With the rapid changes in the world of technology, education, and society in general keeping on top of your skills is becoming more and more essential. There are various ways to expand your knowledge and improve your skills, with more information available to us than ever before. Prices can range from free, to low and high-cost prices for learning. Taking part in online courses, workshops, and certifications can help you to become more adaptable and informed.
Let’s look at some of the ways you can work to improve your skills online, whether it’s for professional or personal use.
Low-Cost Courses – Websites like Udemy and Skillshare are courses created by individuals who are skilled in their craft. They create online courses for you to take on everything from how to use Excel to photography and painting. These websites are beneficial if you are looking to learn a new skill or to improve your existing skills. Many of the courses are video-based and easy to learn from.
Accessible University Courses – Websites like Coursera and edX offer a variety of university-based courses from a wide range of universities like Harvard and more. You can learn about a variety of topics, in multiple languages, which you can add to your resume. You can audit the course for free or pay a nominal fee for the course and receive a certificate. This method is great because you can vastly upgrade your skills remotely from your computer. These websites have courses starting at various times of the month and running for a certain number of weeks. The best part is that you can also do the courses from your phone on their app!
Professional Associations – Professional Associations often offer short-term courses that are cost-effective and targeted on specific industry skills. Most professions have an association you can join. Sometimes you don’t even need to be a member to join the courses. Search for training opportunities on the profession’s website and the courses could be anywhere from a seminar that lasts a few hours to a course that lasts a few weeks.
Reading – Books are an excellent low-cost method to upgrade your skills. This method can even be free if you utilize your local library. There are books on any topic you can think of and there are often book recommendations based on what you are looking to upgrade your skills in.
Continuous learning doesn’t always mean sitting in a classroom and returning to school full-time. You can always connect with other professionals and become a mentor or seek out a mentor in your profession. The point is to keep seeking and learning from credible sources and other professionals.
Jennifer Bouley is a Career Development Practitioner located in St Stephen. She has a passion for helping others find wellness in their careers, while finding fulfilling jobs. Jennifer can be reached at blissplusyou@gmail.com.
