So you’ve decided you want to go back to college. Why not meet with a knowledgeable college representative who can help answer your questions? It’s time to meet with a Career Coach! Imagine some loud clapping and cheering—because this decision represents your first step towards a new and better life.

Trillium College is glad to have you—and your positive energy—on board.

So you’ve made the decision to change your life for the better, however, what should your next step be? Well, it’s always a great idea to explore the campus of your choice. Each of our campuses have a team of Career Coaches who are eager to help you make great choices for your education. No matter which of our four campuses you choose to visit, meeting with a Career Coach at Trillium College will set you a step ahead for a number of reasons.

Meeting with a Career Coach will allow you to learn more about your future career

From class scheduling, to tuition costs and more, our Career Coaches here to answer all of your questions. Career Coaches can speak with you about your goals, the kinds of employers that hire our students, and the industry you’re hoping to enter. They’re friendly and happy to chat, so don’t be shy: Come by Employment Services anytime!

Meet with your future instructors

It’s important, in the world of academics, to get to know your instructors. They are the people who will lead you along the path to your new career, and they are a wonderful source of not only knowledge, but support as well. Working in the college system as they do, and having gone through years of studies themselves, our faculty can advise you and help you succeed. Trillium College Career Coaches can help you put your best foot forward with your soon-to-be instructors. Additionally, you will be able to obtain valuable information about the studies and school experiences awaiting you.

Learn about our financial options

Trillium College’s Student Finance Department can help you find out everything you need to know about obtaining financial aid and paying for your education. Whether you have questions about scholarships, low-interest loans, OSAP, using your RRSPs to pay for schooling or registering as a First Nations student, our financial aid advisors can help you find the funding assistance you need.

Friendly faces are a good thing

No matter how confident you are, starting classes at a new college can seem scary. An appointment with a Career Coach will give you the chance to meet faculty, staff and other students. Your first day of classes will be less nerve-wracking with a few familiar faces around.

Read about our Career Coaches as well as other student services offered at Trillium College here.

So, you’ve been researching the Personal Support Worker field and wondering about making a career change. You’ve read that PSWs are lucky heroes of sorts, who help the sick, have job schedule flexibility and work in an industry facing growing demand. But do you really have what it takes to be a PSW? At Trillium College, we teach our PSW diploma program students the importance of these 5 traits:

1. Positivity

Sometimes it’s hard for the sick and elderly to stay positive. Pain and loneliness can be realities for the unwell, and an important part of a PSW’s job is lending a helping hand – both physically and mentally. As a PSW, your positivity makes a world of difference.

2. Physical Strength

While you don’t have to be a legendary strongman (or woman!) to become a PSW, physical strength is an asset. PSWs assist immobile or physically restricted individuals on a regular basis, lifting them out of bed, into the bath, and so forth. It helps to be strong – or at least in good shape – as a PSW!

3. Compassion and Patience

Can you imagine how hard it must be to need others’ help to eat, bathe, or go to the washroom? You can? Well, that suggests you have empathy. And, with empathy, comes patience. People who need PSWs often face extreme physical and/or mental limitations due to illness or age. It’s your job to help them live the best lives they can – without fear or embarrassment.

4. Team Work Skills

No matter where you choose to work, be it a long-term care home (LTC), hospital or individual’s house, you’ll need both independent and team work skills. As a valuable member of our health care system, you’ll have to work alongside medical professionals and the clients you represent!

5. Organization Skills

Visiting multiple clients’ homes, helping them take the right medications and coordinating with other health care professionals: all this takes organization, which is an important skill for a PSW to have.

Think you have what it takes to become a PSW? Call us today at 1.855.234.2008 to learn more about Trillium’s Personal Support Worker diploma program.

Five Ways to Kickoff Your Career As An Esthetician

What’s stopping you from beginning your well-deserved career as an esthetician? Whether it is fear of failure, or lack of confidence, we understand how it feels starting a brand new career. You completed your education and now somehow the world looks even bigger than when you first began your studies. However, do not let fear of the unknown stop you from chasing your dreams! You officially have the skills and knowledge you need to be an esthetician. Thus, it’s time to kickoff your well-deserved career.

You may find yourself eager to jump into any job available, but it’s important to be prepared. You have rightfully and thoughtfully earned your diploma from the Esthetics & Spa Operations Program, and now it’s time to find the right job! Before doing so, you will want to ensure you have everything you need beyond your classroom knowledge to impress future employers. Use our tips below to kickoff your career within the thriving esthetics and spa industry.

1. Narrow your skill set.

While in school you had the opportunity to learn a variety of skills, tasks, and practices within the esthetics and spa operations industry. Whether it was makeup application, nail art, skin treatment, and probably more, you will want to choose an area of focus and practice. This will not only make it easier to perfect your skills, but it will establish a specific market for you to conquer in. Trying to master and offer multiple types of services on your own can be overwhelming. As you begin to kickoff your career, you should begin by becoming proficient in one skill set and expand more services later on in your career.

2. Create a business card.

Be ready for any opportunity with a business card. First impressions are important and with a business card you can surely impress future employers, technicians, stylists, etc. Create a business card including your contact information with a design that reflects who you are. Get to know your local esthetics community online and in person. Be sure to keep a few business cards with you at all times because you never know when an opportunity may arise!

3. Have a stellar resume.

Kickoff the job of your dreams by creating a memorable resume. There are various ways to design and format resumes, but feel free to let it reflect who you are as well. If you are unsure of what to include in your resume, start with the basics:

• Objective
• Key Skills
• Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• References

A simple search online can provide great examples of specific industry resumes, including a resume template for esthetics. Also be sure to double check your work. We recommend having one or more people to proof-read your work. PRO TIP: Include a cover letter when applying to a specific job!

4. Showcase your services.

Show off your work visually using a website or social media page. Begin taking pictures of your work or work from the past, as well as posting relevant content. Building and sharing content can give others an exclusive inside look at your work and your creative side. Furthermore, showcasing your work and services is also a great way to begin growing clientele by sharing all you have to offer and all you are capable of providing. Showcasing your services can not only be fun, but is impressive from an employer’s perspective by showing how well prepared you are.

5. Practice and learn!

There is always room for improvement. As you prepare to kickoff your career and eventually advance in your career, you can always make time to learn more. Having the education and certification is mandatory, but learning anything else is a bonus. Get to know your esthetics community and feel free to learn a thing or two from fellow estheticians, beauticians, stylists and plenty of other professionals. Some communities are known to provide master classes at esthetic companies where you can even further a specific skill set. Plus, anything else you learn or certify in can be added to your resume and make you more reputable.

So, don’t let anything get in the way between you and your career in esthetics! The esthetics industry is constantly growing and changing. With so many beauty trends evolving and spreading, the need for esthetic professionals is definitely increasing. If you want to kickoff your career in the world of beauty, check out our Esthetics & Spa Operations Program here.

As a graduate of the Massage Therapy program at Trillium College, there are many promising employment opportunities in St. Catharines. They may find employment in private clinics, hospitals, spas, wellness centers, and geriatric care facilities are fitting professional environments for a massage therapist, while self-employment as a certified Massage Therapist is another avenue that may be explored.

Current Employers of our Massage Therapy graduates in St. Catharines

Zen Wellness Clinic
Goodlife
Massage Addict
Medi Massage
Performance Health & Wellness
Christienne Fallsview Spa
Double Tree by Hilton
Massage Therapy Niagara

Massage Therapy Program Description

Trillium College’s Massage Therapy program introduces you to a variety of soft tissue manipulation techniques to treat stress, pain, and other physical conditions or disorders. You will develop the specialized knowledge and skills to systematically assess clients’ needs, formulate comprehensive clinical impressions, develop specific treatment plans and evaluate clients’ progress and treatment outcomes. Our curriculum emphasizes client focused care and is designed to facilitate your growth as a health care professional in order to become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).

What Grads Are Saying About Our Personal Support Worker Program

Thinking about enrolling in the Personal Support Worker program at Trillium College? Read on to hear what grads (really) say about our program.

Finding a satisfying career:

• “I was at work in a boring call centre , wanting more for a career.  A co-worker pointed out that I enjoy helping others— why not look into PSW? The next day I went to Trillium College, and the rest was history.” Jackie Mccrea, via Facebook.

• “My story is like everyone else’s. I needed to change my life because I was in a dead-end job, dead-end relationship, and was totally broke. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. Thankfully, I stumbled on Trillium through a friend that finished PSW and got her new job before she even graduated. Over time, I had some ups and downs during school. I was evicted, fighting for custody of my child , and struggling in some courses.

• I’m happy to say that I’m four weeks from finishing my PSW course and already have been hired. My wage will be more than I’ve ever made in my life. Trillium was there to guide me every step of the way. When I fell, they helped me get up. When I was upset, they made me smile. Most importantly, they taught me what I needed to become a great PSW. Thank you, Trillium College.” Anonymous, via online comment.

Great instructors who care:

• “From the first day, the staff and instructors were all incredible. They saw potential in every student, and were willing to go the extra mile for those who strove for success. Even during times when things were uncertain, and days were not the best, they were always cheerful, upbeat, and doing their utmost to help students however they could.

• The instructors were wonderful on both a personal and professional level. Not only did they make the course material interesting and easy to understand, they were willing to provide additional help to those that needed it. They also made sure that each student was prepared for the placements that followed the classroom, and worked with each student individually to ensure their success during their placement.

• I would highly recommend Trillium College to anyone looking to enter a PSW career (or any other, for that matter). Thanks to their educational and career support, I was able to secure a job in the field before the completion of my final exam! My one regret is not telling the staff there how truly wonderful they are, and how they changed my life for the better.” Shane Belmont, via Facebook

Finding success as a PSW:

• “The best decision I ever made was going to Trillium College for the Personal Support Worker program! Jobs for PSW are endless—it’s a fast growing field and we will need more in the future. I recommend the program to anyone who has an interest in the growing healthcare field. Thank you Trillium!” David Redfearn, via Facebook

• “I graduated from Trillium in June 2016 from the PSW program. My teachers (Ms. Tammy especially) and the school’s support team pushed myself and my classmates to excel and because of that we all graduated with excellent grades, most of which were honours.

• There are so many job opportunities in this field and Trillium helped me find my current job where I’m making great money. I’m so grateful for everything Trillium College did for me.” Erin Rose, via Facebook

Trillium College as a school:

• “Great location and the staff are very friendly, professional and helpful. I believe the school truly cares that your experience is enjoyable and that you succeed in your career.” Valerie, via online comment

• “I am currently taking the PSW course at Trillium in Oshawa. My teacher is wonderful and is really helping me to understand the things I am having trouble with! Great school—I would recommend it to anyone wanting to become a PSW.” -Anonymous, via online comment

• Trillium College loves receiving this kind of feedback from our past and present students. We strive to provide the best Personal Support Worker education and to launch our students into rewarding careers.

Did you know?

Grads of our Personal Support Worker program seek employment in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home care agencies, group homes, respite and palliative care centres. Our graduates will be especially prepared to work with special needs children and senior citizens. This healthcare career will take you far, and has far-reaching benefits—for you and others.

Ready to join our group of happy PSW grads?

Check out our Personal Support Worker Diploma program. Questions about start dates, tuition costs, campus locations or anything else? Get in touch with us below.

Our career coaches are ready to assist you with anything.

Choosing to study Business Management leaves the door open to participate in a variety of different fields and industries.

The Business Management program is taught by business professionals and entrepreneurs, meaning you get insider knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career in the business industry. Exploring the different business environments you may work in can help visualize your post-secondary education career opportunities. More-so, have you thought about where your Business Management diploma can take you in the future?

The truth is, there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you in the business industry.

After your ten months in the Business Management program (now also offered at the new Sudbury campus), you will be prepared to venture out into the business world and start on your new path. The vast areas of focus covered in the program may have you saying “where do I start?” A fraction of these areas include human resources, marketing, sales, book-keeping, financial accounting and much more.

You will want to set yourself up for success.

As a Business Management graduate leaving Trillium College, start by looking into the areas you excelled in when you were in the program. Use your strengths and connections to help narrow down the opportunities you have in front of you. Were you better at social media than sales or business law? It’s important to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, use this to your advantage and focus on what you were more skilled in. The Business Management Program can prepare you to be employed at a commercial-service based enterprise, a family run business, or you may even become an entrepreneur.

Start by identifying which type of business industry you can see yourself working in.

Once this is established, begin further researching the areas of focus you were taught about in the program. After you’ve chosen your industry and areas of focus, begin researching different types of local jobs. The same should be done if you plan to work outside of your region. Because knowing the jobs available in your area is important in making sure the type of job you are looking for is offered. If it is not offered in your area, maybe this could be your opportunity to start your own business. So, maybe you choose to run your own HR business, or work at a service based enterprise as a financial account, the combinations and opportunities are endless.

The opportunities are out there and it is up to you to take them.

By identifying what type of business industry you want to work in, exploring your strengths and doing proper research, you will be able to conquer any opportunities that may lie ahead. Therefore, continue to connect with industry professionals, create points of contacts, and set goals for yourself. The social media platform LinkedIn is a great tool to use to easily connect with industry professionals far and wide. The business industry is constantly growing, changing and evolving, which means that it is always creating opportunities for people. So, do you have what it takes? Get out there and do what you have always wanted to do!

Start your career in the opportunistic world of Business Management at Trillium College. Click here to learn more about the Business Management program and realize all the opportunities waiting for you!

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!

Being in the medical field is one of the most rewarding careers and industries to be a part of.

While working in healthcare, the industry offers many benefits such as well-paid income, job stability and far from boring work setting. Although there are many different medical professions out there, only a few are aware of the truly important duties of a medical office assistant.

Medical office assistants perform a variety of crucial medical duties. Their daily tasks provide a significant role, as they are the front liners in healthcare. Whether you are planning to enroll in the medical office assistant program or not, read on for the important tasks a MOA has to acquire and why you should consider this as a career!

First, registering patients and arranging clinical procedures.

Before being able to consult with a nurse, doctor, or any other medical professionals, a medical office assistant is the first person a patient meets. The MOA’s first duty is to acquire a patient’s personal information before proceeding with the medical visit. Once the MOA has gathered the patient’s information, he/she will then proceed to transfer the patient into the doctor’s office. This is when and where the doctor can begin to perform clinical procedures. In summary, a MOA is required to prepare the patient through regulated duties prior to the doctor arriving in order to properly complete a patient visit.

 Managing and updating all patient records.

As required, each patient has a file obtaining personal information regarding their medical history. These records are significant because it tracks and includes each patient visit, filed prescriptions, diagnoses etc.. Recording each patient visit after a follow-up appointment is also crucial as it provides updated information for the medical team to understand any previous concerns.

 Overseeing inventory for medical and office supplies.

Having great organizational skills is a quality many medical office assistants should obtain in this profession. Apart from any other tasks, MOA’s can be in charge of overseeing the inventory of supplies that the clinical work setting may need. This will help all medical staff do their job correctly by having the appropriate tools to do so. Other tasks in the medical work setting may consist of:

• Ordering low stock supplies (medical and office)
• Replace any materials and equipment (when needed or instructed)
• Clean and sterilize any medical equipment and instruments
• Delivering and disposing of any short of supplies

The duties of a MOA offer many important tasks that require the right mindset and skills for this field. If you have a passion to help others, have outstanding organizational skills, and great verbal communication, then you should consider this career. If you are certain you want to work in the medical field, but can’t decide which direction to take, then this a great career to begin with! Working closely with other medical professionals (cardiologist, dermatologist, allergists, etc.) can give you insights into what other medical professionals work duties are like.

 Start your journey today.

In as little as 9 months at Trillium College, you can start your new career as a Medical Office Assistant! We offer in-depth training in medical terminology, medical administrative procedures and the medical transcription skills. Preparing students to be an essential part of a well driven, focused, team environment is the goal. Become a medical office assistant today!

They say do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

Yes, some people may already have an idea which exact career path they want to pursue. However, not everyone has it all figured out, which is okay. With the many professions in the world it can feel intimidating trying to narrow down a job that you’re going to love. If you’re finding yourself in this position, then read our helpful tips to help you choose the right career path!

Start by having a general idea of the things you are interested in

We all want to succeed in our chosen profession, right? Sometimes it seems almost impossible to figure out where to begin. Begin by basing your real life interests and relate them to school curriculum. Note everything down and place your interests into categories that fit appropriately. For example, if you have an interest in esthetics, you can place that under the category ‘Health and Beauty’. After categorizing all your interests, you can then apply them to a ranking list. The ones you enjoy the most can be ranked at the top, and then continue onto the bottom. Once you have a general idea of your ranking list, you can then begin researching specific types of jobs in that interest. The right career path will almost choose itself.

Research your career

It’s important to do extensive research as it can help in better understanding the type of job profession you want to study. The internet offers a substantial amount of information that can provide you with knowledge on any career salaries, requirements, benefits, skills etc! You can take this time to do as much research as possible as It can help you determine which career path you should move forward in. If you’re not sure what to research, then take a look at this article that offers valuable information on why you should do career research!

Network away

Networking is an essential career tool. It can provide valuable assistance in determining if a specific industry is right for you. Connect with individuals in your field of interest that can provide beneficial insight as well as let you know about job openings or opportunities. There’s never a wrong time to start networking, it’s a great way to put yourself out there! Not only can you leave a great impression, but this can also improve confidence. A couple of ways you can get involved in networking are by:

• Attending industry events  
• Participate in workshops
• Attending or joining conferences
• Connecting with alumni
• Reaching out to industry professionals
• Utilizing social media (ex. LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)

Still not sure? Try taking a career quiz

If you find that you still don’t have an idea of which direction you should take, then try taking a career quiz. Career quizzes are a fun way to help explore and widen your career options! There are hundreds of quizzes online that you can take like this one here from the Government of Canada. Career quizzes are designed to get a better idea of the type of jobs you should be working in based on skills, personality, and work values. Once completing the questionnaire, you’ll be given access to your results of a ranking of job titles that best match your answers.

You are in charge of your future. Decisions may never be easy, but here at Trillium College, we have faith that you’ll be able to find a career for you! If you would prefer to have someone’s help, then check out our Student Services page on our website. Our career coaches can provide you with one-on-one assistance in offering you exceptional support and guidance in order for you to be fully equipped to attain your employment goals.

If you are someone who enjoys helping others, enjoys making a difference, has patience, and likes hands-on learning, then this may be your calling. Becoming a massage therapist has many rewarding benefits that can lead to a successful career. Here are five reasons why you should become a Massage Therapist today.

1. Hands-On Experience

In class, students can gain professional experiences while working closely with their instructors. Aside from in-class training, students can also be given the opportunity to work in a co-op placement and attend networking events. As a result, students will have enough practical experience to begin working in their preferred job setting as a massage therapist.

2. Professionally Licensed

Upon completing the program and meeting requirements, students can become eligible to apply for the provincial certification examination. This exam is from the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). Once successfully completing the exam, the title of a registered massage therapist (RMT) can finally be earned!

3. Working Environment

Massage therapists can choose from many different places to work in. Therefore, they are able to select from a wide range of job locations. Here are a few examples of locations where a RMT may find employment in:

• Medical clinics
• Physicians/chiropractic offices
• Hotels/cruise ships (or other travel accommodations)
• Fitness centres
• Private practice

4. Knowledge of The Human Body

Students who enroll in the Massage Therapy program will gain knowledge in both theoretical and practical training. Subjects that can be expected to learn are anatomy and physiology, kinesiology (study of muscles and movement), pathology, and ethics. They can also expect to participate in massage treatments, Swedish massage techniques, advanced massage techniques and more!

5. Helping Others

Many massage therapists are committed to create a positive environment and provide quality service for clients. The Massage Therapy program prepares you to have the proper knowledge and techniques to help others in ways that only a RMT can. From tension relief to mental and physical relaxation, it’s rewarding to know that you can be the solution to someone else’s pain or problems.

If you think studying Massage Therapy is for you, check out The Massage Therapy Diploma Program to find out more details and register today! Or if you’re having trouble deciding which career path is right for you, chat with one of our Career Coaches who are available any time to discuss your future success.