Voice: a blog for youth
Keep the learning going!
By Derek
February 6th, 2012
If you are graduating from a post-secondary program this year, you may be thinking of continuing your studies in a graduate program, a certification, or even a new discipline. Application deadlines for many programs are approaching fast, so if you’re thinking of going back to school, you should get the ball rolling with some of these useful tools: Working in Canada’s Career Exploration and CanLearn’s Program Search.
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New tools are on the way
By Derek
January 27, 2012
I’ve got some news to share with everyone! Over the next couple of months, new features including social media tools such as Twitter and YouTube will be added to youth.gc.ca!
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Now’s the time to start prepping
By Derek
January 13, 2012
It’s a new year and those of you in post-secondary programs are getting back into the routine of the winter semester. You may not want to, but now is a good time to start thinking about and preparing for what you are going to do after exams in April.
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Is a career in the skilled trades for you?
By Derek
November 10, 2011
We have so many career options to choose from these days, but some professions in high demand, such as skilled trades, are often overlooked.
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Protecting Your SIN is Your Responsibility
By Derek
November 7, 2011
A few months ago, I shared how I was asked for my Social Insurance Number (SIN) when filling out a rental application. Well, this week is International Fraud Awareness Week, which gives me an opportunity to highlight once again why protecting yourself against identity theft is so important.
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One of the World’s Top Cabinetmakers!
By Derek
October 31, 2011
Jonathan Sinke from Jordan Station, Ontario, didn’t know what was in store for him when he attended Skills Canada - Ontario in Kitchener, Ontario. He eventually came out on top and won a gold medal at the Skills Canada national competition. Recently, he took home a bronze medal at the 41st WorldSkills competition in London, England.
Read more on the following blog entryOn the Cutting Edge
By Derek
October 13, 2011
This Saskatchewanian apprentice has experienced what many hairstylists only dream of. Last week, Kaylyn competed on the international stage at the WorldSkills competition in London, England.
Read more on the following blog entryGood luck Team Canada!
By Derek
October 4, 2011
In light of two big events this month, I’ve decided to dedicate October to the trades!
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The Tough Questions
By Derek
September 28, 2011
I’ve already given you some tips on how to prepare for tough interviews, but there is a group of questions that can be particularly difficult to answer when you’re put on the spot.
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Have you heard of FSWEP?
By Derek
September 14, 2011
Have you been wondering how to land an awesome job or internship with the Government of Canada?
Well, let me tell you about a program called the Federal Student Work Experience Program, or FSWEP for short.
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Don't give up your SIN for a T-shirt
By Derek
August 31, 2011
Hunting for an apartment can be stressful. After looking at countless places and finally finding one that suits your needs, you may feel the need to rush through that rental application, but hold your horses! As a new resident of the nation’s capital, I recently went through the process of looking for a new place to live. The last application I filled out had a blank spot for something I didn’t even think anyone could ask for—the landlord was looking for my Social Insurance Number (SIN).
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Does your profile picture send the right message?
By Derek
August 18, 2011
Sure, you might not care that your best friend’s brother’s roommate can see your Facebook profile, but what about the president of that company who is looking to hire you for that really cool summer internship? Do you care if he sees it? Well, you should!
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Is your wallet ready?
By Derek
August 4, 2011
There’s a lot more to learn about post-secondary education than what’s in your textbook or what your professor shares in a lecture. For example, you can check out this really cool guide to moving out.
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I'm a graduate... now what?
By Derek
July 27, 2011
So you decided to get a post-secondary education. You’ve put in a lot of hard work, probably had a few sleepless nights and perhaps wrote some really long papers you thought you’d never get through. All of this pays off when graduation day finally rolls around… but then what?
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Lending a Helping Hand: Résumés and Interviews
By Aaron Bell
July 22, 2011
When it comes to helping others, we tend to conjure up images of helping elderly ladies cross the street or helping a little boy get his kite out of a tree. The elderly and children are groups we often think about when it comes to helping others, but everyone needs a helping hand, even youth who are young, able, ambitious, and feel invincible.
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Moving West
By Lynne Matthews
July 20, 2011
Hi there! My name is Lynne and I’m a Youth Services Officer in Victoria. Although I was born and raised in the nation’s capital, all I wanted to do after I graduated from high school was get as far away as possible. You might be wondering, "Why? I hear Ottawa is a sweet place to live."
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Apple Meet Abacus: Old Techniques for New Jobs
By Aaron Bell
July 13, 2011
We live in a high tech world: cars can parallel park themselves, coffee machines brew automatically, and you can even see your dog playing in the yard on Google Maps. With all of this fascinating technology at our fingertips, we often get the idea that all of life’s problems can be solved with a click or a download.
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When I grow up...
By Derek
July 6, 2011
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I was younger, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to be. At one point, I wanted to be either a whale trainer or a professional sprinter, but it wasn’t long before I realized there aren’t many whales to train in Canada and that I wasn’t going to hold my title of “fastest kid at recess” for very long.
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Are you getting your fair share?
By Derek
June 29, 2011
We’ve all heard the “When I was your age…” stories from our folks. Stories about having to hand write letters or playing music on Compact Discs, or “CDs” for short.
One story that may sound familiar is “When I was your age, I only made 75¢ an hour!” Of course give or take about 50¢ depending on who is telling the story and what province or territory they worked in at the time.
Did you know that today’s minimum wages vary depending on the province you work in?
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Who’s hiring?
By Derek
June 23, 2011
So you’ve decided it’s time to find a job, but don’t know where to start?
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The Infamous Cover Letter
By Derek
June 21, 2011
Employers can receive many applications for one job opening. With so many applicants, the one thing that can set you apart from the rest is preparing the perfect cover letter.
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Practice Made Perfect!
By Derek
June 16, 2011
So after my last post, I started thinking about a particular girl last summer whose story might calm your nerves and give you an extra boost of confidence!
Her name was Emily and she had dropped in to her local Service Canada Centre to get some tips on her resume. A local grocery store was hiring and she wanted to apply. This was her first time applying for a job, so she wanted to make sure she was doing everything she could to make a great first impression.
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Why Should I Hire You?
By Derek
June 14, 2011
Probably one of the more nerve-racking steps in your job application process is going to be the infamous interview. Many shudder at the mere thought of the word, but don’t be one of them!
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First Things First!
By Derek
June 8, 2011
For many of you, this summer may be your first venture into the working world. The end of the school year is fast approaching, so it’s time to start putting a resume and cover letter together, researching some possible interview questions, and ultimately looking for employers that are hiring. Don’t get overwhelmed though, it’s not as much work as you think. All you need is to be prepared!
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Welcome to VOICE!
By Derek
June 6, 2011
You’ve stumbled upon a new blog ? written by youth for youth. A space where real life experiences will be shared to help you find the tools you need to get out there, find a job and gain insight into the world of work and post-secondary education.