Are you fully prepared to dive into your future career, or do you feel you need more education but aren’t sure where to start?
For anyone who wants to prepare to enter the workforce in the near future, a graduate certificate can be a great next step. It gives you practical, hands-on knowledge that some more theoretical degrees may lack, and helps you further specialize by building on your existing education.
But what is a graduate certificate, how can it help you, and what do you need to get one? At Mohawk College, within our list of exciting and industry-backed graduate certificates, you’ll find just what you need to get ready for an impressive career, in less time than other post-graduate education options.
What is a graduate certificate?
Ontario Colleges offer a variety of program types for starting or adding to your postsecondary education. Graduate Certificates require students to have one of the following to apply:
- a university degree
- a college certificate
- a college diploma
- relevant industry experience
Which one you need will vary depending on the type of Ontario Graduate Certificate, but these programs are specialized. They help students build on their existing education and find a specific area of focus that will help them transition into their careers. “Niching down” is a trendy term these days that coaches and business influencers recommend, and graduate certificates are the professional way to narrow down the areas of focus in your industry that interest you most.
Typically, you won’t need to debate the benefits of a graduate certificate vs diploma, as you can build on your diploma or degree from a college or university with a graduate certificate.
A post-graduate certificate program is created in collaboration with faculty who either work in the industry or have strong industry connections, ensuring students gain the hands-on skills needed to excel in their chosen field.
There are other types of graduate programs you might have heard of like a Master’s Degree, Doctorate, or PhD. Unlike these graduate programs, which also can help students focus on areas of interest, a graduate certificate program is shorter in length and specifically career-oriented.
How can a graduate certificate help my career?
A graduate certificate from an Ontario college gives you specialized skills and knowledge that can make you a more competitive candidate to start your career. It can also help you pivot into a new field or deepen your expertise in an existing one.
Gain specialized skills employers are searching for
If you search for job postings in your desired field, you’ll soon find that even entry-level positions are asking for specific skills and experience that are difficult to obtain fresh out of postsecondary school.
Some of the ways graduate certificate programs help you learn specialized skills include:
- Faculty who are industry-experienced professionals
- Case study analysis and projects
- Courses that focus on learning essential industry software
- Assignments that reflect real-world projects
- Presentations to industry professionals for experience
- Simulation labs
- Preparation for essential industry-specific certifications
- Required internships, placements or co-ops
Having career-ready certifications, hands-on experience with the tools needed by employers in your field, and gaining confidence in professional scenarios (presentations, internships, etc.) will help your resume stand out in a competitive job market.
Many organizations budget for employee training programs and have award-winning onboarding programs, but by having practical training in the day-to-day skills you need for your role, job candidates with a graduate certificate have an edge over those with just a general undergraduate degree.
Build industry connections
One of the great benefits of getting a graduate certificate is the way it fosters industry connections early on. Through expert faculty, their professional connections, guest speakers, advisors, internships and other opportunities to engage with industry leaders, the connections you make during your graduate certificate program can last throughout your career.
Additionally, your fellow classmates will evolve in their careers as you do, helping you gain more industry connections. Whether they offer information about job opportunities, help you transition to a new role, or become consultants for future projects, the benefits of having these connections can be helpful throughout your career.
A post-graduate certificate program provides an excellent networking opportunity to build positive relationships with faculty, the experts you are introduced to through the program, and your peers.
Get applicable work experience in your field
Depending on the type of program, an Ontario College Graduate Certificate may have a required placement, capstone project or internship component. This part of the program allows you to take what you have learned in class and use your hands-on skills in real-life scenarios.
By gaining real work experience in your field, you will be entering the workforce with a better working knowledge of your daily requirements. From managing tasks to handling conflicts, this experience will help you understand the realities of your career and make you more valuable to future employers.
Some lucky students have turned placements into real positions, and while this isn’t always the case, a glowing reference from your supervisor during your placement will always help your resume stand out.
Graduate Certificates at Mohawk College
At Mohawk College, our Ontario College Graduate Certificate programs are created with expert faculty, industry essentials and required software and skills in mind.
In less than a year, you can enhance your education with the type of experience and education employers need from new hires. Several of our programs are also created with flexible learning options so students can work and gain a specialty in their field. You can see our current list of programs here.
You can find each program’s entry requirements on the program page.
Is getting a graduate certificate right for me?
If you’re still unsure whether an Ontario graduate certificate program is the right choice here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself.
- Do I want to specialize to improve my job prospects?
- Am I looking for a faster, more affordable option than a master’s degree?
- Would gaining practical, hands-on experience help me feel more prepared for starting a new job?
- Do I need additional credentials to stand out in my industry?
- Am I considering switching career paths and would relevant training help?
- Do I want to build industry connections and expand my professional network?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, it’s time to start researching graduate certificate programs that will build on your current education.
What’s next?
To get started researching Ontario College graduate certificate programs, you can ask your current professors or faculty members if there are any programs they would recommend, or check out LinkedIn and see what programs others in your industry have taken.
The Ontario Colleges website also has a feature to help you filter programs by graduate certificates.Reach out to a Mohawk College Recruitment and Outreach Advisor to ask any questions and narrow down your options.
We are here to help you make a decision that is right for you.
