Industrysnippets SEPT 2015 | V.11 N.01 | CAREERS. EDUCATION. IDEAS. ALL OF IT. | JOBPOSTINGS.CA
What are Canada’s hottest jobs? Info, stats, insight—everything you need to know before you zero-in on a career.
The Fair Effect | Schmooze, network, and apply at your next career fair School spirit | top Reasons why you should be more involved on campus plus the usual suspects crunchin’ numbers / interview tips / soft skills
Our annual diversity and inclusion issue: dedicated to supporting and celebrating Canada’s diverse professionals at work. We have it all—from disability, LGBT, aboriginal, and women in leadership.
BACHELOR OF
This four-year degree program is designed to prepare graduates to work on the front lines supporting youth who are facing challenges. Students learn both theory and hands-on practice through a curriculum including addictions and mental health, child and adolescent development and psychology.
communityservices.humber.ca
BACHELOR OF APPLIED ARTS
This four-year degree program provides students with a broad-based understanding of the criminal justice system. The multidisciplinary approach places special emphasis on considering the perspectives of offenders, front line professionals, administrators, the community and others who come into contact with the criminal justice system.
communityservices.humber.ca
editor’s Note | The evolving workplace
THE FRONT PAGES
EMBRACING DIVERSITY It’s no surprise Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. And, as Canadians, we’re blessed with the notion that we can bring our whole selves everywhere we go, whether it’s to school, around friends, and around strangers. Once post-secondary is behind you and you start to venture into the real world, you’ll see that diversity extends into your next major pit stop: the workplace. Over the last decade (and still counting), a number of Canada’s top companies have made efforts to not only push diverse workspaces for their employees, but also to celebrate it.
Get ready for a jam-packed issue filled with everything you need to know about our diverse, working Canadians and the companies that embrace them. And, in addition, we’ll get you started on career planning by sharing our industry snippets, tips for attending career fairs, and much more.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Through training programs, internal resources, advertising—you name it—these companies are implementing strategies to make both a positive and supportive environment. In this issue, we’ll be looking further into diversity at work. In our aboriginal report, we look at how upcoming aboriginal professionals are making an impact in their communities. Our LGBT pieces focus on diversity training programs and raising awareness through allies. For women in leadership, we explore how young women are emerging into fields often dominated by men. And finally, in disability, we look at student resources, corporate diversity practices, and learn one man’s story of disaster-turned-triumph.
Happy September! 01
My decisions help make yours easier. Because working here is about more than helping customers choose the right product. It’s about making a difference in their lives and their homes. We call it “unleashing your inner orange” and it’s my ability to tap into my inner potential to help customers create a space worth calling home. Currently, we have positions available for a Merchandise Execution Associate and a Merchandise Execution Supervisor. Our merchandising team improves the environment of our clients by working on the implementation of marketing strategies and ensuring that products are correctly displayed in our stores. We offer a total value benefits package with everything from health and financial benefits to paid time off and tuition reimbursement as well as benefits tailored to our associates over the age of 70. Hours are Monday-Friday 6am – 3pm with no weekend or evening work.
Please apply online at homedepotjobs.ca/Merchandise We are committed to diversity as an equal opportunity employer.
Masthead | ad index
THE FRONT PAGES
publisher
Nathan Laurie | nlaurie@jobpostings.ca
associate publisher
Mark Laurie
EDITOR
Megan Santos | msantos@jobpostings.ca
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Anthony Capano
COMMUNICATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGER
David Tal
Senior national account manager
Mary Vanderpas
EDUCATION ACCOUNT MANAGER
Shannon Tracey
national account manager
Mirelle Shimonov
Contributors: Greg Murphy, Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi, Kevin Nwankwo, Jamie Bertolini, Kate Aenlle
Photos from thinkstock.com are used throughout this issue; individual artists have been credited. Cover Photo: Thinkstock.com Jobpostings is published twice a year and is distributed to over 145 universities and colleges. Contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reprinted in whole or part without permission of the publishers. “Strength lies in differences, not similarities.” –Stephen R. Covey
CONTACT: 25 Imperial Street, Suite 100 Toronto, ON M5P 1B9 | jobpostings.ca | 416.932.8866 | info@jobpostings.ca Made possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
46 Brock University
48 CIBC
IFC Humber, School of Social and Community Services
46 University of Lethbridge
IBC CIBC
46 Sheridan College
12 Humber, The Business School, Postgrad
General Ads
22 Humber, The Business School, Fashion Management & Promotion
33 NEADS 34 Insurance Institute of Canada
30 Cambrian College
44 Study and Go Abroad
who’s hiring 02 The Home Depot
10 Canadian Natural Resources 14 Farm Credit Canada 14 Jazz Aviation LP
26 BDO Canada 29 SaskPower 37 Enterprise 42 Nexen
04 Loblaw
16 The New England Center for Children
0BC The Home Depot
06 CSIS
18 Vector Marketing
School ShowCASE
08 adidas Group
24 College Pro
13 Humber, The Business School
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
SCHOOL INDEX
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It’s back to school and we’re hiring
Apply today FRESH FUTURE FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CAREER CAN TAKE YOU
Loblaw.ca/careers @loblawcareers facebook.com/loblawcareers Loblaw Companies Limited
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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THE FRONT PAGES 07 Crunchin’ Numbers On your way to your first career after graduation this year? Here are the stats that’ll help ease your transition.
09 Interview tips Clinton Leong, national talent acquisition specialist at adidas Group shares his tips on preparing for your next job interview.
11 Soft skills If you’re attending your very first career fair this year, we explore ways to best make use of your time while networking.
SPECIAL REPORT: DIVERSITY 17 Aboriginal
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
From journalism to engineering, the demand to foster Canada’s aboriginal working professionals is on the rise. Read on to find out how they’re making their voices heard.
20 LGBT Companies continue to advocate their LGBT members through in-house diversity programs and ally initiatives.
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23 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP We’re seeing it in the most male-dominated careers: Canada’s young female professionals are continuing to make a name for themselves at work.
27 Disability Whether it’s through tips, resources, or success stories, we focus on the abilities that come with a disability.
47 40
FEATURE 40 Industry look-out
EDUCATION 47 Campus involvement Extracurriculars are important in the job search. A good place to start is on campus—join a club, play a sport, get involved!
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Where will you be after graduation? Check out our list of today’s top careers and get a sneak peak into their day-to-day roles.
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auscrs.ca - csi e r sc rie r ar e ca
carriereauscr s .ca s er
CSIS. SMART CAREER CHOICE SCRS. UN CHOIX DE CARRIÈRE JUDICIEUX -
carriereauscrs.ca
- csiscareer s . .ca c a
csiscareers.ca
CRUNCHIN’ NUMBERS | Graduation Year
THE FRONT PAGES
Congrats—It’s your graduating year! While it’s an exciting time to be celebrating your academic accomplishments, for many, finding your first careers will take time (and a lot of patience). Here are some numbers to support your journey into the real world once your final year comes to an end.
Words Kevin Nwankwo // Illustrations Anthony Capano
In 2015, more than 60% of companies are planning to hire recent graduates.
BREAK DOWN OF STARTING SALARIES FOR RECENT GRADUATES:
Sources: newswire.ca, careerbuilder.ca, statcan.gc.ca
CRUNCHIN’ NUMBERS
17 PER CENT $50,000 OR HIGHER
Highest degrees in demand: Business tops the list with 31 per cent, computer and information sciences are also in high demand at 20 per cent, and health professions and related clinical sciences are at 12 per cent. 30 PER CENT $40,000 - $50,000
84 PER CENT OF EMPLOYERS ARE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE PAY AND PERKS. SOME INCLUDE: BONUSES, TUITION ASSISTANCE, HOLIDAY TIME.
30%
29%
27%
Flex schedules
Bonuses
Tuition support
Mobile devices
17%
17%
17%
16%
38 PERCENT $25,000 - $40,000
19 PER CENT $25,000 OR LESS
Relocation expenses
Commute reimbursement
Additional holiday time
Telecommuting options
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
45%
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INTERVIEW TIPS | How to prepare
What to prepare and expect at your next job interview.
Clinton Leong
DURING THE INTERVIEW Be passionate Tell hiring managers about yourself, showcase your unique personality, how you connect with the company, and why this opportunity gets you excited.
National talent acquisition specialist
Be curious
adidas Group
An interview is a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation. You’re encouraged to ask questions to get to know us better. At adidas Group, we want to make sure you’re fit for our company but, at the same time, determine if we’re fit for you too.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Do your homework Talented individuals are those who constantly practice to remain at the top. Don’t leave your skills up to imagination. Rather, explain yourself by giving clear and concrete examples. Visit the company’s website and social media channels; this is where you can find valuable sources to assist with your research. These websites showcase everything you need to immerse yourself in the history of the organization, values, and culture.
Relax and keep cool Showing up at the right place on time is very important! You’re encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for your interview. This allows enough time to relax and experience the work environment. However, if for some urgent reason you are unable to make the interview, contact your recruiter right away so they can help make other arrangements.
Be positive As a general rule, complaining about your past managers or past company can show a lack of respect and loyalty. Tell hiring managers positive things you learned from past experiences and share how you improved.
Keep it concise Vague, winded responses often lead to stale and monotonous conversations. Provide details and examples on times when you excelled, what you learned, and even times on when you failed. This shows us your character, depth, and capacity.
Motivation At adidas Group, we recognize perks, benefits, and salary are important pieces of information that everyone looks for in a job. This is why we will not frown upon questions relating to benefits and salary. We do want to know what motivates and drives you. Tell us about the culture you’d like to be working in, the career you want to build, and what you’re looking for in career and personal development.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
adidas Group, for instance, is a sports company so our managers expect an understanding of the culture and a respect for our brands. On any given day in the office, you will find our employees wearing fashion-forward styles, sportswear, or business casual clothes.
Send a thank-you Reach out and send a genuine thank-you email to the interviewers. Acknowledge them for their time and reiterate your interest in the opportunity and the company. The email doesn’t have to be long, but make sure it’s grammatically correct and represents your personality and unique voice.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Dress to impress and for success!
Don’t be afraid to show your own style and to add some color to your outfit. Just one thing, make sure you remember to wear the right brands of shoes—seriously.
Words Clinton Leong // Illustrations Anthony Capano
INTERVIEW TIPS
THE FRONT PAGES
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Explore Your Future in Energy Who We Are
We are an industry leading oil and gas producer based out of Calgary, Alberta with operations in North America, the UK, and Offshore Africa.
Who We Hire Accounting and Finance Engineering Environment Communications Geology and Geophysics Human Resources Information Systems Oil and Gas Marketing Operations Petroleum Land Management Stakeholder Relations Supply Management
Apply Online at www.cnrl-careers.com
SOFT SKILLS | Network and apply
THE FRONT PAGES
Top strategies for making the most out of your job fair experience.
“What they’re looking for is talent,” says Sudip Mukherjee, president of the Canada Job Expo. “They” are referred to the job scouts who hold in-person interviews at career fairs similar to what’s organized by the Canada Job Expo. These events give fairgoers the chance to apply in-person to organizations like Air Canada, Sun Life Financial, and the Canadian Armed Forces. “Companies come to the expo to take their company to the next level. Sometimes they want to expand or sometimes there’s a need for certain skills.”
Appearance counts Career fairs are like job interviews without an appointment and, as with any interview, leaving a strong impression starts with your outfit. “You can’t go to a job fair wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It has to be occasion appropriate for everything,” says Mukherjee. To improve your confidence around recruiters, experts suggest to wear something classic, but comfortable—minus the sweat pants.
A pro tip is to tailor a cover letter and resumé specifically for the job. Even if you don’t, it’s advised to bring at least 30 copies of your resumé in a protective folder to hand out. Fairs like Canada Job Expo even offer resumé evaluations to help you improve your applications.
Network your way in You may not think of it at a career fair but, in addition to applying for jobs, fairs also give you great opportunities to make connections. “These days it’s all about building networks,” explains Mukherjee, who says it’s important to talk to as many people as you can. “The more networks you have, the more impact you’ll have—tell them about who you are, because somebody knows somebody.” At career fairs, employers are set up at different booths. Applicants line up to get a chance to speak with potential employers, but time is limited for job seekers. Mukherjee says every second counts to make them stand out. “I would say prepare a oneminute speech about yourself that is clear, concise, and to the point. You have one-minute [to speak] about yourself, and that has to reflect who you are, your skills, experience, and why they should hire you.”
Be open-minded One of the most important factors employers are looking for is how flexible you are. “Most people are looking to work nine-tofive jobs,” explains Mukherjee. “But if you’re flexible, it makes you stand out … then employers will look at your resumé.” They may also ask about salary expectations of the applicant, so research the role you’re applying to beforehand. And as the interaction wraps up, Mukherjee advises—as with any other business meeting—to maintain eye contact throughout and end with a firm handshake.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
As for preparing to speak to employers, Mukherjee says to remember the Five P’s: “Prior preparation prevents poor performance.” Research companies beforehand and prepare what you’re going to say. Most career fairs have an online guide of the exhibits they will be showing, so do some preparation and learn what they are looking for in employees.
Words Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi // Image Raw Pixel Inc.
How to become a career fair pro
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ADVERTISING – MEDIA MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION EVENT MANAGEMENT FASHION MANAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS FINANCIAL PLANNING GLOBAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MARKETING MANAGEMENT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
business.humber.ca/postgrad
HUMBER, THE BUSINESS SCHOOL | CAREER READY
SCHOOL SHOWCASE
are you Career Ready? The Business School at Humber gives you ten ways to launch your career.
All of Humber’s Postgraduate Business Certificates prepare degree holders from any academic disciple for management and business careers. They all emphasize practical skills and knowledge and feature a work placement to make you career ready as soon as possible. Most are delivered in less than a year. Postgraduate studies at The Business School at Humber include: New! Advertising - Media Management. This unique program prepares you to work in the dynamic field of media management at advertising agencies, media placement and sales organizations or in client marketing departments. Includes TV, radio, print, outdoor and digital media. Financial Planning. This program provides a pathway to careers in financial planning. It prepares you for the exams required to obtain the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, and to become licensed to sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and a variety of insurance products. And its four-week work placement will help you to connect with the financial heart of Canada. Global Business Management. The Global Business Management program prepares you for a wide choice of careers and gives you the time to decide which is best for you. Besides providing you with knowledge and skills in virtually all of the major functional areas of business, this program covers skills every business wants in every manager: leadership, communications, numeracy, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Two flexible work placements – one in each year – give you the hands-on practical experience that employers desire. International Development. This program is designed for people who want to see the world and make a difference within it. It gives you the skills and knowledge required to coordinate and manage international socio-economic development projects and humanitarian and disaster relief initiatives. And features an eight-week work placement that often takes place overseas.
Public Administration. This is the only program of its kind in Canada. It provides all of the knowledge, skills and experience graduates need to start successful public service careers. You will receive advanced training in communications, policy analysis, project management, information technology, public finance, governance, leadership and human resources management. These studies are anchored by an eight-week work placement program. Human Resources Management. Humber’s Human Re-
Event Management. This is one of the most comprehensive event management programs available. You will learn to develop, coordinate and manage events, sites and facilities; implement financial initiatives, program events, and apply marketing, human resources, operations and business management principles. Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience in event management practices such as planning, design, marketing, sponsorship, budgeting, risk management, evaluation and much more. Plus, it includes a four-week work placement to give you practical experience. Fashion Management and Promotions. This program prepares graduates to work in the dynamic fashion industry. It focuses on new product development and branding, fashion buying and retailing, cosmetics and fragrances, multi-channel sales, promotion, merchandising, colour theory skills and trend forecasting. Graduates may find employment in companies that develop, manufacture, market, import, wholesale, distribute or retail fashions, accessories, fragrances and cosmetics. Alternative Dispute Resolution. This program is for students with a keen interest in negotiation, mediation and arbitration, whether as part of their current job responsibilities, or to acquire these skills for career advancement. The curriculum includes insurance law, labour law, family law, commercial law, system design and community mediation, together with intensive workshop training in the foundations of negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Graduates may find employment as conflict resolution facilitators and agents representing parties participating in the mediation or arbitration process in the areas of legal practice, human resources, health care, education, social work, real estate and insurance. Humber’s postgraduate business programs are offered in the intimate setting of the Lakeshore Campus, which is a study in contrasts. The surroundings have retained the Old World charm of 19th Century buildings, but they have also been updated to boast the latest advances in electronic classrooms and computer labs. There are also a fitness centre, student centre, cafeteria, coffee shops and performance spaces that will further enhance your experience. In addition to holding postgraduate degrees, The Business School’s instructors are actively working in the fields that are associated with their classes, bringing a real-world relevance to your studies. They all know the business skills that graduates will require in the workplace. Humber graduates know the value of the skills that are developed through The Business School. After all, they use them every day.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Marketing Management. Humber’s Marketing Management program is one of the most comprehensive available. It covers all of the key areas: branding, product development, advertising, distribution, sales, direct marketing, planning, budgeting, strategy, and more. Plus, it includes a four-week work placement to give you the practical experience that employers demand. Prepare for management roles in the exciting world of advertising, promotion, public relations and brand marketing.
sources Management program prepares graduates for careers that link organizations to their most important assets – their people. It covers all the bases in this diverse field, including: recruitment and selection, compensation, training and development, pensions and benefits, health and safety, and labour relations. And it includes a four-week work placement. Plus, it is accredited by the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) and prepares graduates for their Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation.
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deliberately
Different “My job at FCC is perfect for me, and I see a clear career path ahead.” – Rainie, Financial Services Rep., Customer Service Centre
Grow your career in Canadian ag At FCC, you’ll find an environment of teamwork and respect, leaders who value different perspectives and new ideas, and lots of ways to grow your career. Plus, you’ll put your education to work helping Canadian agriculture continue to thrive – and feed a growing world.
Start here If you have an agriculture or business degree plus a year of work experience in an ag-related business, consider starting your career in the FCC Customer Service Centre. Your advice and analysis will make a real difference to Canada’s ag producers. Looking for your place to grow? We think you’ll love it at FCC.
fcc.ca/MyCareer
PICTURE YOURSELF HERE.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT WITH A JAZZ JOB! Find yours today at flyjazz.ca
Diversity & inclusion | At work
SPECIAL REPORT
Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
Drivingdiversity
What does it mean to be inclusive at work? Canada’s top companies are continuing to make strides in increasing awareness and equality amongst all its employees—we’re seeing small businesses following suit, too. As we celebrate a diverse Canada, it’s also vital to enable a diverse workplace, and it starts at the top: advocating inclusivity. LGBT With the support of allies and through diversity training, LGBTs are able to bring their whole selves to work. Page 20
Ywil Young women in leadership continue to break workplace barriers in fields dominated by men. Page 23
Disability It shouldn’t stop you. Canadians are turning their disabilities into abilities and making an impact at work. Page 27
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Aboriginal Canada’s aboriginal community is growing and thriving. And its people are ensuring their voices are heard. Page 17
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Diversity & inclusion | Aboriginal
SPECIAL REPORT
Words Greg Murphy // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
Aboriginal reporting
A voice for the community The aboriginal community often goes unheard in the media. These young journalists are changing that. How many stories do you think are worth telling across Canada? I’m willing to bet everyone you pass on the street will tell you something fascinating over a cup of coffee and a few free hours. Everyone has a story to tell, but for the aboriginal community, those stories are barely getting heard. News stories concerning the affairs of Canada’s aboriginal community are strikingly under-reported across the country. Between the years of 2010 and 2013, Journalists for Human Rights conducted a study in Ontario examining the share of news coverage the indigenous community received compared to the rest of the province. The study reports that 171 print and online news outlets published over two million stories between 2010 and 2013. Only about 6,000 of those focused on indigenous issues—a total of 0.3 per cent of total news coverage across the province. If you identify as an indigenous person who has a passion for story telling and a good challenge, now might be the best time to find a career in the media.
Riley Maracle is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Originally from Wilberforce, Ontario, Maracle studied journalism at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. He received real world experience in reporting issues concerning the aboriginal community, which he says was as challenging as it was rewarding. “When reporting in Belleville, I was faced with covering some First Nations issues that affected me as well as some relatives. It was difficult for me to work on a story when people looked at me
But for Maracle, the pros of studying toward his dream far outweighed the cons. He received financial and moral support for college through his Mohawk band and through the college. The value of learning For Kimberly Cleave, an online producer for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s Digital Drum website, working in the media has given her the opportunity to learn more about her métis background. “The past three years have been an incredible learning experience,” says Cleave. “There are things in media these days involving our culture, history, and things that have played out. I wanted to learn more about it—there’s no limitation to how much you can learn working in the media and within the native community telling their stories.” Cleave says if working in the media is something you’re serious about, take the time to explore all your options before making a final decision. If you’re an aboriginal person, Maracle advises you to lean on your band for support and never give up telling indigenous stories when it gets tough. “Don’t be afraid to take the risks and the chances. You will be faced with some adversity and stereotypes as an aboriginal person, but don’t let them stop you from pursuing your dreams in the media field,” he says. There’s a voice across Canada that’s barely being heard. There’s no stronger helping hand than that of a fellow indigenous media professional in giving that voice some breath.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Rising to the challenge
and asked why I wasn’t on their side supporting them,” he says.
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TM
Dear Students, Learn. Grow. Dream. Find part time work today work4students.c a/jps
Diversity & inclusion | Aboriginal
SPECIAL REPORT
Words Greg Murphy // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
Building better futures Aboriginal communities are expanding quickly, but there’s still a need for more local engineers in those areas. Have you ever dreamed of giving back to your community by building better hospitals, roads, and bridges, producing better water treatment solutions, or rehabilitating poisoned rivers and lakes? Aboriginal communities are experiencing plenty of growth, but don’t have enough local engineers to foster the expansion. Do you identify yourself as a member of an indigenous community and have a love for math and sciences? Consider exploring your potential with a rewarding career in engineering.
Understand your community Across the country, aboriginal communities are expanding rapidly. By facilitating this expansion, it means these communities will be looking for bright engineers to help them do just that. According to Dr. Duncan Cree, a Mohawk from the Kanehsatà:ke community near Oka, Quebec, “Engineers help build better communities.”
Recognize the problem, be the solution There’s been a recognized shortage of aboriginal engineers in Canada, let alone aboriginal Canadians working and studying in sciences and mathematics. Dr. Cree says less than one per cent of engineers in Canada identify themselves as aboriginal. No one can speak to this better than Dr. Lee Wilson, associate professor of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. “There’s just a complete absence. I think maybe [Dr. Cree] is one of the only faculty members in mechanical engineering in Canada. I might be the only faculty in chemistry in Canada—not many around,” says Dr. Wilson, of the Métis community of Lake Francis, Manitoba, and also a doctorate of chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan. He says there are simply not enough people in aboriginal communities that can adequately tackle their needs.
“Not only does an education help with increasing wealth and happiness, it also helps to obtain better, more comfortable employment,” says Dr. Cree. However, the benefits of a career in engineering are much deeper than mere personal satisfaction.
“There’s just too many communities I can think of right now that are suffering because they don’t have people in a capacity to be able to make decisions in engineering, science, and mathematics,” Wilson says. “They rely on people outside of their community because they have no one in their community that can deal with those problems.”
“With an engineering degree and work experience, aboriginal engineers can return to their communities to provide insight and advice, or even be involved in solving the issues with our drinking water problems, sewage treatment problems, fire hazards and prevention, roadways, mining, and the remediation of our polluted rivers,” he explains, adding no one can grasp the impact of those
From building aeroplanes to finding ways of making our fuels cleaner and more efficient, there are over 30 different engineering disciplines young aboriginal people can choose from. If you’re an aspiring engineer, Dr. Cree and Dr. Wilson advise you to stay focused and give it all you’ve got—the road may be long and tough, but the rewards are invaluable.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Dr. Cree has a bachelor of arts, master of arts, and a doctorate in mechanical engineering. On the surface, it seems like a lot of work to get to where he is as an engineering professor at the University of Saskatchewan, but according to Dr. Cree, the benefits are well worth the time and effort.
issues better than the local engineers within these communities.
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Diversity & inclusion | LGBT
Words Megan Santos // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
LGBTQAlly Straight allies are big players in driving LGBT inclusion at work.
As Canadian companies continuously strive for diversity, some have taken it a step beyond simply implementing LGBT employee resource groups, and have introduced allies within their companies. But to start, what is an ally? “Someone who doesn’t directly identify themselves as part of a certain community, but who is supportive of that community, whether it is in regards to race, religion, sexual orientation, or any aspect of diversity,” says Mallory Wood, senior category manager of Books & Magazines, Home & Entertainment at Loblaw. Specifically for the LGBT community within these businesses, these straight allies act as the ears and voices in promoting inclusivity and minimizing discrimination. In fact, allies are crucial players in the evolving mindsets of these businesses with respect to the LGBT community.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Raising awareness Educating others is Cheryl Vhal’s primary goal as a straight ally with the Spectrum LGBT resource group at Telus. As the director of client service management, Vhal was first named an ally at Telus two years ago after she was inspired by her colleagues to join Spectrum, though also wanting to be a part of the change herself. “Some people who believe they are inclusive sometimes say things off the cuff that we’ve said for years and haven’t recognized that we’re saying something offensive,” she explains. “I think part of raising awareness, too, is that you have to be cautious and conscious of what you say.” For Wood, in addition to her current role at Loblaw, she is also an
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ally for the LGBTA Loblaw Colleague Alliance Group—introduced in June 2014. She says getting other colleagues engaged is one of the key success factors. “The more colleagues who hear and are aware of what the LGBT resource groups is doing, the more successful the group will be in accomplishing its goals.” She adds that allies are effective communicators since they are seen as unbiased observers. “This holds true when discussions regarding LGBT topics occur in the workplace or anywhere, really,” she explains. “People also tend to agree with the opinion of the majority. The more allies we can get to actively support the LGBT community, the closer we can get to being a truly open and inclusive organization.” Moving forward Because there’s always room for improvement, right? Vhal says that despite having the resource group available to all its Telus LGBT employees across the country, there are still some colleagues who are unaware it even exists. However, “they’re very interested to know and understand what it’s all about,” she says. “It raises awareness that there is still, in fact, a challenge.” Vhal explains that she sees her role as a straight ally evolving in the future. One way she plans to improve is by creating more ways to distribute information and spread the word—whether it’s by handing out brochures, hanging up posters, or promoting awareness through corporate events. At Loblaw, Wood outlines the need to strive to attract more allies to the organization. “Allies aren’t only important for diversity and inclusion,” she says, “but speaking from personal experience, they tend to also be great leaders.”
SPECIAL REPORT
Employees are encouraged to take pride in their true selves at work. Diversity training programs are designed to educate and execute action.
“Concealing who you are, concealing one’s sexual orientation or your gender identity at work really reduces your ability to do your job and to be productive as an employee.” “Coming out” as LGBT at work may be daunting for some people—that feeling not knowing how they’ll be treated or how coworkers will respond to it. Workplace diversity training seeks to help those employees feel more comfortable with bringing their whole selves to work, while also educating those around them on how to act in a supportive and inclusive way. “The fact is that people perform better when they can be themselves, based on whatever piece of themselves they want to present,” says Colin Druhan, executive director of Pride at Work Canada.
Pride at Work Canada aims to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace for lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans-identified employees by providing resources to employers on best practices and initiatives they can implement in their organizations. “Pride at Work Canada regularly presents webinars that are made available to employees of our national and regional partners,” says Druhan. “These webinars are a great way for
employees to be introduced to more broad topics.” CIBC is one of Pride at Work’s national partners. Matt Peterson, senior director of diversity and inclusion says that CIBC has been running LGBT diversity trainings for over 10 years. “CIBC is very proud to be the first Canadian bank to have an employer resource group focused on supporting our LGBT identified employees in the financial services industry.” The bank participates in and holds awareness sessions on being out and coming out in the workplace in order to help employees understand what the experience is like. “People are afraid of saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing,” says Petersen. “[The sessions] really give our employees information so that they can align their actions with what, most of the time, are really good intentions on wanting to be very supportive of their colleague.” “I think it’s really important for people at all levels to get involved with this type of training,” says Druhan. With the help of executive champions committed to LGBT diversity and inclusion, messaging from the top becomes part of the company’s values. For those just starting in a company without a history of diversity training, Druhan suggests to build a case for introducing it by highlighting what the training would address and what activities your employer might be missing out on.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
“When somebody feels that the environment is not going to be hospitable to them because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity, people will take steps to conceal who they are when they go to work,” he explains. “Concealing who you are, concealing one’s sexual orientation, or your gender identity at work really reduces your ability to do your job and to be productive as an employee.”
Words Jamie Bertolini // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
Supporting LGBT: Diversity training
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Diversity & inclusion | YWIL
SPECIAL REPORT
Women are making waves in the trades industry, whether it’s in a hands-on or corporate role.
Jennifer Jacobs is an industrial project coordinator for PCL Construction. After graduating from high school, she wanted to pursue business, initially leading her to study accounting. But that career path soon changed. Jacobs’ passion for construction developed while she was still in school, where she managed to land an opportunity in skilled trades to pay off her tuition. “My two brothers and my dad were all working as boilermakers and I got the opportunity through them to work as a boilermaker during my time off,” says Jacobs. “I think when I started doing that I realized I really like construction and being a part of the process of building things.”
Words Kevin Nwankwo // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
The changing face of construction
When she began working with PCL Construction, Wilson experienced the unique responsibilities she longed for, leading to her 10-year career with the company today. “There’s a new challenge and a new problem everyday, whether it’s different people you’re working with or just technical knowledge and understanding. I fell in love with the construction world. I think I’ll be here forever.” Richelle Heck is the human resources advisor of programs at PCL Construction, working on the corporate side of the industry. She defines her role as a mix of human resources and communications.
“I never really fully understood what my dad did, so it gave me an appreciation and resonated with me,” she says. “I chose NAIT and I did a three year program there. Once I finished, I was lucky and I got an interview with PCL and that’s when I was hired as a project coordinator.”
Initially, Heck landed a job as an HR generalist after graduating from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in human resources. “I decided to go back to school and do my master’s in communications. At that point I didn’t really truly know what I wanted to do,” she explains.
Alison Wilson, also a PCL industrial management project coordinator, went to the University of Alberta and graduated in engineering. She began working in mechanical design but decided it wasn’t for her. “I started working for an oil company and was doing mechanical design work, so it was purely engineering design—it wasn’t really what I loved to do,” she explains. “I wanted to be more engaged and do different things every day. I think that was really exciting to me.”
Heck was unsure if she wanted to permanently leave HR and go into communications. Luckily for her, she found the perfect opportunity. “I was getting ready to graduate and a friend sent me a job posting that said ‘Are you a human resources professional with a passion for communications?’” she explains. “It was obviously a clear fit. I found something I was able to marry and I work in both communications and human resources. I have been here ever since.”
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
From there, she enrolled in the engineering technology program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
“I am tasked with looking at employee life, employee engagement, and coming up with programs that hopefully drive those aspects forward to make sure everybody loves their job and loves coming to work everyday.”
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Diversity & inclusion | YWIL
SPECIAL REPORT
Words Greg Murphy // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
Women can game too Video gaming is no longer a boys club. Women are finding their place in the industry, too. Canadian video game developers can boast that their niche is one of the largest in the world. With about 16,500 Canadians working in the industry in 329 different operating companies, Canada leads the charge in creating digital play lands—contributing $2.3 billion to Canada’s GDP annually, according to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. Being on the cutting-edge of this growing industry means you’re one of the best. But who plays on the team? Most of the industry’s creative geniuses hold college diplomas, while most of the technical and business sides of the industry are university grads. The average working age in the industry ranges from the early to mid 30s and most are men. In fact, about 80 per cent are men, while only about 16 per cent are women.
Positivity in the workplace
Cook is an environmental artist who’s worked on games such as Assassin’s Creed Unity, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game, Naruto: The Broken Bond, TMNT, and Open Season. She says the challenges reach across the board for anyone working in the industry, not just for women. “Technology and
Different perspectives Women who work in the video game development industry have something different they can bring to the table, says Jodi Tilley, a professor in the game development program at Algonquin College. “Females bring a unique perspective to the industry—what types of games women and girls want to play and how they play games,” Tilley says. Take the game Minecraft for example. She says female gamers prefer playing the game more creatively than boys who generally prefer to play it in survival mode. “Females in the industry can be instrumental in helping design games with their perspectives in mind, hugely expanding the potential target audience for a game,” she says. If you’re a female with an aptitude for creativity, technology, and who loves playing games, don’t hesitate setting your sights on this innovative industry simply because most of your coworkermight be men. For 10 years, Cook says she’s reaped the benefits of working a job she describes as “extremely fun.” “It’s hard work, but it’s fun and rewarding to work in a creative and inspiring environment. The opportunities right now are many … Once you find a great role on a game development team, don’t be shy to speak up and give your input on an opportunity or challenge, and be open to constructive direction,” Cook says.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
So what’s it like being female in a male-dominated industry? We asked Ubisoft Toronto’s Cindy Cook: “Honestly, it’s been a positive experience for me as a woman in the games industry,” Cook says, adding she gets lots of support for what she does. “Ubisoft Toronto is a truly diverse team that respects differences in gender and culture. In fact, our leadership team at the studio is 50 per cent women.”
the games industry are always evolving. You always need to stay up-to-date with the latest software skills and consumer trends,” says Cook.
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“I figured it’d be a couple years before I got this kind of responsibility.” Career Opportunities at BDO.
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Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
SPECIAL REPORT
Words Kate Aenlle // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
On the move A disability shouldn’t keep you from making the decision to study abroad.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Making the decision to study abroad isn’t always easy. There are important things to consider, like finances and how prepared you are to live in a foreign country. The decision can be made even more difficult for those who need to take a disability into consideration. You can ease your transition into a foreign country by learning the basics of their language. Although this is not a specific disability-related tip, knowing the official language is extremely helpful. You don’t have to be fluent, but learning some basic phrases can go a long way if you should ever need assistance. Before you start packing away language books, there are some other things you should make sure you’ve covered—for instance, finding out what studying is like in the country you’ll be living in.
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Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
Uwe Hahnewald, a business administration student, is visually impaired. When he decided to go to a different country to study, he made sure to do his research upfront. “I like to know a little bit about where I am going,” he says. “I familiarized myself with the subway and bus system, or which shops are in the area I am living in.” Getting to know the neighbourhood and city you’ll be living in can help in making a smooth transition into your new surroundings. Doing research can also give you an idea of how accessible certain areas are, as well as what the public transportation system is like, should you require it. According to Melissa Nisbett, communications manager with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), students can find out in advance what kind of environment they’ll be in by speaking directly with the schools that they plan on attending. “Institutions can provide assessment tests for students to identify issues and follow up with students to identify the best locations for each student,” she says. “Students can do their own research for institutions by contacting the accessibility office, or the international student offices of the places they are interested in.”
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Hahnewald agrees. “Get in touch with the school to see whether they offer disability services and what kind of accommodations they offer. If possible, try to get a hold on a former disabled student who can share their experiences with you.”
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Speaking with students like Hahnewald and getting a feel for what life in a foreign country will be like for someone who has a disability is a great way to get the next best thing to a first-hand experience. Knowing what you’re in for before you get on a plane might also make the decision to stay or go much easier. Hahnewald also recommends taking a trip to the city where your school is, as studying abroad is a long-term decision and, sometimes, you just need to experience things for yourself. He was fortunate enough to have vacationed in the country where he studied so he had an idea of what life would be like for him if he lived there.
Get assistance from organizations well before you depart for your new location. Organizations like CBIE, for example, encourage over 150 members of theirs, (which include colleges, universities, and partner organizations), to serve vulnerable groups including individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities. “We also provide sessions for our members on the best practices for student placements at our annual conference,” says Nisbett. “Our members prepare their students through assessments with either the international student office or accessibilities office.” There are many other organizations out there that assist students with disabilities to achieve their postsecondary education goals, like the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS). They encourage “the self-empowerment of postsecondary students with disabilities,” and are “advocates for increased accessibility at all levels so that disabled students may gain equal access to college or university education, which is their right.” Organizations like NEADS may also be beneficial to students with disabilities, since NEADS’ board members are all “consumers with disabilities, with the exception of the ‘open’ rep.” When making the decision to study abroad, students may overlook travel accommodations. Queen’s University, for example, collected predeparture resources fact sheet for students with disabilities hoping to study abroad that outlines everything you need to know before you pack your bags. It includes links to disability travel planning and information on accessibility in places you may be studying. Uprooting yourself to study abroad is arguably one of the most exciting and challenging experiences for a student. Hahnewald, who had a great experience studying abroad, recommends that other students who want to do the same should give it a shot and not let their disability determine whether or not they should go. “I recommend studying abroad because it expands your horizons,” he says. “I think confidence, organization, and research is everything [if you want to study abroad]. The more I know upfront, the easier it was.”
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Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
SPECIAL REPORT
It comes to no surprise that Canadian companies are striving for diversity. With their efforts, they’re changing the way we work—for the better.
Words Kevin Nwankwo // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
Turning disability into ability at work
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015 31
Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
Norma Tombari, director of global diversity at RBC, says the program Pursue your Potential helps people with disabilities begin their careers with RBC. “Through this program, candidates can voluntarily self-identify as a person with a disability and receive dedicated support through a regional or national diversity representative who assists them in exploring career opportunities within RBC, and to increase their chances of success in the application process.” Shemini Khimji, senior consultant of diversity and inclusion at CIBC, says they offer a program called The CIBC Career Access Program (CCAP). “We’re committed to attracting, retaining and advancing a diverse team of employees that reflect our diverse client base and communities we serve,” says Khimji. “CCAP connects job-seekers to opportunities through access to a dedicated diversity recruitment consultant who can assist with job readiness preparation, such as reviewing resumés, interview coaching, and offer consultation and referrals to opportunities, as well as direct them to dedicated postings where appropriate.”
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
To further encourage recent graduates and students with disabilities, both companies offer valuable workplace experience and exposure to everyday work life. “Through our campus hiring initiatives, CIBC promises an enriching environment and an opportunity for growth through co-ops, internships, summer employment, career programs and full-time graduate employment for the students and recent graduates,” says Khimji.
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Tombari explains RBC is a partner with Career Edge, an organization providing work experience to those with disabilities and offering paid internships. “This is a Canada-wide program that offers a four to 12-month paid internship to university and college graduates with a disability,” she says. “Since its inception, RBC has launched the careers of more than 200 interns with disabilities.” Even though challenges for those with disabilities still remains, CIBC and RBC aim to create a barrierfree working environment so those with disabilities can bring their talents to work and grow within their career. “Our programs aim to provide mentoring, coaching, access to professional development opportunities, as well as support,” says Tombari.
Khimji explains that the Workplace Accommodation Program at CIBC offers “job-seekers and employees with reasonable workplace accommodation solutions upon request.” Also CIBC promotes a WorkAbility Network, which is “a resource group for our employees with disabilities and supporters. It helps to ensure an inclusive, fully accessible, and barrier-free workplace where one can rise to their full potential and advance.” RBC and CIBC offer plenty of roles and opportunities where one can contribute to the success of the business and accelerate their career. Both banks offer training for people with a disability to ensure that the employee is ready for the position. Tombari explains that the training at RBC focuses around adjusting the employee to the job so that they are prepared for the role. “It really centres on accommodation—ensuring our employees have the accommodations they need to work comfortably,” she says. “Once that’s in place, job training becomes the same for all employees.” CIBC offers their training to employees with a disability by establishing learning goals based on the role as well as adjustment. “Certain client serving intake roles require scheduled classroom training, whereas other roles may require on-the-job training,” Khimji explains. “We work with each individual to determine their unique accommodation needs, and how best to integrate with the learning goals to ensure their successful onboarding.” Diversity and accepting people’s individual differences are major factors that RBC and CIBC believe to play a big role in creating a strong workforce and effectively serve their clients. Tombari says that RBC’s workforce and clients are becoming more diverse each year and in order to serve their markets well, they must be a reflection of their markets—including those with a disability. “It is important to RBC that we reflect all the communities we serve, bringing in different perspectives and creating even better ideas,” says Tombari. “Diversity for growth and innovation is one of RBC’s core values and it enables us to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Our people are our competitive advantage.”
DisabilityAwards.ca Canada’s portal to awards and scholarships for students with disabilities
Choose an industry that gives you more career options. Getting your career started out of school is an exciting time. But it can be scary, too. That’s why it’s good to know that whatever post secondary studies you chose, you’ll be able to use what you’ve learned in the insurance industry. It’s also good to know that more colleges and universities offer specific courses and programs that can prepare you for a career in insurance. The list of different jobs and different skills required is so broad in insurance that you’ll be able to identify a specialty that intrigues you, challenges you and rewards you. To find out more about where in the industry your education would best serve you and potential employers, visit the Career Connections website. You may be surprised to find that insurance isn’t what you think. It’s a whole lot more.
www.career-connections.info
Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
Reaching excellence through extra funding
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Post-secondary institutions nationwide have made great strides in accommodating people with disabilities, understanding that a college or university education is extremely important to all people. From wheelchair ramps, to special services in and out of classes, to entire departments dedicated to people with disabilities— a post-secondary education is more available than ever. That said, we all know education costs a pretty penny; books, courses, and living expenses quickly add up. For people with disabilities, extra expenses are often a factor, meaning more money with more barriers. Luckily, there are several financial resources available for students with disabilities.
Words James Michael McDonald // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
NEADS provides financial support for post-secondary students with disabilities to foster education and early careers.
SPECIAL REPORT
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Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
An organization dedicated to this pursuit is the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), which has the mandate to support full access to education and employment for post-secondary students and graduates with disabilities across Canada. They offer a database of resources, employment workshops, conferences, and special projects, all focused on access to education. “We address all aspects of post-secondary access and services, and we’re a cross-disability organization,” says Frank Smith, national coordinator. “It covers the gamut from physical disabilities to students who are deaf and hard of hearing to those with learning disabilities.” They also represent students with mental health issues and the blind or visually impaired, and everyone in between. NEADS partners with a number of organizations to strengthen its reach, such as the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Federation of Students, and the Canadian Alliance of Students Association, among others. In the last decade, the organization has developed two financial awards programs: The NEADS National Student Awards Program, worth $3,000, and the Holly Barlett Memorial Award, worth $1,000.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
“The NEADS student program started first and is moving into its eighth year,” says Smith, “and the Holly Bartlett award began four years ago, honouring a former NEADS board member who passed.” Through partnerships with various companies, private sector funding, and individual donors, NEADS has given out 67 tuition scholarships.
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“We consider them to be tuition scholarships, as they are primarily set up to support the cost of feed that students would have to incur, so the scholarships are not paid to the students directly; they’re paid to the university of the college awards office.” NEADS looks at a variety of factors to select eligible recipients for the award. “We look at
the balanced student who is both good in their studies and also an outstanding, well-rounded person,” says Smith. Chelsea Mohler was the recipient of the NEADS National Student Award in 2010 and 2011, partially funding her master’s degree in rehabilitation science. Mohler has congenital glaucoma and was born with no vision, although through corrective surgeries, she now has partial vision. She went on to complete two degrees and has been employed in roles doing important work for people with disabilities. “I completed an eight-month contract where I worked on a project looking at how to make science laboratories and practical spaces within courses that are comfortable for students with disabilities,” she says. Mohler spent her time conducting interviews with professionals in the community, looking at methods and best practices for practical learning environments outside the science lab context. “A lab in a physical therapy school or an occupational therapy school and, of course, we were responsible for retrieving and synthesizing literature as well.” Her funding helped her develop the skills and research in her master’s necessary to excel in these roles. “I had a research assistant so it helped me cover some of the costs for her and, in my last year as a graduate, I didn’t live in London, Ontario where I did my master’s—I commuted when I had to be on campus from Toronto—so it helped with that.” Mohler was chosen because of her reference letters, her answers in her personal essay, and her extensive involvement in the community. In the future, she hopes to continue to help others and find solutions. “My interests are inclusion and higher education, I also have a vested interest in the area of employment of people with vision loss.” To find out more about NEADS and their funding initiatives, check out neads.ca.
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Diversity & inclusion | DISABILITY
Fighting disaster with attitude
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
A railway accident left John Cairns without an arm and a leg. Today, he is a motivational speaker, helping to better the lives of others.
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SPECIAL REPORT
The accident November 30, 1992 was an ordinary day for most. It started like any other for John Cairns, a then 26-year-old transportation specialist for the Canadian National Railway in Toronto. He left his house after being called to work, expecting all to be the same. At 11:34 a.m., his life changed forever—he was run over by a 68ton railway car and instantly suffered the loss of his right arm and right leg. “I laid there for 14 minutes bleeding to death on the tarmac awaiting paramedics, ever so slowly feeling the life blood drain away and feel what it was like to die,” Cairns says. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. After losing 92 units of blood, resulting in a multiple organ breakdown, Cairns was airlifted to the Sunnybrook trauma centre in Toronto where he spent one week on life support and the next four months in acute recovery.
The comeback It was a miracle, hospital staff said, that he’d survived such a horrific accident; only one tenth of victims in railway accidents are lucky enough to call themselves survivors. After his discharge from Sunnybrook, Cairns spent two and a half years in rehabilitation, learning life all over again.
Eventually, he made a promising physical recovery, but the recovery in his heart and mind was a battle fought on a much steeper hill. He
“My clinical psychologist came to me this one particular rehabilitation day and he said to me, ‘you know, John, not everything in life can be changed, but nothing can be changed unless you confront it.’ And it was in that moment that I knew I had to choose between a life of disabilities and a life of abilities,” says Cairns.
The motivation His new life as a conduit for inspiration and positivity started when he was asked to speak at various functions about his disaster and hardfought triumph. From here, Cairns started motivational speaking under the name, John Cairns, Voice of Victory. “My goals with Voice of Victory is the continued experience and opportunity to do what I do best which is inspire—to further propagate the success models that I’ve built in my own life and share those success models with others experiencing similar trials and tribulations,” he says. In his home of Belleville, Ontario, he’s a pillar in the community, organizing charitable events, and serving on numerous boards, councils, and committees all dedicated to the aid of community members in need. He founded Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals who suffer from the lack of personal mobility. Whether it’s motivational speaking or fundraising, Cairns has little free time, using what time he has to better the lives of others. Cairns says attitude can change a life. “Don’t focus so much on circumstances but realize that despite the circumstances, you have the power and the choice to choose to respond to the cards that life deals. When you believe and when you say, ‘I can,’ then the circumstances turn into an elevator to better yourself and the world around you.”
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
“I had to learn to eat, dress, bathe, tie shoe laces, go from right side dominance to left side dominance, while utilizing prosthetics that I’d never seen before ... Each and every moment, a screaming voice yelled out, “Why me? What did I do to deserve this? My life is over,” he says.
recalls it was like looking up at a mountain from its base. But knowing how he’d beaten the odds gave him the spark he needed to keep going. At last, purpose began to surface in his life again.
Words Greg Murphy // Illustrations Hung Kuo Chun
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Viktor Frankl, Auschwitz survivor.
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Industry snippets A list of today’s in-demand jobs, and what you’ll need to thrive in the field.
There are four industries that are striving in today’s competitive market: health care, skilled trades, engineering, and technology. The reasons for their heavy presences range from technical advancements to aging baby boomers.
We’ve gathered the information on the hottest industries and job titles today, to make your decision-making process easier.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
As a student and wide-eyed young professional, your job right now is to find a way to break through the industry of your choice. The lectures, learning, research papers, and allnighters will prepare you for the real world. Then, as you move into graduation-mode, you’ll be taking on apprenticeships, internships, and job shadowing professionals in the field.
Words Megan Santos, Greg Murphy // Image Sergey Nivens
As you enter the school campus yet again, you’re coming in with a brand new perspective and bigger priorities. This year, your focus is on determining your career path. While you continue on with your program, you begin to find areas you may want to further explore and, eventually, lock down your specialization.
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WHY WORK FOR NEXEN? Because you value innovation and seek opportunity. At Nexen we offer challenging careers and the chance to pioneer new technologies. Your contributions are rewarded with a highly competitive compensation package and a healthy work-life balance. We’ll help you along with career development and training that will open doors for your future.
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Snippets | Health care & skilled trades
Health care
FEATURE
Skilled trades Number of people employed 2,219,700
2,500,000 2,000,000
Number of people employed 2,276,300
2,500,000 2,000,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
500,000
500,000
Average income $52,000
Average income $58,000
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
Possible roles: Practical or registered nurse, doctor, pharmacist, paramedic, social worker
Possible roles: Carpenter, heavy equipment operator, industrial electrician, chef
Top industries: Hospitals, long-term health care, community care
Top industries: Construction, transportation, manufacturing, service
With the aging professionals on the cusp of retirement, they’re making way for savvy health care millennials to take their places. In the industry, you’ll be exposed to competitive salary potential, long-term sustainability, continued learning, and career growth. Not only are the older health care professionals slowly moving out of the field, but the baby boomer population as a whole will soon begin to seek patient care for themselves. As a result, the need for the next generation of health care professionals is more present than ever before.
With the direction skilled trades is moving in and the continued shortages the industry is experiencing, employers say demand is high for apprentices with finessed soft skills.
Although the average income for health care as a whole sits just under $60,000 a year, in-demand occupations like pharmacists and health care managers can make upwards of $80,000–$100,000 annually.
She is the executive director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA), a national not-for-profit organization. The CAF-FCA works to ensure everyone from employers to educational institutions—everyone with an interest in trade apprentices—talks to one another about industry challenges and how to resolve them. In today’s changing work environment, soft skills are often brought up for discussion amongst trade apprenticeship stakeholders. “A really great example of that is if you think about a car. Today’s cars are as much electronics as they are mechanics, so that’s the kind of thing that’s changing every new model year when new technology comes in,” Watts-Rynard says. “A piece of that really connects with the need to be able to solve problems, to work as part of a team, and to be able to have great communication skills.”
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
In 2014, CanadianBusiness.com outlined the top 10 ranking health care jobs and specializations experiencing the highest job growth over the next five years. Some include health policy researchers at 71 per cent, dieticians and nutritionists at 68 per cent, health and occupation inspectors at 40 per cent, and pharmacists at 34 per cent—a much different scope of careers compared to the popular nursing and physician positions.
“I think one of the most important things is recognizing that skilled trades requires problem solving skills more than ever,” says Sarah Watts-Rynard.
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GET READY FOR YOUR
DREAM CAREER Study, work, travel or volunteer abroad and make your résumé stand out from the rest!
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3-8
OTTAWA • TORONTO VANCOUVER • CALGARY EDMONTON
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Snippets | Engineering & tech
Engineering
FEATURE
Technology Number of people employed 1,295,000
2,500,000 2,000,000
Number of people employed 530,957
2,500,000 2,000,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
500,000
500,000
Average income $76,000
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
Average income $69,876
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
Possible roles: Engineering manager, civil engineer, computer engineer, mechanical engineer
Possible roles: Software developer, UX/UI designer, data engineer, account manager
Top industries: Agriculture, technology, oil and gas, automotive, biomedical, indistrial, robotics
Top industries: Software and computer services, telecommunications, manufacturing
To be an engineer, you have to be able to wear many hats. Depending on specialization, engineers work in changing environments, possess stellar communication and problem solving skills, and are proficient in math and science.
With the spike in the use of computers and devices over the last decade, it’s not only consumers who are enjoying the craze, but also the professionals working in the industry.
To help narrow the skills gap, post-secondary schools will play an important role in growing and training the engineering hopefuls of the near future. One of the ways they’re doing so is by working in collaboration with engineering companies. Learning from each other, colleges and universities are able to keep up with the latest in engineering and stay innovative. On the other end, engineering companies are doing their parts in introducing co-op and placement opportunities and welcoming current students.
Today, the information and communications technology sector is made up of about 37,000 small businesses and, as of 2013, roughly 80 large-sized businesses. Surely, these numbers will continue to grow. According to a survey by Manpower, technicians and IT staff (just a portion of the tech industry), are among the top 10 hardest jobs to fill. An issue often addressed in the tech industry is the gender imbalance. According to MacLeans, women who excel in math subjects in high school are half as likely to choose math-dominated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs compared to their male peers. And, graduates from STEM programs often earn more than those in other fields, leading to a gap in salary as well. Surely, you can expect employment in tech fields to continue to evolve just as much as the technology itself. With a push to boost the numbers, many tech companies are implementing in-house training programs, internships, and continuing to address gender gaps in the field.
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Currently, the industry is experiencing a skills gap and, similar to the health care industry, is forced to deal with the handful of retiring baby boomers. With that, as well as the growing Canadian economy, it’s predicted that over 100,000 jobs will be created between now and 2025. For mechanical engineers in particular, the retiring workers will translate into 70 per cent of mechanical engineering openings between now and 2020. And for the five years after that, will spike to 90 per cent.
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Directory | Connected on Campus
Brock University
brocku.ca/nextstep The Faculty of Graduate Studies at Brock University offers 46 programs, an array of specializations, co-op opportunities and a world of possibilities – all just an hour away from Toronto in the beautiful Niagara region.
University of Lethbridge
ulethbridge.ca/graduate-studies What will you discover? Explore innovative and interdisciplinary areas of research while working alongside world-renowned faculty members. Graduate studies in over 60 disciplines with many financial resources within your reach.
Sheridan College
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
postgrad.sheridancollege.ca
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Sheridan one-year graduate certificate programs enhance your diploma or degree with a blend of theoretical knowledge and work experience that fully prepare you to launch your career. Choose from more than 20 programs in arts, business, management, communications, technology, or digital media. Get the rewarding job you want.
EDUCATION
Words Greg Murphy // Image Raw Pixel Inc.
Connected on campus Looking to do more than just attend lectures and do homework? Consider joining a school club while in university or college. For some, school can be a long set of years, especially for those who are away from home for the first time. Among the masses of new people you meet, it can be hard picking and choosing the friends that stay with you for life. But how do you pick the right ones? Perhaps you can try joining a club. Being part of a social circle of like-minded individuals can be a great way of meeting the companions that’ll stay by your side for the rest of your post-secondary school years—sometimes for life.
Joining a club can also help connect you with employers in your field. “When you’re part of a team, a major part of your job is to find industry, academia, and other student groups that you can work with. And so by that very nature, your name gets around and people want to connect with you,” says Osborne. Adam Kuhn is the assistant director of Student Life at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus. He joined clubs on campus to enrich his experience at school. “During my undergraduate degree, I joined clubs for two main reasons,” he explains. “It was a great chance to find community with like-minded individuals who shared my interests and values. Secondly, it was an amazing way to get exposed to new ways of thinking and to learn new skills that I had never even thought to explore before.”
Explore your potential
For those of you with a unique social idea and who excel in leadership roles, consider starting your own club. First, you have to make sure the club you want to start doesn’t already exist. Then you have to seek officialdom with your university or college. Kuhn says you won’t regret becoming involved in a club.
Osborne, currently completing a PhD in aerospace engineering at the University of Toronto, says the benefits of joining a club on campus are sky-high, and UTAT trains its students to excel at design outside the classroom. “I believe the true benefit of a team is self-initiative,” he says. “It puts all the onus on you to try new things … it gives you the selfinnovative capacity to tackle whatever problem you feel like.”
Start your own club!
“There’s tons of research that shows the amazing student benefits of involvement. So I encourage students to try at least one thing. Join a club, try intramural sports, attend a workshop—it is easy to get started.”
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
Jeffrey Osborne is the president of the University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT), where he’s been with the club for three years. UTAT started in 2004 as an after-school social gathering where students built gliders for an annual competition. After learning how interdisciplinary the aerospace industry was, the team began attracting students from a broader scope of academic backgrounds. Today, the team builds everything from remote controlled and unmanned aircraft to suborbital rockets to small satellites.
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PREPARING FOR A LOAN | PRESENTED BY CIBC
How to Prepare for a Loan If you’re like most students, your savings probably won’t cover all of your education costs. To determine your loan needs and get tips on applying for a student line of credit and government student loan, read on!
The basics To calculate your financial needs, start by compiling your estimated savings and anticipated expenses. To the right is an example of what your spreadsheet might look like:
Savings
Amount
Spending
Amount
Anticipated job savings
$4,000
Tuition/yr
$5,000
Scholarship
$2,500
Books/yr
$500
Parents
$1,000
Food (meal plan)/yr
$2,400
RESP
$1,100
Residence/yr
$2,600
Transportation/yr
$800
Personal necessities
$200
Entertainment/yr
$500
Total Savings
$8,600
Total Expenses
$12,000
Subtract Total Expenses from Total Savings.
$ 8,600 - $ 12,000 = $-3,400
If you break even or come out on the plus side, know that you are lucky and can cover your expenses.
dents can receive from around $5,000 to $15,000 a year (depending on the field of study).
If you get a negative number, that’s the amount of money you’ll need to borrow.
Most banks will ask you for the following:
Jobpostings.ca | September 2015
What is the difference between a government student loan and a student line of credit? With a government student loan, your interest payments are deferred until some time after you graduate (so long as you remain a qualifying student.) Eligibility requirements and more information on government student loans can be found online at www.canlearn.ca.
• Proof of student status (such as university/college acceptance letter, tuition receipt, or proof of enrolment)
Unlike a government student loan, which you can get from the federal or provincial government, a student line of credit is available from financial institutions. With a student line of credit, you are required to pay interest on the amount you borrow while in school.
• Depending on your financial circumstances, you might need a guarantor, usually a parent or guardian, who is legally responsible for paying your loan if you do not make your payments.
If approved for a student line of credit, undergraduate stu-
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• Proof of Canadian residency (such as Social Insurance Number, birth certificate, passport or landed immigrant certificate)
• Proof of ability to make monthly interest payments on the amount you spend throughout the year (part-time job pay stub showing earnings to date, letter of employment)
For details about a student line of credit and information on banking for students, check out cibc.com/studentlife.
Simplified student banking. One less worry.
Enjoy banking that sets you free with unlimited transactions* and no monthly fee. Ask us about the CIBC student bank account. Find out more at cibc.com/studentlife.
* A transaction includes cheques, withdrawals, transfers, pre-authorized payments, bill payments (including CIBC Credit Cards and CIBC Personal Lines of Credit) and debit purchases. For CIBC eAdvantage Savings Accounts, a transaction does not include online transfers to your other CIBC personal bank account(s) using the transfer function on CIBC Online Banking® and CIBC Mobile Banking®. Additional fee(s) apply to withdrawals from non-CIBC bank machines, Interac e-Transfer® transactions and transactions in foreign currency (including cheques written in currencies other than the account currency). Student offers are in effect for up to a maximum of 4 years from your program enrolment date (based on expected graduation date or length of the program). Interac e-Transfer® is a trademark of Interac Inc.; CIBC authorized user of the mark. CIBC Cube Design & “Banking that fits your life.” are trademarks of CIBC. All other trademarks are owned by CIBC.
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