The Trillium College Advantage

A college education can offer many benefits to individuals. Trillium College prides itself on giving their students a quality education in less time than a conventional college. By reducing the time that it takes to follow a program and thereby graduating sooner, our students start to earn a living years before their counterparts. Less time in school equals more income long term. 

Anyway you look at it, a college education is very beneficial to your life and income earning potential. Below are a few reasons why:

1. Increased earning potential: On average, individuals with a college diploma earn more money over their lifetime than those without one.
2. Better job opportunities: A college diploma can open doors to careers that may not be available to those without one.
3. Networking opportunities: College allows individuals to build professional networks and make connections that can be valuable throughout their careers.
4. Increased life satisfaction: Many individuals report greater life satisfaction after completing a college education.
5. Preparation for the future: A college education can help prepare individuals for the challenges and opportunities of the future by providing a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.

These are just a few examples of the benefits of a college education. Ultimately, the specific benefits of college will vary depending on the individual, their goals, and their experiences but by committing to one of Trillium Colleges many career focused programs, you are making a commitment to yourself and your future. 

Trillium College is proud to feature our instructor Jodi Konick as we celebrate the new Early Childcare Assistant program!  Jodi has recently joined Team Trillium with a 20+ year career in early childhood education and care behind her.

ECA is a new program at Trillium College and, as always, our goal is to ensure that our students will be prepared with all knowledge required to start in their chosen career!  

Early childhood education and care is a highly regulated and structured environment, it is fundamentally important for new graduates entering the workplace to be fully capable and confident in their ability to support their team and children in their care.

www.trilliumcollege.ca/social-programs/early-childcare-assistant/

If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to be an Early Childhood Assistant, check out our interview with Jodi Konick below!

💚🧡💙

(Q) How did you become interested in this field?

(A) I had young children of my own and wanted to be able to have a career where I was able to spend more time with them!

(Q) How did you begin your career?

(A) I took a 2 year Early Childhood Education program when I decided to pursue the career and utilized it to open my daycare business.

(Q) What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to be an Early Childhood Assistant?

(A) Anyone considering a career in Early Childhood care needs to be someone who respects the process and accepts the responsibilities that are outlined! In addition to this understanding, it’s somewhere we have fun! A positive attitude with a sharp attention to detail is a winning combination for a new graduate in the field. 

(Q) What are your main responsibilities as an Early Childhood Assistant?

(A) Child engagement and observations are first and foremost! Beyond that; Communication with parents, mandatory documentation and cleaning! We are accountable to the children themselves, their parents as well as the Regional & Provincial regulations. 

(Q) What kinds of problems do you deal with?

(A) Working closely with families it is hard to not be impacted by the life changes or events that occur and impact the child. Supporting children and each other in difficult times is not a problem, though it is something to be aware of! In addition to emotional support, we must be prepared to react to any physical sickness that can impact a child and make sure they are fully taken care of.

(Q) What are some common career paths in this field?

(A) A new graduate could work in in a daycare setting supporting children of all ages, or they could also be hired into the public school system. There is an ability for a private home daycare to be opened as well!

(Q) What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?

(A) Reflect fully to be sure you are ready for the responsibility! Do you have the interest in supporting little minds, and the patience and care required to assist each child individually? Do you feel prepared personally to be a supportive figure for a young mind? Beyond being ready emotionally; being prepared with baseline knowledge of what to expect is key to being successful!

“I hate my job”.

“I need a career change”.

“I have no time to go back to school to focus on what I really want to do”.

Does this sound like you?  Are you looking for a change in your career but have no time to squeeze it in?

If you’ve said “yes” to any of the above, Trillium College has some exciting news to share.

Starting in January 2022, evening classes will begin for our Graduate Programs along with Business Management, Supply Chain Management & Logistics and Video Game Design. 

These programs will still be offered in the daytime, but to make them more accessible for working people and families, we have decided to offer them in the evenings too.

Gone are the days of being stuck forever in a job you don’t enjoy or feeling trapped at the bottom of the corporate ladder.  With Trillium College, you can literally keep up with your day job and providing for your family while working towards your new career in the evenings.

Our programs will run Monday to Friday from 6-10pm, all online and no weekends; which means that it is now within your grasp to make the changes you want to make and level up you career while still being able to work full-time or juggle your daily responsibilities.

Imagine being able to enjoy dinner with your family and then changing into your comfy clothes to take the first step to a brand new future, all from the comforts of your home. 

Our days are full; an income is a necessity; being there for your family is a priority but at the end of the day, what about you?

So, if you’ve dreamed about making a career change, or need to upgrade your skills to get that promotion, Trillium College is here to help.

Evening classes are filling up quickly, so contact one of our Career Coaches to find out more.

What Makes Our New Hairstyling Program So Exciting?

To say that Rosario Greco is excited about the new hairstyling program coming to Trillium College, would be an understatement.   

After 40 years in the industry, Greco will be joining the Trillium team as the Program Manager of their new hairstyling program scheduled to kick off in November at the Oshawa and Niagara locations, with the other campuses following shortly after. 

“It will definitely be a career highlight,” Greco says.  “It will be so nice to see not just one or two students starting their careers at a time, but seeing so many students graduate and move on to start their careers.” 

His countdown to this new endeavour is now on.  

Rosario Greco has worked in the hairstyling field for 40 years.  He began at the age of sixteen, fresh out of high school.  His career took him from a small salon, where he learned to master his craft in precision hair-cutting, to a salon in a mall, to working for manufacturers and travelling all over North America.  He has not only competed in hair shows but has gone on to judge them. 

“The hair industry is always changing and evolving,” he says.  “There are so many directions you can go in and so many options you can choose.” 

“Treating Hair loss, for example, is a big one and something newer to Canada. It really can transform a person’s life and make you feel so good doing it.” 

Greco explains that the program will have a strong foundation in the fundamentals and a large focus on education because learning the basics is so important, but it will also help get students prepared for the real world.   

The most exciting part is that the classroom will be set up like a salon, so students will be able to get a feel for the whole experience right from day one. 

“We are not only going to teach them to be a hairstylist, but we are going to teach them how to expand that skill,” Greco emphasizes.  “So much of hairstyling is not just behind the chair.” 

When asked what characteristics make a good hairstylist, Greco lists being a good listener and having a lot of confidence as two of the most important.  

“Listening skills are so important as you need to be able to understand people when the customer talks.  You really need to listen to them and not only hear what they are saying, but truly understand what they are asking for.” 

Hairstylists do take on many roles once a client sits in that chair; whether it be therapist, consultant or life coach and this program will help prepare them for all of it. 

“People don’t just come into a salon to get their hair done,” Greco laughs.  “They come for the whole experience.  They want to look good and feel good and socialize.  We are going to teach the students how to give the full experience for sure.  It will be a big part of the program.” 

At least half of those going into a hairstyling program are often scared and nervous to mess things up.  They worry that they won’t get the colour right, or they will cut the hair incorrectly, but there is no need to fear as that is what Greco’s team is ready to tackle.  “We will teach students how to overcome that fear by gaining confidence in this profession.” 

Greco admits that oftentimes he still gets afraid, such as a recent cut he did where the woman had really long hair and wanted to take it to something super short.   

“The first couple cuts and colours you do you will always be scary, but with foundational knowledge and a lot of practice, the confidence will come,” he says. 

Truth be told, the pandemic has changed the hairstyling industry a lot, but in a world where mental health matters so much now, there is something to be said for helping people to feel better.  For so many, looking good on the outside, certainly helps them feel a bit better on the inside. 

“Hairstyling is so rewarding and gives you so much satisfaction,” Greco states. “You get a good feeling out of it and the transformations you see are incredible.”  

The satisfaction and good feelings are just one portion of the rewards that hairstyling will bring as Greco stresses that the pay is also really great and you get back what you put into it.  If you work hard, the money will follow and there is so much room to make a really great living. 

“Hairstyling is a great field to get into as it can allow you to be your own boss, to travel, to help transform people and make them feel good.” 

For more information on how you can take this next step in your future, contact a Trillium College Career Coach today. 

Hairstyling: A Fun Career in Giving People Confidence

Hairstyling has always seemed so glamorous to me. The posh salon with the fancy coffees served by perfectly coiffed assistants while you wait for your stylist to call your name.  Then, you sit in that chair, the cape goes on and THAT’S when the magic happens.   

I mean what could be better than having the power to transform people, even if it is just through doing their hair?  Is there a better gift to give someone than self-confidence?  Not in my opinion. 

Some people say that your smile is the first thing people notice about you, but this year, when those smiles have been covered with masks, I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that your hair is what really gets you noticed. 

Katrina Pereira started her hairstyling career over ten years ago and even a whole decade later, through a global pandemic and multiple government shutdowns, she still loves her profession and can’t imagine ever doing anything else. 

“I’ve always been so happy being behind the chair,” Katrina says.  “Every day is different.  I love my job and wouldn’t change it for the world.” 

Now as an outsider looking in, I’ve always felt that hairstyling would be a super stressful job.  I mean one wrong colour choice could ruin someone’s whole look and I think we have all had a bad haircut or two that made us realize that one wrong slip of the scissors can wreak havoc on a person’s self-esteem.  Katrina, however, doesn’t stress at all.  “Making sure the client is happy I would say is my biggest stressor, but if you are confident in what you are doing, it doesn’t really feel that way.” 

Katrina took a private college program and believes that what she learned in the classroom gave her the foundation she needed to feel confident in pursuing her apprenticeship which ultimately led to her obtaining her hairstyling license.  

“Always educate,” she emphasizes, “Education is key.  Don’t ever think you know it all because you don’t.  There is always something new to learn and a new trend to follow.” 

For this reason, Katrina has always worked in a salon setting learning from her peers; she likes the hustle and bustle of a busy salon and loves working behind the chair. 

But, there are so many options when it comes to hairstyling.  You can travel the world, you can be a personal stylist, you can open your own business, you can work on movie sets or in television, do sales for a product line or manufacturer or even choose to work in an upscale salon like Katrina does. 

The choices are endless, and the days are always different.  It’s rewarding to be able to add a little spring to a client’s step by transforming their look and it’s a career that you don’t have to take home with you at the end of the day. 

Katrina laughs and admits that it’s true that hairstylists are frequently treated like part-time therapists, often learning intimate details of their clients’ personal lives but, she enjoys being someone her clients trust and feel safe confiding in, just another job perk in her opinion.   

So, when it comes to characteristics of what makes a good hairstylist; from Katrina’s perspective, it’s that you need to be a people person.  “You really need to want to get to know people.  Not only what they like but who they are.  The best hairstylists need an outgoing/friendly personality to make their clients feel at ease and welcome in your chair.  You need to be a good listener; so you can really understand what a client wants to ensure they leave happy.”  

Katrina’s advice for longevity in the business is to stay true to who you are.  “The only competition you should have is with yourself.  With every client your goal should be to knock it out of the park and keep them coming back.” 

It’s a career where your skills directly impact your income; the happier your clients are, the more referrals you will get, the busier you will be which ultimately leads to a bigger paycheck. 

A career in hairstyling pays well and is also a “feel good” job.  Clients always leave your chair feeling better than when they came in.  Usually, their happiness is with the style you’ve created for them, but often it’s the kindness and encouragement you provide that will keep them coming back for more.   

Virtual Learning as a Trillium College Student

Who would have thought that earning a college diploma would simply require me to log in and learn from home? It’s easy, it’s interesting, and it’s investing in my future, all from the comforts of my living room.

I didn’t have to uproot myself, figure out transportation, or even parking.

I didn’t even have to take on added expenses to buy new clothes or a new backpack… I’ve saved a ton of money by enrolling at Trillium.

My career path is clear, and my future is already looking brighter by simply logging in to my online learning platform.

Four mornings a week, I’m greeted by my instructor, I open up the chat to say hello to my classmates, and the live teaching begins. This wasn’t what I (or any of us for that matter) had planned on for my ‘college years’, but I’m able to remain focused and get my work done, usually while nibbling snacks and wearing my slippers.

Half the time, I only dress from the waist up and keep my pajama pants on for comfort, but I have to remember to turn my zoom video off before I stand up so no one notices. Let me tell you, that is NOT the case for some of my classmates- LOL!

Having a live instructor in a virtual learning environment to deliver all theory-based learning somehow makes the online experience feel like a real, in-person classroom.

Lectures move at a normal pace, and it feels almost as if I have a private instructor since all our computers are muted to keep the lectures free from distraction and background noise until participation is required.

To make it fun, I’ve even started a weekly tally for how many times someone says, “we can’t hear you, you’re on mute.” If I could put a toonie in a bin every time I heard that phrase, I might just be able to buy the college when this is all done.

But all kidding aside, I’ve never been someone who thrives under pressure. I hated when an instructor would call on me, and then all eyes in the classroom would be staring straight at me.

Being at home, being relaxed, and in my own personal space allows me to feel more confident learning the material and doing the assignments and tests.

The bonus is that I will complete my course faster than if I’d gone to a public college, and because of the condensed schedule, I will be able to get out into the workforce a lot faster than if I’d made another choice.

Now, I have yet to see a naked human run through the screen or hear a child singing at the top of their lungs in the background during a lecture like some online blogs profess, but there have been many funny moments as we all adapt to virtual classrooms and the magic that is Zoom.

I am by no means saying this has been a walk in the park. With my loss of part-time employment when the pandemic first hit, I didn’t have extra income or savings to pay for my courses, but my Career Coach helped me realize my tuition was an investment in my future. A Trillium College Student Finance Planner helped me to secure the funding necessary to complete my course; it was so helpful to have someone to help me navigate through all the paperwork. With the schedule being the same start and end times each day, it allows me to take on a part-time job in the evenings, and I don’t feel like I’m falling behind as I know I can fit everything in, including studying.

Another advantage of instructor-led virtual learning and one of the greatest reliefs during this pandemic is that I don’t have to wear a mask, I don’t have to wash my hands ten times an hour, and I’m 100% safe in my own home.

When my alarm goes off every morning, I simply head downstairs, pour a bowl of cereal and make myself a coffee while I boot up my computer and log in. Sure there have been times where the instructor will talk for a few minutes only to realize his mic was muted, or someone accidentally spills coffee on their keyboard and lets out a shriek of horror, but by the end of class, we’ve accomplished our learning objectives and that’s what matters most to me.

Bob Inksetter used to work in a fancy kitchen, whipping up tasty meals that would make your mouth water.  He was passionate about food, but woke up one day and felt that he needed more.  He wanted to give back, to make a difference and help change lives. So; he took a leap of faith and enrolled in a Community and Developmental service worker program, graduated, started working and hasn’t looked back since.  

“As a chef I hit the wall with no upward movement that I could see in my career.  I was looking for a change and wanted something more fulfilling with more mobility.  I asked myself, What’s my purpose?  How do I want to leave the world?  I knew that when I checked out I wanted to leave the world a little bit better…I guess it was an age thing, but I knew I could do something fulfilling.”

Being a Community and/or Developmental service worker is a calling. It’s a passion for helping people from all walks of life and a desire to make a direct impact on people’s lives. The paycheque isn’t six figures but the job satisfaction is second to none.

Inksetter works as a family support worker at the Good Sheppard in Hamilton, ON.  His main focus is homelessness; helping his clients find housing after difficult situations. The Good Sheppard is the only family shelter in Hamilton meaning that they help with shelter for families that have a mother, father and children or a father led family. 

“It’s the only option for dads,” Inksetter says, “so that’s kind of sad and yet cool to be a part of at the same time.”

“I’m not gonna lie,” Inksetter comments, “there are days it is really tough,” but he then went on to say that one day in particular will always stand out to him.  

“We were helping this really young family try to find housing.  The mom was only 16 and the dad was 18.  They had experienced a lot of trauma and barriers, but they just wanted to live as a family.  It took a long time, but eventually we got them a house.  Our whole office had a celebration, lots of high fives were passed around.  It was a great day to be able to give them a start.”

Lindsay Riehl, who considers herself a human services advocate, has worked as a community service worker for a decade.

“You have to have a really strong will and you need to know your limits,” she explains.  

“You understand how lucky you are because after a hard day, least we can it behind and go home to our families, eat a meal and turn on the tv to unwind; something that our clients don’t usually have the means to do. It can be hard to see the situations people are living in, but you just learn to turn it off as a professional,” Riehl explains.

Riehl worked most of her career with brain injury patients; helping them to integrate back into the world and get back on their feet. 

 “When I can walk into a room, sense my client’s mood and diffuse a situation, I find that very rewarding,” she explains.

Riehl has since moved on to the developmental side of service work helping people with physical, mental or intellectual development disabilities function better in the classroom, at work or in their day-to-day life and is enjoying the change.  

“There is so much room for growth,” she explains, “New techniques, new ways to get involved in making positive change, there are so many possibilities.”

Riehl admits that there are hard days, but the bottom line is that there are many more days that you can go home knowing you have made a real difference.

Both Inksetter and Riehl admit that one down side to service work is burn out, it can be so hard to leave the work at work, but you learn to compartmentalize your emotions and do what needs to be done during working hours only. 

If you can identify with both Inksetter and Riehl as being someone who wakes up thinking, “How am I going to make this world just a little bit better for someone else today?”, then you are definitely the type of person who would excel in a career as Community and/or Developmental Service Worker, click here to learn more. 

How to React During A Time of Crisis – COVID-19

The current global COVID-19 pandemic is a rather peculiar and unique situation for students and people worldwide. There are not too many instances in life where we are asked to slow down and stay in. For many of us over the last few weeks, we went from being busy humans on a schedule to being home-bound with minimal to no human interaction. During a crisis, things are out of our control and can change without any warning and we must adjust accordingly. These are uncertain times. What kind of effect can this have on us? Often without a sense of control, we naturally tend to panic, stress, and worry, but it is completely normal.

Health experts recommend these strategies to react appropriately during a time of crisis:

Stay informed during a crisis

Use reliable sources such as official health and government websites to stay informed with what is happening in your local community. Contradictory information is always being circulated on social media and social media is certainly not an accurate source for COVID-19 updates. While it is important to stay up to date with news, remember to keep it at a limit. Overloading with negative information can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Stay informed when necessary and stay calm.

Focus on yourself and your health

Feel your feelings and be aware of them. Vocalize and explain your feelings to someone you trust, write them down, or even express them through activities. Mental health awareness is key in times of crisis. Focus on your health by being attentive and taking necessary precautions. Practice healthy habits and limit your contact with stress-inducing factors. There are many great practices for mental health available online.

Create a plan with strategy

One of the positive outcomes of the current COVID-19 pandemic is the increased time we have. Use this time to create a plan if you haven’t yet! Keep yourself occupied by writing down tasks, activities, jobs, exercises, and things you generally enjoy doing, then do it. Take the time to explore a hobby that you have always wanted to try, or simply enjoy the outdoors with attention to social distancing. Plan what you will do now and then make an action plan of what the future will hold after we overcome the pandemic. Focus on “the now” and worry about this rest when the time comes.

Take action when necessary

Listen to your body if you think you are not feeling well both physically and mentally. Be aware of the COVID-19 symptoms and monitor yourself accordingly. Seeking help if symptoms occur is necessary. The same is necessary if you are feeling mentally unwell or express feelings of hopelessness.

Here are some signs you might benefit from extra help and support:

• You can’t think about anything other than coronavirus or the COVID-19 illness
• Your anxiety interferes in your daily life—for example, you have a hard time doing daily tasks
• You isolate yourself from others when it isn’t necessary
• Feeling hopeless or angry about the situation
• Having a hard time eating or sleeping well
• Experiencing physical symptoms like constant headaches or stomach pains

We recognize this can be a stressful time and it’s normal to feel worried and anxious. It’s also very common for people to display great resilience during times of crisis! After all, pressure is how diamonds are made. This is a time to come together as a society and stay close emotionally if not physically. As the pandemic continues to unfold, let’s act responsibly and reach out when we need support.

Opportunities From Our Law & Security Program

• You are interested in the criminal justice system.
• You’ve been personally affected by the law.
• Law and justice inspires you to make a change.
• Mystery and true crime events intrigue you.
• You want to be part of criminal and law enforcements.

Are you ready to learn about what it takes to enforce laws and provide security in communities?

• On-site roles
• Administrative roles
• Specific law jobs
• Security-related roles
• Much more!

Thus, it’s time to start your new career. Our Law & Security program can lead to these career and job opportunities:

• Corrections officer
• Customs officer
• Private Investigator
• Military police
• Railway Police
• Private security officer
• Security officer
• Armed forces
• Border patrol services
• Conservation services
• Correctional facilities
• Corporations
• Ontario police services

When studying Esthetics & Spa Operations, students are taught the proper skills and techniques to practice and apply in the industry of beauty, cosmetics, and esthetics.

So you have a passion for esthetics, along with the talent. Will that alone secure your spot in the esthetics industry? An important factor you will want to remember is standing out from the competition. There are many career paths to choose from in the esthetics industry. From working for a beauty company, in a salon, at a spa, or running your own business. Whichever path you take, branding yourself as an Esthetician is the key to a successful career.

As with any profession, there are stereotypes associated with being an Esthetician.

Many people assume that an Esthetician only works in the makeup industry. However, this is only a fraction of what an Esthetician is qualified to do. Those who study ESO are taught to perform a variety of services such as facials, anti-aging skin treatments, makeup application, body waxing, manicures, pedicures and more. Undoubtedly, the program is very hands on, but students are also taught in-depth theory behind many new industry services. These services range from microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, laser skin treatment, and as well learning salon and spa administration. An Esthetician may have a tough time narrowing down their choice of practice. It’s best to choose a path and practice that you can excel in, and one you thoroughly enjoy.

How do you stand out from the competition? It starts with clientele.

Whether you choose to work in a salon, spa, or run your own business, the clientele is what will determine your success or failure as a service provider. Working in a salon/spa setting could make the process of gaining clientele a little easier due to their established client base. If you decide to start your own business, it may take a few more steps to obtain clients rather than having them handed to you by a salon/spa. Either way, having loyal clients will essentially create your ‘team’. Your ‘ team’, also known as your customers, are the people you should be the most thankful for! It’s important to ensure you are communicating with clients in the most efficient way possible. This can begin with proper branding.

You may be asking, what does branding have to do with esthetics?

Simple! Branding aids businesses in marketing their services appropriately to current and potential clients. Ever heard of brand awareness? As a solo business, you will want people to know who you are and in order to do this you need brand awareness or a presence in the market. Your presence can be physically around your community, or more commonly in your digital community. There are many free social media platforms at your disposal to advertise or brand your esthetics business such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and many more. Estheticians can use these social media platforms to showcase their work and promote their services.

Whether your business is starting up, online/offline, small or large, social media can provide a client communication advantage for any business.

Currently, we live in a world in which traditional advertising and branding strategies just aren’t cutting it anymore. As an Esthetician, it’s important to keep your digital profile up to date. This means maintaining a constant presence and always looking for new ways to increase your business’ exposure. Keeping customers and potential customers engaged with business events and latest offerings will create a strong connection with clients. Ensure that the people you are reaching are in fact your desired audience though. Using social media and personal branding properly will not only help you gain new clients, but also help start up your business and make a name for yourself within the industry and among the appropriate audience!

Start your career in the exciting world of health, beauty and esthetics at Trillium
College. Click here to learn more about the Esthetics & Spa Operations program and begin branding your esthetics career away!