FIVE CAREER SKILLS YOU CAN LEARN ONLINE FOR FREE

It's no secret that the workforce has changed remarkably in the past ten years. With a new focus on automation, digitization and outsourcing of labor, many skills are becoming out-dated and unnecessary in the workplace. This means that professionals have to continuously up-skill and reinvent themselves in order to remain relevant in the workforce. This is also true for young people preparing to enter the workforce as universities still offer out-dated courses in industries that are becoming obsolete and are failing to update the curriculum fast enough. Despite jobs being over-run by globalisation and robots, the internet provides an abundance of resources to up-skill ourselves and remain on the top of the volatile career game.

Learn how to code

Not just for IT nerds, coding is a skill increasingly in demand in a wide range of industries. Learning to code in order to program computers or make an app is like learning a new language, it takes a lot of time and effort. However, there are different types of coding you can learn depending on what you want to focus on. For example, if you want to learn how to build a website from scratch you would start with HTML and CSS, or jumpstart straight to Bootstrap. CodeAcademy is an online resource I have recently started using where you can choose which specific code you want to learn based on your ultimate goal. It is extremely easy to use and makes learning fun by using interactive learning tools. In addition, if you want to advance your knowledge past the very basics, they provide professionally accredited online courses at a very reason

able price.

Learn digital marketing 

If you haven’t got the memo, print is dying and everything is migrating online. This means that, more than ever, businesses need people who understand the landscape of online marketing, which covers Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media. HubSpot is an amazing inbound marketing and sales platform that provides free courses to those who want to increase their knowledge in the digital marketing environment.  As a student majoring in Advertising, having as much knowledge of the online marketplace as possible is essential to my career. However, for anyone that knows how to compete in the online marketplace, create shareable content and interact with consumers, you will not only be an asset to any employer, but you will have the knowledge and resources to market your own brand.

Learn a language

In a globalised world, being able to interact and communicate with people from different cultures is essential to your success. Whether your job requires you to travel to foreign countries or whether interacting with different nationalities in the workplace, learning a new language will be valuable at some point in your career. Duolingo is a website that lets you choose any language you’re interested in and learn it quickly with games, activities and tests to help you out. I would suggest learning one of the most spoken languages in the world, Mandarin or Spanish.

Learn media content creation

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Therefore, starting a blog on website such as Blogger or Wordpress, and making it your goal to post a few times a week, is a sure-fire way to become a better writer and all-round content developer. In addition, by coming up with new blog post ideas, developing your website and increasing your online presence, your experience as a creator in the digital community will provide you will skills that transfer to almost any industry.

Learn to use Adobe Photoshop

One of the most widely used software packages in the world is Adobe Photoshop. Although not a free software, there is an endless array of free information online that will help you become a Photoshop pro. Phlearn is one website which offers a plethora of video tutorials with beginner and advanced techniques, as well as a range of special affects all in one location. Whether creating website mock-ups, designing graphics, developing marketing content, or simply just editing your travel photos, Photoshop is a great tool for any professional in today’s digital environment.

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