If you are a college student or recent graduate, you likely spent months scanning job boards and applying for internships and full time jobs. If you read the job descriptions closely, you’ll often notice that data analytics internships, for example, list economics or math/statistics majors as part of the preferred qualifications. Similarly, content marketing roles will list liberal arts/humanities majors as preferred qualifications.
At first glance, you are excited to learn you pass that test. Keep reading. Most will add other qualifications, such as knowledge of tableau for a data role or proficiency with search engine optimization (SEO) for a content marketing role. “Wait, my econ courses never covered tableau, and my creative writing class never mentioned SEO.” That’s right — college courses usually do not cover specific skills you need that employers want to see. What now?
Luckily for you, in today’s digital economy, we have access to more resources than ever before. You can learn a new language, connect with someone on the other side of the world, or see what your friends are doing, all while you lay in bed. And if you google “tableau courses” or “SEO courses,” you’ll get a ton of hits.
Even if you know that there are opportunities to learn new skills online and build your personal toolbox, it’s hard to know where to start and which resources are worthwhile.
Here are 5 resources you can utilize to build professional skills online that will actually help you:
Google Skillshop
Google Analytics is a great place to start if you’re just starting to dive into data and analytics. This course will teach you how to use the platform to gather data on website visitors. Various teams at companies use Google Analytics, so this learning isn’t limited to just those interested in data specific roles. For those interested in digital marketing and/or advertising, Google also offers courses on their paid advertising, where you can learn how to run paid ad campaigns.
Alison
Alison is a platform that has free online courses in all different fields and industries. While courses are free, there is a charge to receive a certification. Their courses are broken down by length and scope, so you can choose to dive deep into one concept or gain a more general understanding of a broader subject.
Hubspot
Hubspot is a software company with products for sales, inbound marketing, and customer service. Through Hubspot Academy, they offer courses and certifications on topics like Inbound Marketing, Content Marketing, and Inbound Sales. These courses will help you build foundational knowledge on these topics, especially if you’re interested in marketing or sales.
Codecademy
Coding is a highly sought-after skill that employers look for. Code Academy offers courses on different programming languages, some of which are free. UX Designers, Digital Marketers, and everyone in between can benefit from knowing how to code.
Sage Corps Skills Academy
If you’re looking to gain a more holistic professional skillset, the Sage Corps Skills Academy might be a great fit for you. We break it down between soft-skills and hard-skills, both of which are essential to professional success. And you get to choose what area you focus on out of our 6 tracks:
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Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Sales & Business Development, UX/UI and Graphic Design, Software Development, Business Analysis
The best way to learn is by doing, so as a part of our course we incorporate projects in order for you to apply what you’ve learned. You’ll also have our staff available to provide one-on-one guidance and assistance. Learn More
