Before graduation even approaches, many students are already preparing for life after school, refining resumes, curating LinkedIn profiles and attending networking events in hopes of standing out in an increasingly competitive job market.
For some, that preparation extends beyond coursework and into additional investments, from professional memberships to upgraded online tools. The question for many students isn’t just how to become “career ready,” but whether readiness now comes with added expectations and added costs.
Marya Kalra, a public relations student at Humber Polytechnic, has been thinking about that balance.
She joined the Canadian Public Relations Society through a student membership, subscribed to LinkedIn Premium and built a digital portfolio to strengthen her professional presence before entering the workforce.
“Career readiness, in my view, is really about developing both professional skills and the confidence to build relationships within your industry,” Kalra said.
For Kalra, these investments are intentional rather than pressured. She describes her approach as a personal mindset rooted in preparation and curiosity. Before applying for roles, she researches organizations, tailors her applications and reaches out to professionals for informational interviews.
“Networking and professional visibility can sometimes open doors that a standard application might not,” she said.
Still, she acknowledges not all students have equal access to certain opportunities.
“Some professional opportunities, like conferences, memberships, or specialized workshops, can be expensive, and that can create barriers for some students,” Kalra said. “At the same time, there are also many free or low-cost resources available.”
Among those free options, she built her portfolio using Google Sites and regularly connects with professionals through cold emails and LinkedIn messages, strategies that rely more on initiative than financial investments.
At Humber Polytechnic, structured career preparation is built into students’ programs. Joanne Sedkowski, a Career and Work-Integrated Learning Advisor at Humber, defines career readiness as a combination of technical knowledge and adaptability.
“I believe that career readiness is defined as students feeling prepared to enter the workforce by having a strong set of academic and technical skills which they can apply to their chosen career,” Sedkowski said. “Being open and willing to continue to learn and grow in a professional environment and having a strong set of soft skills, such as communication and professionalism, is also key.”
Within Humber’s professional practice courses, students reflect on their strengths, create career goals and complete networking exercises such as informational interviews and elevator pitches. They also receive training in workplace rights and responsibilities, health and safety awareness and professional etiquette.
Students are encouraged to attend networking events and develop their online presence, Sedkowski said, but many resources are available at no additional cost. Humber provides access to LinkedIn Learning tools, its internal job portal, CareerConnect, interview practice through the Devant platform, and ongoing advising support.
“All students, regardless of their financial backgrounds, are provided with access to the same career preparation resources,” Sedkowski said. When available, bursaries are also offered for students completing unpaid field experiences.
While employers are encouraged to provide compensation during placements, there is currently no mandate requiring field placements to be paid, a reality Sedkowski said can present challenges for some students.
Despite that, she said employers primarily value skills and experience gained through coursework and internships.
“Employers value skills and experience which are gained through coursework and internships as they are looking for candidates who not only have industry knowledge and skills, but for those who can also work well in a team environment,” she said. “These soft skills are often just as important.”
From an employer’s perspective, paid platforms and premium tools are not prerequisites for success. Shellee Huie, a talent acquisition specialist at Toronto Metropolitan University, said being “career ready” starts with understanding how one’s skills align with the roles they are pursuing.
“A student who is career-ready understands their skill set as it relates to the work they are seeking,” Huie said. “They would have done their research.”
This includes identifying industries that align with their strengths and mapping out realistic career goals.
When reviewing candidates, Huie said attention to detail stands out.
“A well-written resume” is critical, she said. Candidates who tailor their resumes to reflect specific job duties are far more competitive than those who send out the same document to every employer.
While platforms such as LinkedIn and online portfolios can be valuable, their influence depends on relevance.
“Professional networks like LinkedIn, and personal portfolios are important as long as it's relevant to the position you are applying for,” Huie said. “It’s another positive way to show employers you are interested and invested in the work.”
With the job market highly competitive, Huie acknowledged that some students may feel pressure to invest in professional development to stand out.
“I am sure this is a factor for some,” she said. “With the career market in such a competitive place right now, there is definitely pressure to stand out from the crowd.”
However, she emphasized that investing in a career does not necessarily mean spending money.
“It’s always a great idea to invest in a career; however, that does not always mean it cannot be done on a cost-effective basis,” Huie said, pointing to mentorship, networking groups, workshops and online learning as accessible alternatives.
Ultimately, Huie said preparation and readiness, regardless of how they are obtained, are what employers notice.
With tuition and living costs already stretching many student budgets, additional career-related expenses can feel significant. Yet across student, institutional and employer perspectives, one theme remains consistent: financial investments alone do not determine readiness.
For Kalra, the most meaningful preparation comes from initiative rather than expense.
“I believe personal investment, effort, and the willingness to succeed matter far more than financial investment,” she said.
