The full version of the February CAPSScoop can be found by clicking here.

Articles

Innovative LGBT Business Club Gathers Steam

Julian Kosma, Bachelor of Commerce U2

“Bring your whole self to work.”  This mantra has emerged as an approach to balancing professional life with personal life – it has implications for both employees and employers.  OUTlook on Business was founded under the Management Undergraduate Society last year to help gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning students, as well as “allies” (friends of LGBTQ-identifying students), in the management faculty (and beyond!) learn to explore and understand workplace sexual diversity concerns.

Our first semester went by so fast!  OUTlook kicked off the year by starting a new monthly social initiative: Ally Night OUT.  We found that while the core of OUTlook’s membership is LGBT, we have an even larger contingent of straight allies who champion the club’s goals.  Each month OUTlook takes a group of students out to the Village for a night of fun and dancing.  Last semester, students attended three rhythm-pumping nights at Sky and Unity!  (More of these social events are in the works so if you’re looking for an introduction to the club this is the perfect way to start!)

In October, the club hosted an open viewing of the documentary Out at Work.  The filmmakers followed 3 employees’ struggles in the workplace in the 1990s, during which time it was still legal to fire people for being homosexual.  Viewers were reminded of how far both the Canada and the US have come in their equity and labor practices within the past two decades. 

In November, OUTlook held an interactive speaker panel as part of its ‘In to Be OUT Speaker Series’.  Students who attended the event had the opportunity to learn what coming out in today's professional world means.  Speakers included Gregg Blachford of McGill CaPS, Martine Roy of IBM Global Technology Services, Marc-Antoine Saumier of Xerox Canada, and Steve Yan of TD Insurance.  The discussion challenged participants to think about the managerial implications and considerations for attracting LGBT talent and cultivating a diverse workforce.  Even on a rainy night the turnout was much larger than anticipated, which made for an active and lively discussion!

In the new semester, the Executive Team – led by Beren Anil, Matthew Ballek, Julian Kosma, Carmen Ng, Darren Tang, Sigrid Valentin, and Benjamin Veldman – is proud of how much their efforts have transformed an idea into a promising OUTlook. (Pun intended!)  Moving forward, the club is partnering with both the MUS Marketing Network and the MUS Organizational Behaviour/Human Resources Network to produce two more educational events in the coming months which are still to be announced! 

If you’re interested in subscribing to our email list to receive information on upcoming events such as Ally Night OUT, speaker panels, and conferences, check out our website outlook.musonline.com! Twitter users - follow OUTlook_on_Biz!  All are welcome and encouraged to participate!

Embracing Diversity in the Work Place: A TD Canada Trust Employee Profile

Susie Mangar, Specialized Human Resources Associate

My name is Susie Mangar and I currently work in Talent Management and Diversity, Corporate Human Resources as a Specialized Human Resources Associate, Campus Relationship Manager.

Over the past 21 years I have been fortunate to work with many great leaders in many areas and capacities of our organization including: Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, e.Bank, TD Waterhouse, Region Office Human Resources, TD Securities and now Corporate Human Resources – from the sales environment to human resources.

To read my résumé, you would gather I have a lot of work experience. To see me, you would conclude I am a woman and a visible minority. But do you know what a piece of paper or first impression wouldn’t tell you? I am also a person with disabilities.

In 1997 I was in a snowmobile accident where I lost the functional use of my left leg and ankle due to a compound crushed bone injury.

In 2008 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and suffer from anxiety.

On both accounts it is a taxing challenge – physically, mentally, emotionally and sometimes spiritually. However, as you will note, I still productively work with TD. Why? The nurturing culture at TD.

In 1997, I came back to work in a wheelchair and it was the great people at TD that welcomed me back and integrated me back into the TD family so successfully.

Now in 2011, we not only have accommodation policies, we also have diversity networks that recognize that life is not static. As our workforce continues to grow and age, TD also evolves. Our policies are designed to fit the needs of everyone, no matter what stage of life or career you are at.

My message to you is to share your differences, embrace your challenges and raise the bar to succeed. I provide advice and counsel to the diversity team on an ongoing basis regarding persons with disabilities policies and programs. I am very proud that voicing my opinions make an impact on accepting employees with disabilities whether they are visible or not.

I focus on improving my abilities, by utilizing TD’s policies to manage my disabilities. By doing so, everybody wins!

Remember: I am NOT different FROM you, I AM different LIKE YOU.

Find out more about TD and Diversity here

CaPS Working with and for Students with Disabilities

Cindy Mancuso, CaPS Career Counsellor & Diversity Advisor

Did you know that CaPS has an advisor dedicated to working with students with disabilities? Over the years, CaPS has worked in collaboration with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to offer a wide variety of services with regard to career exploration and job search strategies.

We continue to hold panel discussions with employers and employees with disabilities from a variety of industries. For example, this past semester TD Canada held an information day at CaPS specifically for students with disabilities. TD is one of the most progressive organizations when it comes to their hiring policies and their commitment to accommodate all of their employees’ needs. This type of event is an excellent opportunity to talk to professionals about their career paths and job opportunities.

Aside from info sessions, targeted workshops and interesting panel discussions you should also take advantage of meeting with Cindy, our diversity advisor, if you have any questions related to career exploration, job search strategies or have a specific question such as; when and how you should disclose your disability or how to talk to employers about accommodations if needed.

Finally, our Career Resource Centre offers a wide variety of resources. Please check out our website for a list of books and websites: http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/students/resources/disabilities/ .For more information on any of these topics, stop by our office and say hello.

Labour Market Information Bulletin

Lisa Lin, Resource Consultant CaPS

This monthly bulletin aims to inform you of major news and trends in the Québec, Canada and U.S. labour markets. Your feedback is welcome mailto:caps.library@mcgill.ca.

• West Canada will lead the country’s economic growth
• Canadian unemployment rate creeps up
• Internship is rising in popularity
• Occupational highlight: Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
• And more!

L'Ouest canadien sera au sommet de la croissance du pays
La presse, 11 January 2012
http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/economie/canada/201201/11/01-4484861-louest-canadien-sera-au-sommet-de-la-croissance-du-pays.php
The Conference Board of Canada forecasts Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Regina to be the engine of growth and prosperity in Canada for the coming years.

Mining, manufacturing set to power U.S. job growth
Financial Post, 11 January 2012
http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/11/mining-manufacturing-set-to-power-u-s-job-growth/
Manufacturing and mining are set to power U.S. job gains again this year, from auto assembly plants in Ohio to the oil and gas fields of North Dakota.

Survey hints at positive year for job growth
Montreal Gazette, 10 January 2012
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Bryan+Survey+hints+positive+year+growth/5970102/story.html
According to a new national survey, 54 per cent of firms across Canada plan to boost hiring.

U.S. jobless claims jump to 399,000
The Globe and Mail, 12 January 2012
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jobs/us-jobless-claims-jump-to-399000/article2299941/
The number of people applying for weekly unemployment benefits spiked to 399,000 as companies let go of thousands of workers after the holiday season.

Canada’s biggest cities feel a job squeeze
Montreal Gazette, 11 January 2012
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Bryan+Canada+biggest+cities+feel+squeeze/5982153/story.html
Compared to the rest of Canadian cities, both Quebec and Toronto experienced major job losses in 2011.

Canadian unemployment rate creeps up
Financial Post, 06 January 2012
http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/06/canadian-unemployment-rate-creeps-up/
The Canadian economy added fewer jobs than expected in December but still managed to bounce back from declines in the previous two months.

Immigrant wage and employment gaps persist: RBC Economics
Canada Newswire, 19 December 2011
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/897413/immigrant-wage-and-employment-gaps-persist-rbc-economics
Despite higher education levels, Canadian immigrants experience higher unemployment rates and lower incomes than workers born in the country.

Real-world experience
Montreal Gazette, 07 January 2012
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/REAL+WORLD+EXPERIENCE/5959786/story.html
Internships are rising in popularity as a way for students to try their hand at a job while employers assess candidates at a substantial savings.

Canada draws international workers
Montreal Gazette, 24 December 2011
http://www.montrealgazette.com/jobs/Canada+draws+international+workers/5907283/story.html
The number of international workers coming to Canada rises consistently since 2010.

Statistics Canada – Labour Force Survey
December 2011
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/120106/dq120106a-eng.htm
Following two months of declines, employment rose slightly in December, up 18,000. The unemployment rate edged up to 7.5% as more people participated in the labour market. Over the past 12 months, employment growth totalled 1.2% (+199,000), with nearly all of the gains in the first half of the year.

Statistics Canada - Payroll employment, earnings and hours
October 2011 (preliminary)
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/111222/dq111222a-eng.htm
In October, average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees increased 1.4% to $885.36 from the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, average weekly earnings rose 2.7%.

Statistics Canada – Study: Study: Risk of layoff and earnings losses associated with layoffs
2008 to 2010
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/111215/dq111215b-eng.htm
Canadian workers aged 25 to 54 were less likely to lose their job during the mid-2000s than they were in the late 1970s.

For past LMI, visit Know Salary and Labour Information http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/students/job-search/salary/

Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications (NOC 5124)
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/5124.shtml

This unit group includes specialists in public relations and communications who develop and implement communication and promotion strategies and information programs, publicize activities and events, and maintain media relations on behalf of businesses, governments and other organizations, and for performers, athletes, writers and other talented individuals. They are employed by consulting firms, corporations, associations, government, social agencies, museums, galleries, public interest groups, and cultural and other organizations, or they may be self-employed. Agents such as entertainment, literary and sports agents are included in this unit group.

Job prospects are fair.  Over the last few years, employment in professional occupations in public relations and communications has risen significantly. The increase is due to the growth in company demand for communications in order to reach both internal and external clienteles. This significant rising trend in employment should continue over the next few years.

For a complete profile of this and other occupations, visit Career Cruising http://www.careercruising.com/Default.aspx. Contact us at mailto:caps.library@mcgill.ca for the username and password or login to myFuture https://csm-caps.mcgill.ca/students/index.php and search for Career Cruising under the tab View Career Resources.

Are you interested in volunteering?
CharityVillage.com (http://www.charityvillage.com/) is a website that allows you to find jobs, volunteer opportunities, event listings and educational materials related to the nonprofit sector in Canada.  The “Jobs” link contains more than 10,000 opportunities.  The website also offers a listing of nonprofit organizations by category, which can be found on the “Links to NPOs” web page.