One of the biggest fears amongst university students, myself included, is lack of employment following completion of our undergraduate degrees. It used to be that a post-secondary education created job security. However, nowadays, it has become the norm, almost an expectation of employers.

Like Cecile said in her blog, there are still many benefits that universities provide, such as co-op and internships. I agree that it is ultimately up to  students to pursue opportunities and make connections, however vague that may be. I wish there were more concrete guidelines to follow, a clear path that insures employment.

While this article in the Vancouver Sun assures that BC university graduates actually have a lower unemployment rate compared to BC’s overall jobless rate, this is only true five years after graduation. This provides little comfort as I imagine my future self, jobless and drowning in debt, after finally completing my degree.

The way I look it, we are all products. We are the inputs in the process of university, and as graduates, we are the outputs, transformed. However, our post-secondary education has become a point-of-parity and we are easily substituted. In order to compete and generate demand for ourselves, we must adopt a differentiation strategy. Our experiences make us unique and we must actively create opportunities for ourselves. Be it work experience or volunteerism, every minute matters.

Photo Sources:

http://dreamfilm.ca/film/generation-jobless/

http://marshallsternonline.com/dare-to-stand-out/#!prettyPhoto

While most companies are transitioning into eCommerce, Amazon is doing the opposite. Known for being the largest internet-based company, Amazon now plans to open its first bricks-and-mortar site. Upon reading this, I’m left on the fence.

For starters, Amazon’s success is largely due to the fact that they provide such a wide variety of products. Even the most obscure item can be found. A retail Amazon store would have to carry a variety of products equal to its online counterpart for its brand image to remain unaltered. To do this, the company would tie up working capital in an unimaginable amount of inventory, in addition to expenses in leases and retailing. Opening a store would only seem to incur costs.

However, the current plan does not seems much better. The location is said to act as a mini warehouse, allowing customers to pick up products instead of waiting for items to be shipped. Although there are benefits, the high-traffic location -directly opposite the Empire State Building and within walking distance of Penn Station- argues that a retail store would be highly profitable despite the costs.

To me, it seems like a waste to merely open a warehouse in a location with so much potential. Nevertheless, only time will tell if Amazon’s experiment will be a success.

Image Sources:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-open-first-store-1412879124

http://theopinionatedyouth.blogspot.ca/2013/07/new-york-is-exactly-like-movies.html

While BC Hydro’s Site C megaproject poses problems for First Nations, the unresolved partner issue goes beyond these two opposing sides. In an article found in the Vancouver Sun, First Nation Chief Roland Willson states that if the project is approved, it will be challenged by Aboriginal groups in the Federal Court of Canada. The impending megaproject is predicted not only to destroy farmland and wildlife habitat, but to impair fishing, hunting, and use of the Peace River Valley land by First Nations. 

These issues sound all too familiar. The Northern Gateway pipeline has been facing similar issues with land claims, with the Harper government caught in the middle yet again. The pipeline already faces resistance due to environmental factors, as well as it being approved without First Nation consultation. If Site C is approved, this would reflect negatively on the government again, as well as companies attempting to build on First Nation land. The approval of BC Hydro’s project will surely affect the progress of the Northern Gateway pipeline as it would only fuel more resistance by Aboriginals and strain relationships between both parties. If the government keeps allowing companies to exploit First Nation land without consent, I find it hard to believe that Aboriginals would support future and existing projects such as the Northern Gateway pipeline. 

Image Source:

http://www.energybc.ca/cache/northerngateway/www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/northern-gateway-pipeline-unnecessary-study/article2278174/index.html

Retail clothing store Abercrombie and Fitch is once again under fire, this time for religious discrimination in their hiring process. This article brought up a lot of controversial issues that made me question the company’s image, marketing, and positioning.

For starters, Abercrombie and Fitch CEO is famously known for stating that he only wants thin and beautiful people to shop at his stores. While this is an absurd and pretentious statement to make, it’s unsurprising when one considers the strict “look policy” employees abide by.

In addition, I was shocked when I read that potential “models” (sales associates) are scored on appearance during interview processes. While I understand that the company has a certain image it wishes to uphold and market, they should seriously reconsider their methods if wish to retain customers. While they have maintained their image of exclusivity and “beauty”, the damage they have done to their brand in the long run is far greater than any short-lived gains acquired.

The idea that one has to be “attractive” in order to shop or work somewhere contributes to self-esteem issues of many young people. In discriminating against its own customers and employees, the company has only pushed buyers away. It is hardly the kind of place I would want to do business.

Image Sources:

http://www.highschoogle.com/abercrombie-fitch-want-only-thin-cool-people-wearing-the-brand/

http://www.waldenbehavioralcare.com/abercrombie-fitchs-controversial-view-on-cool/