Career Options High School Edition - Fall 2012

VOLUME VI, FALL 2012

Would you survive the “Dragons’ Den”?

CBC dragon Bruce croxon on hoW to Be an entrepreneur

hoW to land a co-op position

Where to earn your degree in aDventure sports: Co travels to neW Zealand

Take the plunge! International education is your path to adventure page 22

ContentsWe WoULD LIKe to tHAnK oUR ADVeRtIseRs...34 AlbertaCollegeofArtandDesign(ACAD)

20-21 AlgomaCentralCorporation

29 AlgomaUniversity

33 ApplyAlberta

27 AutomotiveBusinessSchoolofCanadaatGeorgianCollege

17 CanadianAgriculturalHumanResourcesCouncil

31, 33 CareerConnections—InsuranceInstituteofCanada

36 EducationFirst

35 HumberCollegeBusinessSchool

24, 25, 33 HumberCollegeInstituteofTechnologyandAdvancedLearning

2 HumberCollegeSchoolofMediaStudiesandInformationTechnology

26 InformationTechnologyAssociationofCanada(ITAC)

25, 34 McGillUniversity,MacDonaldCampus

33 MiningIndustryHumanResourcesCouncil(MiHR)

16, 34 PraxisSchoolofEntrepreneurship

4, 34 SheridanCollegeInstituteofTechnology

30 UniversityofGuelph-Humber

19 UniversityofWindsor

9, 11, 13, 34 YorkUniversity

[eVen MoRe] CAReeR optIonsAs always, you can check out the latest issue of Career Options online, or browse the archives for more great feature articles from past issues. But there’s a lot more in store at our website, careeroptionsmagazine.com.

BLogspot is a space where guest bloggers share their thoughts about post-secondary education, entering the workforce, finding the “right” job and getting a career on track. Submit your own blog ideas at careeroptionsmagazine.com/blogspot.

pInteRest is the latest social media craze, and Career Options has hopped on the bandwagon. The virtual pinboard is used to share interesting photos and ideas—we use it to help students and recent graduates in all aspects of their careers. Check out our boards for job interview tips and outfits, dorm decoration ideas, university/college application advice, books worth reading and much more. Visit pinterest.com/careeroptions.

Keep up with the latest career advice, news and views: follow Career Options on twitter, join the Facebook page, subscribe to our rss feed and join our linkedin group.

6entrepreneurship: the opportunity of a lifetimeByJordanAdams

8young Canadians Building amBitious ventures8 SimonJalbert

17 BellaHwang

19 EvanPrice

10soCial entrepreneurship: Combining Business savvy with desire to Change the World ByJordanAdams

14intervieW With a dragon: the risks and Benefits of Being an entrepreneur ByJordanAdams

18Where to Find help: resources available to advance your entrepreneurial goals

22sports-mad neW Zealand: Combine adventure with study in Kiwi-landByKathrynYoung

28helpX helps those Who help themselvesByJasmineIrwin

30Be your oWn hero: how to embrace adventure in your CareerByDavidLindskoog

32getting a head start on your Brilliant FutureByJamesDavidson

Co high school edition 3

4 VOLUME VI, FALL 2012 careeroptionsmagazine.com

Editor-in-ChiefPaulD.Smith

Managing Editor|gordongroupSimonOsborne

Project Management|gordongroupMateiSavulescu

Editing / Proofreading|gordongroupJordanAdams

Art Direction / Print Management|gordongroupLeslieMiles

Design & Layout|gordongroupRenéDick AlinaOliveira

Director of Advertising Sales|gordongroupKirillKornilov

Distribution Representatives|gordongroupRoxanneJoncas CintiaRatmono

Advertising Sales|gordongroupPaulinedeGonzague ColleenHayes AndrewMoore

ContributorsJordanAdams ErinJacksonJamesDavidson DavidLindskoogJasmineIrwin KathrynYoung

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eDItoR’s LetteRCeLeBRAtIng entRepReneURs, RIsK tAKIng AnD LeADeRsHIpInthisissueofCareer Options High School Editionwecelebrateentrepreneurs,thosepeoplewhocreateasuccessfulbusinessfromtheirimaginationandeffort.Startingyourownbusinessisaveryrealoptionfornewgrads,andtherearelotsofsuccessstories,afewofwhichwepresenthere.Andthereareplentyofresourcesavailabletohelpyougetstarted,someofwhicharealsointroducedhere.Forexample,experienceisagreatteacher,andfranchiseopportunitiesofferresourcesandmentorstohelpyougetstarted.Ifyouthinkyoumightenjoyworkingforyourself,thenreadon—thereissomethinginsideforyou.Andifyou’renotsureaboutworkingforyourself,thenyoushouldreadon,too.Thefirstquestionanyentrepreneurmustansweris“AmIcutoutforthis?”Theanswertothatquestionisthemostimportantpieceofinformationyouwillneed.

Successofthetypethatcreatesjobsforotherpeopleisexceptional,andmust,bydefinition,requireanexceptionalpath.Graduationfollowedbyemploymentwithalargecorporationorgovernmentdepartmentisaworthyaccomplishment,anditisawell-travelledroadthatoffersestablishedrewards.Thosewhoseekadifferentkindofsuccessmusttakeadifferentroad,andleavebehindthecomfortofthecrowd.Doingsointroducesanelementofenhancedrisk,asanyinnovativeeffortmust,butitalsooffersenhancedreward.Beingyourownbossoffersthefreedomtodowhatyouwant,andthethrillofmakinganimpactonyourownterms.However,theseperkscomeataprice:theriskoffailure.Balancingthisequationisthechallengeallentrepreneursmustface—howmuchriskwilltheytoleratetocollecttheirreward?

Ifentrepreneursareindeeddifferent,perhapsitistheirwillingnesstotakeonriskthatmakesthemso.Infact,thatisoneofthetheoriesexplainingwhysomepeoplearewillingtogamblewiththeirmoney(ortheirfamily’s)andtheirtime.Butothersdisagree,pointingtostudiesthatshowentrepreneursdon’tseeriskasothersdo.Theybelievesostronglyontheirideathattheysimplycan’timagineitwillfail.Sobeitagambler’sheartorthefaithofthebeliever,somethingdrivestheseexceptionalpeopletomaketheirownway.StatisticsCanadareportsthatthesmallandmediumenterprise(SME)sectoristhelargestemployerofCanadians,anditstandstoreasonthatagoodnumberofthoseSMEsareownedandrunbyentrepreneurs.Canadiansoweagreatdealofourprosperitytotheindividualswhotaketherisktostarttheirowncompanies,andthatisnotlikelytochange.

Enjoytheissue!

paul d. smith

Paul D. Smith is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers and Editor-in-Chief of Career Options magazine. Email Paul at [email protected].

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: cacee.com, careeroptionsmagazine.com


entRepReneURsHIp: tHe oppoRtUnIty

of A LIfetIMe

Risk-taker,innovator,trailblazer,opportunist:manywordscouldbeusedtodescribeanentrepreneur,butwhatexactlydoes

entrepreneurshipitselfentail?Themostbasicdescriptionofanentrepreneurissomeonewhostartshisorherownbusiness,buttheconceptgoesalotdeeperthanthat.

OnefrequentlyreferenceddefinitioncomesfromHarvardBusinessSchoolprofessorHowardStevenson:“Entrepreneurshipisthepursuitofopportunitywithoutregardtoresourcescurrentlycontrolled.”Whatthismeans,accordingtoDaveValliere,professorofentrepreneurshipatRyersonUniversity,isthatyouseeanopportunitythat’s“socompelling,”youhavenootherchoicebuttopursueit—evenifyoudon’thavethenecessaryresources.Yousimplyassumethatyou’llfindawaytogetitdone,hesays.

ThE ATTRIbUTEs OF An EnTREpREnEUR

Thereisno“cookie-cutter”setofskillsyouneedtobeanentrepreneur,saysSimonJalbert,aparticipantinTheNext36,anationalprogramforCanadianundergraduatestudentinnovators.Theonetraitmostentrepreneursshare,however,isdrive.Youneedambitionandastrongworkethicinordertobeasuccess.

“Tobeasuccessfulentrepreneur,youhavetoloveareallylongworkweekwhereyou’rethinkingconstantlyaboutyourbusiness,andhaveadeep-seatedpassionandfocus,”saysClaudiaHepburn,ExecutiveDirectorandco-founderofTheNext36.“Withoutthatyoucan’tsellyourideatoanyone,orbounceoutofbedearlyorstaylatetomakeitsucceed.”

Therearemanyotherusefultraitsthatcanhelpyouachieveyourgoalofstartingabusiness.Whiledriveandworkethicaredifficultto“learn,”therearemanyvaluableskillsthat,expertssay,peoplearenotbornwithbuttaught.

Forexample,anabilitytosellisaskillthatsomepeople,mostlyintroverts,thinktheyneedtobebornwith—butthisisamyth,saysValliere.“There’sresearchtosupportthatyouaren’tbornwithit,”hesays.“Anybodycandothis,learnthis,andbesuccessfulinit.We’velookedatsuccessfulentrepreneursandfoundthatallsortsofpeoplearesuccessful,andithasnothingtodowithyourpersonality.”

Another“learn-able”skillishowtothinklikeanentrepreneur.Infact,programsliketheentrepreneurshipmajoratRyersonUniversity’sTedRogersSchoolofManagementarebasedonteachingentrepreneurialskills.

“It’saboutseeingthingsthatdon’tyetexistandfiguringouthowtocreatethem.Wethinkofourselvesasthecreativeorartisticpartofbusiness,”saysValliere,whoisalsothedirectorofRyerson’sEntrepreneurshipResearchInstitute.“Entrepreneursseepossibilities;theyseethingsthatdon’tyetexist.Theyhaveadifferentsetofmentaltools.”

Forexample,allofthetechnicaltoolsneededtocreatewebsiteslikeAmazonorFacebookalreadyexistedbeforethesesiteswerecreated.Peoplemaythinkthosesiteswerenotinnovativebecause“anyonecouldhavedoneit,”Vallieresays.“Theycouldhavedoneit,buttheydidn’t.Thequestionis,howdoyoudevelopthatabilitytoseethingsbeforesomebodydoesit?Alotofthingsareobviousafterthefact.”ThisiswhatentrepreneurmajorsatRyersonlearn,alongwithopportunityidentification,businessplanningandmanagementofinnovation.

GROwInG ThE EnTREpREnEURIAL spIRIT In CAnAdATheresearchValliereconductshaslookedatcultureasapossiblecauseofwhetherpeopleinasocietywillthinklikeentrepreneurs.

ManythinkthatCanadadoesn’tproduceenoughhigh-impactentrepreneurswhocreateworld-classcompaniesandproducts.Vallieresaysacountry’sculturecanhaveanimpactonhowmanyentrepreneursareproduced:“Canadiansareverymodest;they’renotshootingforthestars.Theycan,buttheydon’t.”

JuniorAchievementisoneprogramforhighschoolstudentsthataimstoinspiremoreyoungCanadianstoaspiretobecomeentrepreneurs.Throughfreeprogramsrunbyvolunteers,highschoolstudentslearnessentialbusinessskillsandcanevenstarttheirownbusinesses.JuniorAchievementalsooffersmanyscholarshipsandawardstorecognizeachievementamongCanadianyouth.

Accordingtotheprogram’swebsite,JuniorAchievementparticipantsare“50percentmorelikelytoopentheirownbusinesswhichleadstoinnovation,newjobs,andwealthcreation.”Theyalsostatethat“byprovidingyouthwiththeskillsnecessarytobecomeinnovative,productive,andcontributingcitizens,JuniorAchievementensuresthecompetitivewell-beingofCanada’seconomy.”

Somehighschoolsarealsobringingentrepreneurshipintotheclassroom.ProgramsliketheBusinessSpecializedHighSkillsMajor(SHSM)inOntarioschoolsteachstudentstheskillstheyneedtobesuccessfulinbusinessandentrepreneurship.TheprogramisabundleofnineGrade11and12credits,includingfourbusinessmajorcreditsandtwoco-opcredits.Studentsarealsotrainedinessentialskillsandworkhabits.

“Igainedspecializedknowledgeandskillsthatarehighlyregardedinthebusinessworldandbypost-secondaryinstitutions,”saysHayleyHeaslip,whograduatedwithaBusinessSHSMfromCanterburyHighSchoolinOttawa.“I’vemoldedavitalpartofmyskills,workedtowardsexploring,refining,andidentifyingmypersonalcareergoals,andIhavebeengivenasafeenvironmenttotestmyideas.”Oneof

By Jordan Adams


“iT’S ABouT SEEing ThingS ThAT Don’T yET ExiST AnD FiguRing ouT how To CREATE ThEM.”

thoseideaswasherchocolatebusiness,whichshewasabletostartwiththehelpofteachersandskillslearnedinhercourses.

“Ialsohadthesupportofmyfellowclassmates,”shesays.“Theywereabletousethemarketingskillstheylearnedbyhelpingmewithbranding,websitedesign,accounting—and,ofcourse,tastetesting!Ibuiltmyselfabasicbusinessplan,andwithinafewmonthsIhadmyfirsteventbooked,”saysHeaslip.“Thisprogramhasopenedmyeyestotheamazingopportunitiesthatarethereforstudentstobuildtheirfuturesasentrepreneurs.”

ThereareseveralcoursesonentrepreneurshipintheBusinessSHSMforanyofthepost-secondarypaths:university,college,apprenticeshiporworkforce.Courseslike“Entrepreneurship:VenturePlanning



inanElectronicAge,”“AnalysingCurrentEconomicIssues,”and“Marketing:Goods,Services,Events”teachstudentstheskillstheyneedtobesuccessfulinnovators.

ThE RIsky sIdE OF EnTREpREnEURshIp

“Entrepreneurshipisaveryriskythingtodoandalotofbusinessesfail,”saysHepburn.“Youcan’tbetooidealisticandcaughtupinyourownwayofthinking.Youneedtorespondtomarketsignalsforwhenyourproductisn’twanted.”

Thepublicoftenassumesthatentrepreneursarebigrisk-takers,Vallieresays,butitonlylooksriskyfromtheoutside.“Entrepreneursdon’tliketotakerisks...Theyhaveextrainformation;theyknowsomethingthatwedon’t.Soweteachhowtodothat—howtofigureoutwhatnooneelseknowsyet,”hesays.

Somestudentsmaybewonderingiftheirdegreewillmakethemgoodentrepreneurs.Thebiggerquestionis,doyouneedabusinessdegreetobeasuccess?RodneyLarmand,PresidentofCollegeProPainters,acompanythatdevelopsover700studententrepreneursayear,saysno.“Nomorethanhalfofourstudentsareinbusiness,”hesays.“Alotofartsstudentsfindtheyreallylikerunningabusiness.Thenon-businessstudentslearnwheretheywanttheirlifetogoandhowtogetintothebusinessworld.AndIthinkalotof

themwillsourceoutanentrepreneurialroleinacorporation,likebeingahigh-levelmanager.”

LarmandsaystheCollegeProPaintersprogram—runningforover40years—canhelpminimizeriskbyprovidingparticipantswithmentorshipandeducationonhowtorunabusiness.Studentsleaseafranchiseforoneyearandlearntheinsandoutsofentrepreneurshipastheygo.Anintensetrainingprogramtakesplaceduringtheschoolyeartopreparestudentsforworkinthesummer.Theylearnhowtomarkettheirservices,hireemployees,dealwithcustomers,draftestimates,createbudgets,managefinancesandresolveconflicts,amongotherbusinessskills.

CollegeProensuresitsstudententrepreneursspeakwithpastparticipantstogainasenseofhowtheprogramworks.“Thatwaythey’reabletounderstandthechallenges,andtheupsanddowns,”Larmandsays.“Peopleexcelbasedonhowquicklytheylearn.Youhavetounderstandyou’regoingtomakemistakes.”Entrepreneursmakealotofmistakes,andgoodentrepreneursdon’trepeatthem.Successcomesfromhowquicklyyoulearnfromthosemistakes,hesays.

bEnEFITs OF EnTREpREnEURshIp

Attheendoftheday,havingthatdriveandpassionwillbeyourmostimportantkeyto

successasanentrepreneur.Ifyou’redoingwhatyoulove,anddoingitonyourownterms,youcanachievewhatmanyarestrivingfor:beingyourownboss.

“Entrepreneurshipisagoodmethodofachievingallsortsofgoals:makingmoney,improvingtheworld,andhavingafunandinterestingcareer,”saysValliere.“Alotofpeopledoitfortheautonomy;theydon’twanttohaveaboss.Theywanttodotheirownthingandsettheirownhours.Ormaybetheywanttocreatealegacy.”

Achievingsuccessandautonomymeansyouneedtobeproactiveandself-motivated.“Ifyouhavetobedirectedbyothers,you’renotreallyentrepreneurial,”saysLarmand.

Thesooneryoustartthinkingaboutyourideas,thebetter.

“It’snevertooearlytostartthinkingabouthowyoucansolveaproblemandmakelifeeasierforpeople,”saysHepburn.Co

Jordan Adams is a Carleton university journalism graduate.

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: ryerson.ca/ent, tedrogersschool.ca, thenext36.ca, collegepro.com, jacan.org, edu.gov.on.ca, careeroptionsmagazine.com

Thisyoungentrepreneur’spassionforbusinesssparkedfromanunlikelybackground:sports.SimonJalbert’sloveofbeingpartofateamand

playingaleadershiproletranslatedwellintohisstart-upcompanies.AftercompletinghisbachelorofcommerceatSaintMary’sUniversity,Jalbertwasselectedtoparticipate

inTheNext36entrepreneurshipprogram.Withhisteam,hedevelopedatabletapplicationcalledStrokeLink,whichhehopeswillempowerpeoplewhohavesufferedastroke.Theappincludesexerciseprogramsspecifictothepatient,progressmonitoringandeducationalmaterial.

“Everyoneseemsextremelyexcitedaboutit,”saysJalbert.“We’vebeeninvitedtospeakathealthtechnologyconferencesalloverCanada.Peoplearetakingnotice,whichisdefinitelyexcitingforus.”

JalbertandthethreeothermembersofhisteamtakeondifferentrolesfortheStrokeLinkproject.Hedoesmostofthefinancialwork,butsaysentrepreneurshavetodiptheirhandsinallpots.“I’lldosomedesignworkandqualityassurance—youfindyourselfdoingabitofeverything,”hesays.

Asamemberandpresidentofhisuniversity’sStudentsinFreeEnterprise(SIFE)chapter,JalbertalsohelpedtodevelopanemploymentassistanceprogramforyoungpeopleinHalifax.“WeidentifiedthatalotofkidsinHalifaxdon’tcomefromwealthyfamilies,”hesays,“soweanalyzedHalifaxandasked,

‘Whatindustryhasthemostjobstoofferpeople?’Outofthatresearchwestartedaprojectwherewetaughtthosekidstheskillstheyneedandhowtodowellininterviews.”About97percentofstudentsintheprogramgotjobsintheend,hesays.

Hisadviceforyoungentrepreneursistodeveloptheirattentiontodetail.“Anabilitytomovebacktothebiggerpictureisimportantaswell,”hesays.“Andfinally,youhavetodevelopideas,youalwayshavetobepitchingandbethebestsalespersonyoupossiblycan.”Co

yoUng

CAnADIAns

BUILDIng

AMBItIoUs

VentURes:

sIMon JALBeRt


Isthereaprobleminsocietythatyou’dliketoseeeliminated?Doyouhaveanentrepreneurialspiritandnewideas?Doyouhavepassion,drive

andoptimism?

Socialentrepreneurshipmaybethecareeryou’vebeensearchingfor.Notonlyisitfulfillingtoworkforyourselfasanentrepreneur,butyou’realsoworkingforothersandforthebenefitofallsociety.

Twoleadingsocialentrepreneurswhohavehelpedchangetheculturesurrounding

sOCIAL EnTREpREnEURshIp:

CoMBInIng BUsIness sAVVy WItH DesIRe to

CHAnge tHe WoRLD By Jordan Adams


charitableactivitiesandventuresareCanadianbrothersMarcandCraigKielburger.ThroughtheirorganizationsFreeTheChildrenandMetoWe,theyhaveinspiredagenerationtopushforsocialchange.

“Socialentrepreneurshipiscreatingalifestyletocreatebetterchoicesforabetterworld,”saysMarcKielburger,co-founderofFreeTheChildrenandMetoWe,whospoketoCareer OptionsatarecenteventforyoungentrepreneursinvolvedinTheNext36—anationalprogramfortopuniversityundergraduateentrepreneurs.

Socialenterprisescanbeeithernot-for-profitorfor-profit—aslongastheyareworkingtosolveaprobleminsociety.Throughdomesticprogramsandinternationaldevelopment,non-profitFreeTheChildrenaimstofreeyoungpeoplefrompovertyandexploitation,andinspireyouthtobecomesociallyconsciousglobalcitizens.

Whenthebrothersstartedtheircharityin1995,itwas“uncool”tocareaboutchangingtheworld.“IspentGrade9inalocker,”saysKielburger,addingthatmakingit“cooltocare”isanimportantfactorinthesocialentrepreneurshipindustry.

“It’saboutusingpeerpressureinapositiveway.It’scomingupwithactionsandopportunities,andusingcelebritiesandFacebook,”hesays.TheKielburgerbrothershavedonethatthrough‘WeDay’—ayouthempowermenteventheldacrossCanada,whereguestspeakersandperformersentertainandengageyoungvolunteers.

Inrecentyears,socialentrepreneurshiphasgainedmorerespectandattention,saysClaudiaDeSimone,ProgramDirectorofVenture,FellowshipandUniversityPartnershipsatAshokaCanada,aglobalorganizationofsocialentrepreneurs.“Tenyearsago,orevenfiveyearsago,people

didn’tunderstandthewords‘socialentrepreneurship,’”shesays.“Moreandmoreyoungpeoplearededicatedtocreatingapositivedifferenceintheworld,andcanseethemselvesactuallydoingthatforalivelihood.”

“Socialentrepreneurshipisgoingtobethedominantforcewithinsocialchange,asopposedtotraditionalcharitableactivities,”saysKielburger.Thetimeisripetostartasocialventure.“Getonthewaveandrideitbecausethisistheopportunitytojumponnow.Andyou’regoingtobecomealeaderinasectorasopposedtoafollowerinsomethingthat’sveryestablished.”

Sowhatadvicewouldtoday’sestablishedandyoungsocialentrepreneursgivetostudents?Theone,overridingrequirementisthatyouneedpassion;withoutthat,itwillbehardtogetthroughtoughtimes.

“Don’tstartuntilyou’vefoundaproblemthatyou’resopassionateaboutsolvingthatitjustmakesyoucrazy,”saysHeatherPayne,whostartedherownsocialventurecalledLadiesLearningCode.Hernot-for-profitbusinesshasbeenaroundforjustoverayearandhasalreadyseenmorethan1,700women(andsomemen—shedoesn’twanttoexclude)learntechnicalskillslikewebsitebuildingandphotoeditingfromover400volunteersinToronto’stechnologycommunity.Heraimistoreducetheinequalityofwomeninthetechnologyindustry.

“Wefoundawaytocreateareallywelcoming,comfortableenvironmentforwomenwheretheycanlearn.Plus,ourworkshopsareaccessibly-pricedandactuallyalotoffun,”saysPayne.For$50,womenspendafulldaywithtechexperts.

Paynehasworkedinatechstart-upcompany,butpreferssocialentrepreneurship.“I’mnotinterestedinbuildingthenextFarmville.Ilovesocialentrepreneurshipbecauseit’s

aboutlookingatanissueinsocietyandsaying‘Ithinkwecancomeupwithasolutionthatwillatleastmoveusintherightdirection.’”

Payne,whois25yearsold,saysstartingasocialventurewasriskyandabitscary,butitpaidoffintheend—she’sopeningachapterinVancouver,andhasplansformoreinCanadaandtheUnitedStates.Herbusinessbackgroundandentrepreneurialmindhelpedhersucceedinsocialentrepreneurship.“Ilovethewaythatsocialentrepreneurshipcancombineprinciplesfromthefor-profitworldandtheissueswereallydoneedtosolvetocreatereallyinnovative,interestingandsustainableenterprises,”shesays.

Onceyou’vefoundthecausethatdrivesyou,DeSimonesaystojumprightin.“Justtakearisk…Ifnothingishappening,createsomething.”Shesaysit’smucheasiertoattractpotentialinvestorsorpartnerswhenyoualreadyhaveyourideaandplaninplace.

Kielburgersaysthatonceyouhavethe‘why’ofyourventureready—thesocialproblemyouwanttofix—thenfigureoutthe‘how.’Hesaystobeshamelesslyidealisticand“comeupwithalargervisionthanyouthinkyoucanfulfill.”

“Getyourselfoutofyourcomfortzone.”Co


FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: freethechildren.com, metowe.com, canada.ashoka.org, ladieslearningcode.com, careeroptionsmagazine.com

“Don’T START unTiL you’VE FounD A PRoBLEM ThAT you’RE So PASSionATE ABouT SoLVing ThAT iT JuST MAkES you CRAzy.”


CBC’shittelevisionshow“Dragons’Den”hasbroughtentrepreneurshipintotheprimetimespotlight.AspiringventuristspresenttheirideastotheDragons—someofCanada’sbrightest,mostsuccessfulentrepreneurs—inthehopeofstrikingadealthatwillbringtheirproducttothemarketplace.

OneofthoseDragonsisBruceCroxon,adigitalpioneerwhoco-foundedtheonlinedatingserviceLavalife.Henowinvestsindigitalstart-upsandownsachainofholisticspas,whilealsopartneringwithpromisingventuresheencountersontheshow.HetalkedwithCareer Optionsaboutwhatyoungentrepreneursneedtoknowtosucceed.

Career options: What is a typiCal day liKe For an entrepreneur?

BruCe CroXon:Iwouldsaytheansweristherereallyisnotypicalday,becauseIthinkbyitsnature,youhavetobereadytoadapttochangingsituationsdependingonthesizeofthebusinessyou’reinvolvedwith.Butifyou’rejuststartingup,therereallyisnotypicalday.You’reusuallyunderfunded,doingeverythingyourself.Itcanbeascramble.Thechallengeistotakethatchaosandthetemptationtoloseyourfocus,andtrytobringsomefocustowhatyou’retryingtodo.Sotheshortansweristhereisnotypicalday.

Co: What are the risKs and haZards oF Being an entrepreneur?

CroXon: Thechallengeofbeinganentrepreneuristhatitcanbeaverylonelyexistence.You’retakingresponsibilityforthesuccessorfailureofwhateveritisthatyou’rebeingentrepreneurialabout.Theriskisthatyoucanworkandworkandwork—andthere’snodoubtthatit’smoreworkthanamoreconventionalcareerpath—andtheriskisyoucanworkreallyhardandnotgettheresultsthatcanbeconsideredasuccess.Youhavetoletgoofthenotionthatyouputineighthoursofwork

andthereforeshouldgetthismuchmoney.Therealityisyou’llhavetoworkreallyhard,andtheamountofmoneyyougetfortheamountofeffortyouputinmaynotbeequal.Youhavetokeepgrindinguntilthingsstarttohappen.

Co:What are the BeneFits?

CroXon:It’saverypersonaljourney.Youacutelyfeeleveryvictoryandyouacutelyfeeleverydefeat.Ifyou’rethekindofpersonwhocanlivewiththeupsanddownsofit,andnotletitkeepyouawakeatnight,andifyou’restillanicepersontobearoundandtherollercoasterdoesn’teatyouup,there’snobetterfeelingthanworkinghardatsomethingandhavingthefruitsofyourownlabourcomeouttheotherside.It’saveryrewardingexperience.

Co:What are the qualities needed For a suCCessFul entrepreneur?

CroXon:Staminaandstick-to-it-ness.Youneedtoworkharderthanthenextperson.Youneedtobecomfortable[withthefact]thatyouneedtobethinkingaboutyourbusinesssevendaysaweek,24hoursaday.Inthiscompetitiveenvironment,ifyou’renotdoingthat,someoneelsewillbe.Ithinktheotherqualityofagoodentrepreneuristheabilitytolookinthemirroronceinawhileandrealizethatyoudon’thavealltheanswers.It’safineline,becauseyouneedenoughegotohaveenoughconfidencetodoitonyourown,butyouregocan’tbesobigthatyouignorethemistakesyoumakeorthelearningyougetfromotherpeopleandsituations.Sointrospectionwouldbeaqualityyouneed.Theabilitytoworkwithothers,too,unlessyou’reanexceptionallybrightperson—ofwhichI’vemetveryfewinmylife.

Co: When is a “good” idea really a Bad idea?

CroXon:Itdependsonwhatareayou’reworkingin.Iworkinthedigitalworld.The

goodandbadthingisyougetfeedbackveryquickly.Youknowhowpeopleusetheserviceandrespondtowhatyou’redoing.Youjustreallyneedtolistentoyourcustomersandpaycloseattentiontohowthey’readaptingtotheservice.Inmostindustriestoday,becausethingsmovealotquickerthantheyusedto,ifyou’vegotyoureyesandearsopen,thatfeedbackcomesprettyquickly.

Co: hoW do you KnoW When to quit?

CroXon:Ifyou’reanentrepreneur,you’reanentrepreneur.Quitdoesn’treallyenterintothevocabularyofthebestones.Theyjustneedtochange.It’snotaboutquitting,it’saboutadapting.Whenyougetacertainamountofinformationandyou’regettingevidencethatyourideadoesn’twork,youneedtogobacktothepeoplethatyou’retryingtogetascustomers,andaskwhatitisaboutwhatyou’redoingthattheydidn’tlike,andjustchangewhatyou’redoing.Oneofthequalitiesofagoodentrepreneuristhewillingnesstochangedirection,tonotgettoolockedintoyourownpointofview.Whentheevidencecomesinthatyourpointofviewisnotsharedbyamarket,youneedtoshiftgearsandchangeyouridea.That’sreallydifferentthanjustthrowinginthetowel.

Co: What adviCe Would you give to high sChool students as they enter post-seCondary With the intention oF Being an entrepreneur?

CroXon:Ifyou’regoingwiththeintentionofbeinganentrepreneur,I’dthinkseriouslyaboutwhetherpost-secondaryisgoingtohelpyoudothat.It’sgettingmoreandmoreexpensivetogoforaliberalartseducation,sounlessyou’regoingspecificallytostudybusiness,I’dthinklongandhardaboutit.Ifyouknowit’swhatyouwanttodo,thereisanargumentforgettingonwithit.Alotofparentswon’tliketohearmesaythat,butwhileIhadalotoffunatuniversity,asfar

InteRVIeW WItH A DRAgon:

tHe RIsKs AnD BenefIts of BeIng An entRepReneUR

By Jordan Adams


aspreparingmetobeanentrepreneur,I’mnotsureitdidthat.Alotmorepeoplegointouniversitythaneverbefore,andtowhatend?Aretherejobsfortheseguystowalkinto?I’mnotsureyou’llgetthatsittinginphilosophyclasslearningaboutVoltaire—notthatthere’sanythingwrongwiththat.Butdoyouwanttobeanentrepreneuroraprofessor?

Co: What do you Wish you KneW When you Were a young entrepreneur?

CroXon:Lookingback,IwishIhadknownalittlemoreaboutfinancingandtherighttimetobringcapitalintoabusiness.Sothebalancesheetandfinancialpartofthings,Icould’veusedabitmoreknowledgeabout.Theotherthingisit’sprobablyaseasytogowithabigideaasitisasmallidea.It’sthesameamountofwork,soyoumightaswellgoforthebigone.Co


FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: cbc.ca/dragonsden, brucecroxon.com, careeroptionsmagazine.com


bellaHwangisproofthatnotjustbusinessstudentshavetheentrepreneurialspirit.Theoccupationaltherapy

majorwasworkinginahospitalwhensherealizedshewantedtopursuebusiness,aftergettingatasteofentrepreneurshipwithafoodandculturemagazineshelaunchedwithafriend.Atthepediatricclinicwheresheworked,Hwangsays,she

“wasalwaysexcitedandkeentolaunchnewprogramswithmycolleagues,including

startingafeedingprogramandanaquaticprogramforchildrenwithdisabilities.”

Shethenstartedherownprivatepractice,andsuccessfullyhelpedotherslaunchtheirownpracticesaswell.Sherealizedshewantedtolearnmoreaboutbusiness,soshecompletedanMBAatSimonFraserUniversity.ThisledtoherhelpingtolaunchamaternalhealthcentreinruralUganda.

“Ithinkfrommyhealthbackground,I’vealwayshadaninterestincombiningentrepreneurshipandhealth,andworkinginthefieldofsocialentrepreneurship,”shesays.Shenowworksinthefieldof

“mHealth,”shorthandfor“mobiletechnologysupportinghealthcare.”

Hwangsayshersuccesshasbeenduetoherabilitytosayyestoeveryopportunity,leadingtoherwiderangeofexperiences.“Ithinkthishasbeenthekeytounderstandinghowtheworldworksandhowmyskillsandgoalsfitintoit,”shesays.

Forhighschoolstudents,Hwangrecommendskeepingyouroptionsopenbytakingbusinesscoursesbutalsoa“widebreadthofdifferentcoursestolearnmoreaboutyourselfandwhatyouareinterestedandpassionateabout.Youcanalwayschangewhatyoudecidetomajorin,andIthinkthatlifeisallaboutcontinuouslearning.”Co

yoUng

CAnADIAns

BUILDIng

AMBItIoUs

VentURes:

BeLLA HWAng


if you want to be an entrepreneur, it’s never too early to start developing your skills and business ideas. there are plenty of programs available to high school students across Canada—here is a small sample of the supports available to budding Canadian entrepreneurs:

Junior aChievement:ThisCanada-widenon-profitprogramhelpshighschoolstudentsbuildtheskillsneededtobecomeentrepreneurs.Alongwithfinancialliteracyandpreparingfortheworkforce,studentsdevelopbusinessskillsthroughseveraldifferentprograms,suchasCompanyProgram,wherehighschoolstudentsdeveloptheirownventurewiththehelpofmentors.JuniorAchievementprogramsarefreeforstudents,andtheyalsoofferover$500,000inscholarshipsandawardsacrossCanada.Learnmoreatjacan.org

ontario hs Business maJor: Ontarioschoolsoffera“SHSM”—specialisthighskillsmajor—inbusiness,wherestudentscanlearnawiderangeofskillsrelatedtotheirprofessionofchoice.Grade11and12studentstakeabundleofcoursesintheirstreamofchoice:apprenticeship,college,universityorentry-levelworkplace.AlongwithcreditsinEnglishandMath,studentsalsotakefourbusinesscreditsandtwoco-opcredits.Therearecourses

availabletohelpaspiringentrepreneurs,suchas“Entrepreneurship:VenturePlanninginanElectronicAge,”“BusinessLeadership:ManagementFundamentals”and“AccountingforaSmallBusiness.”CheckwithyourguidanceofficetoseeiftheBusinessMajorisavailableatyourschoolorvisitedu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/program.html#business

manitoBa high sChool investment Competition:ThiscompetitionforhighschoolstudentsisheldbytheUniversityofManitoba’sStuClarkCentreforEntrepreneurship.Studentspresenttheirrealbusinessestolocalbusinessprofessionals.ThereareawardsforBestWrittenPlan,BestTradeshow,BestElevatorPitchandBestLogo,amongothers.Pastprizeshaveincluded$2,000scholarships,iPadsandlaptops.Learnmoreatbit.ly/ononjo

aBoriginal youth entrepreneur Camp: ThiscampforGrade11and12AboriginalstudentsishostedbytheFirstNationsUniversityofCanadainRegina.Foroneweek,studentslearnaboutentrepreneurshipandsmallbusinessmanagement—includingskillsinmarketing,businessplans,networkingandcashflowprojections.Therearealsoactivitiessuchasshootingacommercial,meetingtopAboriginalentrepreneursandcompetingforprizes.Learnmoreatentrepreneurcamp.ca

sage Canada: StudentsfortheAdvancementofGlobalEntrepreneurship(SAGE)isaprogramrunforhighschoolersbystudentsatRyersonUniversity.Itispartof“aninternationalnetworkthatlinkshighschoolstudentswithopportunitiestomaketheworldabetterplacebycreatingandimplementinginnovativeprojects.”SAGEoffersworkshopsandcompetitions,andprovidesstudentswithreal-worldexperience.Moreinformationisavailableatsagecanada.com

BdC e-spirit aWards: ThesebusinessplanawardsarepresentedtoAboriginalhighschoolstudentsfromacrossCanadabytheBusinessDevelopmentBankofCanada.StudentsareexposedtoentrepreneurshipandthepossibilitiesoftheInternetwhendevelopingnewventures.Thewinnersoflastyear’scompetitionwereagroupofstudentsfromWinnipegwhocreatedabusinesstosellaffordableAboriginalcraftkits.Moreinformationabouttheawardsisavailableatbit.ly/TgsVrd

Askyourguidancecounsellorifthereareopportunitiestolearnmoreaboutentrepreneurshipinyourarea!

WHeRe to fInD

ResoURCes AVAILABLe to ADVAnCe yoUR entRepReneURIAL goALs


Throughaprogramcalled

“IWanttobeaMillionaire,”EvanPricereceivedasmallstart-upfundof$200tocreatea

business.Hewentontoturnaprofitwithhis“High-techHygiene”service—whichincludedcleaningandenergyauditsonappliances—allatthetenderageof10!Hehasn’tlookedbacksince,andtodaydescribeshimselfas“atruesalesmanatheart.”

Hisentrepreneurialspiritservedhimwellinlaterventures;mostnotably,hecultivatedthelargestcropoffiddleheadseastofOntario,andfoundedthelargestorganicbeerhopsfarminNovaScotia.ThesebusinesseshelpedhimpayforhisbachelorofcommerceatDalhousieUniversity,wherehewasVice-presidentofFinanceandOperationsforthestudentunion—handlingover$6.4millioninspendingand$2.7millionininvestments.

Impressedyet?Hewasalsonamedoneofthe“Top10entrepreneursunder35”byNovaScotia’sHighFliersprogram;receivedbusinessdevelopmentfundingtothetuneof$10,000;andwasnamedthebestco-opentrepreneurialstudentatDalhousiefor2010,receivingtheSagewoodgrantof$4,000.

Hissuccesseshaven’tallcomeeasily.“Thehardestpartsarealwaysaroundgettingtheconfidenceofothersandfindingpartnersorstart-upfundingtokeepgrowing,”Pricesays.“Butifyoutaketimeandbuildrelationships,that’smuchhardertobreakthansimplyhavingthebestprice.”

Pricesaysthatwhileeducationisimportant,buildingrelationshipsiskey.

“Makefriendswithsuccessfulpeoplearoundyou.Family,friends,parents—theyhavethekeystowhatworksforthemandknowthebusinessmodelstheyworkin.Themoreyouknownow,thebetteryouwillbeabletonegotiatelater,”hesays.Co

yoUng

CAnADIAns

BUILDIng

AMBItIoUs

VentURes:

eVAn pRICe


Lessthantwohoursaftergraduation,DannyDempseylandedajobintheshippingindustry.ArepresentativefromAlgomaCentralCorporationtookhimoutfordinneraftertheceremony,offeredhimajobasafourthengineer,andhehasn’tlookedbacksince.

Theuniqueenvironmentandcompetitivewagesmakeitarewardingcareer.

“Shiplifeisdifferentfromanyotherlife,”hesays.“WorkingwithAlgomahasgivenmetheopportunitytomeetcountlessindividualsfromportsallovertheworld.Oftentimesyou’llleavetheshipattheendofyourstretchfeelinglikeyouhaveleftbehindanotherfamily.”

Theshippingindustryworksdifferentlythanotherjobs.Mostofthecrewworksonarotationalbasis,whichinDanny’scaseisonemonthatwork,followedbyonemonthofscheduledtimeoff.HelivesinCapeBreton,NovaScotiaduringhistimeoffandenjoysusinghisfreetimetoscubadive.Hisinterestinalifeatseasparkedatanearlyage—hisfatheralsoworkedinthemarineindustry.Whileit’ssometimesdifficultbeingawayfromfamilyforperiodsoftime,thefreetimeathomemorethanmakesupforit,Dannysays.

Whenit’stimetostartwork,AlgomafliesDannytotheship,whichtravelsthroughtheSt.LawrenceSeawayandGreatLakes—providingplentyofopportunitytoexploredifferentcities.Danny’sfavouriteportofcallisHalifax,wherehecanenjoythewaterfrontanddowntown

area,meetingnewpeopleandreconnectingwitholdfriends.Whileonboard,Dannyhashisownprivateroomandtheopportunitytousetheship’sexerciseequipmentandrecreationroom.

Aboardtheship,Dannydoesavarietyofjobs.“Theengineerisinchargeofeverythingmechanical,electrical,orstructuralontheship.Fromthecomputerstothecrankshaft,airconditioningtorefrigerators,doorstowindshieldwipers,younameit,wemustbeabletomakeitwork.Wemustbeknowledgeableenoughtorecognizeaproblem,theneitherfixit,makedoorcallinthespecialists,”saysDanny,whorecentlycompletedathree-yearcadetprogramattheNovaScotiaCommunityCollegeNauticalInstitute.

Algomaofferstechnicallysophisticatedpositionsatvaryingskilllevels,butthetwomainpathsaretostartasacrewmemberandworkuptocertification,ortoattendapost-secondarycadetprogram(whichcombinesacademicswithco-opplacements).Bothofthesestreamsleadtocertificationasanofficerineithernavigationorengineering.Therearealsoopportunitiesaboardtheshipthatdon’trequirecertification,likegeneralpurposewatchkeepersandmechanicalassistants.

Ifalifeatseaisn’tforyou,Algomaalsohasonshoreopportunitiesinshipmanagement,engineering,navalarchitecture,accounting,informationtechnology,humanresourcesandmarketing.

LearnmoreabouttheopportunitiesAlgomahastoofferatwww.algonet.com.

aDvertorial

aBound in Canadian

shipping industryopportunities For young

people


AlgomaCentralCorporationisaleadingCanadianshippingcompany,owningandoperatingthelargestCanadianflagfleetofdry-bulkcarriersandproducttankersoperatingontheGreatLakes–St.LawrenceWaterway.Algomaspecializesinthebulkmarinetransportationofironore,stoneaggregate,grainproducts,cementandoilandchemicalproductstomanydifferentcustomersinCanadaandtheUnitedStates.

algoma Central Corporation’s investment in human Capital is CritiCal to the suCCess oF the organiZation.TheoverallperformanceofAlgomaCentralCorporationisdependentondedicatedandhighly-skilledemployees,includingseafaringpersonnel,captains,chiefengineers,shore-basedmanagementandsupportstaff.

AllofAlgomaCentral’speoplearealignedtoensuretheachievementofthecorporation’sgoalsandobjectives—includingOperationalExcellenceandCustomerSatisfaction.Wearecommittedtoourcorevaluesofintegrity,responsibility,respect,leadershipandteamworkandencourageanenvironmentwherethesevaluescanbefostered.ThisfocusonOperationalExcellencemakesusproudtosay,“WeareAlgomaCentralCorporation.”

Welcome aboard!AlgomaCentralCorporationoffersemployeessomeofthemostchallengingandtechnicallysophisticatedpositionsavailabletoday.Weoffercompetitivewagesandauniqueenvironmenttoutilizeyourskills.

shipboard opportunitiesShipboardopportunitiesthatrequirecertificationasan“officer”includethefollowing:

navigation: engineering:• Captain • ChiefEngineer• FirstMate • SecondEngineer• SecondMate • ThirdEngineer• ThirdMate • FourthEngineer • Electrician

Therearetwomainstreamsforofficertraining.OneisthetraditionalrouteofstartingasacrewmemberandgainingseaexperienceandthenwritingtheTransportCanadachallengeexamstoobtainthenextlevelofcertification.

Thesecondmethodistoattendoneofthemajorpost-secondaryinstitutionsthatoffercadetprogramsandcombineacademicswithco-opseatimeplacementstosittheTransportCanadaexaminationsforcertificationsasaThirdMateoraFourthClassEngineer.

IInadditiontotheofficerpositionsthereareanumberofotherrewardingshipboardpositionsnotrequiringpost-secondaryeducationincluding:

• BridgeWatchman • Able-bodiedSeaman• OrdinarySeaman • GeneralPurposeWatchkeeper• MechanicalAssistant/Oiler • Tunnelman/CargoMaintenance• Galleypositions

shore-based opportunitiesInordertoeffectivelymanagethesafeandefficientoperationofthelargestcombinedCanadianmerchantfleet,therearemanyshore-basedpositions.Shore-basedcareersincludeopportunitiesinshipmanagement,engineering,navalarchitecture,accounting,informationtechnology,humanresourcesandmarketing.Therequirementsforthesepositionsdifferbasedonthelevelofresponsibilityofeachpositionbut,generallyeachpositionrequiressomepost-secondaryeducation.

Ifyouareinterestedinmoreinformationonamarinecareer,pleasecontactus.

aDvertorial

guidanCe Counsellors: For more information about careers at algoma, or

to arrange for a representative to speak with students, please contact Brooke

Cameron, manager of human resources, at [email protected].


spoRts-MAD neW ZeALAnD: CoMBIne ADVentURe WItH

stUDy In KIWI-LAnDBy Kathryn Young


bungeejumping,blackwaterrafting,zorbing,jetboating,heliskiing:NewZealandisthemeccaforadventuresports,says19-year-oldB.C.

studentJuliaThrift.

“Whynotstudyinthecapitalofadventuretourism?”asksThrift,whoisenrolledinthesnowsportbusinessmanagementprogramatQueenstownResortCollegeonNewZealand’sSouthIsland.“Myfriendsaresojealous.”

SnowsportsisaspecialtywithinQRC’sadventuretourismmanagementprogram,wherestudentslearnmorethanjustthevisitorexperience.Theyalsolearnhowtodevelopandoperatedifferentmodelsofadventuretourismcompanies,andtheskillsneededforleadership,marketing,humanresources,writingbusinessplans,communicationsandmore.

“It’sallinternationallytransferrable,”explainsProgramManagerChrisWarburton.Infact,QRChasanagreementwithThompsonRiversUniversityinB.C.,wherebyQRCgradscanautomaticallygointothethirdyearofThompsonRivers’degreeprogram.Similaragreementsareinplacewithotherschools,includingOntario’sUniversityofGuelph,wherestudentscanstudyforoneortwosemestersatLincolnUniversityinN.Z.andpaytheregularUofGtuitionfees,ratherthanhigherinternationalstudenttuitionfees.

AdventuretourismisjustoneofmanyN.Z.post-secondarysportsprogramsthatareopentoCanadianstudents.AndEducationNewZealandisopenlycourtinginternationalstudents,especiallyfromNorthAmerica,fortheseprogramsthatgobeyondeliteperformancetoincludesportsbusinessadministration,recreationmanagement,sportsmassage,outdoorleadershipandevensportsturfmanagement.

great environment For sports

“Veryfewpeopleareeliteathletes,”saysDonMilham,TeamManagerattheSchoolofSportandExerciseScienceatWaikatoInstituteofTechnology,knownasWintec.“Buthealthandwellnessisacrossthelifespan.Wehaveagreatenvironmentforthat.”

WintecislocatedinthesmallcityofHamiltonontheNorthIsland,wherewinterdaytimetemperaturesareusually10to14°C.Andthat’spartofwhatmakesN.Z.asports-madcountry:it’seasytogetoutsideandbeactive

whenthetemperaturerarelydipsbelowzero,andthenonlyinthemountains.

“It’saverysports-dominatedsociety,”saysStewartBrougham,Wintec’sDirectorofInternationalization.“Itimbuessocietywithaviewthatsportissomethingyoushouldcontinuewith…Thatpassionforsportsfuelsthesupplyindustry.Youneedpeopletorunandmanagethesportsclubs,tomanageandcoachtheteams,workforcompaniesorteachsportsinschools.”

N.Z.offersCanadianstudentssomeattractivepost-secondary(theycallit“tertiary”)options.YoucanstudyinthelandoftheKiwiforasemesterortwo,takecoursesduringagapyear,doanexchangeprogram,orcompleteanentirediplomaordegree.YoucanevenearncreditsthatwillberecognizedbyyourCanadiancollegeoruniversity,throughpartnershipagreementsorindividualnegotiation.Andstudyingabroadcanofferacompromisebetweengapyeartravelandgoingontopost-secondary.

“Ireallywantedtotravel,butMomwantedschool,”saysThrift,fromWhiterock,B.C.ThecompromisewasQRC.“Queenstownhasblownmeaway—theconnectionsyoumake.I’vedonethingsthere’snowayIwouldhavedonebefore,likecanyoning.”

LincolnUniversitystudentJennHalliday,alsofromB.C.,urgesCanadianstudentstoapplyforN.Z.programs.“You’llneverknowifyoucouldhavemadeitifyoudon’ttry,”shesays.

“Youcanmakeitworkandyoucangethere.”

StudyingatLincoln—abeautifultreedcampussurroundedbyfarmlandjustoutsideChristchurch—isadreamthatHallidaymadecometruewithhardworktohelpoffsetthecosts.WhilestudyingabroadcanbemoreexpensivethaninCanada,shewasabletobringdownthepriceofherBachelorofSportandRecreationManagement.AndPhDstudentstakenote:youpaydomestictuitionfeesinN.Z.,notthehigherinternationaltuitionfeesthatundergradspay.

“Theprocessofstudyinginanothercountryenrichesyou,”saysBrougham.“You’reabitmorethoughtful,youlearntobemoretolerant.Itjustchangesyou.”Andthat’ssomethingyougetnomatterwhereintheworldyougo.

N.Z.isaneasyplacetoliveandstudy.Thecultureisdifferentenoughtobeinteresting,yetfamiliarenoughthatyou’llfeelathomeamongstfriendlypeople,speakingEnglish—

sortof.TherearelotsoffunKiwitermstolearnifyou’reinterested.

“IfoundNewZealandlikehome,butwithatwist,”saysHalliday.“Therearesomanyadvantages:youlearnaboutyourselfanddifferentcultures.”

many sports programsAswellasbachelor’sdegrees,Lincolnofferspostgraduatedegreesandcertificatesinsportandexercisephysiology,parks,recreationandtourismmanagement,plusaneliteSportsScholarshipProgramandtheAsiaPacificFootball[Soccer]Academy.

Wintecofferscertificateprogramsinsportsmassage,outdooreducationandrecreation,andfitnessindustrytraining.Bachelorprogramsareavailableincoaching,nutrition,exercisephysiologyandbiomechanics,andthere’saone-yearteachingprogram.Thecommunicationsschoolofferssportsjournalism.

OtagoPolytechnic—basedinDunedinontheSouthIsland,butwithothercampusesaswell—hascertificateand/ordiplomaprogramsinarangeofsubjects:snowsportinstructing,avalanchesafety,outdoorleadershipandmanagement,physicalconditioning,andsportsturfmanagement,plusabachelorofappliedscienceinphysicalactivity,healthandwellness.

QRC’sadventuretourismmanagementprogram,withitsspecialtyinsnowsportbusinessmanagement,includespaidinternships.

spoRts-MAD neW ZeALAnD: CoMBIne ADVentURe WItH

stUDy In KIWI-LAnD

“Why not study

in the Capital

oF adventure

tourism? my

Friends are so

Jealous.”


“last year

We lived on

a BeaCh For

a WeeK, roCK

ClimBing and

sea KayaKing.”


N.Z.hasapopulationofjustfourmillionpeople,soitscolleges,universitiesandpolytechnics(degree-grantinginstitutionsthatarelikeacrossbetweencollegeanduniversity)aresmalltoo.Classesaresmallandprofessorsreallygettoknowtheirstudents.

“Astudentsaidtome,‘Ican’tbelieveyougavemeyourcellphonenumbersowecancallyou,’”saysChrisHutchinson,Lincoln’sacademiccoordinatorforsportsmanagement.“Here,it’sfirst-nameterms.”

“Anybodywhocomesherecanbeabigfish,”saysMilham.

hands-on, praCtiCal sKillsThesportsprograms—whetherattheuniversitydegreeorcollegediplomalevel—focusonpracticalskillsandcareerbuilding.

“Realpeoplewithrealskillsgetrealjobs.That’salwaysbeenmyphilosophy,”saysGarySmith,programmanagerforOtago’ssportsturfmanagementprogram,wherestudentscompletepaidinternshipsatgolfcourses,rugbyfieldsandcricketpitches—andthengetsnappedupbyemployers.

“Whenyoucomeoutofthecourse,you’resetuptogointotheindustry,”saysDavidJamesMoseley,20,studyingoutdoorleadershipandmanagementatOtago.“Lastyearwelivedonabeachforaweek,rockclimbingandseakayaking.”Aftercompletinganinternship,henowhasafull-timesea-kayakingjobwaitingforhimwhenhegraduates.

“Someeducationalinstitutionslosesightoftheendgoal,whichisjobs,”saysCharliePhillips,CEOatQRC.“We’rereallyfocusedoncompletingthatloop.”Studentsaretreatedasprofessionalsrightfromthefirstday,whenthey’regreetedwith:“Welcome.You’restartingtoday,notintwoyears’time.”

Studentswearuniformsappropriatetotheirstudies—fortheadventuretourismstudents,it’sblacktrackpantsandblackQRCt-shirts—andaremarkedongrooming,attendanceandpunctuality.“It’sallaboutgettingreadyfortheindustry,”saysPhillips.“Ninety-sevenpercentofgraduatesgetjobs.”

Lincoln’sBachelorofSportandRecreationManagementdegreeincludesarequirementtocomplete480hoursofpracticalworkinasportorrecreationrole.Forexample,studentsrecentlyorganizedanOlympicgaladayfor800schoolchildren,whileothershandledtheregistrationandfinish-linefacilitiesfortheTourofNewZealand10-daycycleracethroughthewholelengthoftheSouthIsland.

“Oursisaveryenthusiastic,hands-on,fundegree,butdoescontainrobustacademictheorybeforethefunstuff,”Hutchinsonsays.“We’reworkingquitecloselywithindustry,notjustinChristchurchbutaroundNewZealand.”

early involvement in researChManyofthesportsprogramsalsoemphasizeearlyinvolvementbyundergradstudentsinresearchprojects“sobythetimetheygettothemasterslevel,it’snotnewtothem,”saysMilham,leadingatourthroughWintec’sbiomechanicslab.Onestudentisperiodicallyjumpingonametalplateonthefloor,sometimesusinghisarmsandsometimesnot,whilehiscolleagueslookatalaptopmeasuringhisimpact.Anotherlabhousesanaltitudemachineandaheatchamberwherestudentscancontrolforheatandhumidityduringexperiments.


LeahHutching,22,isasecond-yearmastersbiomechanicsstudentresearchingregularshoesversustoeshoes,andhowhumanmechanicschangeatdifferentspeeds.ShehopestoworkforasportsshoecompanyaftergraduatingfromWintec.

AtLincoln,MikeHamlin,academiccoordinatorforthesportsscholarshipprogram,describesresearchintonewtechnologiesaimedatboostingperformance,includingcompressiongarments,altitudetrainingforrugbyplayersgoingtoJohannesburg,andtheeffectsofblood-flowrestrictiononnetballathleteswhilethey’retraining.Result:increasedmuscleenduranceandstrength.(Netballissimilartobasketball.)

JennHallidaysaysstudyinginN.Z.hasbeenthebestthingforher.ShetalksregularlywithherparentsviaSkype.“They’resupportiveandproudofmethatI’mbraveenoughtotakeontheworld,”shesays.

SowhatwouldshetellCanadianstudentsthinkingofstudyinginN.Z.?

“Iwouldtellthemtogoforit,”shesays.“Don’tjustdreamaboutit,butactuallydoit!”Co

kathryn young is the former managing editor of Career Options. Education new zealand and Air new zealand invited her to tour n.z. tertiary education schools and sponsored her trip.

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: airnewzealand.ca, newzealandeducated.com, learnmorestressless.com, newzealandpostgraduate.com, lincoln.ac.nz, apfa.co.nz, queenstownresortcollege.com, otagopolytechnic.ac.nz, wintec.ac.nz, careeroptionsmagazine.com


“Ijustwishtherewasasimple,hassle-freewayformetoworksomewhereinterestinginreturnforfoodandlodging,”Isaidtoafriendaswe

waitedforatraininBarcelona.WewerebothstudentsonexchangeinFranceforthespring,andIwastryingtoplanwhattodofortheshortperiodafterschoolinEuropeendedbutbeforemysummerjobinCanadabegan.

“Well,thatexists,”shetoldme.“It’scalledHelpX.Lookitup.”Iwasinitiallyskeptical—IhadneverheardofHelpXormetanyonewhohadtriedit.MostinternationalvolunteerorganizationsIresearchedpresentedmazesofadministrativeredtape,sometimeswithheftyparticipationfees.

However,whenIreturnedhomeandvisitedthewebsite,IlearnedthatHelpXactsasaliaisonbetweenindependenthosts(familiesoremployersseekingassistanceinreturnforhousing)andhelpers(labourerslookingfortheopportunitytostaysomewherenew)foraminimal,one-timefee.Hostsofferpositionsthatincludefarming,hostelreceptionist,goatherderandchildcareworker.

Iwasstunnedatthesheernumberofpostings;therearethousandsofthem,organizedbygeographicalregion.AprospectivehelpercouldgardeninAlberta,tendsheepinIreland,assistinanelementaryschoolinMorocco—thepossibilitiesseemedendless.ThiswasexactlywhatI’dbeenlookingfor.

Severalmonthslater,IspenttwobeautifulweeksworkingoutdoorsinsouthernFrance,

stayingina17th-centuryfarmhousesurroundedbyvineyards.IamcertainitwillnotbemylastHelpXexperience.

HelpX.netlaunchedin2001andhasgrownsteadilyeversince.Thesiteisn’tflashyoraestheticallyarranged,butisveryeasytonavigate.Eachhostpostsaprofileofvaryinglengthanddetail—someincludepicturesandlengthydescriptionsoftheirhomeandthejob,whileothersareveryminimal.Thestandardarrangementbetweenhostandhelperisfivetoeighthoursofworkforfiveorsixdaysaweek;thesetermsaredependentoneachhost’sneedsandpractices.Toaccesshostcontactinformationandreadreviews,theuserpaysa

‘Premiership’fee,whichgrantsthematwo-yearHelpXmembershipfor20euros(around25dollars).Indoingso,theuserconstructsahelperprofile,whichdetailsiftheyaretravelingalone,withafriendorasacouple.Thehelpercanlistskills,qualificationsandintereststhatthehostmaylaterbrowse.Onceregistered,thehelpercansiftthroughpostingsandcontacthostsofferingjobsthatinterestthem.

HelpXershavetobeatleast18toparticipate(orbeaccompaniedbyaparentiftheyareunder18).Forstudentswhodon’tknowwhattheywanttodoafterhighschool,takingagapyeartotraveltheworldorpursueanunpaidinternshipisappealing,butcanalsobreakthebankwhenitcomestolivingexpenses.HelpXprovidesaninterestingalternative:youcantravelaslittleorasmuchasyouwantandtryyourhandatavarietyofdifferentvocations—allwhilelivingforfree(exceptforthecostoftransportation).HelpXcommitmentsvaryinlength—itcanbe

difficulttofindaplacementforlessthanoneortwoweeks,andtheycanlastuptoayear.Hostsoftenofferlongerstaysinexchangeforteachingskills,suchashowtobuildahouseaddition.Alotofhelperschoosetostayatavarietyofplacementstooffsetthecostoflong-termtravelingandexperiencenewjobs.

IfyouwanttotailoryourHelpXexperiencetofurtheryourcareerdevelopmentinspecificareas,thatisabsolutelypossible.ManyHelpXplacementstakeplaceintheareasofsmallbusiness,agriculture,buildingandhospitality.Evenifcareerdevelopmentisnotyourspecificobjective,it’shardtocomeoutofaHelpXplacementwithoutexperiencingsomeremarkableskillsandgrowth.

“MyinterpersonalskillsgrewinjustthefewweeksthatIdidHelpX,”saysKellyAgnew,astudentfromVirginiawhodidaplacementthisspring.“Iwasexposedtonewexperiencesthathavemademeamoreadaptableperson.”

IhopeI’veservedthesamepurposemyfrienddidwhilewewaitedforthetrainallthattimeago,givingasmallpieceofinformationthatcouldleadsomeoneelsetoabigadventure.ThebeautifulthingaboutHelpXisitisthereforyouwheneveryou’reready,foraslongasyouwant.ThesheepinIrelandarewaiting…Co

Jasmine irwin is a media and public interest student at western university.

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: helpx.net, careeroptionsmagazine.com

HeLpX HeLps tHose WHo HeLp tHeMseLVes

By Jasmine Irwin


1. loCation Look for placements in an area where you want to spend some quality time! There are helpx locations all around the world, with concentrations in north America, Europe and Australia. it is less common for developing countries to have helpx placements, but they certainly exist and are growing in number. you don’t need to go abroad to participate in helpx; there are over 300 hosts in Canada, from yukon to P.E.i. if you’re interested in traveling between helpx stints or on your days off, it’s important to consider transportation options in the area of your host’s location. hosts are often unable or reluctant to make frequent trips to a train station that might be hours away. working on a gorgeous and remote Croatian island is incredibly appealing—however, that makes it hard to go on fun, tourist day trips.

2. hosts Premier members can look at host reviews left by former helpers. “For a first time i’d go for a helpx with a lot of recent, positive reviews, and for a profile which is comprehensive,” says Frances kelsey, a British student who has been travelling and helpx-ing for more than eight months. “For example, it should explain what you’ll be expected to do, how many hours, what you could do on your days off, what the accommodation will be like, etc.” when contacting a host, ask as many questions as you need to get a complete picture of what the placement entails before you commit. Be respectful and honest when it comes to what hosts are seeking—if they require someone with cement and construction experience, don’t apply based on your grade 9 woodshop class.

3. saFety i chose to try helpx by myself, which as a young woman was fraught with the standard dangers of any solo travel. i chose my first placement in a family environment only a few hours from my ‘home base.’ There are many placements available for couples or friends, which would make for a great trip. if you’re helpx-ing alone (which is also a blast), just ensure you leave the contact information of your host with someone at home in case of a problem.

4. preparationSome countries (like Australia) require a work visa for volunteer labour. Make sure you check out the visa requirements before leaving home. Bring work clothes and footwear—one of my friends had to mulch in the outfits she brought for springtime in Paris. She sure looked cute but tomato plants didn’t appreciate it.

MORE TIps On hELpX-InG »


heroes:they’reinourbooks,ourmovies,ourvideogamesandourimaginations.Theyoccupythecentralroleinmost,ifnot

all,mythsfromvariouscultures.Theyareadventurers,navigatingfromonechallengetothenext,narrowlyavertingdisaster,andultimatelyetchingstoriesofcourageandfortitudeintoourmemories.

Therearemanymetaphorsthatseemtodescribelifeaptly,butnonesocompelling,norsouniversal,asthemetaphorofadventure.JosephCampbell,thescholarwhopopularizedtheterm

“thehero’sjourney,”sawenoughcommonthemesacrossmythsfromdifferentculturestoproposetheideathatallmythessentiallyrelatesbacktothesamebasicpatternofaheroembarkingonaharrowingjourney.

Inproposingthisidea,Campbellprovidedaunifyingtheoryformythology.Buthisideasalsoprovidethefoundationforsomegreatcareeradviceforstudents.Sowhatdoes“thehero’sjourney”reallymean?Iftheadventure

narrativeisuniversal,howcanwetakeadvantageofittomoveforwardmeaningfullyinlife?

yOU ARE ThE hERO, And ThE AdVEnTURE TOO“Aheroventuresforthfromtheworldofcommondayintoaregionofsupernaturalwonder,fabulousforcesarethereencounteredandadecisivevictoryiswon,”writesCampbellinhisbookThe Hero with a Thousand Faces.Idoubtthatmanypeoplewouldhaveaproblemwiththinkingofthemselvesasahero,butitmightseemtooeasyandobvioustothinkofacareerpathasanadventure.Butthat’sbecausemostpeoplejumptotheconclusionthatacareerisstrictlyanexternaljourney,whenintruthithasveryinternal,introspectivecomponents.

Infact,the“regionofsupernaturalwonder”thatCampbellspeaksofresideswithinourselves.The“fabulousforces”thatwemustovercomeareourownpersonaldemons:complacence,apathy,self-doubt,others’

By David Lindskoog

HeRo:Be yoUR oWn

eMBRACe ADVentURe

HoW to

In yoUR CAReeR


expectationsandlackofconfidence,tonamejustafew.Theyarethebarrierstoourself-awareness—thesmokeandmirrorsalongthepathtowarddiscoveryofourpurposeinlife.Onlybylookingwithinareweabletodiscoverhowwecanmakeourmostvaluablecontributionstotheworld,andtoourselves.

OkAy… sO whAT dOEs IT ALL MEAn?Despitethefactthatthemythologybehinditissoold,the“careerasajourney”metaphorisactuallyarelativelynewconcept.Sincetheindustrialrevolution,thedominantwayofthinkingaboutcareershasbeentomovefromonejobtoanother.Whattheadventuremetaphorsuggestsisthatweshiftfromthinkingofworkasaseriesofjobstoseeingitasonecontinuous,lifelongjourney.Asignificantpartofthatjourneyisasearchforpurpose—forwhateachofusseekstocontributetotheworldthroughourwork.

Ofcourse,therearen’tanyconcretestepsonhowtomakethisdiscovery,butmany

peopleareabletomoveforwardontheirown.Theytendtobecuriousandopentonewexperiences.Theytaketheoccasionalrisk,andallowthemselvestomakemistakesandlearnfromthem.Theyalwaysseemtobetakingaction.Mostimportantly,theytaketimetoreflectontheirexperiencesandhowtheywantthechaptersoftheirlivestobewritten.

Whenallissaidanddone,that’sreallythekeyword:reflect.Discoveringwhat’smeaningfulforyou,andhowyouwanttocontributetotheworldwithyourwork,isanongoingprocessofreflectingontheactionsyoutake,theworkthatyoudo,andtheknowledgeyougain,eachandeveryday.Overtime,youmightjustlookbackandnoticethatyourcareerhasbeenoneheckofanadventure.Co

David Lindskoog is a career advisor at Simon Fraser university and blogs for the Career options website.

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: careeroptionsmagazine.com

HeRo:Be yoUR oWn

In yoUR CAReeR


picturethis:You’reheadingintoyourfinalyearofhighschool.You’redebatingwhethertoenrollinuniversityorcollege,andwhatyouwanttostudythere.Don’tworry,you’renotaloneintheprocessofmakingthesetoughlifedecisions—

therearemanystudentsinthesameboat.

Theideaofparticipatinginaco-opprogramtohelpwithyoureducationandcareerdecisionsisn’tnew.Thechallenge,however,istosecureaco-oppositionthatwillhelpyouachievethosegoals.Inordertostandoutagainstthecompetition,studentsneedtolearnhowtobestpresenttheirskillsandexperiencetoemployers.

GET sOCIALIzInG Inadditiontoresearchingaboutyourco-opcompanyofinterest,oneofthebestwaystolearnaboutanorganization,itsworkenvironmentanditsstaffisthroughinteractiverecruitmentinitiativesthatinvolvealotofcommunication,bothonlineandoffline.

AnexampleofthisisPwC’sBrilliantFuturesprogram,wherestudentscanreceiveinsightonhowtostarttheircareerattheprofessionalservicesfirm.CurrentandformerstudentsnowatPwCsharetheirstoriesandexperienceswithotherstudentsviablogs,events,videos,FacebookandTwitter,etc.,onhowandwhattolookforwhentryingtosecureacareerwiththefirm.

Herearesomeotherinteractivewaystolandyouridealco-opposition:

• Sellyourself!Remember,manycompaniesuseco-opstoidentifythebeststudentsearlyintheirschoolcareers.Ifyoutellacompanythatyouwanttheco-opto“seeiftheroleinterestsyou,”they’lllikelypass.Theywantthecandidatewhotellsthem,“ThisisthecareerIreallywant.”

• Buildrelationshipswithotherstudentsandadvisorsinyourco-opprogram.

• Attendnetworkingandrecruitingevents.

• Askto“jobshadow”anemployeewhoholdsapositionyou’reinterestedin.

• Reviewcompanysocialmediatoolsandparticipateinonlineforumsandchatshostedbycompaniesthatofferco-opprograms.

MAkE A LAsTInG IMpREssIOnYou’vemadealistofyourdreamco-opgigs,andthenexthurdleistoshowthatyouhavetherightskillsforthejob.Here’saninsiderrecruitmenttidbit:yourresuméisthefirstdocumentapotentialemployersees—evenbeforeyourcoverletter.Recruiterstendtoreadthecoverletteronlyiftheylikeyourresumé.

By James Davidson

gettIng A HeAD stARt on yoUR BRILLIAnt fUtURe


Targetwhatyoulearnedfromyourresearchorfromstaffatnetworkingevents,andincorporateitintoyourresumé,ensuringthatyouhighlightachievements,notjustjobresponsibilities.Thekeytoagoodresuméistocapturethereader’sinterestwithmorethanjust“facts.”That’swhatwillmakethemwanttomeetyouinpersonforaface-to-faceinterview.

Thenextstepisacingyourco-opinterviews.Rememberthattheinterviewshouldbenefitboththecandidateandtheemployer—bothpartiesarelookingfortheright“fit.”Thecompanywantstolearnaboutyourskillsandachievements,andyoucanlearnmoreaboutthepositionitselfandtheoverallworkenvironment.

Herearesomehelpfulhintsforyourco-opinterview:

• Beyourselfnomatterwhat.Asastudent,youwon’tbehappyinaplacewhereyoucan’tbeyourself.Bydoingso,youwillfindyourrightfit!

• Remembertosmile.Asmilegoesalongwayanditshowsthatyou’reexcitedtolearnaboutacompany.

• Beconfident!Thismakesyoumoreenticingtohaveaconversationwith—sohaveconfidenceinyourselfandinyourexperiencesandcapabilities.

Youcanbuildconfidencebybeingpreparedfortheinterview;conductthoroughresearchandpracticeyourinterviewskills.Asyoustarttothinkaboutco-opplacements,remembertoseekoutfellowstudentswithexperience,attendnetworkingevents,conductresearchonline,usesocialmediatoolstointeractandlearnmoreaboutcompanies,andmakethemostofhelpfulrecruitmentprograms.Thesedifferentavenueshelpstudentswiththeco-opapplicationprocessand,mostimportantly,provideinsightintotherecruitmentroutine—impactingfuturecareeropportunities.Co

James Davidson leads the national campus recruitment team at PwC Canada, a company that provides assurance, tax, consulting and deals services.

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion, ViSiT: pwc.com/ca/en/campus-recruiting, careeroptionsmagazine.com

Career Options High School Edition - Fall 2012

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Transcript of Career Options High School Edition - Fall 2012