Emerging Careers by Karthik

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Emerging Careers R AY M O N D LU K

K EN DA L L A N S EL L

A N G EL A P ER C I VA L

BRUCE POON TIP

M A L LO RY G R EEN E

DA KOTA B R A N T

Entrepreneurship as a Career: Learning from Industry Leaders

T Kayla Isabelle CEO, Startup Canada

Kayla Isabelle

here are many common myths surrounding entrepreneurship — that it’s rooted in extreme risk-taking, that founders are solely obsessed with money, and that it’s impossible unless you start young, to name a few. In reality, these misconceptions couldn’t be further from the truth and risk deterring many from taking the leap into a fulfilling, prosperous career. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than two million Canadians have launched their own business — enough to fill the Scotiabank Arena 100 times over.

Why did you decide to launch a business in the sector you did? How has that choice advanced your life and career? RAYMOND LUK Founder & CEO, Hockeystick Industry: Technology Hockeystick uses artificial intelligence to accurately match small businesses with funders. “Being an entrepreneur in the tech sector gives me the freedom to solve problems without obstacles or gatekeepers. I can knock down a wall and have the ability to try new things and find solutions.”

KENDALL ANSELL Owner, Belle Construction Industry: Trades Belle Construction actively recruits women in the trades and provides resources to women interested in a career in construction. “Launching Belle Construction was a no-brainer in order to open up more opportunities for women to join trades and execute high-level construction projects. This choice has been fulfilling; watching other women feel safe and excel in what they do and help grow my career by reaching new milestones through franchising.”

More and more are seeking entrepreneurial careers, and though money and alignment with a high-growth industry may be large motivators, a recent QuickBooks survey found that Canadian founders are largely motivated by creative freedom (46 percent) and the general flexibility that comes with owning their own venture (47 percent). I spoke with leading Canadian founders from various sectors to learn more about their innovative businesses and how the decision to launch in that particular industry has added purpose to their lives and careers.

BRUCE POON TIP Founder, G Adventures Industry: Travel & Tourism G Adventures is the world’s largest small group adventure company, pioneering community tourism since 1990. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. It was important to be passionate about what I do. There was sacrifice at first, but now G Adventures is world-renowned, and it’s a rewarding life that allows me to be innovative. I appreciate that every day.”

ANGELA PERCIVAL Founder, Angela Percival Photography Industry: Arts Angela is one of few women to have made a career documenting the outdoor and action sports world. National Geographic called her one of the planet’s top nine female adventure photographers who are pushing the limits. “I discovered photography as a way to capture my deep love of adventures in the mountains. Starting a photography business has allowed me a unique journey to create daily, amplify women in the mountains, and live my purpose of inspiring people around the beauty of wild places.”

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than two million Canadians have launched their own business.”

MALLORY GREENE Co-Founder & CEO, Eirene Industry: Health & Wellness Eirene is an innovative funeral services startup that allows families to make high-quality, affordable cremation arrangements from the comfort of their own home. “I want to be a part of co-creating a future where Canadians age with health, vitality, and dignity. Every day I fulfill my mission of helping families navigate the complexities of death care, and empowering them to have conversations surrounding end-of-life wishes. For me, doing this work creates purpose.”

DAKOTA BRANT Co-Founder & CEO, Sapling & Flint Industry: Retail Sapling & Flint is an Indigenous-owned jewellery manufacturer specializing in gold and silver, based out of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. “My twin sister Jesse and I realized there was a demand for authentic Indigenous-made and made-in-Canada jewellery design. Business is business, but entrepreneurship is about passion and contribution. You see a gap and have the solution — bringing it to market requires passion on your part. Launching into retail has allowed me to pursue something that I’m passionate about: Indigenous jewellery design and raising the platform for Indigenous visibility and inclusion.”

To learn more, visit startupcan.ca. This article is in partnership with Startup Canada.

Publisher: Christy Yam Business Development Manager: Julia Colavecchia Strategic Account Manager: Sierra Nardella Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content and Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw Content and Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com. @MediaplanetCA

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What’s Necessary for Essential Patient Care? Applied Health Science Professionalss The innovative Michener Institute is one of the top health care educators in the country, generating professionals in important medical positions.

f ten t he heroes behind the curtain, applied health science professionals, function throughout the health care system to prevent, diagnose, and heal patients. Now more than ever, their roles are paramount. For over 60 years, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN has been the sole post-secondary institution in Canada that focuses on only applied health sciences, providing a variety of diploma, certificate, and continuing education programs. Courses are available in parttime, full-time, post-certification, and bridging programs — providing unmatched flexibility for students. It offers 14 academic

programs including medical radiation sciences and imaging, critical and primary care, and medical laboratory sciences. But what truly sets Michener apar t is its connection to Toronto’s top hospitals as part of the University Health Network (UHN). The institute has established exclusive connections with clinical partners and field professionals, offering students an immersive, unique educational experience.

Playing a vital role The Michener Institute aligns its curriculum with the needs of the health care system and is dedicated to evolving with and responding to the sector’s ever-changing priorities.As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, applied health science roles such as respiratory therapists and medical laboratory technologists play a vital role in diagnosis and critical care. Michener’s Alumni Board Chair Ruvette Coelho knows this firsthand. “A lot of the graduates and clinicians were on the front lines when COVID-19 hit,” she says. “They were the ones processing all the samples and with critical care patients. Michener answered the call for that.”

They prepare and teach you to be flexible. You can’t learn this from a textbook — you learn it by doing the work.” Coelho graduated from the radiation therapy program and now treats cancer patients. “A lot of these programs, they train you to go into the clinical environment. With two years didactic and one year in critical placement, you’re ready for the field,” she says. Classes are conducted in state-of-the-art facilities, in simulation-based learning centres, and with leading clinical partners. Plus, students are offered opportunities for team-based interprofessional collaborations throughout their education.

Bridging the gap Medical laboratory technologist and alumni Eryl Fraser was also on the front lines during the pandemic, processing blood products

from COVID-19 patients in clinical trials. “You’re presented with a mystery and must solve it,” she says. “The time Michener took with the simulated portion and laboratory skills, they prepare and teach you to be flexible. You can’t learn this from a textbook — you learn it by doing the work.” The institute’s grads are indispensable — Canada’s health care system runs smoothly and successfully because of their contributions. “Michener is the place that gave me meaning in terms of my professional life,” says Coelho. “All alumni attest to that.” Being associated with UHN allows the institute to adapt to changes in health care in real time. “They’re responsive to what’s happening on the ground all the time,” Coelho says. “Michener bridges the gap between health care and education.”

A meaningful career With over 15,000 graduates, The Michener Institute is a well-known leader in the field of applied health education. It’s advancing the heath care sector by offering cutting-edge, relevant programming. By doing so, its grads become experts in their fields and are prepared to navigate the everchanging health care sphere.

P H OTO S C O U RT ESY O F T H E M I C H EN ER I N ST I T U T E

Katherine Cappellacci

To learn more about The Michener Institute of Education at UHN and the key roles its graduates play in health care, visit michener.ca/ discovermichener/ micheneradvantage. This article was sponsored by The Michener Institute.

Why You Should Consider Your Next Career Move to Be in Supply Chain Management Supply chain teams are playing more pivotal roles in informed decision-making and that calls for a breadth of expertise as opposed to deep skill sets. Transformed customer expectations have led to evolved supply chain processes and it’s time for organizations to identify the roles, skills, and behaviours that drive results. Christian Buhagiar, President & CEO, Supply Chain Canada

oung workers today face a landscape that’s unlike any generations before them have faced. We face an uncertain international economic climate, which has shifted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these shifts have only hastened trends that previously existed, paving the way for new opportunities in many f ields, especially supply chain management. Supply chains have always been taken for granted. As our economy has grown, so has our choice and our ex pec t at ion for what we want to be at our fingertips. But the COVID19 pandemic fundamentally changed our understanding of that — though it was simply exposing problems that had been growing for years before.

Supply chains have always been taken for granted. As our economy has grown, so has our choice and our expectation for what we want to be at our fingertips.”

Among a plethora of challenges that couldn’t be foreseen, companies have had to realize and contend with out-of-date inventory systems, empty shelves, and expensive bottlenecks. The pandemic made these issues impossible to ignore — and the required solutions more urgent. Jobseekers with technology and problem-solving skills who are adaptable and resilient will be well-positioned to jump into the workforce and begin tackling real challenges that have enormous impact on the daily lives of Canadians. At the top of the list for in-demand candidates are tech-savvy planners who can troubleshoot, mitigate risk, prioritize, analyze, and solve supply-demand issues. Those skilled in AI and machine learning can help companies adapt to our new world, testing cutting-edge technologies to improve supply chain efficiencies. Customer satisfaction departments are also evolving to offer more tech-based roles in data analytics and

automation in fulfillment centres to tailor a customer’s experience. If you’re passionate about sustainability, many companies are dedicating new positions, from entry-level to leadership roles, to focus on optimizing resource consumption and utilization. The growing demand and increased opportunities for next-generation supply chain management workers in Canada are endless, and there are many ways to enter the field. Colleges and universities are offering supply chain management courses, and access to these courses is easier than ever with several institutions offering online programming. If you’re already in a supply chain management role and looking for ways to advance, there are professional designations available, including Supply Chain Canada’s Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation. Disruptive technology and the rise of real-time service and product delivery show no signs of slowing down, and neither do career opportunities in supply chain management.

To learn more, visit supplychain canada.com. This article was sponsored by Supply Chain Canada.

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Game On! Fun New Cybersecurity League Gives Canadian Kids Real-World Skill Kate Wallace

With nearly 90 percent of Canadian kids playing video games, the league is a great way to turn screen time from a time-waster to an opportunity to build real-world skills for a quickly-growing industry. In Canada, cybersecurity represents $1.7 billion in GDP and employs over 11,000 people. And for youth, it’s an exciting, no-risk way to test out the industry.

Its platform features a sleek interface where the challenge details are shared through immersive videos, intel, notifications, and more.” “This is your opportunity to view it before you do it,” says Connor Brewer, a 20-year-old security developer at Difenda, a leading Microsoft North American cybersecurity company, working out of their new office location in Fredericton, NB, and a student in the University of New Brunswick’s Bachelor of Computer Science program. He gives CYWARIA League North high marks for its resemblance to his actual work of tracking down cybercriminals and defending networks and data. The year-long program kicks off in late October, when par-

ticipants will receive their first of 12 monthly challenges, each closely mirroring the current cyber threat landscape. There’s lots of support along the way, with videos, tutorials, and other resources to help them solve the competitive campaign. There are scholarships and monthly prizes to add a little extra incentive. Brewer also likes the game’s focus on “blue team,” or defensive strategies. While “red team” cybersecurity professionals work on the offensive to attack systems and identify vulnerabilities, Brewer says that in Canada and the U.S., the vast majority of roles are defensive. “The real work, day to day, is going to be on the blue team,” he says. “Defending is the most critical thing for North America. That’s our focus.” Along with the real-life nature of its challenges, Brewer was impressed with the game’s design. Its platform features a sleek interface where the challenge details are shared through immersive videos, intel, notifications, and more. Participants can check their scores, badges, and timers on the dashboard, while the national leaderboard tracks everyone’s standing. CY WARIA League North isn’t just for hardcore gamers or technical whizzes. It’s open to any student with a laptop or PC, solid internet connection, and basic computing skills. For Brewer, who found his way to cybersecurity through math and computer science, there’s “a position for everyone” in the industry. He encourages anyone

When did you know that you wanted to become a part of the health care sector?

If you’re interested in becoming a concept artist or visual designer, Max the Mutt’s four-year Concept Art for Animation and Video Games diploma program ensures you’ll be career-ready. Anne Papmehl

who loves problem-solving and the thrill of the chase to give the league a try. “At the end of the day, the biggest thing that you can do in life is just to seize every opportunity,” he says. “I wasn’t technical in high school, and I would have jumped in.” And for those competitors like Brewer, who find they love the thrill of the hunt and want to pursue future opportunities for a career in cybersecurity, CYWARIA League North is a great platform to showcase their growing, in-demand skills. There are currently over 8,000 open cybersecurity roles in Canada, ranging from small and large companies to government and working with police and military to combat cybercrime and protect against nation-state attacks. “Not only is it a fun game, but it’s also an opportunity to give yourself great exposure to these big companies who are looking to build the next generation of talent,” Brewer says. “It’s not just high schoolers playing with high schoolers. Companies are watching.”

To learn more about CYWARIA League North and to register your student, visit cywarialeague north.com. To learn more about other workforce and skills programs offered by CyberNB, visit cybernb.ca/ workforce-skills. This article was sponsored by CyberNB.

Mediaplanet spoke with Barbara Olas, a registered nurse at Halton Healthcare, about deciding whether a career in the health care sector is right for you.

The Creation of Successful Concept Artists at Max the Mutt

hat is concept art? For any visual undertaking, whether it’s a video game, animated film, or live action, choices about the style of characters, environments, and props must contribute to the end goal — communicating the writer or director’s vision, offering inspiration to the whole creative team, and helping to tell the story. Concept artists work with authors, directors, art directors, and other concept artists to establish the tone and style of a game, live action, or animated film. Good research skills plus verbal and written communication skills are part of the job description. Max the Mutt (MTM)’s four-year Concept Art diploma program teaches students all of this in addition to related skills, including modelling and texturing, storyboarding, background design and painting, layout, and matte painting. The added magic ingredient at MTM is an emphasis on professionalism, including taking direction and meeting deadlines, which makes grads ready for the work world. MTM cares about providing a foundation that will enable grads to build their careers. 2018 Concept Art graduate Van Lawrence Ching applies these skills every day in his

Connor Brewer Security Developer, Difenda

Q & A with Barbara Olas

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sleek new gaming platform lets Canadian teens develop their cybersecurity skills as they compete for scholarships and prizes and test-drive a career in this thriving industry while still in high school. CYWARIA League North, the country’s first fully gamified cybersecurity challenge, launched this fall for Canadian students in grades 11 and 12, except those in Quebec. Registration is open until Oct. 11, 2021. “Fighting cybercriminals is thrilling, which makes it the perfect premise for a video game,” says Tyson Johnson, CEO of CyberNB, a non-profit Canadian cybersecurity industry organization that partnered with CYBERPRO Global, a cyber education and training provider, on this unique initiative. “But it’s also an incredibly valuable skill set that can lead to high-paying and exciting work in a booming sector. We wanted a fun and realistic platform to get kids and their parents thinking about this highly-lucrative and promising career path.” Aligning schools, skills, and jobs, CyberNB is empowering the next generation by spearheading initiatives that connect education and training through partnerships to deliver cybersecurity curriculum. These include Cisco’s Networking Academy in New Brunswick schools and upskilling programs like Cyber Bootca mp for people w it h non-technical backgrounds that are designed to narrow the digital skills gap.

role as a concept artist and environment a r tist wit h 13A M Ga mes, which is currently releasing Dawn of the Monsters. “My education from MTM gave me a tremendously solid foundation and base to do this work,” says Ching. Ubisoft Toronto Art Director Patrick Ingoldsby has worked with many MTM graduates over the years. “We’ve hired talented graduates from MTM and continue to be impressed with the calibre of skill, education, and reliability of the artists,” he says. “MTM, as an art college, has a keen understanding of the creative talents and skills that are required in the real world.” Good concept art is a requirement for all visual entertainment arts, and good concept artists will continue to be in demand.

Interested in learning more about becoming a concept artist? Contact MTM’s Admissions Rep at admissions@maxthemutt.com or learn more at maxthemutt.com. This article was sponsored by Max the Mutt.

I knew I wanted to work in health care around grade 10. I started getting excited by science, specifically medically-related science. I was extremely intrigued by any medical show I saw on TV. The human body was so fascinating to me — everything works so perfectly somehow, from creating human life to bones healing after being broken. My passion for medicine turned into a love for nursing specifically when I started working as a personal care attendant for Mario Vella in London, ON, during my last year at Western University. The relationship I built while working so closely with a patient was incredible. Being able to put a smile on someone’s face because of my compassionate care in addition to my genuine interest in medicine was an automatic “apply to nursing school” sign.

Listen to their story, remain diligent with your care, clarify when questions come up, and treat them as you would your family.”

What kind of advice can you give to those striving to pursue a rewarding career in the health care sector? Remind yourself that the individuals you’re working with are going through some of their lowest moments in life. If you can do anything — big or small — to put a smile on their face, please do so. Listen to their story, remain diligent with your care, clarify when questions come up, and treat them as you would your family.

How did you know that a career in health care was the right choice for you? Easy — the feeling of collaborating with a team to bring an individual back to a happy and healthy state is like no other. Nothing felt more right than my choice to work in such a fulfilling career.

Follow Barbara on Instagram @yournursingeducator.