Rethinking Internships: A Call to Action for Career Development Professionals

June 23, 2025 |
Summer internships

-By Lori A. Jazvac and Ksenia Lazoukova –  Summer internships represent the gold standard for students and new graduates, offering hands-on training, networking opportunities, and a frequent gateway to full-time employment. However, economic pressures, shrinking budgets, remote work trends, and shifting employer priorities have fueled a sharp decline in traditional and paid internships. Students—particularly those from marginalized or low-income backgrounds—now face significant obstacles in accessing meaningful professional experiences. Canada’s labour market is tightening. Statistics Canada reports that in April 2025, youth (aged 15–24) lost 28,000 jobs, driving their unemployment rate…

Re-imagining Upward Mobility: A Playbook for Canada’s Career Professionals

June 13, 2025 |
Upward mobility

-By Sharon Graham, Founder and Chair of Career Professionals of Canada.- “Downward social mobility is becoming the norm.” Policy Horizons Canada, Disruptions on the Horizon Canada’s longstanding promise of upward mobility—the belief that hard work and perseverance lead to a better life—is faltering. Soaring housing costs, the growth of precarious work, and widening generational inequities make it harder for new generations to get ahead. Many Canadians now face lower socioeconomic prospects than their parents. This shift not only affects individuals, it also erodes trust in institutions, fuels mental health strain,…

5 Ways Winning a CPC Award of Excellence Can Elevate Your Career

June 2, 2025 |
Awards of Excellence

At Career Professionals of Canada, we believe in celebrating excellence, and there’s no better way to shine a spotlight on your achievements than by winning a CPC Award of Excellence. Beyond the honour of being recognized, these awards can have a lasting impact on your professional journey. Here’s how winning can help take your career to the next level: 1. Build Instant Credibility A CPC Award of Excellence is a mark of distinction that sets you apart. It validates your expertise, commitment, and professionalism in the eyes of clients, employers,…

Living the Creed: Why the Career Professional’s Creed Matters

June 2, 2025 |
Living the Creed

-By Sharon Graham, Founder and Chair of Career Professionals of Canada.- At Career Professionals of Canada, we stand together in our commitment to purposeful kindness, professional excellence, and ethical service. The Career Professional’s Creed is more than just a declaration. It is the living heart of our Code of Professional Conduct, expressed in plain, meaningful language. It reflects who we are, what we value, and how we choose to show up in the world. The Career Professional’s Creed A Declaration of our Code of Professional Conduct in Real-World Language “I…

Facing toxic workplaces: How Canadians can cope and thrive

May 26, 2025 |
Toxic Work Environment

Career professionals play an essential role in supporting clients who are facing a toxic work environment — not only by helping clients identify and articulate the impact of workplace toxicity on their well-being and performance, but also by guiding them toward healthier work environments, supporting career transitions, and equipping them with conflict resolution and resilience-building strategies. With the right tools and support, clients can move from surviving to truly thriving. Read the full article by C Ball.

Turning Passion into a Profession: A Strategic and Sustainable Approach to Career Transitions

May 26, 2025 |
Turning passion into your profession

-By Lori A. Jazvac & Ksenia Lazoukova –  In today’s volatile job market, many professionals find themselves at the crossroads of purpose and paycheck, asking: How do I turn what I love into how I live? While “follow your passion” sounds inspiring, it’s not always enough. Career Development Practitioners (CDPs) must help clients move beyond idealism into sustainable, strategic action—honouring dreams and day-to-day realities. Turning passion into a profession is possible—yet it demands clarity, courage, resilience, and a grounded plan. A growing trend among Canadian workers is seeking career transitions,…