Herzing Blog

Updated December 2023

Are you looking for a career where you can get involved in your community, help people in need, and create a more fair and just social system?

Welcome to the world of social work. Social work is all about human rights, social justice, and making sure everyone has access to opportunities and support.

There are many ways to start a career in this field. If you don't want to spend years in university earning a degree, you can pursue social services training at the college level.

For example, you can become a community services worker (CSW). It takes no more than 12 months to complete a CSW diploma. Many programs include an internship, so you'll get real work experience at a community organization before you graduate.

But short training isn't the only thing to consider. It takes a special skillset to succeed in the social services field. Is it a good fit for you? How can you know for sure?

In this post, we'll guide you through some key questions to ask yourself.

Find out what to expect at work, what is involved in social services training, and whether this career makes sense for you.

Let's get started.

Photo: One of Canada's greenest buildings is the Centre for Sustainable Development in Montreal, Quebec

Like the idea of helping to create the next generation of sustainable buildings? Don't want to invest years in university, training to become a licensed architect?

A career in green building design and drafting could be a perfect fit.

Green building design focuses on creating safe, functional structures that have minimal impact on the environment. The aim is to produce buildings that satisfy human needs and respect the surrounding ecosystem.

But what does that mean in practice? What makes a building "green"?

How is a green building drafter different from a regular draftsperson? And what kind of training do you need to get into this field?

All those answers are in this post. And by the end, you'll be better prepared to decide if a career in sustainable architecture is right for you.

Let's begin.

Updated December 2024

There's never been a better time to become an ethical hacker. Demand for IT security professionals who can root out security flaws and outwit cyber criminals just keeps growing.

Ethical hackers are a company's best defense against costly security breaches. And they are paid very well for their skills. According to PayScale, the average salary for certified ethical hackers in Canada is $92,000.

So how can you launch a career in this field? What training and certifications do you need?

This post provides a clear roadmap. We outline the skills and credentials employers want in ethical hackers and training options for complete beginners.

Here's what you need to know.

Photo: Michael Ledda at his home in Winnipeg

Before Covid-19 wreaked havoc on Winnipeg, Michael Ledda was living life as usual. He was busy working full-time as a chef, happy with his job, and making a steady income to support his three children. 

But when the lockdown started, Michael’s entire world quickly crumbled. Before long, he was out of a job. Things got so tight financially, he had to sell off his possessions just to pay rent. 

Sadly, Michael’s story is not unique. So many Winipeggers lost their jobs during the pandemic, the CBC wrote an article about it, featuring Michael and several others. 

Jenna Boholij (Herzing’s Director of Marketing Communications) read the CBC story and was so moved by Michael’s struggle, she proposed an idea.  

Why not offer him a full scholarship, so he can re-train and get back on his feet? 

The entire Herzing team got on board and reached out to Michael with the offer. He happily accepted and is now enrolled in the Broadcasting and Media Communications program. 

This week, we chatted with Michael to find out how his life has changed since going back to school. Here are the highlights of our conversation.

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.