The One About Careers

Well.We've had quite a few conversations with quite a few people doing quite a few different things!It's been a blast.To round out our second season (!), we thought we'd do a bit of a summary of the key takeaways, or golden nuggets that came out of those conversations. Because despite all the differences, there were a lot of ideas and experiences that repeated over and over again.What did we find the most telling? The number of times these things came up:The role networking played in so many careersThe non-linear pathwaysFinding yourself doing something you hated in high school, and realizing it wasn't so badThe impacts of AI on the changing career landscapeBeing willing to change your mind and get off the train as soon as you know it's going the wrong directionEvolving as a human and how it changes your work and how you work

In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane chatted with Rachel Brethauer, Copywriter, Magical Unicorn and aspiring TV writer.Besides giving us a peek behind the curtain of TV writing, Rachel also hit on some pretty important themes in our conversation with her. They included:The bonuses of partnerships and connectionsSeeing it as "making friends" and "finding your people" instead of "networking"How success doesn't look at all what you think it willLearning to accept what isn't in your control: often, the outcome of your workChasing your dreams from a early age so you can learn, and readjust as you goResourcesCopywriting and Advertising at Humber CollegeRadio and Television Arts (RTA) at Toronto Metropolitan UniversitySearle Creative Group

In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane chatted with Vicki Noels-Cornish, who is a fellow career pro. Vicki's pathway has been a little different than Devon and Sarah-Jane's, mainly because she defines herself as "neurospicy."If you have ADHD, a learning disability or you feel like you fall into the category of neurodivergence, you definitely don't want to miss this episode!A few of our big takeaways:What it means to be "neurospicy," and how that can impact your career and your work lifeThe impact of getting firedSeeing your neurodivergence as a superpowerThe societal and very gendered assumptions about ADHDIdeas of the kinds of accommodations you could ask for in the workplaceAn introduction to the Kolbe AssessmentFlipping the script to see the world as "innovation deficient" and figuring out how you can solve thatResources:The Company YOU - Vicki's businessThe Kolbe Assessment

On this episode, we'll meet Melissa Macfarlane Heidmiller, a Brand Marketing Manager.We thought she meant brand marketing as in, marketing shoes. She means brand marketing like marketing businesses. It's her job to make sure that organizations look attractive to potential employees.The industry has only been around since the 80s, and it's been in Canada for maybe 10 years.Here are a few things we chatted about:The miraculous thing that is visiting career counsellors after high schoolBuilding a career that is a combination of working for others and working for yourselfThe ups and downs of working in a new-to-Canada industryHow there isn't one thing only that you can do in your careerFollowing a common thread in your career; in Melissa's case, her job combines communications, marketing, HR and career counselling to help her support talent management and skill developmentHow plenty of employers still don't understand the benefit of being intentional about attracting the right people to their roles and organizations

Did you ever have a time when you were working in fraud investigation, and then your family history, your creativity and your joy all converged in one place, and you quit your job and opened a restaurant?Yeah, we didn't either. But this episode's guest did! Meet Honey Abada, the current owner of La Isla Manila in Barrie, Ontario.Honey dropped some terrific insights on her own career journey, including:Leading with curiosityGetting out of your own head, and really hearing how others see your skillsBeing open when opportunity arisesThe ups and downs of entrepreneurshipUsing your skills and talents to serve

In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane jump into the world of environmental careers, with Leslie Greener, Business Centre Pratice Lead, Environmental Service at Stantec Consulting Ltd.(We didn't know what that meant either, so don't worry, we asked!)Leslie's work in the environmental field has spanned the private sector, the public sector and consulting work and she's currently on her second tenure at Stantec.Some of the wisdom Leslie shared in the episode:Looking at other options after her undergrad, rather than jumping right into a Master's degreeThe fun and the challenge of keeping up with changing trends, laws and technologyUsing a wide range of employability skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and continual learningThe importance of understanding all aspects of what your team does - getting your boots on the ground - especially if you are in a decision-making roleBeing confident enough to ask questions and try things that are unfamiliarResources:Environmental Management and Assessment at Niagara CollegeStantec Environmental Services

In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane chatted with Courtney Brooks, Case Manager, Employment and Social Services for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.As usual, talking about someone's career journey led to some great nuggets of information.Here are some of the highlights:Using transfer credits to choose a university program so that it takes less time and costs lessFinding the balance of competency at work and being challenged enough to land in the sweet spot of job satisfactionUsing skills in ways you didn't expect - like using teaching, coaching and mentoring skills in a case management capacity, perhapsThe struggles parents have to understand their kids' education options when the options are so different and more varied than they used to beUnderstanding that evolving as a person might make you better equipped to take on your dream role later in life, rather than landing in it as quickly as possible.The disconnect between high school courses and real workEnjoy!

In this week's episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane sit down and talk to Aaron Schoenmaker, and hoooo boy, does he have a story!Today, Aaron is the Manager of National Student Recruitment at Centennial College.Follow along as we unwind Aaron's twisty tale from high-school dropout and petty criminal to factory worker, skilled tradesperson, marketer and college recruiter.Here are a few highlights we discovered:Networking and building relationships are your best friend when it comes to career movementContinuing to upgrade and pursue more education and leveraging transfer credits each timeUsing work-integrated learning opportunities through school to explore options and build experienceTaking advantage of contract roles to learn, build your network and develop skills in different areasThe impact of working with real grown-ups at a young age to get a sense of how work fits into your life

In this week's episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane sit down with Jenn Powell, a self-described "Jenn of all trades."Currently, Jenn coordinates events and training for clients across the postsecondary education industry in Canada. But how did she get there?In this chat, we hit on some great nuggets of info:Surviving never working in the thing you studied forTaking education on a continuing basis while workingUnderstanding how postsecondary education works by working in postsecondary educationThe benefits of regular networking, plus having the guts to reach out to a potential employer when they post on LinkedIn about an employee leavingLeaning into curiosity and asking questions to find out how many different versions there might be of a career you want to pursueDoing something for fun, even if it didn't work out to be your careerResources:Brainstorm Strategy Group

Join Devon and Sarah-Jane for a chat with Amanda Donovan, who is the Activities Coordinator for St. Paul's Anglican Church in Charlottetown, PEI. (A job she would never have expected to be doing!)While much of her job is about event management, and she gets to lean into her love of events and building connections, we got pretty philosophical about life and careers at the end!Along the way, some other great tidbits about careers came out:Recognizing the common thread about you that shows up in different areas of work, volunteering and lifeBeing able to identify skills that you have that are actually unique and marketableFinding a welcoming and accepting workplaceFollowing your dream without it having to be your jobThe ongoing battle we all have to find your voice and have the courage to use itHow your life view at a young age can shape your career decisions, even long after you've grown up.A few links for ya:Drawstring Productions on Facebook (Amanda's theatre company)Holland College, PEI's community collegeSt. Paul's Anglican Church, Charlottetown, PEI

In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane interview Will Howe, who is the Provincial Data Lead for the School-College-Work Initiative in Ontario.While you learn all about Will's extremely windy career path, you'll also hear his insights on:Why a liberal arts major is usefulHow to use connections to find workThe importance of being able to communicate what you learn in school in a language employers understandThe bonus of not having a planBringing honesty into the workplace and your work relationshipsHaving postsecondary options that aren't just "straight to university"Learn more about what the School-College-Work Initiative does here.

In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane chat with Shelly Totino, who eventually landed in the communications field after 4 attempts at postsecondary education (2 of which she actually completed!).In this conversation, you'll hear Shelly's take on:The benefits of pursuing postsecondary education when you're not fresh out of high schoolUsing networking to land cool jobsUsing credit transfer to obtain more than one credentialBeing in a type of work that crosses industries fairly easilyWhether or not AI will take away writing jobsOvercoming "sunk cost fallacy"Resources:Devon's chat about sunk cost fallacy on Your Career GPS.

It wouldn't be unusual to meet someone who has had these jobs throughout their working life:Registered Practical NurseVolleyball RefereeSecurity GuardDrag PerformerBut when did you meet someone who has all of them, all at once?You will on this episode! Parastoo Sadeghein is interested in many different things, and has always been. In her view, why not do them all? If you or someone in your life is struggling with narrowing down career options, you just might find Parastoo's story fascinating.

Don't worry, we started with "what the heck is a Functional Business Analyst??"This episode launches a series of informational interviews with a variety of people working in a variety of jobs and taking a variety of career paths to get there.In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane interview Melanie Maloney, a Functional Business Analyst at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. Some topics we covered:How do you go from never having heard of a thing to working in it?What do you do with a credential in environmental science?Why choose college instead of university?For more info, check out the International Institute of Business Analysts: https://www.iiba.org/.

Success looks differently whether you’re on your first job or a few jobs in. Sarah-Jane and Devon identify easy tips for success and provide some new ideas about the definition of success. From things to take to work to questions to ask yourself about your work, enjoy this useful, insightful and practical episode.

Devon and Sarah-Jane discuss how you actually find job openings discussing specific in-person and online ideas. Giving very simple tips and strategies for finding openings, Sarah-Jane and Devon set you up for success in both identifying openings which interest you and being successful in the application process to secure an interview.

Is there a teen in your life who has never applied for a job before?Has it maybe been awhile (a looooong while) since you applied to your first job?This episode has you covered, as Devon and Sarah-Jane talk about where to find job postings and provide tips on how to be effective with applications both online and in person. 

What exactly is the difference between "hot jobs" and "in-demand jobs"?Devon and Sarah-Jane have both been asked, MANY times, about getting into careers that are highly in demand.Is that a good strategy for the young adult in your life?Tune in while we spill the tea!

We're back for Season 2! (woo hoo!)We're kicking off this season with an overview of how to plan out your fall if there is a teen in your house applying to post-secondary studies this year.Where should you go?What programs do you need to know about?When are application deadlines?How soon do you have to make decisions?Devon and Sarah-Jane will cover all this and more in this first episode of our second season of The One About Careers.

We likely all recognize that your job brings in a paycheque that helps you pay for things: living expenses, fun stuff and hopefully a little extra to tuck away for a rainy day.But is that it?In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane will delve into the importance of financial intelligence and how having it can really open up possibilities in your career.This is our final episode of season 1. Stay tuned for season 2, coming Fall 2024!Resources:The Millionaire Next DoorDavid Ramsey on YouTube

Developing and boosting your social intelligence can be MONUMENTAL to your career success.Why is that?Because no matter what kind of work you do, no matter who you work for (including for yourself), your job will always involve other people.In this episode, Devon and Sarah-Jane talk about what social intelligence is, how it can impact your career now and into the future and how to leverage it to maximize your future career success.

When you enter your workplace, you don't stop being the person that you are. You don't stop feeling whatever you were feeling just before you got there.That means your emotional intelligence - your ability to recognize and manage your emotions effectively - has a massive impact on your career success.Join Devon and Sarah-Jane as they discuss what emotional intelligence is, how it can impact your work and their own experiences managing emotional intelligence effectively.Resources:How We Feel app - https://howwefeel.org/

Gap years get a bad rap in North America, but Devon and Sarah-Jane are both big fans!To help us talk about this subject, we've invited our VERY. FIRST. GUEST. to talk more about it, one of the foremost experts on gap years in Canada, Michelle Dittmer, President and Co-Founder of the Canadian Gap Year Association.Tune in to find out more about what a gap year is, who takes one and what it might look like for the young person in your life. Website: www.cangap.caYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQPodcast: https://thegapyearpodcast.podbean.com/

Who would have thought that travel was a viable option for a high school student?In this episode, Sarah-Jane and Devon discuss the benefits of travel as a post-high-school option: building independence, self-efficacy and intercultural competence.They also discuss ways to travel without breaking the bank.

This installment dives into the often-overlooked option of volunteering after high school. While some may consider it an unconventional path, the discussion explores its potential benefits. Volunteering not only provides practical experience akin to a first job but also helps individuals discover their preferences and dislikes, aiding in career decision-making. Moreover, it offers networking opportunities, fosters confidence through practical engagement, and can even serve as a structured pathway to gaining specific skills or exploring career interests. The conversation underscores the importance of being intentional about volunteer commitments, ensuring they align with personal goals and values.Links:Katimavik

At the forefront of this episode is a discussion about a post-high school option which evokes some apprehension. Devon and Sarah-Jane delve explore the option of joining the military, highlighting its diverse career opportunities beyond combat roles. With insights into the recruitment process and the evolution of military roles, they emphasize how it could be a viable choice for those seeking alternative educational and career paths. Links:Shake Hands With The Devil by Romeo DallaireMilitary ditching aptitude test for some applicants, will start accepting recruits with medical conditionsCanadian Armed Forces careers

Opening with a discussion about non-traditional options after high school, the podcast delves into unconventional paths for education and income generation. It highlights avenues such as coaching certifications obtained during high school, leading to employment opportunities post-graduation. Sarah-Jane and Devon discuss viable options, which offer substantial income potential without hefty financial and time investments. The conversation expands to include micro-credentials, boot camps, and networking strategies for exploring diverse educational pathways beyond traditional academia. Emphasizing the iterative nature of career development, the podcast encourages listeners to consider the practicality and versatility of alternative education and training options in shaping their professional trajectories.Links:10 Types of Micro-Credentials

The narrative unfolds with Devon expressing her passion for apprenticeships, rooted in her family's background in the trades industry. After a personal tragedy, she found herself drawn to promoting careers in the trades, eventually working as a liaison officer for Skills Ontario. Devon and Sarah-Jane highlight the practicality and financial benefits of apprenticeships, emphasizing the hands-on learning and potential for high-paying, recession-proof jobs. The conversation explores the diverse range of trades beyond the conventional ones. Links:Apprenticesearch.comCareersinTrades.caRed Seal Program

Exploring the themes of education, career pathways, versatility and value, Devon and Sarah-Jane talk about college. They share anecdotes and insights, highlighting how colleges offer practical programs with reduced costs, making education accessible to diverse demographics. Emphasizing the flexibility and engagement found in college settings, they discuss how students benefit from industry-aligned programs and hands-on experiences. Additionally, they touch upon the distinction between publicly and privately funded colleges, advocating for thorough research and consideration of options beyond traditional university routes. The episode sets the stage for a broader discussion on alternative educational paths, including apprenticeships, underscoring the importance of exploring diverse opportunities post-high school.

In this segment, Devon and Sarah-Jane focus on the topic of post-secondary education, focusing primarily on university. Devon shares a personal story about attending an information session for their daughter transitioning from elementary to junior high school and feeling concerned about the pressure put on students to prepare for university from a young age. The conversation delves into the perception of university as the only option after high school, despite many other viable paths available. We discuss the misconception that all jobs require a university degree and emphasize the importance of understanding one's reasons for pursuing higher education. Additionally, they highlight the value of university for those deeply interested in a subject and the transformative potential of education beyond job training.  Relevant Links:Rick Miner’s report:  http://minerandminer.ca/data/CO_PWJ_Brochure_CAN_2010_v4.pdf.

This podcast episode discusses various employment options available to individuals, challenging the traditional notion of full-time employment and exploring alternatives such as self-employment, business ownership, and portfolio careers. Devon and Sarah-Jane emphasize the importance of understanding these options, especially in a changing economic landscape where traditional career paths may no longer be viable. We discuss the concept of "portfolio careers" and highlight the flexibility and fluidity of modern work arrangements. Additionally, we touch on entrepreneurial opportunities, including direct sales businesses, and the importance of assessing risks and exploring different paths, such as pursuing higher education versus starting a business. Links:Futurepreneur CanadaWho is Gary Vee?

The focus of this episode lies in whether work gets easier with age.  Devon questions what is meant by “easier” in the context of work.  They draw on insights gained from books, articles and documentaries.  The conversation highlights the complexity of the issue and encourages listeners to reflect on their own desires for ease versus engagement in various aspects of their lives.  Here are links for the items referred to in this podcast episode:Live to 100: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81214929The Happiness Equation: https://www.neil.blog/the-happiness-equationNever Retire article: https://www.neil.blog/articles/why-retirement-is-a-flawed-conceptThe Three Boxes of Life: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/21098High Performance Habits: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30227731-high-performance-habits?Mel Robbins on goal setting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDmzLZnghcg

This installment explores whether hard work always leads to rewards. The conversationextends to the systemic barriers that hinder individuals from reaping the fruits of theirlabor, touching on issues like bias, socioeconomic status, and undervalued professions.Devon and Sarah-Jane explore what constitutes as rewards and effectivelydemonstrating one's value to employers and redefine beyond monetary gains.Sarah-Jane refers to an article and a study regarding employees’ expectations, which you can check out here.

Many years ago there was a very popular book with the title, Do What You Love AndThe Money Will Follow. Sarah-Jane even owns a copy of it. In this episode, Devon andSarah-Jane debate the validity of this idea taking into account gender, race, technology,skills, area of focus and even, artificial intelligence.The story of "Taylor's Version": https://www.today.com/popculture/music/taylors-version-meaning-swift-rerecording-albums-rcna98513Paula Cole's story: https://www.billboard.com/pro/paula-cole-dawsons-creek-theme-re-recorded/Working: What We Do All Day, produced by the Obamas: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/barack-obama-working-docuseries

Join Sarah-Jane and Devon as they talk about all things salary related as your career unfolds. How does cost of living impact this? Where does your sector or industry fall into it? What is the difference between income and total compensation?We even wandered into a little bit of conversation on universal basic income.Sarah-Jane has a great chapter on money in her book 'Lost & Found: An Adult's Guide to Empowering Teens to Make Their Best Career Decision.' You can download a free chapter here.If you think a teen in your life could benefit from some career support, you can schedule a free consultation with Devon here.

Remember when people used to "climb the ladder" in the corporate world?Do we still do that?Join Sarah-Jane and Devon for a lively chat about whether or not the employment ladder still exists.Find out more about Sarah-Jane and how you can work with her at https://careergrowthco.com/.Find out more about Devon and how you can work with her at https://careerified.ca/.

In this episode of "The One About Careers," hosts Sarah-Jane and Devon discuss the concept of the number of employers individuals will work for in their lifetime. They explore the evolving nature of job titles and the changing expectations surrounding long-term employment. Devon emphasizes that worrying about the number of employers is fruitless, as it varies greatly depending on individual circumstances and industry trends. Sarah-Jane shares statistics regarding the number of employers individuals have throughout their career, which really means that most individuals need to get really good at job searching.  Devon mentions a book called Range: Why Generalists Triumph by David Epstein. Devon discusses how the book explores the concept of being a generalist and how it can be advantageous in the business world and in one's career.

In this episode of The One About Careers, Devon and Sarah-Jane delve into the evolving nature of jobs and careers in today's economy. They explore the shift from traditional notions of one job for life to the current landscape where individuals may have multiple careers or job titles over their lifetime. Devon reflects on her personal journey, transitioning between environmental consulting and career education, highlighting the changing definitions of careers and job titles. They also discuss the prevalence of people working multiple jobs simultaneously, citing factors such as geographic location and industry dynamics. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by today's youth entering the workforce, including a lack of basic work experience and skills. Devon and Sarah-Jane emphasize the importance of providing opportunities for teenagers to gain practical work experience and adapt to the demands of the modern workplace. 

There are many different kinds of academic and training institutions.  In this episode, we talk about some specific examples and how those do or do not relate to earnings.  We both agree that understanding why someone is pursuing post-secondary education is key to deciding the kind of education required.  Sarah-Jane discusses more about this topic in her book, Lost & Found: An Adult’s Guide to Empowering Teens to Make Their Best Career Decision.  You can learn more about her book and receive a complimentary chapter here.  Sarah-Jane also speaks to parents, teachers, and educators on the topic included in this podcast as well as others.  You can reach out to her at [email protected] for some career guidance for the teen in your life? Check out Devon's website at https://careerified.ca, or book a complimentary consultation at  

In this episode we chat about the some of the meaning of academic success: marks and credentials.  We then dive into how this connects or doesn’t connect to earnings.  We both agree that success has many different definitions and that there are a number of paths to creating an income.  We emphasize the importance of defining success for oneself and understanding the various options available.Sarah-Jane discusses more about this topic in her book, Lost & Found: An Adult’s Guide to Empowering Teens to Make Their Best Career Decision.  You can learn more about her book and receive a complimentary chapter here.  Sarah-Jane also speaks to parents, teachers, and educators on the topic included in this podcast as well as others.  You can reach out to her at [email protected] works with students all the time on sifting through these kinds of challenges. If there's a student in your life who is struggling with what to do after high school, reach out to her at [email protected].

This episode is the beginning of a mini-series where we look at various myths and truths about careers and education.Up this week: learning. What we believe about learning has a massive impact on our career choices. If you think that you have to finish all your learning by a specific date so you can get going on your career, you'll definitely want to tune into this episode!Resources mentioned this episode:Mindset by Carol DweckThe Current War

In this episode, Devon geeks out on a theory which is really helpful in understanding how outside influences can affect careers. Understanding that there are actually somepatterns to the “randomness” of external events can actually help us be more preparedfor when they happen. Sarah-Jane gives some real-life examples from her clients’experiences.Devon refers to videos by Dr. Jim Bright. She recommends this one.Sarah-Jane refers to her book, Lost & Found: An Adult’s Guide to Empowering Teens to Make Their Best Career Decision, which can be purchased on Amazon. You can alsocheck out her book and obtain a complementary chapter here.

We career folks loooove to talk about using happenstance to help with career development, job search and career transitions.But what are we even talking about?In this episode, we'll define happenstance, how it works and how the teens in your life can use it to help them figure out next steps in education and careers.

Hoooo boy, do we career pros love throwing out that term "labour market information."The question is...what exactly are we talking about?In this episode, we'll break down the what labour market info is, where to find it, and what is most and least helpful about it. It's really just another tool that can help the teens in your life make informed decisions about their careers.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Job Bank: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-occupationsLMIC Job Trends tool: https://lmic-cimt.ca/data-dashboards/canadian-job-trends-dashboard/As always, you can find Sarah-Jane at https://careergrowthco.com/, and Devon at https://careerified.ca.

Parents, guardians, teachers, mentors...how much did you know about the day-to-day tasks of your work before you started doing it?Here's part b of that question: how much of a chance is there that your kids have a good grasp on the day-to-day of the types of work they're thinking about?Tasks are huge! The ones you like, the ones you don't, and everything in between.In this episode we'll talk about why it's important to know that stuff, and give you some ideas of how you can help the teens in your life get more aware while they make career decisions.

How many of you have ever been in a job where the workplace was not at all what you'd hoped?(We're guessing a lot.)Where you work, how you work, who you work with...all of these things are a critical piece of your career decisions. We very often talk about careers in terms of what people do. There may also be some talk location broadly, like talking about industries and well-known employers in them.We often skip talking about working conditions and how that might impact your career choices. This episode should help get you started!