Get on the air.

Your certificate arrives from ISED a few weeks after the exam. Here is what most people do in the meantime, in order. None of it is required, and none of it needs to be expensive.

1. Pick a first radio. Almost everyone starts with a dual-band handheld: 2 m and 70 cm, which is where the local repeaters are. A basic one is under $100; a good one is not much more. Skip HF until you know you want it.
2. Program the local repeaters. A handheld out of the box knows nothing. Get the programming cable for your model, install CHIRP (free), and load your region's repeaters — the club near you usually publishes the list.
3. Improve the antenna before anything else. The stock rubber duck is the weakest part of any handheld. A replacement whip or a window antenna is the cheapest upgrade with the biggest result.
4. Listen first, then key up. Find the local net, listen to a few, then check in. Nobody minds a new callsign; everybody minds a new callsign that talks over the net control.
5. Join the club. The people on the repeater run the courses, the field days and the repeater itself. Find yours.