With Good Reason

So, the latest census figures released by Statistics Canada tell what many of us have been saying for years, that whether you complete a trades certificate (to become an electrician, a carpenter, a plumber or a brick layer), a college diploma (for a career as a police officer or fire fighter), or a bachelor’s degree “staying in school pays off.”

While some individuals know exactly what they want to do with their lives, others may need to do an indepth old fashioned job search before they decide where to go to school and what to study.  Here are some ideas to think about.

• SEARCH! Go to every conceivable employment search site and look at what jobs are in demand. Even look in the local and national newspapers. Get a picture of what jobs and careers are growing and where in Canada that is happening. Make up a scrap book of the jobs according to their similar characteristics.

• DETERMINE! To the best of your ability, decide which jobs represent the new economy and those which will always be in demand — such as accounting. Separate out those that you think are highly competitive and likely not to remain in demand in the future.

• ABILITIES! Think carefully which of the demand areas suits your interests and abilities. There is nothing wrong with doing something you are interested in or even love to do. And, keep in mind that the career you are choosing now will not likely be for life. Most of us experience different jobs along the way or different types of jobs within a single company. And, you know what, at the end of your working journey, when you look back at what you have done, there will be a very interesting pattern. You will take something from every job you ever had. In other words, there is no such thing as wasting your time.

• DECIDE! When you have decided where there is a good fit, then go to the website for the college or university of your choice and find out who offers the training you will need to get into that type of job or career. If you want an apprenticeship, check the major union sites or do a google search until you find what you are looking for. Above all, don’t give up.

• VISUALIZE! Then, do it without second guessing what job you will get at the end. Just visualize that you will get what is right for you. Call it positive thinking or whatever, but as a cognition and memory specialist in my university career, I have to tell you, that a positive mindset means a lot when it comes to getting trained or retrained.

Whatever young people or those seeking a new job direction do, remember, staying in school longer pays off.  And, plan, plan, plan.

C/P at Crux-of-the-Matter. Revised May 2nd, 2008 at about 4pm.