This International Women’s Day, SCS Dean Dr. Catherine Chandler-Crichlow reflects on the past two years, their impact on women’s careers, and how continuing education can support women in their successful return to the labour force. 

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic we are still learning what the long-term impacts of the virus will be on our society. One thing we do know for certain is that when it comes to careers and income, women have been disproportionately impacted.

According to Oxfam, The COVID-19 crisis cost women around the world at least $800 billion in lost income in 2020 alone. Globally, women lost more than 64 million jobs that year —a 5 percent loss, compared to 3.9 percent loss for men.

RBC Economics reported that in just the first few months of the pandemic, Canadian women’s participation in the labour force went from a historic high to its lowest level in over 3 decades. Between February and October of 2020, while nearly 68,000 men joined the Canadian labour force, 20,600 women fell out of it entirely. 

While women in Canada have since been making their way back into the labour force, RBC Economics says there is still a nearly 8 percentage point disparity between working age men and women’s participation rates. And that gap is twice as wide for parents of young children.

The reasons for this disparity are not new. We know that women, and particularly racialized women, are over-represented in the industries hardest hit by the pandemic, as well as in sectors offering low wages, low security, and few benefits. 

According to Statistics Canada, before the pandemic, women tended to perform a larger share of parental tasks than men.

While they existed before, these inequities have been thrown into sharp relief and exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Many women who worked in industries such as hospitality lost their jobs entirely, and those in frontline positions deemed essential faced risking their health and the health of their families for low wages. 

Meanwhile, daycare and school closures meant those parental tasks that fell to women before, now included additional, time-consuming responsibilities such as homeschooling. 64% of women reported to Statistics Canada that they mostly performed homeschooling or helping children with homework, while only 19% of men reported being mostly responsible for this task.

It is easy to see why many women’s careers and incomes were affected negatively. What may be less clear is how we can move forward and support women in bolstering their careers as they re-enter the workforce.

Of course, we must work to address pressing issues such as the gender pay gap, daycare funding, paid sick days, and creating more flexible work environments (allowing for flexible hours and work-from-home arrangements wherever possible) so that fewer women might be forced to leave the workforce entirely to take on family care requirements.

I believe continuing education also has a vital role to play in ensuring the incredible resilience women have displayed over the past two years (and beyond) is reflected and built into their careers. 

With a variety of in-class and online part-time courses, continuing education at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies offers a flexible, affordable, and accessible way for women to learn new skills or update the skills they may have stopped practicing. And they can do so in a way that works around their existing employment and family responsibilities. 

The important networking opportunities women may have lost in their time outside of the labour force can be found with both industry expert instructors and classmates with similar professional interests. 

And finally, we are here to support women in reflecting on what their existing strengths are and how those strengths might be applied to a variety of positions and industries they may not have previously considered. This in turn can help prepare them to seize new opportunities and successfully adapt in times of adversity. 

Helping women return to and thrive in the labour market is not just important for women themselves, it is an economic imperative. When women are able to bring their strengths to the table, everyone benefits. 

As RBC Economics reports, “The benefits of women participating in the labour market equally with men would provide a lift to economic output of about $100 billion per year. COVID-19 has created a hole which will take a long time to fill – ensuring that women return to the labour market is critical to Canada’s recovery and ongoing success.”

Women’s inspiring resilience has carried them through the past two years of extreme challenge, now we need to support them in building that same resilience into their career paths.

With innovations driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s (4IR), project management has evolved from simply a way of managing resources and stakeholders, to a set of coveted skills that can make or break an organization. Today, companies are seeking agile project managers who can adopt and adapt to help them navigate the unknown, and the changing nature of industry. This is where upskilling comes in; keeping on top of new trends, skills, tactics, tools, and strategies is what sets one project manager apart from the rest. Here are some top reasons why project manager must embrace lifelong learning.

1. Explore different methods and strategies

It’s is essential to understand the traditional methodologies, but it’s even more critical to expand your understanding of various frameworks. Continuing education gives you the up-to-date skills to manage and facilitate project work, set expectations, and ensure project success. 

2. Gain practical insights 

Whether through learning opportunities that demonstrate real-world projects/cases, or by networking with others project management professionals, continuing education empowers you to gain practical hands-on experience. These are skills you can apply immediately at work. 

3. Get out of your comfort zone 

Lifelong learning requires that you push past boundaries, and let go of limiting beliefs. Lifelong learners are change-makers. 

4. Expand your career opportunities 

Growing your project management skillset is one of the best ways to ignite forward momentum in your career. Continuing education can enhance your resume, increase your connections within the industry, or lead to earning a professional designation. But most importantly, your new skills speak for themselves; whether you aim to thrive in your current role, or explore new opportunities, lifelong learning is the way forward.

5. Design your journey

This is YOUR learning journey, and it’s yours to create. Whether you are looking to enhance or refresh your skills, or learn something completely new, continuing education puts you in the driver’s seat.

We are witnessing unprecedented transformative changes in how we work, study, shop, and communicate. Project management professionals must continue to upskill to be competitive and own their future.

Dr.Waffa Adam has 20+ years of experience across management consulting, financial services, IT, Project management, and Education industries focusing on organization change management, digital transformation, Agile and Lean adoption and sustainability, strategy execution, Program, Portfolio, and project management office (PMO). She led numerous PMO's and PPM ranging from $100 million to a Billion to help organizations address complex business and enterprise initiatives. Waffa is a change agent who brings together pragmatic solutions aligned with organizations' strategic planning to help organizations optimize their resources and product delivery to achieve operational excellence. She is an Agile Coach certified, SAFe Agilist certified, PMP certified, ACP certified, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified. She holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Minor in Business Administrations, a Master's in Information Technology and a Ph.D. in Strategy and program management. Waffa is an instructor at U of T SCS, where she develops, enhances, and contributes to various course offerings. Waffa authored two books about the PMO; one is used as the framework for this course. 

Her SCS course, Project Management Office, starts in March 2022.

According to Hallmark, Valentine’s Day is the second-largest holiday for sending greeting cards. In case you need some inspiration for what to write to your loved ones, this Valentine’s Day we’ve asked some of our language instructors to share how people express love with different words and customs around the world. Here’s what they shared with us. 

French 

In French “je t’aime” means “I Love you”, “je t’adore” means “I adore you”, “tu es l’amour de ma vie” means “you’re the love of my life”, and “je suis fou amoureux de toi” means “I’m madly in love with you.”

“Mon chou” literally means “my cabbage” but it is used as a term of endearment like “my dear” in French. 

People express their love much more freely in France than in North America, says SCS French instructor Andrew Furegato. “They do something called ‘la bise,’ which consists of kissing each other on the cheek upon greeting a person,” he says. “In some regions of France, it is done twice (one kiss for each cheek) and in others thrice, even four times. Each region has its own particular style.” 

Japanese 

In Japanese, “「すっごく好き！」” or “Suggoku suki!” means “I really like you,” while “「愛してる。」”or “Aishiteru” means “I love you.” 　
“「私と付き合ってください」” or “Watashi to tsukiatte kudasai” translates to “please go out with me.” 

According to SCS Japanese instructors Yoko Galloway, Yasuyo Tomita and Akiko Maruoka, the exchange of sweets for Valentine’s Day is spread out over February and March. 

“On Valentine’s Day in Japan, women usually give chocolates and sweets to men; this includes sweets to colleagues and bosses (obligatory chocolate), and friends in general,” explains Galloway. “Then there’s so-called “White Day” a month after Valentine’s Day, on March 14th, when men return women's affection by giving them sweets or presents.”

German 

“Ich liebe dich” means “I love you” in German. “Ich mag dich wirklich” means “I really like you” and “Ich bin verrückt nach dir” translates to “I’m crazy for you.” 

In Germany, Valentine's Day is still a relatively recent custom, says SCS German instructor Zoia Novikova. “It was introduced by US soldiers stationed here,” she explains. “Red roses and Valentine's cards are among the most popular Valentine's gifts among lovers in this country. Sweets are also very popular and an invitation to a restaurant with a candlelight dinner is not uncommon.”

Italian 

“Ti amo” means “I love you” and is specifically used to indicate romantic love. 

“Ti voglio bene” also means “I love you” but can be used for platonic relationships. “It is said between two people who are friends or family members,” explains Italian instructor Lorenzo Sclocco, “but also between two people who are starting to develop feelings.” 

“Mi piaci un sacco” is a way to tell someone you like them a lot and literally translates to “I like you a sack,” while “Ci tengo a te” directly translates to “I keep you” and is used to tell someone they are special to you.  

Usually for Valentines Day in Italy, people give each other chocolate, especially Baci Perugina (the pralines), says Sclocco. 

Turkish 

“Seni Seviyorum” is how you say “I love you” to friends, family, and romantic partners alike in Turkish. 

“A common endearment phrase would be ‘canım’ which means “my life” and is also used very commonly for romantic, platonic and within close family relationships,” says Turkish instructor Özen Vekiloglu.  

Dutch

“Ik hou van jou” means “I love you” in Dutch. 

There's also “I am fond of you” or “ik ben dol op je”; “I am mad about you” or “ik ben (stapel)gek op je”. “Stapel” means “pile”, says Dutch instructor Marianne Verheyen. “Think a pile of pancakes!”

While Valentine’s Day is not a traditional Dutch holiday, it is slowly gaining ground, Verheyen says, and customs around love and romance tend to be part of folklore and history. For example, on the island of Marken in The Netherlands, hopeful fisherman grooms would create intricately-carved clogs for their brides while they were away at sea.

Latin and Ancient Greek 

In Latin, “tē amō” means “I love you.” The Latin verb amāre can be translated as like or love.

In Ancient Greek “ἐρῶ σοῦ” means romantic love (Eros was the Greek equivalent to the Roman god Cupid). “σε φιλῶ” indicates deep friendship or brotherly love, and “ἀγαπῶ σε” means a selfless love for all people (“ἀγάπη” was translated in the Latin of the Vulgate as “caritas,” which became the English word “charity”).

Latin and Ancient Greek instructor Mary McBride shares that Roman wedding rings were typically made of Iron, as this metal symbolized strength and permanence. “The Romans believed that a nerve ran from the fourth finger or ring finger on the left hand directly to the heart, so wedding rings were worn on that finger as they still are in Italy today,” she says. 

Roman poet Catullus wrote : 

dā mī bāsia mīlle, deinde centum

dein mīlle altera, dein secunda centum 

or 

“Give me a thousand kisses, then another hundred,

then another thousand, then a second hundred.” 

Want to learn to express love (or anything else) in a new language? Our expert instructors can help you meet your goals in over 20 languages.  

Ki-Youn Kim was making a big career change. After years of working in the non-profit sector, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a freelance Science Communication Specialist. With two Bachelor’s degrees (one in biology with a minor in politics, and one in neuroscience), and a Master of Science Communication, she holds a unique skillset. “My passion is making science accessible for all audiences, and deconstructing complex scientific information, so anyone can easily understand its importance and impact,” says Ki-Youn. “I recently took the leap and started my own freelance business, which is exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. In my graduate degree, I gained a strong set of multimedia skills, and learned about podcasting. Now that I’m self-employed, I decided to further explore this 
communications tool, and enhance my podcasting skills. That’s why I came to the School of Continuing Studies (SCS).” 

In Fall of 2021, Ki-Youn started taking Podcasting: Strategy and Success with instructor Fatima Zaidi. “I love learning from industry leaders. Fatima taught us how to be strategic podcasters, but she also explored how there needs to be more diversity and inclusion in podcasting. She encouraged us to get your voice out there,” recalls Ki-Youn. “For years I’ve had a podcast idea in my head. But I don’t want to just talk about science, I want to provide stories so listeners can learn about STEM without it being hard-core science or inaccessible. Scientific content can be fun and entertaining, and this course made me realize that a podcast really is the right medium to share my ideas once they’re ready to go.” 

When it comes to continuing education, Ki-Youn says learning from experts is the fastest way to grow and meet your goals. “Taking the opportunity to learn from someone who is an expert just expedites your journey; it makes so much sense to learn from their mistakes and grow from their experiences,” reflects Ki-Youn. “It’s such a benefit to learn strategies and shortcuts from people who have been there. That’s the benefit of learning from an expert, and that’s how I approach professional development. Even though it’s a commitment, it’s saving me time in the long run because I can be more strategic in what I do, and ideally make fewer errors along the way.”

Next, Ki-Youn aims to grow her freelance business, launch her podcast, and pursue an MBA. “This course helped me think bigger picture, and encouraged me to leverage podcasting as a tool in my marketing and branding efforts,” she says. “These skills will help me grow my business, as I find new ways to tell stories, communicate my message, and support my clients.”

Project management was once called an accidental profession In fact, it was viewed as an administrative function that a professional performed off the side of their desk. Today, we know this is far from the truth. Project management is a career in and of itself, often garnering strong salaries, dynamic career paths, and opportunities to grow into senior management role within an organization. Project management is now regulated, and professionals can earn a coveted certification such as the PMP, or ACP from PMI (the Project Management Institute). Ongoing self-investment in lifelong learning, such as earning a certification or recertification in project management, ensures that project managers possess specific skills and can deliver on promised value for their organizations. As the discipline continues to grow, and expectations of project professionals become demanding, it is more important than ever that project management professionals remain committed to upskilling and reskilling to ensure competitiveness and career advancement, or the ability to shift sectors. 

According to a recent report at the world economic forum, 54% of employees will need fundamentally new skills by 2022, and 35% of those employees will require more than six months of training. 

Indeed, the pandemic has resulted in massive changes in the workplace, increasing the need for project managers to remain agile in their problem-solving, self-management, and leadership skills. 

Project management professionals, and any worker looking to grow their skills, should start by asking themselves some key questions before selecting the continuing education opportunity that is right for them. 

What is your learning objective?

1. What is my goal (new job, promotion, flexibility, career change, etc.)?
2. How long will it take me to accomplish these goals?
3. How much will it cost me, and will I get my return on investment (ROI)?
4. What motivates me (work life balance, money, reward, work remotely)?
5. Do I have a support system at work where they invest in my professional development?

What do you want out of a learning experience? 

1. Is there a strong selection of courses and a diversity of learning options?
2. Is there learner support from school administration and instructors?
3. Are you seeking flexibility in learning modality (in-person, online, self-paced, instructor-led, hybrid, etc.)?
4. Will there be practical assignments of real-world cases?
6. Will there be an opportunity to network with industry peers?

Lifelong learning is critical, especially for those working in project management. Keep these important questions in mind when choosing your next educational adventure. 

Dr Waffa Adam has 20+ years of experience across management consulting, financial services, IT, Project management, and Education industries focusing on organization change management, digital transformation, Agile and Lean adoption and sustainability, strategy execution, Program, Portfolio, and project management office (PMO). She led numerous PMO’s and PPM ranging from $100 million to a Billion to help organizations address complex business and enterprise initiatives. Waffa is a change agent who brings together pragmatic solutions aligned with organizations’ strategic planning to help organizations optimize their resources and product delivery to achieve operational excellence. She is an Agile Coach certified, SAFe Agilist certified, PMP certified, ACP certified, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified. She holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Minor in Business Administrations, a Master’s in Information Technology and a Ph.D. in Strategy and program management. Waffa is an instructor at U of T SCS, where she develops, enhances, and contributes to various course offerings. Waffa authored two books about the PMO; one is used as the framework for this course. 

Her SCS course, Project Management Office, starts in March 2022.
 

After almost two decades of managing workplace investigations, Pamela Salhani knows that approaching situations with empathy and respect is key to dealing with workplace conflict. Her background in human resources, social development, corrections, and working with marginalized communities has afforded Pamela a deep insight into the value of mediation. “As a former Director of Employee Relations for a large Ontario non-profit organization, it’s clear to me that there are ways to resolve conflict or disagreements that honours the dignity of all those involved. Through mediation strategies, we can make sure everyone feels heard,” she says. “Peace is key to a healthy workplace. Organizational data has shown that more complaints can be resolved through mediation and conflict resolution strategies, instead of formal investigations.”

When she came across the Specialized Certificate in Managing, Investigating, and Resolving Workplace Harassment Complaints at the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), Pamela was inspired to further enhance her mediation and investigation skills, and explore innovative ways to create a psychologically safe work environment. “I wanted to grow my skills at SCS because I truly believe we need to learn and grow in investigations. More importantly, I wanted to shift organizational thinking around how we manage investigations, and how we can address and resolve conflict in proactive ways,” asserts Pamela. “My instructor for Identifying, Addressing and Effectively Managing Workplace Harassment Complaints, Jennifer Pernfuss, contends that empathy is a key skill in effectively managing workplace complaints, early interventions and conflict resolution. Growing trust, and building mutually respectful workplace relationships, allows for a much calmer and less stressful path to resolution. Of course, this isn’t possible in all circumstances, and we have important legal obligations, but Jennifer’s perspective on informed trauma, fear, respect, and communication really aligned with my ideas around peaceful resolutions.”

Pamela appreciated the very hands-on approach to online learning at SCS, which included breakout sessions, case studies, and multimedia content. “The curriculum was very applicable. I will implement tools, assessments, and checklists I learned in class in my practice. “I was faced with some challenges, specifically in regards to using some new technology, and had to step outside my comfort zone. But Jenifer was really there for us, and clearly wanted us all to succeed. I felt very supported, and am grateful for this challenge and learning experience.”

This winter, Pamela will start the second course in the certificate, Conducting Workplace Harassment Investigations. “Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed first hand that investigations can not only be costly, but they can cause great discomfort and mistrust between parties, and often they can be punitive, resulting in discipline, termination, feelings of shame, or relationships that don’t improve. I know we can do better than this, and I’m committed to creating safe spaces for people to be themselves. The first course in this certificate was very congruent with my values both personally and professionally, and I’m excited to start the second course soon,” she says. “I’ll be taking the third and final course, Resolving Workplace Harassment Complaints Pre and Post Investigation, this spring, and am confident that the skills I am learning will help me not only better support my practice, but open up new doors for me professionally.”

Esports represents a broad competitive gaming space; essentially, this term encompasses any online game played competitively, or for the pleasure of others. There are esports leagues all over the globe, with competitions ranging from beginner, to regional, to World Championships, just like physical sports. One very popular example you may have heard of is called League of Legends, however there are many games with intense, international popularity. In fact, every region of the world hosts dedicated professional leagues, and millions upon millions of people watch their favourite gamer stars play! Esports is a huge, evolving, billion-dollar industry. If you are new to the world of esports, I’m here to share and break down some interesting facts to help you wrap your head around this phenomenon. 

1. Esports can be enjoyed live or on-demand

An online streaming platform called Twitch is the predominant mode for live streaming esports, however, YouTube and Facebook are also actively expanding in this domain. Twitch tends to be where people go to watch live games, whereas YouTube is the go-to for on-demand gamer content. Both YouTube and Facebook are making concerted efforts to grow their live streaming audiences though.

2. Gaming is no longer niche

Around 2017, gaming experienced a tipping point, and became more accessible to both players and audiences. We started seeing athletes and celebrities alike playing esports, which caused an uptick in popularity. In 2021, League of Legends had over 180 million active players. Essentially, esports are exploding, and they are everywhere, 24 hours a day. Ideas around esports are also shifting. Players and audiences are diverse and unique; no longer can people default to a stereotype of what a “typical gamer” looks or acts like. In fact, many pros are professional athletes in all sense of the word; they are roles models who embrace and promote healthy lifestyles. 

3. A broad core demographic

Younger generations have gaming ingrained in them from childhood, however the core esports demographic is broad, ranging from anyone between 9-40. Male players and fans do outnumber their female counterparts, however there is a rapidly growing female demographic. 

4. Esports is a huge industry, with lots of money to be made

We are talking about multimillion dollar companies, and competitive gamers who are not only earning what professional athletes make, but winning competitions worth up to 30 million dollars. This industry also produces endless career opportunities; esports companies need marketers, financial analysts, video editors, game developers, social media experts, project managers, and coaches just to name a few. If you love gaming, but you don’t think you have the skills to work in the industry, reflect on your skills and think again! Opportunity awaits.

5. Transcending ability 

There are two things I love about esports: first, unlike physical sports, we can all compete on the same level to an extent. Playing online allows many of us to transcend the body; despite size, strength, age, gender, or physical ability, we can all experience the joy of play and competition. For people with busy lives, esports also transcend time. For example, you have access to a massive network of eager players, who can match your skill level, 24/7. 

6. Play your idols

Esports fans love to watch and follow the best pro players, and also love non-pro personalities who bring humour or insight to the table. But here’s what’s wild and can rarely be replicated in physical sports: if you play that game enough, you could end up playing against your idols. Everyone is on the same playing field. On a random Tuesday evening, you could get to play against your hero. It’s not super common, but it happens. I’ve personally played against some of my favourite esports personalities! How cool is that?

7. Things aren’t perfect; we have critical work to do

The gendering of esports is a big problem, and you don’t have to go far to find unacceptable misogyny on these platforms. Most prominent female esports personalities experience some form of harassment. As an industry, the culture needs to change. People of all genders and identities need to be welcome, safe, and respected in this space. We have important work to do, now.

8. Esports has the potential to connect us

Esports are a global phenomenon, transcending borders, languages, time zones, and physical abilities. These competitions are a way for people all over the globe to connect, transcending culture and boundaries. At the end of the day, it’s about the love of play and competition. And that love transcends the medium itself. 

Kyle Chatterson is a sports and media leader with near a decade of professional experience in esports and competitive gaming. Kyle is currently the Director of esports Content and Partnerships at theScore where he leads strategy and execution for all projects related to competitive video gaming. He has worked with the biggest developers, teams and brands across the competitive gaming industry and has spoken at PAX East, SXSW and Cynopsis Esports events. Kyle has previously worked at the NATO Association of Canada leading their technology vertical and prior to that was a professional chef. He has a BA from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, as well as a Diplome de Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu.

His SCS course, Esports Business Foundations, starts this fall.

We know that most New years resolutions are abandoned by the end of February. But if you’re determined to pursue a goal from the list below in 2022, committing to an SCS course could be the key to staying motivated and accountable. And if resolutions aren’t your thing, it’s still great to explore new opportunities! Check out how lifelong learning at SCS can help you bust through blocks, embrace new possibilities, and meet your goals.

1. Learn a language

Whether you’re starting from scratch and looking to master the basics of a new language, or you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, our expert language instructors are ready to help you open a whole new world of communication. You can find information about our language courses here.

2. Become a better leader

If your aspirations for 2022 include transitioning to a management position, or simply becoming a more effective leader, our management and leadership courses can help you identify and develop the skills and characteristics of a successful leader. 

3. Start (or finish) your novel

If this is the year you’re determined to finally get your brilliant idea down on paper, connect with the supportive instructors and community of writers in our creative writing courses to help you find the perfect words to bring your story to life. 

4. Grow your Marketing skills 

As the world and technology have rapidly evolved over the past decade, so have effective marketing strategies and techniques. If it’s time for you to update your skills and learn new strategies, our dedicated marketing, communications and pr instructors can help you thrive in today’s competitive landscape. 

5. Brush up on your knowledge of history

If your knowledge of history is starting to feel ancient, let our passionate and knowledgeable instructors refresh your memory or introduce you to fascinating parts of history you’ve never explored. 

6. Formalize your project management skills 

Whether you are new to project management or simply want to improve and bolster your existing skills with a certificate or designation, now is the time to check out our suite of project management courses and certificates. 

7. Pass the CFA 

If you’re determined to achieve your Chartered Financial Analyst designation but overwhelmed at the thought of the exams that stand between you and the CFA, this is the year to take advantage of instructor Michael Hlinka’s expertise, and prepare for whichever level you’re aiming for with our Passing the CFA test preparation courses. 

8. Launch your product or service 

The dream of successful entrepreneurship could be closer than you think! Whether you’ve already launched your start-up, or you’re getting ready to unveil a brand new product, our entrepreneurship courses and workshops can support you as you establish, grow, and maintain a sustainable business.

9. Become more mindful 

If your goal this year is to seek more discipline, tolerance, calmness, and mental clarity, the courses and certificates in our mindfulness program can help. 

10. Bring out the best in your team

Organizations with strong learning cultures support their team’s growth and are more likely to see gains in areas that positively impact their business. This year, invest in your team and unleash their full potential with the help of our corporate and organizational training program. 

If you’re still establishing your goals for 2022, or not quite sure where to begin, don’t forget to sign up for the SCS Knowledge Hub to gain access to free educational content and webinars and get inspired to take the next step in your lifelong learning journey!

Whether it helps to fast-track a career, discover new skills and passions or simply keeps the mind active and healthy, there is no doubt that education can be life-changing. 

It can also, unfortunately, be difficult for people to access when faced with financial difficulties. 

That’s why the School of Continuing Studies is committed to finding opportunities to help connect learners with the funds they need to gain access to expert instructors and up-to-date, beneficial, and inspiring courses. 
Here are six ways learners can fund their studies at SCS:

1. Apply for a Bursary
2. Canada Training Benefit 
3. OSAP
4. Windmill Microlending
5. Scale AI 
6. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) to enter our series of draws for a free course once per term. 

Throughout the month of October, a group of SCS creative writing instructors shared some of their favourite writing prompts and exercises with our creative writing community. 

The prompts were originally shared via the hashtag #SCSwritingprompts on Twitter. In case you missed them and are looking for some inspiration, we’ve collected all 30 prompts here to help you get writing! 

1. Use a newspaper to find ideas for writing. Can a news item prompt a short story, an editorial prompt a rebuttal, a photo prompt a setting, the classifieds prompt a catalogue poem, or the headlines prompt a found poem?" – Patricia Westerhof
2. Write about the first pair of shoes you ever loved, and the first day you wore them. What made them meaningful?" – Martha Batiz 
3. Write a short dialogue between two characters every other line. Write what they are really thinking in italics between each line of dialogue." - Kim Echlin
4. Close your eyes and take yourself back to the kitchen of your childhood. What is the first thing you smell? What is the most powerful smell from your childhood? Write about it, what it meant then, what it means now." – Beth Kaplan 
5. Your character is at a train station. Their gaze falls on a person with whom they have a complicated relationship. There is no way for your character to avoid this person and this person spots them. What happens next?" – Natasha Deen 
6. Pick a random news photo. Describe the scene with 5 words, then 10 words, then 20 and then 40. Reverse the process. What do you notice?" - Arif Anwar
7. Write about a body of water." – Ranjini George 
8. Put your character in bed falling asleep alone. Write every thought that passes through their mind. Do not punctuate or use full sentences; just describe what is drifting through their heads." - Kim Echlin
9. Choose three recent Google searches, or three songs or photos that are meaningful to you. Then write one paragraph about each. Do any interesting connections emerge?" – Becky Blake 
10. Write about your memories of Thanksgiving." – Ranjini George 
11. Find a talisman, a special object from your life. Hold it with your eyes closed, feel it. What does it mean? What did it mean? Write about it. – Beth Kaplan 
12. Set a timer to write! Giving yourself a goal to write for even 15 minutes a day will get you to the page. Write longer if you’re inspired. And those pages *will* add up." – Barbara Radecki 
13. Your character steps into a grocery store to buy items for the evening’s event. At the produce aisle, they see a display of oranges. Your character comes from Florida & a fractured childhood. Oranges remind them of their past. What happens?" – Natasha Deen 
14. Write about what stops you from writing." – Ranjini George 
15. Write about a special object of your childhood that is now lost, but you'd like to recover. What was it? What would it mean for you to have it back?" – Martha Batiz 
16. Write “I didn’t know…” over and over, ten times down the page. Then, without thinking, fill in the rest of the sentence. Pick one and unpack it." – Beth Kaplan 
17. Take a prose fiction story you have already written, but which is not in its final form. Rewrite the same story, only this time change the gender of your protagonist. What, if anything, does that do to your plot? Dialogue? Central Theme?" - Elizabeth Ruth
18. Describe a person you love without typical details such as hair colour or body shape. Instead describe how they move, how their expressions change, how they use their hands. Describe how they sound—their laugh, their favourite phrases." – Patricia Westerhof
19. Remember that story your parent or grandparent used to tell over and over and over at every family gathering? That had meaning for them. Tell that story." - Michel Basilieres
20. "Take the last line of any poem and make it your first. Write from there. Take the first line of a poem and make it your last. Write towards there." – Catherine Graham
21. "Try writing a scene set twenty minutes before or twenty minutes after the expected scene. What’s happening before the trial, after the funeral, when everyone’s standing in the parking lot?" – Blair Hurley 
22. “Write about a childhood home” - Ranjini George 
23. "Look at every paragraph in your story draft and try cutting the weakest sentence from each one — the wordiest, the most ‘explainy’, the most expository." - Blair Hurley 
24. "Give voice to an inanimate object. What might it say?" - Catherine Graham 
25. "Write about what you can't forget." – Ranjini George
26. "She was in that particular time of her life when every stranger she saw in the street reminded her of someone she had once loved/hated/lost. [Finish this paragraph, using your narrator to articulate the chosen emotion.]" - Dennis Bock
27. "Go over to your bookshelf, close your eyes, and pick up the first book you touch. Open that book to a random page, read the first full sentence on that page, and use it as the inspiration for a scene." – Amy Jones
28. "Use this 19th Century Character generator and start an argument over an inheritance between two of them: http://ow.ly/FJUh50GyO9k"  - Michel Basilieres
29. "What I can't forget..." – Ranjini George 
30. “I used to be …. but now I ….” – Beth Kaplan 

Need more guidance to get your creativity flowing or take your writing to the next level? Check out our whole suite of Creative Writing courses and certificates here: https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/creative-writing.  
 

Created in 2018 by its parent brand, the Beijing-based ByteDance, TikTok is one of the newer kids on the social media block. With its millions of users and downloads, the video-heavy platform has given new meaning to the idea of virality. The interface allows users to infinitely scroll and find only the funniest, best, and brightest content that suits their needs (and viewing habits), whether it’s a dance challenge, a political statement, or a powerful lip sync. Both individuals and big-time brands are trying every which way to amplify their video content and sell their wares by resonating with new audiences on this platform.

The eyes of almost every advertiser or marketer have been transfixed on TikTok as a result. And it’s no wonder: in 2020, TikTok was the most downloaded app on the planet (we’re talking 850 Million downloads); in September of 2021, it reached a milestone of converting 1 billion monthly active users. For those on the hunt for new audiences, TikTok holds exciting possibilities. But given that the growing platform has remained relatively mum on its significant stats, especially as to how its app encourages purchases, brand impact, and other worthwhile metrics,  understanding how best to develop winning strategies and tactics on the ever-growing app has been a bit of a challenge. 

TikTok offers paid advertising as well as the ability to promote in-app purchases from its user base, meaning that companies can establish a revenue stream and a paid ad plan. But a significant spend on ads for this kind of app is only a small piece of the puzzle. It’s the ability to consistently adjust content to suit the needs (and keywords) of the intended audience and leap into trending conversations with gusto, that can help buoy a brand on this timely app.

Some major brands out there are taking the TikTok leap, and doing it right. Let’s look at a few of them.

Elf: Going viral through musical engagement

Elf Cosmetics took engagement on TikTok to new heights with its Tik Tok campaign, which includes a catchy original song called “Eyes Lips Face,” and holds the prestigious position as the very first commissioned song for a TikTok ad campaign. TikTok users were game to participate by sharing videos of themselves lip-synching to the song (including celebrities). With every iteration and share on TikTok, the song brought more and more visibility to the beauty brand. In fact,  it’s the fastest-ever TikTok campaign to reach 1 billion views. This success gave Elf a fighting chance in a flooded industry and earned the trend-setter some serious cosmetic coin.

Chipotle: Taking engagement cues from its employees

Then there’s Chipotle, whose strong understanding of its Gen-Z audience, and its own employees’ use of social media, encouraged them to create the #ChipotleLidFlip campaign. After one of its employees, Daniel Vasquez, posted a video of himself impressively flipping a Chipotle bowl, the video took on a life of its own, and Chipotle made the smart move to create a hashtag and invite other users to show their own lid-flipping skills. 

The result was epic engagement and a brand visibility that marketers can only dream of: 110,000 video submissions, and at least 230 million views. This is the kind of audience engagement most marketers can only dream of.

Even if you’re growing from a grassroots place and don’t necessarily have an ad budget in hand, you can still take inspiration from both Elf and Chipotle’s attempts to engage TikTok users by “gamifying” their content - that is, asking their communities questions and prompting them to respond with their own content, all in an attempt to encourage meaningful engagement in the form of shares and comments. Offering contests, and providing incentives for users to embrace a hashtag and create their own content in response, is a savvy way to engage key audiences. These brands also encouraged users to leap in with videos that align with trending topics, really allowing people to organically engage with both TikTok and their brand.

Ocean Spray: Going Viral Through Listening and Monitoring 

In Foundations of Digital Communications Strategy and Social Media at SCS, we often talk about listening and monitoring as key components of success for brands who are upping their social media game. By monitoring, we mean constantly scanning social media for mentions of your brand, products, key people, and competitors, and always being on the lookout for hints of a potential crisis. By listening, we mean actually jumping into the conversation, taking the brave leap into reacting to social posts around your brand, which can result in meaningful engagement and better help you plan out future social media strategies. 

A strong example of listening and monitoring on social media to bring greater brand awareness and sales came in the form of Idaho potato worker Nathan Apodaca (TikTok user @420doggface208). Nathan posted a feel-good video on TikTok – a self-shot cinematic view of himself riding a skateboard to a soundtrack of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, while effortlessly downing a bottle of Ocean Spray. He shot the video after his truck had broken down and he opted for his skateboard instead. The uplifting video, which seemed even more poignant during the COVID pandemic, went viral across social media channels including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

What happened next? The video saw a lot of love online (with Apodaca racking up close to 7 million TikTok followers); Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams (first released in 1977) reentered the charts and tripled in sales; celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Mick Fleetwood himself start creating their own tribute videos; and the content became a central news story on social media channels and major news networks. 

90-year-old brand Ocean Spray, who had been monitoring this TikTok user-generated content, finally took the ‘leap into listening’ by assessing the success of Apodaca’s video and their product placement, and then in a carefully thought-out publicity boost, bought him a new truck packed full of Ocean Spray bottles (and enjoyed a newfound brand boost and took full advantage of an uptick in sales!). 

This is not only a good example of TikTok audience members becoming marketing content; it’s also a good example of how a gentle product placement in a light-hearted TikTok video can breathe new life into a tired brand, and how that brand leveraged TikTok content to take its sales and its public image into the 21st century.

Demystifying TikTok in 2022

Whether they understand the magic TikTok formula or not, companies large and small will continue to demystify this newer platform, and leverage it by listening and monitoring the conversations that resonate with their social-savvy target audiences across the planet (in this case, 35% being between 19 and 29, and 28% being under 18). Some will see big wins with contests, hashtag challenges, and clever musical ad campaigns.  Others, like Ocean Spray, will enjoy sold-out products and great quarterly sales numbers when TikTok influencers begin rooting for them (like The Ordinary’s peeling solution - a TikTok-certified skin conditioner!). And retailers in particular will be looking to TikTok to tell them what to have in stock in their store. 

Exactly who and what will be trending in the hearts, minds, and TikTok feeds of the global community is still a mystery, but we’ll be watching. 

Samantha Mehra (MA) is a senior copywriter and content strategist in Toronto, and an instructor at The University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. With a diverse background in technology, history, and arts journalism, her writing credits include The Canadian Encyclopedia, Feathertale, Oxford Journals, and Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism. She is a National Magazine Award nominee and enjoys puns.

Last week, CivicLabTO presented their Academic Summit: Collaborating on Renewal and Resilience. The two-day virtual summit was designed to bring together thought leaders from local academic institutions, City staff, and government representatives to address the challenges Toronto faces in the wake of COVID-19.  

SCS Dean Dr. Chandler-Crichlow joined moderator Lisa Fink, Manager of Sector Development, Economic Development and Culture Division at the City of Toronto; Dr. Vik Singh, Assistant Professor, Global Management Studies at Ryerson University; and Jeff D’Hondt, Indigenous Affairs Consultant for the City of Toronto to discuss how our city can rebuild and improve economic resiliency. 

Dr. Singh kicked things off with a presentation of his research into how different industries and sectors of the community have been impacted, noting that women and newcomers to Canada have borne the brunt of the job losses and financial challenges brought about by COVID-19. 
This is why, as Dr. Chandler-Crichlow pointed out, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to building economic resiliency, and the city will need a menu of options to tackle the impacts on individuals, the workforce ecosystem, and society at large. “To re-build on these three fronts, I propose that we consider the use of reflection, re-skilling, and resilience respectively to address the needs of the groups that have been impacted by the pandemic,” she said.

Reflection will be key in helping individuals looking to re-build their careers post-pandemic. “This is a time for individuals to take pause and look inwards to re-affirm their core strengths, skills, and capabilities, and begin to identify how they can leverage these in the emerging labour markets,” Dr. Chandler-Crichlow explained. “For example: are you a problem solver? Do you easily learn new technologies and can train others? How flexible are you in considering new roles in a different sector? Armed with responses to questions such as these, an individual could consider jobs that are emerging.”

A focus on re-skilling will be beneficial to both employers and workers, said Dr. Chandler-Crichlow.  “This is also a time to look outwards at emerging trends in the labour market. Those interested in pivoting to different jobs, careers, or sectors could do so by broadening their repertoire of skills in a short time,” she explained. “This is where access to micro-credentials and micro-courses can fast-track access to new opportunities that arise. At SCS we have built a range of micro-courses and micro-credentials that are designed to be applicable to work across a wide range of sectors.”

Finally, Dr. Chandler-Crichlow stressed the importance of helping build resilience in individuals in our communities, particularly those who have been faced with the challenges of social isolation.  She suggested that the city could lean into its arts and culture scene to help people get reconnected, and re-committed to pursuits that give them purpose and direction. “Think of it: the vibrancy and joy that comes from musicals, the sheer creativity from our art galleries, the convening power of our cultural centers. It is these artistic and creative channels that provide the glue that holds together the social fabric of our communities. And these are desperately needed as we re-build,” she said. “Individual excellence, economic revitalization, and social re-integration are inextricably linked as we take an inclusive approach to building that new normal.”