Welcome back to our insightful career counselling series, now with Kelowna specific tips to make it even more relevant! Building on Part 1’s self-assessment, where we uncovered your core strengths, values, and interests, now we are shifting to exploration, turning those insights into tangible career possibilities amid our regions positive job growthand opportunities.
This research and skill building phase transforms confusion and stagnation into excitement and oppourtunity by broadening your horizons and equipping you with practical tools. Kelowna’s diverse economy spanning agriculture, tech, health care, and many other sectors is ripe for the picking! Here is an expanded action plan to guide your discovery. Researching industries, roles, and trends is crucial, as proper research allows you to more efficiently spend your time, energy, and sometimes money where it is not wasted going down rabbit holes to determine eventually that this thing isn’t for you (although sometimes learning what you DON’T like about a job can often be just as important as learning what you do like).
Research and Skill Building Tips and Links
Research Industries, Roles, and Trends: Dive into platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or O*NET Online to search for jobs that align with your self-assessment results. For example, if you are passionate about tech and helping people, explore roles in user experience (UX) design at local accelerators. Locally, use WorkBCs job market updates for insights on emerging trends in the Okanagan Valley, or browse InvestKelownas economic indicators 2025 data to better forecast for where sectors and jobs are headed for the future.
https://www.onetonline.org
https://www.investkelowna.com/about-the-coedc/coedc-strategy-2025-to-2030/
Follow industry influencers and join relevant groups on social media for real time insights.
Network Strategically and Intentionally: Commit to reaching out to 3 to 5 professionals weekly via LinkedIn, professional networks, or simply searching up a relevant business and seeing if they would have time to chat. Many professionals are more than happy to help prospective peers getting into the field.
Craft personalised messages with genuine questions, and/ or go into a coffee meet up with some questions on deck such as “What surprised you most about transitioning into tech from education in Kelowna?” or “what do you like most and least about your role?”
Attend virtual webinars or local meetups through career workshops hosted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce or job fairs posted on EventBrite in Kelowna. These can connect you with employers in high demand fields, or encourage connection with peers going through the same process as yourself! I’ve saved these for last because going to a job fair or networking event is somewhat of an informal interview and may very well be the place where you make your first impressions and falls in between research and taking decisive action!
https://secure.kelownachamber.org/mobile/events.aspx
https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–kelowna/job-fair
https://secure.kelownachamber.org/mobile/events.aspx
https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–kelowna/job-fair
Bridge Skills Gaps with Targeted Learning and Volunteering: Pinpoint 2 to 4 essential skills from your research. Set a goal of honing one new skill at a time if there is a gap. To help with motivation, recall why you would want this career or position and track small improvements. locally, tap into free training at the YMCA Employment Services or Okanagan Colleges skill building programmes and apply for grants to help financially along the way.
https://www.ymcasibc.ca/Programs/Education-and-Training/Employment-Services
Additionally, volunteering in a field or establishment even an hour or two a week or month can help demonstrate and hone skills, as well as connect you with people who may be able to help you get a foot in the door, you never know who you are going to meet! A quick google search for volunteer (industry your interested in Kelowna) should yield results or head over to the volunteer connector portal from Kelowna Community Resources to get off to a running start.
Remember, consistent small steps lead to big leaps, you can have a job that satisfies you and feels rewarding! Careers are not always linear paths; pivots are common and often rewarding! The average person works several jobs in their lifespan 12 -17 on average! It’s okay to have a stepping stone or two along the way.
Coming next: Part 3 on taking decisive action.
Written by Tim Lamont C.C.C
