The first thing to know about paralegals is that the job description varies depending on where you live—and whether you are licensed.  

In Ontario, paralegals can pass a licensing exam that allows them to represent clients independently (like a lawyer) for certain legal matters. 

Ontario is one of the few regions in Canada where paralegals have this option.

A licensed paralegal in Ontario can start their own private legal practice. They can represent clients in small claims court, traffic court, tribunals and for certain criminal matters. 

In other parts of Canada, paralegals do not have the option to obtain a license and operate independently. Instead, their role is to support lawyers—as legal assistants or law clerks. 

Ontario paralegals have a choice. They can decide to get licensed and represent clients independently. Or, they can become legal assistants (which does not require a license).  It all depends on your career goals. 

In this post, we’ll walk you through the job descriptions of licensed paralegals and legal assistants, and the training required to get started in this field. 

Updated June, 2021.

If you're naturally interested in architecture, the building process, and creative design, you may be considering a career as a draftsperson for an architecture or design firm.

What exactly does an architectural draftsperson do? Where do they work and what kind of training do you need to get started in this field?

There's the university pathway, which could include an undergraduate degree in architecture or interior design.

Or, there's the college diploma route, which prepares students to serve as architectural technicians, who assist architects, engineers, and designers on building projects.

In this post, we'll break down the typical responsibilities of an architectural draftsperson/technician.

We'll also outline possible career paths after college - and a few other things to know if you're considering training in this field.

Organizations in every industry rely on computer networks.

Businesses, hospitals, schools and government agencies (just to name a few) use networking technology to share information and resources every single day.

Computer networks are systems connected by cables (wired) or WiFi (wireless). Networks are built using hardware and software and in different configurations depending on the needs of the users.

This includes both LANs (local area network) and WANs (wide area networks). 

When an organization uses a computer network, they also require someone to maintain, protect, update and troubleshoot it. That’s where network administrators come in. 

In this post, we’ll explore the main skills and responsibilities of a network administrator. Find out exactly what a network administrator does and the skills you'll need to get hired.

There are many types of business diploma programs out there. A major hub like Toronto has enough business colleges and business programs to make your head spin. 

Just sorting through all the options can seem like a massive task. And then you’re faced with an even bigger question: which type of business diploma should I choose? 

There are certificates and diplomas in business management, business marketing, human resources, project management, occupational health and safety, and supply chain management (just to name a few!) 

At Herzing College Toronto, we offer four different business-related diploma programs.  

But in this post, we’re focusing on the difference between Business Administration and Accounting and Payroll Administration.

If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably torn between these two diplomas and need some help to make a decision.  

We’ll break down key differences between these programs, and important points to consider when deciding which path to choose.

By the end of this post, you’ll know what step to take next.

Photo: Paralegal students conducting a mock trial at Herzing College Toronto (2019)

Paralegal has become such a popular career in Ontario that we’ve seen dozens of training programs pop up across the province. 

There are paralegal diplomas and certificates, ranging from 1-3 years, and a mix of on-campus and online training options. 

Herzing College has been offering an accelerated Paralegal diploma program for several years, at campuses in both Toronto and Ottawa. 

What do all the paralegal programs have in common? They are all accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. The Law Society regulates paralegal training, so schools must get approval to legally offer the program. 

This means that all accredited paralegal diplomas and certificates offer the same core curriculum, as dictated by the Law Society. 

But that doesn't mean all programs are identical or created equal. 

Things like career services, student reviews, and graduate employment rates vary widely across paralegal programs. 

Did you know that graphic designers can build successful careers designing hockey equipment like pads and helmets?

No? You're not alone. Neither did Vince Arnone or his parents. In fact, Vince never even considered studying graphic design.

He started out in a sporting goods business program, on track to become a sales rep, when he realized he wanted something different.

For years, Vince had been playing around with hockey pad designs, even selling a few ideas as a freelancer. But he never believed it could turn into a lucrative full-time career.

Instead, he focused on side projects and taught himself some basic Adobe design skills. It wasn't until he tried landing a real graphic design job that Vince realized he needed more training.

He enrolled in the Graphic Design program at Herzing College Toronto, learned the software, honed his craft, and kept right on making those hockey pad designs.

Two short years later, Vince has been recruited as a Content Creator for TSN, and NHL stars across North America are wearing his custom designs.

Turns out becoming a hockey equipment designer isn't such a crazy idea after all.

Den DeBlois in Toronto, Ontario

Like so many people, Den DeBlois tried out a few different career paths before settling on graphic design. He worked in security, toured with a band, and dabbled in design software for years, before officially earning his diploma.

But once Den enrolled in Herzing's Graphic Design program, his career came into focus very quickly.

He was offered not one, but two graphic design jobs, just one month after graduation. Two years later, he's the Senior Graphics Coordinator at a global company with offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Last year, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) announced new requirements to become a licensed Immigration Consultant.

This was once a college diploma program. But now, prospective immigration consultants have to complete a university graduate studies program. Moreover, only two universities in Canada are authorized to offer the training, one in English and another in French.

Also, big changes in admission requirements have made it much tougher to qualify for immigration consultant training and licensing. Many aspiring consultants will simply not make the cut.

This begs the question: Are there other immigration career paths and training programs you can explore? What about the role of an Immigration Case Manager?

When you arrive at a hospital or clinic, the first person you interact with is a medical office administrator/assistant. 

Medical office assistants greet all incoming patients, collect their information, confirm their appointments, and direct them to the correct department or clinician. 

They also do a lot of work behind-the-scenes, which helps the clinic run smoothly. 

Medical office administration involves a combination of clerical and clinical work. It’s the ideal career for people who want to work in healthcare, but aren’t interested in nursing or other front-line patient care roles. 

Considering becoming a medical office administrator (MOA)? In this post, we provide a clear break down of the MOA role and responsibilities.  

Find out what you’ll be doing each day at work, which skills you’ll need to get hired, and what to expect in training. 

A health and safety worker screens employees for Covid-19 symptoms before they enter the building

There is no doubt about it: the Covid-19 pandemic has caused massive changes in how we work, especially when it comes to workplace health and safety.  

From mandatory masks and temperature screening, to plexiglass partitions and work-from-home orders. Businesses across the planet are racing to revise their occupational health and safety (OHS) policies.