Lindsay Marshall is dean of the Mi'kmaq College Institute at Cape Breton University, which educates native and non-native students about the history, language, culture and socioeconomic development of the Mi'kmaq First Nation. A former CEO with the Chapel Island band, Marshall said effective managers must be able to find a shared vision with people they work with and enjoy the challenges that go with organization and motivation. (Contributed)

By STEVE PROCTOR
Business Editor

WHEN SOMETHING goes awry at the Mi'kmaq College Institute at Cape Breton University, Lindsay Marshall is the guy who will hear about it first.

Not that things go off the rails often, but as dean he is responsible for making sure the activities of the 20-year-old resource centre and educational outreach operation targeting aboriginals runs smoothly.

"As a manager you have to be prepared to take responsibility," he said in a recent interview. "You have to have good communication skills and be willing to work with people."

A strong advocate of education as a way to help his people overcome the social ills that hold them back, he works with a team of professionals to provide students in Mi'kmaq studies with interesting courses and a place where they can upgrade their writing and computer skills or get techno'logical assistance to improve the visual appeal of a paper.

Mi'kmaq studies at the Sydney university are designed to familiarize native and nonnative students with the history, language, culture and socioeconomic development of the Mi'kmaq First Nation. Pro'grams can lead graduates to a Mi'kmaq business development certificate, court worker's certificate or certificate in natural resources.

"We are trying to engage as many students as possible," said Mr. Marshall, noting that 340 First Nations people have graduated from Cape Breton University. "We also want to engage the university community and eventually the wider community at large."

A former CEO with the Chapel Island band, he said effective managers must be able to find a shared vision with the people they work with and enjoy the challenges that go with planning, organization and motivation.

WHAT DO THEY DO?
Managers in health, education, social, and community services plan and direct programs related to social services, activities of staff of elementary or secondary schools or the delivery of health-care services. The group also includes faculty administrators, registrars of colleges or universities, and administrators of vocational training schools.

Health-care managers are responsible for maintaining and establishing health-care standards; monitoring healthcare quality; and planning and controlling budgets. Managers in social and community services administer programs of non-governmental organizations involved with social issues, manage staff and participate in policy development.

WHO WORKS IN THIS JOB?
To work in these fields, you need determination, confidence and good managerial skills. You must have the ability to organize, negotiate, motivate and communicate. You must be able to work well under pressure and make difficult decisions quickly. Good judgment and leadership skills are essential. You should also be capable of co-operating and collaborating with others.

These managers are very well educated and 42 per cent have a university postgraduate degree. Almost half (47 per cent) work in education and another 24 per cent work in health care. The average age is 42 and retirements are expected to create more career opportunities for younger workers.

Forty-two per cent of these managers are women, a percentage that is expected to increase in coming years along with the percentage of women graduating from professional programs in health, education and business.

WHERE DO THEY WORK?
Annapolis Valley 13%
Cape Breton 12%
Halifax 45%
North Shore 17%
Southern N.S. 13%

WHAT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED?
Managers require at least the appropriate education and training to gain an entry-level professional position with the organization. Additional education is usually necessary to advance to management positions. Many of these positions require a bachelor's degree in business administration, hospital administration, finance or another discipline related to the service provided, along with several years of experience.

Administrators of departments such as surgery, clinical medicine or laboratory medicine are usually required to have the education and training of a specialist physician.

Other department administrators are usually required to have the education and training of the medical professionals in that department. Certification in the relevant field is required.

A school principal or administrator is required to have at least a bachelor's degree in education, although a master's degree is preferred, plus a Nova Scotia teacher's certificate and several years of experience as a senior teacher or department head.

Managers in social, community and correctional services are required to have a master's degree in a social science and several years' experience in a related occupation.

Administrators of career colleges or vocational training schools are usually required to have a bachelor's degree in business administration and a certificate and/or expertise in a subject of instruction.

WHAT ARE THE WORK PROSPECTS?
Employment prospects differ slightly for the occupations included in this group. Employment prospects are best for senior managers in health, education and social services as retirements are expected to contribute to job openings for these occupations in the coming years. Also, increased use of health-care services by Nova Scotia's aging population will positively affect demand for these occupations.

For school principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education, employment is expected to remain stable over the forecast period.

In the longer term, enrolment levels for primary and second­ary schools are expected to decline somewhat, which may negatively affect demand for these occupations.

Employment growth for administrators in post-secondary education and vocational training is expected to occur as quickly as the average in all occupations. Enrolment of N.S. students in universities across the province is declining, but this will be offset by growth in the enrolment of out-of-province students. But for universities with a large number of in-province students, demand for administrative positions may not be as high.

Outlook: Good
Employment in 2005: 3,290
Estimated average annual number of job openings: 249
Earnings in 2005: Averaged $27 per hour with a maximum of $46.25

TYPICAL JOBS:
Chief of medical staff, director of nursing, school principal, social work director, college registrar.

For information, or to explore over 300 other careers in Nova Scotia, visit the Education Department's Career Options website: novascotiacareeroptions.ca

On the Job is a weekly feature looking at career opportunities in Nova Scotia. Past columns are archived at www.jobspress.com