Where did you work this summer, and what did you learn? Work is about earning money, but it is also a social experience in which we learn about ourselves, about others and how our society functions in the workplace. What did you like about your summer job, and what did you not like? Will you keep working while you are at school? What kind of job would you most like to do in the future?

From: Erika Beaulieu
Date: 25 March 2010
Subject: Ma grande aventure . . . en anglais

For two summers, I have worked as a counsellor and lifeguard at an English Immersion Camp in Quebec. In going to work at the camp, I was looking for a different work experience than I had had, and I was also looking for an adventure; it lived up to all my expectations.

We were a group of about 25 counsellors, and our responsibility was to work together to create a variety of outdoor activities for the campers (ages 7-17) as well as to tailor English Immersion workshops to meet the needs of the campers who were divided into groups according to their age and English speaking/comprehension skills.

Consequently, I quickly learned how to work effectively in a group and developed a strong sense of camaraderie with my peers. I also learned how to teach children and teenagers a new language while constantly making them feel as though they were at camp and not in a classroom. For anybody wishing to develop teaching skills, I would highly recommend working at such a camp since it forces you to always be innovative in your teaching methods and to quickly identity the needs of your students.

Since it was an overnight camp, there is the responsibility of always being entrusted with the well-being of the campers. Therefore, the task of being a counsellor is at times very demanding physically and mentally, which is why it is surprising that many camps do not pay the counsellors much over minimum wages. The wages at my camp were $10 per hour for “35-hour” weeks. This is significantly more than the wages of counsellors working at most camps in the Maritimes. However, for the amount of work, the wages should be higher. In my experience, however, the experiences and the memories far outweigh the wages.

All in all it was a positive work experience, which is why I went back for a second summer. I have formed friendships with people from all over and will never forget all that I have learned from working with them.

Erika Beaulieu is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Heather Moase
Date: 6 February 2010
Subject: Border Service

In May 2007 I started working for the Canada Border Service Agency. I was working in their call center in Saint John. It was a big learning experience for me. I gained knowledge about the federal government and how different departments work. I learned all about the hiring system that the federal government uses and all the different steps to it.

I also learned a lot about customer service. Dealing with clients on the phone in both English and French, I realized that many people have different ways of dealing with certain information. I gained a lot of patience with my job. Sometimes you had people screaming at you, and it was my job to react in a professional manner. I also learned a lot about the Canada Border Service Agency, as my job was to provide information to the clients. One thing that I found most interesting was a client asking me a question that I didn't know the answer to and it was up to me to find it. It was interesting because you really had to be organized and know where to start first to look.

Even though my job had some difficult moments, I enjoyed working for the federal government so much that I worked part-time while going to school and then in August of 2008 I decided not to return to school and worked there full-time. I really enjoyed working for the CBSA and I am hoping to return this summer as a student.

Heather Moase is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Kendra Sprague
Date: 19 January 2010
Subject: Summer Work Experiences

My first real job was not until the summer after I graduated from high school. I worked for two consecutive summers at a nursing home in my home town. My first year, I was in the housekeeping/laundry and activities departments. I had little responsibility. My only duties in the housekeeping department were light cleaning in the rooms of the residents, window washing, and cleaning of the larger activity rooms. In the laundry department my duties were drying and folding the clean clothes and cleaning out the laundry room. In the activities department, my duties were visiting and reading to the residents and assisting other workers in larger activities and outings.

My second summer at the nursing home was strictly in the activities department. This position held more responsibilities. My duties were the same as in this department the previous year only to a higher degree, as well as things like paper work and the organization of larger events and activities. I was very satisfied with my work experience at this place. The pay was only a little more than minimum wage, but it was work that was rewarding in other ways. The only discontent that I had there as a student was that on the few holidays that occurred while I was there, I did not receive either time off or time and a half pay as the other workers did. This discontent was felt by the other students as well as recognized by many of the full-time workers. Working there for two summers, I saw how the people who worked full-time felt about their work. I noticed that the people who were trained in their area of work and held the higher paying jobs, such as the nurses and administration held more value to their jobs and just all around enjoyed it more than the workers in the departments that were paid a lesser amount.

The job that I held this past summer was by far the most rewarding. I worked at the summer camp that I attended as a child. My position was counsellor/craft coordinator. This job held a lot of responsibility and was a job that was completely tiring in many ways. When I got the job, I was very excited, as this was the place that I had attended for weeks at a time as a child and then volunteered at as soon as I was old enough. To actually have a paid position there was exciting for me as I thought my duties and responsibilities would be near the same. This proved to be a job that was a lot more difficult than I had expected by far. The pay for this job was acceptable for what one can expect for a summer job. I knew exactly how much I was going to be paid each week ahead of time, so there were no surprises. The most rewarding thing about my job as a camp counsellor was the relationships built with the other staff, volunteers, and especially the campers. It felt nice to be able to connect with some of these children and be able to provide them with fun, a listening ear, and a friendship that they might not be used to experiencing on a regular basis. I did not have any overwhelming discontent with this job. Everybody worked together very well and helped each other out with the duties and tasks we were each responsible for. The only thing remotely negative about the job was how tired everyone was by the end of each week and especially at the end of the summer, but overall this experience was very positive and very rewarding.

Kendra Sprague is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Ashley Walsh
Date: 17 January 2010
Subject: Summer Job to Future Job

Work is a necessity. It would be nice if we had the option not to work; however, most of society has to work to live. When you are young and watch your parents go off to work, it seems a different situation from when you actually enter the work force yourself. You do not realize the effort and responsibility it takes to complete some required tasks: no sleeping till noon, no doing what you want, and you have to follow the “employer's” rules. You have to smile and be polite even if you cannot stand the look of your co-workers or the customers. Working really teaches you how to get along with others no matter what!

I had a summer position in a daycare facility working every day with children. This taught me that although some jobs may “look” like they are fun or interesting, when you are placed in the situation it's not what you thought it was going to be like. Even though the children may be the same age and have the same interests, they require different care. With so many children, I did not realize how difficult it was to keep their attention and keep them entertained for long periods of time. I also learned how to become “carefree” again. You forget how easy it is as a child to let things just happen, whereas as an adult you try to control all situations. The children taught me that it was OK if something went wrong, that things were not going to fall apart because in the next moment you were on to something different. Children have the most imagination and can ask the most interesting questions because for them the horizon is much bigger than it appears.

This summer job led me to the path I want to take in the future because working with these children allowed me to realize I wanted to be a teacher. From working in this situation, I know I did not want to be in the daycare field, but I did want to work with children, so the teaching field was where I wanted to go. I like the structure of the school system and was very comfortable in the school setting. Daycare did not provide the structure that I felt was right for me. Also a factor for me was that daycare workers do not receive a high enough income for the amount of work that they have to do. Money is not everything; you have to enjoy the work you do in life to be satisfied. Sometimes summertime student employment allows us to discover what we truly would like to become, for we can experience the situations short-term to see if this is really what we want to do with the rest of our lives.

Ashley Walsh is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Iris Thomas
Date: 14 January 2010
Subject: From Student to Federal Employee to Student again

I have worked in many different sectors: retail, food servicing, office slave, policy advisor.

When I had the opportunity to work for the federal government in Ottawa, I jumped at the chance. The first office I worked in was one big family and we all respected each other. We treated one another the way we would want to be treated. It was an important job, and we had an entire bureaucracy working with us and for us. This is where I first learned about levels of power.

Eventually I moved on to another office. After a very shortlived honeymoon phase, it was like I was in another world. I learned soon that those who surround you truly affect your well-being. In my previous office we were happy, joked around, played pranks, worked hard, and we got the job done. The next office was led by people I found very hard to respect, and they approached it much differently. It was like a dictatorship or some kind of class system. Status and material things were very important to these people. It was a culture shock for me. The way people were spoken to was horrendous. I never reciprocated this language, but the way I was treated significantly affected my mood and personality outside of work also. My friends and family noticed.

I have since returned to university to finish my studies. I am now happier then ever and working part-time at Sears Canada. Some may call that a demotion of sorts; however, I consider it a promotion especially since I am respected by my colleagues and I am treated like a human being rather then a subordinate. Now, this isn't to say that I get respect all the time from the customers . . . .

Iris Thomas is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Laura Rodger
Date: 11 January 2010
Subject: Full-Time Student, Part-Time Nanny

I am currently a part-time nanny for a family of five Monday to Friday and sometimes weekends. I walk a total of one hour to get to and from work for each shift that is approximately five hours. I have been working for them for almost three years now. They have three children under ten. The mother is a stay-at-home mom, and the father is a hardworking businessman.

I have learned to value all of the roles that make up the flow of the house. All three of us bring something different to the table and contribute in ways that are necessary. Working as a part-time nanny I have learned that the roles are all unique. I view the husband's role as very traditional. He works outside of the house to support everything that takes place within the house. He works very hard and is extremely successful, which allows his children to enrol in all their activities, such as swimming, dance, violin and skiing. The mother dedicates her time to raising her children. I assist her with these duties. Every day I have expected duties which range from picking the girls up from school and taking them to swim practice to helping with homework, making dinner and putting them to bed. At times I truly do take on the role of the mother and she is able to have some time to herself.

Everybody's role within the house is different, and so is everybody's pay, but I do not view one role over another as more important. People often ask me if being a nanny is good pay. To be honest it is a difficult question to answer. I am paid to take on the duties that most mothers do every day and are not paid a cent. However, on the flip side I am a student and this is my income. I depend on my money for everyday needs. The pay is low if that is the answer people are looking for, but I have been welcomed into this family and I am happy to help in any way that they see fit. This job has been perfect for me as I am a full-time student and they are extremely accommodating and understanding of my school schedule and workload. I have loved watching these children grow, and I enjoy knowing that I have been a big part of their lives. I have always loved kids, and this job has given me the opportunity to learn about the tricks and the sacrifices of parenting at a very early age. The experience has also helped me recognize what values and morals I will personally bring into my own home. It has been a very empowering experience.

I am grateful for having experienced this family's lifestyle and upbringing of their children as it is one that is completely different from my own. I am a full-time student and in many ways a part-time mom too. I have loved everything about it, from dirty diapers to smiles of success and my ability to manage it all and still do well in school.

Laura Rodger is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Brett Corcoran
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Summer Job

For the past three summers I have worked at the Mill River Golf Course on Prince Edward Island as a pro shop clerk. My job consisted of collecting money for memberships, green fees, all rental items, driving range balls, clothing sales and restocking clothing racks, booking tee times and member tournaments.

Throughout the past few years I have learned a lot about working as part of a team, developing good cooperation with others and realizing that not everyone is made to work in public service. Working in public service has shown me that there are often challenges needed to be overcome such as unhappy customers for example. Rarely did I have the same day twice; there were always new things to do or different people with different wants and needs. I have learned that there is always someone watching you; therefore, you must act and look as professional as you can be at all times.

I was paid well for a student job for the past three summers. For university students there is a beginning rate of pay (i.e. $9.00), and then each year you return to work at the course your pay increases until it reaches the maximum for a student (i.e. $10.25). I think that this is a great way to pay university students because it gives a positive spin on those students returning the following summer knowing that they will receive more money.

I really liked the hours on which the pro shop operated (6 am-2 pm, 9 am-5 pm, 11 am-7 pm). These shifts were divided up randomly between five staff members. I thought that the hours were great for students who often have evening activities planned, and rarely did our assistant supervisor (who built the monthly schedules) give anyone a closing shift followed by an opening shift the following morning. I think this is a great idea because it gives the staff a longer break between shifts and allows the staff to do something that evening without worrying about getting up early the next morning.

I disliked how the “classified” staff (permanent positions) received one month of holidays over a six-month period of their full-time job. I feel that since the golf season is so short in the Maritime Provinces that there should not be a need for a full month of holidays when they have a six month “holiday” for half of the year. Also “call back” workers and university students who work as soon as they can begin until they get laid off or go back to university only receive one weekend off each month, equalling four weekends off for university students. I feel that this is an unfair way to schedule for this golf course. I think that there is a way to have every second weekend off, which would allow the summers to be more enjoyable.

Overall my job experience at Mill River has been very positive, I enjoyed the day to day challenges thrown my way and the exoerience of working with the public.

Brett Corcoran is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Sarah-Lynn Laskey
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Hospital Work

I was employed at the Doctor Everett Chalmers Hospital (DECH) as a casual worker in the housekeeping sector. It was my responsibility to ensure that the patients' rooms were sanitized and that the proper procedures were followed in each room. My duties included sanitizing the bathrooms in each room, the sinks beside the patient beds, the collection of waste baskets and laundry as well as the collection of used needles and other sharp materials.

During this employment I was able to not only perform my own duties, but also observe doctors, nurses, hospital clerks, laundry workers of the hospital and food service clerks. These observations allowed me to exclude these professions as an option for my future career. While observing the doctors and nurses in their duties, I noticed that they not only had to work long hours on their feet, but also that they had to deal with the patients and their families, whose emotions had already been played with in a tremendous way and who sometimes become extremely difficult to deal with. I was also able to observe the other members of the hospital team, such as members of the laundry service and the food service. These members were often treated in the same ways as the members of the housekeeping unit. These members work nine to twelve hour shifts and are paid based upon their job performance and the length of their employment. The shifts are also swing shifts requiring workers to work day or night and changing from week to week. These types of shifts are difficult and can make normal sleeping hours difficult and can harm your body's routine.

I was also able to examine a union and how this particular union functioned. I was able to observe many of the full-time employees' anxiety about their postings (hours and specific units that they are responsible for caring for), which sometimes caused conflicts between members of the union. These conflicts could make it difficult for members to change their position or to be able to gain a higher position within the union and in their employment. The union does, however, guard the person's employment and ensures that it cannot be taken away from them by a member with less experience. During my employment, I was able to observe many different forms of employment and the problems that are involved with each of them. This aided in my choice of careers and to understand that a union can be helpful, but that it can also be harmful. I felt fulfilled during this employment as the work was not difficult and I was able to visit with the patients during my breaks, during which I formed relationships that I pursued as a candy striper after my employment at the hospital. In short, I enjoyed the work but did not like the political aspects of the job which often created a negative work environment.

Sarah-Lynn Laskey is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Erin Hunter
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: A Full-Time Student Once Again . . .

My work experience has varied considerably in the 13 years that I have been in the paid work force. I have worked everywhere from hardware stores to fast food. As I gained more life experience, I began to work in areas that I thought would both fulfill me and also put my talents to the greatest use. I spent several years working with people with developmental disabilities in various work environments.

I then, in my fourth year in university, my final year needed to complete my BA/BEd degrees, decided to enter the work force full-time. No degrees, no money and no plan . . . very uncharacteristic of me. What I soon learned was that what you are paid is not a reflection of the job you are doing. I know some home support workers who make far less than some fast food attendants. Seems rather wrong, doesn't it? I also learned through managing, and then opening and owning my own business, that not all workers work the same. The work ethic of those whom you work with or who work for you, varies considerably from person to person. I find this very frustrating. A job, no matter what the job, is your job.

Although the excitement of owning your own business can be attractive -- you set your own hours, you make your own rules, you are your own boss -- there are also downsides. You must manage the staff, follow labour laws, do the accounting, follow tax regulations, do the marketing and the ordering, maintain the day to day operational order, and comply with rules and regulations that are out of your control. And for many small business owners, you must do this completely on your own for very little, if any, pay. This is something that is completely foreign to a former Arts/Education student. For an individual as caring and generous as I am, money and business, I now know, are not fields that I should work in.

This is why I am back at university. The sense of knowing what your job is every day is rather comforting to me. In the last year, I have gone from small business owner to a full-time stay-at-home mother (oh yes, my daughter just turned one today, one job that I will not even begin to get into right now) and now, once again, to a full-time student. After being a small business owner, and a stay-at-home mother, and now a student, I just look forward to making money again someday soon. Then, ask me again what I think.

Erin Hunter is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Anthony Cook
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: A Summer in Procurement

This previous summer was the last quarter of my sixteen-month work placement in the procurement team for Integrated Technology Services for UNB Fredericton.

This was my first taste of what it would be like to work in an office setting and therefore a brief look into my future. The level of responsibility I received was much larger than my previous jobs in manual labour have allowed. This is why the most important thing I learned about work is attention to detail. I have been lectured before about the importance of detail, but it never really sank in until situations arose when equipment orders were delayed and it would be my fault. There were so many little variables to look after that one could not rush this job.

My favourite thing about working this job was the structure. Previous employment had me working scattered shift work with other school work always on my mind. With this position, I knew what time I would be done, and the rest of the day was mine. The level of compensation was also above normal student rates, which allowed me to enjoy this free time.

I will keep working throughout the school year as my experiences at ITS have allowed me the opportunity to work in another area as a member of the Helpdesk staff. In the future, I would like to combine my experience in IT with my education in Human Resources and ideally work in the human resources information systems area.

Anthony Cook is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Katelyn Steeves
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Summer Jobs

For some time over the summer I was working at Pizza Twice, where I was working for two and a half years before I changed jobs. I started off at minimum wage and my pay increased a few times while working there. Also, my pay went up when the minimum wage went up, so I would be making the same amount over minimum wage when it did go up. I then switched jobs in July and started working in the shoe department at the northside Wal-Mart, where I started off above minimum wage because I had a couple of years of previous work experience. Although this was great, when the minimum wage went up it only went up by five cents, which left me making not much more than workers who were starting their first job. Even though the wages are not as great as at Pizza Twice, I enjoy the job at Wal-Mart a lot more.

The conditions at Pizza Twice during the summers were not great. There was no air conditioner in the small place where there was an oven, making it very hot. These conditions made the ability to work hard, and I spent most of my time in the back washing dishes, sweeping, etc. At Wal-Mart I find work is more easily done. I do like that the job focuses more on communication with customers, but it gets a little boring when there is no one around. Weather conditions affect how busy the store is. There is only so much one can do around the department.

Many of the people working at Pizza Twice did not do much work or get along well with one another. There was a lot of talk behind peoples' backs and some disputes among the workers. Within the shoe department at Wal-Mart people value their jobs and get along well with one another. Everyone is very nice to one another, and there is teamwork there among the different departments, making things run smoothly.

In the future I would rather do what I want to do than just work a job for money. The job that I choose to pursue will be one that I will enjoy.

Katelyn Steeves is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Tarah Farrow
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: My Job Experiences

As a young girl, I never had the responsibility of earning money by working for it or having an allowance. If I wanted to go to the candy store, or wanted a toy or something, I would ask for it and in most cases be given the money to get it. However, I started working in the real world at sixteen, and held the same job throughout high school on a part-time basis during the school year and full-time during the summer. I worked at a successful local catering/restaurant business in Nova Scotia. It was a close-knit family and friend business, so working there was always a good experience. I did everything from serving customers to taking catering orders, making food, handling money, cleaning, etc. I never spent a lot of money throughout high school, but I knew whatever I made during those three years would go towards my university career. After high school, work became necessary for me in order to afford education each year as well as necessities.

After I moved to New Brunswick, I found it hard to obtain a job because I am not bilingual and also because I live outside Fredericton, in Oromocto, where not many jobs are available off the base. Also, minimum wage here is different than in Nova Scotia, and while working throughout high school, I made much more than minimum wage at the time (I started at $8.50 an hour and quickly moved up to over $13 within the three years). As I came to learn, my expectations here were not realistic. However, in the summer after my first year of university, I found a job that paid above minimum wage close to where I live. I worked as a Customer Service Representative for a company dealing with an American-based company. I had to go through an extensive five weeks of training, and out of an initial group of about thirty people, by the end of training there were only five of us left. Basically, I answered calls and entered the customer information into our online database/intranet to locate their account information. I would also answer questions, take payments, provide financial information, troubleshoot products, make appointments, and sell and install products. I really liked the job, but the nature of the work was quite stressful. We had to maintain high stats, be subject to daily monitoring and marking of each call, and constantly have a positive attitude despite the negative manner that some customers had. I stayed there for the summer and for the first semester of my second year, but I eventually left in January of 2008. During this job I had to deal with verbal abuse from customers, and a wide variety of discrimination from customers and staff. It was definitely a positive learning experience, though, because it exposed me to a different type of work environment and made me a stronger worker in many senses.

This past summer I was unable to get the summer job I applied for and was looking forward to because, in the end, someone who was bilingual was hired over me, even though bilingualism was not a requirement. So I worked at a local restaurant, initially as a kitchen worker, but then as a waitress. I currently still work there, and although I work for minimum wage, I receive tips, which helps to supplement the income loss compared to past jobs. Sometimes I feel like quitting because of the stress and drama within the staff. However, I actually enjoy working there, it is conveniently close to my home, and it works with my school schedule.

So far I have been able to afford both my education and other things from just the money I make during the summer and the school year. Working, in my view, is at this point a way to be able to afford the education I need to be able to have a steady career in the future. So whatever the job may be, it does not matter for the most part, as long as I can make it work. All jobs come with different experiences that will benefit me one way or another, and I know with each of my jobs and the money I earn from them, I get closer to doing what I want to do for a permanent career.

Tarah Farrow is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Jessica Doucet
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: My Job

This past summer I worked at McDonald's as a full-time cashier. I worked on the inside cashes and also in the drive-thru. I have been employed by McDonald's for a little over six years now and am currently still there but now as a part-time swing manager. I have enjoyed working there, but it can be a stressful job. Some employees are not really there to work and if they don't do their job, it makes extra work for everyone else to do. I have learned that if not everyone is willing to do their share and to work together, it will just make things worse in the long run.

A couple of summers ago, I had a different summer job. I was employed by my city back home in the Recreation and Parks program as a Park Leader. Every morning we had a group of about 10 children ages 3 to 5, and we did activities with them. Then in the afternoon, we had a group of kids ages 6 to 13. The afternoon group was a larger group, anywhere from 15 to 35 kids. There were four of us as Park Leaders and we needed to keep these kids occupied. This job, like McDonald's, was a stressful job, but for different reasons. We needed to keep these kids busy and always be thinking of new games and craft ideas just in case the they were not enjoying the one we had planned. We also had to deal with the parents, and some were not entirely pleasant.

Overall, I enjoyed my summer jobs. They have both helped me to realize that hard work comes in many ways. I have learned some very good life lessons while working these jobs. An example is that some people are a little rude, and to be able to deal with them, you need to stay calm and just talk them through it, or get someone who can do that for you. I have also learned that if you work hard and show a genuine concern for your job, you will get noticed and rewarded for your hard work. So never stop trying.

Jessica Doucet is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Janna Fraser
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Summers at Camp!

My last summer job was at a summer camp being an LIT director -- which stands for Leaders in Training. Leaders in Training is a summer program for 16-year-olds at a camp in New York State. This was my third summer at my camp, but each summer I have had a different job. My first summer I was counselor for 9 and 10-year-old girls, and then my second summer I was on the waterfront staff. My last summer as LIT director was the best summer I've ever had in my life. My job involved working with two other LIT counselors. Together we had 29 teenagers. The summer consisted of us working together with them to not only be counselors but also be leaders.

I had the most amazing group of teenagers and the best friends anyone could ask for. I loved it and learned a lot about myself from this summer. Camp is an amazing place to experience first-hand the impact a role model can have on a group of kids. My summer job provided me a way to build my own character while building the characters of the children I worked with.

There is nothing I didn't like about my role at camp, but I would say that the income was small. I was living on the job, and therefore I did not get paid per hour or minimum wage. Instead I had my room and food for the summer provided, and I received a wage at the end of the summer. It was not a large amount that we received, but I do not work at camp for the money. The upside is that each summer I have received more money than the summer before.

Camp is a social experience where you meet people from all over the world and receive new experiences. I liked my job because it was mostly outside and I loved everyone I worked with. I love the camp environment and found myself constantly laughing. I am planning to be a teacher; therefore, this type of job has been beneficial for me. It is a job with little sleep and little time but it's what I love to do. You learn to work as a team and depend on the other people working with you. There are few jobs where you get paid to have fun, knowing too that you made a difference in a child's life. It is a fun environment but it also teaches the the values of leadership roles and taking on the responsibilities of working with children. This summer I was promoted to a higher job for camp, which is Girls Camp Program Director. I will be planning and organizing the Girls Camp program. Each summer I take away more and more; therefore I am excited for this summer to come.

Janna Fraser is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Marci McGrath
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Summer Jobs 2009

During the summer of 2009 I worked as an intervener for the Canadian Deaf Blind Association. I also worked as a tourism counselor for the St. Martins Visitor Information Centre. I was able to work both jobs because I was responsible for scheduling shifts for both positions. Through these work experiences I gained an abundance of knowledge. These two positions were positive work experiences for me. I have decided not to work while attending school. My dream is to become an elementary school teacher.

Working as an intervener part-time, I acquired a greater understanding of individuals afflicted with deafblindness. I loved my job for many reasons. It provided me the opportunity to learn to communicate in sign language. I also supported the client with many self-help and safety skills. I also provided support for independent living skills, such as personal hygiene, dressing, eating, and household chores. The only thing I disliked about the job was the long drive. It took approximately 45 minutes to drive to the client's residence.

Working as a tourism counselor full-time provided me the opportunity to meet people from around the world. I was exposed to many different needs, personalities, and nationalities. My co-workers and I worked well as a team promoting the community to the tourists. This provided the opportunity to contact the business owners regarding accommodation availability and reservations.

I have had experience working through the school year, but I prefer summer employment. I worked as a swimming instructor at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John. This position involved a lot of lesson planning, which was very time consuming. I wanted to dedicate my time to studying. I find working during the summer was my best option.

The knowledge that I gain from working as an intervener, tourism counselor, and swimming instructor will help me in the future. Working as an intervener has provided me the confidence to reach out to others. I would not be reluctant welcoming a child with special needs to my class room. Working as a tourism counselor I gained a lot of knowledge with respect to various types of personalities and nationalities. I feel I'm better equipped to handle different situations involving students. As a swimming instructor I learned to multi-task. While teaching, I had to maintain their attention and encourage appropriate behavior. These work experiences have offered me knowledge that will help me when I reach my future dream, which is to become an elementary school teacher.

Marci McGrath is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Jason LeBlanc
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Student Work Experience

I have worked at ANBL (Alcool NB Liquor) for the past two summers and will be working there again this summer. During my first summer at the ANBL location I was mainly assigned to remain as cashier, or stock shelves on the floor in order to be able to know where every product was and be able to help customers. During my second summer, which I have enjoyed more thoroughly, I was given more responsibilities. I was to remain being a cashier from time to time, but I was also expected to work in the warehouse. While working in the warehouse I would be expected to complete orders made by local businesses, receive shipments, and also make certain that the cold room would be completely stocked.

My experience at ANBL has differed greatly from the other employers that I have worked for. Prior to working for ANBL, I worked at a local grocery store and a local amusement park. The experience I had at the amusement park was certainly not as stressful as any of my other jobs, but it also did not engage me enough to feel satisfied at the end of the work day. Meanwhile, my experience at the grocery store was horrible, and this even affected me greatly during my first summer at ANBL. I began to work at the local grocery store after my first year of university, only because the amusement park I was working for closed down. For the most part I have always enjoyed going into work, and coming home knowing that I had put a good effort and was being rewarded for it. However, while working for this local grocery store, I did not at all enjoy going into work, and I found myself wanting to leave as soon as I entered the doors. The attitude from the other employees was one that I have grown accustomed to and that is that because I would be working there only for the summer (and because I was a teenager), I was automatically placed in the category of the stereotypical lazy teenager who just wants to make money and go home. I was not trained properly, and it took two months before another employee finally showed me where the emergency kits were located. To be honest, I felt quite alienated. There was plenty of gossiping, and many of the fellow employees did not get along, which then created a hostile environment I wished to not be involved with.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have been offered an opportunity to work at ANBL the following summer. Due to the unwelcoming experience I had had at my previous job, I began the summer at ANBL extremely nervous, and certainly afraid to make any sort of mistake. Soon enough though, it became clear the unwanted environment I was in the previous summer would not be tolerated at my new job. Quickly, I was included in the staff, and I soon realized that these fellow employees would soon become some of my greatest friends. We worked in unison, each individual knowing their tasks, and if one was to make a mistake, we would simply help the individual and continue. My employer promotes a healthy work environment of learning/teaching, where we are expected to learn and to teach each other various things in order to make each of us comfortable, efficient, and happy. What this has done is make every employee motivated, and to feel like they bring experience and something unique to the table every single work day.

Despite my wage not being great, and having to deal with angry customers from time to time, I must say that my work experience at ANBL is enjoyable. When I arrive from work after putting in a long day, I feel rewarded. Working for ANBL has been a positive experience, and it can be attributed to the hard work and dedication everyone has put forth to make a safe and healthy environment. Although I do not plan to work for ANBL the rest of my working career, I must be thankful to my employer and other employees for providing me with the concept of a healthy work environment.

Jason LeBlanc is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Amanda Robichaud
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: Summer jobs

My summer work experience began three years ago at the community library in my hometown. My job consisted of small things like shelving, the mail, and helping people find books. However, my main job was running the children's reading program in which two days a week I would plan parties for the children in which I would read to them and help them do fun activities. While working with the children was fun, it was very stressful to plan something new and exciting and to keep them happy and to make them want to come back each week. Two years ago I worked at the village office back home, and it was a similar experience in that I had to work with many people and it was again very stressful. I had smaller tasks such as answering phones and a lot of photocopying but I also had to work with many people when I collected bill payments. I also planned our community summer festival. This took a very long time to plan and I had to work with people from the community to make sure everything was done and we had to try to please everyone, which was unfortunately impossible. Both jobs were similar in that I had a lot of responsibility and pressure because I had to deal with so many other people. Some days I felt really good about work and others I couldn't wait for five o'clock. What I learned from the experience is that jobs are very stressful and you can't please everyone. You have to take it all in stride.

Amanda Robichaud is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Jessica Taylor
Date: 10 January 2010
Subject: My Summer Jobs

I've had a few summer jobs in the past few years and from them I have learned a few things that I will carry with me in the future. I had babysat for a few summers but eventually it was time to enter the real work world.

I took my real first job at a convenience store near my house. The store had been there for years but it had recently been taken over by new owners and was hiring high school students. I was so pleased to get the job. I was very ambitious to be doing every perfect. I worked very hard in making sure that my totals were on and everything had been done right. When I was on the floor I also worked hard to get as much done as possible. I also took many extra shifts when they needed me and also took extra shifts for co-workers. About a year later, I realized that I was being taken for granted by my boss as well as my co-workers. Many of them knew that I would take extra shifts for them as well as my boss who often called me and made me feel bad that he was stuck for someone to work. It also became apparent that those people that I took shifts for often wouldn't take shifts in return for me. I realized that part of this was my own fault because I had let them walk all over me. Maybe I was too nice. I loved my job, and I loved the customers, but eventually the stuff behind the scenes made me resent it, and I start to dislike going to work. I should say there were some nice co-workers as well as the bosses. My manager was a big part of me leaving. He knew I did my job right, but he also knew that I was nice enough not to stand up to him when he left me at the store alone with a new worker whom he was supposed to be training. He knew that I would show them how to do the work even though it was his job. My advice would be to work hard but don't let yourself be taken advantage of. I eventually left this job because they were becoming too dependent on me and I didn't want to confront the issues there anymore.

My next job was as a summer student at the local ballpark. I have worked here for the past two summers and I loved it. There were so many different things for me to do, and I was on my own for the most part. I could relax and get the job done my way and not have to worry about co-workers. At the ballpark I was the groundskeeper, which included mowing and trimming, and gathering garbage, as well as preparing the field before games. I also took care of organizing and planning a tournament. Keeping the field in top shape was a tough job but I enjoyed it. I loved spending my summer working outside. The organizing of the tournament and fundraising gave me some time away from the field. I also helped out at the games by doing 50/50s and running the canteen. I truly enjoyed the job.

From my past job experience I would tell people to try to do something that they enjoy. I know that in some circumstances you need to work to make the money and finding something that you like is hard. But in my opinion there is always the chance to search a little harder and find the one that makes you happy. In my situation I love working with children. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they learn something new. That is why I plan to be a teacher. I believe that is something I would enjoy. I would say to think about what truly makes you happy and what you would enjoy doing every day of the rest of your life, and then pursue that career.

Jessica Taylor is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Laura LaBrie
Date: 9 January 2010
Subject: My Job

For the past seven years I have worked for Shoppers Drug Mart. I started out as a cashier and then became a cash supervisor and a pharmacy technician. Currently, I hold the cash supervisor and pharmacy technician position. This is my second job and by far my favorite. I have always made more than minimum wage at this job, which makes my work feel even more appreciated since some of my friends have made only minimum wage while in university.

One thing I learned by working in retail is to become more independent because many of the tasks that are assigned require creativity to complete. By holding the same job for seven years many of the tasks have become repetitive. Although the tasks are repetitive at times I always know what the expected outcome or goal is and what is expected of me when I go to work. My work gets plenty of recognition for each task that I do since there are not very many staff scheduled to work each day and night. I have worked while I attended high school and I am currently employed while trying to finish my degree at university. The hours that I work are flexible and can be switched easily in case of an upcoming deadline or event. The best part about working at Shoppers Drug Mart is that I got to know the community and I get to share interests with the public. Another thing I enjoyed about this particular job is that I work in a small store and I got to know the staff well and work with my co-workers as a team. There is not very much that I dislike about working at Shoppers Drug Mart. One thing that I dislike about my current job is the amount of germs that I am exposed to. People go to Shoppers for cold medication as well as prescription medication. I find in comparison to the other jobs that I have previously held that I tend to get get sick often.

In the future I hope to move out of retail and become a teacher somewhere in Canada. Although my experience at Shoppers Drug Mart has been a positive one, I enjoy helping others and watching people grow. I hope some of my experiences and skills can aid my success in becoming a teacher.

Laura LaBrie is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Krystal Grattan
Date: 9 January 2010
Subject: Summer Employment

Although minimum wage has recently increased, working part-time at minimum wage last summer made me realize how underpaid and undervalued workers can be. Working at a clothing store in the mall, I realized that some people are nearly impossible to work with while other co-workers allow you to make great new friendships that you keep even outside of the work area. I quickly discovered that “who is right” depends on which side of the cash you are on, whereas before I had seen only the view of the customer. Ultimately, your experience at your job depends on if what you are doing is something you take an interest in and whether or not you have a good attitude about it. Without either of these, success is not likely.

As well, for students it has become nearly impossible to obtain a job once employers are aware you are only available for the summer. While it is important and pretty much mandatory for students to save money for school as the price of a university education continuously increases, employers are not interested in taking the time to train us for just a few months. For this reason, I was unemployed this summer in my small hometown. After hearing you will be returning to university during an interview, few employers are interested in hiring regardless of how good your resume may be. Hours at a job for students are also negative since they are young and without their own family. Most times they get stuck with the hours no one wants. On a more positive note, working with people in public is a wonderful experience for any student despite the downfalls that may exists in the working field.

I wish that I could be one of those students who can manage a full workload of school and employment. However, I am just not one of those people. For the meantime, school is my main priority and focus, and picking up a job on the side is just not possible. In the future, once I graduate, I have plans of becoming a teacher. I feel that this is the working environment that would best be suited for me and am very focused during this process of getting there.

Krystal Grattan is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Katherine Giddens
Date: 9 January 2010
Subject: My Summer Job

I worked at a Canadian Tire store for two years in high school and went back to work during Christmas once I was in university. I worked mainly in one specific department for the first year, and then I ended up leaving when school started as I did not want to work during high school. When I returned the next summer I was put into another department. I did not mind this as I already knew most of the departments. I was also trained on cash one summer but was only used once in a while when someone called in saying they could not come to work.

I had worked in customer service before, so I knew how to deal with people on some sort of a level. But I soon learned that the customer service I had provided in my previous job was nothing like the service I needed to provide at Canadian Tire. The phrase “the customer is always right” makes me so mad because I figured out in a very short period of time that the customer is very rarely right, but the worker has to go along with it. I learned how to better deal with situations involving unsatisfied customers, who were many times quite rude. I also found a better understanding for why the customers were always upset, as many times things that were on sale there were not there in much quantity. I also saw how appreciative people could be just because you helped them find something.

I also found the workplace unfair as people who were just starting off were getting paid the same amount as others who had worked there for a few years. During the summer I hoped to get put on as full-time instead of part-time, but I was never able to get 40 hours a week as the store did not want to pay full-time wages to everyone, so I would get something like 38 hours a week but could never get those other 2 hours.

Some people that worked at Canadian Tire really enjoyed their jobs or did not mind working there, and it showed in the way that they got their work done or how they interacted with customers. Then there were other people just like everywhere that did not enjoy working at the store, and it also showed in how they got their work done and how they interacted with the customers; the customers could tell when someone did not want to be there.

There were always people who did not get along with each other at the store just like everywhere else, whether it was talking behind someone's back or not talking to them at all. But we all came together on one day a year when the store was being marked. Everyone would fill the shelves and try to make it look nice and whatnot so when the inspectors came in to look at it we would get a great mark, and our store got ranked one of the highest in Canada.

I enjoyed working at Canadian Tire, but when I started to go to university I realized that I needed other job experiences and better pay that I would never be able to get there. I learned many valuable lessons from Canadian Tire that have helped me out in other jobs. One valuable lesson I learned is how to keep your cool when dealing with people. That is a lesson that will help me throughout life.

Katherine Giddens is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: James Ring
Date: 9 January 2010
Subject: Working in the Sawmill

This past summer I worked for Irving in the Chipman, N.B. sawmill operation. This mill was the third mill I have worked at and is the only one currently still operating. I was hired on as a labourer to supplement the number of workers in the mill and planer mill operation. There was an increased demand for workers as the planer mill needed to boost production since they were processing wood from the Irving-owned Sussex mill. The mill in Sussex does not have a kiln or planer so the wood was trucked up to Chipman for those operations. As a side note, the Sussex mill is currently closed. Only the chip plant is operating on that site, to supply the Saint John paper mill with wood chips.

The position of a labourer was a step down for me as I had previously worked as a saw filer. However, I was happy to have a job close to home and earn wages above minimum wage and also be eligible to earn production bonuses. I knew that the position was only temporary but that was alright as I had the desire to return to school full time. Previously I was taking night classes and working as a supply teacher.

Having a well paid summer job was very important as I am married and have a home to keep up and we all know too well about the rising cost of education. I enjoyed being able to work close to home and not having to make an hour commute to Fredericton for work. If offered a chance to work at the mill in Chipman again this upcoming summer, I would likely take the job.

James Ring is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Jillian Sutthery
Date: 7 January 2010
Subject: Culture Monger

For the past two summers I worked as an operations assistant for Fredericton Tourism. I always thought the name of my position was a little fancy for the work I did, seeing as the main part of my job was scooping ice cream. Don't get me wrong, my job did consist of other things, helping with outdoor movies in Officers' Square, working shifts at River Valley Crafts in the Barracks, setting up for outdoor concerts on the Lighthouse deck, etc. For the most part, I loved my job. The people I worked with were fun, and even the most boring task like cleaning the exhibit could turn out being the highlight of your day. This job really helped me learn to become positive about taking part in the working world. People tell you your whole youth to enjoy life while you can, suggesting that once you get older and out into “the real world” things aren't so wonderful, but my experience with this job suggested something different: You can still have fun while working; not all jobs are horrible and mundane. This also greatly helped with our customer service. We were all happy, cheerful and positive, and our customers could tell.

Another interesting part of our job was to come up with a “Locals Know” every couple of weeks. This was just basically a little blurb about something you liked to do or see in the city. We had cartoons of ourselves drawn by an artist, and they were stuck on the wall with our names and what we had chosen for our “Locals Know.” Because we worked for Fredericton Tourism, we could not appear to be advertising for one particular company, so we had to be really careful how we worded our blurbs. For example we couldn't say “Jack's Pizza is the best Pizza in town,” so we would have to say something like “I love to stop by Jack's Pizza for a quick slice.” Our boss would review our submissions and change them slightly if need be so it would not sound like we were endorsing any particular place in the city over another. We were also not allowed to suggest any specific restaurants or give out our personal experiences with these restaurants (whether we liked the food or not). This taught me to really pay attention to what the tourist was asking for, whether it be seafood, or a cheap sit down family place, I was able to make suggestions for places based on what they wanted, since I couldn't just tell them what place was my favorite (even though I was dying to).

In training, we were taught to try and make a tourist stay in the city as long as we possibly could. Why? Because a typical tourist spends on average $198 a day while visiting Fredericton. I felt kind of bad that money was the motivation for bringing people in. I mean I knew it certainly was important, but somewhere in the back of my mind I was hoping there might be something more. We have some great summer events going on in the city, and the history of the city is actually pretty interesting. That made more sense as a motivation to bring people in to me.

Our pay was close to minimum wage the first year, but as you continue to work for the city you get a 25 cent raise each summer you return. It's not much, but it helps bring in returning employees, so they don't have to waste time and resources training new workers. As far as I'm concerned, if I hadn't liked it the first summer, I wouldn't have come back the second summer, even if there was a 25 cent raise. There was also a 50 cent retention bonus. This hoped to guarantee that all employees they hired at the beginning of the summer would stick it out until the end.

I'm sure not all people enjoy this job. My first summer a girl that had worked there the previous year told me she felt bad for me, but I couldn't seem to figure out why. I really liked my job, it was fun and taught me a lot about the city. I had no idea how much Fredericton had to offer before I began to work for tourism.

I will continue to work while I am in school. Although my parents live in the city, I chose to move out and live on my own. One of the consequences of this is maintaining a part-time job while in school. Luckily, I landed another job with the city, this time with the Recreation Department supervising gyms. This gets me paid and my homework done, so it's a wonderful job to have as a student.

The future is the future. I'm sure I'll find something, and as long as I enjoy my job, that is really all that matters.

Jillian Sutthery is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Kristen Raymond
Date: 7 January 2010
Subject: Summer Job

I worked at Canadian Tire for six years. I began working there when I was in high school, and I returned to work on Christmas and summer breaks after I moved away for university. I worked mainly as a cashier and at the customer service desk. However, over the years I was trained in almost every department of the store. I also worked in the office as the cash balancer and computer operator for a period of time. I was a valuable employee because they were able to have me work efficiently in almost all areas of the store.

While working there I learned a lot about working with the public. At times, especially when customers were unsatisfied, it was a very frustrating and stressful job. I also learned a lot about peoples' motivation and willingness to work from the other employees of the store. I witnessed many people who came to work but really did not want to be there. Many were uninterested in learning, and did not care if they did the job correctly. It is likely that they viewed the job, not as their future, but as something they had to do for the time being, and therefore they were unmotivated to do the job well. I worked at the store in order to save money so that I would be able to go to university, gain an education, and not be stuck working in retail all my life. However, unlike the other people I witnessed come and go during my time at work, I was motivated to work hard and do a good job while I was there.

The managers and owners of the store frequently told me that I was one of the rare young people who actually did their job, and this was why they valued me as a employee. Although I know I was a valued employee, I do not believe the pay I received reflected that. During the six years I worked there I received three raises, which were, at the most, valued at twenty-five cents. When the minimum wage went up, my pay was not increased along with it. Therefore, this past summer I was only making approximately twenty cents more than someone who had just been hired and was paid minimum wage. They gave me a great deal of responsibility, especially when I worked in the office, but did not pay me even close to what the other employees who had the same amount of responsibility were paid. I believe I was taken advantage of because I was a student. Although I feel I was underpaid for the work I did, overall I enjoyed the experience I had there. I got along well with my co-workers, which is one of the main reasons I continued working there for so long. I believe working in retail was a positive experience for me because it showed me that it was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and this motivates me to do well in university.

Kristen Raymond is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Samantha Goodine
Date: 6 October 2008
Subject: Summer Wages

This summer I worked as the assistant recreation director, for the second year, in my home town. I was in charge of overseeing the park, pool and day camp activities. I worked on my own and was given a great deal of leeway with regards to being able to plan and organize any kind of activity I wanted as long as it was within a reasonable price range and got the citizens of the town out of the house and active. I specialized with getting children active because the healthy habits they pick up in the present will – we hope – be with them for the rest of their life. My hours were very flexible and I was always able to receive my forty hours a week as promised. I learned a great deal from my work this summer: how to organize and plan independently, how important it is to be able to work effectively as a team, how the minimum wage can inadvertently affect student workers in ways other than the obvious, and how student workers can be taken for granted.

The ability to effectively organize and plan large events is a talent that does not come naturally to me. This summer my town hosted the Western Valley Regional Games and it was my responsibility to organize and direct it. Over 300 children aged five to thirteen from eight towns came to participate in three days of fun activities and games. I learned how to delegate during this process, as three packed days of activities could not all be organized and overseen by one person. I organized a triathlon for children aged five to nineteen, for the second time, and it was also a success because of the experience I had gained from planning it the prior summer.

Some students who are given a position of power over other student staff members may take that power as a sign that their “work on the ground” is no longer needed. However, I learned quickly that seniority does not diminish the need for team work and communication on all levels of the workforce. The pool staff and I took a great interest in having more activities in the water, so we organized night swims and theme swims three times a month. These new activities would not have worked half as well as they did if I had not listened and worked with the lifeguard staff. They possessed the knowledge about when the best times would be to have the swims, thus maximizing the turnout and the overall success.

This summer I learned how the minimum wage can affect student workers in ways other than the obvious. My town gives a $0.25 raise for every year a summer student returns to their job. However, as the minimum wage increases the raises do not. Therefore, one staff member who had worked for the village for four years was getting paid as much as younger students who had just been hired. This caused much confusion and anger within the summer student staff. I learned that minimum wage can be seen as a positive thing, but can also be used as tool for “maximum wage” policies. The fourth year student was being subjected to minimum wage, and the village argument was that they did not control what the minimum wage was and that the minimum wage was not directly connected to the raises issued by the village.

My experience with the problems caused by the minimum wage raise forced me to see how summer students are greatly taken for granted at times. When we organized a meeting with our boss about the concerns over hourly rates he proceeded to tell us that we were all “replaceable.” This not only caused much tension and resentment within the work environment but opened my eyes to the reality of how student summer workers have little to no benefits or security: it is truly a shame, because summer students are the workers of the future, and who wants a work force filled with resentment?

Samantha Goodine is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Peter Nimigon
Date: 17 September 2008
Subject: Working for Kings

During the past summer, as well as the two previous summers, I worked as a costumed historical interpreter at Kings Landing Historical Settlement in Prince William, New Brunswick. In my role as a tradesperson I had a wide variety of tasks, most prominent being interpreting 19th and 20th century buildings for the visitors, such as the sawmill, the print shop and the gristmill as well as some of the houses. I also performed period-appropriate tasks like cutting firewood and piling it, scything fields, running the horsepower to cut the wood, helping move furniture and other objects around the site and carrying a variety of things to houses as they needed them, for example food from the gardens and water from the wells.

I learned a great deal throughout the past summers. The job was basically a 9 to 5 day and we worked four days on and then two days off. That was one of the worst parts about the job, as I had very few actual weekends off (Saturday and Sundays) instead having most of my days off during the week. This made it difficult to spend time with people who would be working Monday to Friday and having weekends off. Another major problem was transportation. Prince William is a very small town in New Brunswick and is almost a half-hour of travel for most of us from Fredericton or Nackawic. This made the day feel much longer than it was. Also rising fuel prices made working at Kings Landing somewhat more challenging financially as it took a fair bit of gas to get there every day.

Kings Landing is set in a village atmosphere with approximately forty staff members working each day within the village itself, with more working at the office. There was very little contact between the people in the village and the ones in the office. These groups were somewhat disassociated and it was obvious there was tension between supervisors and staff.

The fact that our main tasks are interpreting to visitors means that there were some days when, whether through poor weather conditions or for other reasons, visitation was very low. There were almost always small tasks to be done such as cleaning a house or a work area, but often boredom set in when there is no one around. This was furthered by the fact that most of the people work in specific houses or buildings and usually have contact with only a few staff people per day. Sometimes, people start a conversation of rumors of happenings at Kings Landing. I definitely learned that word of mouth travels quite fast, and often everyone would know what you told a certain someone by the end of the day. It was definitely best just to hold your tongue.

Although there have been some negative experiences working at Kings Landing, overall I really loved it. I got to meet some of the most fascinating people, visitors and staff. I definitely made friends there with people of all ages. There are also many students and we got together outside of work for special occasions such as people's birthdays, people's last days of work and sometimes just to go out for a night on the town. It was almost always laid back at work too and we were rarely over-encumbered. I would definitely like to work here for a long time. Unfortunately the pay is low, only slightly above minimum wage ($8 - $8.50 an hour or so). That's another serious drawback that makes it difficult to recruit new workers and keep the existing ones. Although I enjoyed my time there, there have been many cases where other people did not like it, and they found another job at the first opportunity. I'm going to school this fall but I will be working some days on the weekend until the site closes in October on Thanksgiving weekend.

As far as the future is concerned, I really have no idea what the future holds, but if I like the job that's the most important thing. I am studying history and political science at UNB, so I hope I'll find a career within those fields, perhaps as a teacher or a professor. But I'm not too concerned about it.

Peter Nimigon is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Ben Kelly
Date: 17 September 2008
Subject: Cooking on the Line

My main source of income and employment has been the same for two years now, and in a lot of ways my work is like a little family. I am a line cook at a local restaurant in Fredericton. As far as wages are concerned, the cooks are treated fairly well, although there is undoubtedly a labour/wage discrepancy between the front of the house, i.e. managers and servers, and the back of the house, i.e. the kitchen staff. The discrepancy is over the tips, as most servers tend to do fairly well on the majority of nights, while the kitchen receives only a minimal portion of the tips, on a bi-weekly basis, for doing half of the work. However, the kitchen tends to get paid a little higher wages and for the most part it is relatively fair.

The service industry is a weird and awesome place to work. There is lots of opportunity for fun and for the most part we all try to have a good time while at the same time working. When you work in a bar and restaurant, often multiple free drinks are available, and food is plentiful. The industry definitely comes with a different lifestyle, one that involves long hours of work, but long hours of fun as well. There is generally no set schedule, as you show up in time for your shift and you generally leave whenever the person in charge tells you that you can leave. The industry is dependent on customers and it is not always easy to predict the type of night you are going to have. For example, Wednesday nights are a big night for my work, but on occasion it is rather slow and therefore people can go home earlier. Sundays are generally slow, but on occasion, especially long weekends, we have an extremely busy Sunday, we are generally understaffed and people are required to pull ten and sometimes twelve hour shifts. It really all depends on how busy it is. Once you are done, however, you will often find several workers at the bar, and a perk of the job is one free drink after work. However, with several co-workers beside you and a long day behind you, often it does not stop at one, and usually we will end up going out as a group on the town. I enjoy my job in general, although we all have our bad nights.

The service industry as I said can involve very long, and sometimes stressful nights. One example would be almost every Wednesday night during the school year, as often there is an hour-long line-up outside the front door. Also, the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival always brings in a crowd, and of course last fall was the East Coast Music Awards. Essentially you learn to hate big events, for two reasons; one, you never get to attend them; and two, you have to do double the work! The summer is often a little more intense on a regular basis because we offer a rooftop patio that usually brings in a fair amount of people. When the fall approaches I am usually glad to be back to school.

I do maintain my line-cook position on a part-time basis during the school year; however, I have definitely learned I have no desire to cook for the rest of my life, at least not for a restaurant. It is a good way during school to stay a little active and earn a little money to help cover the cost of living away from home.

For the most part I enjoy doing things, and so most of my jobs throughout my life have been hands-on. That is why I participate and run federally for the Canadian Action Party. It is a way I can participate in the bigger issues that face my country and attempt to make changes where I believe Canada can do better. This is kind of like a second job for me, and although I receive no pay for it, I enjoy it thoroughly. This has always been a life-long dream of mine to participate in politics, and I think after a little more school I will be looking at becoming a politician or at least working in government at some capacity.

A job is really just a job to me at this point in my life, as I am working towards the job I really want by going to school and educating myself on issues and ideas that influence us every day. I haven't always had the best job, as for a long time before I got hired at my restaurant I was a dishwasher at another one. One definitely does learn from every experience, whether it is good or bad; so far mine has been a very fun and positive experience over the past three years, with a couple of lessons picked up along the way.

Ben Kelly is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Christo Aivalis
Date: 17 September 2008
Subject: Working for Labour History

During the summer of 2008, I worked for the Labour History in New Brunswick Project, which is responsible for designing this website. Over the course of the summer I learned many new facts, skills, and applications. Through my job as a research assistant , I was able to learn a great deal about the role organized labour has played in the economic, cultural and social development of this province. In addition to learning about the general themes of the New Brunswick labour movement, I also had the privilege to learn detailed information about many organizations and individuals. I was able to see how Canada's various labour groups (groups such as the All-Canadian Congress of Labour and the New Brunswick Federation of Labour) evolved for more than half a century. My research also allowed me to collect extensive information on labour leaders such as James Whitebone, the NBFL's longest serving president. The project also allowed me to examine labour's role in the political sphere, a prime example of this being my analysis of Mr. Whitebone's record on the Saint John Common Council. This allowed me to see that labour often had success in politics and often used their office to improve the quality and safety of life for their constituents.

Not only did my work expand my base of historical knowledge, but it was also vital in helping to put my acquired skills to use. The methods of research I learned during my first three years of university were constantly being used to ensure that my work for the project was done properly. I also became comfortable and familiar with using the Provincial Archives as a source for information pertaining to provincial history.

The social aspect of my job was quite minimal because nearly all of my work revolved around reading various primary documents. Nearly all of the work I completed was done in an independent fashion. The lack of social interaction could be classified as a part of the job I disliked, but the freedom to pursue my work in the way I saw fit was definitely an enjoyable aspect of the job. Despite my previous statement, my job did not totally lack social interaction. I did take part in various meetings with other members of the project, and even attended the project's annual meeting in Moncton where various reports dealing with New Brunswick's labour history were presented to researchers, professors, and representatives of organized labour within the province.

Another aspect of the job I sometimes disliked was the occasional frustration that arose out of the difficulty in finding the information needed within the available sources. Despite this frustration, I felt a genuine sense of accomplishment when I was able to create a coherent report through the analysis of documents representing a vital part of our provincial and national history. Perhaps the part I most enjoyed about my job was the fact that the material I was studying was of great interest to me; the content of my work played a substantial role in instilling a sense of enjoyment.

I have decided to continue to work during the school year, and I will be working as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Department of Political Science at UNB. Because I am studying both political science and history, I feel that obtaining research experience in both fields would be beneficial to my intellectual and professional development. As for the future, I am planning to pursue a career in an academically geared field. This past summer has shown me that I really enjoy conducting research, and that I could see myself working as a researcher or professor in the future. I am also considering other avenues of work such as law and work for the government, as these are both places where my work as a historian and political scientist could be used to help people in particular and society as a whole on a daily basis.

I feel that this job was the best I have ever had, and that anyone with an interest in history would feel the same way. The job allowed me to grow as a historian, and allowed me to contribute to the province's working-class history. I feel that my work this summer has made a difference because I have helped to write a history about men and women who are often denied their due credit within our society and culture. I felt fulfilled in my work and was overjoyed that I did not have to abandon or sacrifice my principles, values, or ideals to earn a paycheque. This great job certainly made for a great summer, and I wish everyone could be as lucky as I was.

Christo Aivalis is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Michael Briggs
Date: 10 October 2006
Subject: “Go West, Young Man” 

 “Go west young man, and grow up with the country” -- or so the saying goes -- didn't mean much to me before last April. There I was boarding a plane headed for the land of opportunity, Alberta. Although I had considered going west to work before, I made the decision to leave pretty much on a whim. I decided it was time to find out if all the good things I heard about Alberta were true. Indeed, what I found was that all the good things that are said are true, but all the bad things are too.

I worked two jobs this summer. My sister had told me not to worry about work, and sure enough I had a job within hours of my plane landing in Alberta. Getting my first job was fairly straightforward: no resumé, no interview. I simply walked across the street from my sister's house and asked the construction crew working there if they needed help. “Can you start this minute?” the boss asked desperately. My job with Top to Bottom Developments consisted of flatwork and cribbing foundations for new homes. Our typical day was no shorter than 14 hours long, filled with backbreaking labour. No stranger to physically challenging work, I was amazed at the pace that construction companies operate at in central Alberta. The labor was extremely rigorous. It was go-time all the time. We were always under immense pressure from our employer to put foundations up as fast as possible. As good as we were there was never an end to the work. While my job as a cribber was the most educational and most rewarding job I had this summer, it was earning the title of ‘rig pig' that really opened my eyes.

The second job I held this summer was as a rig worker for a small oil drilling company outside of Leduc. I would work for two weeks on and one week off, during which time I would work for Top to Bottom. Working on the rigs was the job I went out west for in the first place, but working in the oil patch wasn't what I expected at all. It was notorious for its difficult labour, but I was surprised to find that it actually wasn't that tough. Rig work for me was fairly relaxed and easy going, but when we worked we really worked hard. About four hours out of the 13 hour days were extremely difficult. During these drilling periods everyone on the rig was under extreme pressure, and the workers had no choice but to go at a hundred percent. My job was to be the assistant to the Push, and it was one of the more relaxed jobs on the rig, but under the right conditions it was really stressful. The work involved in the oil patch was more or less what I expected, but the lifestyle surrounding the rigs was something I could never have imagined.

The way in which my co-workers and I lived can best be described as a culture of self-destruction. Although I didn't live the ‘Rig Pig' life 24/7 like most of my co-workers, I was privy to the lifestyle. Once you receive your first paycheck full of oil money something changes inside of you. I don't know how to explain it, but your surrounding environment affects you, and no one is immune to it. It was the drugs that really struck me. I had heard stories about the proliferation of drugs among oil workers, but it was beyond anything I could have imagined. Hard drugs would spread through the residences making working conditions decadent. I was taken aback by the money spent, or rather wasted by the oil workers as well. I'm not sure why oil workers aren't able to save any of their huge checks, but I found myself falling into the same trap.

I learned a lot from my work experience this summer. As a construction worker for Top to Bottom I had some power and say in my job for the first time in my working time. Because of the lack of workers, my boss at Top to Bottom had no choice but to treat his workers as equals, and to pay very well. I was able to negotiate a high wage with no experience in the construction industry because of the desperate need for workers. As an employee I was treated much better in Alberta than I had ever been in New Brunswick. My experience working in the oil patch wasn't as positive as working in the construction industry, but I'm still glad I took the opportunity, and if it presented itself again I would be on a plane headed to Alberta within hours.

Michael Briggs is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Jason O'Rourke
Date: 20 September 2006
Subject: My Summer of Labour

The three months that I spent in the working world this summer were the lowest of my working career. In the past I've only worked one full-time job, that of a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves. In between I filled my time with menial part-time jobs in retail. This summer, however, was to mark a first.

I landed a full-time job at the plant my brother worked at in Moncton, N.B. For one and a half months at this job I was absolutely miserable. The plant I worked in was a propane tank refurbishing plant. It was my job to plug holes in the tanks after the valves and gauges had been removed. I would work 10 to 15-hour days with no overtime whatsoever. In my first two weeks I worked 125 hours. I received $10 an hour and, as mentioned, no overtime pay. The factory itself was a bad place to be. The sand blasters had holes in them, so there was shot flying out at all times. It was a statistical fact, like in a war zone, that there was enough metal flying around that shop that you were bound to get dinged eventually. In my time there I saw many injuries including two to my brother, one involving his eye and the other lighting his leg on fire while welding. He also after two years of working in the factory had developed symptoms of asthma due to the poor ventilation in the room he welded in. I saw a man put a blade right through his arm and was the first to administer first aid after he cut every nerve tendon and artery in his arm. I saw tanks catch fire and ignite like rocket engines while some poor soul's face was over the opening, luckily to be moved without serious injury. I myself cut my head open, got tendonitis in my right arm and dropped a 400-lb tank on my right knee which turned out to be the last straw.

The management in this establishment had no respect for the workers on the floor and would ask every day for them to stay late and refuse to give them time off even if they had an appointment with a specialist. The type they hired here were all really good people, but they didn't have a choice but to take the abuse – mostly under-educated men with families. But after my third and final injury, I found another job which was actually decent, that of a call centre operator for a major American credit card company.

Jason O'Rourke is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Craig M. Johnson
Date: 20 September 2006
Subject: My Summer with the Government of Nova Scotia

This past summer I was employed by the Department of Agriculture in the Province of Nova Scotia. This was my second summer working with the department and although I enjoyed my first summer I enjoyed this one even more. I think this was partly due to the fact that this year I seemed to have more responsibilities.

I worked at three separate things. My primary responsibility was processing forms relating to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) and the Nova Scotia Environmental Assessment Agency (NSEAA) process. This, for the most part, entailed me filling out forms which reported my boss's assessment of a farm to send off to those who decide if a farmer is eligible to receive funding for a project (such as the construction of a manure storage or a livestock watering pond). Essentially if a farmer's proposed project remains within set environmental guidelines he is potentially eligible for up to 75 per cent funding for his project. I spent approximately half of each day dealing with these forms.

The other half of my day was made up of dealing with my other two responsibilities. One was identifying properties which lie within the boundaries of a newly sectioned off watershed near Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. The other thing I worked on was assisting a grad student with his research. This, for the most part, consisted of monitoring his experiment, working in the lab and running experimental trials.

The job was an 8: 30 – 4: 30, Monday to Friday type job, and I have to say that I really enjoyed working those hours. It is nice to know at any given time what days you will have and how much time you have every evening of the week. It allows you to make plans and have a better life outside of work. A sporadic schedule, which I have had in the past, can make making plans near impossible any earlier than one week ahead of time.

Another side to the schedule I liked was that 8: 30 to 4: 30 was rather flexible. As long as you put in 40 hours a week then that was fine. I could have worked 9-5 or 8-4 if I chose to. Having this flexibility was also really great. As an employee I was treated very well and as an equal in all circumstances and the rate of pay was also very good for summer employment. The only downside I can really think of is that having an office-style job really eats away at your physical health. I have worked many jobs in the past that required physical labour and they tended to keep me in good shape. After two summers, plus being a university student, I am much worse shape than I previously was.

Outside what I learned about the function of government (or lack thereof) I also learned a few other interesting things about being a civil servant. One of the first things I noticed is that on a sunny Friday afternoon in July, the majority of government buildings are very quiet and quite empty. I also learned that there seems to be some sort of thing about lunch that I never experienced before. In many of my previous jobs lunch meant a speedy 30 minutes of eating something quick and having a few minutes to stare at the wall and count how many hours you have left on your shift. Lunch seems to be much different for many government employees. In many cases it entails “going out” for lunch. This is usually done in groups and usually results in spending much more than necessary and it can also frequently involve a few beer and coming back to rest in your afternoon office with a nice light buzz. I have worked many different jobs and I have talked to many people about their jobs and so far it seems this is something unique. I don't know if it is a government thing or a government in Nova Scotia thing, but I found it interesting.

I also noticed something else interesting. It seems that there is an unspoken rule that if the work is done and done well then everything is just fine until the next project lands on your desk. In other words: if you get all your work done by 3: 30 and no one comes along with a new assignment within the next hour, then you can likely get away with an hour of “working at nothing.” I liked this. Some people may look at this and say “well that's just lazy” , or “that's a waste of my tax dollars to have that person getting paid to do nothing for an hour.” I have to disagree with these people. I think it creates initiative.

If people believe there is a reward for hard work then they are much more likely to make an effort. If I work hard and I am left with an hour to check my personal email, do my online banking and read up on the news I am much more likely to work harder to get my job done. If I know that even if I get this job done there will just be another one, and then another one, and so and without anything reinforcing the fact that my hard work is worth it, then chances are I am just going to slug along with only one purpose: getting to the end of the day.

Anyway, I'm going to get down off my soapbox now and conclude by saying that I really enjoyed this job and I can easily see myself as a civil servant in the future; not only for the comfortable job but also because the work tends to interesting and generally meaningful.

Craig M. Johnson is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Stephanie Robinson
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: Summer Blog

This summer I had the opportunity to work for the City of Fredericton's Tourism Department. As this was my first summer staying in Fredericton, I felt this would be a great chance to get to know a lot more about the city I was living in.

There were four main sections of Fredericton Tourism: the office, the visitor information centres (VICs), the Lighthouse Adventure Centre (LAC) and River Valley Crafts (RVC). I worked at the LAC and RVC and enjoyed the variety in tasks and duties since I was working in two different downtown Fredericton locations.

At LAC I was responsible for the running of the snack bar (scooping ice cream, making milkshakes, etc.), fitting visitors with bikes from our bike rental hut, keeping the gift shop well-stocked and tidy, cleaning and maintaining the exhibit that ran up through the centre of the lighthouse, setting up and taking down bi-weekly concerts, and keeping track of statistics. At RVC I was responsible for keeping the gift shop stocked and clean and keeping the vendors in the other casemates informed of any new news pertaining to the Historic Garrison District. I also had two special duties at RVC. One was working a kiosk at the corner of Queen and Carleton Streets. That job involved setting up and taking down the kiosk, as well as answering visitors' questions. The other special duty was setting up and running weekly movie nights. This involved making popcorn, selling concessions, and giving out chairs to visitors. As you can tell, this job definitely wasn't dull!

I did make a few realizations this summer. First of all, though art is one of my passions, I really would not want to depend on it as a way of making a living. This is a struggle I witnessed from the artists at the casemates where RVC was located, especially since traffic seemed to be very slow in the area. I also observed that customer service is tough! Though I have worked in the customer service sector for approximately five years now, this was the only job where it really took a lot out of me. I think this was partly because since both LAC and RVC doubled as a visitor information centres, I was in contact with a lot of stressed out tourists who had no clue as to what was going on in Fredericton and often took their frustrations out on me. Thankfully, however, I did not take too much of it to heart.

Though I did not learn that much from the job itself, seeing as I had already worked in a tourist/gift shop establishment in Moncton, New Brunswick, I did achieve my main goal from this employment, as I learned quite a bit about what is available in Fredericton, as well as a bit of the city's history. I definitely enjoyed this job because I worked with an amazing staff in a stress-free environment, was given the opportunity to bank a lot of hours, and was paid above minimum wage, which is definitely a bonus for a struggling student!

Stephanie Robinson is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Joanna Murray
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: Divide and Conquer

You sometimes hear about employers using “Divide and Conquer” tactics in the workplace. I see it at work every day. In retrospect, what I have learned about my workplace does not really come as a surprise, but I cannot deny that it is a disappointment.

I have worked for the same employer for more than a decade (concurrent with being a part-time student). Our office staff numbers only about thirty, and the attitude of the employer to the staff is symbolized in the way the office is physically organized. When you enter the office you face a long wide hallway that divides the workers into two groups. There is a perception that this “Great Divide” separates the “true professionals” from the “support workers” ; the well-educated from the under-educated; the “upper echelon” from the “plebs” . Other than going to the common kitchen that we all share as our lunchroom, it is somehow communicated that the plebs have no business on the other side. The portion of the office relegated to the support staff is further subdivided by a smaller hallway that divides the non-bargaining managers and directors from the staff who are union members. The delineation between these two subgroups of office staff is further exemplified by the physical characteristics of the workplace. On side of the smaller hallway (and to quote Woody Guthrie, I'll not say which s-i-i-i-de) are offices with furniture hand-picked by their occupiers, windows that open and doors that close. The other side of the hallway is cluttered with the filing cabinets of the managers amongst the open cubicle-style bland grey units. These cubicles do not open to the hallway but to a solid wall of filing cabinets. There is a barrier wall to their cubicles that further segregates them from the managers, blocks out most natural light and keeps them to themselves and isolated from the occupant of the adjoining cubicle.

When I reflect about my workplace I am very aware of the climate and culture the physical set-up of our office creates. When I cross back and forth across “The Great Divide” , I almost expect at any time to be asked to produce my “papers” or passport. I have come to reflect on how much the physical and emotional ‘apartheid' in the physical office permeates all aspects of our work. It devalues and depersonalizes the staff on one side of the “Great Divide” , but I also see how much this attitude and behaviour also depersonalizes the “upper echelon” of the office. I try to do my work to a high standard, but I know that we are not “one big happy family” . There are union members on both sides of the “Divide” , and some of us try to humanize the environment with friendly conversation, concern and humour.

Joanna Murray is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Jazmine Belyea
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: Summer Wages

This summer I was fortunate enough to find work as a research assistant in my field, Canadian History. I worked for the Labour History in New Brunswick project, which is comprised of a research team with the intention of presenting information on the subject to the general public by means of a website. I researched for the Contested Territories: Transformation of the Woods portion of the website. I began by looking through newspapers on microfilm to find articles on strikes in the forest industry. I also researched on other aspects of the forest industry, such as health and safety issues, culture in lumber camps, and the establishment of a minimum wage. I also explored a variety of general sources on the subject. With my research I scanned some of the documents and newspaper articles that I believed could potentially be mounted on the website. I was also able to write reports on what I had learned.

This work was a great learning experience. I had the privilege of working closely with those on the project, meeting with them every Friday. By working as a research assistant, I learned how this type of project is conducted. I attended an oral history workshop, where I discovered how historians perform interviews. I was also given the opportunity to attend a conference in Moncton where they discussed how to best organize the website, and at this conference I was able to present some of the work that I had done. As a student, this job provided me with experience and new skills. I was able to improve my writing, research abilities, and acquire some experience in public speaking. It also taught me about a subject that I knew very little about and shed some light on what I wish to do with my field.

Another job I had this summer was a casual job at the Hilton Trade & Convention Centre in Saint John. This job's primary advantage was in earning some extra money for school as it did not provide me with experience in my field. However, it is for the most part not a bad place to work. I am part of the Hilton's casual staff, so I worked there on occasion in the summer when I was visiting my home town, Saint John. I have had has this job for four years and in the summer I am able to work there the most. My position was as a server in the banquet department of the Hilton. It is a physically demanding type of job as there is a lot of set-up required before a function, a lot of running with trays during a function, and the final clear of the tables can be time-consuming depending on the number of guests. The trays can also be heavy, so I am always careful to carry them properly so I do not hurt my back.

This job was good experience; however, I do not have the intention of moving forward in the hospitality and tourism industry. I did get the opportunity to work with a variety of people, and because you work with a different partner each function, team work is vital. The functions I have worked are very organized; each person is assigned to do a certain task prior to the dinner. The supervisors there are very helpful, and employees do receive some good benefits, even at the casual staff level. This job allowed me to earn some extra money, in addition to the money I earned working for the Labour History Project. This summer, my working experience was very positive and provided me with a learning experience in addition to money to survive as a student.

Jazmine Belyea is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Dorian Pelka
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: Treeplanting

This past summer I planted trees in Ontario's great northwest. I worked for a company called Outland Reforestation; one of the largest planting employers in Canada. Our camp consisted of three crews each having about 13 members. We worked east of Thunder Bay and generally spent days off in Long Lac. This was my second summer planting and working with Outland.

I knew the work would be excruciatingly challenging. However, I wanted to try and earn twice as much as I did the previous year. Pay is based solely on the amount of trees one plants. I feel like planters volunteer too much “pro-bono” work and should be paid for more, yet the company will not change their policies. An example of this injustice would be taking down and setting up the campsite, i.e. assembling mess tents, weather havens, gasoline caches and digging toilets (also filling them in) to name a few activities. No one has the right to complain about the work because the contracts each planter signs explicitly state the terms and conditions.

Although each company and most camps run their operations differently I will try to describe a day in the life of a typical tree planter. The day begins at 6 a.m. with some form of wake-up call. Usually it's a staggered series of horn blasts. However, if one chooses to sleep in, a supervisor might come around with a chainsaw or simply fire off a few rounds from a 12-gauge shotgun (It's all in good fun). After checking the myriad of necessities one might need for the day, everyone piles into buses or vans with their belongings. Often the drive from campsite to a worksite is lengthy, sometimes taking two hours. Once one is presented with a clear-cut piece of terrain, the experience truly begins. An infinite amount of black flies will harass you for the entire day; the sun and the sheer effort involved with planting will force you to consume 12 liters of water every day (I drank from a gasoline jug to add to my ruggedness) and the land itself will present you with many frustrations. The only truly tangible reason for wanting to plant is the five-star dinners that follow a savage day of planting.

Work involves many things besides simply performing a task or a series of tasks that will allow one to earn money. If one can find meaning and gratification in their efforts, they should be excited to be a part of their field. For tree planters, tree prices i.e. how much they earn for planting a single tree and the camp costs are very important. However, many planters truly feel connected to the larger goal of replenishing our forests with trees. Yet there is a paradox inherent in planting; we plant genetically modified trees so they grow faster -- which allow companies to harvest them sooner. Despite the paradox, I think planters who endure the hardships of planting leave for autumn with a new-found respect for their contribution and human abilities. All jobs and professions entail stress and difficulty, but tree planting is both physically demanding and mentally challenging in a unique aspect. Planting requires extreme physical endurance and also strategizing; simply, if one does not find an ideal micro site for a tree, it will not grow.

The cons of planting overwhelmingly outweigh the pros, yet I will probably indulge in the tree-planting culture again. The money, the friends and the surprisingly stress-free environment make tree planting an incredible experience.

There are many things that I've gained a new appreciation for. Being a tree planter is often frustrating but rarely ever stressful. I watched my boss and other management staff tackle many complications and 99% of the time succeed at finding a solution. When the logistics are well planned, it makes everything in planting run smoothly. However, and most importantly, nothing can ever be completely predictable and even when something appears to be a textbook case, minor adjustments are necessary. Looking at situations with pessimism often keeps you from succeeding at all. Rejecting all hope will lead to no possibility of advancement. For example, there was a period of four days when the weather was incredibly dry. The Ministry of Natural Resources shut down all forestry operations for fear of fires occurring. The only thing our camp could do was to literally relax (we turned our tree planting camp into a virtual summer camp -- we played volleyball and had swim instruction) and wait for clearance. Cursing Zeus about the weather would not help the situation, so we just remained tranquil and eventually the climate suited our needs.

Dorian Pelka is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Rose Donovan
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: My Summer Job

Looking back at my summer of 2006, I realize that I probably had the best job experience to date since I started working when I was 14. Last April after exams finished, I found myself panicking as I had not yet found a job despite numerous applications and resumes that I had distributed. Luckily, my guardian angel offered me what would be my favorite job yet. I was hired as a page at the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. At first I was hesitant because I didn't even know what a page was. It wasn't long before I was fully trained and ready to hit the floor. My first time on the floor in the House was extremely intimidating to say the least. There were so many names to remember and rules to follow. For example, when entering or exiting the House chambers, you have to bow to the coat of arms above the Speaker's chair. It took me a few weeks to get use to doing this. Now I find myself nodding my head every time I open a door.

This past session at the Legislature was a particularly interesting one to work during. Both government and opposition found themselves at a standstill with neither one willing to compromise. This meant the session would not end until they could come to an agreement on things, which meant a longer summer job for me. Eventually though, the days in the house got unbearably warm with nothing but oscillating fans to try and cool the MLAs off. (Air conditioning is not an option since the building is so old and historical). Before we knew it, both sides had come to an agreement and the last day for my summer job was set. I was so disappointed, not because I would have to look for another job, but because I had made so many close friends with (who would have guessed) politicians! Every day we sat together in a small room and discussed anything from George Bush, to our favorite childhood candy. It was honestly a job that I couldn't wait to get to everyday. I knew exactly what each MLA would want to drink, and I brought it to them with a smile waiting to get my daily dose of laughter from each one of them.

I cannot say anything bad about my summer job experience. Even the occasional brawl which broke out over a term such as “weather-girl” , and other such controversies between my two groups of friends were mediocre. After all, I wasn't the one trying to mediate. I learned so much from my experience at the Legislature. For one, I learned a lot about the history of the building and prior politics, including interesting little facts. For example, the chairs that the MLAs sit on today were made by a local wood maker who didn't like the government at the time. Instead of carving lions into the headrests, which was requested, he carved half-lion/half-baboon-like animals into the chairs. I also learned about the proceedings of the house, passing of bills, passing of budgets, how committees work, and the list goes on.

Looking back, it is almost difficult to note this job as “work” . I feel as though I gained more as an employee than my employer. This form of work I feel was important for me to experience, especially with the field of study I am doing at university (Canadian history) I truly couldn't expect anything more from this job. Even the $7.50/an hour pay was more than I could have asked for. (I have worked at call centres for $12/hour which was not enough for the amount of work I did). This doesn't mean I didn't do actual work at the Legislature, because I did. Running up and down stairs to fetch a special kind of drink, cleaning up after people, basically doing anything the MLAs asked of me. However, I feel that what I got back from the job was enough to make up for the work I did. There wasn't a day that I didn't leave laughing. I worked with so many great people and walked away with amazing memories and stories to tell to my grandchildren someday. Someone suggested that us pages write a book about what happened inside the House this past summer, to which someone replied, “no one would ever believe it” .

In the future, I will be returning to the Legislature as soon as the government is resolved. I will work part-time and go to school. If ever you get a chance to work as a page, I highly recommend it! It is the one of my best experiences thus far in life. I've made life-long friends and learned more about who I am and what I believe than I could ever imagine.

Rose Donovan is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Dana Brown
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: Research Assistant

This summer I worked on the New Brunswick Labour History project as a research assistant. My primary duty was to organize the New Brunswick Federation of Labour files which were donated to the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. I also conducted research reports and various other assigned duties.

This job was unlike any other employment situation I have been in. My “bosses” were also my professors, so to them I was not merely a worker; I was also treated as a student. Part of the mandate of the project is to train students in practical research skills. Because of this training component, we were paid to attend a workshop that trained us in the techniques of oral history. There was no immediate benefit to my employers for doing this; it was simply a part of the research project in which the training of students is a priority. As well, I and the other students working on the project felt more like members of a team than subordinates in a workplace. Needless to say, it was still hard work, and everyone put in a full day of work from Monday to Friday.

Also, the skill sets involved were very different than other jobs I've had in the past. Analytical skills and creativity were required in this position. Unlike other jobs where minimal creativity and choice is involved, the tasks involved in this job were given to students and they were expected to proceed using their own initiative. Of course, help and guidance was never far away and even then, the assistance provided by my professors was more like being coached than given instructions.

In this employment experience I was not providing a service in the market place or selling widgets in a box store. I was helping a research team uncover and present the history of working people in New Brunswick. It was very much a work experience rooted in the public sector or sphere of society in which the market had little or no direct influence in my workplace.

After a lot of hard work I had finished organizing the New Brunswick Federation of Labour files. I had taken time to ensure that the entries for each file were detailed in order that finding specific information would be easier. The directory I made can now be searched by members of the team which really makes it easier to navigate the 140 boxes of material. Soon archivists at the PANB will fine tune what I have done and open the NBFL files to the public. After going through all those files I felt as if I had walked through almost over 50 years of NBFL history. As a result I feel a sort of connection to my work that many employees never feel.

One memorable experience was presenting my work to project partners at the Université de Moncton. It was an added responsibility and one that I and other students didn't take lightly. It did feel intimidating at first to present in front of presidents of large public unions and retired veterans of the union struggle. However, the project partners were attentive and receptive to our presentations. Many of the retired union members were glad to see a new generation of young people eager to learn about the workers' struggles, victories and defeats in New Brunswick's history.

Dana Brown is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

From: Braden Murray
Date: 19 September 2006
Subject: Summer Job

I worked at Kenbrook Bible Camp in North Lebanon, Pennslyvania, this past summer. My position at KBC was that of Crew Director. This job included working directly with the male volunteers at KBC, and, along with my Co-Director, we were responsible for putting on an evening programme for the junior teen volunteers. The typical day would begin at 7: 00 a.m. with a staff meeting and go through the day until things would wind down around 10 p.m.. We would run on this schedule all week, except for Friday, as the children went home around 7 p.m. The pay at KBC was not very good considering the hours we worked. My salary was $225 a week, in U.S. dollars, room and board included. However, after Uncle Sam took his share, my pay was floating around $190 a week.

Overall, I do not regret my time spent at KBC; however, I would not do it again, and, if given the opportunity to go back in time to change my decision, I likely would. That's not to say that I hated my time at KBC, but looking back to my summer and thinking about what I could have done, and the money I could have made, it is tough to defend working where I did.

When Edison was working on inventing the light bulb, he was ridiculed by some of his colleagues for failing hundreds of times with hundreds of different methods. Edison responded saying, “I have not discovered what works, but, I have discovered what does not work.” For me, in many ways, this past summer was spent discovering what does not work. I learned how tough it is to constantly deal with stereotypes, and how tough it is to hold your tongue from snapping back with stereotypes of your own. I learned how important it is to share strategic vision with your co-workers, and the pandemonium that can ensue when several people pull in different directions. The most important people thing I learned, however, is how important my country is to me. Four months ago, I would not have considered myself a patriot. However, after being away for several months, and immersed in a very different culture, I can say that I am proud to be Canadian.

Overall, this summer was what it was. While it was not the happiest summer I have ever had, it certainly was not the worst. Working at KBC, while very frustrating at times, was an excellent learning experience and taught me what watching American news and programming never could have about American culture. This past summer was likely my last working at a camp, but, love it or hate it, I will never forget my time spent at Kenbrook Bible Camp.

Braden Murray is a student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.