A College Education Results in Success!

There is no denying a worldwide boom in post-secondary education. This development has lead to: higher earnings and better living conditions for those people with a college education. The importance of participating in college programs also reflects in a person's personal life. They are more knowledgeable, more confident, respond better to crises and have higher self-esteems. Let's look at specific reasons why a college education is extremely important today.

Money makes the world go round, and with a college education, you have a better chance at earning more of it. According to the United States Census Bureau, the average income for workers over the age of 18 is as follows: without a high school diploma: $26,277, with a high school diploma: $35,725, with a bachelor's degree: $57,220 and with a Master's degree: $71,530.

On a similar note, participating in college programs also offers you to security and piece of mind. Many experienced adults who lose a job have problems finding another because they don't have a college diploma or degree. Having a college education guarantees an employer, in perhaps an even bigger job market, will consider your application should you lose a job.

Aside from financial stability, attending college programs also provides you with more knowledge and the people you meet. A college education gives you a chance to not only takes courses in your chosen field but also to study other course, often called "liberal studies" that allow you to explore other areas of interest just as history if you're studying journalism or sociology if you're studying architecture. In addition, a college education allows you to develop your writing and speaking skills and the ability to express your ideas. You'll also benefit from the people you encounter during your college education. That's because you'll have the opportunity to learn from them, see how they study and apply those techniques for the rest of your life.

You may be wondering where you can obtain a college education that will translate into immediate success. There's no better place than Toronto's Centennial College. Established in 1966, it is Ontario's first community college. With four campuses and seven satellite locations, Centennial College offers some 200 (plus) programs that range from two semesters to four years. It is also recognized as one of the most culturally diverse post-secondary institutions in the country. This guarantees that you will meet and network with a very wide range of people who may be able to assist you with finding your ideal job upon graduation.

So what sort of college programs can you study at Centennial? There are several Schools within the college, including: School of Advancement, School of Business, School of Communications, Media and Design; School of Community and Health Studies, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Transportation, School of Hospitality Tourism and Culture; and School of Continuing Education. Within these schools are career-oriented programs that emphasize practical experience with laboratory learning, industry and agency placements, as well as co-op education.

Assist in Independence as an Occupational Therapist Assistant/ Physiotherapy Assistant

Working to help developmentally and physically challenged people to obtain the skills they need for a certain level of independence can be challenging but very rewarding. The highly trained people who work in this field are Occupational Therapist Assistants/Physiotherapy Assistants. What is the difference between the two and how are they the same?

Both occupational therapy assistants and physiotherapy assistants work under registered occupational therapists and physiotherapists. In addition, they both work with people who have lost their ability to function because of an injury, the aging process or a developmental or emotional disability. Other shared tasks include: conducting initial interviews with patients, carrying out observations, updating client records, supporting clients in reaching their goals, assisting with physical activity and exercises, and keeping work areas tidy. So where do the differences come in? Physiotherapist assistants focus on large motor functions such as strength, balance and range of motion. Meanwhile, occupational therapist assistants deal with treatment that helps individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities, such as dressing or feeding themselves.

To get started in your path to a rewarding career, Centennial College offers a two-year Ontario College Diploma program entitled Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant. To apply for the program, you must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, students must have completed the compulsory English 12C, or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Biology 11C or U or equivalent. Please note that, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission

The Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant program offers students high academic standards, personal attention and the opportunity to develop skills in an environment equipped with a wide range of tools used in industry where labs are part of everyday teaching. Among the courses that you will take are: The Health Care System, Normal Function and Movement, Issues in Health Aging, Disabling Conditions, Human Lifespan Development and much more. These courses will enable you to develop knowledge in order to assist clients with self-care, movement, function and participation in leisure activities. Additional areas of instruction and development include: respect and caring for the uniqueness of individuals, effective communication, critical thinking, and decision-making.

Aside from in-classroom learning, students participate in a fieldwork experience that provides the opportunity for application of skills in a clinical setting with a range of clients. In addition, they also have the opportunity to network, learn from seasoned professionals and be completely prepared for the field. However, there are important Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant field placement requirements before students can be sent out. These include possession of CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider) and standard first aid certification, a clear vulnerable police check prior to semester 2, immunization review form and completion of a mask fit test.

Pursue Nursing Programs to Enter the Medical Field

From providing comfort and emotional support while tending to patients’ practical needs and offering basic bedside care or medications to completing charts, checking vital signs and keeping track of intravenous therapy, nurses do it all. They look after patients of varying ages, religions, professions and physical injuries or physiological problems. To be eligible to practice as a nurse in Canada, there a few education options. No matter what option is right for you, you must study ecology, environmental biology, anatomy, and physiology. The training in these areas varies in length and helps you to achieve different titles such as Nurse Practitioner, Registered Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse.

Toronto’s Centennial College offers a wide range of nursing program options for everyone from high school students wanting to enter the field to internationally trained nurses or those who want to earn a Bachelor of Nursing Science before pursing their career. Before applying to any of the programs, please make sure you check Centennial College’s website for prerequisites.

The first three options are “bridging ” programs. The first of those three is Bridging to University Nursing. It takes two semesters to complete. The program is designed for Registered Practical Nurses who want to obtain a BScN in about three years. As with all nursing programs at Centennial, curriculum for the “bridging options” is based on the College of Nurses’ Standards of Practice for Nursing and Entry to Practice Competencies for Ontario Registered Nurses. It combines theoretical knowledge with clinical setting courses that emphasize ethics, professional practice, health assessment and more. With the Bridging to University Nursing program there is a focus on caring for individuals, groups and communities in both the acute mental health and community settings. The second option adds an extra semester to learning and is called Bridging to University Nursing (Flexible). The last bridging option is the Bridging to University Nursing — IEN program and it is for internationally educated nurses.

Another program for internationally educated nurses is the Practical Nursing Fast-track Bridging Program for Internationally-Educated Nurses. It is three semesters in length, including 15 weeks of consolidation experience. This serves as an academic pathway to meet the needs of internationally-educated nurses who are interested in working as Registered Practical Nurses in Canada as well as RPNs who hold a certificate but wish to upgrade to an Ontario College Diploma or RPNs who have been out of practice for 10 years or less and need a refresher course.

There is also the Nursing (BScN) program, which is eight semesters and earns students a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It is completed in collaboration with George Brown College and Ryerson University, with students taking both the college and university level courses. An option for those who already have a college diploma is the PR – Perioperative Nursing program, which is 400 hours and results in an Ontario College Graduate Certificate. The Perioperative program prepares students to be practitioners.

The most common area of nursing is Practical Nursing. Centennial meet the need for nurses in this arena with its Practical Nursing and Practical Nursing (Flexible) programs, which are very similar. The Practical Nursing program focuses on the newest skills in the field. Students have access to well-equipped labs and professionals who teach the theory component. At the end of their training, students are deemed Registered Practical Nurses and take care of more stable patients. They often work in settings that include operating rooms and clinics. The curriculum for the Practical Nursing (Flexible) program is the same, except that it is offered in a six semester, three-day-per-week flex format. This allows you to meet personal and other commitments and is ideal for those already working part-time in the workforce.

The reason for so many program offerings may very well lie in the statistics. There is a severe shortage of nurses being predicted for 2011 by the Canadian Nurses Association. According to the Association, the shortage could mean that from 59,000 to 113,000 nurses will be needed. Centennial College is being active in getting professionals trained and ready for this rewarding field.

Learn About Protecting Your Community and Country in Police Foundations

Centennial College is preparing students for a wide range of careers in various police and military forces or in the field of security and related occupations through its Police Foundations program. This two-year undertaking results in an Ontario College diploma, and is carried out through a paramilitary style of training.

The admission requirements of the Police Foundations program reflect the serious nature of the undertaking and the careers in which graduates are employed. First and foremost, applicants must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have compulsory English 12C or U credits or skills assessment or equivalent. English proficiency will also be considered and a program information session may be required. Applicants should also know that some program experiences might require a criminal reference check.

In addition to these standard Centennial College requirements there is a host of essential necessities that are typical in policing. Students should have no criminal record, must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and must have valid first aid and/or CPR certification. In addition, there are physical requirements such as: vision checks, standard normal hearing, physical fitness and readiness for the Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (PREP) test. Lastly, applicants for police services careers in Ontario must be able to pass a security clearance, background investigation and credit and reference checks. For full details, please check out Police Foundations admissions page.

Once you have been accepted to the program, you will find that courses simulate real life and case studies are constantly incorporated into lessons. Courses within the Police Foundations program include: Principles of Ethical and Moral Reasoning, Professional Police Standards, Criminology for Policing, Current Criminal Justice, Youth Conflict with the Law, and many others. A highlight of the program is the Police Prep component that prepares students for all the required testing to become part of Canada’s police force. The training results in graduates being able to: withstand pressure, communicate effectively, act as problem-solvers and help people in the community. In addition, they have knowledge of current law enforcement methods, conflict resolution techniques, criminal proceedings, community policing principles and the experience necessary to carry out decisions that can be applied in further police training. Overall, the Police Foundations program is a great way for students to get their foot in their door of policing.

Video of Police Foundations Program

Take a Bioinformatics Course to Start a Cutting-Edge Career

In the most common of terms, bioinformatics is a field that merges biology with information technology and computers. It entails the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms, computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data. Due to a recent increase in the available biological data types, there is a demand for skilled specialists who have attended a bioinformatics course. In fact, demand exceeds supply, ensuring that you will obtain a job upon graduation from a reliable post-secondary program.

Centennial offers its Bioinformatics of Software Professionals program in a one-year, graduate certificate format. It is the first of its kind in Canada to provide 12 months of concentrated training that results in a post-degree bioinformatics certificate targeted to students with existing software backgrounds. Those interested should submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a four-year degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering or related discipline, from an accredited college or university. They are also expected to submit a resume.

Courses within the program range from Bioinformatics Tools, Databases & Models, and Biochemistry, to Ethics & Intellectual Property, Computational Intelligence, Developing Bioinformatics Tools, and more. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain an upper hand on graduates from other programs, as Centennial College offers a paid co-op placement. In order to participate in the co-op component, students must obtain a minimum GPA 2.5 or above in their bioinformatics courses.

Upon graduation, students can obtain job titles such as: application, software or database developer; bioinformatics analyst, bioinformatics software developer, bioinformatics and research technician. Employment positions in bioinformatics for software professionals are found at research centers, universities, private companies and government institutions. Skills in bioinformatics course can also be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries and in all areas of biotechnology.

One example of a career in bioinformatics is that of a research technician who uses computer programs to gather, analyze and track data about specific biological functions or characteristics in order to gain a better understanding of complex biological activities. Another route is to become an analyst or programmer. This person builds programs by using computational formulas to determine outcomes based on biological projects or research. Yet another popular option is taking on the role of a bioinformatics software developer, who works with the software development team to provide software solutions that address scientific challenges. This person also participates in design, review, coding, testing, troubleshooting and support for custom developed software solutions.

Turn Leadership and Organization into a Project Management Career

With today’s recovering economy there is more pressure than ever for departments of companies to deliver projects on time and on budget. Luckily, there are professionals who have attended project management institutes and specialize in ensuring that happens. Many new and exciting careers are emerging in this growing field as project managers take the lead on ensuring projects are successfully completed.

So how do you know if you’re well suited to enter the field of project management? There are a few skills that can clarify. First and foremost, planning and organization are a large part of the job. Project managers must be able to keep a multitude to information organized to ensure that they are covering every aspect of the project on which they are working. In addition, these professionals also must have problem solving and critical thinking skills, as they must stay on top of every challenge that comes up and every employee working on the project. However, leading a project also means being a part of the team, not just being a leader. The person must have interpersonal skills that will help the make the environment less stressful.

If these skills sound like ones you currently possess or have an interest in attaining, an option is to attend Centennial College’s project management institute, which is actually a three-year Graduate Certificate program. In order to apply for this Centennial College program, students must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary advanced diploma or degree program. The School will consider applicants presenting a combination of education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines. Non-academic requirements include: interview, transcript and resume review.

The undertaking is a great launching board as it offers a 12-week internship at an organization where students will work along experienced project managers to gain insight. In addition, students obtain practical practice through the use of integration of technology tools, such as Microsoft Project, and case studies. These approaches are used to enhance Centennial College’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBK) methodology, which proves to be a solid way of equipping specialists with the skills that are needed to manage projects in a timely and cost effective manner. Because of the variety of courses, the Project Management program is suitable for college or university students who wish to increase their employability. It is also great for experienced project managers seeking to bring new skills to their resume.

Upon graduation from the project management institute, students find jobs in are wide variety of industries, including transportation, marketing, construction, health, new media, education, advertising, engineering, finance and more. The majority of the work is performed with large companies that have specialized professionals of all aspects of business. So what exactly do project managers do? First and foremost, at the beginning of a project, they determine the scope, the goals and the deliverables. They then come up with a plan to attain the goals and assemble the team that will execute the project, while at the same time managing the budget. As the project gets started, the project managers set deadlines and provide direction to the team. In addition, they track deliverables and present reports to the executives that outline project progress, problems and solutions. After the project is completed, Project Managers assess the results.

An Event Management School Can Turn Your Planning Skills into a Career

Party planning can be a stressful time. What type of glasses will you have on the tables? Should you serve beef, chicken or fish? What sort of seating arrangements will you have? How can you make sure that money will be made? These are all common questions to ask when planning an event, whether you’re doing it on your own, or you’re a promoter. Luckily, there are professionals who have attended an event management school and have the answers to all these questions.

In fact, the rise in popularity of festivals and events as moneymaking machines is actually increasing the demand of professionals who have knowledge and education in event management. Due to the scope of the event management industry, professionals should be creative, versatile, technical and logistical thinkers. That’s because event managers find jobs organizing events that include: fashion shows, commercial events, weddings, film premieres, concerts, award shows and much more

The first step to a long-lasting career is attending an undertaking such as Centennial College’s Event Management – Festival and Conference program. As this is a Graduate Certificate program, potential students must submit an official transcript, demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Event Management College will also consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines. Non-academic perquisites include a resume review.

The events management school program balances theory and practical practice quite well during the year that it takes to complete it. Students gain hands-on experience through Centennial College’s full-service conference facility. In fact, it is one of the largest in Ontario. The conference centre gives students the opportunity to practice everything they’ve learned in a classroom and to encounter them to understand the challenges commonly seen in the Event Management arena. Speaking of the classroom, students participate in classes such as: sponsorship development, networking and industry relations, event budgeting and more. There is even a course on how to make your event environmentally friendly, which is becoming increasingly important.

Upon graduation, students obtain an Ontario College Graduate Certificate and enter a field in which they may plan just one aspect of the event or the entire function. Let’s take a look at what happens if an event management school graduate is hired to plan an entire event. First, he or she studies the brand, identifies the target audience and executes product launches, press conferences and online campaigns as promotion. Next, the event manager is responsible for site surveying, budget drafting, cash flow management, scheduling, site design, technical design and health and safety aspects. Finally, he or she moves onto planning the key aspects during the event itself. This includes: logistics, sound, audio-video, lighting, crowd management and security. Event planning is clearly a multi-faceted career!

Help Nurture The Next Generation As A Child and Youth Worker

Child and Youth Workers are essential in helping children, youth and families to grow and develop, within a wide range of therapeutic contexts. In fact, agencies (including residential, day treatment, community-based and young offender programs, hospitals, crisis centers and shelters as well as schools) that work with youths and their families are seeing an increasing need for professionally trained people in this area.

At Centennial College, students of the Child and Youth Worker program spend three years learning the ins and outs of this sensitive-natured profession. In order to apply, the school expects applicants to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Also required are compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency will be considered and a program admission session will be required. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the Child and Youth Worker program at Centennial College.

In order to be successful in the Child and Youth Worker program, you must be dedicated to the theory and hands-on practice offered in the undertaking. Working with a highly supportive faculty, you will learn from a curriculum that is annually reviewed and revised. Courses such as Principles of Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Working with Traumatized Children and Youth, Child Abuse and more can be found in the program. Through these courses, students learn principles, philosophies and characteristics of relational child and youth work practice such as co-creating relationships, working developmentally and understanding professional boundaries. In addition to the in-school sessions, the Child and Youth Worker program provides the opportunity for students to participate in three field placement that not only allow you to apply what you have learned but also to discover the different settings available to you in the field.

Due to the sensitive nature of the Child and Youth Worker field, Centennial College requires students to have a vulnerable sector criminal check prior to field placement. Certain criminal convictions will disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible. Students must also possess a standard first aid and heart saver AED (C) certification. Lastly, for placement, a medical certificate of health is necessary to ensure freedom of communicable disease.

Upon graduation, students are in high demand, with yearly salaries ranging between $32,000 and $43,000. In the field, child and youth workers have a number of jobs. First and foremost, they must develop and maintain therapeutic, yet professional relationships with clients that promote well being and facilitate positive change. This entails designing and implementing strategies that work for the child and his or her family in a safe way. In addition, child and youth works perform safety inspections or emergency procedures, if for example, they work in a young offender program as well as looks for signs of abuse. Lastly, child and youth workers have administrative duties such as documenting, keeping neat files of client records and testifying in court if necessary.

Child and Youth Worker Video

The College Degree Advantage

In today's society it is a common knowledge that you must obtain a post-secondary education, whether you are working in an office, outdoors with the environment, in a factory or somewhere else all together. But what are the specific advantages associated with a college degree and where can you take advantage of them? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of a college education.

One of the major advantages of a college degree comes in an economic form. There are many statistics, which prove that college-educated graduates make more money than those with a high school diploma. These statistics also indicate that the rate of return on an investment in higher education is significant enough to validate the financial burden that may come as a result of pursuing a college degree. According to the Census Bureau, individuals who have a bachelor’s degree earn around $2.1-million throughout their working adult life, while high school graduates earn an average of $1.2-million. Taking a closer look at weekly earnings brings the life-span numbers into more perspective. In winter 2004-05, the US Department of Labor reported that in 2003, workers who had a bachelor’s degree had a median weekly earning of $900, compared with $554 a week for high school graduates. That's a 62 per cent jump in median earnings. These figures are a bold statement that the advantage of a college degree is its increased earning power.

Job seekers will also find that the career availability is also affected by a college degree. In previous generations there were many levels of jobs that could be obtained without a college education. However, those jobs simply don’t exist anymore. With technological advances, it is simply not enough, for example, to learn a trade as an apprentice. Now you have to attend an apprenticeship program at a college that combines both theory and practical learning. Nowhere are the advantages of a college degree more significant than in scientific, manufacturing and engineering fields. College students can now study highly specialized science related degrees that apply directly to business settings.

One final advantage of a college degree is that students become aware of many subjects and fields that they never would have considered had they not gone to college. Students are required to take a variety of basic education courses such as math, science, literature and basic computer. In their elective courses, students might come across a topic in which they discover a talent or passion that will get them further ahead in the market. The other advantage of college elective courses is that students receive a well-rounded education, for which employers watch. Therefore, not only does a college degree enhance your resume, it also showcases how important general knowledge is to you.

So where can you find such an amazing education? Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. is an ideal place. With more than 200 programs ranging from health, engineering and technology to humanities, hospitality and automotive studies, the possibilities are endless. Centennial College is actually the first community college to be founded in Ontario. Therefore, it has a rich history and many affiliations that students will find advantageous. With many networking opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities and practical learning mixed with theory, it is a great place to discover everything a college education has to offer.