Black History, Winter Blues, and Family Day… All in the Shortest Month!
February may be the shortest month, but it packs a punch! We’re deep into winter, and while the days are slowly getting longer, the cold and grey can make it feel like the season is dragging on forever. If you’re feeling a bit sluggish, you’re not alone — it’s that time of year when motivation can dip. But February also brings important moments to reflect, learn, and reconnect.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians while also confronting the challenges and systemic injustices that persist. In this issue, we take a closer look at how BIPOC history is represented in schools, highlight five historic Black Canadians, and explore Canada’s past with slavery and segregation.
Winter can be tough, and mental and physical health can take a hit as February drags on. We’ve got articles on handling the winter blues, along with career profiles that highlight jobs keeping people warm — like insulation workers — and jobs that keep you close to nature if you’re already dreaming of spring. If you’re looking for a way to help others this season, we’re also covering careers that support the homeless and those living in poverty.
Family Day is a perfect chance to reconnect with loved ones, whether that means doing something special together or just enjoying some much-needed downtime. Check out this issue for ideas on fun Family Day activities and ways to strengthen your relationships.
For even more unique insights, check out our interviews with industry pros, where professionals share firsthand experiences and advice on their careers.
Stay warm, stay motivated, and keep pushing forward — we’re one month closer to spring!
Warm regards,
Anthony Teles
Vice-President, Content
February 2025 Scholarships – Apply now!
Information Security Undergraduate Scholarship Scholarship Value: $5,000 Awards Available: 20 Award Deadline: February 28, 2025 Wilfrid Laurier University Chancellor’s Scholarship Fund Scholarship Value: $5,000 Awards Available: 2 Award Deadline: March […]
Indigenous Student Scholarships for February 2025
Investing in Indigenous Scholars Scholarship (CityU) Scholarship Value: 100% of tuition Awards Available: N/A Award Deadline: February 21, 2025 MLT Aikins Indigenous Scholarship Scholarship Value: $6,000 Awards Available: 1 Award […]
Career Profile: Teacher Assistants
In your classes at school, you probably have a regular teacher and maybe an assistant who helps with some of the lessons or with students who need personal attention. Teacher […]
Career Profile: Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
Some people like to sort out anything that they have in front of them, whether that is jellybeans, coins, or anything else. Agricultural products also need to be sorted out […]
Curriculum Inclusion: Representing BIPOC History and Contributions in Schools
By Natasha Cooper In Canada’s unique and complex history, the stories of Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour or BIPOC communities have often been overlooked, written out, and silenced. […]
Career Profile: Photographers
Taking pictures can be fun and can help people remember interesting events. For some people, photography is more than just a hobby. Professional photographers work with cameras and other instruments […]
Health and Wellbeing in Alberta (French version available)
Suppose that you need expensive dental work or medication. Your family might have health benefits or insurance to cover these costs. Restaurant workers have normally not received these types of […]
Career Profile: Hotel Front Desk Clerk (French version available)
If you go on a trip, you will likely stay at a hotel at some point. The person you meet first at any hotel is the front desk clerk. People […]
Careers and Jobs That Help the Homeless and Those Living in Poverty
Most cities and towns have at least some people who are homeless or living in poverty, or both. People in this situation might have been going through a difficult time […]
Job Profile: Launching a Career as an Astronaut in Canada
Enjoy science and wonder what’s out there in space? Exploring the stars as an astronaut can be an out-of-this-world dream turned into a reality. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) seeks […]
Black History Month: Spotlight on 5 Historic Black Canadians
By Avreet Jagdev February marks Black History Month, a time during which Canadians celebrate and acknowledge the history of Black Canadians and communities, many of which have transformed our very […]
Career Profile: Insulation Workers – Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
In Canada and other cold countries, insulation is important for keeping people warm and preventing pipes in buildings from freezing. In summer, insulation in floors, ceilings, and walls helps to […]
Pink Shirt Day is on February 26th: What it is, and why it matters.
By Avreet Jagdev If you grew up in Canada, you might have heard of Pink Shirt Day. It’s also called Anti-Bullying Day and takes place every year in February. As […]
Ideas for Fun Family Day Activities and Suggestions for Connecting/Reconnecting with Family Members
Family Day was created so that families could spend some more time with one another. Without a doubt, it’s an occasion many look forward to. While this has been a […]
Advice for Handling Winter as It Stretches into February and Impacts Your Mental/Physical Health
Winter can be a very interesting season. While it brings heartwarming moments like snowball fights or Christmas decorations, winter undoubtedly has some negative facets as well. These include sometimes stressful/dangerous […]
After Valentine’s Day, Let’s Discuss Disability in Romance Movies (French version available)
By Erin Rebello Oh, Valentine’s Day, the so-called sweetest day of the year! With this festive holiday having happened during COVID-19, you might have found a classic romance movie to […]
Canada’s history of slavery and segregation
By Avreet Jagdev Since 1995, Canada has celebrated Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Black Canadians, but also to acknowledge the darker […]
Critical Thinking and Questioning the World around You
Critical thinking has become a major buzzword for many employers over the last few years, but it certainly isn’t a new topic. Critical thinking is the ability to “objectively analyze […]
Workplace dress codes can be discriminatory against certain races. Here’s how, and what can be done about it.
By Avreet Jagdev Over the years, it has become quite common for many work environments to enforce dress codes for their employees. Some workplaces simply ask that employees dress “business […]
Ten Modern Books Every Student Should Read (French version available)
Do you groan when you hear about the books you “should” be reading in High School? Do you roll your eyes when your parents or teachers mention “Catcher in the […]
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas You Can Make at Home
Valentine’s Day is coming up soon! Are you thinking about making gifts yourself this year? Taking the time to make gifts for others is a very thoughtful gesture. If you’d […]
Career Profile: Museum Technicians and Conservators
Visiting a museum can be fun. Learning about history and different cultures through the exhibits is a good way of making the past real. Have you ever thought about the people who […]
Should You Relocate for a Trades Career? Consider the Pros and Cons (French version available)
One of the greatest benefits of being a skilled tradesperson is that there are opportunities everywhere, and your skills are directly transferable. But should you relocate specifically to take on […]
La Saint-Valentin et la culture du mercantilisme
Tous les 14 février, appelés journées de la Saint-Valentin, nous nous livrons à de petits plaisirs en mangeant du chocolat et en organisant des rendez-vous romantiques. Cette journée spéciale existe […]
Career Profile: Powerline Technician
Turning on a light, using the oven, or recharging a phone seem like simple actions, but they require power, often from electricity. That power uses overhead and underground lines that […]
Futurpreneur.ca Supports Young Adults Looking to Start Their Own Business (French version available)
Thinking of starting your own business? Many people want to work for themselves rather than an employer and for many different reasons. Maybe you have a passion or skill you […]
Cinq livres à avoir lu avant l’école secondaire
Trouver un livre à lire peut sembler intimidant. Il semble qu’il existe d’innombrables choix. Si vous tapez dans Google combien de livres il y a dans le monde, la réponse […]
Finding Veritable Online Sources: A Guide for High School Students (French version available)
The internet provides a great source of knowledge. It displays itself as approachable, yet deceiving, with its global accessibility. Anyone can publish and read information on the internet, but the […]
What is the 15-Minute City Concept? (French version available)
What is a 15-Minute City? The 15-minute city concept allows citizens to access their essential needs within a 15-minute walk. Many Canadian cities, including Ottawa, Edmonton, and Victoria, have implemented […]
Careers & Jobs That Keep You Close to Nature (French version available)
Do you enjoy spending time in nature? Are you curious about which jobs or careers keep you close to nature? If so, the following are a few jobs and careers […]
How to Start Thinking About Your Future Career (French version available)
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This is a question nearly every young person has been asked at some point by family, friends, or teachers. For […]
Racial Bias in the Canadian Healthcare System
When people are sick or injured, they expect that the healthcare system will work for them. Sometimes they get the care they need, but at other times, they leave without […]
