Career Planning FAQs
Career planning involves 4 steps:
- learn about yourself
- explore your options
- make decisions
- take action.
These 4 steps can help you figure out a rewarding career.
There are many career planning services available:
- Alberta Works / Alberta Supports Centres are a great resource for people to use. They contain information about career planning, educational information, occupational information and job search. You'll find books, newspapers, magazines, videos, public access computers, and knowledgeable staff.
- You can speak with a Alberta Supports Coordinator at Alberta Supports Contact Centre.
- Send questions to Alberta Supports
Call Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Toll-free (within Alberta) 1-877-644-9992
In Edmonton 780-644-9992 - Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Career planning workshops are available free of charge at any of the Alberta Works / Alberta Supports Centres.
CAREERinsite can also help.
CAREERinsite can help. Take one of the quizzes. It can help you see where your interests overlap with your skills. Then you can explore your career options.
OCCinfo features more than 550 occupational profiles. Each profile tells you the:
- employment and advancement outlook
- duties and working conditions
- certification requirements
- wage and salary ranges
Watch videos of real people on the job. You may also have friends, family members or neighbours doing work that interest you. Ask about their work. It may be possible to shadow them for a day on the job.
OCCinfo has Alberta wage and salary information for full-time and part-time workers in more than 550 occupations.
See Employment Services on Alberta.ca to discover career and job fairs in your area.
Changes in the economy lead to changes in the way we work. Check out work options to find a fit for your lifestyle. Keep in mind that your desired lifestyle, work experience and family situation will change over time. A good place to start is to research the occupations that interest you at CAREERinsite.
To figure out your career, start by getting to know yourself. The self-assessment quizzes can help you take the first step.
Have questions about getting that first job or launching your career? MyWorkQuest can help. It's a question-and-answer website that will help you make the most of your work search and connect you to valuable career advice.
You can also access career and employment services at any of the Alberta Works / Alberta Supports Centres throughout the province. Career and Employment Consultants are available at these offices to help youth prepare for and find work.
CAREERinsite can also start you on a path to discovering your strengths and exploring possible careers.
To figure out your career, start by getting to know yourself. The self-assessment quizzes can help you take the first step.
Start with career planning. Decide which trade you are most interested in through workshops and research. Read the occupational profiles that are apprenticeship specific or you can view them on the tradesecrets website.
The tradesecrets website has a wealth of additional information on apprenticeship programs in Alberta. Find an employer to apprentice you and contact the Apprenticeship and Industry Training office nearest you to become indentured and begin your journey.
You have several options available, check out these resources and services:
- Resumés and References
- Interviews and Offers
- Alberta Works/Alberta Supports Centres provide many resources on these topics
- Register in a free resumé writing or interview workshop.
Contact The Business Link, a service which offers information to Alberta entrepreneurs on a wide range of topics.
- Toll-free phone: 1-800-272-9675
- In Edmonton: 780-422-7722 or Fax: 780-422-0055
Women in Alberta who are starting or expanding small business can also contact the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs.
- Toll-free phone: 1-800-713-3558
- In Edmonton: 780-422-7784
- In Calgary: 403-777-4250
Some of the common sources for job listings include:
- OCCinfo - Jobs in Alberta
- Canada-Alberta Job Bank
- Find Work section on alis
- Visit your local Alberta Works / Alberta Supports Centres or Canada Wide Career Services
- Telemessage: In Alberta 1-800-797-2925
- Telemessage: In Edmonton 917-4899
Employment Insurance training benefits may be available if you need to upgrade your skills to get new employment. At your local Alberta Works / Alberta Supports Centre, a Alberta Supports Coordinator can help determine whether you are eligible for training benefits.
In some centres, you may be referred to an agency to complete a questionnaire and assessment. Your training application may not be approved. If not, you will be offered other options.
Obtaining an education via distance learning is becoming very popular. Search through the educational program information at OCCinfo to find out if your program is offered via distance education (limited to programs in Western Canada.) You could also check colleges and universities individually for their distance education courses.
The following websites provide information for students from other countries:
- Canada International describes federal services for non Canadians
- The Canada Bureau for International Education provides information for international students, including information on awards for study in Canada
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada has information for people who are seeking long-term residence in Canada:
- obtaining a visitor's Visa
- obtaining immigration kits, guides and forms to be used when applying for temporary stay or permanent residence in Canada.
Talk to the Student Awards Office at the educational institution you will be attending to find out about awards specific to their educational institution, faculties and or departments.
Or visit the scholarships or loans and grants pages.
Check out the educational program information at OCCinfo. Search by program and school name for courses in Western Canada (distance and non-distance).
Also at OCCinfo, find occupational profiles, each of which has a section about education requirements that lists educational options available to enter a particular occupation.