An Explosion of Societies: The Result of a Harsh Job Climate

It seems that every year there are more and more societies to take part in during the school year. This may seem strange as there are plenty of societies that fit almost identical niches. From multiple societies focused on respective disciplines such as marketing or engineering, to event-based societies that spend the entirety of the school year counting down to one large event with several fundraisers leading up to it. This is all fine of course; it is even encouraging to routinely see student leadership on campus, as these societies provide great opportunities for students to operate within a functional organization. There does, however, seem to be a case to be made about some societies stepping on other’s toes, so to speak.

I have one theory as to why this may be happening—a theory that is rooted in the conditions of the post-grad world. Today’s workforce demands excellence more than ever before. As sad as it is to see in the formally industrial towns across this province which we call home (at least during the school year) automation and outsourcing have replaced much of Nova Scotia’s—and even Canada’s—manual labour jobs.

If you are uncertain about the validity of the claim that the trades are dying out in Nova Scotia, you need not look further than the recent legislation allowing NSCC, the province’s community college system, to grant degrees. This decision marks a clear move away from the trades.

Throughout my life I have routinely bashed the extreme entrance barriers universities have in place that prevent low-income high school graduates from attending university. However, we must look at what a massive influx in degree holders could look like for the job market. When automation first began, a degree became the way to guarantee a stable income and retirement. Now though, a degree may not be enough. It may even be worth less in the near future. Notably, I want to mention that this problem results solely from the increasing number of degree holders; I fully trust NSCC’s educational capabilities and their ability to compete with Nova Scotia universities. And yes, I am biased as a community college graduate.

So, how does this relate back to societies? What the explosion of societies offers over a degree is a named position to put on a resume, with the position held in the highest regard being that of the society president. With fewer societies, there is less opportunity for students to have the honour of this title on their resume as they enter the workforce post-graduation. But with more societies comes more presidents. An unintended result, however, is the potential for society overlap. Currently, many societies fill similar niches despite being unrelated. And this is all so students can compete in a brutal job market. I do not blame students for doing this at all—these actions are made solely to adapt to our ever-changing world. We are already seeing the results of today’s changing market, and this is even without mentioning other factors like the rise of artificial intelligence or wages that haven’t risen to meet inflation.

If I were to compare this problem to anything we’ve observed before—and bear with me here because this may seem like a stretch—I would compare this to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This may sound absolutely insane, but please hear me out and keep me away from a padded room. After the mass extinction event, in which we are looking at the extinction, or at the very least a decrease in manual labour and entry-level jobs, mammals were met with a very harsh world and greatly diversified in order to survive in a brutally competitive environment. One such occurrence that happened was convergent evolution, where two unrelated species adapted in the same way and filled the same niche. We see the exact same thing in several of StFX’s societies: they are unrelated but fill the same niche. Am I comparing the current competitiveness of the job market to one of the most devastating times in our planet’s history? Yes. Am I also comparing the explosion of student-led societies to that of one of the largest explosions of life and biodiversity in our planet’s history? Also, yes.

As absurd as this comparison may seem, it exemplifies the dire struggle of students entering a workforce in which a degree may not be seen as enough—where four years of school and student loan debt are not enough. When this happens, we adapt as we always have.

The Importance of Charity in Sport

The world of North American professional sports is the world of one of the most profitable industries in the Western world. Star athletes (and State Farm commercials) appear on the nation’s biggest stage, with many signing massive multi-million-dollar contracts funded by the combination of billionaires, ticket sales, lucrative TV deals, and so many sponsors. It may seem like a foregone conclusion that these athletes have an image to keep up, and as a result, stay away from charity donations. But I believe that it runs deeper than that. The move to support charities isn’t just a public relations move but a value ingrained into the very fabric of sport. With sport, there must be sportsmanship, and charity is the ultimate form of that.

The inspiration for this article came from the recent Pucks for Purpose hockey games, an excellent display of student leadership, charitable community efforts, corporate sponsorships, event planning, and entertainment. Even though AUS athletes do not have the wealth present in professional sports leagues, their participation in the event brought about the perfect marriage of charity and sport. More importantly, these games show that charity can flourish regardless of the level of funding. No matter how much wealth a person does or does not have, sportsmanship is founded on respect for peers in the sport. It isn’t hard to see how that can be extended to respect for the community and viewing us as all on the same team.

One of my personal favourite charitable organizations run by an athlete is Craig’s Closet, run by the Pittsburgh Steelers' Cam Heyward. Cam, being the recipient of the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year award—an honour bestowed upon the most charitable NFL player of the season—named this organization after his late father who could not afford a proper fitting suit growing up. The organization allows young men to have formal attire that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

My own experience working at Tip Top Tailors makes this specific charity dear to me. While working there, I saw young and older men alike struggle to afford formal attire for events. The young men stick out to me particularly clearly, as the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (my home county) has one of the highest child poverty rates in all of Nova Scotia. It was always difficult to see a mother come in for her son’s prom and not be able to afford a suit because so many other expenses needed to be covered just to survive. Seeing an athlete, with who knows how much money between contracts, various sponsorships, and other business ventures, be recognized for his charity directly addressing a problem that hit so close to home for me made me and the struggles I witnessed daily feel seen.

With this, I cannot stress enough how impressed I am—and how impressed the rest of the student body should be—with an event like Pucks for Purpose. Going beyond sport, it is an amazing charity project that takes an insane amount of coordination to pull off successfully. And the respect that sportsmanship brings through something like this, even though I can’t even ice skate, reminds us that we are all part of one team in our small, college town community.

Craft Breweries, Cafes, and Antigonish’s Third Spaces

With the advent that was the smartphone back when most of us were just toddlers, there came into existence a new pastime: scrolling. I’m guilty of it, and don’t tell me you aren’t guilty of it—everyone and their grandmother is guilty of it. After hours of Instagram Reels and TikToks, we have that same sinking feeling as drinking on a Monday night. You may ask yourself: “did I really just do that?” before coming to terms with your lost hours. With the rise of technology and passing the time through endless scrolling, we often find ourselves needing excuses to get out of the house. This is where the third space comes in.

A third space is a place away from our traditional first two spaces, those being home and work/school. This is a place in which we can be present with our friends and acquaintances without the comforts and distractions of home but with new comforts and distractions of social interaction. It’s not news that humans are social creatures. Indeed, left alone on a deserted island and we may even start talking to volleyballs to keep us company. But by having a spot to catch up with friends and maybe do some schoolwork off campus, we revitalize ourselves with a necessary de-stressor. Antigonish has two clear favourite forms of third spaces: craft breweries and cafes.

Craft breweries often make great event spaces. Lively evenings with local musicians playing their hearts out always make for a great night out with friends. While I do love our own Inn, there is something a bit more quaint and rustic to a night out at Candid or Oak Manor, and playing trivia against the locals rather than just other students is always a treat. It is obvious that other students feel the same way given the number of events held by different societies at these breweries. Often the connection between the students and these breweries runs deeper than just enjoying their beer and a nice night out on the town. These breweries offer amazing job opportunities to students, and it’s hard to visit one without seeing a fellow student working the tap. The best part is that you don’t even have to drink when you go to these places if you don’t want to. You can simply enjoy the vibe, but just don’t be too surprised if one of your friends has had a little too much and needs to be walked home later that night.

Cafes are on the quieter side compared to breweries and provide great opportunities to work on assignments and fill up on caffeine. Places such as the Grindhouse and Tall and Small offer different brews that are great for a little afternoon pick-me-up. The sandwich selection at both places is only another bonus. I recently had just gone to Tall and Small with a group to discuss the game plan for a group assignment. It was a lovely relaxing atmosphere, and quiet enough to discuss the plan without any voices being drowned out.

If you need some time away from your phone and all the various apps designed to distract you, I highly recommend finding yourself a third space. I’d also recommend enjoying a local place and rewarding them with your patronage. As much as we all enjoy our campus’ Starbucks, it is important to support local when we can.

The Plans for Progress from our New Union President and VP Academic

On January 29, the StFX Student Union’s 2025 general election results were made official. The students have decided, voting in Jacob Cruchet as the Student Union president and Alessandro D’Aquino the VP Academic. It’s with great enthusiasm that we get to meet the fine people leading our students for the next calendar year, hear their experiences, and see their vision.

Support for students was a massive part of the new VP Academic’s platform while campaigning. D’Aquino not only emphasized the importance of this support while running for the position but has also embodied that belief during his time here at StFX. The student experience is not only one of learning but also of molding ourselves into the best version possible to thrive in later careers. D’Aquino’s expressed commitment towards enhancing the student experience at StFX ensures this experience for all students. Communication between faculty and students is key in our ability to receive the best experience we can; D’Aquino believes the same and he is committed to improving this communication.

D’Aquino’s resume is extremely telling for someone who has only spent two years at StFX. He has been a community Advisor, a founder of both Open Kitchen and the Water Polo Society, the Director of Campus Engagement for the Schwartz Business Society, and has membership in many other societies. This is a resume that tells students we will have someone already deeply engaged in student affairs and is committed to further engagement in student life. D’Aquino’s vision of a more inclusive environment that promotes peer tutoring and affordable educational resources will be to the benefit of many students at StFX.

Commitment to affordability is not only found with our new VP Academic, but also with our new President. Jacob Cruchet understands that with rising prices, increased tariff related costs, and the massive investment involved with going to university, students deserve a break. One of Cruchet’s main concerns is the cost of student housing. To rectify these issues, Cruchet plans to partner with Antigonish Affordable Housing on behalf of StFX students. He hopes that with their assistance, students will have to worry less about housing fees and availability in the coming years. Affordability is not the only platform Cruchet ran on, however. Accountability within Student Union governance was a major portion of Cruchet’s election campaign. Cruchet’s mission is to make the usage of student fees as transparent as possible. In the wake of last year’s referendum on the raising of student fees, this move seems particularly relevant.

Strong leadership and measurable progress are essential for a well-run student government. Both Jacob Cruchet and Alessandro D’Aquino have outlined their plans to make this progress, but only time can tell of their success.