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From classroom to career: Brittany Andrey’s journey through the Autism and Behavioural Sciences program at Durham College

Graduate spotlight: Brittany Andrey

Brittany Andrey was ready for the excitement and challenges of the world of academics after a break. Despite initial nerves, Brittany quickly found her footing in Durham College’s (DC) Autism and Behavioural Sciences (ATBS) graduate certificate program and discovered a passion that would propel her toward a rewarding career in the field.

“I hadn’t been in school for a couple years before starting the program, so I was a little nervous in the beginning,” she shares. “But those nerves quickly faded as I began learning and becoming more passionate about the field.”

Brittany credits her instructors for easing her transition back into student life and helping her build meaningful relationships along the way. “I learned so much from my wonderful instructors and made some really great friends.”

Since completing her credential, Brittany is thriving in her new role as an Educational Assistant and Academic Strategist, supporting students at DC — a role that has given her an opportunity to put her skills into action. When reflecting on how DC prepared her for this career, Brittany points to the invaluable guidance she received from her instructors and the hands-on experience she gained during her field placements.

“Being taught by professionals in the field helped prepare me a lot. They were always willing to answer questions, give advice, and share their experiences. This was also my first time completing field placements, and getting the chance to practice the skills we learned in a real-world setting was key to preparing me for the workforce.”

Brittany’s enthusiasm for learning doesn’t stop with her recent accomplishments. With a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology already under her belt, she’s looking ahead to exploring the fascinating overlap between the fields of forensic psychology and behavioural sciences.

For those considering the ATBS program, Brittany offers encouraging advice: “It’s okay if you don’t know much about autism or don’t have experience with neurodivergent folks. This program prepares you and provides you with the necessary skills to work in the field.”

Every year, DC celebrates thousands of career-ready graduates. Read more grad stories and how DC has helped them thrive.

Thinking about returning to school? Here’s how Durham College empowers mature learners

At Durham College (DC), we understand that the decision to return to school is not taken lightly. Finances, academic performance and employability are all likely on your mind. But know that you’re not alone – more than 60 per cent of DC students come with work and life experience and not directly from high school – so we know exactly what you need to succeed.

We’re here to support you and want to address three of the most common concerns we hear about most from mature learners to put your mind at ease and inspire you to take action toward this exciting new chapter.

  • “I don’t know if I can afford to return to school.”

    We know that one of the biggest worries for mature learners is the cost of returning to school. You might wonder how you’ll manage tuition, books, and other expenses. Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to education, so at DC, we’re proud to offer more than $5 million in scholarships, awards, and bursaries to our students each year, based on factors such as academic performance and financial need. Many mature learners are eligible for specific support, and our team will work with you to create a financial plan that fits your budget.

    Our Financial Aid and Awards office is here to help you navigate your options and find a solution tailored to suit your individual needs. From finding and applying for bursaries and scholarships to gaining flexible on-campus employment, their guidance and support is invaluable.

    Looking for inspiration? Check out this mother-daughter duo, who together, found Financial Aid to be a cornerstone of their time at DC.

  • “I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up with my studies.”

    If it’s been a while since you last stepped into a classroom, lab, or shop, you might be concerned about meeting academic requirements or keeping up with coursework. Don’t worry — DC offers several options to help you succeed, including a free Academic Upgrading program, which is designed to help mature learners refresh their skills in subjects like math, English, and science.

    In addition, our Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) team is comprised of dedicated on-campus professionals who are ready to assist you through one-on-one appointments, group tutorials, workshops, and online resources to help boost your grades.

    Read more about how SALS is ready to support you from your first day of class to graduation.

  • “I want to know I’ll get a job in my field after graduation.”

    Employability is often top of mind for mature learners. You want to know that your investment in education will lead to tangible career opportunities.

    Our data tells us that nearly 90 per cent of DC grads are employed within six months of graduation. This is because our programs are developed with employability in mind and to ensure students graduate career ready. We work directly with industry partners to ensure that our curriculum reflects the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. With experiential learning opportunities infused within program learning outcomes, you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience that sets you apart in the job market.

    DC provides on-campus Job Fairs, program-specific networking opportunities with employers and alumni events tailored to assist you in landing your dream job. Also, the Career Development office offers workshops, resume writing assistance, and access to a free online job portal, exclusive to DC students and alumni.

At DC, we believe that it’s never too late to pursue your goals – and we’re here to help you reach them. Connect with our Student Recruitment team today to launch your future career!

Fund your future: three ways to access financial aid as a mature learner

A college education is an investment in your future, but returning to school may feel overwhelming. We are here to help ease any financial concerns or questions you may have and help you navigate all the financial support options available to students and set you up for success.

Apply for OSAP

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a needs-based program. It is available to full-time students as well as part-time students who are enrolled in an OSAP-approved program. More information about how to apply, deadlines to apply and options for part-time student, is available online.

Access scholarships, bursaries and awards

There is a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to help students fund their education. Scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved academic or personal excellence or both. Bursaries are based on financial need. Neither require repayment.

Criteria for bursaries vary and students may qualify for some bursaries without receiving OSAP. Students can apply for all bursaries and awards using the General Bursary Application form. For students starting in January, applications open in the second week of January and close February 20. For more information about applying, contact Financial Aid.

Get hired on-campus

Whether it’s working part-time during the school year or full-time during the summer, on-campus jobs are designed to support students in financial need while providing career-related opportunities.  Options include the DCWorks program for domestic students who show financial need, IWorks for international students, summer employment programs and Peer Tutoring for students who excel in their programs.

Students who work on campus receive a competitive wage and valuable work experience. They must apply and go through the hiring and interview process to be selected for a job. Email DCstudentemployment@durhamcollege.ca with any questions about on-campus employment.

Not sure where to start? Reach out to the Financial Aid and Awards Office and take the next step to achieving your educational goals.

Level up your career and earning potential with a graduate certificate

Whether you’re seeking to enhance your current skill set or to pivot into a new industry, a Durham College (DC) graduate certificate offers a path to success by empowering you with skills tailored to today’s job market.

They’re designed for students who have a university degree or a college diploma, or in some cases relevant industry experience, and want to find a focused career path or advancement in their current field.

Explore DC’s wide-range of graduate certificates that provide a concentrated and in-depth exploration of specialized subjects with programs in the areas of health and social services, business, IT, science and engineering and media and communications.

Programs with January start dates include Addictions and Mental Health, Autism and Behavioural Sciences, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics for Business Management and Human Resource Management. Some programs may be waitlisted. For opportunities to start in May or September, check out our full list of programs.

As the world of work changes, DC continues to respond by launching new programs based on real-world demand and the jobs of tomorrow.

Explore new programs like Clinical Bioinformatics which meets the rising demand for specialized professionals in the fields of genomics and proteomics who can use industry-based software to analyze biological data to identify disease-related biomarkers and assess drug effectiveness.

Our new Public Relations graduate certificate is accessible to students from a broad range of academic backgrounds who are interested in learning how to share critical messages through engaging writing, online content creation, special events and fundraising campaigns. Whether you’re interested in working in sports, fashion, music, healthcare or the non-profit section, succeed by mastering the art of communicating in today’s digital age.

Learn more about all of the graduate certificates offered at DC or connect with our recruitment team to explore all of your options.

New year, new you: Some of our most popular programs are accepting students for January

The best time to move forward towards a new or upgraded career is now. Durham College (DC) is ready to support you in the New Year with more than 60 career-driven programs in IT, science and engineering, business, hospitality, culinary, healthcare, social work, community services, skilled trades, media, art and design and more.

What are some of the programs available in January?

Are you business-focused or entrepreneurial? Programs like Accounting, Finance and Human Resources are open to new students. Check our joint diploma-to-degree programs where students earn a diploma in programs like Entrepreneurship and Small Business and Supply Chain Operations and then transfer to Ontario Tech to complete a Bachelor of Commerce.

Consider combining your creativity with technology in our Interactive Media Design program or with business in Marketing. Or explore the art of food in our Culinary Management program!

Interested in being a first responder? Consider 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications and Police Foundations. The Protection, Security and Investigation program prepares students for careers in border security, bylaw enforcement and corrections.

Trying to decide what to take? Our fundamentals programs, such as Business Fundamentals, are two-semester certificates which give you a solid foundation in the field while exposing you to a variety of career pathways and further areas of study.

Where should I start?

Explore all of DC’s market-driven programs to narrow your focus based on your interests. Connect with our student recruitment team, who will help you learn more about DC programs, show you around campus with a tour or arrange a virtual appointment.

What if I don’t have the right qualifications?

Find out more about academic upgrading so you can pursue the career of your dreams. Upgrading courses are tuition-free, and qualified learners can access funding for daycare and transportation costs. Learn more about registering and speak to one of our student advisors during a Steps to Success webinar.

Commit to yourself in the New Year and join us on campus! You belong at DC.