Personal discovery

By day, Helen Shann cuts hair at a boutique in downtown Toronto; by night, she takes Continuing Education courses at George Brown – about 10 so far – to explore new interests, learn different skills and meet interesting people.

In 2000, Helen turned to the George Brown College for a very specific reason: after 14 years as a hairdresser, she was considering switching careers. Intrigued by graphic design, she signed up for Introduction to Desktop (now Digital) Publishing (Windows). “I knew I wouldn’t go back to school full time; I wanted to take different evening courses to train myself over time,” says Helen, 37.

Over seven weeks, Helen learned the digital publishing basics and received training in software programs such as Photoshop, InDesign, QuarkXPress and Illustrator. The best part of the course, she says, was learning from an instructor who was an experienced magazine graphic designer. “The fact that he worked in the industry meant he knew what he was talking about,” she says. “He was very helpful and gave a lot of personal attention.”

The comprehensive training gave Helen a good idea of the nature of graphic design; it was a valuable lesson that made her realize it wasn’t for her.

Last year, Helen returned to George Brown to learn how to better use her new digital SLR camera. Digital Photography I was just the ticket: it covered the different types of digital cameras, lens types and lighting accessories, and how to use the various camera controls to make quality images.

“The course was really hands-on,” Helen says. “We did projects inside and outside the class to learn the different ways to use the camera.”

Again, Helen gained valuable industry insights from her instructor, an established GTA wedding photographer. “He was very knowledgeable; he would listen to see what you thought about good photographic design and would give you good feedback,” she says.

Digital photography has since evolved into an active hobby for Helen, one she put to good use on a recent trip to Japan, Bali and Hong Kong. She plans to complete the entire eight-course Digital Photography Certificate.

“George Brown is a very practical school, and you get to learn from people with first-hand experience,” she says. “Taking these courses is a way for me to meet new people, grow as a person and try new things.”