Happy New Year from JobsPeopleDo!
Welcome to 2026! A new year means a fresh start: new goals, new opportunities, and new ways to learn and grow. Whether you’re back in class after the break or using this time to regroup, January is the perfect time to reflect on what you want out of the months ahead.
This issue is all about helping you start strong. We’ve got tips on setting goals and actually sticking to them, strategies for saving before you even start saving, and personal reflections on goal-setting from fellow students. If you’re still unsure about resolutions, check out our piece on the pros and cons of New Year’s resolutions and find what works for you.
With the winter weather in full swing, it’s also important to take care of your mental health. Articles on seasonal depression, winter blues, and creative projects during the colder months offer helpful reminders that you’re not alone, and that this season can still be meaningful and productive.
Looking ahead? Don’t miss the latest scholarships, including opportunities for Indigenous students. And if you’re exploring career options, this month’s profiles include epidemiologists, electric motor system technicians, cabinetmakers, and educational assistants, among others.
We’re also covering practical advice on how to prepare strong job references, make new friends in post-secondary, and get through tough work experiences. There’s even a feature on living with your parents, a reality for many students today.
As always, for even more inspiration, be sure to check out our interviews with industry pros, where you can learn directly from people working in careers you might pursue.
Here’s to a focused, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead!
Warm regards,
Anthony Teles
Vice-President, Content
January 2026 Scholarships – Apply now!
University of Waterloo Entrance Scholarships Scholarship Value: $20,000 Awards Available: 150 Award Deadline: January 15, 2026 Automotive Women’s Association Scholarships Scholarship Value: $5,000 Awards Available: 15 Award Deadline: January 16, […]
Indigenous Student Scholarships for January 2026
SAA Native American Scholarships Scholarship Value: $10,000 Awards Available: 5 Award Deadline: January 31, 2026 National Indigenous Scholarship Program Scholarship Value: $50,000 Awards Available: 5 Award Deadline: March 14, 2026 […]
How to Make Goals and Stick to Them (French version available)
It is very common for people to make goals, especially during the New Year. Although many people make goals, not everyone is able to achieve them. They may lose motivation […]
Start Your Saving Goals – Before You Even Start Saving
The end of high school is nigh. Beyond the horizon lie opportunities, challenges, and the great unknown. You, on the other hand, are freaking out. You might wonder if you […]
Some of my personal goals for this year to inspire yours
By Avreet Jagdev With 2025 in the rearview mirror as we enter a new year, many of us have begun reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the […]
Living with Your Parents: The New Normal
Go to school. Graduate. Get a job. Move out. Build your life. This straightforward trajectory feels increasingly like the life path of yesteryear. More and more young people are remaining […]
Are New Year’s Resolutions a Good Idea? A Look at the Pros and Cons (French version available)
The New Year is often associated with having resolutions. People want to begin the year by resolving to improve various areas of their lives, whether it concerns their well-being, helping […]
Ways to Make New Friends in Post-Secondary (French version available)
For new students, the environment of post-secondary and prospect of making friends can be overwhelming: There are so many people! How do I talk to them? Making friends in post-secondary […]
International Day of Pink (French version available)
What is International Day of Pink? Not to be confused with Pink Shirt Day which takes place in February, International Day of Pink is a separate day of bullying prevention. […]
Bored and Stressed at Work? Strategies for Getting Through (Or Getting Out Of) Difficult Work Experiences (French version available)
Identify the Source of Stress, Boredom, Or Fatigue If you are unhappy or dissatisfied at work, it’s a good idea to identify what exactly is making you feel that way. […]
How to Prepare Good References (French version available)
What is a Reference? When applying for jobs, a reference is someone you trust to provide a good review of you. Depending on the situation, a reference can be anyone […]
Learning on the Job: Waiting Tables (French version available)
With the COVID pandemic, finding jobs was extremely difficult. One of the few jobs I found was at a local restaurant. They were looking for a hostess, and I thought […]
Tips and strategies for setting goals for 2023
By Rabia Khan These past several years were like a rocket with feathers. It passed by slower than we expected. Now fast forward through the pandemic and beyond it, and […]
What is Blue Monday? (French version available)
Some months of the year tend to be easier than others. When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, people tend to feel happier than they do in […]
Endangered Species Highlight: The Burrowing Owl
Since European settlers first arrived in Canada, over 100 animal species have disappeared. Those animals have become extinct, meaning that none of those animals live in Canada anymore. When an […]
Pipefitters (French version available)
Pipes are everywhere in our cities and towns, carrying water, fuels, or other substances to and from buildings or across the country. When these pipes work well, they are barely […]
The Indigenous History of Maple Syrup
By Maryam Sheikh What’s your pancake topping of choice? Whipped cream, butter, or perhaps…smooth and sweet maple syrup? December 17th marked National Maple Syrup Day, and in honour of this […]
Role of Trades in Post-Disaster Reconstruction
Disasters can come suddenly or build slowly over a long time. However, they all require reconstruction once they are over, and the trades can be an important part of the […]
Your Mental Health: Seasonal Depression
In the summer, it is time for parties, cottage country, club life, and refreshments by the pool. The sun shines, birds squawk away in the morning (some are kinder by […]
Pros and Cons of Online Courses in Post-Secondary Education
During the pandemic, students were unable to go to in-person classes for weeks or months at a time because of the risk of infection. In post-secondary studies, students often choose […]
Alternative Agriculture: Permaculture Farming in Canada
Agriculture is a significant part of the foundation of Canada’s culture and economy, with large areas of the country devoted to agricultural practices, especially food production. While for over a […]
Jobs for People Who Love the Cold (French version available)
Although many people tend to hate the cold weather, there are people out there that enjoy the cold weather. You may be one of these people. Maybe you’re considering finding […]
Seasonal Jobs to Help Your Wallet
By Rabia Khan Do you want to earn extra income and shop during the sales season? It’s always a great idea to go out and work when the holidays are […]
Why Winter is the Best Time to Work on Creative Projects
Winter can really suck. Sure, there are the holidays and freshly fallen snow can be very pretty – but otherwise, it can be a cold, depressing time. Or is it? […]
Changing SAD into GLAD: Ways to Combat Those Winter Blues
With winter conditions settling in Canada earlier than in the last few years, it’s important to bring to light one underlying effect of the cold weather that seems to be […]
Turn the Winter Blues into Winter Booms!
Years ago, the “winter blues” may have been something close to an urban legend—something that was commonly talked about, but not investigated enough. Now, quite a number of recent research […]
Shaking Off the Winter Blues
By Erin Rebello With shorter days and colder weather, it can be easy to catch a typical case of the winter blues. We’ve all been there, snuggled under piles of […]
Career Profile: Environmental Lawyer
Many people care about the environment, but not everyone has a chance to do much about it. People can sign petitions and write to the government. They can do their […]
Career Profile: Epidemiologist
The COVID-19 pandemic is still on everyone’s minds. Schools were closed, and businesses were shut down. Epidemiologists are working to find a solution to the problem. Someday, you might be […]
Career Profile: Electric Motor System Technician
Some people love to take motors apart and put them back together. Does that describe you? If so, you might want to consider becoming an electric motor system technician. This […]
Career Profile: Cabinetmaker
Each day, people use kitchen cabinets, drawers, shelves, and many other wooden storage areas in their homes. They may never think of the people who make these shelves and cabinets, […]
Career Profile: Educational Assistant (French version available)
Suppose that you wanted to work in education but not as a teacher. Another option is to become an educational assistant. This trade can be a good choice for people […]
