Career Research Occupation 1: Journalist

Information Citation: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. (2014). 5123

Journalists. Retrieved April 8, 2014 from tcu.gov website:

http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/ojf/pdf/5123_e.pdf

Work Environment: Varies.

Typical Work Tasks: Research, investigate, and report news and public affairs and publish via newspapers, television, radio, and other media.

Degree of Independence: Varies. Some journalists are freelance and have total independence.

Physical Demands: Varies. On-scene reporters may face some physical challenges, others may be sedentary.

Typical Workplaces: Radio and television network stations, newspapers, magazines, and websites.

Salary Range: Average at $59,576, lower than average occupational wage

Possibility for Advancement/Movement: Editorial or production

Employment Outlook: Better for journalists than others employed in art/culture and are overall average

Occupation 2: Software Engineer

Information Citation: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. (2014). 2173

Software engineers and designers. Retrieved April 8, 2014 from tcu.gov website:

http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/ojf/pdf/2173_e.pdf

Work Environment: Varies. Can be employed as consults, with firms, or as independent consultants. Can work in private and public sectors.

Typical Work Tasks: Research, design, evaluate, integrate and maintain software applications, technical environments, operating systems, embedded software, information warehouses and telecommunications software.

Degree of Independence: Varies

Physical Demands: Low

Typical Workplaces: Varies

Salary Range: Average is $92,713, which is higher than average

Possibility for Advancement/Movement: Depends on educational background

Employment Outlook: Average

Education Research

Occupation: Journalist

School 1: Carleton University (4-year program)

School 2: Concordia University (3-year program

Citation: Carleton University. (2006). Journalism education in Canada....

Retrieved April 8, 2014
from: http://http-server.carleton.ca/~mmcguire/J-Ed/j-prog/u-programs.shtml

Admission Requirements: for Carleton 85-55% in English with 5 additional credits

Cost of the Program: $3,500 per semester

Start Dates: Programs being in the fall, date TBA for 2014 fall term

Graduate Placements: Information was available for the placement of graduate students, not undergraduate students.

Occupation: Software Engineer

School 1: Carleton University

School 2: Concordia University

Admission Requirements: For Carleton 78-82% in Advanced Functions or Calculus and Vectors plus 5 additional credits

Cost of the Program: $4,360 per semester at 5 courses per semester

Start Dates: Programs being in the fall, date TBA for 2014 fall term

Graduate Placements: Information was available for the placement of graduate students, not undergraduate students.

Analysis

The two careers that I found interesting are journalism and software engineer. Although the careers may seem to be very different, I think that both of them could be very applicable in a world that is increasingly turning towards the internet and computing possibilities for both educational and entertainment purposes. I think that journalism would be fascinating because I could research critical information and then share that information with people in order to help them make more informed decisions. I think that software engineering would be fascinating because I could help broaden the ways that people interact with computers, which, ultimately, lowers the access barriers for knowledge.

I do have concerns about the two careers that interest me. Although the job market for journalists is currently average, I know that there has been a decline in jobs for traditional journalists. This does not limit overall job opportunities, as non-traditional careers that involve freelance work have developed as more traditional jobs in print journalism have declined. However, I do think that it eliminates many of the…