Updated February 2023

Does this sound familiar? You’ve been out of school for a (possibly long) while, you’re dissatisfied with the way things are, and you want to pursue additional training so you can get on a more meaningful path.

You know that enrolling in a college program is a great way to learn new skills and enhance your value in the job market. But something’s holding you back.

Going to college as a mature learner can seem intimidating, but thousands of people do it every year. According to government data, more than one-quarter of students pursuing diplomas at Canadian colleges in 2020-2021 were over the age of 25.

In this post, we tackle the four biggest concerns shared by many adults just like you who are pondering going back to school.

Keep reading to see how you can overcome the obstacles and achieve your goals.

In the accounting field, professional certifications are an excellent way to compete for better jobs and advance your career. 

It’s true that going to college is an investment in your future. But finding the money to pay for it can be a real challenge.

Fortunately, there are several ways to get help with your costs via scholarships, loans, grants, etc. There are even specific funding sources for Canadian adults who have been out of school for a while and are looking to develop new skills through a college program.

In this post, we break down the different financial aid options to help you understand how they work and whether they’re right for you.

Here’s what you need to know.

Updated December 2022

The need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is already huge. And it's getting bigger.

It's estimated that upwards of 38 billion devices around the world will be internet-connected by 2025.

And with more of us working remotely and relying on online services for everything from grocery deliveries to medical consultations, people who can keep those systems secure will find their skills in ever-greater demand.

But is a university degree necessary to get started in cybersecurity?

The short answer is no. Many job postings do call for a degree, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't land those roles without one.

In many cases, employers are more interested in what you can do rather than what credentials you hold. It's more about proving your skills on the job rather than in the classroom.

Exactly what skills do you need and what are employers looking for? Here's what you need to know.

Updated December 2022

What exactly is computer networking? The term itself is broad because it is used to describe a number of devices and systems in various configurations and sizes.

The industry also includes many different career paths. 

Organizations of all kinds rely on computer networks, from schools and hospitals to businesses and government agencies.

In this post, we’ll explore typical jobs in this field, pros and cons of a career in computer networking, and the latest job outlook and salary information for networking professionals in Canada.

By the end, you’ll know what computer networking is all about and whether it’s a good career choice for you.

Updated January 2023

In the occupational health and safety (OHS) field, getting certified by a respected organization proves your skills and opens up more job opportunities.

But navigating all the different credentials available in Canada can be really challenging.

If you’re considering alternatives to a four-year health and safety degree, you may be looking into college-level health and safety programs. In this case, understanding your path to certification is crucial. 

Updated December 2022

Working with at-risk populations is central to community service work.

CSWs are trained to support people dealing with serious life challenges, which may include addictions, mental health disorders, cases of domestic violence, and other, high-stress situations that sometimes lead to acute crises.

When we experience a crisis, our ability to cope and make decisions is seriously impaired. We need specialized support to regain control and find an effective solution to the problem at hand.

CSWs are trained to provide that support, and stop individuals in crisis from harming themselves or others. No easy task!

Non-violent crisis intervention training typically introduces students to a step-by-step model—a guide they can follow to help others get through traumatic experiences in the safest, most effective way possible.

In this post, we walk current (and prospective) CSW students through the seven-step approach many social workers use.

After years of working various retail jobs and then staying home to raise her three kids, Amanda Gauthier decided it was time to get some career training.

She had no post-secondary education and was nervous about going back to school in her 30s. She also struggled with “mom guilt” for taking on this new challenge while her children were still very little. Her youngest was not even school age yet.

But she was passionate about helping people and ready to pursue a new path. So she took the plunge and enrolled in the Community Services Worker program at Herzing College.

It was a decision that changed her life.

We spoke with Amanda recently to learn about her experience with the course, the instructor, and the internship.

Here are the highlights of our conversation.

When Kris Wattie was finishing high school, he didn’t really know what he wanted to do with his life.

He did know that he enjoyed gaming. He got very involved in the gaming community, and a game server owner gave him a chance to start learning about the administration aspect.

That inspired him to pursue a career in network administration. But first he needed some quality training.

Kris looked around for a course that reflected his learning style. He wanted a program that would let him explore one topic fully before moving on to the next.

He found it in the Computer Networking Technology program at Herzing College.

Kris successfully completed the program—and landed a job as an IT administrator at Novotech!

We caught up with him recently to get his take on the course, the staff, and his experiences during training.

Here’s his story.

Marina Denisova always knew she wanted to help people change their lives for the better.

She completed graduate studies in social work in her native Russia. But when she came to Canada, she knew she needed additional training.

She needed to build on her English language skills and learn about the social programs and systems that were in place in this country.

That’s what led her to enrol in the Community Services Worker (CSW) program at Herzing.

Marina graduated from the program and is now an ECE assistant with the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

We spoke with her recently to get her thoughts on the CSW course, the instructor, and the overall Herzing experience.

Here’s what she had to say.