Career Buzz

Reflections of a Canadian Civil Engineer's career journey from school to consulting to teaching to retirement in Mexico – a 50 year journey

Career planning is important because it helps you manage your career effectively and achieve your professional goals. By planning your career, you can focus on your overall objectives and not just your immediate plans, which can lead to a more fulfilling and successful career path.  Planning your career allows you to define what you want to achieve and carefully plan the steps to make it happen. It helps you build your career on your own terms and can be an adaptive process that evolves as your life changes. On the other hand, it is often said, letting your career happen without planning can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of direction. But is this true - what happens when you are driven more by opportunities that arise than by knowing where you want to go?
 
Guest Bio: Civil Engineer Keith Farndale. He has worked in construction management from 1974. He was a “designated consulting engineer” in Ontario. He ran a successful project management consulting and training business based in the GTA from 1993 to 2014 (21 Years). He taught PM non-credit and degree credit courses in the MEng programme at University of Toronto since 1993. (note: now a “retired” PEng in Ontario.)  He holds a BEng in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from McMaster University.

from Bike racks to Biomedical devices: Careers in Industrial Design

You sit in a favourite comfortable chair, or enjoy that useful kitchen gadget or you clean up using a cool vacuum cleaner; these products were probably designed by an industrial designer. 
 
Imagine combining artistic talent – together with skills and knowledge in product use, marketing, and materials – to create functional and appealing product designs. Today we talk to 2 industrial designers. ⁠Doreen Stegmuller ⁠and⁠ Morna Gamblin⁠, both experienced industrial designers, and teachers. We'll explore their career stories, design philosophies, and the challenges and opportunities in the field today. Join us for an insightful conversation that’ll take us from Acceptance to Appetite, and from Bike Racks to Biomedical Devices.​ (Learn about Industrial Design in ⁠Canada⁠ | ⁠US⁠)

Sustainable Aviation: Tech, Design, & Myths

Sustainable aviation involves the development and use of renewable or waste-derived aviation fuels, known as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which meet sustainability criteria. These fuels are designed to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation, a sector responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all transport sources.  The global aviation industry is committed to a sustainable future for aviation, aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This goal will be achieved through improvements in aircraft and engine efficiency. In this show we focus on issues beyond fuels including design, materials and we unpack some myths with David Zingg and Stephen Armstrong.
 
Guest Bio: Professor David Zingg is Internationally recognized as a leading researcher in the field of computational fluid dynamics, and has achieved numerous advancements that have increased the competitiveness of Canada's aerospace industry.  As a Professor at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) for the past 37 years, Dr. Zingg has championed the need to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, and has built a highly respected team to develop technological solutions to address this issue. His research areas include aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and aerodynamic shape optimization. His current research is focused on applying high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization to aircraft design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft.  To help ensure that results of his research are quickly transferred to practice, Dr. Zingg has consistently engaged industry in his research activities and has close ties with Bombardier and NASA. He holds BSc, MASc and Phd all from the UofT.

Making Happy Art

When you’re traveling, there’s something that opens up. It’s easier to meet people and good things seem to happen in a more concentrated way. That’s what happened to Mark when he travelled in lovely BC recently. On a transition day between spending time with friends and starting to work, Mark had a Sunday to myself to drive from Vernon to Kamloops in BC’s interior. Looking for a coffee shop, he found the wonderful Bean Scene on Vernon’s 30th Avenue. The servers, Carmela and Hannah were super friendly. Mark noticed the happiest and most colourful art that made him smile. When he decided to buy a couple pieces, Mark contacted the artist Nancy Vince and had a great conversation. Her story of making happy art inspired him and led to her being a guest on this show.

The Evolution of Management Consulting in the Digital Age

In this episode, Stephen Armstrong and Dwight Mihalicz dive into a fascinating discussion on how Management Consulting is evolving in an era of unprecedented change. The MC profession is at a pivotal moment in history. As businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, consultants are transforming how they deliver value to their clients. This transformation is not just about technology; it's about adapting to new expectations, addressing challenges like cybersecurity and sustainability, and ensuring ethical practices in a rapidly changing world.
Tune in to explore how Management Consulting is evolving to meet these demands and what this means for the future of the profession.
 
Guest Bio
 Dwight Mihalicz is President of Effective Managers™ and a thought leader in management consulting. He is a Former Chair of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI), and Author of Consulting Through Uncertainty: A Global Perspective and The Effective CEO.  He is Creator of the Effective Point of Accountability® framework, used globally to improve organizational effectiveness.  He is known for guiding the consulting profession through disruption and innovation. He has expertise in adapting consulting practices for the digital age while ensuring professionalism and measurable results. 

#SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs Year 3!

In this episode, Hoda Kilani invites Katherine Jennick and Bella Doswell to share their united vision, unique mission and the reasons they started the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign. If you were asked to start a campaign and promote a hashtag, what would that hashtag be? Take some time to think about it. Listen to get inspired, reflect and answer! Join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz and increase your Career knowledge.
Bella and Katherine are behind the global movement that aims to unite Career Development Professionals aka CDPs around the world to tell our friends, professional allies and the public about the benefits our work bring to individuals, the economy and society.
On February 3rd, CDPs from all parts of the globe will take part in a LinkedIn flash mob, which will see them creating posts showcasing the work they all do behind the scenes.  CDPs will be writing a piece, posting a photo or image that encapsulates what they do behind the scenes in their job.
If you are a CDP and you want to get involved, you have options. You can create your post and send it to LinkedIn on the 3rd of February.
Alternatively, look out for your CDP friends and colleagues on the day, and keep an eye out for the hashtag on LinkedIn.  When you see the posts, please follow, like, comment and support CDPs and the hashtag#SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign in raising awareness about the work that Career Development Professionals do.

A career check-up can make your work and life better, sooner

Have your thoughts about the post-holiday re-entry to work been filled with anticipation…or dread?
Sure, work is work and the first week back in a new year or even after a weekend can sometimes make us long for activities like bingeing favourite shows and playing board games with family and friends. But when you’re in a fulfilling role, you enjoy your work.
The “Sunday Scaries” (that anxiety feeling at the end of the weekend or holiday) should not be a thing.
So, if you’re feeling that way, could it mean you’re not in the right role? Or the role was right two years ago but now you’re feeling stuck? Or maybe your priorities have changed and you’re pondering what’s next in your life’s journey?
Book a check-up
One way to explore these feelings is to sign up for a career check-up. Career professionals use these single, focused consultations to help you assess the health of your career. Just as you would go to the doctor if your stomach was feeling persistently “off” or you would visit the physiotherapist for ongoing back pain, it makes sense to take action when you’re feeling that way about your career. Even when you’re feeling fine, doctors still recommend periodic check-ups—same idea.
Of course, just as some people hesitate to visit the doctor, many let their unrest about career issues fester. It’s easy to stay wistfully wondering for too long when you would really benefit from taking even a small step that will help you address your worries about work. Are those who hesitate the same people who wait until a cavity gets worse before they visit the dentist?
How it works
Since career is a big topic, a check-up typically begins by identifying a particular issue you want to focus on, whether it’s starting a job search, finding a better role within your organization, deciding on which education and training options to help your career trajectory, or any other concern that’s been keeping you up at night. Career professionals will typically ask you to share reflections or any actions you’ve taken, so that by the time your check-up is scheduled, your counsellor can maximize your time together with targeted conversations. By the end of the call, you will have concrete suggestions about next steps, including a prescription that will help to improve your career wellness.
Even if the result is just to make a few tweaks in your current work routines or get concrete about positioning yourself for promotion, career professionals note that it never hurts to affirm you’re still fulfilled by your career. After all, work takes up so much of our days—about 80,000 hours across one’s lifespan—and the worst would be to look back with regret if you could have taken action. When you think about it, your career is not just a single job but a major part of your life, so don’t rest until it’s a “full expression of who you are,” which is part of a career definition.
Another sign for some that it’s time for a check-up is when you realize you’re burdening your spouse, best friend, other best friend, or work acquaintance about your career worries. If you’ve been guilty of this (or if you’re the sympathetic ear), know that you’ll get better advice from an actual career professional with many hours of counselling experience and a track record of success in guiding others through your same questions.
Big benefits
Besides helping analyze a particular problem, career professionals also help you see the big picture, to reflect on how your career fits into your life and goals. Your past, your skills, your interests and your desire to do good in the world all have a big impact on creating a career that you will love. Career professionals are interested in knowing what unique mix of strengths and desires make you happy at work and in life. In other words? A holistic view.
Without career check-ups, people risk another year of unhappiness, in a job that doesn’t suit them. In 2024, Canadian HR Reporter magazine quoted a report by recruiter Hays Canada that noted 71 percent of workers wanted to leave their jobs in the next 12 months. The report noted that figure was up from 61 percent the previous year. How would you rate your job satisfaction, and importantly, how has it changed from a year ago? Wouldn’t it be sad if you waited yet another year before getting a check up? If your sense of fulfilment has gone down, or even stayed the same, commit to this being the year you take action.
When you enlist feedback from people whose entire job is focused on helping others with their careers, even starting the clarification will feel like progress as you finally begin to admit that you’re ready to see what’s possible.
Career professionals themselves thrive on witnessing clients move from unease to satisfaction in their work lives. When people find roles that are a better fit, their whole energy changes. Even a move from mild dissatisfaction to renewed enthusiasm within your own job can feel amazing. If there’s ever one last present to give yourself at the start of a new year, it’s the gift of certainty that you’re doing everything you can to make the most of your time and talents in the workplace, and in the world.
The CareerCycles Career Check-up includes a private and confidential 75-minute interactive virtual session using an evidence-based narrative approach, a pre-reflection to maximize check-up effectiveness, and a prescription for next steps that will help move you towards your goals. Find out more at www.careercheckup.ca 

Why the Human Resources Management department is having a Negative impact on business Performance

Modern human resources department represents the interests of the overall mission of the business aligned with the needs of individual employees. Depending on the size and scope of a company, an HRM department can perform a variety of roles and responsibilities. For a small business, a dedicated HRM specialist may cover all HRM functions, while in bigger companies, specialized departments will handle hiring, benefits, employee development and other processes.  In recent years, the role of HRM has expanded as companies recognize that it’s cost-effective to invest in employee development and retention. Better-trained and happier employees are more productive, and innovative. But has the HRM department overstepped its’ mandate? In this show, join Gus Theoulis and Stephen Armstrong as they discuss this.
 
Guest Bio: Gus Theoulis, President and CEO of Intricco Controls and Automation Ltd. and LT Global Trade Ltd. Gus is a Professional Engineering Technologist with over 26 years of experience in electrical controls and IT management, and his company designs, produces, programs, and implements electrical control systems for industries like automotive, HVAC, defense, and nuclear. Having worked globally in over a dozen countries, Gus brings a wealth of technical and managerial expertise, including a unique perspective as a senior manager both before and after introducing HR into the workplace. Over 15 years of running his own business, Gus has collaborated with many senior managers, gaining valuable insights into leadership and organizational dynamic.

A mission in Careers and Mobility Learning

Specializing in Careers and Mobility Learning, Dr Michael Healy shares his mission and how he chose it. If you were asked to share your mission, what would it look like? Take some time to think about it. Listen, reflect and answer! Join Hoda and her guests on Career Buzz and increase your Career knowledge.

Are you a feisty, creative person?

As storyteller-in-chief at CodeWord Communications for 20+ years and a part-time writing professor, Suzanne Bowness has built a successful freelance writing business.   
Now, she’s written, “The Feisty Freelancer: A friendly guide to visioning, planning and growing your writing business,” published by Dundurn Press in 2025. It helps readers get started on the writing journey. Tune into this Career Buzz episode to hear Sue’s career story, how it felt being laid off at 25, and how she turned that bad experience into good outcomes. Learning about planning any business, getting work, pitching services, getting paid, and gaining flexibility and working-from-home options.