G2G (2010) by jobpostings Magazine

2010

2 2

Decide is university your

next step?

U.S bound

Apply campus

Live

life? Travel

education. jobs.

your future.

2010 27

Images Clockwise from top left: Jupiterimages/ Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock; Goodshoot/Thinkstocka; Jupiterimages/ liquidlibrary/Thinkstock; Stock.XCHNG

school index

w e N , y n i h Y ourpSe nde n t l i f e inde

How to balance your new-found freedom and mounds (mounds!) of homework.

The Big, Wonderful World of Trades Trading up

Summer is the time for Saving Keep your part-time job part time Graduate debt-free Balance your budget to realize your dreams 2 Back to School Must Haves 5 Prepare for Take Off 6 Is university Right for Me? 8 Should you give it the old college try?

16 Career centres 20 Gap year or lap year?

22 U.S. bound

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

OBC Humber Business School 7 Concordia University: Faculty of the Arts 9 University of Ontario Institute of Technology 12 University of Lethbridge 17 Algoma University 18 Georgian College Automotive Showcase 21 Cape Breton University 29 Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology 29 Centennial College IBC Humber College: School of Media

Advertiser s & Employer s IFC Rogers Wireless 3 Lipton Brisk 4 Insurance Institute 9 Hydro One 21 Ontario Power Generation 23 Durham Regional Police 24 Wrigley Canada

1

First Year Shopping (Survival) List Your last year of high school is going to fly by, the summer months will be a blur, and September will show up with hardly any warning // Before you know it, you’re packing and moving into your new home for the next seven months — the dormitory // Getting used to residence life isn’t easy, so here are a few gadgets and gizmos to help you cut it as a freshman.

22

education. jobs.

your future. publishers:

Nathan Laurie

nlaurie@jobpostings.ca

Honey-Can-Do A month into school, and it’s a sure bet your floor will disappear under mounds of laundry, books, and general clutter. It won’t be your fault, though; dorm rooms are notorious

For those of you sporting either an iPhone, iTouch, or iPad, we think the personal finance manager “Mint” app is kind of awesome. It’s basically a personal, round-the-clock accountant that keeps you, uh, in cheque. Apart from creating personalized budget charts (with week, month, and year long calculations), the Mint app lets users view bank and billing accounts in real time, and updates itself as users spend. Since freshman students are unaccustomed to money management, this little gadget is super helpful in making sure you don’t eat through your funding before the year is out.itunes. apple.com and search for “Mint App.”

Bluetooth Universal Portable Keyboard

for being the size of postage stamps. The Honey-Can-Do Dorm Organization Kit (it’s a mouthful, we know) will be able to keep your life nicely compartmentalized. The kit includes: an over the door 12-pair shoe rack; a pop-up hamper; a mesh laundry bag with drawstrings for long hauls to the laundry mat; an eight shelf hanging organizer, and four stackable drawers. Keep your space organized and you’ll rock A+’s during exams. dormsmart.com

2

Mark Laurie

Mint App

While most lecture halls will accommodate laptop computers (with desktop power outlets), there are some that don’t. And while your battery life should last at least the length of your lecture, sometimes you won’t be able to risk it. For an alternative to your laptop, or on the days you just don’t feel like hauling it, wireless keyboards are the way to roll. These ultra-compact and ultra lightweight typing helpers connect to your smartphone device (either wirelessly, or as plug-ins) so that you can follow along and take notes with ease. When your prof stops babbling and lecture is finished, you can fold the keyboard up,

mlaurie@jobpostings.ca editor:

Jason Rhyno

jrhyno@jobpostings.ca graphic designer:

Sonya van Heyningen toss it in your pocket, and transfer your files from your phone to your computer before you hit the hay. amazon.com

Clocky Aqua Unlike high school leniency, at university missing an exam or walking into a lecture late is unacceptable. Thanks to Nanda Home Inc., you’re never going to sleep in again. The bright red clock might look innocent, but is actually designed to outsmart the average sleep-deprived freshy. Its snooze button activates little turning wheels, allowing the alarm clock to jump three feet from any bed side table, before running away to get set for its next signal. You’ll have to open your eyes, climb out of bed, and play a thrilling game of hide-and-seek before you can suppress its noisy wakeup call. clocky.net

svanheyningen@jobpostings.ca

web editor:

Emily Minthorn

eminthorn@jobpostings.ca production & circulation:

Amy Kappus

akappus@jobpostings.ca

Published by Passion inc.

25 Imperial Street, Suite 100, Toronto, ON M5P 1B9 www.jobpostings.ca 1-877-900-5627 ext. 221

jobpostings publishes g2g annually. 60,000 copies are distributed to over 690 high schools in Ontario.

Contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reprinted in whole or part without permission of the publishers.

on the cover: © iStockphoto.com/ Matt Jeacock

g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

速 - Unilever Canada Inc. Used under license

Prepare for

Take Off It could be a bumpy ride but only if you’re not prepared.

Ask any post-secondary student and they will most likely tell you that the transition from high school to post-secondary was dramatic. Generally speaking, experts agree that high school students do not acquire the fundamental skills needed to succeed in a post-secondary institution.

In fact, this was exactly the conclusion of a recently released survey of professors and librarians by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations.

The survey asked professors and librarians in the province’s 22 universities about a number of issues, including the preparedness of first yearstudents now compared to three years ago.

The confederation, which has 15,000 members, received 2,000 replies. Just over 55 percent said students are less prepared now than three years ago. So how do you beat the odds?

Peter Walsh, an academic skills counsellor for the Centre of Student Development at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON. has a five point plan to help students prepare for their first year of university.

1

Learn how to learn

Many students come out of high school having never been taught how to effectively use their memory, Walsh says. Even if you highlight what you’re reading, your brain eventually tunes out, he says.

Images: Goodshoot/Thinkstock

“The more mechanically you go through the motions the less learning happens,” he says, adding self-testing is key. “Learning is an active process. After you read a paragraph, if you can ask yourself questions [about what you’ve read] and answer them correctly without peeking at the book, that’s effective learning.”

Dr. Geeta Kaicker, a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto, suggests writing down the main concepts of what you read, then testing how much you remember.

“Don’t rely on memorization without understanding the concepts,” says Kaicker, who moonlights as a biology and chemistry high jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

school tutor. “But, a little bit of memorization is required because that’s what keeps you sharp.”

2

Manage your time

Since college and university are more fast paced than high school (Walsh says a professor will cover three weeks worth of high school material in one week), time management is critical.

“A good time management system is really essential,” says Walsh. “Students think it’s a freedom reducer but really it’s a freedom enhancer, and a stress and chaos reducer.”

“High school should have a time management course,” says Angelina Wan, a former York University student who learned the hard way. “It’s better to learn that in high school — I don’t think they prepare you enough at all.”

Wan was working towards an honours bachelor of arts in history and a minor in religious studies when she changed her degree to just a regular BA in history. She made the change because her procrastination caused her to fail a course.

“I left a 25 page essay worth 30 percent of my final mark to the last minute,” Wan explains. “I got a zero on that essay and in turn failed the course. It was devastating because I needed that course to graduate.”

3

Hone your writing skills

Most of you are probably very familiar with the five paragraph essay, which consists of an introduction, three paragraphs and a conclusion. Well, that’s not the way you’ll be expected to write after high school. Time to develop your writing skills, says Walsh. “Practice writing strategies and grammar early.”

4

Manage stress

Adopt a stress relieving regimen that includes regular exercise, eating well, yoga and/or or meditation prior to your first year of post-secondary, says Walsh.

“If the brain is malnourished it can’t learn effectively,” he says. “And, if it’s exhausted, it underperforms.”

“I was a stress-case,” Wan says. “I would study until 4 a.m. and wake up at 6 a.m. [on nights before exams]. So, even if I did retain information, I was too tired to figure things out during my exams.”

5

Set goals but be flexible

Studies have looked at the impact of how having a clear career path helps in dealing with motivation issues, explains Walsh.

“People who set goals, have ideas about where whey want to go, and are flexible about those goals, tend to do better than those who have no goals at all or have a rigid goal,” says Walsh, explaining how wanting to be a lawyer and nothing else is not as productive as having a broader goal or set of goals.

Just imagine how much easier studying for those boring classes would be if you had a clear goal in mind, he points out.

Some helpful reading courtesy of Peter Walsh Your Memory: How It Works and How to Improve It (study how-tos)

by Kenneth Higbee Learning for Success: Effective Strategies for Students by Jane Fleet, Fiona Goodchild and Richard Zajchowski.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen.

Do It Now! Break the Procrastination Habit

by William J. Knaus.

Fit to Print (how to write well)

by Joanne Buckley

5

Is university Right For Me With graduation looming and an uncertain future ahead, chances are you’re thinking university may be your ticket.

But are you sure you know what you’re getting into? Do you know just what a university education can offer, how to apply to get it, and how to cover the costs? University is a major undertaking, with many hours spent in class and studying and costly tuition fees to pay. Before making that kind of commitment, the first thing any would-be student should figure out is whether it’s all worth it.

The answer is yes, at least according to a 2007 Maclean’s study. The study reports university grads earn on average anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 dollars more than those who graduate from high school or college. Numbers like those are why students like Joanne Schiffer agree that a big part of their choice to attend university had a lot to do with having their mind on their money, and future jobs on their mind.

A commerce student at the University of Guelph, Joanne believes there’s no point in heading forward to university without some kind of plan. “I didn’t want to just go do some program with no relevance to me, go through the motions of school for four years, and end up nowhere.”

Be prepared.

Yes No

Maybe

6

Do your homework. Visit your high school guidance office. Ask for information about careers, universities, scholarships, grants, loans and degree programs. It’s their job to help you, but you have to ask to get answers. Use the web. All universities have an online presence providing schedules of important dates, application requests, program information, and most importantly, contact information for people to put further questions to. Sites like canlearn.ca provide information on the student loan process and how to calculate amounts. Macleans.ca/oncampus contains a massive scholarship database. Start early. Save up money, tour campuses, attend education fairs and consult counsellors earlier rather than later.

Do your homework Kurt Lewin, a teacher at Cedarbrae High School in Toronto, helps students figure out whether university is for them. “It’s my responsibility to help a student get an idea of what they want to do,” says Lewin, who helps facilitate presentations by visiting university recruiters. Lewin regards the school’s guidance office as a venue for providing web addresses, supplemental information, and fielding questions students might have about post secondary education.

Schiffer found the research she did vital to her decisions, especially her choice to do so earlier. “It helped me with graduation, it helped me with picking courses to meet prerequisites,” says Schiffer, who also attended her province’s university fair held at the very beginning of her final high school year, where she talked to representatives and picked up information. “I talked to everyone, I recommend everyone going to things like that.”

“It really depends on a person’s background and their occupational preferences,” says Lewin, who points out that an undergraduate university degree can serve as a needed bridge to getting a teaching certificate, an MBA, or other post university degrees that he calls “the edge people are stepping up to” in landing more advanced or higher paying careers. g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Many universities offer co-op programs, directly sponsoring paid employment in a student’s field of interest. Schools, like the University of Waterloo, offer co-op placements in fields ranging from engineering to financial management. With several terms spent in the field building up experience, contacts and wages, most students come out of a co-op program ready and able to attract prospective employers. Programs vary widely, but at the University of Waterloo for instance, co-op placements are offered for almost every single program, with rare exceptions.

Generally speaking, co-op placements don’t begin until the winter term of the first year. Through the second year and onwards, co-op placements may begin in the fall semester. Overall, co-op programs provide two years total of work experience spread out into separate work term blocks throughout a student’s entire degree.

“It definitely gives me more marketability,” says Raed Kadri, a former industrial engineering student at the University of Windsor. Kadri says his co-op placements led to summer employment and post university job offers from the companies he worked for.

?

C is for Curious it also stands for Concordia and creativity, and for the cascade of ideas and opportunities you’ll find at one of Canada’s most dynamic and innovative universities.

Image: Jupiterimages/ Polka Dot/Thinksotck

Time to apply If you are open

Once you’ve decided to attend university, you have to apply. Many high schools will help you do this, by providing forms to be filled out on time for application deadlines. Otherwise, it’s a matter of looking up a university’s contact information online and getting in touch with the admissions office directly yourself. Doing this earlier is better, and it’s important to get a sense of deadlines and prepare for them during the first few months of your final year in high school.

looking to define

Paying for your university education

campus is the

Once you’ve applied and been accepted, the biggest remaining hurdle is covering costs. Tuitions skew wildly these days, anywhere from $1,800 to nearly $7,000, depending on the university, with thousands more in living expenses for those moving away from home. Amelia Kurtz, a theatre/drama student at the University of Toronto Mississauga branch, funds her education through a mix of government loans, help from her parents and summer waitressing jobs. “I started saving in grade 11, not a lot at first, but to have some money just in case,” says Kurtz, who has held a score of part-time jobs.

High school guidance offices and university financial aid departments can also provide information on loans and awards (read: free money) for everything from academic performance to volunteer work. “If you get in, then anyone can go to school. You can definitely find the money if you do the research,” says Kurtz, who found that while getting through the door to university required serious commitment in time and money, her hard work is already moving her closer to the place in teacher’s college she hopes for after her undergraduate degree.

place for you.

to the world and your future then our Montreal

Come see what in the arts and sciences.

artsandscience.concordia.ca/curious

Co-op programs

“There are always going to be ups and downs with university, but that’s how you know it’s going to be worth it,” she says. jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

7

Should you give it

the old college try?

by Panagiota Panagakos. Community colleges go by various names: institute, institute of technology, technical college, regional college, cégep (in Quebec), university and college or simply college. And over the last several years there has been an increase in both the popularity and the number and types of programs offered in colleges: There are now over 130 community colleges across Canada.

Why so popular? Colleges offer a variety of programs which can take on average two to three years to complete, in many fields such as business, health care and construction trades. These programs are geared towards providing you with the necessary skills to be job-ready once you graduate. And in addition to colleges providing certificate, diploma, apprenticeship and co-op programs, there are joint programs offered with universities through which you can earn a degree or diploma. Here’s a brief breakdown of what’s available:

Many college programs have incorporated co-op terms as part of their curriculum. This is a great way for students to gain paid work experience in their field before graduation. There are other work opportunities such as practicums, internships and work-terms which are generally not paid. All are designed to allow you to perform real job duties and be mentored by experienced employees.

Jim Mantziouras completed the Culinary Management Program at George Brown College.

After completing two years of in-class training he participated in a seven week work term at Bymark Restaurant in Toronto’s financial district where he trained as a line cook. “They threw me right in the mix from the first day,” says Mantziouras. He believes his in-class training at George Brown prepared him well for this role. “In the workplace there are certain things I wouldn’t have been able to do without having gone to school first. Without having known basic knife skills I wouldn’t have been able to trim a lamb or cut a chicken.”

8

Apprenticeship programs Apprenticeship is a combination of on-thejob-training and related classroom instruction.

Co-op diploma apprenticeship programs allow you to get apprenticeship training while earning a diploma. Students are able to apply to an apprenticeship program through their college. Mantziouras is currently working on completing the 5000 work hours required to become a chef at the Greek Grill in Toronto, On. He will then write the Red Seal test to become certified as a chef.

College before or after university Many colleges have formed partnerships with universities that recognize some of the courses students took in college.

For example, Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) jointly offer a bachelor of arts “bridge” program in criminology and justice. “After completing a two year diploma at Durham College in one of the justice programs, students can bridge into the criminology stream at UOIT for two years. After four years,

students will have earned a diploma and a bachelor of arts in criminology and justice,” says Angie Paisley, in career services.

Some students choose to pursue a diploma once they’ve already earned a university degree. “For students who decide to pursue both a college diploma and university degree there really is not a difference in which one they decide to pursue first,” says Paisley. “Start by figuring out what your interests are. Figure out what you really enjoy doing and try and link that to a program. Deciding what to study is an important decision and you need to make sure you are taking something you’re passionate about.”

Consider your learning style when choosing between going to college or university, suggests Paisley. “If you’re a hands on learner then college may be the right choice for you,” she says. “But if you prefer a broader view, then university may be the right choice. There is no right or wrong. Both institutions have equal value, they are simply different.

Deciding where to go is dependent on someone’s interests and the way they prefer to learn.”

Jennifer Archer, student services curriculum leader at Jarvis Collegiate in Toronto, also encourages students to figure out what they’re interested in prior to applying for post secondary education.

Grade 10 career studies courses require students to complete assessments on myblueprint.ca and careercruising.com. The assessments aim to help students make decisions about their education, based on their interests and skills. “Share this in-

formation with your guidance counsellor or career studies teacher who can also assist you to identify which post-secondary programs match your skills and interests,” says Archer.

Once you’ve figured out what your skills and interests are, try to link them to a program by researching what’s offered at the various community colleges across Canada.

Images: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Co-op programs

Is college for you?

Find out by visiting the following websites schoolfinder.com myblueprint.ca careercruising.com colleges411.com canadiancollegeguide.ca ontariocolleges.ca ocas.ca ouac.on.ca collegesontario.ca campusstarted.com g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

interact: connect with others UOIT’s small class sizes and extensive student-faculty interaction provide a university experience unlike any other. A dynamic, innovative university, UOIT produces graduates in high demand by employers for their knowledge, leadership and 21st century skills.

impact: make the difference

CHALLENGE YOURSELF:

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

Learn more about UOIT by attending our Fall Open House on Saturday, November 6, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON www.uoit.ca/openhouse

9

Hands On Trades

The Big, Wonderful

World of Trades

There’s a lot to consider when you’re deciding what you want to do for a career \\ How much money do you want to make, what industry not only suits you but is also hiring, and what kind of lifestyle you’ll ultimately be able to lead \\ For two members of the Holmes on Homes crew, this is what they encountered when exiting high school and looking toward the next phase of their lives.

Sherry Holmes on the other hand had perhaps one of the world’s most well respected contractors right in front of her – her father Mike Holmes.

So when she completed high school and didn’t quite know what to do with her time, she swung into the family business. At first she worked behind the scenes before eventually getting on site and on screen.

Belanger and Holmes represent exactly what Canada needs right now – young, willing and able contractors who understand the importance of learning a variety of trades all the while realizing how vital it is to do quality work. Beyond that, they’re willing to put the time and effort in to learn their craft.

“It is a tough industry to get far in because it’s built on labour,” explains Belanger. “If you can stick that out and work hard through the first couple of years, you can go very far and you will find your niche in the trades and where you want to be. The world is yours here.”

“It keeps you on your feet and you learn so many different things,” adds Holmes. “There is not one day where I’m not learning something new.”

What has made the intensity of these two 20-something’s learning curve much greater is that it’s being viewed by an international television audience. With both Belanger and Holmes not having attended a post-secondary program for contracting between them, they have had to cut their teeth in a physically and mentally demanding industry with a bigger spotlight on them than most.

Belanger views the television bubble a little differently. “The show’s quite laid back, but it is pretty real. We’re explaining what we’re doing as we build this house, and they’re following us. It’s a little bit of pressure, but not in the work sense.”

The primary notion these two share is that contracting is an amazingly beneficial career path. It has its obvious physical challenges, but it pays well and offers lots of opportunities for on-the-job education that can be applied to a variety of different industries. Most importantly, it gives workers an almost immediate sense of accomplishment on a daily basis.

“It’s very rewarding standing back and seeing a job done. Something you can say you built,” concedes Belanger. “With a lot of office jobs you see your final product somewhere down the line – it’s a paper trail.

Here, there’s something that’s going to withstand time. You’re building something to last that people are living in.”

“I couldn’t be happy just sitting and earning a paycheque,” continues Holmes. “(Here) you’re actually doing things that people don’t always consider and don’t get a chance to do, and that’s help others out.”

Audiences of Holmes on Homes have witnessed Holmes’ transition from a small bodied woman to someone that’s worked in the trenches for two years developing “quite a bit of muscle mass,” and has found a passion for the finishing aspects of contracting like painting, tiling and base-boarding. Meanwhile, Belanger has spent the last five years honing his skills in landscaping and concrete work.

“There is pressure working on television. When you first start, it’s very intimidating – you have a camera in your face. Eventually you get used to it because you become friends with everybody, but everyone is still going to see everything you do,” says Holmes. “If I make a mistake one day it’s not just a mistake to myself. If I know I’ve done something wrong, everybody knows I’ve done something wrong. With the more eyes watching, you have to make sure everything is perfect.”

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g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Background images: iStockphoto/Thinkstock; Mike Homles courtesy of The Holmes Group

Adam Belanger spent most of his young life hearing from people around him that computers were the way to go. That industry was booming at the time and certain to give anyone interested in PC’s guaranteed employment opportunities. Belanger considered this, but could not be convinced to go this route. Instead he attended Trent University for a General Arts course and did a little bit of everything.

That year wasn’t a total loss though, as what helped pay his way was the construction work he did on the side. Combine that with a friendship with the Holmes family, and Belanger found his career calling.

Hands On Trades

Tr ading up: How a career in trades could be your next move Canada is facing a crisis when it comes to a shortage of skilled tradespersons.

In the next five to 10 years there is only one person coming in to the workforce for every two people leaving, and of those there are not enough “who are interested in skilled trades to fill the positions that are going to be available,” says Gail Smyth, executive director of Skills Canada – Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to young people. Indeed, only 32 percent of youth aged 13-18 say they would be likely to consider a career in skilled trades, according to a federally-funded report entitled Skilled Trades – A Career You Can Build On, Final Report. This, despite the fact that the vacancy rate for skilled trades will grow to 50,000 unfilled jobs by 2010, according to the Information Technology Association of Canada.

Images: © N.l | Dreamstime.com

That’s good news for people like Enrico Champagne who is currently studying carpentry for free through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), a school to work program that allows high school students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12.

Champagne is training at a centre in Woodbridge run by the Carpenters’ Local Union 27 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund Inc. The accelerated program consists of a total of 7,200 hours (over five to seven years), including hours in class and on a job site with a union company. Many placements are paid. Upon completion of the program, Champagne will be eligible to write an exam to obtain certification from the government of Ontario. If he passes the exam he will get “journey person” status, which means he will also be eligible to train someone else.

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

As carpentry is not a registered trade, Champagne could conceivably work without “journey person” status, depending on who is willing to hire him, but “I think this is the better route because it’s a standardized program that ensures the skills the kids come out with are suitable for industry,” says Michael Mosdell, a teacher for the accelerated carpentry program. “That gives you pride in your accomplishments and the trade you’re working in.”

Champagne, who finished high school at Winston Churchill Collegiate in spring 2008, is certainly enjoying the process. He says he did more work in the first four weeks of Mosdell’s math class than he ever did in his high school math class. “You’re learning and then doing hands-on in the training centre.

I’m learning a lot and I’m really enjoying it.”

Is a trade right for you?

So is a career in a trade right for you? Start by asking yourself three questions: Do you like to work with your hands? Do you like to work outside of an office environment? Do you like to be part of creating something?

Next, try to identify exactly which trade — among over 200 possible trades — would best suit you. Ask yourself: What do you want in a career? (How much time and/or money do you want to make?) What don’t you want? (To work in the cold and rain?)

What’s negotiable? Now research a wide range of trades (visit edu.gov.on.ca for a list of certified and non-certified trades) and see how they match up with your answers.

How to fund your trades education Tools and books can be expensive, even if your parents are willing to support you while you complete your trades education. That’s why first year apprentices can apply to the Loans for Tools Program, which offers first

year apprentices a loan to help purchase the tools and equipment needed to perform the trade in which they are registered. Manuals and codebooks that will remain the property of the apprentice are also eligible. The loan is interest-free for the duration of the apprenticeship and up to one year after the apprenticeship is completed. (For more information, contact the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Loans for Tools Program at Toll-free: 1-800-313-1746, or visit edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/ loantool.html) Scholarships are also available through the Holmes Foundation, created by non-other than Mike Holmes, star of HGTV’s Holmes on Homes.

“I want to encourage kids to get into the trades, so I’m putting my money where my mouth is,” says Holmes, who started the foundation in 2006. “It’s not an overstatement to say we are facing a crisis.”

How to decide which trade might be right for you: Make three lists: What do you really want in a career? What don’t you want? What’s negotiable?

Consider a wide range of trades and compare each with your three lists.

Narrow down your choices to five trades or less.

Observe a trade or take an exploratory trades workshop.

Talk to people who work in the trade.

11

n e t a e B e h Off t Pat h

by Emily

From horsemanship to running your own bar, there’s a course for everyone.

You finish high school, you go to university or college for a while, you try to find a job in your field. New grads these days have been there, done that, and want more — so Canadian colleges are offering it.

There’s an amazing array of courses and post-grad programs available across the country, and we’ve picked a few favorites for your perusal. Go out and explore, and don’t forget to send us a postcard when you get there!

Image: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Words and Letters Creative class clowns might be interested in the comedy writing and performance diploma program at Humber College in Toronto, ON, where your coursework includes weekly student shows and instruction from established comics. Font geeks will be looking closely at the Advanced Typography continuing education program at Langara College in Vancouver, BC – jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

the only one of its kind in North America. Or, bring your love of language into step with your team spirit at Loyalist College in Belleville, ON or Centennial College in Toronto, ON, where they offer a graduate certificate in sports journalism.

Wine, Beer, and Song Niagara College, located in Ontario’s very own wine country, offers two programs to tempt the tipsiest of us. Wine lovers can enroll in the winery and viticulture technician program and earn either a diploma or certificate with courses like ‘Sensory Evaluation of Wines’ and ‘History of Wine,’ along with lots of biology, chemistry, and horticultural education.

The program is conducted at the school’s own teaching winery.

Beer barons find their own place at Niagara College in the two-year brewmaster and brewery operations manager diploma program, which is backed by the Ontario Craft Brewers Industry and taught at Canada’s only teaching brewery.

The program covers everything from beer

making to marketing to brew pub operations.

With the drinks taken care of, we’ll need some live music. Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB offers a truly unique diploma program in musical instrument repair — the only one of its kind in all of North America. Which is good, because between the wine and the beer, some guitars are bound to get smashed.

Planes, Trains, and…

Ever wanted to yell out “All aboard!” and really mean it? Railway conductor certificate programs are available at both SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary, AB and Red River College in Winnepeg, MA, and run only 15 weeks. Not bad, considering the amazing hat you’ll get to wear.

Councilman Doug would be proud.

If the sky is your limit, look east to Moncton Flight College in Moncton, NB. While tons of colleges coast to coast offer courses in aircraft maintenance and repair, this school is completely dedicated to getting you in the air.

Your days of living vicariously through Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper could finally come to an end at Grande Prairie Regional College in Fairview, AB. Their HarleyDavidson technician certificate program is the only authorized training centre in Canada for the iconic choppers.

Under the Sea! Swim with the fishes as an aquaculture technician at New Brunswick Community College’s oneyear certificate program in St. Andrews. Not as Piscean but no less wet and wild, the underwater skills certificate at Seneca College in Toronto, ON and Holland College’s commercial diving program in Summerside, PEI both equip you for construction and salvage operations, offshore drilling, search and rescue operations, and more.

Green is the Word The urban arboriculture certificate from Humber College in Toronto, ON prepares you for a life in the treetops, with emphasis placed on climbing, aerial rescue, rigging, and other squirrely arts.

And if you’re not so good with heights, the urban forestry certificate program at Fleming College in Lindsay, ON focuses on all the “non-climbing” aspects of tree-hugging.

The sustainable energy sector is poised to explode (in a totally carbon-neutral manner of course) so get gone with the wind sooner rather than later.

Wind turbine technician programs are newly available at Lethbridge College in Lethbridge, AB, St Lawrence College in Kingston, ON, and Holland College in Summerside, PEI.

Courses on Horses If you’d like your home to be on the range, consider cowboy training at Lakeland College in Vermilion, AB. At their Western ranch and cow horse program you’ll spend part of every day on working on your horsemanship skills; once you earn your certificate, strut your stuff at the school’s annual working cowboy competition. More horseplay is afoot (ahoof?) at Olds College in Olds, AB, where you can train to become a racetrack

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w e n , y n i h s r You e f i L t n e d n e Indep The Balancing Act The biggest challenge just about everyone says first-year students face is making the adjustment to living and studying away from home.

Not everyone has learned how to balance studying, going to class, finances, and socializing, points out Kent Farrow, a guidance counsellor for Central Technical School in downtown Toronto.

Your parents went

wild when the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations reported that more than 55 percent of survey respondents believe first-year students are less prepared for university education than students from just three years ago, with poorer written, numeric and critical thinking skills than before.

It was all over the media. Everyone’s mom, dad and/or former teacher had something to say about how they were better “when I went to school.”

Of course, graduating high school students weren’t consulted.

Very little was said about whether they’ll be getting the services they need to make the transition to university successfully. And even less was said about what first-year students are currently experiencing with regards to the adjustments they have to make.

So here’s g2g’s guide on how to make the transition from high school to school away from home work for you, especially when it comes to the time you spend out of class…

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Self-discipline is key, says Glennice Snyder, manager of student recruitment for Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. “Self-discipline is the main difficulty for students who are living away from home for the first time,” says Snyder. “Especially in terms of managing their time, balancing their schoolwork with social and family time.”

“Some students have financial issues,” adds Liz Leal-Conrad, director of residence life for Queen’s University in Kingston, ON. “A lot of students start asking how they’re going to pay off the debt they are going to be in when they finish their studies.”

Making new friends can also be challenging. “People talk about going away to school as such a positive thing,” says Kathleen Bogle, author of Hooking g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Up: Sex, Dating, and Relationships on Campus.

“But it’s a dramatic life change. You may be living with a complete stranger in close quarters, and a lot of dramas can arise out of that.”

Then there is the opportunity to drink and have relationships of a more intimate nature for the first time, far from parental supervision.

Hooking up Bogle’s book offers a complex portrait of young people grappling with sexual realities on campus.

“I devote a chapter to the sexual double standard on campus,” says Bogle. “Despite what you may think, the system there is not gender neutral. Guys can hook up with as many people as they want with very few negative consequences, but women have to walk a fine line.

They’re expected to participate but they have to be careful not to do so too often.”

Image - Opposite Page: Jupiterimages/ Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock

Even the expression “hooking up” is ambiguous, points out Bogle.

“When a guy says he hooked up he could mean a variety of things, but chances are his friends will think he actually had sex with someone. But the term hooking up is vague – it can mean sex, but it could mean other things.

So you may not be

aware that your definition of hooking up is different from someone else’s.”

Students leaving home for the first time often have distorted perceptions of on-campus behaviours, Bogle adds.

“They may think that people drink more than they actually do, or they may think people hook up more, which may lead them to behave in ways that they aren’t fully comfortable with.”

As for what’s become popularly known as “The Walk of Shame,” Bogle says the term is more often used to describe female students who go home in the morning still sporting their club clothes, having spent the night somewhere else.

“It’s not as easy to live down as you may think.

Other students gossip and they judge you.”

university students conducted by scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found that 24.9 percent of men and 13.4 percent of women had drunk five or more drinks on a single occasion at least twice in the previous month.

Apparently, binge drinking is more common among college students than their non-student peers.

In the CAMH study, university students reported high rates of adverse alcohol-related consequences, such as unplanned sexual relations (14.1 percent) and driving after drinking (7.4 percent). Ten percent reported physical assaults by other students who had been drinking.

And a 2005 paper in the Annual Review of Public Health showed that 1,700 U.S. college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcoholrelated unintentional

Beware the bulge Proper nutrition and exercise can also be a challenge for those in dread of the “Freshman 15.” It’s true that cafeteria food has had a bad rap for years. Recently, however, there have been advances. Many campus cafeterias serve vegetarian meals and are very conscious of each individual’s dietary needs.

It seems the main complaint about campus cafeterias, especially from students living in residence, is that they’re forced to eat there.

Students either pre-pay a card or are allotted a certain number of meals per week. The problem is that the cafeteria is only open at certain times, which may not line up

There are super services all over campus, everything from health to counseling to study groups, career services and financial aid. Be proactive and know what’s out there before it’s too late.

Beware the binge According to a landmark 2001 Harvard School of Public Health Study, half of all U.S. freshmen find their first binge-drinking opportunity within the first week of college before buying textbooks. Binge drinking is traditionally defined as drinking with the intent to get drunk. Researchers measure this as four or more drinks per sitting for females and five or more drinks for males.

injuries, including motor vehicle crashes. More than 696,000 U.S. students were the victims of alcohol-induced assaults; and 97,000 students between 18 and 24 were victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

Other harmful side effects include: unsafe sex, suicide attempts, problems with police and dependence. Not to mention a possible dip in your grades.

with your schedule, in which case you don’t eat and you may even forfeit a meal completely.

One way to solve this problem is to buy food from the grocery store for the week and keep it in your room. Most rooms come with a small fridge for personal food items. This way you eat whenever and whatever you want.

Just keep in mind that what goes in to your body goes in to your brain, too. Oh and by the way, there’s probably a gym on campus where you can work out for free.

On or off campus?

Many universities recommend that first year students live on campus.

“Eighty-two percent of our first year students stay on campus,” says Glennice Snyder.

“People who live in the same building get to know each other and have access to a resident don on each floor, usually a third or fourth year student who can answer questions and make sure you’re okay.”

You can find out what the housing situation is like by booking a campus tour through the school of your choice.

But on or off campus, the most important thing to know when it comes to adjusting to your new life and its challenges is that campus services are your friend.

“Go against the grain,” advises Liz Leal-Conrad.

“Resist the urge to handle things on your own. There are super services all over campus, everything from health to counselling to study groups, career services and financial aid. Be proactive and know what’s out there before it’s too late.

A 2004 national survey of Canadian undergraduate jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

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, e m o s e w The Super A Car eer Cen t r e g n i v a S e f i L

But there is help: universities and colleges have allocated copious amounts of cash, actual physical space, and wonderfully trained people to help you land the job of your dreams. More than just Myers-Briggs tests, career centres are your lifeline to the companies you want to work for, and have a ridiculous list of workshops on interviewing, resume writing, and how-not-to-dress-likea-frumpy-student.

early Making an early visit to your campus career centre is just about as important as figuring out where the nearest washrooms are on your first day of class.

That’s because one of the best ways students can find out what a field is really like is by connecting with people who are already working in it. Enter the career centre, which organizes career fairs that help students do exactly this.

The added benefit is that you can meet up with recruiters from companies there. And everyone knows that, when it comes to scoring a job, networking is key.

“Job fairs are a great way to establish connections and networking is extremely important.

About 80 percent of the jobs students find

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are through connections,” says Anne Soucy, manager of the student employment services at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton (UNB). “Employers remember the students they meet at fairs so it’s a good idea to go often.

I’ve even heard of recruiters sending Christmas and birthday cards and ultimately offer to recruit students once they finish school.”

internships

Jennifer Watson, also a UNB grad, had already typed up her résumé but wanted to get some feedback on it, so she approached her centre. “Their feedback gave me confidence,” says Watson, who ended up improving her résumé, as well as attending several workshops offered by her career centre, including one that taught her how to job search.

Interview

Career centre staff are often the first to know when juicy intern and co-op positions, essential to some programs, become available.

Career centres can also help you prepare for interviews. Most offer a variety of workshops on how to dress, act and respond to questions.

Take former student Mark Gamble, for example, who was working part-time at his campus career centre when he found out about an internship overseas.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) in British Columbia also gives students the chance to role-play mock interviews. Students can even record their interviews in order to perfect their presentations, with feedback. Penny Freno, a career account manager at SFU says the mock interviews have proven popular. “Two years ago I had a new grad student who wanted to be a teacher. She had the skill set and the credentials but she wasn’t getting any offers, so we conducted a mock interview and offered some feedback,” Freno says. “After the interview she began getting some offers. Then one day she told me she’d gotten a job. She was so excited she was screaming. It really made me feel good that I could help her.”

“There was a fax that came through and it described exactly what I wanted in terms of learning overseas,” says Gamble, who ended up taking the internship in Thailand one month after he graduated from UNB with a bachelors of business administration in marketing. He worked at the International Chamber of Commerce as the assistant to the managing director. One of his responsibilities was to coordinate networking and training events for Thai businesses. “Working there was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Gamble says.

résumé sucks, Career centres also offer workshops or one-onone counselling for students, including those applying to co-op and internship placements.

Bottom line, it may be a long road from your last day of high school to your first day on the job, but keeping a close tab on what’s going on at your career centre from day one will make that road a lot easier to travel. g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Image: Hemera/Thinkstock

Ok, so you’re one of the few, the proud and the decisive, who knows exactly what you want in life and knows you have to continue your education to do it. But that’s as far as you’ve gotten. When it comes to actually getting a job in your field, you’re at a dead loss.

Canada’s Automotive School of Business 25 years of training graduates for the auto industry Georgian Auto Show: The Canadian Automotive Institute (CAI) at Georgian College celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Celebrations take place Auto Show weekend, Sept. 24-26, 2010. Each year, CAI students take part in the largest outdoor student-run auto show in Canada. The show attracts more than 20,000 guests, with close to 20 manufacturers exhibiting their new vehicles. Students from CAI programs act as customer service reps for the various manufacturers. This year, student organizers are planning for an extra-special show to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CAI. “Individuals have an interest in this program because they want to attain their dream jobs, gain valuable experience, and make good connections.

It’s great to know that my classmates all share my interests and will be my colleagues in the industry. This year, I’m helping plan the 25th Anniversary Georgian College Auto Show, and it’s such a great opportunity to be a apart of CAI history.”

Stephanie Titus, 3rd Year Business Administration - Automotive Marketing Student

Reputation: The CAI at Georgian College was founded in 1985 to provide the automotive industry with business professionals capable of taking on leadership roles within the challenging automotive industry environment. This ambitious initiative was undertaken in co-operation with the Canadian automotive industry including Canadian Auto Dealer Association, corporate manufacturers, retailers, aftermarket sectors and Georgian College. Over the past 25 years, the CAI has built a solid reputation in the automotive industry as a place that provides endless opportunities to its students.

Unique programs: The automotive industry in Canada plays a key role in student success at the CAI. This year alone, over $140,000 in scholarships and awards were granted to deserving CAI students. CAI graduates are in demand! With a grad placement rate of over 90 percent for 25 years, CAI graduates secure career opportunities in various sectors of the auto industry, including dealerships, aftermarket, finance and insurance, e-commerce & remarketing, corporate head office, fleet leasing and operations, marketing and event management.

Paid co-op work experiences: The co-operative work experience is a vital component of the CAI programs allowing students to confirm their career choice and to develop a network to establish a career path. This experience is invaluable to our students. CAI students are in demand by the industry because of their love for automobiles and their passion for the auto industry itself. Co-op work experiences allow students the opportunity to “try before they buy” and earn while they learn.

The CAI offers two unique programs Business Administration Automotive Marketing: This six-semester (threeyear) co-op diploma program prepares individuals to assume positions in dealerships, in the aftermarket and in various other sectors of the automotive industry. Students are also exposed to opportunities to become entrepreneurs in the automotive industry. This program includes introductory business courses and courses that explore various facets of the automotive industry. The program is offered in English and French.

Conducting business in the automotive industry has become more sophisticated which increases demand for multi-skilled personnel. Employment opportunities for graduates of the Business Administration Automotive Marketing diploma program abound in Dealership Operations including Parts, Sales, Service, Leasing & Financing, as well as in the fast developing Automotive Aftermarket sector. Positions in Dealerships, Aftermarket Businesses, Wholesale, Retail, Finance and in other automotive related industries are being advertised in Canada’s major newspapers and automotive magazines and on manufacturer’s websites.

Bachelor of Business Automotive Management: Students combine the best of student-centered college and degree level studies with the four-year Bachelor of Business Automotive Management program. Unlike other business degrees, the program is focused directly on the automotive industry and has extremely strong support from major automotive industry companies.

This degree program prepares graduates for success in the automotive workplace through sound education in automotive theory and practical job skills acquired as a result of extensive applied learning in the industry. This automotive-specific education prepares graduates for employment in their industry without limiting their ability to pursue graduate level business degrees. The automotive sector is one of the largest industries in Canada’s economy and is commonly referred to as “one of the major economic engines of the Province”. Employment opportunities resulting from the Bachelor of Business (Automotive Management) Degree are positions requiring high levels of critical thinking, problem solving, professionalism and customer service skills. Employment opportunities include positions at the corporate level in finance, marketing and customer service, as well as managerial positions in Dealerships and in Aftermarket businesses of the industry.

Spread the word: Do you know someone who loves cars, has a passion for business and desires a career in the automotive industry? Tell them to take a look at the Canadian Automotive Institute – Canada’s Automotive School of Business and home of the only degree of its kind in Canada: the Bachelor of Business Automotive Management. Don’t forget to mention the Business Administration Automotive Marketingdiploma program, offered in both English and French!

Visit the CAI website at www.thecai.ca or call (705) 728-1968, ext.1234 for more information.

Sponsored by Georgian College

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g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

19

or Lap Year?

Some students take an extra year of high school classes to boost their GPAs. Others take a year off to discover themselves through travel or other means. There are pros and cons to both alternatives, according to admissions officers, guidance counsellors and former students who’ve been there recently themselves.

“I wasn’t ready for university but I didn’t know what else to do,” says Megan Mitchell, now 21 and an agent for the Ottawa University branch of Travel CUTS, a student discount travel agency with offices across Canada.

Prior to working for Travel CUTS, Megan made use of their services. But not before she spent 12,000 of her parents’ heard-earned dollars on living in residence for her first year of psychology at Carleton University.

“What I discovered was that I didn’t really want to go to university right after high school,” says Megan. “But everyone else was doing it so I picked psychology.”

Megan celebrated her eighteenth birthday in the fall of her first year at Carleton U. By the following spring she was convinced that her immediate future lay elsewhere. After looking into a variety of volunteer or work abroad programs, Megan opted to spend 2006, what would have been her second year of psych at Carleton, working in New Zealand instead.

Megan found her bliss working for a travel adventure agency in Queenstown, N.Z. “It’s the extreme sports capitol of New Zealand,” says Megan. “I’d book people on day trips and get to do all of the activities myself for free on my days off.”

Not previously a daredevil, Megan enjoyed everything from bungee jumping to skydiving, white water rafting, scenic helicopter flights, cave diving, gliding, and something called “Kenyan swinging.”

20

“It’s similar to bungee jumping but you get strapped to a lawn chair and tipped off a cliff backwards. I fell about 175 feet and swung out over a river,” says Megan, who relishes the experience.

In fact, Megan enjoyed her adventures in New Zealand’s travel industry so much that, upon her return to Ottawa she dropped psychology and opted for a six month trade specific program in tourism offered at Algonquin College instead.

“I totally wish I had done this before spending 12,000 at Carleton for something I didn’t even want to do,” says Megan who lived on campus for her first year of school. “I wish

Many students wish to attend university close to home, but can’t because big city universities tend to be more competitive. So students decide to continue in high school for another year, sometimes even repeating certain courses, to raise their GPAs instead.

“It’s not always a good idea,” points out Farrow, because [mitigating circumstances aside] the university can see that you’ve repeated a course.”

Indeed, university admission officials can and do notice that courses have been repeated. This may or may not influence the eligibility of a student, depending on the program, say officials.

“But everyone else was doing it so I picked psychology.”

I’d thought more about it before jumping into it. I have a friend now who’s graduating from Ottawa U. and says he doesn’t even know what to do with his degree.

But I have a “to do” list now. I’m planning to spend half a year in Ireland and then a year in Australia.

And then I might go back to New Zealand!”

Alternatively, Megan says she would have preferred to remain in high school for another year, rather than feel obligated to continue straight on to university.

“I wish I would have stayed on and taken some electives, it would have given me more time to think” says Megan.

Megan isn’t alone in her desire to delay attending university, whatever the reason.

According to Kent Farrow, a guidance counsellor at Central Technical School in Toronto, the practice is common among students who wish to raise their GPAs in order to get into more competitive schools.

“Someone who did well on a course the first time may well be more competitive than someone who’s repeated it twice,” admits Stuart Pinchin, associate university registrar for Queen’s University in Kingston.

“That said, it all depends on the program.”

Farrow believes students who don’t get into university locally and can’t afford to go away to school should consider going to college or into a trade instead.

In any case, there’s much more out there than just university after graduation. Considering your options before blindly leaping in to whatever is expected of you is recommended by counsellors, former students and admission officers alike.

Who knows, what started out as a disappointment may result in the discovery of your future happiness.

g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Images Clockwise from Top Left: Stock.XCHNG; iStockphoto/Thinkstock; Jupiterimages/ Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock

Whether you’re hoping to improve your chances of getting in to your school of choice, or just trying to figure out what you want to do, there are alternatives to bulldozing ahead into a university program directly after finishing high school.

cape breton university

diverse programs in

business, science and technology, liberal arts and graduate and professional studies Home of

championship CAPERS Athletics

innovative undergraduate research opportunities

leader

Atlantic Canada’s in Aboriginal post-secondary education

Leaders in cutting-edge research focused on &

energy environmental sustainability

WWW.CBU.CA

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

21

USbound Pack your things, say your good-byes and get ready to embark on a life-altering journey away from home. You won’t be faced with any language barriers, but when you attend college or university in the U.S. you will be exposed to many different cultures and people from around the world.

“We [Harvard] draw students from around the world and Canada,” says Marlyn McGrath, director of admissions for Harvard College. “So, our students enjoy the experience of meeting and living with students from many different backgrounds and cultures.”

On an athletic scholarship for basketball at Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn., Amanda Montesano from Toronto was exposed to a global cultural experience, as the girls on her soccer team came from Jamaica, Nigeria, Japan, England and Australia, as well as the simple lifestyle of a small southern state town.

“It was a culture shock,” says Montesano, who advises students to visit the school they want to attend prior to attending.

“It was completely different from what I was used to in the city. They spoke, dressed and acted differ-

22

ently, and they cared about different things.

It was very humbling. I learned that you can live without the fancy cars and still have fun.”

Admissions The admissions process for U.S. colleges and universities can differ from Canadian institutions. Montesano found that out when she was scouted by two Bethel College Lady Wildcats teammates, just two weeks before the basketball season started.

“It was so last minute,” Montesano reminisces.

“I had to get my official transcripts and a letter from my high school signed by my principal saying that I kept a certain grade point average throughout my years,” says Montesano, adding how Bethel College fed-exed her the I-20 form, which is similar to a student visa.

But Montesano was an exception to the rule.

The application deadline for U.S. colleges and universities is even earlier than schools in Ontario, and their acceptances are sent out earlier as well, says Ellen Ison, head of guidance

for Etobicoke Collegiate. And more and more schools are using something called “the common application” – a general form now available on-line, Ison adds.

Admissions processes vary, but Harvard admissions, for example, requires that you fill out the common application form, write a personal essay, provide school reports completed by your school counsellor, submit two teacher evaluations, complete an entrance exam and pay an application fee.

Non-U.S. citizens must also submit a financial statement (whether applying for financial aid or not) in order to receive a student visa.

SATs, ACTs and GPAs “There are some schools that will admit a Canadian student without the SATs or ACTs,” says Ison.

“But we recommend students try to write them in grade 11 (without having to send the results) so they know what it’s like, and then rewrite them in grade 12.”

The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized examination designed to measure students’ abilities in three areas: reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning. It lasts three hours and 45 minutes.

The American College Test (ACT), measures English, Math, Reading and Science skills and lasts just over four hours.

As for calculating your grade point average, grading scales vary according to the school.

Some consider an A to be a 4.0 GPA where a 4.3 is more accurate for others. Once you figure out what grading scale is used by the school you are applying to, it’s just a matter of addition and division.

First, give all your letter grades numerical values (depending on what grading scale you are using), then add them together and divide to find the average. If your high school considers one class to equal three

credits, for example, you must first multiply each grade by the appropriate amount of credits and then divide by the total amount of credits for all the classes.

Grades are important but not everything Keep in mind that although high academics are important and can only help your chances of getting accepted, the admissions committee at Harvard takes a very holistic approach and looks for many features of a persons record beyond academics, says McGrath.

“Ambition, energy and self-directedness are unquantifiable characteristics that are terribly advantageous at any university. I don’t think it’s just a Harvard phenomenon,” says McGrath. “I think people who want to do something great with their lives tend to put themselves in a path to do that and take advantage of whatever is in their way to use.” g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Images: Stamp - iStockphoto/Thinkstock, Flag & Envelope - Stock.XCHNG

Take Harvard College in Cambridge, Mass., as an example of one of the many U.S. universities that attracts students from around the world.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE… TODAY… EVERYDAY. Do you like to solve problems?

Do you enjoy working with the community?

Do you like to help people?

Do you have what it takes to be a police officer?

• Successfully completed secondary school education or its equivalent. (OSSD/GED) • Minimum of 18 years of age • Be of good moral character and habits, meaning that you are an individual other people would look upon as being trustworthy and having integrity • Possess a valid driver’s licence with no more than six accumulated demerit-points • Good mental and physical health • Current certification in CPR and First Aid • Valid Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Certificate. www.applicanttesting.com

So… What does this mean to YOU? What is available to you as a career?

Durham Regional Police has numerous career opportunities that include: • Police Constable • Special Constable • Civilian positions: Communications, Human Resources, Finance, Facilities, Records, Information Technology and many more

Student opportunities: • • • •

Summer student employment (students returning to post secondary school) Co-op placements (year round) Youth in Policing (Summer student 14-17 years of age) Volunteer opportunities (towards completion of community credits)

For career opportunities with the Durham Regional Police Service visit www.drps.ca

GOODBYE COFFEE BREATH

By The Dime You’re looking into OSAP. The Bank of Mom and Dad has approved you for a decent loan (with a very agreeable interest rate to boot). You’ve calculated how much money you need to save next summer. Stay in on weekends, opt for couch potato movie nights, do things on the cheap, and you’ll have a sizable chunk of change squirreled away in the ol’ savings account.

Have you filtered in books?

Transportation? Of course you have. We know you’re smart.

Looks like you’re ready for your first year. We’re proud of you.

But a lot happens in two or four years. There will be costs you cannot anticipate.

So we decided to make you a special section this year. It’s about money and budgeting. It’s about saving and making smart decisions. It’s about living by the dime.

jobpostings.ca | fall2010 | g2g

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Image - Jupiterimages/Thinkstock

Tuition goes up and down. The cost of housing, we’re pretty sure, is determined by a dude on steady diet of energy drinks.

And then there are all the new, wonderful, interesting friends you’ll meet who will want to hit California for spring break, Christmas in Jasper, and you’ll want to go with them. Chances are, you’ll finish school with a sizable debt. And no, you won’t walk into a 70K a year gig as soon as you graduated. (Unless you’re really, really, really good.)

By The Dime

Summer is the time for Avoid Financial Pitfalls with our Seasonal Saving Tips

Saving

Afternoons on the patio of your favorite pub, epic weekends at the cottage, BBQs and house parties, and a whole slew of other expenses can easily make your summer salary moot. While students tend to work the most during the summer, all the hot weather seems to evaporate that extra cash right out of your wallet.

Sticking to a budget is hard, but you don’t have to be too strict with yourself. “Tailor it to your own specifics,” Mitchell advises. Saving in some areas is better than saving in none, and spending mindfully is the key to successful budgeting. “Even if you don’t want to do a formal budget, try to keep a rough idea of where your money’s going by the end of the month. Talk to your roommates, family, and friends to get feedback on where they think you’re spending more than you need to.”

Links:

Saving Starts at Home Moving home for the summer is often the most effective strategy for saving between semesters. But if that’s not an option for you, it’s still not impossible to salt away a little extra cash for the coming school year.

Take advantage of the nicer weather by drying your laundry outside instead of paying to use a dryer; it’s cheaper for you and better for the environment. You can also reduce your electricity bill by limiting A/C use to only the very hottest days of the year. Buy lots of fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables from local farmer’s markets and fruit stands — they’re cheaper and healthier than frozen, processed, or prepared foods.

Between semesters, most of us have to work. But summer is short, so enjoy it while you can! Walk, bike, or rollerblade as much as possible to save on transportation to and from work, and you’ll get fresh air and exercise while you’re at it. Brown bag it to your summer job as often as you can. Even if you avoid the temptation of take-out at least half the time, you’ll be saving a lot of money — and making all those extra hours at work worth it by the end of the season.

Travel on the Cheap The siren song of the open road is at its strongest during the summer — and there’s nothing wrong with following it. But there are ways to go about traveling that won’t leave you broke by the time school starts. Mitchell highly recommends getting your travel-fix by

26

working abroad, either through a program in a foreign country or in hospitality at a resort.

But if what you really need is a vacation, planning is key. Mitchell recommends looking for last minute deals on airfare, or taking advantage of 2-for-1 transportation and lodging offers along with a friend. You don’t have to go first class to have a great time, either. “I talk to a lot of students who feel like when they’re traveling, they need to stay in a nice hotel or travel like they would with their parents,” she says, adding that it’s an unrealistic expectation when you earn less and have debt. Instead, “see if you can stay with a family friend, or even a friend of a friend. Even done for a few days, it will save a lot.” If this isn’t possible, hostels are the way to go, she says.

Cash Cache With all the saving you’re going to be doing, you’ll need somewhere to keep your stash.

“Talk to your bank, because you want to get the most interest possible,” Mitchell says.

“A lot of people just put it in their bank account and don’t think twice, but in fact you should see if there’s any kind of short-term, high-interest account or a term deposit.” She adds that it’s important to know the rules of whatever account you get in order to avoid fees and penalties. “It may not seem like a lot of money but just magnify it by what it’s saving you in hours you’ll have to work.”

And in our opinion, another few hours spent on the beach is worth every penny saved.

g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Images L-R: Jupiterimages/ liquidlibrary/Thinkstock; Digital Vision/Thinkstock

Motivating yourself to save money when there’s so much to do and see is extremely difficult, says Jeannine Mitchell, publisher of Student Finance 101. To help keep yourself on track, she says, “keep in mind that for every dollar you save, it might actually be worth two dollars or more in terms of real savings. And if you spend too much, you’ll end up borrowing to make up for it, which means paying interest that will really add up over the years. Just keep telling yourself that little drink or snack that only costs $2 could actually be worth $4 in terms of real, saved money.” So how do you avoid all those little temptations?

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

27

By The Dime

Keep Your Part-Time Job

Pa rt-Ti m e

It could be because you want experience in your field of interest, or just because you want extra pocket money. But keep in mind, a part-time job can also interfere with your grades, reports the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

Even working as little as 10 hours a week increases the odds of a first-year student not returning to school, and working more than 20 hours per week almost doubles that risk, says a recent report by the foundation.

This could be because many students who work part-time forget that their first priority should be their studies, says career services advisors.

Remember, a part-time job “should be just that – a way to earn money

28

and gain experience but at the same time allow the student to focus on their academic pursuits,” says Anna De Grauwe, a career advisor with Hired Career Services at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College.

Flexibility is key The best part-time jobs for students are those that allow them flexibility in their schedule and the capacity to focus on their studies to the best of their abilities, says De Grauwe.

But what kind of employer is going to be, without a doubt, tolerant and supportive to the needs of students? More likely an employer where 70 percent of staff are between the ages of 15 and 25 and where school/work scheduling conflicts are handled on a daily basis.

“We understand the fact that when you have school there can be last minute projects or exams that can come up,” says

Isabelle Bouchard, the operations consultant for McDonald’s Canada. “We are very open to the fact that they may want to change their shift or cancel it completely because they have school priorities.”

various restaurants during her university career, was able to pay for most of her undergraduate degree, a trip to Europe, and the larger part of a graduate diploma in education that she is now completing in Australia.

Since McDonald’s has such a large pool of employees, it’s easy to accommodate students who need to switch shifts, says Bouchard. And while students are encouraged to find their own replacements when needed, they can always ask their managers to help.

“I’m still getting OSAP to help me get through the payments, but serving is what paid for most of it, not my parents,” she enthuses. After earning a four year honours BA at York University in philosophy and having to pay for every bit of it on her own with the money she made from serving, Bar-David says she’s now less than $8,000 in debt.

“We know how difficult it can be to mix work and studies, therefore, we encourage our students to not work more than 10 to 20 hours per week, so they can succeed both at work and at school,” Bouchard explains.

Working for tips Making less than minimum wage plus tips, Naama Bar-David, who worked as a server at

“Serving is a great side job whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate because the schedules are so flexible,” says Bar-David.

“It never interfered with school because I was able to tailor my hours to fit my schedule.” Waiting on tables is the best job for students because hours can be changed weekly, and co-workers may be willing to cover your shifts for a whole week if you need time to study for exams, says Bar-David. “Serving is flexible, it’s money in your pocket that day and it’s fun,” she says.

“When I first started serving, I had the best time of my life.”

Working on campus Like Bar-David, Leslie Yun, former communications officer for the Alma Mater Society (AMS) – the central undergraduate student government at Queen’s University – says many students want to work at campus pubs for both tips and bartending experience. Other campus jobs include working in the campus coffee shop, bookstore, newspaper or radio station.

“The AMS campus jobs are pretty competitive depending on the service a student applies for,” says Yun, adding that besides being convenient and helpful when it comes to time management, the great thing about AMS campus jobs is that they are fully student run.

“It’s nice because you work exclusively in a peer-to-peer environment,” Yun says. “It’s also great because everybody you work with, including your supervisors, are fellow students, so we make a lot of accommodations and exceptions for class schedules and exams.” g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Images L-R: James Woodson/ Digital Vision/Thinkstock; iStockphoto/Thinksotck; Jupiterimages/ Creatas/Thinkstock

Some school bound grads may be lucky enough to get help paying for post-secondary education in the form of scholarships, grants or generous parents. But even if you are one of the lucky, there are still plenty of reasons to find a part-time job.

WORK, WORK, WORK.

Or, better yet, get a career you’ll love.

Centennial College will give you the education you need for the career you want. Start here with programs in general arts and science, business, hospitality, creative communications, engineering technologies, community and health studies, and transportation – and don’t look back.

Learn more at centennialcollege.ca or call 416-289-5300 | The Future of Learning.

jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

29

By The Dime

Graduate

Free

Do you dream of graduating college or university debt-free?

It’s probably not going to happen. But you can certainly cut that debt in half by making smart decisions and keeping your eye out for free money.

Make the effort, reap the rewards When colleges and universities visit Henry Street High School, Faiazza says they’re always encouraging students to make the effort, write the required essays and apply.

“They can’t stress enough how much money is available to students that goes untapped,” she says, adding how sometimes students who don’t even meet the criteria win a bursary or scholarship because no one else applied.

Corrinne Madden, an account coordinator for Broad Reach Communications, couldn’t agree more. Madden has been paying off the money she borrowed on a student line of credit for two years now, and recommends future college or university students apply for every single sponsorship that’s available. She says she regrets not doing so herself.

“I had friends who did that and managed to get significant chunks of money to pay for books or other parts of their tuition for just applying,” Madden says. “But, it’s very time consuming because you have to write essays for a lot of them.”

If you write at least two essays, it’s easy to modify them slightly to make them suitable for applications for different scholarships, says Faiazza. And if your admissions average is high enough, there is always the possibility of receiving an entrance scholarship.

“At York University, for example, the amounts start at $500 per year and it’s renewable for

30

four years for an average 80 percent,” says Angelique Saweczko, former associate director for scholarships and bursaries in the student financial services at York University.

“And, they could go as high as $3,000 a year for four years, depending on what the applicant’s admissions average is.”

Scholarships and grants and bursaries – oh yes!

her mother’s income was too high to allow her to receive Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funds. So she took out a $32,000 student line of credit, which her mom had to co-sign, to pay for her university education. “It’s awful,” Madden says of the debt she still owes. “It’s preventing me from being able to move out, buy a car, travel and live the life a 25 year old should be living.”

Scholarships, grants and bursaries, all of which do not have to be paid back, can be subsidized by government, or not. And the criteria for obtaining them vary, says Saweczko. Scholarships are typically awarded to academic achievers, but extracurricular activities are also rewarded. Other criteria can include religion and ethnicity, for example.

According to Saweczko, OSAP is an assistance program and is not meant to cover the whole cost of a student’s education. OSAP looks at the family income, how many children the parents are supporting, how many of those dependents are in post-secondary education and the student’s savings. “Based on all that criteria, OSAP will determine how much funding a student is eligible for,” says Saweczko.

Grants are based on financial need. Sometimes grants can also be based on other criteria, for example, a study grant for a student going on an exchange program. The primary criterion for a bursary is financial need, experts say. “When students are applying from high school they would be applying more so for scholarships because of their academic achievement,” Faiazza says. “But, once they get to college or university there is a great deal of money available to students with financial need.”

However, Saweczko definitely recommends taking OSAP over a student line of credit.

“OSAP does not have to be repaid for as long as you are a full-time student maintaining a 60 percent course load. You don’t have to make any payments nor do you incur any interest,” she explains. “As soon as you stop being a full-time student, the loan will start to accrue interest, but you are given a six month grace period before you have to start making payments.”

Madden received a bursary in her third year at York University, while completing an honours BA in professional writing. The bursary amounted to $300 per semester. She says the money helped pay for books. “I wasn’t eligible for financial aid, I would just get rejected, but in my third year I was moving out on my own,” Madden explains.

That’s not the case when you borrow on a line of credit. Madden had to make monthly interest payments from day one. “With OSAP the interest rates don’t hike like with a student line of credit,” Madden says. “And depending on the economy and what the prime rates are, I could end up paying out $500 in interest per month. So, how am I ever going to pay this off?” Madden asks.

When free money isn’t an option Madden was initially ineligible for financial help because she lived with her mother and

The moral of the story?

Don’t borrow if you can help it.

g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Images L-R: ©iStockphoto.com/redmonkey8; Hemera/Thinkstock

When you begin applying to the school of your choice, take some time to apply for scholarships, grants and bursaries.“I always encourage students to apply for the free money because you don’t want to graduate with a lot of debt,” says Elizabeth Faiazza, the head of guidance and co-operative learning at Henry Street High School in Whitby, ON.

By The Dime

Balance your budget to realize

your dreams

Getting off on the right foot when you start your new life after high school is about more than just getting good grades or a job in your field. Knowing how to make and keep a budget is something you should know how to do before you leave home.

“No one has limitless money,” says Laurie Campbell, executive director of Credit Canada, a non-profit credit counselling organization. “And even if your parents are supporting you, you still need to be able to budget.”

Why? Because bank overdrafts or and unpaid credit card bills can cost you a lot in interest and hurt your credit rating which will prevent you from buying things like a car or a home later on, says Campbell.

“Overdraft interest can be devastating – up to 21 percent and we’ve seen far too many young people end up starting their futures mired in debt because they were using their credit cards to supplement their income,” says Campbell. “Far too many of them end up in our offices because they’ve overspent.”

Image: © iStockphoto/Alexander Yakovlev

Never mind how stressful it can be to worry about not having money at the end of the month when the landlord comes calling or your credit card payment is due.

“Going to college or university is a stressful time, and worrying about your finances on top of your studies can add another incredible burden to students. That’s why it is more important than ever for young people to learn the basics about money, budget management, and the difference between needs versus wants,” says Laurel Ostfield, spokesperson for Capital One Canada.

Financial illiteracy

Needs & wants

Young Canadians are surprisingly uneducated about money, says Ostfield, pointing to a Capital One back-to-school survey that shows nearly 60 percent of post-secondary students surveyed were worried about having enough money to last them through the school year. In fact, some students said they make some big (and surprising) sacrifices to get by:

Knowing the difference between needs and wants is crucial to developing a balanced budget, financial experts agree.

Then draw up a list of your current expenses.

“Remember all the categories, like rent, food, entertainment, transportation, books,” says Campbell. First time budget trackers can obtain a list of possible expenditures and even a budget spending tracker that can be downloaded to a cell phone at piggypal.ca.

53 percent said they dip in to savings to cover every day expenses.

36 percent said they skip meals to save money.

24 percent said they forego medication, dental visits or other medical treatment.

11 percent said they sometimes wear dirty clothes when they can’t afford a visit to the laundromat.

Despite worries about not having enough cash to cover school year expenses, the survey showed many students were not using basic money management skills to help make ends meet. More than half (51 percent) of students did not develop a budget and stick to it, and 40 percent did not track their daily purchases. Half of the students surveyed (50.4 percent) said they learned how to manage their finances from their parents, while only 1.8 percent said that they learned about financial management at school. Just over 40 percent said they taught themselves how to manage their finances. (Check out the links in the box below for more on the survey.)

So how do you start budgeting? Start by setting a goal, says Campbell. “It’s the very first thing you should do. Even if it’s just paying off a credit card or saving money to go on vacation, it can help you motivate yourself to start budgeting,” she says.

Next add up your sources of income, then calculate the difference. If you’re making less than you’re spending, you need to take a closer at what you’re spending money on.

For example, a you might consider cooking at home, rather than ordering a pizza.

Spending on clothing may have to be limited to sweaters and jeans, and not include Gucci bags. And books can be purchased second hand rather than new.

It’s all about knowing the difference between needs and wants, says Campbell, who adds you should set some money aside for that goal you had in mind.

“That way there’s a reward for all your hard work,” she says.

Visit these websites for financial advice and budgeting tools

36% skip meals to save money

Budgeting 101: 1 Set a savings goal.

2 List your expenditures and income.

3 Distinguish between your needs and wants.

4 Cut costs in the wants category if necessary.

5 Keep track and adjust continually. jobpostings.ca | 2010 | g2g

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Are You Too PDA With Your PDA? The New Guide to Smartphone Etiquette How to prevent mobile devices from obliterating your social relations Who remembers Emily Post? Anyone? Anyone? During the early 1900’s, she authored a whole slew of books on social etiquette. She was an instant success, and built an empire on her expertise for manners and poise. Emily, however, lived in a time when women still went to finishing school, and high tea parties and ballroom dancing were “all the rage.” Unfortunately for us, her literature missed the technology boom by a few too many er decades. So while we know to say “please” and “thank you” after favours and requests, and we know to place napkins in our laps, it seems we’re all just a tad lost when it comes to the other realm of social etiquette — I’m talking about cellular devices; we’re all addicted to our Smartphones, and none of us really know how to tame the cravings.

Now, from taking phone calls in waiting rooms, to text messaging at the dinner table, social skills are a limited resource — the remainder of which are rapidly depleting. On that note, we offer you the following guide to Smartphone use

Notice the word “table.”

Dinner, might be the assumption, but brunch, coffee, dessert, even cigarette breaks with office colleagues are to be included here. In these circumstances, put your phone away. The table should always be clear of electronics, says Linda Allen, Canadian corporate expert who specializes in etiquette and behaviours in business. “If [your device] is on the table and turned off, it’s on your mind as well,” she explains. You need to be mindful of the people in your immediate surrounding more than you need to worry about your Smartphone.

Formal affairs & intimate settings Cocktails, galas, funerals, meetings; they all require that your phone be silenced. Please be

32

absolutely sure to turn your phone off, as you will greatly offend the people around you if you don’t.

If it must remain on, turn your profile to “silent” (not vibrate) and double check that there is no blinking light to keep you informed. Being preoccupied in these scenarios is a faux pas. “Most often,” says Allen, “people turn off the ring but there’s a little light that appears and [you] glance at it, which means you’re taking your eyes and your attention off the person(s).”

Consider, under these circumstances, leaving your device in your purse, back pocket, or car.

The office Perk up here people, because the way you’ve been handling your phone in lecture isn’t going to fly when you graduate to the office. If you’re in a professional setting, leave your phone behind.

You are disrespecting your employers with it in hand, and potentially jeopardizing your job.

You need to give the setting 100 percent of your concentration, explains etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore. “And,” she says, “being fully engaged means not tapping away on your Smartphone.”

Public settings Being in your private space (at home) enables you to talk and text freely, with no restraint. In public places however, we tend to create a bubble around ourselves and forget that others often overhear phone conversations. “It’s human nature,” Whitmore explains, “to listen — whether we want to or not — to other peoples’ conversations.” In this case, Whitmore says to “step away, where

6 Ways to Know You’re Addicted to your Smartphone: “OMG” or “WTF” are things you say in spoken conversations too.

Your friends have to repeat sentences or parts of stories that you’ve missed, due to incessant phone activity.

You think about what kind of action your phone is getting while you’re sitting at the dinner table (Please let my family finish eating now!).

The first thing you do in the mornings (before getting out of bed) is check your phone.

You take your phone to bathroom with you, not out of secrecy, but because you’re mid conversation.

You stopped reading this list halfway through to check your text messages. nobody can hear you talk about your lab results, or your torrid love affair.”

If you insist on having that conversation, avoid Cell-Yell, a term Whitmore uses to describe obnoxious volumes. Your manners reflect your mindfulness and how aware you are of your surrounding, ergo talking too loudly is one of many ways you’re violating that code-of-conduct.

If all else fails, consider this rule-of-thumb: treat your Smartphone like you would a tampon (sorry guys). Keep it concealed from the public; store it somewhere safe and easily accessible, and when your situation turns to “urgent”, politely excuse yourself to the restroom, and finish your business quickly.

g2g | 2010 | jobpostings.ca

Image: Stockbyte/Thinkstock

Table manners

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