The Benefits of Career Pathways

We live in a big world full of endless possibilities where there is always something for everyone.  Just like a career pathway, it brings together a world of career possibilities into one place. It has helped everyone decide on what they really want to do and learn the most convenient and effective way to do it.

Career Pathways are a group of career specialties that share the same skills and knowledge therefore giving individuals wider career options. It is a series of study and training programs that prepares a person for a job in an “in demand” industry. It focuses on the transition of a student from college to a secure job after graduation.

Nowadays, most students choose career pathway programs because it is easier, faster and more convenient for everyone. Here is a list of the great benefits you can take advantage of from a career pathway education:

1. Preparation for your future- every education we receive prepares us for our future however the only difference with career pathway is that after graduation, you know where you are headed and you are fully-equipped with the right knowledge and skills for the career you have chosen. You don’t need to decide what to do after you graduate; you have a secure job in the workforce industry.

2. Time efficient – knowing exactly what to do, your teachers and school counselors will be able to direct you the classes you need to take that they think could help you have a successful future.

3. You can keep up with the world – as a student you are provided with the necessary learning skills to keep up with the technology and the demands of time. You grow together with the world.

4. Linked to the demands of employers –the courses being offered in the pathway are determined and based on the current and ongoing workforce industry. The employers then demand an analysis of the labor market to research on the skill requirements for different jobs within a particular in demand industry, making it easier for them to spot the right candidate and for the applicants to apply for the right job.

5. Job security – in a regular college or university, students take different classes which could still give an unclear idea on which courses are needed for a particular job or skill. In a career pathway program, you have a clear understanding of what you are expected to do after you finish the course and you are only given the units that are necessary for that particular skill or occupation.

It is not a wonder anymore why more and more students choose to take up career pathway programs and that is because they want to be successful and secure about their future. Time is precious and therefore everyone should start planning their careers as early as now .

Common Challenges In Reentering The Workforce

When you have taken a break from employment for a substantial length of time, it may not be always easy to get back to work. For some reason or another, you will encounter difficulties. These difficulties become more profound the longer you have been away from your job. Whether you reenter the workforce as a part of the previous job set you have worked for, or are entering a different trade or industry, there will be challenges along the way. Among these challenges are the following:

Skill Set
The world is in an ever changing loop and changes are constant, most especially in the field of technology. Unnoticeably, systems are upgraded almost everyday and by the time you've missed an orientation or two, you are significantly behind the latest version. So it follows that if you have been out of the loop in a year or two, your skill set is most probably outdated. Although there's still the option of undergoing retraining and upgrading courses, you need to take into consideration whether the company is willing to wait until your knowledge and skills are current or if they are willing to shoulder the expenses for such training. To hope for this concession, you will have to possess enough qualifications that will deem you indispensible or, at the very least, valuable to the company.

Justification of Time Lapsed
Depending on the length of time you have stopped working, the chances of your employability could either be good or bad. Obviously if you have gone for only a couple of months or a year at the most, you might still find it easy to get back on your feet in terms of being employed. However, being away for years, like women who took a maternity leave and decided to be a stay at home mom and raise the brood, it might take a little more than your CV to get employers to have a second look at your application. Tell the truth about why you went off the radar and highlight what you have accomplished in that period. Most of the time, your honesty will pay off.

Age
Advancement in age is definitely a challenge because of several factors. Not to discriminate against older applicants, but realistically speaking, unless they have the experience and qualifications to back them up, they might find it hard to get back to work. Some view older employees highly for their expertise, while some as liabilities for their gradually failing health. 

Preparedness
Having been away for a long time, you might find yourself in a very comfortable routine that you are used to. Breaking the habit will be a challenge when you decide to get back to work. Not only do you need to prepare your CV and cover letter, but you also need to condition your mind when you start to work again. You need to determine whether you are able to work full time or part time. Adjustments will be necessary as you may have taken up more responsibilities of the years that you did not used to have in your earlier employment. Your domestic duties for a start will need to be addressed as it directly affects your productivity at work. You need to come into terms with who will prepare the kids for school, who makes their lunches, who picks them up, or you might end up leaving work to frantically see to these things. Prepare yourself for your job, not just mentally but also physically.

The Challenges of Changing Jobs

A lot of people are lucky enough to have regular jobs. Such is the saturation of the labor market that everyone with almost the same qualifications is in a tight competition.Having an edge over the rest of the working class is definitely an advantage that will work on your favor when the time comes for you to decide to change careers.

It does not necessarily mean that you would have to go to school again. There are several ways wherein you can vamp up your résumé without having to go back to school. This includes attending seminars that are meant to enhance your skills. Training sessions are also valuable activities that could get you the abilities you need to move from field work to administrative work and vice versa.

Changing jobs is a decision that you have to thoroughly think through. It is not something you can decide overnight and do the next day. It takes a lot of planning and most of the time, you need to apply for it.
There are some hurdles you might have to overcome before you can successfully change jobs. These include the location, the pay, and the adjustment period, among many others.

Location
When you decide to shift careers, there are times that the new one will take you to a different place. You now have to decide whether the move is good for you and your family or if it will be more of a hassle than the positive adventure you are expecting it to be. Remember that you should include your family's situation and welfare in all your life decision. Your children's education and your partner's job are only a few of the most important things you have to consider.

Pay
If you find a new job, unless it is a position higher than your previous one, you might be looking at a paycheck that is not as attractive as your past ones. This usually happens to people whose new job is with a different industry or trade whereby they have to start from the bottom and work their way up. If you are willing to take the risk and have the patience to wait until you finally achieve your goals, then go for it. People who usually disregard the figures of their paycheck are the ones who find passion in the new kind if work they have decided to take up.

Adjustment period
There will always be a time when people who have shifted will wonder why they have ever dared to do the change. Worry not, for this is only temporary. People tend to give up easily when things get difficult. It is merely the change of environment that you need to get used to.

As long as you feel comfortable and contented with your current job, then there is no need to see why the grass is greener on the other side. However, if you do feel burned out, unhappy, and dissatisfied with your current job, then perhaps it's about time you went on a job search.

How To Get A Promotion In Your Work In Canada

As an immigrant worker, you know very well how difficult it is to make the necessary adjustments in a new country. First of all, you need to deal with the fact that you are far from your loved ones. The support system that you were so used to back home is no longer available whenever you want them. Aside from that, you had to familiarize yourself with the culture that is being practiced, both in and out of the office. Give or take, it took you at least a year to go through the necessary process that will help you feel well- adjusted in a foreign land. Once you have made yourself comfortable, you will no longer have to worry as much when it comes to how you perform in the office. However, as time moves on, you will realize that you tend to get hungrier when it comes to your job. Because you are now comfortable with your work in Canada, it won't come as a surprise if you would want to get promoted to a better position that can give you a challenge.

It could be that you feel that you have stagnated in your current position, which is why you want something else that can give you a challenge. Either way, it can be difficult to obtain a promotion, especially when you have other competition to think about. Thankfully, it is not at all an impossible task to accomplish. If you want career advancement, you can make this happen. Just see to it that you keep a few things in mind.

One of the best things you can do in the office is to always do your best. Don't just settle with giving everything your 100%. More often than not, your boss would be keeping his eye out for candidates who always give more than a 100%. Aside from that, you might also want to sign yourself up for tasks that are not usually asked of you. Other than the fact that you are willing to show some initiative, you are also making it possible for you to learn new things and gain experience that you can use in the future.

It won't also hurt your chances if you try to find out what things interests your boss. Whenever he brings something up that piques at his interests, you will be able to join the conversation with him. This will also be memorable for him, which is why he is more likely to take note of you each time an opportunity for a promotion comes up.

Sometimes, it can be very difficult to get ahead of the pack in your current office. When this occurs, you might want to consider a different job that can give you more chances to shine. A bit of research and patience is all you will need to find what suits you the most.

Work In Canada Comes With Several Benefits Aside From Monetary Gain

Things were a lot simpler in the past. Most men and women were contented with working in their own areas. However, this is no longer the case in the 21st century. Times have changed drastically, and so have the needs of a lot of people. Nowadays, it is no longer enough for most men and women to work within their country, because of the economic situation. The jobs that used to be enough to pay the bills and still have enough left for some of their expenses is no longer sufficient, because of the increasing cost of most goods and services. With that said, it comes to no surprise why most people are entertaining the thought of finding work in Canada, or in other countries for that matter. Those especially who live in third world countries often have no choice, but to make sacrifices for their family, in order for them to live comfortably. They decide to leave them and work as an immigrant, because they are more likely to find better opportunities overseas.

Thankfully, working in a foreign land does not need to be a permanent thing. Once you have spent a considerable amount of time being employed abroad, you will be able to come back home and get a better job in your own home land. Most men and women think that the only opportunity that they will be able to gain from being employed abroad is a high salary and other benefits. Whether you are aware of it or not, this is not the case. Getting employment in a foreign land is a privilege, and you are also able to gain other benefits, such as:

• Learning to live on your own and gaining independence
• Provide a better education for your children
• Learn new skills and hone the ones you already possess
• Immerse yourself in a different culture
• Build a better network
• Learning how to be resourceful
• Study and become better at a different language
• Have enough finances to take back home and start your own business
• Gain experiences you would not normally obtain in your home land

Aside from the abovementioned, there are countless opportunities and benefits that come with gaining employment as an immigrant. Although foreign employers prefer to hire the younger generation, they still leave their doors open for more experienced individuals. If you are no longer categorized as the younger generation, you still have an edge over them, in terms of work experience and knowledge, which is why you should not lose hope even if you might be older. However, before you pursue this endeavour, see to it that you meet the requirements and secure the needed documents ahead of time, so that the whole process will be easy for you.

The New Canadian Who Is Seeking For A Job Should Take These Into Consideration

After spending a lot of your time and energy securing and meeting the requirements set by the Canadian embassy, you finally get your visa, and are able to legally live and work there as a new Canadian. However, getting there is only half of the job. Most of the work comes when you are out and about looking for a career. Keep in mind that it won't be the same when compared to looking for work in your own home town. There will be things you need to take into consideration. First of all, you should expect it to be more difficult, because you are the foreigner. Aside from the fact that you will have competition in the form of other immigrants, you also have the local citizens to worry about. One of the most effective ways for you to get a head start is by spending enough time when you are working on your resume. Keep in mind that you need to tailor your application in accordance to the job's specifications. You cannot expect to get hired, if you submit the same copy. Once you have kept this in mind, and have put it into practice, you are bound to get that call for the initial interview in no time.

Most men and women think that the initial interview will be a piece of cake. However, this won't be the case, because this is where employers will be able to decide if they want to give you a chance or not. With that said, you need to see to it that you prepare yourself for what could probably transpire in this all important meeting with your potential employer.

Remember, you will not be the only candidate who will be invited for the interview. When you reach the meeting place, you are bound to find others who are as anxious as you are. Before you let the competition and nervousness get to you, you might want to keep a few things in mind.

One of the important things you need to do is to prepare and make a plan. You need to be prepared to answer the questions that will be asked of you during the interview. You can accomplish this by asking a close friend or relative to act as the interview, and throw you some questions. Doing so will at least give you an idea with regard to what could happen. The preparation you will do is very important because it will help you get rid of the pre- interview jitters. You should also ensure that you arrive before the designated time. Arriving early will allow you to familiarize yourself with the surroundings, and have enough time to fix yourself and prepare for the meeting.

Job Change For The Nervous Employee

In this day and age, it no longer comes as a surprise when you hear your friends or relatives who complain about their jobs. There are a lot of men and women who are not satisfied with their jobs, and this has been considered a norm recently. Because of the increase in number of men and women who become dissatisfied with their careers, it comes to no surprise to find most of them are seriously considering a job change. In case you find yourself in their shoes, you need to keep in mind that this is not an easy and fast process, and that there are a lot of considerations that need to be made.

Whether you are aware of it or not, a lot of people are really scared about the whole process of switching careers. One if the things they are afraid of is the fact that they might not be able to meet the needs of their next choice of employment, or that they won't be enough to fill in the shoes that have been left available for you to fill in. You will usually feel this, especially if you have spent a great deal of your time working for one company. You were able to build a name for yourself throughout the duration of this time, and you will be wondering if you are ready to do it, or if you will be enough to accomplish this in your next choice of employment. However, you have no choice but to brave the music and go on with the process.

Although it will push you to move out of your comfort zone, you need to keep your eyes on the prize, and remember that it will only turn you into a better professional. You should take into account that no two snowflakes are alike, and this can be applied to the industry. No two companies are alike, and you are bound to come across some culture shock when you enter a different office. Instead of letting this get to you, you should take some time to observe how things are done, and how people go about their jobs. Doing so will enable you to blend in in the least amount of time.

On top of that, you might want to come up with a list of risks that you are going to make. Doing so will allow you to have a clearer picture of what was, and what will be. This will give you the opportunity to assess if you will make the right choice or not. With that said, you ought to remember these the next time you are considering a different choice in career.