You know that one of the things we do is help people with their resumes and LinkedIn profile. So we decided to share with you this post our founder had posted a couple months ago on LinkedIn.
The world is changing. There's nothing new about that. Technology has led to globalization and a need for speed. We have access to almost anything we want to know or learn at the tip of our fingers and newer generations grow impatient in a world where the winning card for a business to succeed is to be able to provide their services as soon as possible anywhere in the planet.
Millennials are not the newcomers anymore. They are directing your companies and making the decisions that will drive the economy for the next few years until generation Z takes over. We don't learn or digest information the same way and we don't have time to spare on things that don't interest us. This is a new era and therefore, many things are changing, including how we access knowledge.
As apocalyptic as this may sound, there is also a positive side. A short attention span is among the most common characteristics of younger generations but value for other people's time comes hand in hand with it. Generosity and willingness to share are some of the other traits that define us millennials.
You're probably asking yourself how can this help you nourish your brain and boost your resume. Easy, thanks to this generation's need to share, demand for things "now" and impatience for those subjects that don't matter to them, we have faster, more efficient and often times free ways to learn what you really want.
Schools are becoming way too expensive for the average American who ends up owing a lifetime of student loans to get into a 2 year MBA that will be obsolete in 5 years. The internet now offers the possibility to learn only the content that you want to learn, for low prices and sometimes at no cost. Best part of all? Elite schools like MIT or Harvard and companies like Amazon or Deloitte are sponsoring the certifications and partnering up with them so you're backed by the best. Yes, schools are still necessary, especially for careers that require a hands on experience in a lab or a media room for example. But you can improve, update, recycle and complete your resume with the help of these sites without getting into a six figure debt and a multiple year degree.
Do you need to increase your knowledge? Are you simply a nerd like me who just loves to learn new things? I put together a little guide with 5 of my favorite websites to help you find the right source for you.
1.- Alison Learning has over 750 free courses and works with companies such as Google and Microsoft and has been used by more than 9 million users worldwide. They are very proud of their dedicated Advanced Diploma in Workforce Re-Entry Skills that "provides learners with the soft skills they need to find gainful employment". And they claim to be helping marginated communities prosper in particular those who had been incarcerated (you can learn more about it here)
I find that some of their courses are very basic but they will give you enough knowledge to understand a subject and figure out if you want more. Plus, you have the benefit that you can learn as you go. Their courses come with tests that you will need to pass with a results of at least 80% in order to get a certification. Certificates are voluntary and have a very low cost. The certificate for one of the courses I did had a fee of $50 and you only pay if you want proof.
From a diploma in Psychology or Human Resources to courses on Molecular Chemistry. Allison is one of the cheapest ways to gain general knowledge on a subject.
2.- Coursera has more than 2,000 amazing (and sometimes too specific) courses from some of the most renowned universities around the globe. You can literally get a diploma or certificate from schools such as Duke University, Penn State, John Hopkins or Stanford. The downfall is that most of them have a set up schedule so you have to register on time, follow the calendar and dedicate the amount of hours they tell you. On the good side, you have access to amazing Professors that not everyone can afford.
How it works: "Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes, and projects. Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts. Earn official recognition for your work." Prices for certifications are low and you can get them in as little as 4 weeks. Click on the image from their site to learn more.
3.- EdX has more than 10 million users doing courses from MIT, Harvard and Boston University among others. You have certifications for Verified Courses. Their XSeries programs provide a deep understanding of exciting and in-demand fields and allow you to earn a certificate as well. You can also get university credit through specific programs. And for those who really want a Master but don't have the time or money, they have Micromasters recognized by companies such as IBM, General Electric or Volvo and can cost you as little as $600 total.
4.- Udemy "is a global marketplace for learning and teaching online where students are mastering new skills and achieving their goals by learning from an extensive library of over 45,000 courses taught by expert instructors." Their platform for business is used by companies such as Lyft, Volkswagen or PayPal.
Their courses range in price but they always have offers and you can access valuable content for as little as $15 and you can preview part of the content to decide if you like the style and material taught before you buy it. Millennials love them because the lectures are divided in small videos that tend to last less than 5 minutes (ideal for those with short attention span).
5.- Udacity from free courses to nanodegrees, they are changing the way people and companies seek and understand knowledge and they cater to the most modern and futuristic jobs. Among their clients and partners you will find Google, Mercedes-Benz or Amazon. Their nanodegrees allow you to master in-demand skills and earn a valued credential and their pathfinder tool shows you options based on what you want to do. Their platform for business offers access to the talent that did courses with them and corporate training.
NOTE: We have not been paid by these companies to post this. This information has been taken from the websites of the respective companies. We are not responsible for the career advancement or lack of it of anyone who decides to take on these courses.