it has a far more personal feel. This planner will walk you through the process of finding the perfect post-secondary school, allowing you to search out programs and schools by asking about your interests, the subjects you like, and any schools you might have your heart set on already. I believe this to be a far more pertinent way to go than just trying to answer the cliché question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Obviously, careers are not what they used to be, nor are the people who pursue them. Rarely do you see students coming fresh out of high school with all the answers—though they might think they have them—and moving directly onto their life’s pursuits. The world is just not that simple anymore.

It’s quite typical for people to follow multiple career paths, by choice or by circumstance, before finding their place in the working world. Career counselling makes life easier for all demographics. We all face challenges moving through life and no one can truly say they knew or know where exactly they should be heading. Ask the questions, find the answers, and plan your future. Not an easy task, I know, but there are many services available to help you make the important decisions. CO

ALEX SCANTLEBURY is the founder of EBM Professional Writing Services and a graduate of Algonquin College. Follow him on Twitter @ebmprowriting.

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Follow a career path?

Or blaze your own.

THE CHOICE IS CLEAR. After all, the Enterprise Management Training Program is where you’ll unleash your full career potential and hone your management skills. You’ll learn how to run a successful business and lead a team of professionals. At Enterprise, you’ll be rewarded based on performance, not seniority. And, since we have established locations across Canada, you can build your career where you want to build it. There’s a reason why we have been recognized for more than 20 years as a great place to launch a career in Canada.

THIS IS WHERE IT ALL STARTS. go.enterprise.com/canada

Go with a team that sets a high standard when it comes to employment equity. Go with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. We actively encourage applications from qualified men and women, including Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. ©2015 Enterprise Rent-A-Car. F07360.07/15

Searching for a Career?

Choose Payroll A career in payroll can be very rewarding and becoming a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) will ensure you have the compliance knowledge and payroll skills needed for success.

“Having my PCP certification has given me greater confidence in my job. With the wealth of knowledge I obtained through the PCP program, I can answer questions quickly and accurately.”

• Employers look for this certification when hiring and consistently pay a higher salary to those who have achieved it (Hays Canada Payroll Salary Guide).

• PCP Certification requires taking four key courses and one year of payroll-related work experience.

• Courses are available online and at universities and colleges across Canada.

Certification is the smart choice to elevate your payroll career. The Canadian Payroll Association can guide you on your path.

Nadine Harrison, PCP Payroll Administrator

For more information visit payroll.ca

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Computer Science: and New Realities

Myths

and Careers

Cool Creative programs

By Michelle Brandes with contributions from Brittany Melnyk

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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.

Exciting, creative and significant careers can come from a background in programming and computer science.

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.

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, the first computer programmer way back in the 1800’s. 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.

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Canada will soon face a shortage of skilled information technology workers—so it seems a wise investment for youth to incorporate computer science in their education.

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.

Myth #1

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

Get all of those “1’s” and “0’s” 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 Surfer) or use technology and coding as a means of artistic expression in the film and television world or visual arts.

Myth #3

Computer science isn’t a “helping profession.”

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 antisocial.

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

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stream the best music. The solutions are derived from pulling together teams from different skills sets and disciplines to work together to reach conclusions.

As we look at the world around us, it is clear that computer science is not going away—it is only becoming increasingly integral to our lives and our work. Schools all across North America, from elementary to high school, are recognizing this and are working to integrate computer science education into the regular curriculum. Organizations like “An Hour of Code” are introducing students to coding under the mantra of, “every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science.”

Students today are growing up surrounded by technology—from their smartphones, social media, wearables and computer games—it’s just a part of their lives. But digital literacy means more than just knowing how to use your phone. As President Obama said, “don’t just play on your phone, program it.” To truly rise above the competition in the job market, students need to have some technical know-how. According to a recent Maclean’s magazine article, students should be encouraged to, “add tech to a humanities degree to bridge the employment gap.” According to the article, a 2012-2013 study in the US revealed that when a liberal arts grad added a technical skill like computer programming, graphic design or social media to their education, the number of jobs available to them doubled and their salary increased.

But for all of the focus on computer science, arts students need not despair! A liberal arts education teaches marketable skills like writing, problem solving, teamwork, holistic thinking and even psychology. These

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are skills that tech companies like Google and Shopify are looking for in their new hires. Believe it or not, but according to that same US study, the most sought after skill that companies are looking for in their new software development hires is actually writing. While there has been much focus on the need for arts students to gain technical skills, a lesser known movement perhaps, is the STEM to STEAM movement, which calls for the addition of “Arts & Design” to the traditional STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.) STEM + Art = STEAM. It seems then that to be truly well rounded and ready to face the job market, the marriage of the arts and some science (or vice versa) opens up a wealth of opportunity. Luckily, many post secondary institutions are making it easier to combine CS and the Arts by combining disciplines within degrees or by shifting away from the traditional university experience of requiring students to declare a major/minor and then restricting course selection.

Many institutions are allowing for more fluidity and movement between departments allowing students to have a more multi-disciplinary university experience. It has become easier than ever to try a computer science elective and see what possibilities it opens up.

But—what if you’re not ready to commit to a whole university level course? If you just want to dip your toes into the CS world, why not start with a workshop? In just an afternoon you can meet some passionate and motivating programmers, learn a cool new coding language and see what the CS world has to offer. Ladies Learning Code (ladieslearningcode.com) is one organization with workshops all across the country to introduce women and youth to coding, Hatch Canada (hatchcanada.com), which is geared more

for the younger set, offers $5 coding Friday workshops or check out your local public library for a coding workshop.

As an advocate and strong believer in the value of a computer science education, Brittany Melnyk views CS 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 CS—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 IT 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

MICHELLE BRANDES is a Toronto-based career development practitioner. She is passionate about helping people find career happiness and success.

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TAKING THE

FREE

By Ben Filipkowski

OUT OF FREELANCER Earn a wage on your own terms

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icture your usual morning routine: wake up, shower, grab breakfast and coffee, race out the door to get to the office on time. But what if you didn’t have to commute? What if you could set your own hours, and work from home? What if you were, in fact, your

own boss?

It’s an appealing image, and more and more professionals are embracing freelancing as a career. Whether you’re a graphic artist or a translator, a computer programmer or a marketing guru, a dietician or a journalist— there’s no shortage of opportunities for people who would rather hang up their own shingle than draw a paycheque from someone else.

In the high-tech industry, for instance, freelancers are sometimes called “hired guns.” That analogy dates back to medieval days, when mercenaries—soldiers with no allegiance to anyone but their current employer— were known as “free lances.” The notion of working on your own terms is just as relevant today (with less risk of bodily harm).

But how exactly does it work? What are the benefits, and the challenges?

“To work freelance, you need to be disciplined,” says Ian Roy, who teaches in Algonquin College’s professional writing program. A published author himself, he knows from experience that “it’s so easy not to work if no one is looking over your shoulder.”

The Good and the Bad As with any career choice, there are upsides and downsides to being selfemployed. Some reasons to love the freelance life include the ability to: • Set

your own schedule on jobs that appeal to you • Make a name for yourself • Exercise your entrepreneurial skills • Build a professional network • Explore new opportunities.

• Work

Then again, the freelance life might not be for you—since you also have to: • Take

a big chance, if you decide to quit your job up-front in the tools of your trade (such as expensive computer equipment) • Wear many hats: creator, accountant, secretary, office cleaner • Juggle tasks to balance your work-life commitments • Chase leads, and create that professional network • Focus 24/7 on ways to improve your business • Make sure you stay top-of-mind with your existing clients.

• Invest

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Your Professional Network YOUR BILL-PAYING SKILLS As a freelancer, you have to manage your own finances: there’s no Accounting department to do it for you. If you’re used to getting paid every two weeks, it can be tough to accept the fact that there’s now no schedule for your paycheque. Your invoices will depend on the contracts you work on for clients, so your income will be very irregular— especially when you’re just starting out.

“Think of a ship’s pilot at night, moving from beacon to beacon,” suggests Colin O’Connell, a freelancer in the high-tech sector. “The revenue stream comes in bursts.”

This usually means a big disconnect between your own commitments—your heat and hydro bills, your phone and Internet, home and auto insurance, etc., which have to be paid every month—and your outstanding invoices.

Ideally, you should have several months’ income on hand at all times, to take you through those lean spells.

You’re also responsible for handling your own taxes.

What business expenses can you claim, and what income do you need to report? What about HST: should you file quarterly or yearly, with the standard or quick method? If you don’t have the head for finance to get to know all those ins and outs, it may be worth it for you to find a tax accountant to make sure you stay in the good graces of Revenue Canada.

Freelancing is all about who you know, and the network of professional contacts you make. But what if you don’t have any yet? For a start, check out your personal network. Who do you know? Who do they know? Ask if friends and family have any connections in your field. Can they introduce you to anybody?

Most cities host networking events that are specifically designed for professionals to make new business contacts. The Internet, including social media, is an easy way to grow your network. Probably the best online community is LinkedIn, which lets you connect with potential colleagues and employers.

If you decide to take the initiative and approach an organization, research who’s the best person to talk to about getting freelance work. “Do your homework,” advises Roy. “Know who you’re calling, what they do, who their clients are, what kind of worker they’re looking for.”

Branding Basics In freelancing, top-of-mind status is huge—if clients don’t think of your name first, when looking for someone to work on their project, you can miss out. A personal brand is an excellent way to stay memorable, as well as to give potential clients a way to identify your values and capabilities.

It can be tough to condense those into a bite-sized statement or logo; but try thinking of yourself as a product, and your brand as your sales pitch. Make sure your professional brand is consistent. Rather than using your personal email and social media accounts, create ones dedicated to your business.

Of course, when it comes to maintaining your contacts and getting repeat business, the non-negotiable aspect is actually doing excellent work.

It should always meet or exceed the client’s needs, and—most importantly—be delivered on time. “Make the deadline,” stresses Lorraine Byerley, another experienced freelancer. “Keeping your reputation intact is key.”

PAID IN “EXPERIENCE” Persuading clients to value your work can be a challenge. Recent grads, especially, may often be offered “exposure” or “experience” in lieu of pay. It’s a tricky situation: you need to get your foot in the door, but you also have to pay the bills.

The best-case scenario: clients may want to see what you’re capable of—so doing a freebie might turn into a business relationship. But the worst-case scenario might be that an employer just wants you to work for free.

Another common situation is the unpaid internship: you essentially volunteer your time and skills, in the hope of impressing a company enough to get paid for your work. Legally, such arrangements are mostly restricted to when they’re part of an educational program.

Only you can decide whether either type of situation is worth your time and energy. If nothing else, they can be exercises in learning how to cope with frustration—and behave like a pro.

Is It For You? Freelancing is an exciting, dynamic, and potentially lucrative alternative to the traditional 9-to-5 work world—provided you’re willing (and able) to invest the time and effort to make it work. Professionalism is an important factor; especially, Roy points out, when you have a home office. “I never work in my pajamas,” he says—contrary to the common conception of freelancers as free from dress codes. “Sometimes I’ll even put on a suit—it makes me feel like I’d better get to work.”

If you can handle being responsible for all aspects of your business, and if you enjoy the fast-paced hustle and bustle of chasing down contracts, freelancing might be your ideal work style. Resilience and versatility are two important traits, says Byerley: “You’ve got to be confident in your own abilities.” Moira Farr, a seasoned freelance writer and editor, agrees. “You have to be able to withstand the downsides and the downtimes,” she says. “It’s a tough life, but it can certainly be a fulfilling one.” CO

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

WARM UP YOUR COLD CALLS Do you have trouble making an impression on potential clients? Do your cold calls to hot prospects often seem to fizzle out? Here are five tips for better success when making those phone calls.

1. Do your research. What does the organization do, and who’s the best person to talk to?

2. Prepare your questions. As you try to get more information about the company, impress them with what you already know.

3. Rehearse. Practice what you’ll say if you actually get to speak to a live person—and, just as importantly, what you’ll say if you have to leave a voice message.

Don’t rush or gabble; give your name and phone number slowly and clearly; and try not to “um” or “ah” too much.

4. Make your pitch. What’s your “unique value proposition”? What benefit can you provide to the client? How do your skills meet their needs?

5. Follow up. After you’ve made your phone pitch, suggest that you meet to discuss in greater depth how you can help them. Whatever the outcome, always thank them for taking the time to talk with you.

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Create

By Conor Rochon

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

POSITIVE CHANGE Entrepreneurs spot opportunities, create jobs, and grow stronger communities.

Success means not just having a great idea, but also following it throughâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;no matter what the obstacles.

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athleen Kemp is the co-founder of CigBins, an Ottawa-based company tackling the problem of cigarette-butt litter. CigBins installs and maintains butt disposal bins on their clients’ properties and returns to clean the bins on a regular schedule. On the surface, CigBins looks like any other small business, offering their services to clients at competitive rates and attracting new business with careful marketing and branding—but Kemp founded CigBins to do more than simply turn a profit. The company recycles the waste they remove and, in partnership with Causeway Work Center, helps people with mental disabilities find a place in their workforce. “We want CigBins to be a positive force in the community—but to do that we need to be a sustainable business,” Kemp explains. “It’s all about finding the right balance between the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the company.”

Entrepreneurs like Kemp are innovators. They keep the economic engine running by taking great ideas and building businesses around them.

Entrepreneurs spot opportunities for new industry, they create jobs and grow stronger communities. It’s hard work. Success means not only having a great idea, but also having the drive to follow through on that idea, no matter the obstacles.

restricted to for-profit businesses that put their values before their bottom line. No matter the specifics, the premise remains the same—the use of solid business practices to help solve society’s problems.

“Social entrepreneurs are some of the most fascinating people I’ve ever worked with,” says Craig Ryan, director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Business Development Canada (BDC). The mandate of BDC is to enhance the growth of the Canadian economy by offering flexible loans to small and medium businesses. Ryan’s job at BDC is to ensure that the organization considers environmental and social impacts, both in its own operations and when choosing companies to partner with.

Ryan landed in his current position after working in both the private and public sector and believes such diverse experience can be especially beneficial to the entrepreneurs he works with. “Social entrepreneurs are trying to marry civic problems with commercial solutions. They need to know how to move in many different worlds. Cross-pollination between sectors is important.”

The good of social entrepreneurship hasn’t gone unnoticed. Organizations of all sizes have sprung up to support and grow innovative social ventures.

At the international level, institutions such as the Ashoka Fellowship and

It’s hard to find two experts who agree on the same definition of social entrepreneurship. Definitions might include non-profits that rely on grants and donations, or for-profit businesses that put their values ahead of their bottom line.

Why entrepreneurs innovate is as important as what they innovate. It’s easy to be cynical and think that every business grows out of love for the dollar, but that’s often not the case. The truth is that many innovators are driven more by values than by financial security. Values are the backbone of great social entrepreneurship, a force which has been changing the world, both locally and globally, for a long time.

It might be hard to find two experts who agree on the same definition of social entrepreneurship. Depending on who you ask, the definition might include non-profits operating through grants and donations, or it might be 22

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the Skoll Foundation search for committed people with great ideas and awards them grants and networking opportunities. At a local level, collaborative office spaces such as Impact Hub are bringing entrepreneurs together and allowing them to share ideas.

Social entrepreneurship has also found a home on university campuses.

ENACTUS aims to create student entrepreneurial action through competition. Every year, ENACTUS teams at universities around the world test their innovations in national competitions hoping for a chance to bring their ideas to the ENACTUS world cup.

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Social entrepreneurs are trying to marry civic problems with commercial solutions. They need to know how to move in many different worlds.

Tanveer Mostafa joined ENACTUS during his first year at University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Business. He joined both to build his entrepreneurial experience and to make a positive contribution to society. However, he had to find a problem before he could solve one. This took him out into the community. “People think they can do all their research at their desk,” Mostafa explains, “but to understand the problems facing a community, you have to get out of your comfort zone and engage with that community.”

The problem Mostafa eventually identified was job insecurity in immigrant and homeless communities. Along with his business partner, Wendy Liang, and with the support of the University of Ottawa ENACTUS team, Mostafa founded Ontario Sports Officials, a company that provides free referee training to recent immigrants and connects them to soccer leagues across Ontario in

need of officials. The company has since gone on to expand nationally into Canada Sports Officials—but Mostafa, true to his entrepreneurial spirit, is already looking for a new challenge.

While the idea of corporations making positive changes in their communities isn’t new, entrepreneurs who decide to walk this path have more support than ever before.

It’s easier to grow a socially responsible company from an idea than it is to take an existing company and make it socially responsible. That’s the real value of social entrepreneurs. By founding the industries of the future, today’s innovators can have a say in how those industries are run. By making social and environmental impacts a priority and combining those impacts with sustainable business practices, entrepreneurs can be a powerful force for positive change. It’s an exciting time to get involved. CO

CONOR ROCHON is a freelance writer living in Ottawa, Ontario. Conor is interested in science and technology, can steer a canoe, and occasionally tweets @Roy_Rock_On. He also enjoys long walks on the beach, because who doesn’t?

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By Megan Stacey

CLINICAL POSITIONS

CHECKING UP ON CAREERS IN

» Doctors » Nurses (BSN, LPN)

HEALTH CARE

» Therapists (respiratory, occupational, physio) » Technologists and technicians (medical laboratory, x-ray, radiation therapy, cardiology, MRI, ultrasound and sonography) » Social workers » Dietitians » Dentists » Pharmacists

Thinking about a career in health care? Rest easy: the prognosis for aspiring professionals is excellent.

A

s a large cohort of the Canadian population—the “Baby Boom” generation—ages into their senior years, health services will be in extremely high demand. Lab tests, surgeries, long-term care: a population that’s growing old asks a lot of our health care professionals. Fields ranging from medical laboratory science to dietetics to nursing are all facing the retirement of many current workers. The country will struggle to meet the vital needs of all Canadians if there is a lack of human resources to fill positions.

This is not a minor problem. The Canadian Nurses Association says the industry is already short 11,000 full-time nurses. Without swift action from government, schools and industry leaders, that number could balloon to 60,000 nurses in less than 10 years. Experts are calling for additional funding to help educate new nurses, as well as greater efforts to mentor young professionals and help retain more experienced nurses.

Nursing is not the only area of concern. “Our challenge is—like most health care providers—we will experience a significant downturn when the Baby Boomers retire,” says

Christine Nielsen, chief executive officer of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. Medical laboratory professionals perform tests and procedures to provide diagnostic information to help diagnose or treat a patient’s condition.

While labour shortages put a strain on current workers within the health care industry—fewer workers mean longer hours, a challenging work environment, and the potential for inadequate care—they also open up opportunities for university and college students. If you’ve ever considered a career in one of the many fields of health care, now is the time to begin planning your journey.

WHAT TYPES OF JOBS ARE AVAILABLE? The health care industry encompasses a broad spectrum of professions. Try to recall every ailment you’ve ever suffered, and then think of the myriad of health professionals who helped, counselled, calmed or treated you. All of these individuals represent a career within the health care industry, each with its own specializations and applications.

It may seem like a complicated industry to explain, but there is a way to navigate the health care “umbrella,” says Christine Fader, career counsellor at Queen’s University Career Services.

“Roles in this field can often be grouped into two main types: clinical and non-clinical. Examples of clinical roles would include licensed practitioners such as nurses, doctors, therapists and more,” she says. You can think of non-clinical positions as those that don’t directly provide treatment.

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» Primary and advanced care paramedics » Personal support workers, health care aides

NON-CLINICAL POSITIONS » Health research, such as clinical trials » Administration » Education » Finance » Human resources » Public relations » IT

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PLANNING TIPS

FROM CHRISTINE FADER, CAREER COUNSELLOR AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY eet with people from a wide variety of career paths in the M health care industry to see what you like.

Check out books such as Top 100 Health-Care Careers by Dr. Saul Wischnitzer and Edith Wischnitzer, and Careers for Health Nuts & Others Who Like to Stay Fit by Blythe Camenson.

Get experience in your field by volunteering or doing community service.

Check program prerequisites carefully to ensure you are taking the necessary (or recommended) courses, reaching the required grade levels, and gaining enough experience.

Take advantage of the many programs and services available through your school’s career services department.

“Primary care paramedics are the entry level, so you would enroll in a college somewhere to take your primary care paramedic course. The typical thing is you graduate, work for a little while, and then you would go back to college for your advanced care paramedic program,” explains Dwayne Forsman, secretary treasurer of the Paramedic Association of Canada.

Paramedicine isn’t the only health care career option available at colleges.

You can also find many programs in allied health, which includes respiratory therapy, ultrasound and medical radiation technology, among others.

“All allied health programs include three major components: theory in the classroom; simulated practice in the laboratory; and ‘real-world’ experience in the clinical environment,” says Dr. Jane Gamberg, president of the Canadian Association of Allied Health Programs (CAAHP).

Classroom learning aside, there’s more that you can do to get your start in the industry. Nielsen says it is crucial to gain real-life experience and knowledge. While some health care programs, such as medical laboratory science, offer “real-world” experience through clinical placements, there are other ways to get an idea of what different careers might be like, including simulation and laboratory practice.

Interviewing current workers, volunteering, or becoming involved in community service learning related to your chosen field will help you develop a sense of what a career in health care might entail. Many agree that this type of learning—where you see a career in practice—is equally, if not more, important than learning from your textbooks and professors.

“Seeking out experiential opportunities to test the fit,” is how Fader describes this process. She suggests students search out job ads for positions in their chosen field, and review the qualifications and skills they are looking for in order to get an idea of the education and training that is required.

“It’s very important to talk to people doing recent hiring because desired qualifications are often evolving,” she notes.

Experiential learning could also include volunteer positions, internships or summer employment. This type of learning also benefits health care professionals by developing their interpersonal skills, says Dr. Gamberg.

These skills are essential for interacting with colleagues, patients and their families, which is a daily occurrence for those working in health care.

WHAT DO I NEED? Proper knowledge is critical to all professions in the health care industry.

It’s good to start by investigating the different sectors of health care through books, online resources and articles.

Fader also suggests meeting with as many current professionals as possible.

It’s a great way to get an honest and authentic perspective on what health care jobs entail.

Of course, the major preparation for a job in health care is education and training. Each field and position has its own educational requirements and certification process.

“In most regions of Canada the baccalaureate degree (BSN or BN) is needed for entry to practice cna-aiic.ca, nursing,” says Dr. Anita Molzahn, dean of the faculty WHERE ARE THESE JOBS? csmls.org, careers.queensu.ca, of nursing at the University of Alberta. “The degree Health care services are needed across the nursing.ualberta.ca, paramedic.ca, prepares nurses as generalists; some nurses go on to country, and demand shows no sign of slowing caahp.ca, cda-adc.ca, and take courses to specialize in specific clinical areas.” down—the aging population will require more and careeroptionsmagazine.com This progression describes the educational process more lab tests, radiation treatment and ambulance to learn more. for more than just nursing. Many fields require a basic transportation. university degree—usually there are prerequisites This means students pursuing health care focusing on health sciences and other related courses—with the potential for a careers can be secure in their chosen profession. As Dr. Gamberg says, specialized degree or training process after the initial degree. Some profes“education equals jobs in these cases.” Experts seem to agree that there is a sions, like medical laboratory science and medical imaging, can begin with a stable demand across all provinces and territories. college diploma and move on to degree level completion.

Since health care is a provincial responsibility, the data do not tend to Dentistry, for example, requires several years of post-secondary education show the breadth of national shortages. Instead, each province determines before enrolling in dental school. Dental specializations such as orthodontics their needs and works with education and training facilities to increase enrolland endodontics require even more training after the four years of dental school ment as necessary, the president of CAAHP says. are complete.

Of course, each profession has an idea of where needs are the greatest.

There are also college programs available for a variety of health care careers, Nielsen, for instance, says that rural areas are often in need of medical laborasuch as paramedicine. This field encompasses the work of skilled emergency tory technicians. The Canadian Dental Association’s president, Dr. Peter Doig, professionals in ambulances, helicopters and airplanes, who respond at emerhighlights Newfoundland as an area that struggles to provide enough dentists. gency scenes and deal with the care and transport of patients.

Visit

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“You could not say there is a national shortage in dentistry,” says Dr. Doig. “But for instance, in Newfoundland there is about half the dentist to population ratio that we see in British Columbia.”

These “pockets” of need can even provide opportunities in fields without widespread shortages. If your desired health care career doesn’t have many positions available in your area, there’s the possibility that other places in Canada are facing a labour shortage—it’s just a matter of discovering who needs workers, and adjusting your plan accordingly. (However, it’s important to keep in mind that provinces can have different criteria for health care professions—so do your research.)

Shortages can also exist in sectors within a health care field, such as education. For instance, Dr. Doig and Nielsen agree that there is a great demand for teaching professionals in their respective fields (dentistry and medical laboratory science).

WHERE CAN I GO FROM HERE? Fields within the health care industry provide many pathways for advancement. Almost all professions require teachers, instructors or professors in their educational programs, as well as managers, directors and association leaders.

Of course, where and how you progress depends on the job, environment and employer, and your level of education and training.

Dr. Doig says that most dentists follow a common path. After graduating from dental school, most go to work as private practice, fee-for-service dentists. From there, most dentists hope to progress towards becoming an owner or the principal at a dental practice.

Meanwhile, Dr. Molzahn says that nursing can be a stepping stone to an incredible variety of future positions.

“Those can be in practice, in management, in education, and in a wide range of settings. I have had other health professionals ask me how they can

acquire a nursing degree because they see the many leadership opportunities that are available to nurses,” she says.

Nielsen sees management positions in a different light. “Some people want to manage others, and some people don’t,” she says. “Many laboratory technologists want to do the science; they want to stay in the lab.” There are many opportunities to advance in medical laboratory science, but it has to be the right fit for the individual, Nielsen says.

Ultimately, progression through the health care industry is very specific to a chosen profession. Dr. Gamberg describes this model for allied health professions in particular.

“For each allied health profession, a ‘career ladder’ identifies pathways for advancement. These pathways may lead to specialization, to researchbased activities, or to leadership or supervisory roles,” she says.

The health care industry is so diverse that jobs can cater to a variety of personalities and career goals. Health care professionals play a key role in keeping Canada healthy, and it’s a role than can’t be underestimated.

Students are in a prime position to step up and fill these jobs. From dietitians to doctors to lab technicians, there’s a career for everyone in health care. CO

MEGAN STACEY is a fourth-year journalism student at Carleton University. She enjoys writing about lifestyle topics such as food and fitness, or profiling inspiring people and places.

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Success by association:

By Marc Cousineau

JOINING A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION CAN HELP YOUR CAREER

LinkedIn is a great tool for making connections.

But nothing beats the original career move of banding together with other professionals in your field.

P

rofessional associations have been hooking up young professionals with great networking opportunities and jobs way before it was cool to do it online. Membership in an association comes with all sorts of benefits, especially for students wanting to jump-start their careers.

FOUR WAYS FOR STUDENTS TO GET AHEAD BY JOINING AN ASSOCIATION NETWORKING Joining an association can offer you many opportunities to tap into the business circles of some of the most successful, well-connected and wellrespected people in any industry. Conferences, local chapter events and volunteering on committees are all great occasions to talk to those who have years of experience. Use these events to learn from them and to start building key relationships, which could help when applying to jobs later.

EDUCATION Many associations provide their members with the latest news and developments in their industry. They can also give you the resources to deal with industry issues and practical advice on how to make the most of the newest innovations. Associations may provide seminars, newsletters and access to online articles, giving student members the tools to grow and improve every day. This is the edge you may need to come out of school with both a diploma and a job.

time for your life time for your degree

MENTORSHIP Harry had Dumbledore, Katniss had Haymitch, and Luke had Obi-Wan. If you want to be the best, you need to learn from the best, and that means having a mentor. Both industry veterans and hot up-and-comers may be part of your association. Some might even be eager to help you—the rookie—out by showing you the ropes and giving you all sorts of nuggets of wisdom that they have collected through the years. Participating in your association’s events and initiatives will expose you to these people and give you contacts you can call on when you need some advice.

RESUMÉ BUILDING There aren’t many things in life that make you feel as good as adding great experiences to your resumé. Associations can help you fill that space under “Volunteer Activities” or “Achievements” pretty fast. Whether it’s volunteering on a committee, helping to organize an event or writing an article for the magazine or newsletter, associations give you the chance to pursue your passion and hone your skills in a supportive environment. Having these experiences will look attractive on your resumé, but they also help you grow and improve.

Joining your industry’s professional association as a student, or as you start your first job, is definitely worth the cost of membership. It’s a smart move that will help you start the career of your dreams. CO

Our world-class, accredited programs offer you the flexibility to learn at your own pace, on a schedule that suits your lifestyle.

MARC COUSINEAU is the founder and president of Incline Marketing, a social media marketing company that works with non-profit organizations and professional associations.

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BIG BIG DEMAND DATA in

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By Jordan Adams

A few years ago, the words “working with data” probably conjured up visions of tedious tasks: crunching numbers, poring over spreadsheets. Today, the career of statistician is predicted to become the “sexiest” of the next decade.

What’s changed?

M

asses of data are produced as people and businesses go about their daily lives, says Stan Matwin, director of Dalhousie’s Institute for Big Data Analytics and Canada Research Chair in Visual Text Analytics. “There is this sort of metaphor used: as people live, they leave behind digital crumbs.” Every time you make a phone call, post a photo online or buy something at a shop, you are contributing to “big data,” the term used to describe massive, complex sets of data.

For a statistic that shows just how enormous the field has grown, consider that five years ago, 90 percent of today’s data didn’t exist yet—every piece of information we had from the beginning of time only amounts to a small fraction of what we have now. We are living through the so-called “Industrial Revolution” of data thanks to technologies like social media, cell phones, e-commerce, GPS signals and countless other sources, which altogether collect 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day.

Although big data has recently become analogous with “Big Brother”—surveillance and privacy concerns have dominated the news this year— there are unlimited positives that can come from mining big data. The practice has great potential to improve the world if significant trends and patterns are discovered.

“We’re trying to use this data that already exists to help people and organizations fulfill their missions better,” explains Matwin. Evaluating data can help us find new sources of economic revenue, fight crime, reduce energy consumption, put a stop to diseases and deliver better health care.

For big data to have any real impact, decisionmakers need to understand what it means. Naturally there is a need for people to discover trends and patterns within the data, and communicate it in a way that resonates with people from all backgrounds.

work in teams that contribute a combination of these skills. People from these backgrounds come together to mine the data, find the meaning within, and communicate it in a simple way.

DATA SKILLS SHORTAGE A study by the McKinsey Global Institute found that “by 2018, the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts with the know-how to use the analysis of big data to make effective decisions.”

“Data is exploding,” says Amir Asif, a computer science and engineering professor at York University and the principal investigator for the Centre for Innovation in Information Visualization and Data-Driven Design, a collaboration between York University, OCAD University and the University of Toronto, funded through the Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence (ORF-RE) initiative.

“There will be a huge demand for people who can analyze this data, and who can represent the underlying information in a way that people with a non-technical background could understand and interact with,” says Asif. “From my analysis of companies in Ontario there’s a big demand for people with data discovery, design, analytics and visualization skill sets. The banks, media companies, medical companies, environmentalists … they’re all on the lookout for people who have skills in this area. And the need is just going to grow.”

JOBS IN BIG DATA The ideal data analyst has skills in mathematics and statistics, computer science and graphic design. However, those working in big data usually

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EVALUATING DATA CAN HELP US FIND NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE, FIGHT CRIME, REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CURE DISEASES, AND DELIVER BETTER HEALTH CARE.

At its core, big data analysis and visualization requires computer science skills, but students studying statistics, multimedia and even design can get into the field in varying aspects—data science is interdisciplinary and requires different sets of skills for different parts of the job.

Those working on the computer science side of things are the first in the big data chain—they develop the software and programs that can mine data.

Math and statistics students can come into the field of big data as analysts.

They are the ones who find significant patterns and trends that, if recognized by decision-makers, have the power to drive change. But first it needs to be visually represented; this is where data visualization comes in.

Data visualization is not just creating tables or infographics—the job is a lot more in-depth than that. It’s combining technology and aesthetics to depict data of massive size. “You need training that would combine the analytical side with the graphical communications side,” says Matwin. “I think that’s an important element of a modern education.” Multimedia and interactive arts programs can help you get into the field.

Because virtually all sectors will need someone to find trends in their data, you must have a natural curiosity to learn about new subjects if you want to work in the field, says Matwin. “It’s not conceivable that you can train someone who can be professionally prepared to interact with people in medicine to ocean science to retail marketing to newspaper publishing. They must have a curiosity about how things work in the world.” CO

JORDAN ADAMS is a Carleton University journalism graduate. She is fascinated by the stories uncovered through data journalism. Follow her on Twitter @jordanadams04.

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