During the day you work in an office doing whatever it is that you have become so skilled at doing. You use the little spare time you have to run marathons, organize fundraisers, join rallies, and do whatever else you can to participate in local initiatives and causes. But despite your efforts to split yourself in two, you still feel like what you're doing for the community isn't enough.

First off, don't be so hard on yourself. The fact that you even want to dedicate yourself to community projects is in itself extremely admirable. Second, there exist two incredible industries that that will allow you to reconcile your need for an income with your dedication to community involvement. Here they are:

Health, Wellness and Fitness

Health is among the most prevalent issues that every society must address. Ensuring that a society is strong and prosperous will necessarily involve ensuring that it is also healthy. The issue at hand, of course, is that no government or state can force healthy habits upon its citizens. While some governments have developed laws and policies that make it harder for people to make bad health choices (i.e. increased taxes on tobacco products) and easier to make good health choices (i.e. more access to affordable, local produce) there still remains a dire need for societies to adopt healthier lifestyles.

That said, a worthy career venture to take on would be that of a health, wellness, and fitness advisor. Doing so would put you in a position to help people understand why and how they should adopt healthier lifestyles.

Typical Health, Wellness and Fitness programs include the following community courses:

• Exercise Techniques 
• Critical Analysis for Health, Wellness & Fitness
• Nutrition
• Theories of Weight Management
• Aerobic Training
• Fitness Equipment & Facilities
• Health Issues in Canada
• Sport Injuries

Social Services

We all know that it is vital for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle on both the physical and emotional levels. The difficult part about this is receiving the necessary guidance and support to achieve both of these levels of wellness.

Careers within the social services industry include, but are not limited to, mental health workers, guidance counsellors and employment counsellors. By working in the social services industry, you will be able to take on the role of someone who not only educates people on how to maintain a good, balanced mental state, but also protects them by way of educating them on what their rights are as a person.

A Social Services Worker Diploma is a type of Urban Studies program, and can often include the following courses:

• History & Ethics of Social Work
• Introduction to Group Dynamics
• Privilege & Oppression
• Working with Children & Adolescence
• Issues Related to Family
• Crisis Intervention
• Community Change
• Social Policy & Law

Being a health advisor or a social worker will involve earning a diploma in a Community and Urban Studies program. The majority of the curriculum in either program will deal with community courses, ones that aim to educate aspiring community professionals on how to communicate with the different segments of the population and how assess varying issues.

Community professionals are vital to any society and help maintain a healthy and thriving population. You've reach a point in your life where you are torn between your career aspirations and your desire to want to help people on a daily basis, and now you know how to reconcile the two.

PSWs assist with providing attentive care to the elderly and to patients who suffer from mental and/or physical disabilities, and chronic illness. Their presence is crucial to the healthcare system because of the assistance they provide to patients on a daily basis.

If you're thinking about pursuing a career as a PSW, you may want to take a look at the three qualities listed below to get a bit of a sneak peek into what is involved.

Career and Task Flexibility

PSWs have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private care settings. A PSW should be willing to work in any of these settings in order to ensure maximum exposure to all sorts of experiences that a PSW career has to offer. There are many jobs that do not offer this level of mobility, so it is definitely an aspect that prospective PSWs can look forward to.

But regardless of the setting, PSWs definitely need to be flexible as far their duties go. Overall, PSWs are relied on to carry out a number of tasks that are crucial to patient care, including bathing patients who have limited mobility; making and changing patient beds; and maintaining a tidy environment for the patient. There is no such thing as 'picking and choosing' which task to do. They all need to get done.

Attentive

PSWs spend a lot one-on-one of time with patients, and are thus exposed to their behavioural patterns. That said, it is important for PSWs to constantly remain mindful of any unusual or alarming behaviour by the patient. Many of these patients will be suffering from ailments that restrict their speech or levels of basic awareness, thus they may be completely incapable or unable to voice their discomfort or their very own concerns regarding their physical state.

What this translates to is that PSWs really have to be sensitive to even the slightest shift in a patient's behaviour. Being able to notice such detail will of course come with experience, and PSWs will have also taken health courses that touch on this topic.

Accepting of Death

This idea of death can be a reality that some people are not comfortable with. Needless to say, this sort of aversion wouldn't be very helpful in the healthcare industry. PSWs, along with every other healthcare professional, care for patients who are in some way fighting an ailment. Whether that ailment is immediately life-threatening or not does not eliminate the immediacy of death that is present in a the healthcare setting on a basis.

Being comfortable with the idea of death does not equate to being insensitive to life. Everyone has their own belief system, and has their own way of accepting life and death. For PSWs, it is important to not only explore their personal take on this, but also to be accepting of the different beliefs that others have. Most Health and Technology programs will include courses that touch on these issues, and will give students a chance to develop their own perspective on the matter.

You're playing around with the idea of becoming a nurse, but are still not sure if you want to commit yourself to the profession. Deciding what career to go into is not an easy decision for anyone to make. It requires time, serious contemplation, and a good deal of soul searching to really figure out what profession best suits your personality and your goals.

To help you with your decision-making, here are just a few of the many reasons why a nursing career is both fulfilling and rewarding.

Recession-proof

Nurses have to deal with a lot, but one thing they don't typically need to worry about is losing their job because of a weak economy. Truthfully, no industry or job is completely recession-proof. When the economy drops, all of us are affected in one way or another in varying degrees. However, there are certain industries that are less susceptible to suffering the negative sides of an economic decline, particularly, the healthcare industry. Unlike other industries, healthcare does not rely on consumerism in order to thrive. In fact, economic declines or recessions tend to lead to an increase in a population's need for medical attention.

You may never experience a recession throughout your entire healthcare career. But if you do, your nursing job will likely be safe from the blow.

Versatility

A career in nursing can include a great deal of diverse healthcare roles. More often than not, those who receive their nursing degree will be streamlined into a practical or registered nursing position. Soon enough, however, nurses are exposed to the multiple career options available to them. For one, a staff nurse is given a lot of professional mobility insofar as a nurse can transfer from one unit to the next multiple times throughout his or her career.

Secondly, a nursing degree opens the door to many different nursing positions, including, but not limited to:

• Nurse Researcher: work closely with academic or corporate research teams on developing medical studies and experiments.
• Nurse Educator: provide medical education to fellow healthcare workers (doctors, PSWs) and the general public, as well as conduct information sessions at healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics, wellness centres)
• Entrepreneur/Manager: Own or manage a wellness centre, recovery centre, or even private care services.
• Registered Nurse: provide exceptional patient care in a hospital, clinic or private setting.

Academic Accessibility

A key component to the appeal of a nursing career is the accessibility of most nursing schools and nursing courses. Unlike other medical degrees, practical nursing colleges do not require many pre-requisites other than a standard highschool or college degree and a number of science courses (Chemistry, Biology, etc.) The option of applying as a mature student may also be available, depending on the college.

Honourable Work

The nursing profession is an honourable one. I'm not saying this to appeal to your ego. I'm saying it because it is true. Nurses have to deal with quite a lot, from being understaffed and overworked. And in the midst of the mayhem, nurses have to keep it together every second of the way, making sure that they care and support patients properly. It is difficult to do your job properly when so many factors are working against you, but nurses manage to do this every day for the sake of the health of patients.

Civil engineers are behind the scenes on pretty much every detail that goes into city development. From street plans to bridges, and power lines to sewer systems, we rely on civil engineers to come up with ideas that make our everyday lives both liveable and enjoyable. But what exactly do they do? Here is a quick look at two (of many) types of civil engineering specializations to help you get a better idea of what the profession involves.

Urban Planning

Admittedly, it can be surprising at first to think of urban planners as engineers, or vice versa. But the fact of the matter is that the two are so inter-related that they can't function without each other.

Engineers detail every aspect that goes into the design of a land span. From the width of sidewalks and alleyways to the height of skyscrapers, engineers need to consider every last inch of space covering whatever grounds they are working on.

A more concrete example of how civil engineering and urban planning are indeed fused disciplines is the emergence of bike paths in urban areas. The urban planning element lies, of course, in the goal to integrate a more green and healthy mode of transit into the lifestyles of the urban demographic.

The civil engineering element lies in the actual design and construction of the path. It isn't enough for a city to agree to implement a bike path into their city structure. Special care has to be taken to ensure that the path sits on the proper terrain, and is designed so that cyclists can be integrated without interfering with auto traffic and in such a way that the bike path route allows them safe and open access into the city as they would have with a car.

So, civil engineers who want to focus on urban planning will definitely need to take a few technology courses to help them master both the theoretical and practical aspects of design.

Structural Design

Structural design is among the most complex of civil engineering specialisations within Engineering Technology programs and the career at large. Experts within the field are the ones we rely on to build our bridges, tunnels, canals and dams. That said, structural engineers have a lot riding on their designs. Apart from the pressure to adorn a city with a beautiful structure, they are also responsible for ensuring that a structure is safe in every way possible. There are so many factors that are considered when a design is being developed, including climate, terrain, air quality, and even levels of traffic that will exist around the structure. All of these elements determine what material will be used, the size and shape of the structure, and its ultimate functionality.

One of the most exemplary structural engineering designs is the Panama Canal, which is a ship channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Taking over 30 years to build, the canal optimized travel time for trade ships, and has become an essential element in economic expansion for countries worldwide.

To be frank, our cities would be desolate flat-grounds without all of the incredible civil engineers. And even though they are behind the scenes and rarely get public recognition for what they do, our lives would be completely different without them.

You've been thinking about becoming an electrician, but can't decide for sure. Here are five reasons that may help you make up your mind.

Income

Electricians earn an annual salary of between $42,000-57,000 (approximately $20.00-30.00 per hour). This salary varies depending on the province and sector an electrician works in. Either way, the starting salaries are quite appealing, and are likely to rise with experience.

High in Demand

Most trade industries face a perpetual shortage of skilled and trained workers, which means jobs are likely to be available throughout the year. Although every industry is at risk during economic slumps, trade jobs can be more secure than those in other industries, such as real estate or finance.

Option of Union

Many electricians are part of a company-based or independent union. A well known multi-national union is International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which represents men and women all across North America and other parts of the world. Founded in 1891, IBEW represents approximately 750,000 workers, the majority of which are skilled electricians.

The principal advantage of being a union member is job security and salary protection, as well as other benefits. Electricians are not forced to be a part of a union, but the option is most definitely there for those who wish to go that route.

Ongoing Challenge

Just by looking at the last decade, we can see how developments in technology have changed the way we go about our everyday lives. By the looks of it, technology will just continue to be moving forward, and will undoubtedly continue to make an impact on how electricity is used.

What this means for current and prospective electricians is that they can anticipate a career that is consistently challenging by way of its ongoing evolution. Being an electrician doesn't just mean limiting your skills to what you learned in school. It requires the ability to continue learning as technology changes in order to remain an expert in the field.

Apprenticeship Opportunity

One of the most appealing features of the electrician trade is the apprenticeship option aspiring electricians have available to them. Most apprenticeships are administered at a trade college or university in conjunction with a licenced employer who agrees to train a student while they are studying. The ability to go to school while also working puts apprentices at an advantage because they are gaining valuable work experience while also earning their diploma.

Most companies will prefer to hire candidates with experience behind them, which can be a difficult requirement to meet for students who are fresh out of school. But students can dodge that hurdle by participating in an apprenticeship program.

There are typically two different types of electrician apprenticeships. There is the industrial apprenticeship, which leads to the following employment opportunities:

• Administrative and Support Services
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Federal Government Public Administration

And there is also the construction apprenticeship, which can lead to the following employment opportunities:

• Industrial, Commercial and Government Organizations
• Engineering or Research Assistants
• Light and Heavy Manufacturing
• Pulp and Paper, Steel Mills, Chemical Plants, Refineries and Power Utilities

These are just five highlights of an electrician career. There are many different sectors and opportunities within the electrician industry, making it a very appealing and rewarding career venture.

We don't have to look too far back into our history books to see that women have made incredible strides in the workforce. Not even fifty years ago women were still fighting to be given fair consideration for positions traditionally held by men. Today, women represent a good portion of most employment industries, including medical, legal, financial and business. According to a census report by Statistics Canada, women made up 47.3% of the entire Canadian workforce in 2006. This percentage rose slightly to 47.5% in 2011, illustrating that women continue to hold a near equal balance as men in the workforce at large.

But when we move from a general to a more specific perspective, we will notice that gender equality does not carry into every industry. There is no denying that jobs in certain industries will be filled more by one gender than the other. For example, in 2011 women made up more than two-thirds of the entire education industry, which includes both administrator and educator positions.

However, there is an even more alarming difference in gender representation in the mechanics industry. Currently, women hold less than 2% of all mechanist positions. In fact, it isn't only in mechanics where women fall short on the employee head count. A 2011 Statistics Canada study shows that women make up 7.4% of positions held in Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations. The data is most certainly surprising, and I don't think any of us thought that this wide of a disparity continues to exist today.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why women are so under-represented in the mechanics trade. We need to be weary of jumping to the assumption that the industry as a whole is guilty of sexism. I don't think this is the case at all. While sexism is an ongoing battle that both women and men have to face in the workforce, I don't think it makes for a sufficient explanation. There are other realities that must be considered, including the very fact that women are just not applying for these positions. Again, this does not suffice as a complete explanation, but women's preference for trades other than mechanics needs to be included in the examination of the existing gender disparities.

Lastly, women may feel somewhat inhibited to mechanics because of how male-dominated the industry has been for so long. The only way to overcome this is for women to simply apply themselves to the trade. There are trade schools across the country, and women are just as eligible to apply as men are. Further, most trade schools or vocational colleges will offer apprenticeship programs, meaning students will be working while studying, thereby increasing their chances of employment upon graduation.

One might think that the only options available would be an auto mechanic apprenticeship, however, there are many different types of mechanist jobs with corresponding apprenticeship programs. Here are just a few, complete with a snap shot of topics that are covered:

Automotive Service Educational Program

• Engines & Body Control System
• Steering & Suspension
• Driveline Auto Transaxles
• Diesel Engines and Electronics Controls
• Air Bag Systems

General Mechanist

• Benchwork Techniques
• Surface Grinding Technology
• Milling Technology
• Metallurgy
• Engineering Drawings

Truck and Coach Technician

• Engine Systems
• Electrical Systems
• Fuel Systems
• Drive Train Systems
• Brake Systems

Industrial Technician

• Machine Techy
• Workshop Techy
• Rigging & Hoisting
• Drawings & Schematics
• Welding & Fabric

With so many general mechanic apprenticeships and related opportunities, we can only hope that in time women will represent a bigger percentage of the mechanics industry.

Let’s admit it: After watching a slew of those police TV dramas, most of us have at some point seriously considered a career change. The high-speed car chases, the drug busts, the intense interrogations. All of it leaves us with an image of police officers as having pretty much the most thrilling job out there.

The only problem is that we don’t live in a TV set, and unlike actors, cops truly put their lives on the line when they go out on duty. Realizing this is what makes everything that TV shows depict as exciting suddenly seem terrifying. The fact that their holsters are holding real guns, and those car chases can lead to real crashes, means that real lives are being put on the line.

But what about the cops with not-so-thrilling responsibilities? If TV shows don’t paint cops as brilliant investigators that unravel the most complicated crime schemes, then they are likely to depict them as overweight doughnut eaters that just sit around and wait to retire. Even though we know better than to believe everything we see on TV, it seems that at least a little part of what we’re watching is reflected from what really goes on in real-life police work. While there is no doubt that these qualities exist, it is impossible that they are a true representation of police forces worldwide. There must be a middle ground somewhere.

A great way to get a better idea of what cops deal with is to enroll in a Police Foundations course. Most Continuing Education colleges that offer Police Foundations will also offer online learning courses, meaning you can spruce up your police smarts from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the distance education courses offered:

- Canadian Criminal Justice System
- Conflict Management   
- Contemporary Social Problems
- Criminal Code & Federal Statutes            
- Criminology - Police Foundations
- Forensics 9-1-1                 
- Interviewing and Investigation 
- Principles of Ethical Reasoning  
- Traffic Management      
- Youth in Conflict with the Law

From the looks of it, aspiring police officers are required to study a wide range of topics to equip them with the various scenarios that they can find themselves in once they begin working.

Maybe your love for The Wire isn’t reason enough to quit your day job, but taking a course or two is a really great idea for those who wish they could. Being a cop involves serious dedication, to the force and to the community at large, and requires skills that go way beyond doughnut eating. 

Most of us know what it feels like to spend the entire week counting down the days until the weekend. Most of us also know what it feels like when it seems like it’s taking an eternity for a week to be done with. But do the weekdays really have to be so treacherous? Aren’t there ways to speed things along? Of course there are. Below are a few key tips to move your work week from the slow zone to the fast lane.

Get a Job You Like

The average person spends half of their waking life working. So, if you don’t like your job, odds are you’re not really going to like your life either. A huge reason why many people find it unbearable to get through the week is because they don’t enjoy how they’re spending their time. Finding a job you like (let alone love) isn’t easy, especially in our current economic downfall, but that isn’t a reason to stop hunting for one.

If you truly detest your job, then begin looking for a new one. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to quit your present job, but you can at least stick your nose in the market to get a whiff of what is out there. If you keep at it, eventually something will bite, and you will find yourself job where not only will you be able to do something you are good at, but that you also enjoy. Guaranteed once this happens, your work week will fly right by.

Don’t Eat Lunch at Your Desk

Whether you work at a desk in an office, or you have a job that needs you to constantly be on the go, do yourself a favor and be sure to step away from it all when you sit down to have lunch. If you don’t take a proper lunch, you’ll eventually feel overworked and stressed, which isn’t good for you, your employer, or the quality of your work.

A strained work environment is what makes the week seem like an eternity, so give yourself a break (literally) and ease up the workday by taking at least twenty minutes to sit without any work in front of you. The uninterrupted down time you allow yourself will be a lot more productive than plowing away at work while your sandwich falls apart on your lap.

Do Some Non-Work Work

I’ll admit that after a long day at work, all any of us want to do is relax. But if work is the only place where you really set your brain power into gear, then your brain won’t be stimulated anymore, which means you’ll be bored, thereby making the week seem like it’s dragging on and on and on.

What you want to aim for is balance, and to spread your time and energy over a few things rather than just one. So, instead of spending your evenings being deadweight on the couch, it’d probably be better to do something that will actually get your mind rolling.

This can be as easy as taking up a class on a subject that interests you. Most Continuing Education colleges allow students to take on courses one at a time, so you can have as light or as heavy of a workload as you see fit. And don’t use the whole “I don’t have time,” excuse. Distance education courses give you the freedom to complete courses online and according to your own watch. Online learning is the new black, and with topics from Criminal Psychology to Photoshop, there are enough courses options to keep your brain busy for quite a while.

Canadians have made significant strides in establishing gender equality in the workforce. With a history of remarkable milestones, such as Jenny Trout becoming the first female licensed doctor in 1875, and Jeanne Mathilde Sauvè becoming the nation’s first female governor general in 1984, women continue to mark their places in labour market.

According to Statistics Canada, the total population of employed people in Canada in 2011 was 52.5 percent male and 47.5 percent female. Although not quite a perfect 50/50 split, the overall gender difference in the Canadian labour market hovers closely over the equality mark.

That is not to say that gender inequalities do not exist in today’s workforce. According to a 2011 study released by Statistics Canada, it seems industries tend to employ more of one gender than of the other.  For example, of the people working within the Goods-and-Services sector, 71.1 percent are men and 21.9 percent are women. When we take a closer look, we notice that this gender gap persists in every industry within this sector:  

- Agriculture: 70.5 percent by men – 29.5 percent by women
- Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas:   81.8 percent by men – 18.2 percent by women
- Utilities: 75.2 percent by men – 24.8 percent by women
- Construction: 88.8 percent by men – 11.2 percent by women
- Manufacturing 71.2 percent by men – 28.8 percent by women

The division of genders can be quite alarming as we notice how men are much more likely than women to hold jobs within the Goods-and-Services sector. But there is more of a gender balance in the Services-Producing sector. As a whole, 45 percent of the sector is employed by males, and 55 percent by females.  This division exists in:

- Trade: 51.3 percent by men – 48.7 percent by women
- Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing: 43.6 percent by men – 56.4 percent by women
- Public administration: 48.8 percent by men – 51.2 percent by women

But this level of gender equality in the Services-Producing sector does not exist across all industries. The following are certain industries that show more apparent disparities:

- Transportation and warehousing: 76 percent by men – 24 percent by women
- Educational services: 34 percent by men – 66 percent by women
- Health care and social assistance:  18 percent by men – 82 percent by women

Of all of the industries within both sectors, the Construction industry and the Healthcare and social assistance industry persist with more-or-less the same levels of gender inequality, with the former being predominantly male and the latter female.

Although Construction and Healthcare are two very different industries, the lesser represented genders in both seem to face the same sort of hurdles. For one, women in Construction and men in Healthcare run into issues of unavailable equipment and facilities. For example, construction gear (boots, hard-hats, etc.) are typically fitted and sold to a male population. Male nurses, on the other hand, have been known to work in a healthcare environment where the only staff facility or changing room is a ladies restroom.

While these industries still have a long way ahead of them before reaching better gender equality, there is evidence of ongoing progress. For example, the nursing industry has been seeing a regular increase of male employees over the past five years, reaching its all-time height of 6 percent in 2011.

Needless to say, schools of nursing across the country are expecting more and more men to be applying to nursing programs. And while there won’t be as many men as women in nursing school anytime soon, it seems the industry is heading towards a level of equality we’ve never before seen. 

You’ve been hearing people talking about apprenticeships and internships, but are not exactly sure what they are and if you need either. Here are some quick facts to help you figure out what they are, the difference between them, and which is better.

What

Apprenticeship: A preliminary employment opportunity given to a person who is not yet qualified to work in a particular trade. An apprenticeship is made up of two parts: school and work. Apprentices will get hands-on experience with a certified employer while also completing academic courses at an affiliated college.  Typically, apprenticeships are paid.

Internship: A temporary employment opportunity given to a person who has an avid interest but little to no experience in a given trade or industry. Internships are usually for 3-6 months, and allow recent graduates or industry novices the chance to gain experience in their field of interest. Some employers will offer interns a minor stipend, but most internships are unpaid.

Where

Apprenticeship programs are available at many colleges throughout Canada and can dip into almost any trade sector. From plumbing to social work, there really is no limit to the range of employers that accept apprentices onto their team.

Internships can take place in virtually any employment setting. 

How

Apprenticeship: A person must first find an employer that is willing to provide an apprenticeship, and then apply to an apprenticeship program at an affiliated college. The student’s time will be split between work and studies.

Internship: While some academic institutions facilitate internship opportunities, most internships are offered independently by employers of all trades and industries. More often than not people will need to apply for an internship directly as if they were applying for a regular job.

Why

Apprenticeships are ideal for those who are interested in specializing in a certain trade but have not yet earned official certification to practice. Students who opt for an apprenticeship program will be at an advantage because they will gain work experience while earning their diploma or certificate. Many trade employers prefer to hire candidates with previous experience, so having an apprentice under your belt will surely set you apart from other applicants. Also, although employers do not guarantee a permanent position once an apprenticeship is completed, the chance that an apprentice will be hired is pretty high.

Internships are a great way to gain first-hand job experience in a preferred industry. Although internships do not always led to full-time positions and offer no monetary compensation, they are still a great way to get a glimpse of what a position in a given field would entail.

One great factor that sets apprenticeships apart from internships is the Red Seal Program (RSP). The RSP ensures that, upon successful completion of an examination, apprenticeship graduates will be able to practice their trade anywhere across the country. This gives trade workers the liberty to work where they please without having to jump over any provincial hurdles. So, if you complete an apprenticeship in Ontario, you will be certified to work in any other province or territory without having to undergo any additional schooling. But, keep in mind that the RSP isn’t applicable to all trades. For example, some automotive apprenticeships offer the RSP program, while others do not. That said, if professional mobility is a priority in your career plans, you may want to research which trades have the RSP option before enrolling into a program.

The RSP does not mean that apprenticeships are better than internships. The question is not whether or not one is better than the other. What you need to ask is which one is right for you.

At the end of the day, both aim to provide students or novices the opportunity to gain industry or trade experience in order to help them launch their career. And trust me, they help. Every employer prefers hiring someone with some experience under their belt, and apprenticeships and internships do exactly this. So. go see what's out there and grab whichever suits you best.