It’s no secret that the Canadian tech market has been hit hard with job losses. I experienced this firsthand when I lost my job as a Business Analyst a few months after returning from maternity leave due to a mass layoff as the project was moved offshore. It was a challenging time that forced me to go back to the drawing board.

Studying the job market, I quickly realized how much things had changed. The expectations for Business Analysts had evolved—technical skills and AI knowledge were now essential additions to core BA expertise.

Here’s a bit of my backstory: I was an entrepreneur in Nigeria before immigrating to Canada. Knowing I wanted to transition into tech, I trained for and passed the CBAP exam. After arriving in Canada, I realized that practical, hands-on experience was crucial. While working a customer service job, I enrolled in a 6-week BA course with Heels and Tech. Shortly after completing it, I revamped my CV, and within a month—and after three interviews—I landed my first job with one of the Big 4 consulting firms. Unfortunately, that’s the job I eventually lost.

Fast forward to today. I knew I had to level up to stay competitive in the current market. I took free courses with Heels and Tech (don’t underestimate those free trainings!) and additional courses to strengthen my technical and AI skills. After three intense months of learning, job applications, countless rejection emails, and some interview successes, I landed a senior role with the leading bank among the Big 5—with a six-figure salary.

Those three months weren’t easy, but they were worth it. I even received two job offers and had the privilege of choosing the one that best aligned with my goals.

I’m incredibly grateful to God and to this amazing community of determined, goal-oriented women. We’re truly capable of moving mountains, one step at a time.

To anyone in a similar situation: please don’t give up. Keep applying, but more importantly, keep upgrading your skills while you wait. Invest 40% into where you are right now and 60% into where you want to be. Your breakthrough is closer than you think!