Let’s admit it: After watching a slew of those police TV dramas, most of us have at some point seriously considered a career change. The high-speed car chases, the drug busts, the intense interrogations. All of it leaves us with an image of police officers as having pretty much the most thrilling job out there.

The only problem is that we don’t live in a TV set, and unlike actors, cops truly put their lives on the line when they go out on duty. Realizing this is what makes everything that TV shows depict as exciting suddenly seem terrifying. The fact that their holsters are holding real guns, and those car chases can lead to real crashes, means that real lives are being put on the line.

But what about the cops with not-so-thrilling responsibilities? If TV shows don’t paint cops as brilliant investigators that unravel the most complicated crime schemes, then they are likely to depict them as overweight doughnut eaters that just sit around and wait to retire. Even though we know better than to believe everything we see on TV, it seems that at least a little part of what we’re watching is reflected from what really goes on in real-life police work. While there is no doubt that these qualities exist, it is impossible that they are a true representation of police forces worldwide. There must be a middle ground somewhere.

A great way to get a better idea of what cops deal with is to enroll in a Police Foundations course. Most Continuing Education colleges that offer Police Foundations will also offer online learning courses, meaning you can spruce up your police smarts from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the distance education courses offered:

- Canadian Criminal Justice System 
- Conflict Management            
- Contemporary Social Problems
- Criminal Code & Federal Statutes     
- Criminology - Police Foundations 
- Forensics 9-1-1          
 -Interviewing and Investigation          
- Principles of Ethical Reasoning           
- Traffic Management               
- Youth in Conflict with the Law

From the looks of it, aspiring police officers are required to study a wide range of topics to equip them with the various scenarios that they can find themselves in once they begin working. 

Maybe your love for The Wire isn’t reason enough to quit your day job, but taking a course or two is a really great idea for those who wish they could. Being a cop involves serious dedication, to the force and to the community at large, and requires skills that go way beyond doughnut eating. 

We all tend to separate the business world from the creativeworld, as though they exist completely apart from each other. In regards tochoosing a career, we are sometimes led to believe that we can only choose one or the other. But the realms of business and art are much closer to each other than one might think, and more often than not they overlap and function within a unified industry. 

If you are the savvy business type with a creative flare, you will be relieved to know that are plenty of career programs that will encourage you to put both of these qualities to use. Here are just a few examples of industries that balance business and creative skills: 
 
Advertising

People with careers in advertising know that the advertisingworld doesn’t strictly consist of
billboards and catchy slogans. Successfuladvertising relies on the constant exchange of ideas, strategy, and numbers. To give you a better sense of how a degree in advertising really gears towards reaching this
sort of balance, take a look at just some of the skills that graduates acquire while earning a degree in Advertising:

        - Strategic Planning    
        - Art Direction
        - Copywriting        
        - Layout Design & Typography              
        - Interactive Creative & Web Development
        - Broadcast 
        - Planning & Analytics
        - Print Planning & Buying
        - Quantitative Media Research
        - Advertising Law        
        - Creative Brainstorming

Marketing

Marketing careers are ones that really survive on an equal balance of business and art, or in other words, on strategy and creativity. From merchandising to macroeconomics, and accounting to advertising, Marketing programs really zone in on a wide range of specialities in order to best prepare you for an incredibly versatile profession. Marketing students can expect to sharpen their skills in the following areas: 

        - Accounting
        - Macroeconomics
        - Business 
        - Math of Finance   
        - Retail Merchandising    
        - Consumer Behaviour
        - Web Marketing       
        - Integrated Marketing Communications      
        - Intro to Advertising 
        - Direct Marketing & Sales Promotion
        - Personal Finance Management      
        - Business Law         
 

Public Relations 

Public Relations is an industry that is based on impeccable communication. The art of communication is very much rooted in the ability to adopt a variety of different approaches in order to appeal to a variety of audiences. With this skill comes business-savvy tactics, such as planning and executing media and promotional programs, as well as writing to orchestrating campaigns and events. Public Relations students can expect to develop skills in:

        - Writing 
        - Print Design & Application
        - Media Relations
        - Program Planning
        - Organizational Application
        - CommunicationsTechnologies
        - Portfolio & Career Development
        - Crisis Communications 
        - Campaign Presentation         
        - Special Events Planning & Management

Unlike the city of Atlantis, business programs that integrate creativity are not so hard to find.  Each of these programs offer a long list of business courses that may, at first glance, seem like they belong in the Arts department. 

A common obstacle that trade workers face is having a certification that is only valid in a given number of provinces and territories across the country. Ultimately, a limited certification prevents workers from having a level of liberty that comes with career mobility. 

Luckily, The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program (RSP) was created over 50 years ago to provide skilled workers a higher level of professional freedom within their trade. In short, those who write and pass the RSP examination are given a special endorsement on their certificate or diploma, thereby allowing them to practice their trade across all Canadian provinces and territories.

In order to write the RSP examination, one must first complete an apprenticeship in a designated trade. To be accepted into the apprenticeship program at a participating college, applicants need to have an employer agree to take them on as an apprentice. Students will complete academic courses while simultaneously working as an apprentice. 

The obvious benefit of enrolling in an apprenticeship program is being able to earn a degree while also gaining hands-on experience with a licenced employer. Here are just a few examples of apprenticeship programs, with a peek on what a student would be learning in school, and the potential job positions they would be fill as an apprentice:

Sheet metal worker apprenticeship

Study topics:
        - Procedures of designing, building, installing air handling systems
        - Manufacturing and gauging of metals, duct construction materials

Apprentice positions:
        - Sheet Metal Workers
        - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
        - Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Occupations


Steamfitter apprenticeship

Study topics:
        - Plan reading, specifications and building codes in mainly the industrial-commercial-institutional sector
        - Specifications of hot water boiler systems, process and air conditioning piping, gas, and refrigeration
        - The importance of workplace safety, building codes and regulations

Apprentice positions:
        - Steamfitters
        - Pipefitters
        - Certified Journeypersons
         - Skilled Trade Workers


Welder apprenticeship

Study topics:
        - Arc, gas and resistance welding theory
        - Reading and interpreting blueprints
        - Special processes such as plasma cutting and tig welding

Welder career options:
        - Journeyperson Welder
        - Fabrication Welder
        - Production Welder
        - Construction Welder
        - Pressure Vessel Welder

A welder apprenticeship will be very different than a sheet metal worker apprenticeship or a steamfitter apprenticeship. Still, each will expose students to hand-on experience of the trade. 

There are dozens more which those striving for a trade-specific career can choose from. With over 50 trades included within those that can be practiced on a national level, RSP-approved apprenticeship trades also include:

- Agricultural Equipment Technician
- Baker
- Carpenter
- Glazier
- Hairstylist
- Industrial Electrician
- Ironworker
- Mechanist
- Rig Technician
- Tower Crane Operator

It is likely that anyone will be able to find an apprenticeship program that focuses on their craft of interest.

So, you want a career in the healthcare industry, but you don’t want to be a nurse or a doctor. What other options do you have? Answer: Plenty. Here are just a few healthcare specialties that you can pursue:

Cardiovascular Technology 

Cardiology Technologists (CT) work closely with doctors in diagnosing patients with cardiac ailments. A vital part of a CT’s role is performing cardiac and/or vascular tests, administering and monitoring various cardiac tests, inserting catheters, pacemakers and other medical devices used to treat cardiac patients. 

Most colleges make it so that part of the Cardiovascular Technology program curriculum includes hands-on experience and training at hospitals and clinics. This will allow students to get a realistic
view of what a career in Cardiovascular Technology involves, and will also give them the opportunity to see which healthcare environment they would best like to work in.


Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography 

A sonographer is a healthcare professional who assists physicians in the diagnosis process by taking internal images of patients. Taking these images can be quite invasive, and can make patients feel very uncomfortable, so sonographers are expected to exercise a lot of patience and compassion. 

In addition to taking images, sonographers may also be required to consult and update a patient’s medical history file, aswell as analyze technical data in order to be able to suggest procedures based on diagnostic data. 


Medical Radiation

A Medical Radiation technologist (MRT, or a Radiologic technologist) assists in using radiant energy techniques in order to diagnose and treat patients. When we think radiation, we typically think of cancer treatment. An MRT may spend most of their career assisting with the treatment of cancer patients. But, there are Radiologic specialities that do not only focus on cancer treatment, including radiography , fluoroscopy , sonography and computed tomography. 


Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

An OTA will work directly with patients who are suffering from a lack of motor functions and reasoning. The severity of a patients’ conditions can vary, meaning OTA’s can expect to work with a range of motor disabilities, including patients who have lost the ability to walk or speak, or even to carry out everyday tasks, like making a pot of coffee or taking a shower.  
 

Personal Support Worker 

A PSW plays a vital role in the healthcare system, and is responsible to perform a variety of extremely necessary tasks, including bathing and dressing patients with limited mobility; making and changing patient beds; maintaining a tidy environment for the patient, being mindful of and reporting any unusual or alarming behaviour by the
patient. PSWs have the opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or private home care. 


Pharmacy Technician 

The principal role of a pharmacy technician is to assist pharmacists in preparing and administering pharmaceutical
medication. PT’s are also expected to know and be able to advise on the regulations and methodologies regarding
prescriptions.

It may seem as though a pharmacy professional is responsible to know and understand only those issues pertaining to prescription drugs. However, pharmacy technicians are also required to know the ins and outs of alternative or all-natural medication. This better equips them to be able to suggest or advise a client on what type of medication would be best for them to use. 

It is obvious that nurses and doctors are not the only professionals who receive healthcare training. Most Health and Technology colleges offer programs that complement health courses with hands-on training in order to better prepare students for the job in question. 
 


 

Nurses everywhere will attest to how rewarding their career is. But there is no denying
that working as a nurse involves a lot of factors that can make the profession
as a whole seem less than desirable to go into.
 
For one, hospitals seem to be perpetually understaffed, meaning nurses will at times
need to work long hours and take on extra shifts. Also, nurses are of course in
constant, direct contact with sick patients, some of who are both physically and
emotionally drained from the onslaught of their illnesses, and not to mention
with the patients’ families, who are also under great emotional strain. Even if
nurses are not experiencing illness first-hand, they are in an environment that
is flooded with high levels of emotional duress.
 
However, despite these factors, hundreds of thousands of people continue to devote
themselves to being a nurse. This leads us to believe that there are indeed
positive factors about being a nurse. But what could they be? 
 
Here are just a few reasons why hundreds of thousands of people across the country
have decided to devote themselves to being a nurse.
 
Compassion

The decision to become a nurse will necessarily involve a keen sense of compassion.
Administering medication and ensuring protocol is adhered to are part of a
nurse’s duties. But along with that, and perhaps less emphasized, is the actual
interactions nurses have with patients and their families. Despite the stressful
environment, nurses manage to maintain a strong sense of compassion, leading
them to become a factor of comfort in the patient’s healing process. Nurses are
not therapists, nor are they a hospital’s Mother Goose, but they do provide
levels of emotional support that really do affect the coping levels of those involved. 

 
Constant Evolution

Depending on the type of work environment a nurse decides to work in (hospital, clinic,
school, travelling location), he or she might work in various departments or
wards throughout their career. In hospitals, for example, it is not uncommon for
nurse to work in several different units (Cardiovascular, ER, Intensive Care,
etc.) This level of professional mobility allows nurses the opportunity to
constantly be learning new aspects of the job. Ultimately, each unit transfer
provides another challenge, and another opportunity for a nurse to learn more
and grow as a professional, which is, I think, something we all hope for in a
career.  

 
Camaraderie

Nurses work best when they function as a team, which relies heavily on high levels of
communication, trust, and synergy. A typical day for a nurse can be quite
stressful, and having a reliable team to depend on makes a world of a
difference. This is not to say that other professions do not operate on
teamwork, but nursing is most definitely one that functions on several levels of
collaboration. There is teamwork with fellow nurses, doctors, patients and even
family members. Nurses become a vital element in everyone’s hospital experience.
Becoming such a crucial part of everyone’s daily experience really reaffirms how
important nurses are. 

Any nursing school will certainly make it clear to all the students enrolled in a nursing program
that what they can expect is a work environment is both stressful and demanding.
Part of what makes students stand by their choice is knowing that without nurses
the healthcare system would crumble, and that there are factors of the job that
make it all worth it. With this in mind, they go from a school of nursing
to a career that is as fulfilling as it is challenging.

You’ve been thinking about getting into the automobile service industry for some time now. You have the passion. You have the drive. Now all you need is to get your hands dirty.

The tricky thing about launching a career in the automotive industry is that going to school and earning a diploma or official certification isn’t always enough. Most dealerships, garages or auto shops won’t hire novices that have little or no experience. But how do employers expect you to gain any hands-on experience if no one is willing to hire you?

The answer, my fellow career-chasers, lies in the almighty apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are ideal for a variety of people who want to become trade specialists. Whether you’re fresh out of high school and are ready to step into the workforce, or if you’re a veteran and have suddenly decided to turn your career in a completely different direction, apprenticeship programs really help jumpstart your expertise in your chosen trade.

Many apprenticeships are offered alongside school training, so your time will be split between taking classes and clocking-in hours at a shop. How it works is that employers will agree to train students who are enrolled in an academic apprenticeship program. The main advantage to this sort of set-up is being able to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge simultaneously. So, it isn’t uncommon for you to read about car alignment one day, and be standing under the lift the next day.

Before you enroll in an apprenticeship program, you’ll need to decide what exactly you want to do. There is no shortage of career prospects within the automobile industry, including:

• Automotive Service Technicians
• Automotive Mechanical Installers and Servicers
• Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Testers

Keep in mind that some automotive apprenticeships will provide a general overview of the trade, while others will zone in on a particular specialty within the automotive industry. So, if you want to pursue a career as an Automotive Service Technician, you may want to consider participating in the Automotive Service Educational Program or one similar to it. These programs are quite broad and cover everything from major automotive assemblies and engines to electrical and fuel systems.

But if you are looking to concentrate your expertise, you will have the option to narrow your focus to a specific sector of the automotive trade. For example, there are Ontario apprenticeships that offer students the Auto Body & Collision Damage Repairer program, which provides a detailed curriculum on auto repair practices, including repairing dents in fenders and skirting, as well as stretching metal panels and welding breaks in body panels.

Regardless of whether you’d prefer a general or specialized focus within the automotive industry, completing an apprenticeship program will be a distinguishing feature of your future candidacies. You will have already gained enough work experience that you can hit the ground running, and prospective employers will recognize that you understand the ins and outs of your future career. 

We can all admit that keeping up with business trends can be quite difficult. As new industry developments are made, business professionals are increasingly faced with the need to complement their trade experience with modern-day expertise. 

Luckily, staying on the cusp of change isn’t as scary as it sounds. An easy and extremely rewarding way to boost up your business knowledge is by enrolling in a Continuing Education Business program. These programs can contribute to your academic repertoire without obliging you to a full-length degree program. By way of gaining new industry-specific knowledge, you will acquire a firmer grip on your current or prospective position, making you a savvy contender within your field.

If you’re worried that you just won’t be able to fit academia into your schedule, rest assured that most Continuing Education programs are designed so that you can. Two common misconceptions are that all higher-education programs require a full-time commitment and that the bulk of courses are only offered during the day. Neither of these is true. Most of these programs are offered by local colleges or universities, and sometimes include the option of distance or online learning, which gives you the luxury of completing courses from the comfort of your own home. This can be very convenient for people with heavy day-schedules or for those who are required to travel a lot for work. In cases where courses are not offered through distance or online learning options, there will typically be a night class option to enroll in. 

Also, don’t be fooled into thinking that continuing education is strictly geared towards professionals who already have a degree and decades of experience under their belt. The courses and programs offered are ideal for novice professionals who are just entering the business game, as well as field experts who simply want to increase their knowledge bank.

Even better, is that the programs span across a wide range of business fields.  Business programs tend to be industry-specific, and include focused certificate or diploma programs within the general domains, including:

• Accounting and Financial
• Business Computers
• Business Studies
• Labor Studies
• Leadership and Management
• Office Skills

These domains touch on virtually every role within the business trade. So, whether you’re a CEO seeking new ways to motivate and lead your team, or an administrator trying to find new and efficient ways to run an enterprise, there will likely be a business course that will focus on your specific professional goals.

The true philosophy behind the entire Continuing Education platform is that knowledge is a never-ending pursuit. Not only will a Business certificate or diploma ensure that you maintain a strong and steady career, but it will also encourage you to seek knowledge for your own personal growth. 

While many people equate success with the ability to make a lot of money, others spend much time and dedication making sure they are happy with their work. For them, it’s not so much the possibility of failure that is frightening. What’s really terrifying is the prospect of sheer boredom.

One of the best nuggets of wisdom ever passed down is to make sure you love your job. This piece of advice isn’t so much about career options as it is about quality of life. The truth of the matter is that whatever we choose as careers will wind up consuming the better part of our day. The standard North American job demands forty hours of labour per week. If we assume that the average person gets seven hours of sleep per night, that means our jobs take up almost half of our total number of waking hours (not including transit time). So, if you’re spending half of your waking life at work, you most definitely need to make sure that you are enjoying what you are doing.

How much we enjoy our work is dependent on a lot of factors, including age. Our 20’s are when we explore our career options. We spend most of the decade making decisions (and then changing our minds), making mistakes (and then making them again), all in an attempt to figure out what we really want to do with our lives.

Then come the 30’s, which, given that we at least have an idea of what it is we want to do, is spent making our mark actually doing it. We move up and down the industry ladders, we take leaps, and we work on projects that perhaps we never intended to way back when. Needless to say, there is still a level of spontaneity that gives a dose of excitement to the job.

But by the time we hit 40, I can only assume things will become quite, well …redundant. After spending a certain amount of time doing something, the task at hand will eventually become habitual, and whatever it was that drew you into the craft to begin with will be long forgotten.

This timeline isn’t anywhere close to being concrete, nor does it hold true for any specific industry. But, we all know that humans are creatures of habit, so we all run the risk of falling into a boring work routine. 

So, what’s the secret to a great career? Well, it all comes down to staying on your toes. To avoid the risk of becoming completely bored of your job, you need to ensure that you are constantly being challenged. The best way to do this is to keep learning new facets of your industry.

Something as simple as enrolling in a Continuing Education course or program will help you make sure that you’re keeping up and staying sharp. A huge plus is that most universities and colleges offer online learning and distance education, which makes it a lot easier for full-time workers to be able to add a course into their already hectic schedules. Also, Continuing Education departments tend to offer courses that appeal to a lot of different industries, including:

• Business
  
• Creative & Visual Arts
  
• Engineering Technology
  
• Health Sciences
  
• Human Services
  
• Languages & Communications
  
• Math/Statistics

For some, the idea of going back into school may seem daunting. But if you’ve done all you could do as a chef, or a lawyer or an engineer or a teacher, or whatever it is that you've dedicated your days to, then it is time to do yourself a favor and learn something new. 

Pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician involves more than just filling bottles behind the counter. Much like how doctors rely on their team of nurses, pharmacists look to their technicians for support and to help them ensure that daily responsibilities are carried out properly and smoothly.

Taking on the role of a technician demands vast knowledge of pharmaceutical practices and the industry at large. Typical responsibilities of pharmacy technicians include:

• Assisting pharmacists in preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals in both public and private practices.
• Advising on the regulations and methodologies regarding prescriptions.
• Advising on the many uses and classes of available drugs and medical devices.

With these responsibilities in mind, it becomes clear that a pharmacy technician must undergo extensive training before launching his or her career. Many schools offer the necessary programs needed to become a certified pharmacy technician. The bulk of such programs will include courses on industry-specific essentials, including calculations, legislation, retailing, and equipment and devices.

While much of such programs focus on healthcare-specific topics and pharmacy fundamentals, the program will also consist of courses that zone in on topics that are not as obviously related to the field. For starters, the program will likely include courses on community engagement and active citizenship. The purpose of implementing these types of courses in the curriculum is to encourage future technicians to be actively involved in community matters and to stay up-to-date with social issues that affect their local communities.

This emphasis on community involvement may be surprising at first, but it is vital that pharmacy professionals develop the proper skills in order to build a strong rapport with their clientele. Like any other member of the healthcare industry, pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in maintaining an open dialogue between healthcare professionals and the public. With so many advancements happening in the prescription and non-prescription drug industries, it is important for pharmacists to be at the forefront of any new developments that their clients should be aware of.

Another unassuming class that health science colleges will likely include in the pharmacy techniciancurriculum is a course on natural health products (i.e., herbal medicine). Studying alternative medicine may seem counter-intuitive at first, seeing as how it is in direct opposition to the pharmaceutical industry. However, it is crucial that pharmacy professionals understand all types of healthcare treatments in order to be confident in their abilities to suggest (or discourage) particular prescription drugs to their clients. Being well-versed in all realms of medicinal products, both prescription and natural, will ensure that a pharmacy professional knows the options that are out there for people to choose from. 

With courses on community involvement and alternative medicine, it is clear that schools of health scienceare offering well-rounded professional training for future pharmacy technicians. 

Many people think that a Nursing degree can only lead to a career as a nurse practitioner. However, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) can lead to many different careers within the healthcare industry.

Educators

After a number of years practicing direct patient care, some nurses will decide to dedicate much of their time to educating colleagues, students, families and the general community.  Nurse educators take their careers in many different directions. Some choose to teach in schools, while others go from clinic to clinic to conduct information sessions to various members of the community. There are also those who work directly in hospitals and educate other healthcare professionals (i.e., doctors, patient attendants and administrators)  and registered patients on various topics, including regulated practices and recent advancements within the industry.

Research

Nurse researchers make vital contributions to the advancement of medical science. Most begin their careers as research assistants or aids, and in time develop enough expertise to lead their own research projects. Most nurse researchers earn a BScN and move on to earn a graduate degree specific to their area of interest.

Entrepreneurs/Managers

Earning a BScN can also open the gateway to starting your own healthcare centre or nursing care business. Such businesses can include wellness centres, recovery centres, or even private care services. Or, if you’re not quite ready to open up your own business just yet, a BScN also prepares you for managerial roles within the nursing industry in general.

Registered Nurse

Lastly, the most obvious career that a school of will lead to is that of a registered nurse (RN). RNs are on the frontline of healthcare. The chief responsibility of every RN is to provide the best patient care possible, which requires exceptional execution of champion practices, proper bedside manners and, most importantly, an incredible amount of patience.

Nurses work in very stressful environments, and are often caught in the midst of budget cuts, under-staffed wards, and hallways that are overflowing with sick patients. What distinguishes nurses from so many other healthcare professionals is their ability to handle these situations with a level of calmness that is so vital.

So, if you’re thinking about applying to a nursing program, know that your degree can lead you into a variety of careers.  Most degree programs will take approximately four years to complete. Most nursing schools will also offer the nursing diploma program, which typically takes two years to complete, but this can vary depending on the school of nursing and whether you are a part-time or full-time student.  Keep in mind, however, that a diploma will not lead you into the careers listed above. Most people who receive a diploma from a school of nursing move on to become registered practical nurse, whose jobs are similar to that of an RN, but with less responsibilities and authority.

Being a nurse is likely one of the most difficult but also most rewarding careers anyone can pursue. Whether working directly with patients or conducting research in a lab, nursing professionals are the backbone of any hospital or healthcare centre, and their expertise plays a crucial role in treating patients and educating the community.