If you’re passionate about child and youth work and want to make a lasting difference in young lives, but aren’t sure where to start, Centennial College’s Child and Youth Worker Apprenticeship program could be your path forward—just like it was for Calissa Ngozi. Unsure of her direction after high school, Calissa eventually discovered a rewarding career that matched her natural gifts and interests, all thanks to Centennial College in Toronto.
With its hands-on training, unique apprenticeship program, and a strong focus on mental health and advocacy, the Child and Youth Worker program laid the foundation for a meaningful, multi-faceted career in youth services. Today, Calissa is an award-winning child and youth worker, professor, speaker, and entrepreneur. And it all started at Centennial College in Ontario.
Discovering Her Passion for Youth Work
After graduating from high school, Calissa first took a gap year.
“You know, I had these idealisms that I was going to work on a cruise ship, or I was going to be a flight attendant,” Calissa says. “None of that happened. Instead, I ended up getting a job at a residential treatment facility, a group home for youth aged 5 to 17.” Even before that, she’d already gained valuable experience working with youth through roles at the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Circle Square Ranch summer camp.
“I really enjoyed working with teens and with youth, and I did that for about a year,” she adds. Still, she wasn’t really sure what career path she wanted to take, until a pivotal moment came through a chance encounter at church.
“This man came up to me and said, hey, I talked to your parents, and they told me what you’re into. Have you ever heard of a child and youth worker?” He introduced her to Centennial College’s part-time diploma pathway, where she could continue working while earning credentials.
“That really intrigued me,” she continues. “I looked up Centennial, and I really liked the program that was presented, and how it would fit into my life.” Calissa then began her studies at Centennial College, later upgrading her credential to a diploma through extra courses at Niagara College.
What She Gained from Centennial College
“I credit Centennial College for providing me with such an easy transition,” Calissa says. “Because I did the apprenticeship program, you work and go to school at the same time. I think that's absolutely brilliant, because it allows you to have hands-on experience in youth care while getting paid, because life is expensive, you know.”
“Centennial has crafted this incredible institution when it comes to child and youth care education,” she adds. Most importantly, Calissa points to the sense of belonging she found on campus.
“There was always that sense of community at Centennial,” she says, “and there was always somebody there that was available to chat through life and just talk about what my options were. Like, once I graduate, where can I work? What can I do? What makes the most sense? Should I look at other modalities? It really helped me hone in not only on my skills, but my awareness of what was available.” That support helped her build both confidence and career clarity, laying the groundwork for her next chapter.
Turning a Diploma into a Dream Career
“Graduating allowed me to have credentials behind my name,” Calissa says. “It gave me more authenticity, and people realized she’s not just someone that’s been in the field for a long time, she actually has an education and experience.” That diploma became a springboard for an impressive, multifaceted career in child and youth services.
“It's funny, because when everybody asks me what I do right now, I say, how much time do you have?” she says, “because I have a million jobs. But really, Centennial gave me the foundation to be able to do everything that I'm doing right now.”
Since graduating in 2010, Calissa’s resume has included:
- Working at the Children’s Aid Society
- Serving as a self-employed youth support contractor with Bartimaeus
- Teaching at Mohawk College in the Child and Youth Worker and Social Service Worker programs
- Running her own private practice
- Becoming a professional public speaker on mental health
- Regular media appearances discussing mental wellness and family support, like this recent appearance on Breakfast Television
She’s also writing a book, The Oxygen Mask Mindset, offering tools on self-care, resilience, and mental health awareness.
“Even yesterday, I got an e-mail from Global News at like 12:45, asking if I could be on the Jim Toth radio show an hour and a half from that time,” she says, “So, here I am in my car, and they're calling me and I'm answering all these questions about mental health and family.”
The Centennial College Impact
“I'm really making a name for myself in terms of mental health impact,” Calissa says. “And it all started with Centennial College. Honestly, if I didn't have this diploma to give me the foundation, I wouldn't be where I'm at.” And her advice to future students?
“You need to bet on yourself,” she says. “I think we're living in a society right now where there's a lot of people who don't know what their full potential is, and they're afraid to kind of tap into it. So, I really feel that if you have a message that you want to bring, if you have work that you want to do, then you really do need to bet on yourself and you need to understand that there is support. There are tons of college programs that are untapped, that people aren't even aware of. So, talk to academic advisors. You might do really well in a program you didn't even know existed!”
Your Future Starts with Centennial College
Calissa’s journey shows how the right support, education, and real-world experience can open doors to success. Whether you’re just beginning to explore a career in child and youth work, or want to make a bigger impact in mental health and community services, Centennial College’s Child and Youth Worker program can help you get there, and let you graduate with the tools to change lives, just like Calissa. Take the first step toward your future, and apply to Centennial College today.
By Anthony Geremia