Herzing Blog

Updated December 2023

Administrative assistants play a pivotal role in every office. They are multitasking rock stars who handle the clerical, organizational, and communication tasks that keep a business running smoothly.

So is an administrative assistant career a good choice for you? Does this role fit your needs and goals?

Before you can answer that, you need to weigh some key factors. These include things like job options, earning potential, and career outlook. You should also think about whether you have the personality and natural strengths this role requires.

At Herzing College, we've been training office administrators for decades. Based on our experience, these are the five points to consider before you make a decision.

Updated January 2024

The goal of health and safety officer training is to produce graduates who know how to keep people safe in the workplace.

Occupational health and safety officers are responsible for inspecting work sites and making sure regulations are followed. They help develop health and safety procedures, deliver training, and follow up on claims and complaints.

A good training program will prepare you to handle all of those challenges.

But what can you expect in class? What will you actually learn?

In this post, we detail the top five core skills covered in a quality health and safety officer training program.

Updated December 2023

Interested in architecture and design? Want to learn how to create building plans and blueprints, and play a key role in the construction process?

It sounds like you're leaning toward a career in architectural drafting.

Architectural drafters use specialized software to transform an architect's concept into functional designs, drawings, and guidelines that builders can follow.

And they earn a good wage for their expertise. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, drafting technicians make a median salary of about $60,000. The highest-paid drafters in the country make over $87,000.

So how can you become an architectural drafter? What exactly is required to get into this field?

In this post, we take you step-by-step through everything you need to know. Find out what the role involves, how to get started, and where this career can take you.

Updated January 2024

Eager to work in the legal field without spending years in university? A legal assistant career may be the ideal alternative.

Legal assistants provide the kind of essential support every lawyer needs. They handle a wide range of tasks, from conducting research and preparing documents to scheduling meetings and communicating with clients.

But like any job, working as a legal assistant has both advantages and drawbacks. So you should see the whole picture before making any decisions.

In this post, we describe the major pros and cons of a legal assistant career. Find out what to expect in this role and see if it makes sense for you.

Updated December 2023

Like the idea of an administrative support role? Prefer the flexibility of working from home? If you become a virtual assistant, you can have both.

Virtual assistants are home-based professionals who perform clerical and communications tasks for businesses and organizations. That can include anything from responding to emails and booking appointments to preparing documents and corresponding with clients.

So what does it take to get into this field? How do you actually become a virtual assistant?

In this post, we walk you through virtual assistant job options, training, important skills, and how to get started.

Here's everything you need to know.

Updated December 2023

It's an excellent time to start an early childhood education career in Quebec.

Early childhood educators (ECEs) are in demand throughout the province. The Government of Canada Job Bank gives this occupation four out of five stars for demand and employment growth for the next few years.

But before you can get hired, you need to get training. The only problem is, there are so many courses to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right fit.

Which early childhood education program is right for you? What features should you notice when researching options?

In this post, we go over five things you should consider when comparing ECE programs.

We also include some helpful questions to ask admissions before you sign up. Find out how to choose the right ECE training and start your career with confidence.

Updated July 2023

Thinking about starting a career in the fast-growing field of computer networking? Your first step is to understand what a network technician's job is all about.

Network technicians have one of the most important roles in IT. They install, optimize, maintain, and protect the computer networks that all kinds of businesses use for daily operations. Ultimately, the technician's job is to keep the network running smoothly, efficiently, and securely.

But what does that involve? If you take on this role, what exactly will you be doing each day?

Network technician responsibilities vary a bit from company to company. But no matter where you work, there are five main tasks you'll be expected to perform.

Let's go through them one by one. Find out if becoming a network technician is right for you and what to expect at work.

Updated December 2023

Looking to break into the field of computer networking? Wise choice. The industry is growing fast and offers a broad range of job possibilities.

Networking professionals work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, IT services firms, banks, businesses, and more. Any organization big enough to use a computer network needs experts to mange, optimize, and protect it.

The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts moderate to good employment growth for network technicians in most areas of the country. So it's a good time to begin your career.

But how can you get into the field if you're a total beginner? What kind of training and skills do you need to get hired if you've never worked in computer networking before?

This post will guide you through the process. Follow these steps to land a computer networking job even if you have no prior IT experience.

Updated May 2023

Cybersecurity is a hot field. We're seeing a massive skills gap in this industry with huge demand for trained professionals all over the world.

On any given day, there are thousands of unfilled cybersecurity jobs across Canada. The shortage of talent is making it easier for newcomers to land their first job - and giving salaries a good boost, too.

Hoping to ride this wave and break into the industry? One way to begin is by earning globally recognized cybersecurity certifications.

Certifications can make a big difference for beginners. In a survey by ESG and ISSA, 42 percent of cybersecurity pros said certifications were just as important as hands-on experience when it came to finding a job.

But there are so many options at so many skill levels. Which ones are best if you're just starting out?

In this post, we take you through 5 of the best cybersecurity certifications for beginners plus tips on how to prepare for exams.

Let's dive in.

Photo: A.J. Cote (right) with Big Jump co-founder Cory Morrison (left) in an interview with CTV News about the Ottawa animation industry.

This week, we talked with the creator of Herzing's 2D Animation program, the amazingly talented (and generally awesome) A.J. Cote.

We wanted to learn about the alleged "job boom" for animators in Ottawa, and find out what's driving this trend.

A.J. has worked as an animator in Ottawa for decades, so he definitely has his finger on the pulse of hiring trends and the industry as a whole.

He also helped develop Herzing's animation program, which he says was designed to produce grads for local studios to hire.

In this interview, A.J. explains what's going on with Ottawa's animation scene, why there's a shortage of talent, and how Herzing is filling that gap.

Considering a career in animation? Here's what you need to know.