Anne Carbert, Career Counsellor

Arts and culture workers! Back in June WorkInCulture and Humber College hosted an online conference to explore "solutions and ideas for the arts and culture industry moving forward during this time of crisis." The panel discussions are available online for viewing any time. Topics include: Engaging Audiences in Digital Spaces, Finding Value Online, Accessibility Online, Activism and the Arts, and more >> https://www.culturescompass.com/

There is nothing to fear in the act of beginning. More often than not it knows the journey ahead better than we ever could. Perhaps the art of harvesting the se...cret riches of our lives is best achieved when we place profound trust in the act of beginning. Risk might be our greatest ally. To live a truly creative life, we always need to cast a critical look at where we presently are, attempting always to discern where we have become stagnant and where new beginning might be ripening. There can be no growth if we do not remain open and vulnerable to what is new and different. I have never seen anyone take a risk for growth that was not rewarded a thousand times over. JOHN O'DONOHUE Excerpt from the books, Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US) Ordering Info: https://www.johnodonohue.com/store Connemara, Co. Galway / Ireland Photo: Ann Cahill

Today is the pan-Canadian Day of Action for Paid Sick Days! Share your paid sick day story using the tag #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives -- and @ or call your MPP to l...et them know we need the provinces to implement permanent paid sick days for all before it's too late. Find local actions & ideas here: https://www.decentworkandhealth.org/day_of_action_for_paid_

Our conversation needs to focus on who dies, why they die and how we can save them while we press for effective treatments and vaccines. Service industry workers, first responders, teachers, food supply chain and processing workers, the elderly and immigrants die because society believes them to be disposable. In our rush for economic recovery, too many workers fearing loss of both income and health insurance are coerced to return to work sites that are not safe. These are the people who can’t work from home but provide essential services to those who can. ~ Cleve Jones in The Guardian Advocating for paid sick days is an important move towards a more equitable and compassionate response to the pandemic. For information and advocacy actions follow Decent Work and Health Network and Fight for $15 & Fairness.

Modernized employment equity legislation at all levels of government, all across the country! >> From Anthony Morgan: In my years of legal, policy and public advocacy, I’ve offered many ideas about how Canada can do better by Black Canadians. I’ve recommended everything from an African Canadian Justice Strategy to address the overpolicing and overincarceration of Black Canadians to the implementation of a national policy for Black arts, culture and heritage, to tap into and ...enhance the immense potential of Canada’s Black creative communities. I stand by these and other ideas and maintain that they should be adopted. But in the midst of the current anti-Black racism reckoning that has spurred Canada’s Great Racial Awakening, it is economic justice for Black communities that I think is most needed. That means modernized employment equity legislation at the federal level, and the introduction of robust provincial and territorial employment legislation across the country. Read more at the link ... See more

Great examples here of how workplace norms and power structures can be changed to make spaces safer for Black, Indigenous, racialized and trans workers - plus introductions to inspiring workers who are organizing and supporting each other to advocate!

I've shared this @Careershifters blog with a number of clients lately because it sets up a simple and relatable framework for when you're feeling stuck in your career exploration and then suggests some ideas for next steps. Are you without much direction and need a new career goal? Or do you have a goal but you're seeking the path forward? Read some tips for "Goal Finders" and "Path Finders" here! >> https://www.careershifters.org//which-type-of-career-chang

Looking forward to this virtual get-together today with dancers and the DTRC! We will chat about career questions, how and when to start exploring a transition, and how to look after ourselves in times of change.

It's so easy to feel overwhelmed these days and find it a challenge to focus. If in the midst of all this change you are trying to keep some fire burning for a career transition, this "micro shift" approach might help: From Careershifters.org: "For Micro Shifters, five minutes is plenty to make a start on something.... "Five minutes in line at the bank [or at home between tasks] write the first crappy draft of an email to someone inspiring (because once you have a first crappy draft, the mental barrier of that ugly blank page is gone). "Ten minutes to talk to a friend about an idea you've had, however vague and uncertain it is, to see what inspiration and possibilities they can think of for you (because in a week's time, when they come across something relevant, they can send it to you and spark something new). "A few hours to go [virtually] to a talk on a subject that interests you (because it interests you, and anything that interests you is a Little Yes on the string of tiny light bulbs). "Micro Shifters take consistent, tiny actions because every little step gets them further along the path."

Freelancers and entrepreneurs: Have you checked out the services available through your local centre for business or entrepreneurial hub? Many of those offices, like the Stratford Perth Centre For Business where I live, are pulling together remote services including free tips and advice for navigating options for financial support. Don’t go it alone! Find out what services your local small business community can offer.

Seems like a good time to share this again ...

The eligibility criteria for CERB has been expanded >> https://www.cbc.ca//cerb-emergency-benefits-trudeau-1.5532

If you are out of work and income at the moment, don’t forget about the government-funded employment centres. In Ontario, various community agencies receive funding from Employment Ontario to provide free career and job search services to anyone unemployed or underemployed. Those agencies, like the Stratford Career Centre in my neighbourhood, have their ears to the ground for local employment needs, offer workshops and resources, and sometimes provide specialized services for youth and new graduates. If you’re in Ontario, you can look up your local employment services by entering your postal code here >> http://feat.findhelp.ca/eng/search.php