Embracing versatility: How a Concordia program is empowering the modern worker

It’s safe to say that Kate Bundy is a multi-passionate individual. During her journey toward a PhD in Hispanic Studies, Bundy explored her curiosity for academia in and out of the classroom in diverse roles in education, including university course lecturer, project manager, and web design consultant specializing in user experience (UX).

During these experiences, she amassed a variety of skills in multiple domains such as research and public speaking. Since these domains rely on intangible abilities, such as cognitive and interpersonal skills, they can often be difficult to prove. 

“These skills are transferable in different business environments yet often go unnoticed,” explains Bundy, an Atlanta native who moved to Montreal in 2018 and now serves as a webmaster and digital content advisor at Concordia University. “As an academic and an educator transitioning into the private sector, I had to find ways to examine my background and identify the value I could bring to the table.” 

In search of effective ways to showcase those abilities, Bundy joined Concordia’s Certification of Employability, a program that assesses intangible skills from 12 competency areas such as adaptability and autonomy. Through self-reflection and mentorship, candidates analyze how their experiences have translated to the acquisition of specific skills. They then undergo an assessment to validate these abilities in hopes of gaining recognition for their work experience, proving their skills are transferable, and building employer trust in their non-linear profiles.

“It gives the candidates clarity and brings consistency to their skills,” notes Fabien Cornu, the program’s competency development specialist. “When you have a better understanding of why you possess a skill—because you acquired it or perfected it within a specific experience—it makes it easier to put the pieces of the puzzle together, just like a lens that improves your vision.”

In the assessment phase, Bundy drew on her past experiences to resolve workplace scenarios, demonstrating proficiency in each domain and certifying the three competencies she targeted. 

For Bundy, validating these skills in harmony helped her emphasize their value.

“Packaging them together creates a dialogue between them that can really speak to different roles,” Bundy notes. “For example, problem-solving and creative thinking is a very valuable combination in a strategic environment, as is decision-making and problem-solving in a management environment.”

An evolving work-life vision

Possessing a combination of transferable skills could be the key to remaining highly employable in the future of work. A 2022 report commissioned by Futurity Investment Group estimates that members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha will hold 18 jobs across six careers in their lifetime. 

This potential shift in interest toward career exploration would signal a growing need for versatility, a promising prospect for Bundy’s future.

“I think the future of work is going to be highly interdisciplinary and there’s going to be a lot of job titles that we have yet to think of,” Bundy anticipates. “And I see myself as someone who’s connecting multiple skills in a way that’s innovative.”

Concordia Continuing Education is currently developing an enhanced version of the program to optimize the participant experience. As a new wave of candidates enters the program, graduates like Bundy are feeling grateful for what the program has helped provide.

“As someone who immigrated here and plans to settle here, I’m glad that there’s a systematic approach that acknowledges employable skills that aren't always articulated in existing degrees or programs,” Bundy explains. “This helps show that there’s value in what you’re bringing to the table.”