Herzing Blog

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.

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 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.

Updated January 2024

Occupational health and safety (OHS) training focuses on keeping people safe on the job. Students learn how to conduct assessments and develop policies to make sure work environments are safe and healthy.

An increased focus on workplace safety means more employment opportunities are opening up in this field. A government report indicates moderate employment growth in this sector in many parts of Canada.

So the job opportunities are out there. But if you're looking to take advantage of them, it's important to understand the different health and safety training options so you can choose the path that's best for you.

This post explains the similarities and differences between OHS degrees and diplomas. It also describes some key factors you should consider when making your choice.

Updated December 2023

A career in workplace health and safety can be incredibly rewarding. This field focuses on preventing accidents and injuries on job sites, which is valuable and meaningful work.

Plus, the health and safety industry is growing fast and offers a wide variety of job opportunities.

But like any career, working in health and safety comes with challenges and downsides. What should you know in advance before you start down this path?

In this post, we break down the most common pros and cons of a career in workplace health and safety. We'll give you a clearer understanding of what this role is about, so you can decide if it's right for you.

Let's get started.

Photo: Gleason Uppahuak in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Gleason Uppahuak started his career at age 13 as a stock boy.

Even then, he understood the value of learning and hard work. He moved slowly up the ranks from the stock room to the customer service team, and finally to the accounting department.

At that point, he reached the limit of skills he could learn on-the-job. Gleason needed professional training in accounting and payroll software, regulations, reports, and financial management.

Going back to school was a natural progression for him. "Education is the key to professional and personal success," says Gleason. "Plus, I always loved math classes at school."

But even Gleason couldn't predict just how far accounting training and a talent for numbers would take him. 

Since graduating from Herzing in 2019, he's managed an entire social housing project and become President of Kivalliq Development Corporation.

From stock boy to president, Gleason is living proof of the power of education.

We interviewed him this week to learn more about his new role, and get his opinion of Herzing's Accounting and Payroll program. Here are the highlights of our conversation.

Updated December 2023

Administrative assistants are an integral part of most companies. They assist with day-to-day operations, deal with the public, and support upper-level executives.

Without office assistants, organizations simply wouldn’t run smoothly. So it’s no surprise that office assistant jobs are in demand across Canada. We did a search for "administrative assistant" in the Government of Canada Job Bank and found more than 6,300 listings.

And administrative assistant is just one of many jobs available for people trained in the right office skills.

In this post, we’ll explore four different administrative assistant careers. We’ll break down each role, responsibilities, and the average salary for each position.

At the end of the post, we'll cover training requirements to become an admin assistant and links to learn more. Let's get started.

Updated December 2023

If you’re considering a career as an administrative assistant, you’re probably wondering what life’s really like on the job. Is the role right for you? What should you know up front before you invest in training?

Unfortunately, the information out there is sometimes unclear. What exactly does an administrative assistant do?

Basically, admin assistants help businesses run smoothly by providing clerical support, answering client requests, scheduling appointments, and organizing projects.

If that still sounds vague to you, it’s because many specifics of the job depend on the type of organization you choose to work for.

What does it all boil down to? Being a key member of the office support team. No business or organization could function without highly organized, skilled administrative staff.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of this position. By the end of this post, you’ll have a much better idea of what to expect.

Updated January 2024

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a fast-growing field in Canada. Long before COVID-19 pushed workplace safety into the spotlight, we have been striving to reduce work-related accidents, injuries, and deaths. 

This is what OHS is all about: protecting the physical and psychological wellness of people at work.

Each province has clearly defined occupational health and safety laws—regulations both business owners and employees must follow.Unfortunately, not all employers and workers understand or comply with these rules.

This is why skilled health and safety officers are in such high demand. These professionals ensure companies are following the law, and they provide training and strategies to improve workplace safety.

Considering a career in OHS? Here are the steps to become a certified occupational health and safety officer, plus helpful information on skills and careers.

Rebecca Hiebert raised three children on her own. For many years, being a mother was her full-time job. But over the last year or two, those priorities began to change.

Her children grew older and became more independent. Gradually, she found herself with some extra time. And she knew exactly what she wanted to do with it.

Rebecca had always wanted to study business administration. With great determination, she returned to school and earned not one, but two diplomas in business from Herzing College.