Alexi works as a cook in a college cafeteria where he often needs to use his math skills. He must estimate the quantity of food and ingredients for each menu item that will likely be consumed. Occasionally, Alexi finds a good receipe that uses imperial measurements that he has to convert to metric. He needs to keep records and receipts of purchases made for the accounting department. He has to understand how the price of ingredients will impact the costs of the dishes offered at the cafeteria, so he creates a weekly budget. As a cook, Alexi has to understand how the cash that is received is part of the income that maintains the culinary program at the college. 

Danesh strolled into the weekly staff meeting 10 minutes late. He appeared to have dressed in a hurry: his hair and beard weren't combed, and his shirt wasn't buttoned properly. He flopped into a chair and started eating a donut and gulping down some coffee. As the meeting continued, his supervisor noticed Danesh yawning, doodling, and not looking up when others were speaking. When his supervisor had to repeat a  question to him, Danesh noticed she was frowning, and using a clipped manner. He could tell from his co-workers body language that they were also annoyed. He thought about what his own body language might be projecting to them. He realized he better pay attention to his own non-verbal cues in the future. 

Yoshie wanted to make a better life for herself and her family. Her options were to stay in her current job and hope for a promotion, find a new job, or follow her dream of being an interior designer. She weighed the pros and cons and with her family's support, she decided to return to school. After researching training options, Yoshie enrolled into a 2 year interior design program. She also found a part-time job in design while going to school to solve some money issues. Yoshie is often asked to make decisions and problem solve at her new job. She knows her recommendations could have serious financial consequences for her clients if she makes the wrong decision. Just as she did when deciding to return to schook, Yoshie uses her problem-solving and decision-making skills to study the options and make recommendations that fit each client's situation. 

Rachel had some decisions to make about work when she had her first child. Although she wanted to remain in the education field, she also wanted to say home and raise her child. She considered her options and the affect each option might have on her family and her employer. During the last 2 months of her pregnancy, Rachel began to look for other work in the education field. She found a contract marking assignments for a distance learning centre. This work allowed her to keep current with developments in the education field, stay at home with her child, and still earn an income. Although Rachel and her family made a financial sacrifice for her to work from home, they have found that the benefits of living by their values far outweigh the costs. 

Going back to school was a big step but one Sundar knew he had to take. Staff at Sundar’s local Alberta Supports had provided him a lot of information to help him in his decision to return to school. Student services staff at the college helped him apply for the student funding he needed. His wife and family listened when he needed to talk about some of the struggles he was having as a new student.
Sundar got to know some of his classmates and realized that they had problems similar to his. He learned a lot from their stories and was able to make suggestions to help them, too. Sundar often met one of these new friends to discuss assignments over coffee before their morning classes.
Guest speakers often visited his class. Sundar always made a point of staying after class and talking to these speakers about possible career opportunities. Sundar was building relationships that would help him in his future job search.

Rania had to take a 2-year leave from work to care for her mother, who was ill. Although it was a stressful time for her, she found out some important things about herself. She realized she liked helping elderly people and decided that it was a career path she wanted to investigate further. She talked to several people in the health care field who had treated her mother. She also did some online research about occupations in the health care field. She decided to focus on becoming a massage therapist.
Rania discovered that many of her personal characteristics fit those required to work as a massage therapist. She knew she was caring, patient, physically strong and had good communication skills and a sensitive touch. Rania found out that there were many training programs offered for massage therapy in Alberta and that job opportunities in this field were expanding. She read the education requirements and knew she would enjoy the courses. When Rania completes her training, she is planning on either becoming self-employed or working in a clinic.