Creative Corner with Ava
Hi to who ever is reading my entry! I’m a seventeen-year-old high school student. I’m three years into remission from a rare form of leukemia. I’ve always had a passion for creative pursuits, and I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon 😂. It was my mom who taught me to colour. I remember colouring my very first character in our basement (it was a My Little Pony alicorn princess of space), with my mom helping me stay within the lines. Since then, I’ve continued to draw characters like dragons, monsters and my own original characters, and create stories for them. I’m working on becoming a Mangaka which is a Japanese- style comic artist/maker. As a side effect from the treatment I was on, I do have some issues with my hands, but I still plan to keep making characters and their stories. I love many forms of art like sculpting, water colour, sketching, mixed media and digital.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. – Ava
Finding Your Career Vibe
Author: Emma King
The Difference Between Passion and Purpose and Their Impact on Your Career
As early as age 16, individuals are often encouraged to contemplate their future careers—a decision that carries significant weight and long-term implications. However, being expected to determine your lifelong path at such an early age can be an overwhelming challenge. What happens when you feel lost and are not sure what direction will fulfill you? Whether you are exploring new career paths or redefining your goals, understanding the difference between passion and purpose can provide clarity and direction.
Here are some strategies to help navigate this uncertainty.
Understanding Passion vs. Purpose
Passion is often described as an activity or interest that ignites enthusiasm and brings personal fulfillment. It is what excites you, what you love doing, and what brings you joy in the present moment. Purpose, however, extends beyond individual satisfaction; it is the overarching impact you aspire to make in the world.
Passion fuels motivation, while purpose provides direction and meaning to one's efforts.
For example, if you are passionate about painting, you may find deeper purpose in using art to inspire, heal or connect with others. Passion serves as the emotional drive, while purpose ensures that drive contributes to something greater than oneself.
Strategies for Discovering Your Purpose
Identifying your purpose is a process that requires introspection, experimentation and self-awareness. Here are some effective methods to uncover what truly drives you.
- Self-Reflection: Ask yourself:
- What brings you joy or a sense of accomplishment, even on difficult days?
- What challenges have you overcome, and how did they shape your strengths?
- What impact do you want to have on others?
- Career and Personality Assessments: Personality and aptitude tests can offer valuable insights into your strengths, interests and work preferences. While they may not provide definitive answers, they serve as a foundation for exploring potential career paths aligned with your innate abilities.
- Exploring Volunteer Opportunities: Engaging in volunteer work provides firsthand experience in various fields while allowing you to assess what resonates with you on a deeper level. The key is not just what you volunteer for, but how it makes you feel. If you love baking, consider using that skill for a cause—such as preparing meals for shelters or organizing bake sales to support charitable organizations. Ask yourself: Do you enjoy the creative process? The precision? The joy of sharing your work with others? These small revelations can be instrumental in understanding what truly fulfills you.
- Networking and Mentorship: Speaking with professionals in different industries and seeking guidance from mentors can expose you to career trajectories you may not have previously considered. Learning from others' experiences can offer clarity on potential paths aligned with both your passion and purpose.
Navigating Uncertainty: What If You Don’t Know What You Love?
The commonly stated advice, "Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life," is well-intentioned but often misleading. Many people struggle to pinpoint a singular passion, and that is perfectly normal. Passion is not always innate; rather, it is frequently discovered through exploration, trial and error, and evolving experiences.
If you feel uncertain, allow yourself the freedom to experiment. Engage in various activities, expose yourself to different things and reflect on what consistently brings you fulfillment. Instead of focusing on an immediate answer, embrace the journey of discovery, trusting that clarity will emerge over time.
Conclusion
Both passion and purpose play important roles in growing a fulfilling career. Passion ignites enthusiasm, while purpose offers a sense of contribution and direction. Those who integrate both elements into their professional lives often experience greater long-term satisfaction. If you are unsure of your path, take proactive steps to explore different avenues, seek meaningful experiences and reflect on what genuinely matters to you. Your personal journey has already equipped you with resilience, strength and a unique perspective—qualities that will guide you toward a purposeful and fulfilling career.
Speak with a POGO School and Work Transitions Counsellor if you have questions about what we can offer to support you on your passion and purpose journey.
Our Newest POGO Counsellors!
WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE A POGO TRANSITIONS COUNSELLOR?
| Rachel: I’m a social worker who previously worked in child protection. I like working with young adults who are in the stage of making their own decisions. | Emma: At a young age, I realized that I wanted to be in a helping role. My dad worked in a dialysis unit and I loved hanging out with the nurses! | Samantha: I have always loved what McMaster Children’s and POGO have done for children. Their work is incredible and I am so grateful to be part of it. |
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
| Rachel: Meeting people in oncology who are very caring. I love to problem-solve! | Emma: One-to-one conversations and hearing client stories inspire me! | Samantha: I genuinely love connecting with my clients and making a meaningful impact on their lives. Helping them navigate their journey and reach their goals is incredibly rewarding, and I celebrate every win along the way! |
WHAT IS THE HARDEST ONCOLOGY WORD/TERMINOLOGY YOU HAVE HAD TO LEARN?
| Rachel: All of them are the hardest two weeks in! | Emma: I’ve already Googled the majority of them. Hepatoblastoma sticks out as the hardest to pronounce. | Samantha: I know lots about oncology terms from past experience and, honestly, it is not easy to learn or understand. I am going to say the hardest thing for me to comprehend is all the codes when they are referring to genetic markers! |
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WORKING WITH SURVIVORS?
| Rachel: How big of an impact childhood cancer has and how resilient the survivors are. | Emma: Working at POGO has made me aware of all the resources and the community within survivorship. A great surprise! | Samantha: People often assume that working with survivors or those in active treatment is always heavy or somber, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. They are some of the most inspiring, resilient and determined individuals I’ve ever met. Their positivity and “go-getter” energy are truly refreshing, and I feel privileged to witness their strength every day. |
DOGS OR CATS?
| Rachel: Dogs growing up; cats now. As an introvert, I appreciate how they like their time alone versus Velcro dogs! | Emma: Both! | Samantha: Dogs all the way! I have a Frenchie named Gus and he is my soul dog ❤️ I am not a cat hater - but there’s just something about the connection with a dog that is personal to me. Plus, I can’t deal with cats being nocturnal and bouncing around when I’m sleeping! Ha-ha |
WINTER OR SUMMER?
| Rachel: Winter! Hate the heat, humidity and bugs in Sudbury. I also like outdoor Winter activities. | Emma: I’m more of a Spring and Fall person | Samantha: I am a Summer girl. I need a warm breeze, a late sunset and people driving with the windows down, playing some good 80s rock. |
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PUMP-UP SONG RIGHT NOW?
| Rachel: "Sk8er Boi" by Avril Lavigne | Emma: “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish | Samantha: That’s tough… I love a wide range of music, but I can’t help myself when “Timber” by Kesha & Pitbull comes on… it’s goin’ down! |
Stay Tuned for a New Evolution of the S2S Network
Author: Barb Williams
The S2S Network has been an incredible collaboration between survivors, community members and the School and Work Transitions team at POGO. Over the years, we have seen some incredible growth in confidence and skills among the survivors who take part as facilitators and mentors, as well as strong connections within the community at large. We know many of you have found value in attending, whether you attended one session, or you kept coming back for more.
We’re using this opportunity to reflect, refine and reevaluate our programming. Our aim is to centre survivors as experts in the childhood cancer journey, while fostering a stronger, more informed community and general awareness about childhood cancer.
Stay tuned for updates in your inbox and on the POGO website. Whether you’ve been part of S2S before or you’re curious about what’s next, we’re excited to welcome you to the next chapter.
Internships: The ‘Intern’al Route to Success!
“The people were truly what made my experience so amazing, and having been able to work in such a supportive environment has set a precedent for the rest of my career.”
An internship can provide a powerful experience. At its best, it gives students real-world work experience, builds their confidence, helps them explore different careers and enhances their resume and contacts.
When an internship recognizes that childhood cancer survivors can have unique challenges in school and work settings, it can be even more impactful.
That’s why, when Emblem Developments/First Avenue Investment Council wanted to offer more than their ongoing financial support of POGO, they consulted with the School and Work Transitions Program to develop a paid summer internship program for childhood cancer survivors, which launched in 2024.
Author: Helen Antoniades interviewing Maryam Khraishi
Because it is specifically for childhood cancer survivors, Maryam, last year’s intern, says, “It alleviated a pressure that everyone understood what I had been through; there was already an understanding that I needed time for physiotherapy every week and that I had certain mobility difficulties. The program was designed to fill the gaps in my experiential learning caused by missed work while I was undergoing treatment during my university education.”
Maryam had the opportunity to meet professionals in a variety of roles and learn about how an office environment works. She got instructions and feedback that can be applied to her current schooling and future career. And having conversations with staff about career, education and life provided valuable guidance on her future path. Additionally, Maryam says, “The internship being paid allowed me to focus completely on the work and alleviated the financial worries/pressure I had from tuition, rent and living expenses.”
The experience shows what the School and Work Transitions Program already knows: childhood cancer survivors have deep potential and can thrive in a work environment, when given the supports they need. Maryam says, “The people were truly what made my experience so amazing, and having been able to work in such a supportive environment has set a precedent for the rest of my career.”
