Tag: diploma

  • Can High School Dropouts Still Go to College or University?

    Can High School Dropouts Still Go to College or University?

    Most people receive a lot of advice over their lifetimes. Can you think of some of the things that others have told you? One bit of advice that you might have heard from your parents and teachers is that you should stay in school and continue on to graduation. That way, you will be able to go to university or college and get a good job in the future. However, not everyone manages to finish high school, whether by choice or through problems in their lives. How can they ever continue their education? The process might be difficult, but high school dropouts can still go to university or college if they want.

    Students might have many different reasons for dropping out of school, such as a crisis in their lives, a change in family circumstances or a move to a remote area of the country where high school is unavailable. Some students might have finished the work to graduate but not have a Canadian diploma because they were homeschooled or because they finished their education overseas. In most cases, the process for getting into a Canadian university or college is similar for all of these people.

    One of the most common ways to get into higher education is to write an entrance exam set by the university or college. Foreign students whose first language is not English often have to pass these exams before they can get into Canadian universities and colleges, and people who have dropped out of high school can do the same to show that they have the skills and knowledge they need. Most universities and colleges also accept people who are at least twenty-one years old as “mature students” without requiring them to meet any specific academic standards.

    Being accepted into a college or university is a good first step, but students also need to be able to do the work or they will not be able to graduate. Students in many post-secondary institutions need to be able to organize their own work, write long papers and complete complicated projects, often with very little help from their instructors. Taking courses through Continuing Education programs or through online universities can help people develop the skills they need to be able to complete their coursework. Some universities, such as Oxford University in England and Stanford University in the United States, even offer free online courses in various subjects. Students might not be able to receive degrees through these programs, but they offer a good chance to learn and to practice the skills they need for their studies.

    Have you dropped out of high school and are you thinking of going to university or college? Many people have done that, and they have been successful in achieving their goals. If you left school but still enjoy learning, you can return to your studies and maybe gain a new career or help yourself become better at your current job. It’s never too late to improve your mind and your skills with a post-secondary education.

  • Too Cool for School?

    Too Cool for School?

    “A human being is not attaining his full heights until he is educated.” – Horrace Mann

    It is important to remember messages such as these when you start to feel the pressure of entering high school. Will I make friends? Will I fit in? Will my teachers be too strict? It takes a few years and a couple life lessons to really understand the insignificance of these questions. High school isn’t a popularity contest or a soap opera, it’s a learning institution that will help to mold you into the person that you one day hope to be. It’s a stepping stone on the path to a life that you can be proud of.

    Too many high school students are not taking their education seriously and are putting their futures on the back burner. It may seem cool to work in a fast food restaurant or a trendy clothing store while you are living at home with your parents or guardians and your income is solely for material things. But eventually that roof will no longer be over your head and your free ride will be over. You’re faced with the reality of bill payments and rent cheques and that bank account is getting smaller and smaller every month. This is when it hits you – “I should have just toughed it out and stayed in school.”

    It takes a lot of hard work and motivation to succeed in this world. A  high paying job won’t just be handed to you on a silver platter  and every dollar in that bank account will have been earned with pride.

    Whether you’re feeling bullied or burdened, remember that a high school diploma is an accomplishment that is recognized all over the world and there is nothing that should keep you from it. Keep your eye on the prize and before you know it, you’ll be throwing your hat in the air and anxiously awaiting what comes next!

  • Diploma vs. Degree – What’s Best For Me?

    Diploma vs. Degree – What’s Best For Me?

    Deciding where to continue your educational journey after high school can be difficult.

    With countless options available, including different credentials, areas of study and employment prospects, it may feel like there’s no right choice. Proper research, knowledge, and contemplation can ease insecurities by guiding you toward your best option.

    One of the first decisions to make regarding post-secondary education is whether to pursue a diploma, degree, or both. It’s important to first understand the difference between the two credentials.

    In Ontario, for example, there are two types of diplomas – a two-year Ontario College diploma and a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma. A diploma program helps develop the foundational knowledge and skills required for success in a variety of applied positions by utilizing hands-on, real-world experiences.

    Diploma programs cover a wide-range of subject areas including Dental Hygiene, Broadcasting, Human Resources, Computer Programming, Web Development, Lab Technician, Culinary Management, and more.

    Colleges also offer apprenticeship certificates, one-year introductory or general certificates, and graduate certificates, which offer accelerated hands-on learning for applicants with previous education or significant work experience.

    Universities offer a variety of undergraduate degree-completion opportunities for students entering direct from high school, including a Bachelor degree, three years, and an Honours Bachelor Degree, four years.

    A three-year Bachelor degree helps develop a broad theoretical knowledge in at least one area of study. An Honours degree, four years in length, allows students to build a more specialized knowledge which can be applied toward research studies and final papers and projects.

    Examples of university programs include Kinesiology, Business Administration, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Anthropology, Astronomy, Psychology, and more.

    Following completion of a Bachelor Degree, students can enter the work force or continue to earn a Master or Doctoral degree.

    Some colleges also offer Bachelor Degrees, but they are generally offered in more applied areas that a university does not typically offer programming in, such as Interior Design, Advertising and Fashion.

    Most areas of study can be offered at both a college and university level. To investigate the best option for you, research career prospects and investigate what credentials are required for your desired career. You can also visit job boards and fairs or speak with people in the industry.

    One of the biggest differences between post-secondary studies at a college or university level is cost. Tuition typically ranges from $3000 to $4000 per year in a college compared to $5000 to $8000 per year at a university.

    To overcome the obstacle of finances and stand above the competition in the job market, many students pursue both a diploma and degree through established agreements developed between colleges and universities. This means transferring their completed diploma to receive advanced standing with a university, ranging from several courses to more than a year. This allows you to earn both a diploma and degree in less time than normal and at less cost.

    There is no generic right answer. To choose whether a diploma or degree is best for you, research the options available and know that you’re never stuck. You can always pursue further credentials.

  • Career Profile: Fashion Buyer

    Career Profile: Fashion Buyer

    You might have heard of the term “buyer” referenced on TV or in movies. He or she is usually fashionable dressed and always in a rush to find the next big thing clothing designers have to offer. Admittedly, in this case, fiction is not that far off from the truth. Fashion buyers are usually employed by clothing retailers, both big and small, to stock their shelves with products that are most likely to keep the customers walking through the front door. Though the term isn’t exclusively used with the fashion industry, the fashion buyer is the most popular incarnation of the job.

    Where does a buyer work and who do they work with?
    Oftentimes, a buyer will find him or herself attending runway shows, wholesale markets and special showcases put on by designers to present new products lines. Buyers are expected to take notes and keep a look out for the next trend destined to hit the market. Every buyer’s ultimate goal is to have the retailer they work for be one of the first retailers on the market to promote the next trend in time to scoop up the majority of the sales.

    Along with designers, buyers work closely with sales department representatives and clothing suppliers to ensure the products stocked are marketed in the best way and that they are no discrepancies with the products received. The majority of a buyer’s job involves negotiating the terms of a stock order with the supplier.

    Specializing
    Depending on the size of retailer, which varies from large department chain to privately owned boutique, there may be individual buyers responsible for specific products – like women’s shoes or men’s pants. Larger retailers will also have multiple levels of seniority determined by experience and responsibility given. Securing a position as an assistant buyer, for example, will allow new graduates and those who have been around for less time in the industry to gain experience and exposure under the wing of a senior employee.

    Certification
    Colleges focused on fashion education will offer certification for students interested in buying and merchandising. Some community colleges will also offer similar programs, but for those seeking opportunities right out of school, attending a program known for its fashion centric education might be a better option – particularly for networking and gaining contacts.