Compass
Grow with purpose.
Discover the gap between where you think you are and where you actually perform, then connect directly to the micro-courses that close it. Built on Columbia College's 9-pillar Professional Behaviours Framework.
The gap between perception and reality is where growth begins
"Most people overestimate their strengths in some areas and underestimate them in others. Seeing both at once changes everything."
Professional Compass is a free skills benchmark built on Columbia College Calgary's Professional Behaviours Framework - a research-grounded model of the competencies that employers value most. It combines a self-rating across 9 pillars with a scenario-based skills assessment, then compares your results against industry benchmarks for your role.
The result is a personalised learning plan connected directly to Columbia's micro-credential courses - so you don't just know your gaps, you have a clear path to close them.
Explore the 9 pillars →Three dimensions. One clear picture.
Most assessments give you one score. Professional Compass gives you three - and the space between them reveals where your real development opportunities lie.
Where you believe your skills currently stand across every pillar and sub-competency. Your honest starting point before any measurement.
Where you actually perform, measured through scenario-based questions aligned to each competency's proficiency levels in the framework.
How your scores compare to others in your industry and role. This gives you context to understand where your gaps matter most professionally.
Five steps. About 25 minutes.
A structured process that reveals the gap between where you think you are and where you actually stand - then gives you a clear path forward.
Set up your free Columbia account, then enter your role, industry, and goals. Your account is needed to save progress and issue your certificate.
Rate your own confidence across each of the 9 pillars and their sub-competencies - your honest starting assumption before any measurement.
Scenario-based questions objectively measure your actual proficiency across every competency. Aligned to the framework's proficiency levels.
A visual dashboard overlays your self-rating, assessed score, and industry benchmark - revealing exactly where the gaps are and what they mean.
A personalised development plan with prioritised focus areas linked directly to Columbia micro-courses, plus a verified PDF report.
9 pillars of professional behaviour
Built on Columbia College Calgary's Professional Behaviours Framework - click any pillar to explore its competencies.
The Professional Compass assessment covers all 9 pillars, each broken into competencies and sub-competencies rated across proficiency levels.
Built for anyone who wants to grow professionally
Whether you're a student mapping your career, a professional looking to level up, or an organisation building team capability - there's a path for you.
Students, faculty, staff, and professionals at any career stage can benchmark their skills, understand their gaps, and get a clear plan for growth - completely free.
- Free account to save and track your progress over time
- Visual radar chart showing all 9 pillars at a glance
- Compare self-rating vs. your actual assessed score
- Personalised learning plan linked to micro-courses
- Verified PDF certificate emailed directly to you
- Retake the assessment any time to track growth
Administrators can invite participants, track completion, and receive an aggregated report showing skill gaps across the full team - helping you prioritise training investment.
- Invite up to 30 participants for free
- Aggregate team dashboard across all 9 pillars
- Identify shared gaps to focus development budgets
- Downloadable group skills report
- Benchmark your team against industry norms
- Connect team gaps directly to micro-course enrolment
Assessment to action - in one click
Professional Compass doesn't just tell you where your gaps are - it connects them directly to the Columbia micro-courses that close them. Your learning plan is a curated shortlist, not a generic list.
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Gap-matched coursesEach pillar in your results links directly to the relevant micro-courses on the Columbia learning platform.
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Fast, focused micro-credentialsColumbia's micro-courses are designed for busy people - focused, affordable, and stackable toward larger credentials.
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Track and re-assessRetake the assessment after completing courses to measure your actual improvement across all 9 pillars.
Get started
Find your direction.
Start with Compass.
The assessment is free, takes about 25 minutes, and gives you a personalised result you can act on the same day. A free account is required to save your results and receive your certificate. No credit card, ever.