Herzing Blog

When Amalia Aplaon immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 2019, she already had a bachelor's degree and a caregiver certificate. But she quickly realized that without Canadian credentials, it would be much harder to find a good job in health care.

So, after spending years as a stay-at-home mom, Amalia took on the challenge of returning to school. She enrolled in medical office assistant (MOA) training, completed her practicum, and graduated just as COVID-19 was sweeping across the country.

The pandemic caused a hiring freeze at many clinics, making finding a job very difficult for new MOA graduates. But Amalia persevered and in just one and half months, she got hired as a primary care assistant.

We interviewed Amalia to learn more about her experience at Herzing and what it's like to transition from full-time mom to full-time healthcare professional.

Read on for the full story.

Photo: Shannon McGrath in her personal support worker uniform

After working at Tim Hortons for 18 years, Shannon McGrath was ready for a change.

She wanted a job with more meaning. She wanted a career that felt challenging, where she could actually make people's lives better.

So, despite deep fears about returning to school, Shannon took a leap of faith and enrolled in the Personal Support Worker program at Herzing College Ottawa.

She struggled with a learning disability and battled with anxiety, but in the end, Shannon made it through.

In fact, she was so successful, she was offered a PSW job after her internship at Cité Parkway Retirement Residence, where she still works today.

We interviewed Shannon to get her review of the PSW program. We asked about her experience in class and how she feels about her new career.

Read on for the full story.

Updated December 2022

Want to learn how to draft building plans, engineering blueprints, product models, or assembly manuals? A computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting program is your first step.

Drafting training focuses on teaching you how to use special software to create detailed technical drawings and blueprints for architects, engineers, and construction crews. It can prepare you to play a pivotal role in the production of anything from houses and bridges to car parts and machinery.

And most drafting programs are fairly short. In less than two years, you will be ready to take on your first job as a draftsperson or CAD technician.

But finding a quality drafting program can be challenging. There are so many options out there, from short courses and certificates to diplomas and even degrees. How can you tell which one is best for you? What should you be looking for?

In this post, we break down the five key characteristics of a solid CAD and drafting program. Find out what features are most important so you can start your career with confidence.

Updated July 2023

Making it as a programmer analyst is about so much more than learning how to code. This occupation demands a surprisingly broad skillset that ranges from IT mastery to creativity, communications, problem solving, diplomacy, and business savvy.

Programmer analysts are in demand because they provide essential services organizations need to overcome technical challenges, increase productivity, and meet the complex needs of clients and users.

So, what do you need to break into this industry? What's the profile of a successful programmer analyst, and what kinds of skills can you expect to learn in programmer analyst training?

Updated December 2023

Think you might want to pursue a career in 2D animation? Now is an excellent time to get started.

Even before the pandemic, there was so much animation work flowing through Canadian cities that studios couldn't find enough qualified people to meet production needs.

And when live-action productions were forced to shut down, the demand for animated content really took off.

That's where Herzing College's accelerated 2D animation course comes in. Our mission is to expand the local animation scene by producing skilled graduates who can fill those available studio jobs.

This program teaches the software and real animation skills you need to get hired—in just 12 months of training.

What makes Herzing's 2D animation course so unique? Here's what you can expect in class.

Photo: Karl Raynes at his home office in Winnipeg

When he moved to Canada in 2013, Karl Raynes wasn't planning on starting a business.

He got a steady job at a law firm, thought about pursuing a career in computer networking, and even took at few IT courses.

And then one day, Karl and his fiance came up with a brilliant idea for a home-care services company.

He immediately began looking for business training that would help him launch the company and make it a success.

Karl discovered Herzing College and enrolled in the Business Administration program.

This training is designed for people who want to work in an office, manage a team, or start their own business. 

Karl signed up, worked through the courses, and actually launched his company while completing the internship.

We interviewed Karl a few months after graduation to get his review of the Business Administration program, and see how the company is going so far.

Here's what we found out.

Updated January 2023

If you're interested in architecture and passionate about the environment, it makes good sense to consider a sustainable architecture diploma.

Diplomas teach practical design and drafting skills, with a focus on green building principles. Where degrees go deep into the history and theory of sustainable architecture, diplomas focus on job-ready drafting skills.

A diploma is a good option for someone who wants to work in architecture, but doesn't want to invest years of training to become a licensed architect.

But programs of this kind are fairly new, so a lot of students have questions about how training works. It's important to know what skills you'll graduate with and where you can work after college.

How is sustainable architecture different from traditional architecture programs? What "extra" or different coursework is involved?

Here's everything you need to know about diplomas in sustainable design, including the main areas of study and career paths after college.

Updated December 2023

Don't think administrative assistants need specific training to do their jobs well? Think again! This role is increasingly important—and increasingly complex.

Admin assistants are needed in businesses and organizations of every stripe and size, from non-profits to start-ups to multinational corporations. No professional team can survive without skilled administrators keeping the wheels turning.

So it's no surprise that trained, talented assistants are highly sought after. The Government of Canada Job Bank is predicting steady demand for office administrators in most of the country through 2025, with particularly strong prospects in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and the Yukon.

What exactly will you need to take advantage of those job opportunities and build a successful career as an office assistant?

Start with the top five skills taught in quality office assistant training. These are the competencies absolutely every employer is looking for.

Interested in becoming an interior designer? You've probably noticed that there are plenty of training programs to choose from, at both the college and university level.

So how do you know which option is best for you? What's the difference between an interior design diploma and an interior design degree?

Both types of programs cover design concepts, technical skills, and industry software. Both typically offer internship opportunities to help students get real-world experience as part of their training.

But degree programs spend a lot more time on design theory while diploma programs are built around practical design skills. Degree programs are longer and more in-depth; diploma programs are shorter and more streamlined.

In this post, we help you understand the big difference between interior design diplomas and degrees so you can decide which one is right for you.

Updated December 2023

You may have heard that traditional media is going the way of the dinosaurs. After all, the way we consume content now is vastly different than it was a couple of decades ago.

With all the changes that are impacting the industry, is it still worth pursuing a broadcasting career?

The truth is there are actually more ways to make a living in this field now than ever before.

But it's important to understand the new realities of the media industry and what to expect if you're thinking about entering it.

In this post, we give an overview of current trends that are affecting the broadcasting communications sector in Canada. We also provide important information on job options, employment outlooks, key skills, and salaries.

Explore the new world of broadcast media. Find out what this field is all about and whether it's a good fit for you.