Updated May 2023

If you're considering a career in 2D animation, you're probably wondering about your job options after training. Where can you get hired straight out of school?

Many people think 2D animators only work in film or television. But there are definitely other career paths you can pursue with quality training and a strong portfolio.

In this post, we'll walk you through three popular 2D animation careers.

What kinds of opportunities are available for talented, ambitious 2D animators? Let's take a look.

Updated May 2023

You probably already know what an animation career is all about: bringing characters and stories to life in films, TV shows, video games, and more.

But do you know what life on the job is really like?

No job is perfect. Before you embark on an animation career, you need to have a full understanding of what to expect—both the good and the bad.

In this post, we take you through the pros and cons of becoming an animator and provide valuable advice from industry insiders.

Get a realistic picture of the role and see if it's a good choice for you.

Updated January 2023

Personal support workers (PSWs) play a crucial role in helping vulnerable people live their best lives. They usually work with seniors who need extra support with daily living tasks.

PSWs work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement residences, hospitals, and for companies that deliver support to seniors in their own homes. They help clients maintain their dignity, stay safe, and remain as independent as possible.

Wondering if this career path is right for you? Want to know what you'd be doing at work?

In this post, we take you through the day-to-day duties of personal support workers and explain their role in client care.

Find out what becoming a PSW is all about, and if this occupation is your true calling.

Updated January 2023

Want a healthcare career that offers a blend of clerical and clinical work? A role as a medical office assistant could be ideal.

But just what is a medical office assistant? If you took on this job, what would you actually be doing all day?

Medical office assistants (MOAs) are the first point of contact for anyone calling or arriving at a clinic, hospital, or other healthcare facility. They greet patients, update files, prep exam rooms, and carry out a range of other duties that keep the medical office operating smoothly.

In this post, we outline the essential role of MOAs and the many tasks they perform each day. Get a full picture of life on the job and see if this career is a good choice for you.

Updated February 2023

The goal of health and safety officer training is to produce graduates who know how to keep people safe in the workplace.

Occupational health and safety officers are responsible for inspecting work sites and making sure regulations are followed. They help develop health and safety procedures, deliver training, and follow up on claims and complaints.

A good training program will prepare you to handle all of those challenges.

But what can you expect in class? What will you actually learn?

In this post, we detail the top five core skills covered in a quality health and safety officer training program.

Updated January 2023

Thinking about starting a career in the fast-growing field of computer networking? Your first step is to understand what a network technician's job is all about.

Network technicians have one of the most important roles in IT. They install, optimize, maintain, and protect the computer networks that all kinds of businesses use for daily operations. Ultimately, the technician's job is to keep the network running smoothly, efficiently, and securely.

But what does that involve? If you take on this role, what exactly will you be doing each day?

Network technician responsibilities vary a bit from company to company. But no matter where you work, there are five main tasks you'll be expected to perform.

Let's go through them one by one. Find out if becoming a network technician is right for you and what to expect at work.

Updated December 2022

Looking to break into the field of computer networking? Wise choice. The industry is growing fast and offers a broad range of job possibilities.

Networking professionals work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, IT services firms, banks, businesses, and more. Any organization big enough to use a computer network needs experts to mange, optimize, and protect it.

The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts good employment growth for network technicians in nearly every area of the country. So it's a good time to begin your career.

But how can you get into the field if you're a total beginner? What kind of training and skills do you need to get hired if you've never worked in computer networking before?

This post will guide you through the process. Follow these steps to land a computer networking job even if you have no prior IT experience.

Updated May 2023

Cybersecurity is a hot field. We're seeing a massive skills gap in this industry with huge demand for trained professionals all over the world.

On any given day, there are thousands of unfilled cybersecurity jobs across Canada. The shortage of talent is making it easier for newcomers to land their first job - and giving salaries a good boost, too.

Hoping to ride this wave and break into the industry? One way to begin is by earning globally recognized cybersecurity certifications.

Certifications can make a big difference for beginners. In a survey by ESG and ISSA, 46 percent of cybersecurity pros said certifications were just as important as hands-on experience when it came to finding a job.

But there are so many options at so many skill levels. Which ones are best if you're just starting out?

In this post, we take you through 5 of the best cybersecurity certifications for beginners plus tips on how to prepare for exams.

Let's dive in.

There's huge demand for 2D animators in Ottawa. Studios like Atomic Cartoons, Mercury Filmworks, and Big Jump Entertainment are constantly looking for new talent in the city.

In fact, some studios are having to send work overseas because they can't find enough qualified local animators.

"We're starving for talent" says Cory Morrison, co-founder of Big Jump. "And we're not the only ones. Several leading companies are having trouble filling positions."

The upside? Breaking into the animation industry has never been easier, particularly for newcomers with no experience.

The only catch is you need a specific set of skills to really capitalize on these job opportunities. Studios want new hires who don't need much training and can hit the ground running.

In this post, we'll walk you through the core skills and traits every Ottawa animation studio is looking for right now.

With these skills, you can get hired straight out of training, even if you don't have industry experience.

Photo: A.J. Cote (right) with Big Jump co-founder Cory Morrison (left) in an interview with CTV News about the Ottawa animation industry.

This week, we talked with the creator of Herzing's 2D Animation program, the amazingly talented (and generally awesome) A.J. Cote.

We wanted to learn about the alleged "job boom" for animators in Ottawa, and find out what's driving this trend.

A.J. has worked as an animator in Ottawa for decades, so he definitely has his finger on the pulse of hiring trends and the industry as a whole.

He also helped develop Herzing's animation program, which he says was designed to produce grads for local studios to hire.

In this interview, A.J. explains what's going on with Ottawa's animation scene, why there's a shortage of talent, and how Herzing is filling that gap.

Considering a career in animation? Here's what you need to know.