2. By: Grace Chafe and Katie Cranfiord

3.   “It’s all about being ergonomic, so you have to have your desk set up a certain way, so that you’re not hurting yourself, like for your back. Your arm rest needs to be set-up so when you’re typing you won’t have any Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. When you’re lifting your files you can’t do pinch-mode you actually have to grab with two hands so that you over-extend your wrists/hands.” What Are Your Workplace Safety Terms/Benefits?

4.   “For our particular warehouse, because I work at Costco, our place is the same as in British Columbia where if there’s any forklifts on the floor we have to wear a safety vest anytime the forklifts are operating. That is prior to the actual opening of the store at 10:00am.” What Safety Equipment Do You Need for Your Job?

5.   “These jobs prepared me for my occupation. I was also an auditor in my 20’s, in Mississauga, Ontario. I also worked in an accounting firm as a payroll clerk/tax accountant assistant for three years. Besides these jobs, I also worked as a waitress at Stage West and many other establishments.” What Is Your Previous Work Experience?

6.   “When I was in Toronto and when I had finished High School, I worked at the ‘Stage West’ Restaurant and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had left high school and moved to Toronto and I decided I really liked accounting. I then decided to come back to go to Memorial, and then from Memorial I went to Cabot College.” What Encouraged You to Enter This Field?

7.   “I have a marketing background and an accounting degree from Cabot College.” What Is Your Required Training For This Job?

8.   “I don’t know how to answer that question. I love my job. I like the hours that I work. I suppose the only thing that’s different really is that most accounting firms would be Monday to Friday, say 9- 5. My job is in accounting retail position, we require to work one day of the weekend so that effects my family life.” How Has This Job Impacted Your Life?

9.   “I suppose I could retire in 10 years, but it really depends on my child on what financial strain she puts on me in the future.” When Can You Retire?

10.   “I have had a lot of jobs. From the age of 11-14 I delivered Sears catalogues door to door. When I was going to college I worked three jobs one summer, all at the same time. One job was a manager as a restaurant, one as a waitress and one with the Town of Torbay inputting their water taxes and their property taxes to set up their accounting system. I also worked as Stage West, which I previously told you about. Another Restaurant I worked at was Marconi’s as a waitress and I worked at J.F Gough.ca. Overall I have had around 6 positions.” How Many Jobs Have You Had?

11.   “No. I wanted to be rich. I wanted to be financially independent and be retired at the age of twenty-five, and just kind of be jet setting. However I suppose as a child, everyone wanted to be an actor or an actress or something, am I right? I initially thought I was going to end up as a lawyer.” Is This The Job You Wanted As A Child ?

12.   “Yes, I can be promoted. The position could be as a lead or a supervisor, and then as a manager within a specific department. The way it works at Costco is that you have to go to different departments. I can be promoted, however I do not want to be. I like what I am doing.” Can You Be Promoted? If So, To What Position?

13.   “No, I did not work in high school. I just did some local babysitting. We moved here when I was in grade 9 and we only had 1 vehicle, therefore transportation was difficult and I wanted to have more time to focus on my school work and studies.” Did You Work During High School?

14.   “I have been doing this job for 20 years. We actually just celebrated our 20 th anniversary.” How Many Years Have You Been Working At This Job?

15.   “Mathematics of course as I work in the accounting department, and I guess English helped as well since I am always sending emails and letters to different support teams and departments. In college I also did courses in marketing, accounting, and computer courses, which helped get me where I am today.” What High School Courses Prepared You For This Job?

16.   “I love what I am doing now, however, when I was 19 & 20 I was a waitress. I loved waitressing because I always had a lot of fun laughing and chatting with my customers and co-workers. Also, I got 50% off all of the food.. That was definitely a bonus. It was so tasty.” What Was Your Favorite Job? Why?

17.   “My work covers 80% for medications and dental care, etc. There is a cut-off at around $500. I’m pretty sure $500 is the general number, and after that the coverage is 100%.” What kind of medical coverage does your work provide?

18.   “Well yes and no. After I graduated high school I moved to Toronto and found work there, so I guess that kind of falls under the category. After that I came back to St. Johns and attended Memorial University and then started on the path to my career.” Have You Moved Around For Work? Where?

19.   “Yes, I attended Memorial University and Cabot College. I preferred Cabot College. When I went to Memorial I was able to transfer my credits to Cabot College. Cabot College offered the courses that I needed for my career and they could be completed in a smaller time frame. I felt this was better or me so that I could begin my career sooner. Also, Memorial had very larger classes. Since Cabot had smaller classes I could learn and concentrate a lot better.” Did You Attend Post Secondary After High School?

20.   “Yes, I travelled to Toronto once and to New Brunswick twice. During these trips I received training for the new computer software and devices that we were going to be using. Also, I trained personal from other provinces to do the same job that I am doing.” Have you travelled with your work?

21.   “I love it. Sometimes it drives me crazy, but I absolutely love it. I work with a supervisory role, so I am kind of like the teacher. If anybody has a question, they come to me and I help them out. Also I just work a regular day shift, unlike someone n an actual managers position who may work 12 hour shifts.” Do you enjoy your job?

22.   “I’d say when I was called by one of the general managers in Ottawa being told that if anyone had any problems within their warehouses to contact Donna in St. John’s. I had all of these warehouses contacting me because I was the strongest in my position. What was the best experience you have had with this job?

23.   “I have, but it was a mixture of doing stuff at home and then being in the workplace. I had over- extended my back putting away Christmas decorations at home, then I sat a certain way at work and threw my back out. I was off of work for about 3 months. If my work station had of been ergonomic, I probably would not have injured myself as badly.” Have You Ever Been Injured In Your Workplace? Explain.