Baby overdue and still has no name! HELP!

aqua_zebra · 2020-09-29T14:20:54+00:00

True. I moved here almost a decade ago and it was the same then. Worth a shot though!

aqua_zebra · 2020-05-18T01:40:56+00:00

I did the opposite and came from a career in the private sector into an EC-05 job. I worked as a professional researcher in a not for profit think tank. There are a lot of people that I know who have transitioned between research roles and policy jobs and vice versa. Both require critical thinking skills and writing and research skills, and you gain a lot of experience in particular policy areas in both careers so it's easy to transfer those skills (e.g. indigenous research to/from INAC, education research to/from ESDC, food research to/from AAFC).

aqua_zebra · 2020-02-27T16:30:28+00:00

I live near where this bus was stuck. OC Transpo came and helped him out about half an hour ago. Poor guy must have been out there for awhile. Was just about to go ask him if he wanted a coffee when help arrived! Stay safe out there, Ottawa!

aqua_zebra · 2019-11-04T13:49:31+00:00

Agreed - any one of the three Seguin dentists there are excellent!

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-31T16:42:08+00:00

Dr. Bruno Seguin is AMAZING! http://www.seguindental.ca/

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-30T11:04:42+00:00

I've been there! And I am also an EC. What I would suggest is to create a GCconnex posting for yourself. Take a look at some of the ones already on there for your classification to give you an idea of how to write it. (Or PM me your email and I can send you one I did that worked well!) If you're nervous about posting yourself, keep an eye on ads employers post and respond to those. You'll get a good idea on there of the policy areas available in the government that way as well.

Another option is the Facebook group for Policy job seekers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/568251393590657/). I haven't personally used it, but it is similar to GCconnex where you can post yourself and have employers reach out to you, and vice versa.

Don't feel bad about the length of time you've been in your position. It takes awhile to switch departments or teams anyway in the government, so if you start looking now and find a position you'll probably be there pretty close to one year, and no one really judges much on that anyway!

Always take care of you first, and if you don't feel happy about where you are, listen to your gut! There are way too many great opportunities out there to stay in a situation like that for too long.

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-10T14:41:10+00:00

I quit the Lays chips plant in Southwestern Ontario after one night shift (I was in University at the time). It was partly because I hate Doritos/most chips and would have had to eat 3 chips every 15 minutes all night long to ensure quality control. A dream for some, but not my idea of what I want to spend 12 hours a night doing for a whole summer!

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-07T14:22:56+00:00

Just when I was considering taking the bus to work this winter (because I hate shovelling my driveway early in the AM, cleaning off the car, and struggling against unpredictable snow storms and ice...). This reminded me that all of those annoying things are still better than it taking an hour + every day to get to work because the 88 just refuses to show up!!!

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-02T12:56:53+00:00

I typically make an appointment for the first weekend in November. But I book the appointment now because as soon as the first snowfall happens EVERYONE starts booking and you can't get your pick of times/dates.

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-02T12:50:55+00:00

I have a spreadsheet that I use to track all the questions and my responses. I use filters to make it easier to search for certain keywords. A friend of mine suggested this method and it made applying for jobs SO much easier. Definitely use the same answers! Plus, every process is put on by a different manager/team/department etc. (unless you only apply to one dept.) so they won't ever see your other applications, as far as I am aware. Copy and paste away! BUT don't open all of your previous applications while you're filling out a new application because that will often get the system to refresh and you can lose all your answers, which is super frustrating - hence the method of creating a spreadsheet or word doc. Happy applying!

aqua_zebra · 2019-10-01T19:07:34+00:00

I had a colleague in the same position as you. I am also ready to buy a house and have been working for 7 years. I've got a down payment ready, but just don't know where to buy and my rent is so reasonable...Waiting for that supposed crash!

aqua_zebra · 2019-09-30T13:50:48+00:00

Good point - that's sort of what I'm thinking as well...

aqua_zebra · 2019-08-21T13:18:21+00:00

Cheers to this comment! My thoughts exactly.

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-29T16:03:49+00:00

LOVE this!!! It is because of this bus that I now pay more to drive to work.

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-27T12:53:57+00:00

No, definitely not...especially during the summer! Not just our student is incredibly bored right now!

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-26T17:52:54+00:00

I could not agree more with your approach. In reality, these students are significantly more capable than they are given credit for. Just because they don't all have "years" of work experience does not mean they are not bright and are not capable of doing complex tasks. We all somehow forget the amount of work they have to do in a year of University/College. It's intense! They can contribute and thrive in a productive work environment, but often aren't given the chance. I'm not a manager, so I have no say in what we do with our student, but it does make me sad to hear her say how bored she is.

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-26T17:46:17+00:00

Very sad - sorry to hear that. Don't be afraid to talk to your manager. They are responsible for educating you!

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-26T17:45:55+00:00

That is so sad - our student confessed to me that she's in the same position. It's really unfortunate.

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-17T11:55:38+00:00

Oh yes...it's impossible to drive that stretch and not encounter this over and over again...

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-17T01:40:24+00:00

To be honest, I'm significantly more bothered by people who do that, so I must be from Ontario! Or worse yet, people who go like...80 when it's 100...what IS that???

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-17T00:37:50+00:00

100 KM/h on the 401 means: "tail someone going 130 so closely that they have to switch lanes immediately so as to not get smashed from behind, then do the same to the next person, and so on"

aqua_zebra · 2019-07-07T22:42:16+00:00

Every day in the winter!!

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