Canada’s prosperity used to be based on its natural resources and industries such as mining, agricultural and lumber. Today, those industries are much less important in our economy. Today, service-based industries are thriving.

The growth in service-based industries means that you will need good "people" skills to succeed.

The aging of our population, increasing computerization and the Internet is creating growth in traditional service industries and creating new ones. Some examples of service-based industries are:

• health care
• tourism
• recreation
• environmental protection
• telecommunications
• computer software design

Since service-based industries tend to use the just-in-time work force, expect to:

• Find more part-time and contract work opportunities.
  
  
• Work at multiple jobs or have multiple contracts in order to earn a full-time salary.
  
  
• Discover greater opportunities for self-employment.

Since many aspects of service-based industries are often on the cutting-edge of technology, expect to:

• Constantly have to upgrade your skills and knowledge.
  
  
• Be adaptable since technology changes continuously.