International Business Management - A Global Education

There is no way for a business to survive, much less thrive, today if International Business Management isn’t at the forefront. That’s why foreign investment and risk analysts, foreign trade consultants, commercial bank officers, international marketing representatives and international development assistants are so in demand. Centennial College’s International Business Management program trains students for these careers in a three-semester study period geared towards mature learners.

Because this International Business Management is so fast-paced, applicants must have completed a college diploma or university degree in any discipline. The offering will also consider applicants with partial post-secondary and relevant work experience (transcript and resume review is required). Lastly, as far as admission requirements are concerned, students may be required to show proof of English proficiency.

All three semesters of this International Business Management program contain a mixture of foundational and specialized, industry-valued courses. Additionally, all of the classes employ case studies, simulations and project-based learning, with the intention of helping students to enhance project management, teamwork, report writing and communication and presentation skills round. The use of computer and Internet technology in performing international business functions is also included.

Here is a look at some of the International Business Management’s essential courses.

Comparative Geopolitical Systems: This class explores world systems and how global and regional systems have changed and been changed by relationships between people and places. It provides students with an organized study of historical, geographical, social and cultural factors in world regions.

Global Business Strategy: This International Business Management course addresses professional cross-cultural negotiation and strategy formulation. The increasing globalization of industries has seen an increase in strategic alliances, hence intercultural negotiations. Meanwhile, strategy formulation is emphasized via a strong conceptual foundation outlining the steps involved in successful international business planning to developing an analytical decision-making framework and finally getting a hands-on experience in making decisions in cross functional teams.

International Banking and Finance: Students get an overview of international money markets, the elements of risk management, the role of financial institutions and a case study approach as to why companies merge or interest rates fluctuate and why stock markets fluctuate.

International Business Law: In this International Business Management course, students obtain a base in the legal aspects of global trade, with a focus on both public and private international law. Public international law includes international organizations, such as the WTO, and its corresponding agreements. Private international law, applicable to international business activity, such as the law of international sales, is analyzed and a case study method utilized. Students also gain insight into the basis for government regulation of international business, as well as the role of politics and economics in it.

International Entrepreneurship: This intensive hands-on practical course provides International Business Management students with the basic, practical procedures and tools that are required when strategically planning to enter international markets. Emphasis is on entrepreneurial activities, including sourcing, purchasing from Canadian sources and placing products in strategic international markets.

International Business Management In Toronto grads may enter the industry or pursue further knowledge via one of the offering’s university partners, which include: Centenary College, University of Western Sydney and Griffith University.

Jason, in his article about the International Business Management program, includes information about particular courses. 

Hotel Management Courses Ensure High Level of Professionalism

Flexibility is of the utmost importance when working in the hotel industry. That’s because many hotel departments are intertwined and overlap. At Centennial College’s hotel management program in Canada, officially known as Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management, students train for a range of areas that include: hotel and restaurant general management, human resources management, sales and marketing management, convention services management, cruise lines. On top of being prepared for all of these areas, students also gain an Ontario College Graduate Certificate in two short semesters.

Designed for graduate students, applicants to hotel management courses at Centennial College must have completed a college diploma or university degree in hospitality, tourism or related discipline. Additionally, a resume describing relevant work experience may be requested. It is also worth noting that those with a diploma or degree in an unrelated discipline who have related work experience as well as those with partial post secondary education and relevant work experience in hospitality will be considered.

Because the hotel management program focuses on such a wide range of areas in a short period of time, classes are intense and include practical aspects important to grasping concepts. For example, hotel management courses, which are led by industry professionals, cover key management areas such as: finance, human resources, labour relations, oenology, international operations, leadership, entrepreneurship, security and risk, service quality, marketing and revenue management. Additionally, hotel management courses are based out of Progress Campus, which houses all of the college’s hospitality and tourism programs and, therefore, boasts modern computer labs, operational lab practice facilities, an on-site conference centre, and a full-service student-operated restaurant called Horizons. Students have access to these live learning environments and classes are even conducted from them in some instances.

Then, to balance what students learn on-campus, they engage in a two-day-per week industry placement for 15 weeks in semester two. During this experience, students gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and gain a competitive advantage of experience in the job market. They also get to test out what they have learned in their courses by applying it to real life situations. In the past, students who completed Centennial College’s hotel management courses have been hired by companies that include: Delta Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and more.

In this informative article, Emma writes that mature students interested in Centennial College’s Hotel Management program, which includes an on-the-job experience, can complete their studies in just two semesters.

Event Management College Program Offers Fast Route to Industry

Companies such as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, AVIVA Canada, Toronto Board of Trade, Marriott Hotels, Toronto International Film Festival, Delta Hotels, Fairmont Hotels and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts are all well-known and respected entities. Less known are the Event Management college in Toronto program grads who play an important behind-the-scenes role in the application of project management to create and develop festivals, events and conferences.

These professionals have a range of responsibilities, among which are: developing and implementing financial initiatives based on event objectives through methods such as sponsorship programs and fundraising initiatives; planning, designing and coordinating effective site and facility operations; applying the principles of marketing to festivals, events and conferences; applying strategies for effective human resource management; creating, planning and implementing effective programming for events; applying accounting and financial knowledge and skills to the operation of events; apply business administration skills to the operation of events; and applying the principles of professionalism and ethics to event management.

For those with a previous college education, the speediest route into the industry is via Centennial College’s event management college program known as Event Management – Festival and Conference. Focusing on core topics that students need to gain entry into the workforce, this offering is completed in only two semesters and results in an Ontario College Graduate Certificate. It consists of a combination of theoretical lectures and hands-on experiences that allow students to become comfortable with areas such as festivals, events and conferences eco-friendly festivals; event budgeting, site logistics and operations management, risk and security management, communications and media planning, networking and industry relations and more.

Among the hands-on experiences that students of this Event Management college program obtain is a last semester Festival, Event and Conference Production Practicum. During this aspect, students get an idea of how this rapidly expanding segment of the hospitality and tourism industry brings together many older and more traditional sectors such as catering, equipment rentals and party supply sales in a new field of endeavour. Students gain practical experience in the coordination of a festival, event or conference from preparing the needs analysis to the execution and evaluation of the final production. In addition to these Event Management college program advantages is the fact that to further supplement class lessons, students have access to an on-campus conference centre that comprises of meeting rooms, including two large ballrooms and a variety of mid-sized meeting or breakout rooms, which come complete with high-speed Internet access, in-house audio/visual equipment and multimedia capabilities.

Those interested in this Event Management college program must complete an application process that includes submission of an official transcript with proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Centennial College’s Event Management program will also consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines. Non-academic perquisites include proof of transcript and a resume review.

Computer systems technicians connect job benefits with college education

We sometimes communicate with our families, friends, and colleagues, near and far using a computer system and networks connecting the conversations. Businesses use video conferences, webinars, and Google Hangouts. People use Facebook, Skype, and FaceTime. All of these are made possible with the devices and processes to connect these devices as a network of information. Enter to the world of networking --- the practice of linking two or more computing devices for the purpose of sharing information.

Computer networking is achieved by using computer hardware and software. It is built by Computer Systems Technicians, engineers and experts of the design and administration of computer and Internet networking technologies. Here are some benefits in working as a computer systems technician:

• Increasing job openings due to the continued use and high usage of computer systems, both in consumer and commercial business
• Stable positions, mostly in full-time work capacity and less freelance options
• A majority of technicians graduated in college, providing a wider access to one of the bets jobs in terms of growth to plenty of learners who wish to study at a college level
• Average income of $45-$50k per year, with almost half of the workers earning more than $50,000 annually, according to Service Canada
• Room for advancement, with career path leading to computer programming positions

Computer systems technicians can assume various roles in their field of expertise, including titles such as: computer operator, computer network technician, network administrator, network operator, network support technician, help desk technician, support technician, maintenance technician, and technical client support. These network technicians can seek employment mainly in professional, technical, and related services, but also in public administration, manufacturing, educational services, and finance and insurance companies. Main duties includes maintaining, troubleshooting, and administering the use of local area networks, wide area networks, and the computers used in the transmission.

With the expertise of the School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science, Centennial College developed the Computer Systems Technician – Networking (3404) program. It opens an exciting field in computer engineering, where professionals analyze and fix problems in communication networks. It is clear that the industry and job prospects prove to be appealing, but this program is just as attractive as its graduates who progress in this fascinating career. Centennial College provides the following program benefits:

• The program provides graduates with knowledge in Windows operating systems, Unix/Linux, network technologies, network security, routing and switching, and network services along with an Ontario College Diploma upon the completion of its two-year duration.
• It is a recognized program by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT).
• It also received national accreditation status by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB).
• The Report Writing in a Technical Environment course ensures that students are equipped to understand the technical language in computer networking, meeting the requirements of the OACETT (The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) Technology Report Guidelines.
• A capstone course to accumulate all of the knowledge learned in the program. The Technician Project course is to give students a practical project approach to designing and research local and wide area networks.

Centennial College provides its students with top credentials as Certified Engineering Technicians. The Computer Systems Technician in Canada – Networking graduates have found employment with companies like Storage Tek, Toronto Hydro, and Transport Canada. They start their careers with the academic and technical comprehension in computer networking systems and the ethical behaviours and customer skills required for open positions.

Jason White writes about the benefits of Centennial College’s Computer Systems Technician – Networking (3404) program.

Massage Therapy program relieves stress off students

What do you think about when you hear the word "massage?" Relaxation, spa, therapy, healing, and health may come to mind. Massage is more than a form of leisure and entertainment but also a practice in the well-being of one's physical and mental state. Massage therapy is a discipline for the techniques in soothing layers of muscles through various movements, resulting in improved circulation and pain and muscle tension reliever.

Registered massage therapists perform the duties in rejuvenating and healing process in massage therapy. Practitioners go through massage therapy training before applying for their licence and joining the professional work environment. They are in physical contact with clients so courtesy and discretion are traits to have along with manual dexterity and flawless techniques.
 

Massage therapy can cross over to different situations. Employment in this discipline is expected to be in demand as the population ages and people's perceptions in healthy living shifts to healthier choices and practices. Depending on the job setting and company, wages and salaries differ but can have a minimum $30 hourly rate after having completed a massage therapy program with experience as an asset. Payment can also be based on commission, mileage or performance. Most massage therapy professionals are also entrepreneurs! They enjoy the freedom of scheduling and greater profits.

In Ontario, massage therapy is a regulated environment. Therefore, all practitioners must be licensed. A good way to train for the examination and get in the industry associations is to enrol in a certified program. Centennial College offers the three-year Massage Therapy (5110) program at its Morningside Campus for students wishing to pursue this path in healthcare. Massage therapy students can take advantage of the following benefits:

• Combination of the theoretical component of massage therapy and its application in the Massage Theory and Practice course, offered in all six semesters
• Clinical practicum experience from semester three to six, progressively learning new skills and techniques
  
• Competency in prescribing remedial exercises and specific treatment plans
  
• Informed career path with business skills for professional and independent practice
  
• Qualification for the certification examinations offered by Ontario's regulatory body, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario

This exciting program in the School of Community and Health Studies utilizes advanced facilities for labs and clinical practice. Program faculty, Lori Copeland describes the hydrotherapy room as a place where students can practice the heat and cold treatments. Steam cabinets, whirlpools, stretching mats, and balance balls are conveniently placed here as well to assist in exercise treatments. Students need not stress in the abundance of theory learned since the techniques are practiced frequently in lab settings. Centennial’s Massage Therapy Public Clinic consists of Massage Therapy students who are supervised by Registered Massage Therapists. This entitles the public with a preview of Centennial's success, while enhancing the students’ skills and comfort in interacting with clients.

The massage therapy courses offered by Centennial College in the Massage Therapy program produce skilled and qualified graduates, waiting to launch their careers in healthcare. Graduate success consistently remains high in this program as students embark on entrepreneurship and employment in massage therapy clinics.