The One About 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.com
CareersinTrades.ca
Red 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 Canada
Who 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/81214929

The Happiness Equation: https://www.neil.blog/the-happiness-equation

Never Retire article: https://www.neil.blog/articles/why-retirement-is-a-flawed-concept

The Three Boxes of Life: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/21098

High 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 conversation
extends to the systemic barriers that hinder individuals from reaping the fruits of their
labor, touching on issues like bias, socioeconomic status, and undervalued professions.

Devon and Sarah-Jane explore what constitutes as rewards and effectively
demonstrating 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 And
The Money Will Follow. Sarah-Jane even owns a copy of it. In this episode, Devon and
Sarah-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-rcna98513
Paula 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/.