Herzing Blog

Updated December 2023

Administrative assistant sounds like a fairly straightforward job. Don’t assistants just answer phones, get coffee, and do filing? 

Not exactly. Maybe this job used to be simpler—before the internet, complex office software, and growing demands on business administrators.

But today, administrative assistants play an absolutely vital role in every successful company and organization. Filing and phones are part of the job description, but there’s a lot more to it. 

So why is this role so important, and what does an admin assistant really do? Let’s break down the 10 most common tasks and responsibilities. 

Take a look at what the position involves and see if office administration is the right career for you.

Dorian Pai enrolled in Herzing's Building Design Technician program when he discovered his architecture degree was too theory-based to get him hired.

Dorian needed practical knowledge of the Ontario Building Code and design software to be taken seriously as a job applicant and break into the architecture field.

Like so many other students, he was looking for fast, affordable training that delivered job-ready skills. Did Herzing measure up?

Agnes Perez graduated from Herzing's Accounting and Payroll program in 2019, and got her first full-time job in Canada working on the finance team at Venture Healthcare.

Agnes Perez's story is very similar to many other students at Herzing. She moved to Canada from the Philippines with a good education, but her credentials and work experience were not recognized by Canadian employers.

Back home, she was a successful optometrist with 12 years of professional experience. But Agnes quickly realized that if she wanted a successful career here in Winnipeg, she would have to go back to school and earn a Canadian diploma.

Seriously considering a career in building design? You’re probably looking around and noticing many different training options in the GTA. 

Should you do a university degree in architecture? Would it make more sense to take a shorter diploma program in drafting? What about getting licensed as an architectural technologist?

Which path should you choose?

Michelle Riedner graduated from Herzing's Accounting and Payroll program in 2018, and now works as a Financial Officer for Electra Sign Ltd. in Winnipeg

Michelle Riedner had never even used a computer when she enrolled in the Accounting and Payroll program at Herzing College. She could barely work a mouse or keyboard, and had zero experience with Microsoft Office applications.

Now she's a successful Financial Officer. She uses Excel and QuickBooks on a daily basis, manages files, enters data, and handles a range of computerized accounting and office tasks.

Community Support Worker students in class at Herzing College 

Updated December 2023

Thinking about a career in social services, but don’t want to invest four years in a university degree? You’re probably leaning toward community support worker training. 

There are quite a few colleges offering this program (or something similar) across Canada. Most students do their research, compare all the programs, read all the reviews, and try to figure out which school is right for them. 

William Rapisarda teaches the online Supply Chain Management program at Herzing, and is an Associate Category Manager with Cabela's Canada

We started offering a Supply Chain Management program at Herzing a couple of years ago, when we saw big demand in the field across Manitoba.

But the truth is, not many people are aware of how fast this industry is growing...or what supply chain management even is!

We got so many questions about the training, career path, and job options that we decided to bring in an expert to answer them.

Who better to ask than William Rapisarda? He teaches the Supply Chain Management program at Herzing and has been working in the field for almost 25 years.

Photo: Cris Quejada at her new job at Oakpark Retirement Community, where she works in reception and assists with accounting

After Cris Quejada became a permanent resident of Canada, she knew she needed a Canadian diploma to start a successful career here in Ottawa.

She did her research, figured out which business jobs had strong demand, and decided accounting and payroll was the right choice.

6 months ago, she graduated from Herzing's Accounting and Payroll course, and got hired immediately as a receptionist/accounting assistant.

Going back to school and starting a brand new career isn't easy. We interviewed Cris this week to find out what the process was like for her.

We asked her to review the Accounting and Payroll program, including her opinion of the instructors, courses, internship, and career support services.

Check out this interview to learn more about Cris and her experience at Herzing.

Updated January 2024

“If you want to make it in broadcasting, you can’t be a one-trick pony.” Wise words from Winnipeg broadcasting guru and Herzing instructor Bev Edmondson. 

Anyone who's studied with Bev over the past 20 years has heard this piece of advice over and over in her classroom. And it’s more true now than ever! 

The world of broadcasting has changed dramatically since the dawn of the internet. Gone are the days when radio and television were your only two options. From podcasts to YouTube to virtually limitless possibilities for content production on social media—there are so many new ways to tell stories and share news. 

Updated January 2024

Consider this your road map to becoming a legal assistant. We put this checklist together for anyone who is considering this career, and wants a clear picture of what to expect, right from day one. 

Find out what legal assistants do, where they work, how much money they make, and what training you need to enter this field. See the exact skills you’ll learn in class, what natural characteristics you’ll need to succeed, and the most common pros and cons of life in a legal office.