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.

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.

Getting ready to offer your graphic design skills to the world?

Before you begin applying for jobs or going after clients, it’s good to be aware of common missteps that can derail your efforts and damage your credibility.

After all, everyone makes mistakes—especially when they’re just starting out.

But knowing about the pitfalls you might encounter can help you navigate the field and get your design career off to a smoother start.

In this post, we outline five common blunders new graphic designers make and provide advice on how you can avoid them.

Let’s dive in.

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.

Many students start off by working freelance after graphic design school. They're attracted to the idea of being their own boss, having control over their own work schedule, and pocketing profits directly.

But it's crucial for new grads to understand some of the drawbacks and challenges that come along with these (legitimately awesome) benefits. And how to set themselves up for freelancing success right from day one. 

So, let's walk through some of the typical pros and cons of freelance design work—plus a few important tips for students considering this career path after graphic design school.

Paralegal training is a massively popular program for Ontario students who want legal careers—but don't want to spend years at university and law school.

Students are attracted to the idea of running their own legal practices, taking on challenging cases, and truly helping clients who would otherwise struggle to afford representation.

Having a range of employment options is also appealing. Graduates find work in government, private practice, in-house legal teams, law firms, lobby groups, and community organizations.

So, given the benefits of becoming a paralegal, it's no surprise that this field has become quite competitive in recent years.

In order to be successful, students need certain core strengths—a natural skillset that will help them excel in training, and build strong careers over the long term.

What skills and traits do we look for in applicants to our paralegal program? Explore the top 5 and see if you're a good fit.

When Catherine Iaxamana came to Canada from the Philippines, she worked a series of jobs in childcare, food service, and financial services.

But her real interest was design. She had already completed a course in industrial design back in the Philippines, but she knew she needed additional training to start a career here in Toronto.

With two young sons at home, flexibility was important. She did her research and discovered that Herzing’s Building Design Technician program was a perfect fit.

We interviewed Catherine recently to find out what she thought of the program and how it prepared her for career success.

Here’s what she had to say.

Raymond Nestor had worked in IT for a couple of years before coming to Canada as a live-in caregiver.

Before long, he decided he wanted to do something different with his life. He had always enjoyed sketching and design, so he started looking into graphic design courses.

He wanted quality training that was flexible enough to fit around his work commitments. He enroled in the graphic design certificate at Herzing College and never looked back.

Shortly after graduating, he landed a job as an artist at The Sandbox, a gaming ecosystem that allows users to create and monetize virtual worlds and experiences.

We caught up with Raymond to learn about his experience in Herzing’s program and how it changed the course of his career.

Here’s his full story.

Digital designers and graphic designers are alike in many ways.

Both produce visual images that communicate a message and meet a business objective. Both are paid to increase brand awareness and inspire consumers to action.

So what’s the difference between them?

It basically comes down to this: Graphic designers tend to focus on static images, while digital designers create graphics that incorporate motion and interactivity.

They must each consider different factors, but they rely on many of the same design fundamentals.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how digital designers and graphic designers compare.