Continuing Education: Turning experience into opportunity

When Constantina Caldis Roberts and her husband moved to Canada from South Africa, she brought with her years of experience in teaching, administration and leadership, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music and digital arts.

Like many newcomers, Caldis Roberts expected her education and experience would open doors. Instead, she discovered that re-establishing a career in a new country would take more time and persistence than she anticipated.

Although she had years of management experience in South Africa, Caldis Roberts recognized that adapting to a new country meant learning new systems, expectations and approaches, as well as navigating cultural differences and sensitivities — even between English-speaking countries where communication styles and workplace norms can vary in subtle, but important ways.

“That prompted me to look into how I can understand management within a Canadian context,” she says.

This led Caldis Roberts to take a Certificate in Professional Management program through the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Continuing Education.

“I was looking to attain a Canadian qualification that will allow me to improve and redirect my career slightly towards managerial positions,” says Caldis Roberts, who joined UCalgary in 2020 and works as an academic program specialist in the Faculty of Arts. The role aligns with her background, and it has also given her the opportunity to think more intentionally about her long-term goal of returning to a leadership position.

Before immigrating, Caldis Roberts built a successful career in South Africa. She began by teaching piano and music theory before moving into administrative and leadership roles, including a management position at the Academy of Sound Engineering in Johannesburg.

“With all these degrees and everything, we thought, great, we’re ready to immigrate,” she says. “Unfortunately, when we got (to Canada), it was a little bit trickier. “I realized the employment market was a lot harder to penetrate in terms of job opportunities.”

Building confidence through learning

The Cont Ed program’s flexible format allowed Caldis Roberts to balance her studies with work and family responsibilities. To stay on track, she relied on careful planning and encourages others to start small.

“One course in your day requires setting aside two hours,” she says. “Once you start that course, you realize, oh I have a lot more time in my day than I think.”

Through the program, Caldis Roberts strengthened both her business and leadership skills, including accounting, communication, emotional intelligence and coaching. Those lessons had an immediate impact in her current job, particularly in how she communicates and works with others.

“Understanding different leadership styles and how to communicate more effectively has helped me in my current role,” she says.

More importantly, the experience gave Caldis Roberts greater confidence in what she could achieve.

“All the skills I've learned, I can now apply to further my career and give me the confidence to apply for those jobs that I never thought were a possibility before,” she says.

A lifelong learner

For Caldis Roberts, the experience was more than preparing for her next role. It also reconnected her with something she has always enjoyed.

“I really am a lifelong learner. I enjoy studying, I enjoy learning new things,” she says.

Her long-term goal is to build on both her international experience and the skills she has developed in Canada. She is also considering further study, including the possibility of pursuing an MBA.

Caldis Roberts says continuing to invest in education can be especially valuable for people navigating career transitions.

“Continue to study, learn and invest in your education. It can be a powerful way to build confidence,” she says. “Don’t give up on that journey.”

For Caldis Roberts, taking that first step opened new possibilities in her career — and renewed her confidence in what is possible.