Rotary Career Symposium

WhenQualityandResultsMatter 244CreeCrescent Winnipeg,Manitoba R3J3W1 Phone: (204)775-7059 Fax: (204)772-6041 TollFree:1-866-949-0333 ������������ O��������E�������� T������� I�������� O� M������� I��. Your YourLeader eader Leader Le In In and Crane ne and and Crane Cran Equipment Heavy Equipment Equipment Heavy Heavy E Training Operator or Training Training Operator Operato www.careersymposium.ca @CareerSymposium Rotary Career Symposium www.careersymposium.ca @CareerSymposium Rotary Career Symposium www.careersymposium.ca @CareerSymposium Rotary Career Symposium 04 | Deciding which career to choose can seem like an impossible task, but the Rotary Career Symposium is doing what it can to make this huge decision fun. The Speaker Sessions give students an opportunity to hear what a day on the job is really like from a wide variety of professionals. "The sessions provide firsthand accounts of a 'day in the life of,' so attendees get a good idea of what it's really like to be in that career day after day — the fun parts and the not-so-fun parts," says Lucy Vogrig, one of the session organizers. "Students have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation. Once the session is over, they can also ask one-on-one questions." Jack Peterson is a new guest speaker for the symposium. Peterson, the CEO at Cogmation Robotics Inc., will give students an in-depth look at what it's like to have a career in robotics. "Many leading futurists and well-known successes like Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, have said the we are only in the beginning of a technology revolution that will be larger and have a huge disruptive impact on the world in the next 100 years," he says. "Robotics will impact every one of us. Cogmation wants to make sure Manitobans are ready, so we will be on the growth curve of robotics and not left behind." Speaker sessions are held on the second floor of the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. Sessions are held at three different times: 10:30 a.m, 11:30 a.m, and 12:30 p.m., with five different speakers presenting during each time block. Each speaker presentation is 20 minutes long and is followed by a question-and-answer period. "We have some new speakers and some that are returning because the demand for them is high," Vogrig says. "Life coach Jessica Dumas was a draw last year. Attendees enjoyed learning more about how sociology, psychology and career counselling come together to identify skills and capabilities for a life coach's clients." Other speakers include Khaled Shariff, the CEO of Project Whitecard, a new-media gaming company. "Everyone wants to know more about gaming, especially in this technology-driven world. Khaled has done it all: web design and game illustration, plus he's been a developer for well-known corporations," says Vogrig. "The last time he attended, his sessions were full." Doug Morrow, a makeup artist who is well known for his work in film and television, will give a presentation covering every aspect of makeup artistry, from beauty and character to puppets and prosthetics. He'll also talk about what it's like to work 18-hour days. "We have Lindsay Salter and Tyler Loewen from the Manitoba Association of Architects explain what it takes to become an architect, how to get there, and what projects you'll be working on, from the small to the very large," Vogrig says. "For those who are mathematically inclined, accountant Fauna Kingdon provides a well-rounded presentation about the accounting world and the many opportunities it provides." Many young people dream of having a career in fashion. Terri Radons, who has over nine years of experience in the apparel industry, will tell students what really goes on in the field, from the initial concept to the design, and from the cutting room to the finished garment. "Terri has worked at a variety of companies, designing various garments. She sheds some light on the opportunities available in this competitive field," says Vogrig. "We also have disease-hunting scientist Lisa Fernando, who is well known worldwide for her research on Marburg disease. Her important work in Angola has made her a hero. She'll talk about lab work, going into the field, and what opportunities a career in science has to offer." Another popular speaker is animator Liem Nguyen, who discusses the day-to-day life of an animator and what processes they follow. Culinary arts is an industry many students are interested in, Vogrig says. "Everyone is aware of all the food television shows and chefs. Henry Traa oversees the convention centre's food services and will discuss what opportunities are available in culinary arts, and what takes place before your plate is put in front of you." Other industries and fields that are represented in this year's speaker sessions include engineering, medicine, the trades, law and psychology. For a full list of speakers, please see p. 8 or visit the Rotary Career Symposium website at careersymposium.ca/event-schedules.php. Careers Let's talk By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press

• Cover