Let’s take a look at some of the best places to acquire new skills… without having to shell out for tuition!
You don’t have to look far to find a good reason to learn something new. Whether it’s your New Year’s Resolution or for professional reasons, expanding your knowledge and skill set is always a good thing. Sharpening your skills and/or acquiring new skills is more important than ever to stay relevant in this ever-changing job market. According to the Harvard Business Review, the World Economic Forum predicted that by 2027, around 50% of jobs will require a change or update in skillset.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to enroll in college-level courses to learn a new skill. There are many options that are free or relatively inexpensive––some of which come with a certificate that can boost your professional résumé. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to acquire new skills… without having to shell out for tuition.
Online Courses
Coursera is a one-stop shop for gaining skills and knowledge across multiple disciplines. You can find quick courses to jumpstart your understanding of a certain program, or you can get a Master’s degree 100% online through a top-rated university. (There are plenty of options in between as well, and many of them are free!) It’s free to join, so click around and explore their offerings. Some courses come with practical certifications, such as the Accounting Foundations Graduate Certificate, while others are more niche, such as A Voice of Their Own: Women’s Spirituality in the Middle Ages, free through the University of Barcelona. That may not seem useful, but hey, everyone needs a good conversation starter!
MasterClass is a great place to jumpstart knowledge of an unknown topic. You can watch Timbaland create a new track in his music studio, learn how to craft a nonfiction essay with David Sedaris, and learn practical wilderness survival skills with Jessie Krebs. There are cooking classes, fitness classes, interior decorating classes… the list truly goes on! MasterClass also has a business section aimed at helping people improve their skills with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Leadership, and Personal Growth. The best part? Individual memberships cost $15/month.
Other esteemed platforms for online learning include Khan Academy, edX, and Open Culture.
While not every course will come with a certificate, you can always list relevant coursework on your résumé under “continuous education.” Many recruiters value a candidate’s willingness to continue learning.
Volunteer
Volunteering can be a great way to give back to your community, enrich your personal life, and strategically gain skills that you can apply to your career. It isn’t difficult to find an organization that needs your help. You can learn and hone many skills through volunteering, including communication, leadership, time management skills, and teamwork skills… just to name a few! There is absolutely a place for volunteering on your résumé, granted the work and skills are relevant to the position you are seeking.
Self-Teach
Some demonstrable skills, such as learning another language, playing an instrument, or repairing a broken speaker, can be learned for free on YouTube. Often the quality of the instruction on YouTube is better than you’d get in-person, because the content creators are able to reach their audiences almost instantly, giving them the chance to offer extremely up-to-date information. If you struggle to find the motivation to keep up with self-taught lessons, try boosting them with a bigger incentive. For example, if you are trying to learn a language, you’ll have a much bigger reason to practice if you book a trip to a place where that language is spoken. If you’re trying to learn an instrument, put a little concert on your calendar, even if it’s just performing a couple of songs for a friend or relative.
You don’t even need to have similar interests (or know each other at all) to benefit from the buddy system. Apps like Focusmate allow you to link up with someone while you both work for a set amount of time. You can have up to three free sessions a week. If you struggle with accountability, this could be a real game changer!