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Upskilling & Continuing Education Q&A with
Sky Cowans We sat down with video-creator and lifelong learner, Sky Cowans, to learn more about her journey that led her to success as well as skills and lessons she’s learned along the way.
How did you learn the skills that got you to where you are today? I started making videos when I was very young. I loved playing around with my family's home video camera and when I was about 14, I started having fun with video editing. During high school, I developed a talk show with one of my friends that aired on the local cable TV station in my small hometown. We didn’t have many viewers and it’s pretty embarrassing to look back on now, but that was really the start of eventually becoming a full-time content creator. In university, I studied broadcast journalism and was deeply involved in the student newscast, Elon Local News. This is where I truly learned how to report, produce, shoot, edit, and host news packages for live television and how to hit deadlines. This is where I learned how to be a “one-man-band,” as they say, and it was a critical part of my
journey. Upon graduating university, I completed a fellowship program at a major media company producing viral videos for YouTube and Facebook, and this was like content creation bootcamp. I learned so much in such a short amount of time. But when I shifted my career to becoming a full-time content creator, it required me to learn a whole new set of skills, including social media strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and business. When you become a content creator, by default you must also become an entrepreneur, business owner, and CEO.
ity looking to me for leadership, this is a skill that I constantly need to invest in. Becoming a better leader is essential to my career and business. It’s also critical for me to take care of my well-being and my energy so I can show up as the best version of myself for my team and community, and also have the energy and stamina to continue creating my art. That means getting enough sleep and starting my To learn more day with a solid morning ritual, check out her including movement, meditation, YouTube channel Sky Life. journalling to align my energy, and setting an intention for the day.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned in building your career and following?
Have you ever taken any courses that helped you in your career?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through building my career and following is the importance of investing in my leadership skills and prioritizing my well-being and energy. When I first started my career as a content creator, I did everything myself, from the shooting and editing to the producing and business. I think this is the case for most creative entrepreneurs, but there will come a point when you simply cannot do it alone anymore, and truthfully, I was a oneman-band for way too long. Now that I’ve built a team and a commun-
Courses and continued education are so important. I’m always learning. One educational platform and community that has helped me so much is Creator Now, which is a membership platform for aspiring and career creators to connect with the mentors, community, resources, and support needed to grow their careers or become a full-time creator. It’s like film school for YouTube. I’ve been a part of several Creator Now bootcamps and I also use the platform on a regular basis to learn from top creators in the industry.
Why Learners at All Career Levels Are Turning to Continuing Education Learners from across Canada are turning to the flexible programs in continuing education to support all stages of their careers. Karen Hamilton, Carolyn MacLaren, Kim Mah
W
hether you’re just starting out, upskilling, transitioning to a different industry, or launching a new career, a continuing education course or program can help you meet your goals. Learning has become more convenient and accessible than ever, with part-time and online options designed to fit your schedule, especially if you work full-time. The more than 50 institutions that make up the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) are committed to this type of education. These universities offer programming to meet the complex needs of working professionals and to address in-demand learning needs in areas ranging from business and management to health and technology.
Gain skills, not a degree Instead of a traditional four-year undergraduate degree, you can often complete a continuing education program in a matter of months — and be ready to launch or advance your career immediately. You can choose individual continuing education courses to develop a specific skill set or work toward a credential, such as a certificate,
diploma, or micro-credential. “Continuing education is an important access point for so many learners, particularly those looking for skills to establish or build a career,” says Carolyn MacLaren, Director of Continuing Education at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C. “Some of our students come to us after they’ve completed a degree and some transition to completing a degree once they’ve established a career path that started with a continuing education program.”
Pivot your career Thinking of changing careers? You’re not alone. Since the pandemic, surveys have found that a growing number of workers are looking for opportunities in new fields, either to follow a passion, find work-life balance, or pursue a more meaningful career. The right continuing education program or course can help you transition smoothly. “Many of our learners are planning to switch to a different industry or to reinvent themselves post-retirement,” says Julia Denholm, Dean of Lifelong Learning at Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies in Vancouver. “Whatever your goal, our goal is to
ensure you take away the relevant tools and knowledge to succeed in your next career.”
Make a new start Beginning a new life in another country is never easy, and finding work remains one of the biggest hurdles for newcomers settling in Canada. Continuing education programs can make the process easier through hands-on training that provides not only job-ready skills, but also a credential from a Canadian To explore university. continuing education “Many newcomer students programs offered have told us that finding a job, by CAUCE member universities, visit acquiring professional developcauce-aepuc.ca. ment for a current position, upskilling, and reskilling are the top reasons they study with us,” says Lorraine Carter, Director of Continuing Education at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. “In addition to providing an exceptional learning experience, we also provide them access to resources that focus on career development, networking opportunities, and financial support to ensure that their integration into Canada is as smooth as possible.”
Publisher: Layal El Masri Business Development Manager: Sarah Ferreira Senior Strategic Account Manager: Anna Sibiga Strategic Account Manager: Olivia Delbello Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Content Strategist: Nicole Kansakar Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production Lead: Michael Taylor Creative Lead: Kylie Armishaw Designer: Giuliana Bandiera Digital Media Coordinator: Kristen Neals Web Editor: Christina Morgan Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm Rathod All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.
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