Top 10 Online Resources to Up Your Skills

Top 10 Online Resources to Up Your Skills

Whether you’re looking for a new job, looking for that next promotion, or getting ready to launch your own business, success in the digital age requires a learning-for-life mindset and a willingness to embrace new ways of doing things. Enter upskilling.

Upskilling is all about refreshing your existing skills, learning new competencies, and proving to your current or future employers that you are engaged and ready to learn and apply new ways of doing things. 

To help you explore opportunities to begin your upskilling journey, here is a list of top online resources:

---

When Transamerica asked: “Have you taken any steps to ensure that you’ll be able to continue working past 65 or in retirement, if needed?” only 37% of boomers said they’ve been keeping their job skills up to date. And that was down from 40% when Transamerica surveyed boomers in 2019. Those percentages were flipped for Gen Xers, who’ve been taking a little more initiative lately. 

---

1. ALISON

ALISON has a wide range of free, comprehensive classes on topics ranging from technology, languages, science, financial literacy, personal and soft skills, and entrepreneurship. It targets all kinds of learners, from professionals and managers to teachers and freelancers.

 

2. Udemy

Udemy has plenty to offer for the learner on a budget, from completely free courses taught by experts, professors, entrepreneurs, and professionals, to frequent discounts and class specials. In addition to classes in tech, business, and marketing, you can also explore options in productivity, health, hobbies, and lifestyle.

 

3. LinkedIn Learning

Formerly known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning gives you access to thousands of courses in business, design, art, education, and tech. It also offers a free one-month trial so you can try before you buy.

 

4. Coursera

If you want to receive a college education without the high cost of tuition, Coursera is the best stop. This website offers amazing courses in all kinds of fields, from professional development to psychology, history, and literature—all created and taught by professors at top institutions nationally and across the globe. Their universities include Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and plenty more.

 

5. Udacity

Udacity focuses on software development, offering free courses in programming, data science, and web development. The website also offers a nanodegree program for individuals who want to master a skill set or pursue a full-time career in tech.

When Transamerica asked: “Have you taken any steps to ensure that you’ll be able to continue working past 65 or in retirement if needed?” only 37% of boomers said they’ve been keeping their job skills up to date. And that was down from 40% when Transamerica surveyed boomers in 2019. Those percentages were flipped for Gen Xers, who’ve been taking a little more initiative lately.

6. edX

Just like Coursera, edX offers anyone, anywhere the chance to take university classes in various departments—and get certified. Some of their brand-name partners include Harvard, Berkeley, Dartmouth, Georgetown, and the University of Chicago (and that’s not all!).

 

7. General Assembly

General Assembly offers both online and in-person classes, as well as full-time and part-time options. It focuses mainly on digital skills, covering subjects such as digital marketing, iOS and Android development, data analytics, and JavaScript.

 

8. Skillshare

Skillshare provides “bite-sized” classes to learners who only have 15 minutes a day. It has more than 500 free classes and several thousand premium classes to choose from in topics such as film, writing, tech, lifestyle, and more.

 

9. LearnSmart

LearnSmart’s orientated toward career development, which is why it’s a great place to learn about IT and security, project management, HR, and business.

 

10. Pluralsight

After subscribing to Pluralsight (or using its free trial!), you’ll be able to explore classes in software, 3D development, VFX, design, game design, web design, and CAD software.

 

There are many more online resources out there. Dizzied by the choices? You should check out Try Class Central—it’s a matching engine for online classes and can provide suggestions based on your personal interests.

Be sure to highlight any activities or certifications in your discussions with potential employers. It will send the right signal that you’re a life-learner, curious, and focused on personal growth.