jobpostings Magazine (Vol. 14, Issue 1) by jobpostings Magazine

Building Urban Utopias The Civil Engineer

Well-Oiled Careers

All the Jobs in Oil and Gas

The of value tion, educa and debt, c your . areer

plus:

Your E verything Guide to Accounting!

pecial page sr featu e

| september 2011 |

who’s

hiring

Hey. Did you know that these companies have lots of entry level positions? Visit their websites to see a full list of positions available.

IFC Deloitte 3 Shell 7 College Pro 9 CN 11 The Home Depot 24 KPMG 31 Grant Thornton LLP 32 Deloitte 35 Ernst & Young 36 Nexen 39 Talisman Energy 41 Magna Electric Corporation 41 Ontario Power Authority 42 Aecon 47 OSCO Construction Group OBC PwC

yay! more school 2 Humber, The Business School, Accounting 11 Centennial College, Accounting 16 Humber, School of Media Studies and Information Technology 16 Centennial College 17 Brock University 17 Niagara College 17 Ross University 17 Queen’s University 17 Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry 17 Sheridan College 47 University of Saskatchewan, Edwards School of Business IBC Humber, The Business School (Post-grad) Event Management

who else?

Image: © Sonya van Heyningen

13 ACE Canada 18 The Next 36 23 Insurance Institute of Canada 27 Certified Management Accountants

stuff to buy

5 Rogers Wireless 14 Excel 45 Lipton Brisk

Bubble or no bubble, the winds of change are blowing through the halls of higher education. Here's how to ride out the storm and take control of your school, your debt, and your career.

Success Story

— Armon Rouhani on not

underestimating yourself. Brought to you by

Rogers Wireless.

8 10

es is where technology and compassion come together.

Interview Smarts

— Angela Fennelow of

Sun Life gives us a little interview insurance.

JobLife — The Royal “We.” It’s “we” did this, not “I” did this. Quit taking all the credit, sheesh.

Money Bites — A couple of pointers to help you manage your money.

Career Cupid

Start Up

Edu-ma-cation

The Confidence Builders — Rehab scienc-

— The Indy 500 of Jobs.

— Jordan Gutierez on home and

helping. — A Blueprint for the Fu-

ture: Master’s in Architecture.

Special Accounting Section: Not Just Pencil Pushers There’s more to accounting than you think. We tell you how to get the job (then do well on the job), bust some myths, and weigh in on the industry vs.

— Our energy sector

firm debate. Plus, a few recent grads share their

is growing, but competition for jobs is fierce. A

advice. It’s everything you need to make it in this

look at smart grids, and what skills you need to

underappreciated profession.

The Smarter Grids

electrify your career.

Building Urban Utopias — The municipal magnanimity of the engineering professional.

Inside Oil and Gas

Nursing On The Edge — You’ll need solid

Who decides where to drill? The Chief Geophysicist

skills and limitless stamina to work for an NGO.

does. Plus, we look at a few careers in oil and gas that you may not have thought of.

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

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To learn more and apply, visit www.shell.ca/careers. Be sure to check out the Student/Graduate section of our website for helpful tools, including resume writing tips, a degree matcher and realistic job previews. For additional information on career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter @ShellCareers.

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successstories Armon Rouhani Company

CGI Group Inc.

Position

Technical Analyst

Length of employment 25 months Degree

Bachelors of Applied Science (BASc.), Honours Computer Engineering (Coop). University of Waterloo

What drew you to your current field? In my younger years, I would spend hours messing around with the computer at home, fixing some problems and creating new ones, all the while fascinated at the things the computer could do. I still remember talking with my friends in elementary school about how we all wanted to work with computers when we grew up, even though we had no idea what that really meant. It wasn’t until my older cousin started studying Computer Engineering (at the University of Waterloo) that I gave it some serious thought and actually started looking into what a career in computers really meant. With the help of two truly passionate teachers in high school, I learned what it meant to write computer programs and design circuits. I knew then I was destined for a career in computers.

How did you find your current position? Being part of the University of Waterloo’s cooperative education program was the key. I worked at CGI as part of the Financial Services team in Toronto during my last coop term. When I finished my coop term, I returned back to school for my final term, and contacted one of the directors I had worked with during my time at CGI. A few emails later, I had a full-time job lined up after school and started work right after school — literally, I started work three days after my last exam.

Can you tell us a bit about your responsibilities? As with any consulting job, the project dictates the roles and responsibilities of each member, which differ from client to client. My responsibilities on past projects include developing proof of technology concepts, designing, coding and debugging code, and leading the efforts of a team of developers. Ultimately, my responsibility is to make sure the deliverable is completed properly and on time.

What is the most challenging aspect of your position? The most challenging aspect of my position, which happens to be the most interesting aspect as well, is the constant need to learn new skills, new techniques and hit the ground running on any new project. Whether it’s using new methodolo-

Sponsored by 4

gies or technologies, every project is different, and a chance to learn new skills while at the same time, leveraging your past experiences.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Truth be told, it’s the people I work with on a daily basis. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you worked hard, finished the project on time, and had a great time doing it. And the right team is integral to most of that, one that knows how to have fun and laugh, and, at the same time, get things done.

What do you think it takes to be successful in this career? To be successful as a technologist, you need to be adaptable, have a willingness to learn new skills, and a passion for solving problems! So take initiative, don’t be hesitant to learn new skills and technologies, be self-motivated but at the same time a team player, and most importantly have fun. At the end of the day, you won’t be successful unless you do well and enjoy what it is you’re doing.

Is there one accomplishment you are most proud of to date? The opportunity to take the lead role on a project when you’re the most junior member of the team isn’t the most likely of all scenarios. But when your Director takes you aside and tells you he wants you to take on the role of C++ Lead, you quickly realize you work for a team that isn’t afraid to take a risk and give you a chance to prove what you’re capable of. Going from being a member of the C++ development team to the Lead for my project was an amazing experience, and leading the design and development with a diverse team of developers was one of the proudest accomplishments of my newly begun career.

What advice do you have for students looking to land their first job? Don’t underestimate what you know, but at the same time, don’t oversell yourself. Prove yourself early on, and don’t stop — don’t become content with just getting by. The difference between an outstanding employee and an okay employee is more than just what they know, it’s about how they put that knowledge into action, and how they interact with their colleagues. Stand apart, but for the right reasons.

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our favourite quote this month:



“I’m going to be blunt: if there is alcohol on offer, don’t get drunk. This is a recruiting event, and if you can’t hold alcohol, if you don’t know how to drink in a professional setting, don’t drink at all.” Will Christensen, From Focus on Accounting, (page 26)

editor’snote Jason Rhyno

jobpostings publisher Nathan Laurie nlaurie@jobpostings.ca

associate publisher Mark Laurie mlaurie@jobpostings.ca

editor Jason Rhyno jrhyno@jobpostings.ca

graphic designer Sonya van Heyningen svanheyningen@jobpostings.ca

web editor Simone Castello scastello@jobpostings.ca

contributors Christine Fader, Ross Harrhy, Emma Jones, Brandon Miller, Emily Minthorn, Kevin Nelson, Amy Sobrano, Andrew Williams

national account managers Sarah-Lyn Amaral, Mary Vanderpas

I knew I liked reading books, and I was told that a university degree would guarantee employment. So I went to school,

and upsold the whole "university equals a career" thing to my mom when I asked for a loan(s). The truth was that I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do, and quite frankly

didn't care. I liked learning. Career? I'll figure that out later, I told myself.

I thought, mistakenly, that everyone at university was there to learn, first and foremost. Turns out that the majority of

people simply wanted a career. They suffered from visions of

a future where they were unemployed — visions put there by parents, high school teachers, and guidance counsellors. It’s one the biggest lies our generation has been told: university equals a career. And I think it’s time we go on the record and finally say it: university does not get you a career.

of way but also in how we manage our own personal lives.

You should also know that a high GPA doesn’t equal a job.

people who have almost perfect GPAs.” While you may have

terview stage becomes about how you're going to apply that

Published by Passion Inc. 25 Imperial Street, Suite 100 Toronto, ON M5P 1B9

know what you've done with that knowledge, and what you're

jobpostings.ca 1-877-900-5627 ext. 221

been able to ace every single test, the question at the job inknowledge to the really-real world of work. Employers want to going to do with it while you work for them. Don’t think, even

for a second, that you can walk into an interview with nothing

but a degree and a high GPA. You'll lose that position to someone with an 'OK' GPA, but with loads of experience.

while you study. Look for ways your classroom and book

no need for career centres, no need for magazines or websites like jobpostings, and life would be just fantastic (save for the

fact that I would be out of a job). “Got a degree? Awesome, you’re hired.” Imagine?

No, what university does is teach you how to think. Yes, it fills

your head with the technical knowledge you need for your industry of choice, but it also teaches you analytical skills and

different ways of looking at the world. It’s this crazy idea that knowledge gives us the tools and reasoning skills to figure out

Ouellette, Andrew Williams

on Accounting (starting on page 25) said, “We’ve turned down

out post-secondary education, means added numerals on meant a career the day after graduation, then there would be

Vlad Omazic, Alyssa

tion, but, as one person we interviewed for our special Focus

A great way to get this experience is by doing extracurricular

those future paycheques. But if a university education truly

interns

Sure, you’ll be seriously considered for that entry-level posi-

Don’t get me wrong, it certainly helps, and all evidence points

to the fact that a higher education, compared to those with-

problems, not only in a make-the-world-a-better-place type

activities, joining a club, volunteering, or working part-time

knowledge can be applied to the work you do, and how it can help you understand and communicate with other people. And a lovely by-product of doing this is that it will teach you

how to think creatively about problems. New solutions to new problems is something employers love.

So I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: university gives you the tools and analytical thinking skills you need to

understand how the world, and stuff in the world, works. It

does not, however, guarantee you a career; that part is up to you.



jobpostings is published eight times in the school year. Issue dates are September, October, November, January, February, March, April, and May. Copies of jobpostings are distributed to over 105 universities and colleges across Canada. Contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reprinted in whole or part without permission of the publishers. Is it quitting time yet?

on the cover: © Sonya van Heyningen

september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

So you screwed up in the interview, huh? They asked the ol’ “What’s your greatest weakness” question and you responded with “cupcakes,” hoping to get a laugh. Awkward. Lucky for you we have friends on the inside – recruiting friends (the people who’ll be interviewing you). It cost us a few favours, but they finally agreed to explain why they ask what they ask, and what the best answers are. It’s a cheatsheet for interviews. Good luck!

Tell me about your extra-curricular activities. What do you enjoy about your extra-curricular activities, and what is your weekly time commitment to these activities?

The interviewer wants to learn more about you! She wants to know your interests, what motivates you and why you participate in extra-curricular activities. This is an opportunity to share what is important to you, and it helps the interviewer determine if your values and motivators are a good fit with the company and the role you are applying for. It will also help her decide if she should share specific aspects of the role you are applying for that may be of particular interest to you and your current career path. Do you just show up for meetings, or are you an active member in your extra-curricular groups? Share the vision and mission of the group, and your role within it. If you are a member of a student or community organization or team, and you are in a key role that drives the strategy and direction of the organization, this demonstrates commitment and leadership. If you are active in more than one group, give details, because this shows you can manage multiple projects concurrently. Your answer to this question also demonstrates your skill in balancing work (school projects, assignments and attending class) with your life outside of work. Balancing work and life while maintaining your overall health is important in today’s work environment, and if you are already doing this in school, then you are putting in place the foundations for your career and life balance.

* interview

smarts

How you answer this question also provides information about your networks in the community and your ability to build and maintain relationships with others. Networking and relationship building is an expectation of your career development today. Meeting company objectives is rarely an individual event. For example, our career sales force advisors succeed when they help their clients, for which trusting relationships are a necessity. Your extra-curricular activities provide you with a lot of experiences that you can draw on in most interview situations. Good luck! 

by Angela Fennelow, Director, CSF Recruiting and Selection

@ Sun Life Financial

september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

moneybites



Start by setting a goal

Building a

“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.

Then draw up a list of your current expenses

ey,” 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.” A recent study by Capital One found many recent

graduates fall victim to impulse purchases, and often overlook extra income as

Remember all the catego-

of survey respondents say that they are putting money in savings on a monthly basis or more

an opportunity to improve their finances. The survey asked about saving and spending habits.

“If given $500 to save or spend, 74 percent of the

young adults surveyed say that they would spend at

least $100 of it and 44 percent would spend at least

$300,” reports the survey.

admit they are not setting aside money for savings on a regular basis

ries: rent, food, entertainment, transportation, books, and bills.



Next, add up your sources of income, then calculate the difference There are a ton of apps and

software programs that can help you do this. If you’re making less than you’re

It’s important to start off

spending, you need to take

school or post-secondary

spending money on.

on the right foot after high

a closer look at what you’re

studies. Knowing how to

For example, you might con-

make and keep a budget is

something you should take

as seriously as getting good grades and finding a good

job. So, we asked Campbell for some advice.

sider cooking at home rather

than ordering a pizza. Spend-

Know the Difference 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.

ing on clothing may have

Image: iStockphoto/Thinkstock





No one has limitless mon-

to be limited to sweaters

and jeans, and not include

Gucci bags. And books can

be purchased second-hand rather than new.

september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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The Future of Learning centennialcollege.ca

I should have been a

dismiss it. It’s really not

right? You probably have

from that whole option. But

mechanic (or architect or

the right job for me. I like

a picture in your head

every job role has a range of

nursery school teacher or

talking about carburetors

about what his job looks

ways of doing it. In fact, just

physiatrist). At least, that’s

but I have zero inclination

like. But, he was actually a

by moving the job into a

what the interest tests

to take one apart.

paramedic at the Formula

different environment, that

1 racetrack in Hockenheim,

role might fit us a whole lot

Germany. He got to patch

better. By the same token,

back together Formula

pursuing a role that you

1 race car drivers like

think you’ll love and doing

Michael Schumacher and

it long-term in the wrong

Jenson Button. I don’t know

environment can also start

about you, but even though

to tarnish something you

the job title is the same as

would normally find really

other paramedics, his job

interesting.

always tell me. I attended a vintage racing

because not only am I a

weekend in June and had

car geek, I’m also a career

a positively euphoric, but

geek. Maybe it’s my profes-

slightly embarrassing three

sion (“career counsellor”

days. It was embarrass-

wasn’t one of the options

ing because there seemed

the interests tests pointed

to be a lot of involuntary

me to, by the way), but

shrieking coming out of my

I seem to compulsively

mouth all weekend long

make lists of work I see

as I oogled and drooled

around me, whenever I’m

over fields of beautiful old

in a new situation. And it

Minis’, Austin Healeys,

often occurs to me that

MGAs and Fiat 500s.

many of the life situations

career cupid by Christine Fader

If that list of cars was like Greek to you, then it’s

the indy 500 of jobs

Perhaps that’s okay though

probably obvious that I’m a) old and b) a slight car nut. And it might not be a surprise that ‘mechanic’ is

we find ourselves in don’t jump to mind when we consider our career options, but are in fact full of real, practical, paying (and parent-pleasing) jobs.

one of the options that an

Case in point: the race-

interest test suggests for

track. Here’s a place full

me to pursue.

of obvious jobs that might

The problem is, I don’t love boring cars and I don’t like to fix cars. So, as soon as the interest test spits out the option “mechanic,” I immediately

feel slightly out of reach to the ordinary person: the drivers, the race announcers and pit crew. But what about all the other jobs that we rarely think of or hear about? Have you ever considered working at a race track or team and becoming: track marshal, race mechanic, safety specialist, car designer, track architect, timing expert, rules officiate, driver butler ,or flame-retardant suit engineer? And, it’s not just the jobs that sound obviously like race-specialist occupations that could land you in this environment. I have a friend who is a paramedic. Sounds pretty normal,

has nuances that make it a different gig than what I think of when someone suggests paramedic as a career option. While “paramedic” may not leap out as the perfect job for me, “paramedic at a Formula 1 racetrack” has ingredients that make that job fit me a whole lot better! The same can be true of other “regular” jobs like promotions managers, graphic designers, truck drivers, logistics supervisors, photographers and videographers, event planners, etc, etc. All these jobs could be done at a race track — or in some other environment that makes involuntary shrieking come out of YOUR mouth. Maybe it’s a fashion show in Spain or working for an international development organization. Maybe it’s at a theatre — in a huge city or one in the middle of the mountains.

I think that interest tests have their place, for some people. Sometimes they can give insight and sometimes they’re not at all helpful. But, before you dismiss an idea for sounding ridiculous or accept an idea for sounding great, consider the way HOW or WHERE you do the work can affect the way that work feels to you. You might wonder how I could ever suggest that “mechanic” and “career counsellor” both became part of my working life, but they are. Yes, I ignored the interest test and didn’t become a mechanic but I did accept the breadcrumb it conjured that option from. My car fixation is incorporated every day into my work as a university career counsellor — because I drive there and back in my 1973 VW Beetle, the sunroof open and my cheeks hurting from smiling so much.



Often, when we’re considering our options (and especially when we’re presented with a list, like the one from an interest test), we only think of the traditional stereotype of a job and sometimes that turns us away

Christine Fader works as a career counsellor at Queen’s University and is the author of, “Career Cupid: Your Guide to Landing and Loving Your Dream Job”. She dreams of adding a vintage Fiat 500, BMW Isetta and numerous other classic vehicles to what she hopes will be a collection. Visit her website at: www.careercupid.com

september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

Can you tell me about what inspired you to launch librerialeo.com.mx?

When I finished my high school degree in Lower

Vancouver in 2007, I went back to Mexico City for the summer. I decided I wanted to make some

money, so I bought a coffee machine and start-

ing selling drinks in the subway. But because it was summer and so hot outside, nobody was interested. There was a medical bookstore nearby,

and my family has been in the book selling business for about 100 years so we knew the own-

ers. As a favour, they let me sell coffee in their air

conditioned store. I listened to the conversations

around me, and learned that people from small

towns all over Mexico had to travel long distances just to buy medical books in city centers. When I

got back to Canada, I had the idea to start selling them in a way that was more accessible to people

in rural communities — the thing was that I was in Canada.

How did you overcome such a challenge to become so successful?

First of all, I don’t think we’re successful yet. It’s

Until December, you were a full-time student. How were you able to manage your time?

It was a lot to balance. Once during exams our site got hacked, and it was really terrible. I hardly slept

for three days trying to fix it, and my marks suf-

fered. Now, I know my schedule and everything is in place. I wake up at 6am and go to the gym for

two hours. Then I go to work until 5pm, where I do marketing for a company and am also chatting

online with the engineers in Mexico. When I come home, I study my online courses for two hours, eat dinner, and go to sleep.

Jordan Gutierez not yet what I want it to be; I want to make the

startup

Interviewed by Amy Sobrano

Did you ever consider leaving school to work

on librerialeo.com.mx full time?

I love my business, but my main goal is to get Canadian citizenship. Longterm, we plan to sell it

because I think there are people who could use it

in a better way than we can. My degree is impor-

business international. In a way, the challenge of

tant to me because it allowed me to stay in Can-

become a strength. I had to plan and develop

the country. I have been here for almost 7 years

not being able to see everything for myself has processes to monitor and ensure really great cus-

tomer service, especially because many people in Mexico don’t trust buying online. I think I put systems in place that I wouldn’t have developed had

I not been in Canada. Presently, we are applying

ada; if I had left school, I would have had to leave

and I feel like a Canadian, but legally I am not. Even now, I have this office job so that I can stay here.

Despite your love for Canada, is it still meaningful for you to be working in your birth country?

our expansion to other parts of Latin America, but

Yes. I like to think that I am making a change there,

of these villages don’t have names or addresses.

employees. We offer things that are standards

shipping can be another challenge because many

from the point of view of both my users and my

They’re not like small towns in Canada.

here, but not in Mexico. I am interested in people

who have goals, and we treat our employees very fairly, beyond what the law demands, and help

them to develop. I want them to be successful people, even after they leave. Also, I think we are helping the medical community to have better tools and greater access to information and equipment. 21 years old; graduated from Simon Fraser University with an undergrad degree in Economics in December 2010; currently doing pre-MBA through SFU. Representing Canada at the 2011 Global Student Entrepeneur Awards; 2011 Student Entrepeneur Regional Champion; runs online medical bookstore from Canada that distributes in Mexico.

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

Any advice for young entrepreneurs? Persistence is key. If you have something people

want, you’re going to do well. If you have something people need, you’re going to do better. I had

the idea for this company in 2008, but we didn’t

make any sales for over a year. We were patient, we were persistent, and it worked.

edu-ma-cation

 Blueprint for the Future A Master’s in Architecture will help you design the future of modern society. Literally.

Architecture is one of

tecture. “Most people know how to do reasonably

derfully blends two

future lie in the suburbs.”

those fields that won-

things you normally wouldn’t

associate

with each other: art

and engineering. Everything from homes to entire cities need

to be designed, and today things such as

livability, ecology, transportation and costs must be kept in mind. Universities have been offering stud-

ies in Architecture at the Master’s level to maximize students’ specializations in this field.

In Canada, architectural schools can be found at Waterloo University, McGill University, and

Dalhousie, just to name a few. Students in these programs are instructed in developing plans and

determining the feasibility of construction proj-

ects, as well as zoning and sites. Course material will also challenge you in the type of critical studies

that are generally part of a Master’s program. To

good work in a city centre, the real problems of the As our communities progress, questions that will re-

quire more architectural expertise are those that ask about urban planning, livable space, and the coordination of transit, energy, waste, and the populace at

large. Students preparing to enter this field will face these issues and must know how to approach them.

How can we design an art gallery to be aesthetically pleasing yet environmentally sound? How do we

build an infrastructure that leaves as small an ecological footprint as possible? And how can we build a high-rise condo to be cost effective yet still adhere to standards and building regulations?

Rynnimeri stresses how crucial population sus-

tainability is from an architectural standpoint. “If you don’t have population sustainability, then you

management, while Toronto’s own City Hall has implemented the same green roof design.

Canada has numerous tourist destinations, many of them in or around major cities, that are prime

areas for architectural design. “I think people go to great cities to see interesting places,” says Ryn-

nimeri. “But if you’re going to rely on just a bread and circuses approach to tourism where you cre-

ate half a dozen wonderful destinations, I think

that’s just half of it. When I go to Paris, I don’t go there just to see the Eiffel Tower; I go there to walk around and embed myself in the daily life of the

city. If you can create that […] then the city would have its own identity.” He explains how cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver could improve

the urban fabric of their streets to make city life

more cohesive, something that architectural students can definitively become involved in.

become Detroit.” He explains that although the

Cities will only become denser as surrounding dis-

lection of arenas, stadiums and other attractions, it

population booms. Given these developments,

Motor City boasts an impressive architectural colremains in a sinkhole situation, lacking in livability.

help you address the various issues facing architec-

In addition, Rynnimeri adds that now it’s especially

modeling tools, geographic information systems,

should bear this in mind when they enter the field.

the knowledge you gained during your undergrad-

that balances the ubiquitous concrete and steel of

on the urban periphery because that’s where the

the many innovations that urbanized construction

professor teaching at Waterloo’s School of Archi-

tops covered with vegetation such as grass and even

ture and urban design, you’ll work closely with 3D

important to have a green strategy, and students

realistic rendering, and of course you’ll be applying

One challenge is designing an urban environment

uate studies. “Our focus at Waterloo tends to be

the city with green spaces and open areas. Among

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veloping new strategies and technologies to help move our society into the next century. by Andrew Williams

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What Do be You

want to

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The Future of Learning september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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careers. education. ideas. all of it. jobpostings.ca | september 2011

“The Next 36 is the most intense, hot-house effort to force grow entrepreneurs ever attempted in Canada.” Rick Spence – The Financial Post, July 26, 2011

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Bubble or no bubble, the winds of change are blowing through the halls of higher education. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how to ride out the storm and take control of your school, your debt, and your career.

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

We can start this thing with a definition. Bubble:

A bubble, in the economic sense of the word, is what happens when the price of an asset — houses, dot coms, seventeenth century Dutch tulips — gets way out of whack with that asset’s intrinsic value. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a couple of pretty major bubbles swell and then burst, resulting in what some might term a catastrophic economic meltdown. And as we’re still dealing with the shockwaves of these crashes past, one might think we’d be hawklike in our vigilance for the next event on the global horizon. But the weird thing with economic bubbles is that just like their playful, soapy cousins, they’re kind of hard to see. Especially when you’re inside one.

by Emily Minthorn

Since shortly after the 2008 crash, experts from

education routinely outstrips cost-recovery levels

istrators, policy makers — have, with increasing

ers are priced right out of the game, and where

various fields — economists, educators, adminboldness and detail, been putting forward the

notion of a higher education bubble. The theory goes something like this: if tuition and other

costs associated with post-secondary education continue to spiral upwards, it’s only a matter of

by an order of magnitude, where many consum-

the 2011 debt load of Canadian students will reach an estimated $15 billion and surpass the national credit card debt total for the first time in history. Oh yes, debt. Because, of course, bubbles are

nothing without bloat, and the cost of a Canadian

time before students and their families simply

cease to be able to afford school. Once this break-

post-secondary education has gone the way of a belly after too much beer. StatsCan reports that

Are you in your program because you love it, or because you want a job at the end of four years?

ing point is reached, the bubble bursts. Prices will

national average tuition fees for the 2010-2011

and the demand for degrees and diplomas all but

fees in 2009-2010, and this after 2009-2010

evaporates, and those unlucky learners who’ve

already begged and borrowed the exorbitant sums required to pay for school will be left holding very

expensive pieces of parchment. In short, your hardbought credentials will be worthless (or at least,

worth less) but you’ll still be paying for them until you’re old and gray and full of sleep.

The scenario’s pretty scary, but for all the writing

being done on the subject, no one seems to know what to do about it. So let’s unpack it, bit by bit. Can the value of a university degree really be

discussed in the same terms as the price of shares

school year increased about four percent from

had already been three and a half percent more

expensive than 2008-2009. For years now, tuition in Canada has been rising at roughly twice the

rate of inflation, totaling a fourfold price increase over the past two decades, with no end in sight. And that’s not all, folks. Over and above tuition,

additional compulsory fees at Canadian schools are exploding at a rate of about seven percent

per year, nationally speaking — but students in

what they paid this time last year.

mortgage lenders, and degrees and diplomas to

the way things looked south of the border, right

and doom is true, what are the indebted consumers of educational products supposed to do about it once the whole thing goes pop?

Since this is economics, let’s look first at supply

and demand. The demand for education is a complicated thing. As good jobs get scarcer and the

number of graduates continues to grow, there’s

a kind of education arms race happening. Add to that schools’ ever-increasing variety of available

programs and credentials on offer, and the extra

complexity that for-profit institutions bring to the

on tuition fees for the 2010/2011 academic year than they did a year earlier.

24 percent in those mandatory expenditures from These numbers are lots of things to lots of people:

consumer goods? And assuming all this gloom

4.0% more

Alberta, for example, were facing a jump of about

in OvervaluedWebsite.com? Should we really be

comparing universities and colleges to subprime

Canadian full-time undergrad students paid an average of

heavy, and upsetting, and eerily reminiscent of

In comparison, inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, only increased

1.8

before the housing bubble went bust. Productive, however, they are not.

Until recently, there was no indication that

anyone might just opt out of the scheme entirely and decide to make their own fun. Value for

2010/2011

tuition money aside, there’s a growing movement that believes learning outside the traditional

classroom is just as valuable as the information

gleaned from the lectures and seminars we’re all

so familiar with. And so we’re brought to another

2009/2010

definition to aid us in these troubled times.

picture. Universities and colleges, accredited edu-

cational institutions, are the only entities equipped to provide the product that consumers, their

students, demand. This puts the schools in an allpowerful position to not only supply credentials, but to create a demand for their products that

never existed before — or at least, not in the same way. The result is a system where the price of an

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

A UNDER VERAGE TUIT GRADU IO ATE STU N FOR DENTS

Images L-R: © Sonya van Heyningen; iStockphoto/Thinkstock; Hemera/Thinkstock

come crashing down as enrollment plummets

Starting this year, “partial” compulsory fees, such as health plan and dental plan fees (students can opt out if they already have coverage), are not included in the calculation of the average compulsory fees.

Even with these amounts eliminated, additional compulsory fees for Canadian students still increased by

7.0%

in 2010/2011.

2009/2010

2010/2011

Edupunk. A do-it-yourself, semi-anarchic attitude towards

teaching, learning, and credentials, prophetically coined in May of 2008. It’s a reaction against the

— from an internship, from a website like Khan

Academy — and translate it into credits far more cheaply than if you took the equivalent course.

corporatization and commercialization of educa-

But what about professionals whose credentials are

open-source resources and the internet for the

architects? “This is the two trillion dollar question,”

on quickly. The movement has one of its most

first is alternative forms of credentialling. The sec-

Kemenetz, author of several tomes of educational

and certification for open or edupunk-style learning.

Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Trans-

Of course it’s the high tech industries, the ones

tion. Its success as a movement relies heavily on

non-negotiable, like doctors, lawyers, dentists, and

spread of information and ideas, and it’s catching

Kemenetz says. “There are two ways around it. The

eloquent disciples in writer and activist Anya

ond is for traditional colleges to offer assessment

theory and lore including, most applicably, DIY U:

I think the answer is both of them together.”

formation of Higher Education.

that rely the most on practical experience and

To Kemenetz, and to other edupunks, university

reputation for their success, that are already mak-

paths to a vibrant career and productive work life.

— design, programming — are using reputation-

our society. It’s reinforced in a million books and

industry-specific credentials like Microsoft certi-

an adult, she says of the seemingly universal

needing a diploma.”

or college are just two of many equally legitimate

ing the transition. “People in cutting-edge fields

College is really the archetypal rite of passage in

based networks like Behance and Github, and

movies that this is the place where you become

fication or Mozilla badges, to find jobs without

demand for post-secondary education. Higher

Like the housing and tech (and yes, even the tulip)

education became part of the North American

dream because it satisfies two contradictory im-

pulses in our culture: democracy and meritocracy. Democratic because education is supposed to be a more open path to success than one based on

family name or wealth. Meritocratic because col-

FEES AVERAGE COMPULSORYSTUDENTS E AT DU RA RG DE UN R FO

learned. You can get the knowledge anywhere

lege is supposed to be an objective way of picking winners: the best and the brightest.

Instead of the accepted norm — go to school, get degree, get entry-level job, get promoted — an edupunk seeks out alternative routes towards

higher learning. Think volunteering, intense long-

bubbles before it, the higher education bubble is predicated on the notion of post-secondary

credentials as sure-bet assets to their investors, — Canadian students. Consider the way we frame going to school now: not in terms of learning, of expanding minds and horizons, but only in

terms of graduate employability. Are you in your

program because you love it, or because you want a job at the end of four years?

To think of higher education as an asset is one

thing, but to frame it as a commodity, a product,

to liken a degree to a fancy car or a designer hand-

“Turning a college education into a commodity that can be exchanged for a higher-wage job is a really one-dimensional view.” term internships, and a patchwork of online and

bag, is problematic. “Turning a college education into a commodity that can be exchanged for a

higher-wage job is a really one-dimensional view.

It ignores the benefits to society of having a group

of people with an expanded outlook on life,” sums up Kamenetz.

experienced-based courses that all combine to

This monetary mode of thinking has proven toxic

bust that anything you could learn in a classroom.

lurking in the parents’ basements of the nation,

comprise credentials that are arguably more roAnd though you may not come out the end of

your four years with a definable piece of paper or

set of initials to add to your name, there are more

and more institutions that do offer credit for these extra-extracurriculars. Kemenetz cites Learning-

Counts.org as one example, but currently, several

colleges offer ‘credit for prior learning,’ where you construct a portfolio to demonstrate what you’ve

to the legions of unemployed 20-somethings now degrees in one hand and past-due payment no-

tices for student loans in the other. They bought what they’d been sold: that education equals

employment. But with global youth unemploy-

ment as yet unrecovered from its deep-recession

lows, it’s just not that simple anymore, and we’re

is — although there are things that can really help

a good job. You need passion for your work; you

business school focuses on how to actually get a

finding out you need more than credentials to get need a reason to be there. If you want a career,

to heed a calling, you’ll need a heck of a lot more than just a four-year degree.

Lucy Zhao has an undergraduate degree in

psychology. She didn’t get it because she wanted

to be a psychologist, and in fact she has no intention of returning to school to study psychology

further. After undergrad, Zhao took a year off from

break your thought process out of a shell — but

business started. I’m going back to school to get

the tools I need. I have a lot of ideas I want to try

out, and I could just try out my ideas or I could do

it as part of my thesis. You can go to school or you can take the money you’d pay for tuition and in-

vest it. It’s really about carving out your own ideas and finding your own experiences. Eventually, everyone takes their own route.”

paid work to volunteer with Out On Bay Street, a

Going your own way, within the education

queer-positive attitudes and spaces within

only way out of this bubble. And so we can end

social and political organization that promotes

Toronto’s business community. Her work there

took her down many roads, and — among several other worthy projects — she recently headed a

Kickstarter campaign that raised over $50,000 in a month to finance a documentary. So what’s next? A high profile, high-paying consulting gig?

Actually, no. “In September of this year I’ll be going back to school to get my MBA,” admits Zhao. “I’d

gone into business school just a year after coming out of undergrad, and I just wasn’t ready to go. I

didn’t really have a strict direction I wanted to go in, and I didn’t want to go just for the sake of continuing, of doing the next step.” Now it’s not just any old MBA that Zhao’s after. She’ll be going to the

school of her choice, in Beijing, focused and enthusiastic in a way that she couldn’t have been before her year away from the halls of higher learning.

system or outside of it, seems finally to be the

this as we started it, with a definition, in an effort to perhaps refocus the sprawling complexity of

these concepts — to contract and sharpen until

we remember what it is we’ve been talking about, paying for, fighting for, working towards.

Education. It’s the process of expanding one’s mind and increasing one’s knowledge. And it’s its own

reward. Beyond the promises of higher wages, more prestigious professions, fancier campus sports complexes, and binge drinking, true

students like Zhao, as well as the edupunk move-

ment, are redefining what it means to learn, to be educated. Bubble or no bubble, that’s a vocation worth pursuing.

“I’m going back now because I’m really interested in entrepreneurship, and I want to harness my ideas about social innovation,” she explains,

adding that she’s also looking forward to buffing up her Mandarin and getting the “international

cultural experience. And if I hadn’t got-

ten into one of my two choice schools, I wouldn’t be going at all. I wasn’t going to settle for less. I think a lot of people just for the heck of getting an MBA.” But in light of all the conversation

over bubbles bursting, wouldn’t it be

more prudent to just start a business

venture and skip the MBA (and its price tag)? Not for Zhao. “A lot of people

argue about whether entrepreneurship can be taught. The passion and

the talent and the ideas behind it, the

creativity, those things might come as

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

Image (PiggyBank): Hemera Technologies/ AbleStock.com/Thinkstock

settle. Sometimes people go to school

You and KPMG For more information visit: www.kpmgfit.ca

Despite what you may have heard, accounting isn’t bookkeeping. It is, as one person we interviewed said, “the financial literacy of the world.”* That literacy has never been more important — with recessions, governments on the verge of financial collapse, and companies of all sizes that affect everything from the environment to the buildings we construct to our ability to put food on the table. The better prepared our accountants are (i.e. you, dear grad), the better the world will be. But before you can change the world, you need to get a job…

Researched, compiled and written by Jason Rhyno

accountants

focus on accounting

and Andrew Williams, with help from Simone Castello

everyone else median hourly wage in 2009

*Brian Leader, National VP Learning at CA.

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

{

Degree Myth

The

Think you need a business or accounting degree? You don’t. As Brian Leader, VP of Learning at Chartered Accountants of Canada (CA) told us, companies are always looking for diversity of thinking. Roughly 30 percent of

students that go through the CA program have educational backgrounds

that aren’t Business or Accounting. So for you Engineering or Marketing

grads out there, rest assured that you’re welcome to join the ranks. “We

definitely like them,” he told us. And, uh, a passion for numbers helps, too.

referral fail

Forwarding your resume off to a bunch of people you just met and ask ing for a referral? Hash-tag FAIL. Ma personal connect ke a ion first, and the n ask for a referr al.

Everybody wants to be an accountant. It’s one of the most popular careers for new grads. And, on average, a big four firm receives 26,000 job applications a year. So, how do you stand out from all those other people?

Volunteer. Get Some Experience. Anywhere.



We want someone who has the personality, who has

o Super imp ll you this? If need to teming in lower than you’re co stop reading this a B minus, and hit the books. maga zine

high integrity, who has these tangible skills beyond the accounting realm,” Andrew Golobic of Deloitte told us. In fact, every single person we spoke with said that ex-

Windup, and Here’s the Pitch...

t are n a t r o p m How I ades? My Gr rtant. Do we really

tracurriculars will help seal

What to Do and How to Behave at a Recruiting Event

“I’m going to be blunt: if there is alcohol on offer, don’t get drunk. This is a recruiting event, and if you can’t hold alcohol, if you don’t

know how to drink in a professional setting, don’t drink at all,” says

your employment contract.

Will Christensen. Got it? Good.

BUT, Will Christensen, Na-

Ask original questions. Don’t say “How is your company different?”

tional Campus Lead Talent

It’s not about saying “I’m a new

Acquisition at Deloitte, said

John Sogawa of CMA. Narrow your

for the right reason because

sionate about, here’s where I want

So avoid the laundry list of

You’ll be seen as more unique, self-

it well. Don’t do 20 and do

grad, and I can do everything,” says

to make sure you’re doing it

pitch, and say “Here’s what I’m pas-

“we’re going to ask you.”

to go, and here are my career goals.”

activities. “Pick one and do

aware, and self-directed.

them all average,” he advises.

As John Sogawa says, “know your audience.” Do your research, and come in knowing how the company is different. Then ask about their

new project/program/initiative that you read about in The Globe and Mail/local paper/heard about from one of your professors.

Don’t swarm the partners or senior manager. Remember to speak with the junior accountants, too.

Guys, not sure if you should wear a tie? Wear it. Same for you, girls: dress professional.

Reasons to Attend as Many Recruiting Events As Possible

University is the only place where hoards of employers come to you. This will never happen again. Take advantage.

Career purgatory is working at a place that doesn’t suit you. These events will give you a chance to get to know the people, the culture, and the opportunities that exist at a particular company. You'll appreciate this later.

Personal connections. Chances are, the recruiters you meet will either a) have influence on whether you get called in for an interview, or b) actually be one the people interviewing you. september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

Images (Clockwise From Top): Jeffrey Hamilton/ Photodisc; Jupiterimages/ Photos.com; iStockphoto; Hemera (All Thinkstock) | Previous: Phil Ashley/ Lifesize.Thinkstock

. b o j a get

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE BEING WANTED.

Create Possibilities.

™

Become a Certified Management Accountant.™ The strategic management approach of the CMA designation will give you the tools to obtain your dream job. Highly respected and in demand, CMAs are creating possibilities for companies right now. Watch their testimonials at becomeacma.com.

The Right Fit

the great industry vs. firm debate

You, dear accounting* students, are the hottest guys and dolls on campus.

Accounting grads – or business grads of any

Enter the designations: Chartered Accountants

whether to begin your career at a firm or industry,

looking for the best and the smartest. It’s called

and Certified General Accountants (CGA) — all

and your preferences. Not only will this help you

than accounting firms. They hire full-time staff,

wining and dining of students. They, like the firms,

to various programs in addition to maintaining a

Campus recruiting can create a degree of

stripe – are heavily targeted by accounting firms

(CA), Certified Management Accountants (CMA),

“campus recruiting” and nobody does it better

have devoted serious resources to the proverbial

devote copious amounts of money and resources

want you to want them.

consistent presence on campus, and, of course, hold networking events fit for kings and queens. But this lovely grand courtship doesn’t stop with the firms.

you need to first fully understand your interests,

but for our purposes, we’ll use the term “accounting students” to apply to anyone wanting to become an accountant.

that doesn't suit your style.

“We have the established program, we have the

established training,” says Andrew Golobic of De-

your CA designation. It’s what the cool kids are

not wrong. Historically, the firms were where a

loitte, with regards to accounting firms. And he’s

career route: get a job at a Big Four and pursue

freshly minted grad could sharpen their account-

ing teeth. The firms have been at this game a long

that career paths tend to be as unique as you are

time, so it’s understandable that, with their tried

as an individual. And when it comes to deciding

some other stuff you should know

s The Hour

it will also help you avoid working for a company

unintentional pressure to follow a very particular

doing. What you may not have been told yet is *Yes, we know that most of you will be Commerce students,

decide whether to work in industry or at a firm,

Firms:

Industry:

Busy season is, well, busy.

Not so much on the late evenings,

Many of the people we spoke

but there is a good chance you’ll be

with worked late evenings.

working the odd weekend.

{

and tested in-take programs, they are the safe bet.

But, Will Christensen* points out, “Professionals in all kinds of industries work overtime — engineers, doctors and lawyers don’t clock in and clock out from 8:30 to 5.” The hours are just spread

out

differently

between

industry

and

firm, he

says.

}

The Bottom Line? You should be more worried about whether you want to work at small company or a large company. That’s september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

A firm will provide the training, the support and

development, and upward mobility that you need. Golobic thinks that being able to get your des-

ignation in industry is a great opportunity, but

that the programs need some re-tooling. “A lot of companies are going to bring in a lot of students, say ‘we’re a CA training office and you can get

your hours,’ but maybe they are leaning to put

their students more into an internal audit role — I know that’s happened on a couple of occasions with some of these CA training offices [see

jobpostings.ca for more on CATOs], but maybe internal audit isn’t right for everybody.”

Indeed, one of the most attractive aspects of starting your career at a firm is the ability to work in

different streams, gaining insight into specific industries. One day you may be working for a large bank, the next in manufacturing. “I know that

certain CA training offices are offering rotational programs,” Golobic says.

program. “It was like a default.” Admittedly, he

wasn’t a big fan of external auditing. “I wanted to be more of the person on the inside that’s

making things happen and making the business grow, rather than being an external auditor,” he says. A lot of his friends who went to work at a firm, he adds, are unhappy with the work they

are doing. This isn’t because there is something fundamentally flawed with firms, but rather a

negligence on the students’ part to fully understand their needs and how that lines up with

a place of employment. “It’s a shame,” he says, “students should really be choosing based on what they want to do.”

But don't stress too much about this. “You don’t

have to decide everything before you graduate,” says John Sogawa of CMA. “I find that students

put a lot of pressure on themselves to find their

h a N A z

JOB?

entire career path, and to plan 15 years into the future.” He also points out that you do have

General Electric just so happens to be one of those companies. Their CATO, still fresh out of the box as of April 2011, contains a rotational aspect. “Its not like the firms where you are exposed to 20

different companies or more a year,” explains Lisa get to see how a large company works with the

different businesses.” A company like GE has a long list of sectors to their name: healthcare, power and water, oil and gas, digital energy, wind turbines,

“…students should really be choosin based on what they want to do g .”

and aviation, to name a few. “Even though the

the ability to move from firm to industry and

there is the potential to see quite a bit within

how your career can change shape,” he says,

rotation you are going to get to see everything, but

interests are going to change as you progress

make it more of a well-rounded experience.”

There are definitely more nuanced differences

argument is that you can see a lot within the firms,

industry to firm if you so choose. “It’s amazing

GE. We’re not going to say that within that one

adding that it is important to recognize that your

you see at least two to three other businesses, and

throughout your career.

Stan Zabolotsky, 23, a Financial Controller at

between industry and firms, and we’ve only just

start working at a firm and do a CA designation.

however, it essentially comes down to you. “I

at me like I was crazy when I would tell them I’m

speak to the other industry companies that you

only felt that pressure from his classmates, but

to them having detailed, honest conversations.

Siemens, admits that he felt social pressure to

scratched the surface. At the end of the day,

“When I was in university, people were looking

would advise to not only speak to the firms, but

doing my CMA,” he says, explaining that he not

would be interested in,” says Keenan. “And speak

from professors and the general structure of his

Take the time, don’t make a rash decision.”

Image: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Keenan, Talent Acquisition with GE. “But you will

We got waaay more info than we could fit on a page, so we put the rest on the Internets. Check jobpostings.ca

Can I work at both? Yup.

“Getting my designa industry isn’t as tion in as getting it at agood firm"

If you’ve worked in industry, a firm would love someone with

Who told you that? It’s wrong: stop

your depth of knowledge. You would, however, have to get

spreading rumours. Even the people who

your public accounting experience.

work at firms told us that is just plain silly.

where the significant differences are to be found.

careers. education. ideas. all of it.

* National Campus Lead, Talent Aquisition with Deloitte

way to get over that learning curve is to be really enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn something new.

speak up during meetings.

You should be able to have a

they hired you for a reason! Make sure that when you

The Most Important Skill… … is the ability to make a

speak, it’s on point and rele-

vant to the discussion. Don’t talk for the sake of talking. It’s reeeeally annoying.

mistake. At school you were

will also give you the ability

incorrect answers. Not so

to see synergies on your

in the work world, where

And be “organizationally

intelligent,” says J.D. Clarke, Senior Vice-President

Operations at CGA Ontario, and he’s not talking file

naming. There are less clear lines in organizations, so you need to understand

how you get things done in

the company, know the important people and where

team, and help bring out the

people make mistakes all the

best in everyone. Then once

time. Think of it as a learning opportunity. Learn from that mistake, talk about why that happened, and make sure

it doesn’t happen again. “A

lot of the people that come and work for us are strong

personalities, really wanting

to move ahead, and they see anything like that as a set-

back,” says Will Christensen, “and it’s not. Everyone has gone through it.”

to go for what you need.

You have two ears and one much as you talk. Listening

answers and lost marks for

Be Quick, Be Bright, Be Knowledgable

Soft Skills mouth, so listen twice as

given marks for correct

enthusiasm. This is critical,

curve is steep, and the only

doesn’t mean you shouldn’t

manager. Don’t be afraid,

but more of a general

accounting. The learning

Yes, it’s a new job, but that

with a partner or senior

Not ‘rah-rah-go-team-go’

starting out, particularly in

Speak Up conversation about a project

Enthusiasm especially when you are

p you get those communica-

“Don’t believe that your job description is your job”

tion skills humming on all

cylinders, you’re on the fast track to becoming a leader.

That’s what John Sogawa of CMA told us. Many compa-

Images L-R: © iStockphoto.com/gremlin; Microsoft Clip Art; Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock

on the job

Getting the job is one thing, doing awesome at that job is a whole other ball game. We asked everyone we spoke with what the best things you could do on the job were, specifically as an accountant (although much of this applies to anyone with any job).

nies are facing a shortage of talent, so volunteer to help with other initiatives and

projects. You’ll look great,

gain new skills, and be an

active contributing member of the company. Just be

careful about overextending yourself. You’ll be of no use if you’re burnt out.

The Truth about Designations We wanted to devote a big chunk of this special section to

exploring the differences between CA, CMA and CGA. It was

going to have charts and graphs, pretty colours, a little 3D thrown in for good measure, and was going to tell you ex-

actly (exactly!) which designation you should take and why. Turns out we didn’t need all that (we also didn't have the

room). ¶ "It doesn’t define you," says Isabelle Morin of KPMG.

"At the end of the day, if you look at CFO’s, they are CA’s, CMA’s, and CGAs. If this is where you want to go, you can get

there with any designation, it’s just that the path to get there

will be different." Still, though, there are some things you should know. ¶ First off, when you speak to someone about

which designation to pursue, they’ll advocate for the one they have. Choose your designation based on what works for you, not what your friends are doing.

Second, any-

one who tells you that ‘X’ designation will limit your career

possibilities is mistaken. Each designation offers something wholly unique. The CA designation has great international

recognition and is very self-study based, and chances are that september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

profiles dit is u a , y l l a “Essenti of detective a form eventative and pr…” control

Grant Thornton — a really great place to work.

Andrew Golobic

 Why did you choose this designation? Specifically, it’s been around the longest and is kind of a legacy designation, and essentially has a broad audience – there are a lot of

members and a lot of opportunities with that designation. People might think it’s just auditing and tax, but the CA designation can

get you lots of different job opportunities across different indus-

tries. It has, I think, the widest appeal of the three main accounting designations. So for me, for future career opportunities, I think that was one of the main reasons I chose it.

Why do you think the accounting profession is important?

Without us there’d be a lack of regulation. If a compa-

ny never had an auditor, for example, they might be

able to get away with certain things. Essentially, audit

is a form of detective and preventative control in regu-

lating business, especially in my business of

financial institutions. Without auditors there to verify things, and make sure companies are following the rules

and regulations, it’s more likely that things will go wrong. A lot of compa-

nies will be making sure they are in line with those rules and standards

In 2011, Grant Thornton LLP was ranked* as the 5th best workplace in Canada.

themselves, but it’s always great to have that independent view on clients and their operations.

Going through the interview process, what would you rec-

ommend?

auga ssiss One is to have background i M fT knowledge of the company. I A : U o loitte l C o s o i sh Sch ny: De d r a know it’s a pretty popular interview w a Comp 3 ng to i k r question, but they want to know: o 2 Age: nation: W have you done your research? Desig if you are going into audit, you'll be doing your CA. Currently, you can't work in audit with a CMA, but they have a very

strong management component built in and this transfers

to lead you to a great career," says Morin, "but you have to be

commited to the process as well." It's that commitment that will elevate your game. ¶ Remember that your success is de-

nicely to industry. CGA is great for pursuing your designation

termined by your career decisions, your ability to consistently

The main thing to be careful about is how your designation

grease. That’s the truth. Now go take a close look at each des-

while still in school, and they tend to work, well, everywhere. transfers to other provinces.¶ "Whatever you choose is going

Check us out online.

perform at a high level, and, well, good old-fashioned elbow ignation and find out which one is best for you.

Audit • Tax • Advisory * Companies >1000 employees © Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd

The second is having a relationship with the potential interviewers. At Deloitte, before we

do our interview process for the summer stu-

dents or the full-time interview spots, we actually do a pre-interview night to get the stu-

dents relaxed. We might ask them some mock

questions, and it’s a chance to get to meet the

people who will be interviewing you. Attending one, if you ever got the opportunity to have an interview, is very, very important. I got in-

“…you focus on strategy and management. It isn’t all about accounting and the numbers…”

terviewed by a manager and a senior manager and I knew them because I had gone to the pre-interview nights.

What did you do to set yourself apart from your peers to get where you are?

Beyond the excellent grades, it’s about what else do you bring to the table? For me, it was

having those extracurriculars. I was part of the

U of T soccer team, basically showing that I could work on a team, that I could lead a group.

I showed I could have high standards of ethics

and integrity — especially being ateaching assistant, marking tests and watching for people cheating. They really picked apart my resume

and asked me questions based on my limited

Lesle Field y School: Undergrad at Western Company: Finance analyst @ TD Bank Age: 22 Designation: CMA candidate

job history, and they really picked apart that

teaching assistant position. “What if one of your

students was caught cheating,” kind of thing. It’s not just about marks. We’ve turned down

people who have almost perfect GPAs. We want someone who has the personality, who has high integrity, who has these tangible skills beyond the accounting realm.

What misconceptions about accounting did you have as a student prior to beginning your career? I heard stories when I was in university that

a typical chartered account or auditor tends to work crazy hours, and I didn’t know it was totally going to be like that when I joined. Of

course accountants work hard, but some parts of the year are crunch time. I’ve pulled some

crazy nights from one in the morning to two, three, and four in the morning, so it ranges from industry to industry and specifically,

the timing of the year. I don’t know if a lot of students are privy to that information — but I don’t want to scare anyone away!



 Why did you choose this designation? I chose the CMA designation for a couple of different reasons. One of them being I was already working for TD. The thing I liked about the CMA designation

was that I could work for any company I wanted, as

long as it was in a finance role. That meant I could stay at TD since I really liked the culture and the company. Secondly, I really liked CMA’s focus on all

the different aspects of business — you focus on strategy and management. It isn’t all about accounting and the numbers. It’s about what the numbers

mean, interpreting what your financial statements

mean, coming up with process improvements, and doing different types of problem solving.

What initially inspired you to take this path? I would probably say my university career. I always knew I wanted to go into business, and I was re-

ally sure what area of business I wanted to get

into. When you’re young and naïve you’re like, “Oh I want to be an investment banker. They make a lot

Myth bustin’

of money!” I wasn’t necessarily up for the lifestyle.

I Need Licensing. No, you need a designation. “Licensing” means that you are an audit partner and can sign an audit opinion. Most accountants don’t sign audit opinions. Know what that means? You don’t need your licensing — at least not now. As you get closer to becoming a partner, your firm will help you with that process. For now, worry about getting the experience. september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

}

I just really liked my accounting classes and I liked

my accounting professors at Western. They were all very knowledgeable and very helpful, and that just motivated me to move into accounting because it quickly became an interest of mine.

What did you do to set yourself apart from your peers to get to where you are?

Meaghan Vanderlinden .” ``My inspiration was my mom

I worked with this group that hired me on as a

summer student the year before, so I had already gotten to know some of the people in the group. What set me apart was the experience I previously

 What area of accounting are you focusing

really good resume, and being very involved with

I’m focusing on Audit, on specifically the real es-

him. I think the thing I was best at was definitely

tionally recognised across the world, and there-

had in the group, the connections I had, writing a the vice-president of the area by following up with

tate sector. I chose the CA because it’s interna-

being proactive.

fore allows for global mobility. And right now in

If you could give one piece of advice to an undergrad

wanting to go into accounting, what would that be? I would say research the designations because

there’re three different kinds, and figure out which

KPMG there are a bunch of individuals who are

traveling and working in Australia and Europe, so having that opportunity is really good.

What initially inspired you to take this path?

one is tailored to what you’d like to start your ca-

My inspiration was my mom. She’s had the abil-

agement aspects and the strategic learning the

She’s started her own consulting business, and

company that I wanted to work for. So I’d recom-

tions. So seeing the flexibility in the jobs that

search companies you think you’d like to work for

come an accountant and show me that there

reer as or where you’d like it to go. I like the man-

ity to work in public practice and government.

CMA provided, as well being able to work for the

now she’s teaching at post-secondary institu-

mend to any graduating student to definitely re-

she has had has definitely inspired me to be-

and tailor your designation to that.

are a number of opportunities going forward.

I’m curious to know why you decided to work at TD.

Why do you think the accounting profession

Again, I already knew the culture of the company,

Images (Bottom Row L-R): Stock Xchng; Stock Xchng; Martin Poole/ Digital Vision/Thinkstock

on and why did you choose this designation?

is important?

and had experience meeting some of the finance

I think [accounting’s] important because it

counting in university but I just wasn’t interested

to show how companies should op-

take an audit class until my last year of university.

nesses and organizations plan and

ing to be applying to TD and get my CMA.

businesses to function and operate

professionals here. To be honest I really liked ac-

provides standards and guidelines

in public auditing. The funny thing is that I didn’t

erate. And we’re able to help busi-

And I did not like that class. So I figured that I’m go-

control their finances, which allow

Do you have friends who work at firms and talk about your experiences or what your days are like?

Yeah, all the time. Friends of mine who work at De-

work with a number of different companies, and

having the opportunity to travel to different locations for these clients. I’ve been able to travel to Boston, LA, Atlanta, Toronto, and even Mexico

for a client, which was kind of nice. I’ve had the

opportunity to meet and work with a bunch of

professionals in top organizations, so it’s been a great learning experience.

What’s the most challenging part of the job? I would say the most challenging part of the job is

multi-tasking, for sure. The job requires a lot of timemanagement skills; whether it’s juggling different

clients or staff members, there are always different things going on. So you need to learn how to prioritize items, which initially is really hard to do so it takes a lot of time and practice. Was there a shock when you realized accounting wasn’t all number crunching?

year over year.

So far, what has been the most exciting aspect of your job?

loitte or KPMG talk about classes and everything. Most of my friends in the CA right now are off at

accountancy at York, so we talk about the CKE exam vs. the CMA exams, which are very similar. And we also talk about any opportunities we have to move up to our next career goal.

I would say meeting new clients, being able to



Victoria rsity of e iv n U : School : KPMG y n a p m o C s CA toward 5 g 2 : in e k g r A o ation: W Design

5 + 2 equals 7. times five plus two doesn’t equal seven," says Vicky Au of Deloitte. "There are functions and estimates and that’s where it get’s pretty challenging, but that’s where it’s the most interesting. We’re doing a transaction where I have an opinion, the buyer has an opinion, and the seller has an opinion.”

}

Accountants are lame and boring and stuff.

Not always. “There are debates that go on about accounting issues, and some-

5+2≠7

No way, Jose. Accountants spend much of their time talking to people, and developing relationships. This means you should polish those social skills.

There wasn’t really a shock when I came in but

Was a career in accounting something you consid-

When you look back to your undergrad years,

I always had an interest in the field. When I did

done differently? Anything you should’ve

ing course that we had to take. But then, as I

it definitely was a surprise.

is there anything you think you could have done more of?

Honestly I don’t think so. I took the right ac-

counting classes, I had all the prerequisites for the designation I had chosen, and did it in a time that I wanted to. But I definitely did have a plan. If I didn’t have a plan in place, I probably

would have changed things, but it’s definitely a good idea to lay out where you want to be

and how to get there, and I think that’s what helped me.

Where would you ultimately like to go with this career?

There are so many opportunities out there. I’m just taking it one day at a time and seeing where I end up.

If you could share one piece of advice to an undergrad wanting to go into accounting, what would that be?

ered prior to this experience?

the business program I had a very basic account-

went to more presentations and realized the ca-

reer opportunities that were there, that’s when I

decided to pursue it further and really focus my classes on accounting.

As a senior associate, what’s your focus? I work in what we call our TICE group (Technology,

Information, Communications and Entertainment

media). Within TICE, I am heavily focused on our



What were some of the misconceptions you had before you entered this profession?

I had a misconception that I would be spending the majority of my day behind the computer, and not really having any client-facing opportunities in the first few years. I found out quickly that it’s the complete opposite of that. The firm gives you

exceptional training, and that gives you the confidence you need to go out there.

To never be hesitant to put your hand up. If there’s

have an accountant working with them?

It is critical for them in the start-up phase because they may not have a big budget to hire sound ac-

counting staff. They require us to come in and

guide them through the process, while helping the

staff that they do have understand the rules and guidelines that they need to follow.

accountant-speak?

first place.

lowing the right guidelines?’

How important is it for clients such as these to

tions you might have. They can clarify any

mine if it’s accounting you want to do in the

what changes do I need to make to ensure I’m fol-

What’s been your biggest learning experience

with start-up tech companies.

Do you have to break down best practices to

concerns you’d have along the way and deter-

‘How does what you said affect my business, and

ECS practice (Emerging Client Services). These deal

Find a mentor. Mentors are a good thing to

have because they can answer a lot of ques-

hear plain business English. They want to know,

your clients? Or do they generally understand We definitely have to break it down, and I would

say that’s a wonderful skill that’s needed for this job — to be able to adapt the language you’re us-

so far?

something you want to do, tell someone and get out there and do it. Everyone becomes supportive

of you once you take the initiative. It’s your career and it’s what you make of it.

Do you feel this industry is drawing more females than in the past?

Since I started I’ve been pleasantly surprised with

the balance of men and women, and with opportunities for mentoring and getting to know other women in the firm. One of the reasons I chose

PwC was because of the senior women I had met. There were partners that

had families and were able to balance a ca-

ing, based on the client. If it’s a big, public client,

reer and children. To

you can tailor your language to them. But a lot of

me that spoke very

clients in our ECS program, for example, need to

highly about the company itself.

Laura Gilchrist eotype  How did you choose this career path for yourself?

When I was in my second year, I went to a presentation that was put on by the Institute of Chartered

Accountants of Ontario. The CA designation spoke to me because it seemed to offer a lot of flexibility

and opportunities to work with different types of clients, and it really gave me the opportunity to see the inner workings.

ster “I feel like thse sh ted of accounting ha if over these last ” several years.

merce) (Bachelor of Com ty si er iv Un s n’ School: Quee 3yrs Company: PwC – Age: 24 king towards CA Designation: Wor

We've got a whackload more profiles online. Check jobpostings.ca

 34



Best Quote about Teamwork Christopher Shaw, Deloitte: “Nobody wants a Debbie Downer. Even if it’s a long day, and there are long days and hard days, and it’s just staying positive. And contributing; if everyone is staying till two in the morning and you’re leaving at four, then obviously there is something wrong.”

Number o for this Spfe People We Interviewed cial Section : 14 Number of P Who, After B eople We Interviewed Their Job or eing Interviewed, Qu Company: 3 Moved to Another it september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

Day one

and you’re in control You have plans. Places you want to go. At Ernst & Young, we get that. That’s why we give you room to explore. Hands-on experience in assurance, tax, transaction or advisory services. Exciting new industries. And global opportunities. You’re in charge of your career and where it’s headed. And we can’t wait to be part of it. Explore your career options in assurance, tax, transaction or advisory services.

What’s next for your future? To learn more, visit ey.com/ca/careers.

2011

By exploring and developing some of the most globally significant oil and gas basins, Nexen Inc. delivers energy to the world. To learn more about the opportunities available to join one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 50 Companies to work for, visit: www.nexeninc.com

the great integrator { Most of us don’t need to look further than the station down

centre of the earth, in terms of time and space, and how that

it’s not that simple for the companies that fuel our hectic

a little cosmic, the data acquisition approach is anything but.

the street when we want to locate some gas. Unfortunately,

modern lifestyles, which is why they employ Chief Geophysicists: the people who reconcile the business and scientific

ends of the spectrum. In an industry that’s so intimately con-

nected with our economy, our environment, and virtually every other facet of our lives, it takes some real brain-power to keep everything running smoothly.

While there are differences from company to company as to

varies depending on where you are on a sphere.” If that sounds “You have to think in terms of the mechanical and electrical

properties of rock, and then come up with a strategy for how

to extract information from how long it takes a seismic or electromagnetic wave to pass through the ground,” says Sneddon. “A large mind is required to be successful in this profession,

and there’s a need to be nimble enough to think in multiple scales without getting lost, and that takes time to develop.”

what the role of a Chief Geophysicist entails, generally they over-

Despite the obvious need for an academic background in geo-

of the geophysicist is to acquire data and evaluate land, deter-

field to Chief Geophysicist. “I’ve been a practitioner in various

see teams that assess where to drill for resources. “The first task

mining if there’s potential for natural resource development,”

explains Tom Sneddon, the Manager of Geoscience Affairs for the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). Due to the large number of projects a company may be involved with at any given time, and the

maturity of each project, each day is different from the last. “In

one day, you might have an initial asset team meeting at the

kick-off of a project, and later on another meeting might lead

into a development program discussion dominated by an engineer looking for a more grainage pattern, followed by a meeting with yet another team that’s integrating data into a common

mathematical model of what a reservoir would look like to see how a payzone will behave once extraction begins.”

In other companies, a Chief Geophysicist might not be as re-

sponsible for the technical aspects of the job. “I don’t personally do any work developing drilling locations,” says Herman

Cooper, the Chief Geophysicist of Nexen Incorporated. “I’m more of an advisor or mentor, and I ensure technical excel-

lence through one-on-one advice to personnel about their

issues or problems on the job.” Keeping up with advancing technology in a complicated field is also key to staying com-

petitive, according to Cooper. “I monitor external developments in geophysics to see if there’s anything happening in the industry that we should be aware of and utilizing.”

As far as the mental equipment required to do the job, it takes a special cast of mind. “Not everyone has the gearbox

necessary to do a geophysical analysis,” confirms Sneddon. “A Geophysicist thinks on scales from interplanetary down to the jobpostings.ca | september 2011

physics, years of hard work are necessary to advance in the aspects of the business,” agrees Cooper. “I’ve done data acqui-

sition, processing and interpreting at different points in my career, and I’ve held supervisory and managerial positions.” Learning the craft is important, and only after a person moves from junior to intermediate to senior Geophysicist are they

even considered for the role. “Seniors have ten years plus in the industry, and those are the people in demand,” says Sneddon. “Geophysicists are a rare breed — there’s a little over a thousand of us in Canada, and most of them are within a 15

minute walk of where I’m sitting. It takes a long time to develop advanced understanding of all aspects of the business, so you’ll find that people don’t really retire.”

In the later stages of a Geophysicist’s career, there’s a more pro-

nounced need to consider the business aspect of the industry. “If you want to be a Chief Geophysicist, you need good financial and business acumen,” says Sneddon. “Most people these days collect an MBA at mid-career, enabling them to straight-line into

the executive suite.” It’s the ability to integrate the various aspects of the industry — the technical side with the business and organizational sides — that serves the Chief Geophysicist well. “It’s a dynamic role with a lot of economic pressures as well as in-

ternal pressures,” confirms Sneddon. “This is a job you never fully understand, and every time you walk out onto the floor, you’re learning something new about the business and the science.” by Kevin Nelson

To be the Chief Geophysicist, you've got to reconcile the high tech with the high pressure

Environmental Engineer

Drill Deeper.There’s More Beneath the Surface.

Wait… what? Analysts? HR representatives? Law-

Not everyone in the oil and gas industry is like Daniel Day-Lewis!

Da scoop: Environmental engineers

develop approaches to help engineering

teams minimize ecological footprints and adhere to environmental regulations.

You’ll work towards environmental ap-

provals, assist with action plans and carry

out waste management initiatives. In the

event of spills or contamination incidents, you would also help contain and resolve the situation as effectively as possible.

yers? These are people we normally wouldn’t picture

What’cha need: A Bachelor’s or Master’s

massive rig. Nevertheless, these are actual roles that

three to five years working in the environ-

all greased up working in an oil field or operating a

in environmental engineering and at least

can be found in the oil and gas industry. To get a

mental sector or oil and gas industry.

grasp of some of these areas, we spoke with Nancy

Eaton-Doke of Nexen, a Calgary-based energy company, to give us a quick glance at careers that aren’t

particularly linked to the more popular engineering

aspects of this industry. And, like roles in oil and gas, you can be sure that the pay is competitive.

Human Resources Da scoop: Involves dealing with any matter con-

by Andrew Williams

cerning employees, their well-being, and recruit-

ment. Here you might work in the compensation department, reviewing things such as employee salaries. Other tasks may include performance

review and interviewing. Eaton-Doke describes

graduates who work on alcohol and drug policies

Supply MGMT Da scoop: “[Supply management] would be

working on the complete procurement process for

assigned parts of the oil field or corporate purchases up to delivery to the end user,” says Eaton-Doke, “so start to finish of the procurement process.” Indeed,

supply chains are an industry all in their own, providing

within the company and even accidental death

and dismemberment policies. Also, in the world of oil and gas, where you have employees living on site away from home, expect to make sure

that workers are well-accommodated, and that they know where they’re going the first day of work — especially when they’re assigned to a place like an oil field.

all sorts of facets that you can get into. As part of the

What’cha need: Communication skills, techni-

aspects of the company’s operations.

resumes tend to look the same,” says Eaton-Doke.

oil and gas industry, you’ll be managing the logistical What’cha need: A Bachelor’s degree in business or

training in economics, a background in engineering

(preferred), and a designation in procurement such as the SCMP (Supply Chain Management Professional) doesn’t hurt at all.

cal skills. “We always ask for cover letters, since

“So if you could tell us something about yourself in

the cover letter that’s different from everyone else, it’ll give your resume more of an edge, and that

can be an involvement in the community and competitive sports, or having activities and interests.”

Lawyer Da scoop: “There have been a few entry-level type positions that

would be called Counsel,” says

Eaton-Doke. Aside from support-

ing the Senior Counsel, lawyers in this industry handle all the messy

legal bits the company might come across, from advising on securities filings in Canada and our neigh-

bours to the south, to monitoring

With Talisman, my career is going places.

in Canada as well as the U.S.

What’cha need: a Bachelor of Law, a Juris Doctor would look pretty

good as well. Career experience is

important to have under your belt, with at least two to four years at

a Canadian Bar (and not the kind

where you mix drinks), and a background in a corporate, commercial or securities law firm.

Community Outreach Da scoop: Employees in this area work and

consult with communities. They also ensure adherence to safety standards and regula-

Analyst – Workforce Reporting and Security

tions, and take measurements towards

Da scoop: A specialized branch of HR, these folks are

huge community involvement,” says Eaton-

concerned with managing the human capital or workforce data issues within the company, and developing better strategies to address and coordinate these issues. Here

you’ll work closely with integrated systems and databases such as PeopleSoft for analysing and reporting. As EatonDoke outlines, some of your responsibilities may include: Contributing to company surveys.

 queries and reports to generate reliable and  Developing consistent information for year-end, Board of Directors

sustainability. This field is all about building and maintaining relationships, which also

includes community investment and media relations. Many companies, for example, have various programs aimed at helping

diverse Aboriginal communities. “Nexen has Doke, ”we sponsor a lot of different areas,

 scorecard and general work-

force/demographic analysis.

related directly to the business.”

What’cha need: A robust history of commu-

nity involvement, at least five years of industry experience, post-secondary degree, back-

ground in environmental affairs, familiarity

with stakeholder issues related to oil and gas.

Given the vastness and far reach-

ing diversity of oil and gas, it could be considered not one

What’cha need: At least five

industry, but various industries

in an analytical role, and

gas company, all these industries

roll utilities such PeopleSoft

goal of finding and delivering the

years of business experience

working together. For any oil and

proficiency with HR and pay-

are connected for the common

Query, Crystal Reports, etc.

resources we depend on.

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

Engineering Geology and Geophysics Petroleum Land Management Accounting and Finance Supply Chain Management Information Technology

arts and culture, as well as a few things

and other external reporting requirements. Preparing HR performance measures,

Every year, Talisman employs more than 100 students globally from a variety of educational backgrounds:

Images (Clockwise from Top Left): © iStockphoto.com/Thomas Vogel; John Foxx/Stockbyte/Thinkstock; Hemera Technologies/ AbleStock.com/Thinkstock; iStockphoto/Thinkstock; Ryan McVay/ Lifesize/Thinkstock

regulatory and legislative changes

We offer students meaningful work experience and exposure to industry leaders. Talisman is committed to recognizing top performers who contribute to our business needs. Discover your opportunities at

talisman-energy.com/careers

A Smart Move to Smarter Grids

by Emma Jones

industryinsiders

years. Dr. José R. Martí, a Professor at the University of British Columbia’s Department Electrical & Computer Engineering, asserts that “ten years ago, this option was the least popular, but now it has completely flipped and seen a huge revival.” Crucially, however, Dr. Marti also advises that the most valuable skill an electrical engineering student can gain to get ahead is knowledge of social systems, or “demand management that will educate the end user’s consumption.” Typically, in any profession, a student’s skills and knowledge should never be restricted to the classroom alone. Dr. Marti advises that electrical

❖

These days it seems as though everything

is getting a little smarter. Our phones, cars, healthcare, and now, thanks to innovations in electrical energy engineering, our electricity. Smart grids, intelligent electricity networks de-

engineering is no different as “employers are gen-

Officer at BC Hydro. He maintains that, with

erally looking for students than can demonstrate

the growth of the smart grid sector “in the last 6

initiative and an ability to handle unexpected

months, BC Hydro have employed 300 new peo-

situations. Project based learning, a new module

ple; from technicians and business analysts, to

now offered to second year students, can be the

line-men. These new hires have been in addition

best way of demonstrating these crucial skills.”

to employing contractors from other sources.”

Murphy supports this view as “communicat-

signed to monitor, control and encourage effi-

Gaétan Caron, Chair and Chief Executive Officer

ing complex things simply is a lost art. A lot of

cient energy use, are changing the way we that

of the National Energy Board, claims that “Canada

work is now automated these days and it is vi-

we do laundry forever; but how exactly?

is in a unique position in the global economy as

tal to employ people with the ability to put the

a major energy consumer, producer and exporter. The “ye olde” power grid, while familiar to us all,

stitching together. Accordingly, a strong candi-

We have a large, cold country with a resource

was a rather resilient, brainless zombie. With the

date would have knowledge of more than one

-based economy. This results in Canada being one

flick of a switch, electricity channelled into our

electrical component and be able to bridge gaps

of the highest energy users in the world.”

between Informational Technology and Opera-

With Canada’s distinctive global position, a

tional Technology.”

number of engineering schools are now provid-

If you have already begun to hone your specialty

ing more specialized options, particularly within

in a sector other than electrical engineering then

the field of Electrical Energy Systems. To name

fear not, as Murphy, who originally began his

a few, universities such as Toronto, Calgary and

own career working with nuclear energy, claims

Waterloo, all offer Masters, PhD, or Graduate Di-

“movement in a career can make you more mar-

ploma programs with specializations in energy

ketable, creative and valuable to a company.

and environmental systems. The Canadian En-

While specialism can be good, movement will

gineering Accreditation Board has a more com-

keep you challenged on a regular basis.”

paid for what they used at a standardized rate. The smarter grid on the other hand, as a transmission and distribution system with an IQ that may rival Stephen Hawking, still channels the electricity into our homes, but also monitors our hydro usage, provides bi-directional metering, and incorporates cleaner energies such as wind and solar power. Consequently, like telephone billing, the associated smart meter will bill the user at the equivalent peak or off-peak rate, while also actively managing demand response across the grid. While we may hear a groan from consumers, believing this to be yet another environmentallypackaged tool to part them from their cash, for users willing to slightly adjust their hydro usage, nothing can be further from the truth. The whole aim of the scheme is to promote more efficient energy use, lower total energy consumption, and maintain a reliable and secure electricity

prehensive list of schools and programs to help with your choices.

If you think you are able to provide employers with diversity and that extra-special-something,

Of course, with a bountiful array of relevant grad-

then the benefits of pursuing a career working

uate courses, and an energy sector on the cusp of

with smart grids are numerous, whether you in-

even bigger growth, there is one drawback, in the

tend to work with communications, conceptual-

form of competition. There is no doubt that grad-

ization, operations or distribution. The future of

uate jobs are available, however, the electrical

smart grids is promising and has the potential

engineering programs themselves have recently

to provide some lucrative career opportunities.

seen a drastic increase in popularity, leading to

❖

fierce competition amongst candidates.

infrastructure, which can meet future demand

The University of British Columbia’s Electrical

growth. Growth truly is the key word here as,

Energy System’s option has seen its student

let’s face it, our cities aren’t getting smaller.

numbers increase from 50 to 75 in the last few

Image: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

homes and the user, sometimes begrudgingly,

Gary Murphy is the Smart Meter Chief Project

september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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industryinsiders

commodate in your per-

limited licence to practice

sonality. Some people are

professional

fine with that and others

in a defined scope of work

are not.”

by the Association of Pro-

Once in the field, a grad

streets plenty The municipal magnanimity of the engineering professional

where engineering profes-

that powers the project.

sionals enter the picture.

“We’re the technical side

A lot of different disciplines play a role in the life of a city, but at the heart of the engineering

department

you’ll find the civil engineer. “It’s a very broad discipline, more so than chemical or mechanical

engineering,”

says

Novakowski,

Kent

Department Head of Civil Engineering at Queens Uni-

by Kevin Nelson

of things, while the architect is the artistic side,” reveals Novakowski. “One of the main reasons that a civil engineer needs to be accredited is because they provide an element of public safety. How do you know a bridge will survive? Because it’s been designed by an accredited engineer.”

will progress from junior engineer up the ranks, and their day-to-day tasks will change accordingly. “Say a civil engineer is involved in the development of a subdivision,” offers Novakowski, by way of example. “They would design all the infrastructure, spending part of the day in the office using AutoCad or another drawing package. Another part of the day might involve evaluating the progress of elements of the subdivision project.” While communication and interaction are

fessional

engineering

Engineers

and

Geoscientists of British Columbia. “When you go the route of getting a limited licence, you have to qualify and state your scope of work and qualifications by showing that you’re capable of working within that scope,” says Fifield. “Anytime I put my professional stamp on a drawing, I also have to include the scope of my qualifications. If, on the other hand, you have a degree in engineering, you can become a professional engineer and determine the scope of your work.”

important at all stages of a

There were multiple rea-

career, they are critical for

sons for his decision to ap-

the senior engineer. “You’d

ply for his limited licence

have more interaction with

in engineering. “At this

clients and management, as

point in my career I saw no

well as more writing respon-

advantage to returning to

versity. “As a consequence,

Like all engineering, the dis-

sibilities,” says Novakowski.

school, and I decided that

students sometimes don’t

cipline is math and science

Despite growing up in a ru-

“You’d also have more peo-

utilizing

see how they might fit in,

intensive. “When

ral area, I’ve always been

ple reporting to you.”

was the way to go,” offers

because they associate civil

looking at beam deforma-

attracted to cities. Being

engineers with buildings or

tion or loads in regards to

close to amenities and cul-

bridges. That’s not all we

structural elements, there’s

ture meant being close to

do.” Indeed, everything from

a lot of similarities between

where the action was. In

design and construction of

civil and mechanical engi-

North America, over 80 per-

roads and water treatment

neers,” says Novakowski.

cent of the population lives

plants to the implementa-

“However, it’s a different

tion of environmental proj-

personality type. In the en-

ects like coastal protection

vironmental aspect of civil

and brownfield remediation

engineering there’s almost

fall under the umbrella.

an element of estimation

“Many civil engineers work

that you don’t have with

in the environmental field,

the pure calculation of the

in urban centres, a trend that’s only going to increase as time goes on. Infrastructure is needed to support these people, as well as to ensure that business can proceed as usual. Street

you’re

and there’s no real distinc-

structural engineering side

lights need to light, sewer

tion between civil and envi-

of the equation, and that’s

drains need to drain,and

ronmental engineers.”

something you need to ac-

roads need to be built and maintained.

And

that’s

Getting a degree in civil engineering is a great path to getting a job in a municipal engineering

department,

but there are other ways to

experience

Fifield. “It’s gotten me the recognition of being a professional in the field of engineering, but it’s certainly been the long route.”

get there. Steven Fifield has

It’s a profession as old as

been working in the City of

cities themselves, and the

Victoria’s engineering de-

need is only going to in-

partment for 35 years, and

crease for civil engineering

currently holds the title of

professionals. If you’ve got

Manager of Underground

a mind for math and a fas-

Utilities. While he doesn’t

cination for cities, you may

possess

have just found your calling.

engineering

degree, he’s paired his academic background in Applied Science Technology

While architects usually

with his work experience,

spring to mind when one

and has been granted a

thinks of construction projImage: Hemera/Thinkstock

ects, it’s the civil engineer

jobpostings.ca | september 2011

N Nu ur rs sIin ng g O On nT Th he E Ed dg ge e ills & limitless You’ll need solid skr an NGO. stamina to work fo

Nursing is a demanding

a graduate degree in a re-

same resources as they

tarian work-study overseas

one of the most important

field of work even under

lated field also helps set a

might in other places.”

isn’t an option for you, as

things we look for.”

the

circumstances.

candidate apart and is con-

Undertaking a placement

sidered to be a part of any

within an NGO with a mis-

complete job application.

best

sion to provide healthcare

tal in crisis situations, a position in an NGO isn’t usu-

faced with the same challenges that Doctors Without Borders team members see

Campbell

also

advises

broadening your job search beyond clinical positions. Any team management ex-

Any nursing program re-

ally in the cards for nurses

quires a practicum pe-

fresh out of school. “Most of

riod and this, says Owen

our positions require previ-

But a great nurse isn’t just

eficial to a prospective NGO

Campbell,

Recruitment

ous international experi-

made of classroom training

worker, he says, stressing

Manager for Doctors With-

ence,” Marconet says of In-

and work experience. Those

that “the role of our nurses

out

ternational Medical Corps

intangible, integral person-

isn’t necessary clinical work

the perfect opportunity to

send

ality traits and behaviors

all the time; it also involves

“It’s a little bit difficult to

hone your extreme nurs-

people to disaster areas, so

we call soft skills are also

a lot of coordination and

get into the field at the

ing skills to the niche needs

we want to make sure we’re

vital to every nurse’s pro-

supervision. When we send

offset, but if this is some-

of an NGO career path. “If

sending someone who can

fessional development. And

people overseas, we aren’t

thing you want to do, then

you’ve worked in trauma

handle the stress, and who

as you might imagine, it

just sending them there to

just keep at it and you can

or ER settings, that’s use-

knows what to expect.”

takes a pretty unique set of

be an extra pair of hands.”

find a way in,” admits May

ful. Working in pediatrics

Marconet, International Re-

with children, in obstetrics

cruiting Manager at Inter-

and gynecology, are all very

national Medical Corps.

useful,” he says of the areas

to the world’s most underprivileged

citizens

takes

nursing to its most extreme, stretching a nurse’s skills and stamina to their limit and beyond.

As in any field of work, tailoring your studies to your career path from year one will bolster your application to work for an NGO immensely. “Someone who’s been studying emergency medicine as their concentration we see as more likely to be suited for this type of work, rather than someone who had selected something like general family practice,” Marconet explains. She adds that, for her organization at least, by Emily Minthorn

Because proven skills are vi-

northern nurses are often

Borders

Canada, is

where NGOs see the most need during their missions abroad. “We always need midwives because most of our programming in the field incorporates a maternal health component.” If there’s a nurse who’s worked with kids, who’s managed large caseloads or worked in ERs, or who’s worked in northern medicine — “these nurses have had to deal with more responsibility because there’s less staff, they’re isolated, and they don’t have the

particular. “We

Gaining that experience is tricky. Both Doctors With-

on their missions every day.

soft skills to equip a nurse for a career with an NGO.

perience is extremely ben-

“This is a very rewarding career path for someone who

out Borders and the In-

“The ability to cope with

has the personailty and

ternational Medical Corps

stress,

com-

skills for it,” says Marconet.

advise volunteering in your

munication skills, are the

And whether or not a nurse

nursing field of choice as

two big traits we look for,”

continues

the best way to bulk up

Campbell says of Doctors

NGOs or returns to their

your NGO application. Get

Without

ideal

home country’s hospitals,

to know the individual em-

candidate. “Your team that

the skills gained in crisis

ployment requirements of

you’d be working with will

areas overseas apply to any

your NGO of choice through

be diverse, from different

medical position. “In the

their website, and attend

cultural settings, speaking

places where we work, re-

any information sessions

different languages,” he ex-

sources are scarce and peo-

held by the organization.

plains. “Most of the medical

ple need to be able to adapt,

Check your campus job

and non-medical profes-

be resourceful, and find new

board and your career cen-

sionals that work with us

ways of doing things. And

tre. Most of all, volunteer

are actually from the coun-

in the absence of technol-

— often, and for as wide a

try in question, so the abil-

ogy, you have to go back to

variety of projects and loca-

ity to communicate across

the basics of what it is that

tions as you can. Campbell

cultures and languages is

medical professionals use

and

great

Borders’

working

with

suggests looking to north-

to help to provide services

ern Canada if a humani-

to patients,” she explains. september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

industryinsiders

ÂŽ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Unilever Canada Inc. Used under license.

The word “rehab” probably makes you think

cardiopulmonary physical therapy and muscle

of an Amy Winehouse song or a Charlie Sheen

injuries in people with chronic diseases. Like

#winning rant. It might surprise you to know,

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Reid entered the field be-

then, that rehabilitation is a varied and innova-

cause she wanted to help people. And that’s ex-

tive category in the health sciences. And while

actly what she is doing, currently with research

you might not recognize the field of rehabili-

and in her clinical days before that.

tation sciences just by reading its name on a piece of paper, there is no doubt that you are familiar with at least one of the many professions that fall under this exciting umbrella.

right way, “I gave them the confidence to do it.”

people maximize their potential and increase their performance. It is a flexible, cooperative and ever-changing career path. “I think about rehabilitation as improving function for people,” says Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, who has worked in audiology for over 25 years and now teaches in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences in the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of

A university professor since 1983, Reid has seen her share of students excel in the physical therapy work. One of the most important qualities a potential student should have, she says, is the ability to be flexible and adapt to change. “The health care system is constantly undergoing change,” she says, noting that change is inevitable and not necessarily a bad thing. “You need to learn how to embrace change in your work rather than see it as a deterrent.”

Health. “The focus is on providing people with

Being flexible is something that Tonya Castle

the knowledge and skills to be able to partici-

Purvis, a doctoral student in rehabilitation sci-

pate in society.”

ences, knows well. Currently the Mental Health

It is this sort of hands-on approach that first drew Fitzpatrick to the field. Working primarily with children, she has been able to draw on her background training in high school education and use it in a one-on-one setting. Through the years, she has seen firsthand how much of

Coordinator with the Region of Halton, Castle Purvis has a music therapy background and has worked in mental health and addictions for years. Like many others in the field, she highlights curiosity, compassion and an open mind as the qualities necessary to succeed.

an impact rehabilitation can have, not only for

No career field can be completely perfect. Luck-

deaf children, but also for their families.

ily, the incredible triumphs far outweigh the

“I can think of one young boy who was about 13. He had profound hearing loss since birth and had learned to use a hearing device,” says Fitzpatrick. “And at 13, he received a cochlear implant. I remember going to visit his family on their farm after about six months and he could now hear his dad when they would ride together in their truck. And they could have conversation around the dinner table.” Physical therapy is probably the most well known area of rehabilitation. Though it is generally associated with athletes and the elderly, professionals actually work with all sorts of patients, like children born with cerebral palsy and those with respiratory disorders.

industryinsiders

cal work. “Often times, they are very scared to move,” she says. By positioning their bodies the

ogy. At its core, rehab science is about helping

by Brandon Miller

when asked to recall a memory from her clini-

vary in their scope, with the term covering tional therapy to speech pathology and audiol-

Rehab sciences is where technology and compassion come together

sit up on the edge of the bed,” she explains,

Canadian schools of rehabilitation sciences everything from physical therapy and occupa-

the confidence builders

“After open heart surgery, people have to

challenges. “There was one client I had and, while she was in the music therapy studio, she was symptom-free,” Castle Purvis recalls of her time spent working at the Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. “This woman had the most serious hallucinations I have ever seen. She is the only person I have ever seen who had tactile hallucinations, and she also had visual ones.” It was only when the woman would play the piano that her symptoms would disappear. The field of rehabilitation sciences offers a multitude of opportunity for those looking for a pioneering, gratifying career. “It is a way to blend an interest in science — that more technological piece – with the social ‘people’ part,”

Darlene Reid is a professor in the Department

says Elizabeth Fitzpatrick. And, quite frankly, it’s

of Physical Therapy at the University of British

a way to change lives for the better.

Columbia, and specializes in instruction on september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

than S R E W MORE FOLLO

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MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL A C C O U N T I N G

Queen Victoria had a famous quote: “We are not

Well, at any level shipping orders are not the sole

See what I did there? I turned every question and

ing a parody of her, but it spawned the idea of the

supply chain coordinators who made sure you had

I didn’t make the sale). However, with the last

amused.” She was responding to an actor perform-

Royal ‘We.’ It’s the idea that a King or Queen is a representative of the country and the people, so his or her thoughts are spoken on behalf of the people.

It’s a bit more complicated than that, sure, but maybe you can apply the royal ‘we’ to your work

in order to become the king or queen of your office. We all want credit for our efforts and achievements, but within a company, and as a contributor to a team, those efforts are not only expected but a part

of your responsibility. When your boss asks you to

do something, obviously you say “I’ll do it,” but often the case is that you couldn’t get there entirely alone. I’ll use a typical manufacturer’s office as an exam-

ple. There may be several different departments

from product development, to supply chain, to fi-

nance, to customer service, to sales — all of which have to work together, directly or indirectly, to get your product into stores. Now, your position

carries with it a certain function within the cycle

responsibility of one person — remember those the stock to fill the orders, or the sales team that got the orders, or the warehouse personnel that

packed that orders? They all played their role. You may think, however, that I completed the job

that I was asked to do, but that doesn’t need to be said; when you use the “we” your role is implied. What’s more important is that by using the “we,”

you share the responsibility with your colleagues, which they’ll appreciate, and you also show that as

an employee it’s not all about you, it’s about the combined efforts of your entire team.

spun it positively around the company (even when question, there was no way I could add the “we” without sounding like the Queen of England, so instead I opted to drop the “I.” Think of “I” as a dirty word, only to be used be sparingly, as in “I went to the movies this weekend” or “I’m feeling great.”

Conversely, you can also use the “I” to your advantage. Sometimes you make mistakes, and there is no better way to own up to a mistake than to

use the “I.” Not only will it show that you have the chops to admit you were wrong, it divests your

colleagues of the responsibility of your problem. It

Consider these questions and your answer:

also makes you do your job better; when you take

“How was your client presentation on Thursday?”

less likely to make that mistake ever again. (Bonus

“Did you get the sale for that ad space?”

“Have you seen the numbers for last quarter?”

“Have you swept the floor around your desk recently?” (Okay — that last one might seem weird, but I swear it has a purpose.)

responsibility for your negative actions, you are

point: You may have thought about this already, but using “we” can also spread the responsibility if

an error crops up along the line and you don’t want to point any fingers.)

I’m not saying you shouldn’t ever take full re-

of generating your company income. In that case,

Here would be my answers:

sponsibility for doing your job — heck, sometimes

position. However, consider this: if my boss were

“The client loved what we had to offer this season.”

some work. But the fact is that a lot of people

could say “Yes, I was able to push them out on

didn’t have the marketing budget for this month.”

to get them out on time.” Why?

tial for next quarter.”

to ask me “Did those orders get out on time?” I

“They were really interested in working with us, but

time.” But what I should say is “Yes, we were able

“The numbers look great — we have a lot of poten-

The Royal ‘We’

“The floor looks nice and clean since yesterday.”

you’re boss needs to know that you actually did

crave the thought of “I accomplished something”

and need to say it to feel they did. I’m saying you

can feel that way, but also share it with your colleagues — some of whom get left behind more often than not. They’ll appreciate your acknowledge-

ment. So much that maybe they’d like to work for someone like you…

Image:iStockphoto/Thinkstock

“I” am responsible for the duties given to me in my

with Ross Harrhy

september 2011 | jobpostings.ca

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Brilliant futures Explore a career as unique and individual as you are. Work with a team focused on building relationships that create lasting value. Discover an employer that sees corporate responsibility as a business imperative.

We believe in brilliant futures for our people, our clients, our business and the community. To find out more, visit www.pwcbrilliantfutures.ca

© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, which is a member ﬁrm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member ﬁrm of which is a separate legal entity.