October 30, 2026 | Quebec

Turning the Desire for Change Into a Concrete Plan

Considering a career change can be motivated by many factors: seeking new responsibilities, moving into a different industry, updating your skills, or simply taking your career in a new direction.

But wanting to change careers does not necessarily mean knowing which profession to pursue.

Before choosing a training program or making an important decision, it can be helpful to turn that desire for change into a structured and realistic career plan.

Taking Stock of Your Experience

Changing careers does not necessarily mean starting from scratch. The experience you have gained over the years may have helped you develop skills that can be useful in a variety of work environments.

A first step can be to take stock of:

• the responsibilities you have held;
• the technical skills you have developed;
• your interpersonal skills;
• the knowledge you have acquired;
• the tasks you perform particularly well.

Some of these skills may be transferable to a new field.

👉 Learn more: How Can You Identify Your Transferable Skills?

Defining What You Want From Your Next Career

A career change should not be defined solely by what you want to leave behind.

It is equally important to determine what you are looking for in the next stage of your career.

You can consider:

• the type of tasks you would like to perform;
• the level of responsibility you are looking for;
• your preferred work environment;
• the type of interaction you want with colleagues or customers;
• the level of independence you are looking for;
• opportunities for career growth.

These criteria can help you compare different options more systematically.

Exploring the Reality of Different Careers

A profession may seem appealing from the outside without necessarily matching your expectations once you look at it more closely.

Before choosing a new career, it is therefore useful to research what working in the field is actually like:

• What are the main responsibilities?
• What skills are employers looking for?
• What environments do these professionals work in?
• What training is typically required?
• What career opportunities are available in the field?

Reviewing job postings can also provide a practical look at the requirements employers are seeking.

When possible, speaking with someone who already works in the field can provide an additional perspective.

Comparing Different Career Options

A career change is an important decision. Rather than focusing on a single profession immediately, it may be helpful to compare several possibilities.

You can apply the same criteria to each one: interest in the work, required skills, work environment, necessary training, and employment opportunities.

This comparison can help you distinguish between a profession that sounds appealing and a career path that genuinely aligns with your goals and circumstances.

👉 Learn more: When Is It a Good Time to Change Careers in Quebec?

Identifying the Gap Between Your Current Profile and Your Goal

Once you have a new career direction in mind, one question becomes particularly important:

What do I need to move from my current profile to the one employers are looking for?

You may already have some of the required skills from previous work experience. Others may still need to be developed.

Identifying this gap can help you determine whether training is necessary and, more importantly, what type of training could be relevant.

A career change then becomes much more concrete. Instead of simply wanting to enter a new profession, you can identify the path that can help prepare you for this new professional reality.

Choosing Training Based on Your Career Goals

It is generally better to choose a training program after you have clarified your career objective.

You can then compare program content, the skills you will develop, and how closely they align with the requirements of the field you are considering.

At CDI College, hands-on training allows students to develop skills relevant to their field of study and prepare for the job market.

👉 Learn more: How Can You Choose a Training Program That Aligns With Your Career Goals?

Testing Your Career Plan Before Making a Decision

Before committing to a new direction, it can be useful to see how well your plan holds up against the realities of the job market.

Reviewing job postings, examining employer requirements, speaking with professionals, and researching available training options can help you gradually validate your choice.

A career change is therefore about more than choosing a new profession. It is about building a coherent plan that connects your experience, your goals, the skills you need to develop, and the realities of the job market.

FAQ

1. How can you prepare for a career change?
Start by taking stock of your experience, defining your goals, exploring careers that interest you, and identifying the skills you need to pursue them.

2. How can you choose a new career?
Compare different options based on the work involved, the work environment, required skills, necessary training, and how well each option aligns with your career goals.

3. How can you tell whether a career change plan is realistic?
Review job postings, research the careers you are considering, and compare your current profile with the skills employers are looking for in the field.

4. Do you need to go back to school to change careers?
Not necessarily. It depends on the profession you want to pursue, your existing experience, and the skills or qualifications required for the roles you are considering.

5. How can you use your existing skills in a new career?
Identify transferable skills developed in previous jobs and consider how they could apply to the responsibilities of the profession you are considering.

Explore Further

👉 Is It Too Late to Go Back to School in Your 30s, 40s, or 50s?

👉 Common Myths About Going Back to School as an Adult

👉 How to Present Going Back to School as a Career Asset

👉 Going Back to School as an Adult in Quebec: What You Should Know