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Making moves: Five Ontario women you should keep an eye out on
From business to science and technology, explore how these women are making an impact. Ontario is home to a remarkable array of women who are making significant contributions across various fields. From technology and business to social justice and the arts, these women are driving change and inspiring others. Here, we spotlight five Ontario women whose work is making a profound impact on society. 1. Melissa Sariffodeen Founder and CEO, Canada Learning Code Melissa Sariffodeen is a trailblazer in the tech education sector. As the founder and CEO of Canada Learning Code, she is dedicated to empowering Canadians, especially women and youth, with digital skills. Through her leadership, Canada Learning…
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Journey of a young educator: from struggles to success in teaching
How a young woman overcame challenges to get her dream job. *Name has been changed to keep subject’s anonymity At 25 years old, Natalie Arzo* is an elementary school teacher. Her journey to becoming a teacher was far from smooth. As a young child, she struggled academically due to a learning disability. She had difficulty processing information, remembering content, and managing her executive functioning skills. Before her learning disability diagnosis was confirmed, she was consistently frustrated, watching her peers complete their work with ease while she grappled with her racing thoughts and ideas. She frequently pondered, “What is wrong with me?” and “Why can’t I do this?” Eventually, Arzo settled…
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Women in business: life as a wedding planner
Considering wedding planning as a career? A real-life wedding planner shares her typical day and advice for to-be wedding planners. Codey Sher, a 25-year-old from Toronto, took an unconventional path to her career as a wedding planner. Initially set on becoming a criminal lawyer, Sher’s aspirations took a sharp turn when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and she decided to follow her passions. Despite her passion for law, the day-to-day reality of the profession didn’t excite her. “I started researching other jobs when I came across event planning. I felt like I just knew this was made for me. It took all my passions—food, fashion, design, organization, problem-solving, and just being…
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The benefits of mentorship: how to find or become one
Supporting women and having support is as important as ever as women continue to break the glass ceiling. Mentorship is a mutually beneficial relationship where a more experienced individual (mentor) provides guidance, support and advice to a less experienced person (mentee). It plays a crucial role in personal and professional development, offering benefits such as career advancement, skill enhancement and increased confidence for both mentors and mentees. For women, finding a mentor who understands their unique experiences can be especially empowering and instrumental in navigating gender-specific workplace challenges. Women mentors can serve as role models in showing what’s possible and inspiring their mentees to aim higher. Learn more about the…
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It’s OK to pivot your career path – and here’s how to do it.
It’s not too late to learn how to pivot your career path! “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a common question children are asked from a young age. You might get answers anywhere from a dinosaur to an astronaut, but many have no clue. For some, a career path is laid out for them. For others, the question is scary: how are you supposed to know from a young age what you want to do until retirement? My answers varied depending on my age. When I was young, I used to say ‘a ballerina’. How blissful would it be to spin around on stage in…
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Interview with Influencer Soheila Hakimi
Life as a full-time influencer – And tips to get you started. 10 years ago, you may have daydreamed about quitting your job to become an astronaut, a ballerina or a figure skater. In today’s era of social media, that dream has likely been replaced with a desire to take to your phone and influence the masses for money. It may seem like a questionable career path, but social media influencers represent the new generation of advertising. From Tik Tok stars to Instagram models, these modern-day Mad Men (and women) are single-handedly garnering the attention of the world’s biggest brands, with many making a killing while they do it. Whether…
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5 apps that every woman should have on their phone
Smartphones have become a part of daily life, and many apps help make routines and chores easier. While the tech world hasn’t always been women-friendly, new apps are changing that. Instagram and Pinterest are fan favourites among women. There are several other apps to download that can assist you in your day-to-day life. Here are five apps to consider adding to your phone. These apps range from helping track your period to navigating your personal finances. They’re all free and available to download on iOS and Android. Clue – Period Tracker Clue is an app that helps you make sense of your periods, fertility, pregnancy and menstrual health. The app…
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Tips for returning to the workplace
Returning to the workplace after working from home will be a big adjustment. Many employees have been working from home since March 24, 2020. That was when the provincial government announced the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces to contain the spread of COVID-19. This closure was put in place for 14 days and extended as the pandemic evolved. For some, this work-from-home situation was strange, and for others, it was more than ideal. Many companies have adapted over the past year. The need to go back into the office for five days a week may become a thing of the past. As Ontario moves into Stage Three and restrictions…
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Starting a side hustle during the pandemic
With many out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some Ontarians have turned their hobbies into “side hustles”. These hobbies act as a supplemental source of income and as a creative outlet. From mask-sewing, to jewelry making, almost any creative hobby can find a customer base online. Etsy Canada, a popular online marketplace, saw shop openings increase more than 250 percentage points during its recent quarter. That was compared to the same period last year. In contrast, there has been an 8.3 per cent drop in active businesses since the pandemic’s start. Statistics Canada reported an estimated 25,614 Ontario businesses have closed since February 2020. Coral’s Cookies Coral Itzchaki’s…
