Sometimes it takes more than the flip of a coin to make a decision. Some decisions are easy, like choosing what to have for lunch. But decisions related to bigger issues, like school, work or personal problems, require more thought and internal debate. Why is that? Because you realize that one decision could bring many consequences to your life. If you choose to eat a taco instead of a tuna sandwich for lunch, the only result may be indigestion, but if you choose the "wrong" career path, you may end up living a life you totally don't want. In an article called "Are You Indecisive?" in the April 2004 issue of Shape magazine, Dr. Stephen P. Robbins said that life is basically a series of decisions. "People look at decisions in isolation instead of realizing that single decisions are really points in a stream of decisions," he stated. For example, let's say you choose to study fine art for two years. The smaller decisions to make will include: where will you study? How will you pay for school? Where will you live while you're a student? Will you have a part-time job? It's key to remember that there are no right and wrong decisions and you can always change your mind on your first decision. If you start your art classes and discover that you actually don't like fine art, you could switch subjects the following semester and another series of decisions will stream from that. When you're making decisions it can be helpful to create your own process for weighing the options. Here's a selection of activities you can use to make all types of decisions, big or small. After going through your process, trust that you'll know when you're ready to choose. Keep in mind that some decisions will turn out better than others and you need to accept the risk involved in making decisions so you can accept the consequences if things don't turn out as you'd hoped.
In the 60s, many workers held stable, secure jobs in one company, stayed there for 40 years, and looked forward to their gold watch upon retirement. Long-term, nine-to-five jobs are harder to find. More and more people earn a living by juggling part-time jobs with contract work. Others increase their income through small business pursuits. And almost everyone works for several companies over a lifetime.
Not long ago, a woman’s role in the workforce was limited to packing a lunch for her husband and taking care of him after a hard day at the office. Business was a man-to-man affair. Although women still struggle for occupational equity in some areas (eg. rate of pay), women have made great social and economic gains in the workforce. Today’s women have greater freedom to choose between career, family or a combination of the two.
Until recently, trades were considered second-rate jobs reserved for guys with excellent hammer-and-nail skills and limited intellectual abilities. Negative stereotypes related to the trades are rapidly diminishing. Trades professionals are extremely skilled, trained men and women with high earning potential and ample opportunity to reach management level.
In the '70s and early '80s, the transmission time to send a fax was three minutes per page, down from six minutes per page in the late '60s. Technology has revolutionized the way the world does business. At the push of a button, documents can now be mailed electronically, reaching local and global destinations within seconds. And the fax machine is going the way of the dinosaur.
In 1996, there were 61,755 Aboriginal people participating in the BC labour force. As the population changes, so does the labour market: by 2010, the number of Aboriginal people in the BC labour force is expected to rise to 72,870.
A portfolio has traditionally been used as a tool for visual artists to showcase their work. A career portfolio is a useful tool for any job seeker today. It allows people to exhibit their skills and interests in an attractive, tangible format. Portfolios are also an excellent conversation piece during interviews.
In 1986, the minimum hourly wage in BC was $4.50. In 2004, BC’s minimum hourly wage is $8.00 (and the training wage is $6.00 per hour for the first 500 hours of work.)
Before the 90s, a year out of the workforce was viewed as a gaping void in a job seeker's resume. Making time to travel, attend classes or do volunteer work are accepted ways for people to develop emotional intelligence, self-awareness, confidence and wisdom–all important qualities in today’s workplace.
Major events, like Expo'86, changed the way people lived and worked in BC. Local and world events will always impact the way we live and work. Today, the Kelowna fires still affect the labour market, as families construct new homes. In the near future, the 2010 Winter Olympics are expected to initiate a job boom in BC and the Yukon, particularly in the trades.
2004 YES-CANADA BC. All rights reserved.