Senior Engineer - Energy Efficiency Office @ City of Toronto

Bill manages a team of highly talented team in the areas of "Measurement & Verification" (M&V) and the City Demand Response program (DR3). Part of his role is to assist City of Toronto Agencies, Boards, Commissions, Corporations and Divisions (ABCCD's) to participate in the Demand Response program. Also, he conduct regular M&V studies to evaluate the various initiatives undertaken by the Energy Efficiency Office at the City of Toronto

In addition, Bill has been teaching at Seneca College, on part-time basis, since 2005. His main teaching focus is on Energy and Sustainability for the "Built Environment". Bill has over than 20 years of experience in the Energy field. Prior to joining the City of Toronto, he worked for one of the largest utilities in Ontario developing and implementing energy efficiency programs and strategies. Bill always believes in measurement as key to any energy project. His favorite motto is "you have to measure it to manage it"

Over the past few years there have been mixed reviews on the relevance of career fairs in the recruitment world. As a job seeker, the thought of entering a room or exhibit hall, filled with your competitors, fighting for the chance to network with employers sounds, well, daunting! As an employer, the thought of lugging your heavy corporate banners, setting up your mini headquarters, and losing your voice chatting with eager job seekers sounds, well, exhausting! If both sides are struggling with the thought of attending the next career fair, why do they still exist?

The answer is simple. Career fairs are efficient and they work. To date, there is no better forum to gather two mutually receptive groups - candidates and employers - in the same room, at the same time, with clearly understood expectations of one another. If only every business meeting was this well organized. Depending on the focus of the career fair, and the way it was promoted, employers will have access to a targeted audience of interested and qualified candidates. As for job seekers, they will have the opportunity to peruse openings from employers relevant to their industry, academic background and professional discipline. More than just browsing through current opportunities, job seekers will get the chance to make a personal connection with employers of their choice. After a brief introduction, and perhaps a handshake or exchange of business cards, candidates earn the right to inquire about the firm, its current openings and the benefits of working there.

As job seekers are sizing up their firms of choice, employers are doing the same about the prospective new hire standing before them. Career fairs give employers the opportunity to gain valuable insights into a candidate's experience, future career plans and general interest level in their firms. Recruiters, more importantly, can assess a candidate's qualitative skills, including their ability to socialize and communicate effectively.

Job Seekers: Preparation is your Key to Success!

Why are some job seekers more successful than others at landing a job through a career fair? Again, the answer is simple. Job seekers need to come prepared. Job seekers should treat every conversation with an employer as if it was an interview - where first impressions matter the most. So, how does a job seeker prepare for the next career fair? Ryerson University's Career Development and Employment Centre proposed a list of Career Fair Preparation Tips. Although every tip on this list is useful, my top five choices are:

1. Do your research - know who the employers are and prepare questions for them in advance
2. Be prepared - have your elevator pitch ready
3. Have a clear goal in mind - spend your time wisely, quality is more important than quantity
4. Practice the art of good questioning and listening - get excited about the topic
5. Dress professionally for success - dress for the job you want

Following the above tips will maximize the job seeker's level of success at the next career fair. Prepared candidates will leave long-lasting first impressions with employers and will better qualify for a formal interview and ultimately a new job.

Marco Ottavino, P.Eng
Treasurer, ASHRAE Toronto

Chapter Technology Transfer Committee  

 

 

On another note I need to nag everyone like your mother used to.   I would like to ask all dinner meeting attendees to register as soon as you get the notice of meeting for the dinner meetings. We typically have to give our dinner plate numbers to the caterer on the Thursday before the meeting and at that point we are locked into the number of dinner meeting attendees we can have.    

PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS YOU GET THE NOTICE OF MEETING FOR THE DINNER MEETING.   We want everyone to be able to attend the dinner meetings.   We cut-off the dinner meeting registrations as soon as we hit the number we give the caterer. If you don't register early you might find yourself unable to register for the event. At that point we are full and we cannot help you, even though we want you to attend.   So please, register early, as soon as you get the email about the dinner meeting notice.

 

The first Monday of the month rules!

 

Peter Turk

CTTC Chair 

The membership committee and the Board of Governors would like to thank all of you for being part of the ASHRAE Toronto Chapter.  We are a grass roots organization and we are nothing without our members.  We hope that this year will be a prosperous one for all of you.  We are now at the half way mark of our ASHRAE year and we wanted to offer some incentives to increase our membership and grow our chapter.
 
For the next four meetings we would like to encourage members to bring guests to the meetings, to show them all that our local chapter has to offer.  Please inform the registers when you sign in, that you have brought some guests and please let us know who they are.  For each guest you bring your name will be entered into a draw for some lucrative prizes at the May meeting.  

We would also like to thank all the new members who have joined our local ASHRAE Toronto Chapter.  If you are a new local member for the 2013-2014 ASHRAE year then your name will be entered into a draw at the May meeting for a prize.  If you have been thinking about joining the local Toronto ASHRAE Chapter then don't hesitate.  There are still a lot of great meetings and tours planned for the remainder of the year.... not to mention the chance at winning a free dinner.

1st Place
 $125 gift card to "The Keg Restaraunt"

2nd Place
$75 gift card to your choice of Swiss Chalet, Milestones, Montanas, Kelseys,  Harveys

New Local Membership Prize
$100  to your choice of Swiss Chalet, Milestones, Montanas, Kelseys,  Harveys

Alan J. Porter, P. Eng.
Chair, Research Promotion ASHRAE Toronto Chapter 2013-2014

Each dollar contributed to ASHRAE Research Canada in Region 2 goes into research done in Canada in Region 2. Nearly $600,000 in research money is currently being spent in Region 2.
 
To make your investment in ASHRAE Research, go to www.torontoashrae.com  Click on Donate/Pay Invoice Tab on the upper toolbar. Click on Donation: ASHRAE Research Canada. You can make your payment by credit card or Paypal just as you do for meeting and event registration.

Thank you for your support.

Alan J. Porter, P. Eng.
Chair, Research Promotion ASHRAE Toronto Chapter 2013-2014