Kompass Blog

The idea of switching from one job or industry to another can be pretty intimidating. Maybe you’d like to make a change, but feel unqualified to do so. Here’s the good news: you probably have more transferable skills than you realize.

Your past experiences have likely equipped you with certain skills that are universally useful, like communication, organization, or planning. You just need to figure out what your particular strengths are and how you can highlight them in a way that attracts potential employers.

If you’re thinking about exploring a new career path, you’re not alone. An Indeed Canada survey from 2019 found that 38 per cent of Canadian workers had made the leap to a new field and another 35 per cent were considering doing so. Given the career change culture of the past few years, those numbers have likely increased.

But transitioning to a whole new field can be a challenge. To do it successfully, you need a well-crafted resume that effectively communicates your skills, experiences, and passion for that particular sector.

Learning doesn’t stop once you enter the workforce—at least not if you want to become successful. After all, no one begins their career knowing everything they will ever need to know. The work world is constantly changing, and technologies and methodologies in use now may be irrelevant or outdated in a very short time.

To move forward in your career and reach your goals, you need to make professional development a priority. Whether you take classes or workshops, participate in mentoring programs, or attend industry conferences, it’s critical to continue learning and improving.

Here’s why.

Updated February 2023

You really can't go anywhere on the web without seeing ads for online training programs. They're in your Facebook feed. They're in your Google search results. They're promoted on the websites you visit.

Love it or hate it, online learning has exploded in popularity all across the globe.

Gone are the days when people sneered at online degrees, diplomas, and certificates—assuming the courses were somehow easier and less comprehensive than on-campus equivalents.

Even Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Duke now offer online programs. And technical and career colleges have certainly been quick to adopt the trend, making training more flexible and accessible than ever.

And flexibility is what it's all about. If you work full-time, have family responsibilities, or live far from campus, online learning may be your only option for professional development.