Continuing education courses could help further your career
Credit to Author: Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer| Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2019 17:33:51 +0000
Don’t overlook continuing education courses if you are seeking Canadian credentials or looking to change careers.
Post-secondary education could prove invaluable if you find yourself in any of the following situations: you are not able to work in your previous occupation and are looking for Canadian qualifications; you no longer wish to do the same work; or you feel you need formal introduction to a particular work sector.
If you think about your interests and abilities there may very well be a number of careers that suit you. With your prior education and work experience some of these careers may be less academically time consuming than you imagine. Determining your suitability for these options and assessing the marketability for the skills offered by the program may lead you to a satisfying career change. Post-secondary education could give you both the credentials as well as the confidence to start something new.
At post-secondary schools, you will find a variety of options: post-graduate certificates and diplomas, year-long and part-time certificate programs, continuing education courses and opportunities for upgrading. In addition, universities have graduate programs that are open to individuals with degrees from diverse academic backgrounds. Some schools offer online and weekend programs so you may not have to leave your present work while you prepare for a future career.
When you are planning for a new career you may first want to ask yourself if there is anything from your previous education and work that you would like to build on. For instance, if you are a math or science teacher and decide you want to work in a more hands-on field, look at some of the trades that require a high level of math or science. Many newcomers find imaginative ways to build on their prior work.
When you become familiar with these various options, many possibilities for career change may be open to you. Part of exploring what would be a suitable career change should be researching academic programs as well as current and future labour market needs and employment rates from specific programs. Terminology may be different across Canadian institutions, but looking at admission criteria will help you determine your eligibility and options. Here are a few options:
One-year programs
Graduate certificates, also called post-graduate certificates, sometimes fast-track diplomas are generally two to three semesters long. These programs are typically offered at community colleges and require a previous degree or diploma and/or work experience in a related field. For instance, a certificate in brand management lists prior education in commerce, anthropology, statistics or social psychology among acceptable academic backgrounds, while a diploma for an environmental technician requires a science or engineering diploma or degree.
Graduate degrees and professional schools
There are some graduate degrees that are not as well known as business and law, but they may also be worth considering. These programs are more interdisciplinary and usually less competitive and costly. For instance, a graduate degree in Public Administration or Library and Information Science may admit people with a variety of academic backgrounds. Look for other graduate degrees that lead to work where your previous degree provides a focus. Someone with a science degree, for instance, might look into programs in health administration or technical writing. Needless to say, university graduate programs usually require good grades in your previous degree and excellent language skills.
Upgrading your skills
If your skills in speaking, writing or math do not meet the requirements for a specific program or if it has been a while since you used these skills, consider upgrading before you attempt a program. You might look into the public school boards or continuing education departments at post-secondary institutions for courses or certificate program to improve these skills.
Survey the Unfamiliar
Reviewing occupations by using career websites, libraries, and consulting with career and employment services agencies may stir you to research alternative careers. When you come across occupations that you have not heard of, digging a little deeper may help determine if this is an option for you. From Behavioral Science Technician to an online program in Emergency Management, there is bound to be a new career direction you might consider.
Additional Resources:
6 Tips for choosing a post-secondary school