You're either Inside or Out

In today’s corporate world, there has been an increasing trend when it comes to insider trading. Headlines in the news often relate to this fast money making method. Enron, and the recent fall of American icon Martha Stewart, are both examples of cases directly relating to this topic. In the long run, the benefits of insider trading definitely do not outweigh the consequences.

Insider trading was not invented to purposely assist people in stealing money from others; it has simply been transformed into an illegal definition of destroying or un-leveling the playing field.

Many people question whether ethical standards and principles are being practiced and enforced in the investment area of business. Ethics industry experts are saying that “We suspect largely because the ethics industry did not aggressively push for executives and boards of directors to be active participants in ethics programs, the program look is down.” In other words, these codes could be enforced but if they are not being practiced by everyone, including top management, then they are more or less absent all together.

The bottom line in most organizations is usually what matters most. “Some argue that not only does business have a right to pursue profit, it has a responsibility to do so – it’s in the best interest of the community that it does so.” Focus on turning a profit is sometimes even blurred by unethical practices such as insider trading, altering financial statements, or cheating clients or suppliers in the process. Although the people involved usually recognize the risks along the way, somehow they push these thoughts aside and do it regardless. Past history has proved itself that not only does it cause one to be publicly embarrassed by getting caught, lowering bank accounts by forking out legal fees, wasting time in the court of law, and even in prison, it is simply not worth it. Personally, I would much rather be outside the circle of insider trading, than being caught up inside with all the negative side effects that directly accompany it.

(http://www.ethicsaledge.com)
Peg, Tittle. Ethics in the Business World. 2003. pg, 303

Dangerous Reality Check

The talk of the town lately has been potential global warming in the near future. What exactly is global warming? According to an online source, global warming is when “the earth heats up (the temperature rises)….when greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane) trap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which increases the temperature.” Consequently, these emissions greatly affect the well being of plants, animals, and human beings.

Unfortunately, today’s way of living has not helped reduce the high levels of greenhouse gases. Regular, day to day activities, such as watching TV, listening to a stereo, riding in a car, and even using a hair dryer produces deadly pollution that contributes to global warming.

There are a number of ways to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. For example, recycling, carpooling, and planting trees. But, unless everyone contributes and puts forth a good effort to help this issue, the process will not be slowed. It is quite frightening to think perhaps one day, Canada will no longer be a beautiful nation with four colorful seasons.

Sources:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/basic.cfm
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm

Nothing but Red Dirt!!

While many of my peers were down south soaking up the sun on reading week, I was farming back home on PEI with my Dad. At 4am, every morning, I would wake up and join my father in the barn to milk the fifty head of dairy cattle that we own. Although it was not easy work, and sun tanning would have been much more enjoyable, I felt worthy of the extra cash I was able to earn over the break.

Growing up on a farm, with three sisters, was not always fun and games. Our parents always encouraged us to value every dollar that we earned on the farm, and to appreciate the opportunity to make money at a young age. So, small tasks such as, cutting grass, wipper snipping, feeding the calves their bottles of milk, etc., were assigned to us. As we got older, bigger responsibilities like milking and feeding the cows, to working the land with the John Deere tractors, fall under the umbrella of skills that we've learned on our mid-sized dairy, potato, and beef farm in Elmsdale, PEI.

I guess looking at cows and red dirt for a week will pay off after all, because at the end of this semester, I’m planning on joining a few of my friends on an all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean.

Commerce vs. Sociology: Round One

Upon reviewing a blog posted last week about sociology being the greatest program at Dalhousie University, I couldn’t help but wonder what job opportunities are out there for these graduates. I recall my eldest sister having extreme difficulties deciding what to do once she graduated with this exact degree in 2003. Luckily for her she had the ability to get into the RCMP. This accomplishment, however, could have been reached with any other degree or no degree at all! Usually, the majority of sociology students have to continue going to school post undergrad level before they are taken seriously in the real world. Commerce students, on the other hand, are being sought out immediately after their undergrad and sometimes sooner depending on co-op placements.

Furthermore, the argument of learning how to research and write properly, and presenting in front of classmates, is a very weak argument for other degree programs also learn how to master such skills. More specifically, Commerce students can learn these strengths through electives and business level courses, such as Business Communications.

I have a very strong opinion when it comes to which degree is best, and I will not back down. Perhaps number crunching and math calculations are not for everyone, but I truly believe that it’s worth it and will pay off a great deal in the long run.

Sources: http://toniseguin.blogspot.com/

Endless Opportunities!

The Dalhousie Commerce Co-op Program offers one of the best degrees at the undergraduate level. One of the major advantages of the program is that over a four year period, there are a total of seven academic terms, and three on the job work placements. Personally having the change to experience real life jobs made it easier to decide which path to choose under the commerce umbrella. These work terms make for great discussion in the classroom with fellow students, and professors are also intrigued to learn of new skills that were learned. I had the opportunity to work for three very unique organizations over the past four years. Oland Brewery, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, AIG Life of Canada in Toronto, Ontario, and most recently ACOA in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Although I am very positive towards the Dalhousie Commerce Co-op Program, there tends to be a general misconception about the faculty. People often relate business students, to number crunching, unethical, money driven individuals. I have learned that this is not true and that the options are endless! Majors range from finance and accounting, to marketing and business management.

With the recent addition of the Kenneth C. Rowe building at the heart of Sexton Campus, it has transformed the environment into a livelier, and fun filled place to learn and network with friends and classmates.

Sources:

http://sbcs.management.dal.ca/index.html

Definition Lives On

While interpretations of plagiarism vary among academic institutions, it will always be agreed that no one shall take credit for work that is not their own. Dalhousie University broadly defines plagiarism as the “presentation of the work of another author […] as to give one’s reader reason to think it to be one’s own”. This definition of plagiarism doesn’t take into consideration the source. More importantly, it takes into consideration what one does with the source. With such a universal understanding of the bottom line, the introduction of merely another source will most certainly not require an update to the definition of plagiarism. To turn the argument around, one could ask how it is possible to plagiarize using a source from the internet without it being plagiarism? Clearly, new sources of information such as the internet will not require a change to the definition of plagiarism because the definition doesn’t consider sources a factor. While there may be varying interpretations on the specifics of plagiarism, one thing will always hold true; under no circumstance can someone claim to be the author of work that is not theirs.



Commerce Co-op Program Student Handbook. Plagarism. Pg. 15. 2005-2006