The Hub AU counsellor joins CTV to share advice on making career decisions

AU counsellor joins CTV to share advice on making career decisions

The world of work is changing and so are people’s mindsets when it comes to their career aspirations

As Canada Career Month comes to a close and people reassess what their futures will look like past the pandemic, Kelly Gordon, counsellor at Athabasca University, joined CTV Morning Live to chat about all aspects of career planning.

The first thing to do when facing or considering a career change, Gordon said, is to solidify your knowledge about yourself, such as your values, interests, skills. They explained that you must also consider your options such as the job market and whether you want to go back to school—and if so, what programs or majors interest you.


Related: 3 ways to leverage past experience into a new career


“It’s a bit like building a pyramid—you’ve got to have a solid base before you can make an effective choice,” said Gordon. “Coincidently, the first week of Canada Career Month at AU was all about how to make effective decisions!”

Going back to school

If you decide to go back to school as an older student, Gordon said it’s important to remember that you are not alone!

They also explained that you might not even need a whole new degree—it’s possible to combine your existing skills with a just few courses to upgrade your credentials. At AU, learners can register for a few courses to enhance their skills. Its also possible to leverage previous work experience into university credits. 

The Bachelor of General Studies degree at AU is a great place to start if you’re considering upskilling. It allows you to really customize your learning experience and focus on the skills you may need,” they said.  

Gordon also explained that there are also many non-credit professional development opportunities available, including through PowerED™ by Athabasca University. PowerED’s new, free course called Elevate your Personal Brand is a great place to start. 


Related: How to take your personal brand to the next level


Of all the things to take away from this, I think the most important thing to remember is that it’s possible to make a decision about your career, it’s possible to choose the right educational program to reach your goals, and it’s possible to make a successful career transition,” said Gordon. 

“Anything is possible when you have the right tools!”

“Anything is possible when you have the right tools!”

– Kelly Gordon, AU counsellor
Published:
  • November 30, 2021
Tagged In:
career, career month,