Stampede Work Experience with the Calgary Boys and Girls Club

By: Jason Z.

Work experience is hard to come by these days, and with the summer fast approaching and the school year ending, the Calgary Stampede is a great opportunity to take advantage for accumulating this invaluable wealth called work experience.

The work experience program is a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary and the Calgary Stampede. Offering a chance for youth to practice and refine their skills in application writing, job interview, punctuality, and customer service. The work experience program does pay handsomely for a six-hour part time job, and offers an range of positions as well as shifts for you to pick. Sounds all too good to be true? Well, getting accepted isn’t exactly a stroll through the park, there are thousands of youths applying each year and only a small fraction of that number will be the lucky few that gets to wear a uniform under the scorching hot sun. Speaking of the sun, even though the program did its best to accommodate the youth’s schedules by allowing the freedom to pick and choose between AM and PM shift, the unforgiving sun on a hot summer day and the requirement to wear jeans make the jobs a sweat fest, so make sure to hydrate!

The information meeting is already over and done with, first priority is given to the youths who did attend, but interviews are not guaranteed (which means you still have a chance!). The deadline is April 22, 2014, but don’t count on it because the selection for the workers may have already been completed before the deadline. Make sure you submit a resume along with your application (don’t make the mistake I made a few years back) to the nearest Boys and Girls Club near you, application download and FAQ is here,

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours. Hopefully this experience will be of help in the near future when you apply for a full time job.

Will Your Career Choice Still Exist In The Future?

By Ankita K.

Are you looking for a job career? Well, be careful because in just two decades your job probably won’t exist anymore. According to Forbes, we will be seeing some very drastic changes in the job market.

If you were going to build a career in banking, then you should reconsider, because in twenty years there won’t be a need to deal with paper money, as people will rely solely on credit and on digital money. A career in the Post Office is also not a very good option, for most people will be using email in the future. Other jobs that will most likely disappear in the future are: a grocery store cashier, a film processor, a union organizer, a miner, and a fighter pilot.

The question is, what careers will still exist in two decades? It is certain to say that some jobs will always be in demand. For example, working in a barber shop can be a long-lasting career, and tax collecting is a very sustainable choice. Some more suitable jobs are: a mortician, a politician, an artist, and a religious leader.

But, in two decades there are also going to be new jobs created. As computer technology develops and more alternative energy sources are being explored, people will have more career choices and opportunities. A gene screener might come in handy in the Gattaca future. Maybe scanning genes will become a daily routine for job interviews or in increasing work productivity. However, there are more plausible jobs that can be created in the future, such as a hydrogen fuel station manager. Hydrogen can be cost-competitive to gasoline if refueling stations are mass-produced, according to a study conducted by the Ford Motot Company. Employees of those stations would need different skills than workers at current gasoline stations. Other possible jobs are: a quarantine enforcer, a drowned city specialist, a teleport specialist (yes, there might be teleporters in the future!), a robot mechanic, an animal guardian, a dirigible pilot, and a space tour guide. Just keep in mind that these are all predictions and it’s not guaranteed that people will take tours to space! So, don’t waste time preparing yourself for a space program.

In the future, a lot of new jobs will be created, while some will disappear, but it doesn’t mean that current jobs won’t exist anymore. On the contrary, a lot of today’s jobs will still exist in the future; they just won’t be in the same form. Educators will always be in demand for shaping new minds with knowledge and experience, but teaching may be different in the future from how it is now. In twenty years, we may wake up and not recognize our fast changing world!

For full job lists click here.

The Importance of Extra-Curricular Activities and Volunteering

By: Romany N.

The time has come where many juniors are exploring the endless options for post- secondary schools. Often, students do not limit their search to Canada and research international colleges across the world, which can offer more diverse programs that appeal to various academic or athletic abilities. However, the requirements for international students vary greatly from those that are here in Canada.

For example, many universities in Canada have a sole focus on academics and the rigorous course load and demands of the classes that you have chosen, whereas, many universities and colleges in American do not restrict their requirements to academics. American colleges concentrate on the activities that you partake in outside of school and how much you give back to your community through volunteering and work experience. The most crucial factors that American schools consider are your academic GPA, your character/personal qualities, your class rank, your extra-curricular activities, your personal recommendations, your rigor of secondary school record, your volunteer work, and your application essay. In addition, there are secondary factors that these universities take into consideration; these factors can vary from your alumni relation to your geographical residency.

If you have not made an effort to enjoy the endless possibilities of activities or volunteering, then do not worry. There is still ample time to join clubs and sports teams that will set you apart from other college applicants. Many students elect to apply for internships during the summer to gain the experience necessary and ensure that they have an interest in their possible major. These internships can be discussed with your designated guidance counselor or by appointment at the career center.

Lastly, I would like to enforce that the most important factors that American schools take into consideration can be outlined at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org according to the designated school.

Simple Steps to Finding a Job

By: Ankita K.
A lot of students prefer to work during the school year or in the summer. How does one find a reliable and interesting job? In 2011, the employment rate of youth between the ages 15 to 24 was 55.4 percent. This number suggests that finding a job is not only possible, but students have a very good chance of obtaining a job they want. The website, www.youth.gc.ca, provides some educating guidelines for students who are looking for a job. Students just have to follow several steps from the guidelines.

The first step in finding a job is to identify your goals and interests. It is important that you look for a job that will be beneficial for your future career and will help in identifying your personal values. Try to ask a question, “Which job will be best for me?” or “Is this job suitable for me?” These questions might help when deciding on which type of job to pursue.

The next step in finding a job is acquiring a Social Insurance Number or SIN. SIN is a nine-digit number that you will need in order to work in Canada. Children over 12 years of age can apply for their own SIN.

Writing a résumé and a cover letter is one of the major steps in the hunt for a job. They are your first contacts with a potential employer. A résumé is a short, point-form document that describes your experience, education, and skills. There are three types of résumés: a functional résumé that focuses on your skills, a chronological résumé that describes your experience, and a combination of both. It is important that you make your résumé presentable, clear, and concise, indicating honesty and professionalism. A cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies a résumé. You will use it to describe yourself and explain the reason why you are applying for the job. You will also make a request for the interview. Make your letter personal, but use a professional tone and be concise.

After submitting your résumé and cover letter, you should identify a reference, someone who an employer may contact to prove your qualifications. There are two types of references: character references and professional reference. Usually, you should wait for the employer to request a reference, and then give a list.

The most important step in acquiring a job is the interview process. The interview is the last step in making an impression and proving that you are fit for the job. It is crucial that you prepare yourself for the interview. For instance, one of the good ways to prepare yourself is to think about the questions that the employer might ask and to prepare possible answers. This will allow you to give deeper and more thoughtful answers, which can be advantageous. You should also research some background information on the company to which you applied to work. Remember to be confident, professional, punctual, and to dress appropriately.

These tips make the process of finding a job much easier for an inexperienced student. They allow a student to be more successful at acquiring a desirable job. The Youth Canada website provides detailed suggestions for this process. The website is highly beneficial for students with different cultural backgrounds and experience, as finding a job can be a very long and difficult process.

Planning For Your Future

By: Chloe A. and Thea H.

University application time is quickly coming upon us. It is a stressful, but exciting time of year. Grade twelve students are nervous about which major to choose, where to apply, and whether or not their marks are up to par. As you may know, our school recently had a post-secondary fair that featured many Canadian universities. Hopefully, students now have all the information they need, but if not, there are always student counsellors who can help to fill in the gaps. It is sometimes hard to decide whether to go away to university, to stay in Calgary and go to school, or to make a big jump and go abroad for post-secondary education. However, the application process is quite similar for any university. Here is a short summary of all you need to know about planning for post-secondary education.

The first step is to choose a school. Since it costs money to apply, it is best to choose only universities that really appeal to you, which will require research; this could include campus tours, university information booklets, and, of course, word of mouth.

One perk of staying in Calgary is having the comfort of knowing your surroundings and living at home. A lot of students stay for their first year of university or for their first degree and transfer for the rest of their education. This can save both a lot of money and a lot of stress compared to moving to a new city right away and living on your own. Nonetheless, some people want a change after high school. Moving to a new part of the country can give you a new experience that you would never get living at home; it forces you to be independent and to make a new life for yourself. While it is true, that it is more expensive than staying home, going away to another province to school can offer a lot of benefits to you as an individual. Additionally, going abroad to another country is an option. This can be stressful due to the new environment, and can also require extra testing like the SATs in the US, but that is a small price to pay for the unique and enlightening experience you can have. It is up to you to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether the comfortable life back home or the exciting world of a new country is the right place for you.

Once you have picked the few universities in which you are really interested, it is time to start applying. This can be done either online or via mail. Online application is much more efficient and allows you to keep up with the latest updates. You can also track the status of your application online, and some universities will even give price discounts if you do it this way. You will usually hear back by November, at the earliest, and at the latest, in May, depending on when you apply. Once you have been accepted, it will be time to make the final decision on where you want to go.

These and other factors will play a huge role in your post-secondary planning, but no matter what, remember that you are doing this for yourself. We’re talking about your future, and these are some very important steps in the journey of the rest of your life, so don’t be afraid to pick that which is best for you. Remember to have lots of fun and surely, it will be a great experience!

Student Loans for Albertans

By: Robert L.
Many grade twelve students across Alberta are about to breathe a sigh of relief. Two weeks ago, Minister of Advanced Education Greg Weadick announced a complete overhaul of the process to get student loans in Alberta. The new process involves a simpler system designed to improve the user-friendliness of the applications. Overall, the goal of the province, according to Weadnick, is that “We want to make sure finances are never a barrier to students’ education”.

The current student loan application considers many factors in making decisions regarding student loans. Information about a student’s earnings, savings, and RRSPs all affect a student’s eligibility. For some students, this adds unnecessary hassle and complexity, something that Weadick wishes to change. To solve this problem, a Flat Rate Student Contribution policy will be introduced. Rather than going through a lengthy assessment, the Flat Rate Student Contribution allows students to put up a constant sum of $1,500 when applying for the loan. Forced parental contributions will also be rendered obsolete. As well, restrictions for international students will be removed.

In addition to simplifying the system, the new program will also provide financial benefits to students. When students complete their university education, they are given a six-month grace period during which they are not required to pay off the loan, however interest is still accumulated over this time. The new loan arrangement will abolish this interest, allowing students to enjoy their grace period with no strings attached. Loan remissions will also change. Instead of the Government of Alberta paying off a certain amount of students' loans, a completion grants program will be established. Upon completion of a certificate, diploma, applied bachelor or bachelor degree program, students will receive anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in grants. Retention grants will also be given to graduates who choose to work in Alberta for three years or longer in occupations that the province deems “essential”.

All of these changes will be implemented in order to make the loan process more predictable and transparent. The hope is that more students will be interested in staying in Alberta for their studies. For those high school seniors who want to stay close to home, this announcement is sure to relieve some of the stress involved with university.

Sources:

1. Donelly, Greg. "Alberta government simplifies student loan application process." Global News Edmonton. 13 Feb. 2012. 
2. "Major changes coming to Alberta’s student aid plan." MacEwan News. 13 Feb. 2012.
   

IB Ambitious

By: Doke W.

So here’s the deal. IB is not for the procrastinators or the slackers. I’m sure that whenever you hear anything about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program it probably sounds dreadful. 

And yes, it can be. Even for the brightest students IB isn’t an easy program. IB students are some of the smartest students in our school, but that isn’t all there is to it. To be a successful IB student, the single most important thing you must have is ambition. You have to work hard, study for countless hours, and be willing to see your marks go down a little.

As most WCHS students probably don’t take any IB courses, all they know about IB is from hearing others talk. Most of these conversations make IB sound terrible, but don’t forget the great rewards.

IB teaches you so many skills that a regular Alberta Diploma student will not learn until he or she takes post- secondary courses. You learn to think in strange ways as taught in TOK (Theory of Knowledge), a class only available to Full IB students. Higher level IB classes can even get you post-secondary credit! But most important of all, the sense of achievement you get is incredible. Knowing at the end of grade 12 that you were able to complete such a rigorous program of study is a terrific feeling!

I’m proud to be an IB student. Join me, and seek out your inner keener.