Mike McCormick:  

s all of 18 years old when I started the 1-year program. I graduated with honours, but couldn't fix a car to save my life. Theory? No problem. Application? Forget about it! Eventually, I did take some more courses at the old Community Vocational Centres of Northern Alberta (now called Alberta Vocational College). However, these were mostly non-credit courses. Finally went back to university when I was 28, studying Commerce. The first year was UBC courses taught at Yukon College. The next year I went to UBC in Vancouver. I did not finish the program because my first marriage had ended, and I had to go back to work full time to pay child support. That led to a revolving door of bush, out-of-town and seasonal jobs until I finally got the computer skills I needed to land me a secure, full-time, "in Whitehorse" job. Believe it or not, the most useful training I've had was non-credit computer training offered by a for-profit company called "New Opportunities Training Corp." Once I got the training, it wasn't long before I had the job I needed and I was finally able to get shared custody of my kids. Whew! What a story! Workplace Whoa! Way too many jobs to list here. Seems like I've "done it all." It's been a very winding path to get where I am now -- Statistical Analyst with government. And, I like my job. A lot. The best job I ever had? Without a doubt, I absoloutely loved being a commercial scuba diver. Not a deep-sea diver, and not a construction diver. I was an "aquacultural harvester." I picked sea cucumbers and sea urchins for a living (but, mostly sea cucumbers). I didn't do hooka diving - no, no . . . this was all free dives with tanks and fins. Had to swim like a bugger to get the product to make the money. I was in tremendous shape, and I saw some absolutely amazing things underwater. Very, very hard on the body, though. Eventually, I had to give it up. 8 - 12 hours a day underwater at depths up to 60' can really tear up your body. The next best job? Wildland firefighting. I call it "helicopter camping." Loved that job. Got to see some amazing country, spectacular fires, beautiful wildlife . . . I was even a religious minister for awhile. Now that's a tough job!! But reallly, I just enjoy working. Always have. Always loved to work hard, and took great pride in working harder than anyone else, longer than anyone else, and doing a better job than anyone else. I was a working machine. If I had to do it all over again? I would spend more time partying, less time moralizing and (definitely) a lot more time with friends - especially the female kind. Military I wasn't enlisted, but being an army brat sort of gives me "bragging" rights. I was posted to bases in London (ON), Toronto, Chatham (NB), Greenwood (NS) and Petawawa (ON). Ok, ok . . . my Dad had the postings and I just followed. My Dad also fought in the Korean war and was posted to some other bases, but that was before my time. While in Greenwood, I attended the prestigious King's College School for Boys (now known as King's-Edgehill). Like most students, I was a member of the Black Watch Cadets, squadron #254. Led, at that time, by Major Finney. He was a really interesting and genuine man who, incidentally, fought with my Dad in the Korean war. I think I was the youngest cadet to ever achieve Master Cadet standing (I was only 10 years old when I "enlisted"). I also had the distinction of being the shortest kid in the school. That, coupled with my antisocial personality, entitled me to earn regular beatings from the other kids. That was soooo much fun!