Comments (0)

Moving to any city is considerably stressful.  It doesn’t matter, ultimately, whether or not there are contacts or familiar landmarks, at least for the first few weeks.  There are adjustments that come in any new space, and the beginning can be the hardest, or at least the most disorienting.

For some people, this can serve as a kind of challenge, where it seems like it might be wise to move somewhere entirely other, since the adjustment is always hard at first.  This way, they figure, they’ll be able to adjust to a new place altogether, and add to their list of unusual adventures.  Most people who live like this are either victims of uncontrollable wanderlust, students, writers or artists.  Maybe there’s not much difference.  Whether or not one happens to be an artist, the task of setting out to rent an apartment in Montreal seems like a large one.  There are plenty of resources, though, to make it easier.  Not effortless, but definitely easier.

Establishing a solid home base is essential for any move, to any city, and Montreal does offer some wonderful opportunities to set up a welcome space for oneself. Montreal apartments can definitely reflect the refinement and culture of the city at large, and still offer solace and refuge from the business of the day.  For artists, this can be essential, because the work can be demanding and exhausting.  Although cultural perceptions can often make artists think they are already playing at life, and have no need for escape, there are enough populations in larger cities that have other, more realistic views of the calling.

One of the difficulties, of course, that is somewhat of a constant throughout the lives of creative people, has to do with the simple challenges of making a living wage.  Although Montreal does have industries that thrive, such as maintenance, retail, and transportation, it is as tough here as it is anywhere to make a living in the arts.  The jobs seem to be in graphic design or other areas more related to advertising than aesthetics, but it can be done.  People do find ways of breaking into the art scene here, and some even manage to eke out decent livings.  It is the exception, however, so it’s always wise to think ahead, plan on plenty of adversity and take it as a daily challenge, and then plunge ahead and do it anyway.  It’s also one of the most exciting cities, and it deserves exciting artists and writers to describe it. 

Comments (0)

As many people have learned over the last few years, finding great jobs and holding on to them during a
recession can be difficult. Long ago, our grandparents or even parents looked for jobs that provided stability and security. It seems now days, no job is secure. For a while, in the not too distant past, people gained a bit of freedom and were finding wonderful jobs that allowed them a bit more flexibility and creative input, and those jobs at time were stable and secure.

As we begin the New Year , people are attempting to find what our grandparents were looking for. Security. There are a few creative types out there, restaurateurs or writers, actors perhaps, boutique-environmental shop owners, but a whole lot of luck goes into those kinds of endeavors. So now, it’s back to basics and doing a little research when deciding on a new career path.

One career choice which will most likely never be outsourced, is that of a choice in the medical field.
Money Mutual reviews have shown that being a registered nurse in the United States is one of the most recession proof occupations out there. There is no need to worry that the industry itself will topple. Now more than ever, with stress related illnesses on the rise in the general public, the medical industry is booming. People like physical therapists, nurses, general practitioners, chiropractors and those who work in medical billing will most likely never have a difficult time in finding and keeping employment. And while the work may be grueling, there are great benefits and those with experience have quite a bit of freedom when it comes to scheduling and locations in which to find work in their field.

Another job with security and stability is that of a school teacher in the public system. While there are issues about the salaries of teachers, there are not issues with job security. Like many government jobs, when the employee reaches the status of obtaining tenure, there are not many reasons in which they will lose their employment. A career in public safety is another option. Although it has happened, layoffs in the police department and the fire department are rare. Some may find this work to be too dangerous, but there are some who find a career as either a fireman or policeman to be rewarding and fulfilling on personal levels. And again, once seniority has been obtained there is quite a bit of freedom with regards to scheduling. Both the fire department and the police departments of various cities have also upgraded the wages and the retirement packages for their officers. There are many more options out their for people looking for stable and continued employment. The best way to approach making a choice is by doing a little research on the area in which you are living. There is bound to be something that is just right for you.

Comments (0)

For the ones who grew up watching movies in the 70s, the idea of making a living as a stunt driver was always one of the great options.  It may not have been as prominent as firefighter or doctor, but it was in that realm.  Any trip to the matinee would only further fuel this idea.  Although there may be some dubious merit to the Burt Reynolds films, at least in classical cinematic terms, their ability to impact the generation who grew up in the dark was deep and impressive.  They may be part of the last generation of great stunt people however.  Computer graphics can do so much more these days, that it’s not as necessary to risk lives on film.

It made sense to learn that Reynolds was roommates at one time with Hal Needham.  Their chemistry was legendary, and it was easy to imagine the two of them arguing for hours over nitto tires and still being nothing less than the closest of friends after.  That spirit was in all of their films, where the close friendships were always marked by a little bit of animosity, and an enormous love.

It’s probably not a coincidence that these are the same things that are part of the make-up of a professional stunt driver.  Being in dangerous situations every day does mean that there is a hardness to the world, but it’s not the same kind of hardness that infuses warrior culture.  There is a generous balance of love, and that comes from the sheer fun that’s at the heart of it.  After all, the whole purpose of a day’s work is to make audiences feel a small thrill.  It is the stunt driver who takes the burden and the pressures of living close to that edge in order to facilitate the experience for others.  In that sense, then, stunt training is part of a calling.

The great drivers of the 70s, however, just might be the last of their kind.  There are certainly others who are charged with putting themselves at risk on the set.  They are the ones whose knowledge of cars is extensive, knowing about how the brakes work at every speed, what niche wheels can do to an otherwise ordinary car, and how to keep their faces out of the shot.  There are more technologies that make it possible to increase the risk, or at least how the risk looks on film, and this does change the game.  It’s not as necessary for stunt people to do so much, because computers can make the effects, and often they are more realistic than filming the thing itself.  It’s a different era, but as long as there are hand to hand fight scenes, there will be a need for the stunt double.

Comments (0)

The adage that job hunting is a full-time job has never been more true. Unemployment remains high and the economy fails to create new jobs at a rate that matches the jobs loss resulting in far too many applicants for each opening. Getting to the front of that line can be a time consuming task for anyone searching for employment.

Computers were supposed to make finding a job easier. Resumes can be instantly emailed to potential employers. Career sites offer hundreds of job listing and online classified sites have all but replaced newspapers as the place to get the most up-to-date job openings. However, it can be easy to get lost in the sheer volume of these sites. Worse still is the fact that many of those listings receive dozens if not hundreds of digital resumes, making it nearly impossible to get seen, let alone called in for an interview.

Social media has become the answer for the modern job hunter. It is said that most jobs are never even listed. People hire people, not resumes — and they find those people through networking . This used to mean joining community organizations to rub elbows with movers and shakers, attending industry events or specific networking meetings. Today it means crafting professional social media profiles and building a digital network of connections that can lead to a job.

Most people think of Facebook as a place to post family photos, share funny links and videos, and play silly games. Experienced professionals know better. They maintain a professional profile on Facebook that allows them to demonstrate their expertise to clients, industry colleagues, and community leaders. By sharing insights, linking to thought-provoking articles, and even asking for advice from others, they slowly build a solid network. Just look at Daniel Drimmer on Facebook as an example.

Facebook isn’t the only place to build a professional profile. LinkedIn was created to be the ‘professional facebook.” Busy executives like Daniel Drimmer know that a profile on LinkedIn can serve as a professional resume. LinkedIn also hosts discussion groups that allow members to converse about their industry as they build their professional network. Best of all, LinkedIn allows members to indicate that they are looking for work and even allows companies to list open positions.

When it comes time to submit a resume for one of those public listings, applicants with a good online network can bypass the traditional process. Instead they can message a friend at the company through LinkedIn or Facebook and ask for help getting their resume to the top of the list. In the best case scenario, someone looking to fill a position will scan their social media network to find people they already know who would be a good match for the company and someone gets a job without it ever appearing on a job listing site.

Photo courtesy Aidan Jones via Flickr (Creative Commons License).

Comments (0)

If all else fails, there’s always the temptation to run off and join the circus.  Joining the circus is much harder these days, however, because there just aren’t as many as there once were.  It’s even more difficult to find work in the carnival of the American imagination.  The culture that gave birth to the carnie of the 20^th century is still there, although its focus is on other forms of oddity, and the outlet for their curiosity is satisfied by reality television.  There are plenty of stories and films that document the sideshow experience, and from all accounts, there was never very much in there to romanticize.

These days, the best bet for finding this kind of work is through the state fair system.  Contacting the local state fair is easy enough, and there are usually a number of employment opportunities when that time of year rolls around again.  This is the best way, by far, to get a little experience in working in this kind of atmosphere.  Judging from the testimonies of the workers, however, it’s usually a hard job with low pay at best.  Working the fair circuit is definitely a road to adventure, but the adventures are more morose than exciting.  But there is something in the mythic imagination that always wants to leave this open as a possibility, and popular culture does hold it in a peculiarly romantic position, despite the real life experiences of the workers.

Most of the employment opportunities will have something to do with setting up and taking down, and anyone who’s worked a concert for spare cash in high school knows what that gig is about.  There are always going to be roadies with a lot more experience, and a lot of egos being thrown around.  It’s difficult labor, and this is made much tougher when the circumstances are less than welcoming.  Operating rides isn’t difficult to learn, but it can be tedious, and the crowds can be less than grateful.

There is room to grow, however, for someone who has some special skills and talents.  Guessing someone’s weight can be interesting and rewarding, although the position is one that is rarely open.  If one has psychic talents, guessing someone’s name can be a great way to start developing that gift.  Reading palms and cards are also good options, and a way into a much wider field.  With these, the carnival and fair should be seen as a gateway to other employment situations that are more amenable to these arts.  But the roughness of the fair can be the perfect entry point, with high pressure, low wages, and plenty of opportunities to study human behavior in extraordinary situations, and there is something romantic in that.

Comments (0)

While many golf fans and players dream of one day becoming professional golfers who compete in tournaments, there are a variety of other golf-related careers a person can pursue. There are also a number of ways a person can train for a career in the field of golf. This article will mention some of the various opportunities in golf and some ways of training to work in an exciting role having to do with golf.

Golf careers vary; a person may manage a golf course, become a manufacturer’s representative for golf equipment, or become a golf sportswear buyer. He or she may decide to organize golf tournaments, become a golf instructor, or perform product development for golfing products. There are many ways to be involved in the sport of golf and earn a living. The choice depends on knowledge, talent, and interest.

One way to train for a career in golf is to attend a golf college. This type of school trains students in many golf-related skills. Some colleges award degrees and prepare their students for the golf careers they respectively choose. PGA members are faculty at some of these schools.

Another way to get the experience necessary for a career in golf is to study with a professional. A golf instructor can help a person improve his or her game and provide practical advice. If a student wishes to become a golfer who plays professionally in tournaments, having a very strong teacher will help.

It is also possible to already have necessary skills for a career in golf, but just not realize it. Someone who is skilled in sales, for example, might want to include his or her passion for golf as part of work. A person like that could easily start selling golf supplies on a retail or wholesale basis.

Anyone who is interested in golf, looking for a career change, or who just wants to try something new can have a golf career. It may be an on-course job like an instructor, groundskeeper, or golf pro. It may be an off-course job in marketing, product development, or management. The most important things people looking for golf careers must remember are to keep an open mind, assess their talents and weaknesses, and to build on their talents and learn any skills necessary to make the leap into a rewarding and satisfying job in the golfing industry.

Comments (0)

Music plays such a significant role in almost everyone’s lives, it’s nearly impossible to imagine living without it. Meanwhile, arts funding in education continues to be cut, and music as well as other performance and visual arts programs are repeatedly put on the chopping block. In addition to its overall place in and significance to society, it is well known the intellectual benefits a music education has on students. Young people who study music score better in other analytic areas, including math and the sciences. This is just one way in which music and a music education greatly benefits those who study and practice it. And many young people would be much more eager to tackle their piano lessons if they knew the impact it would have on their math. Math problems become easier to solve and abstract learning increases greatly.

Performance is just one area of music study that can not only greatly enrich the lives and minds of those who pursue it academically, but there are numerous areas in the field that can lead to substantial careers. It’s still difficult for any performer to carve out a living in the industry. This is true for orchestral musicians , such as string players and brass, as well as for popular instrument players such as the guitar and piano. Another positive mental benefit that is associated with the study of music is a greater memory capacity, was well as retaining one’s memory skills well into their older years.

Regardless of any professional intentions you may have with music, playing an instrument either for your own pleasure or even amateur locally, is a great hobby and an enriching life activity. It helps to build community bonds, social connections and sometimes solid friendships. And even if you never plan to play your violin for anyone other than your cat, there is simply no denying the intellectual and life enriching benefits of music study. Music games , which can be part of educational programs, are also extremely helpful, and they contribute not only to one’s music learning, but also toward creative problem solving and abstract thought. It’s also commonly accepted that studying music helps with learning other languages as well as with certain comprehension skills. And even if we reserve the playing of music to icons such as Elton John and Billy Joel, there is no escaping their importance to our lives. These two men alone provide a soundtrack for generations of people and many times we relate specific songs to certain people and times in our lives. Save music programs, save our culture, save ourselves.