The way a career differs from a job is that a career is something that keeps you engaged for years and even decades after, while a job simply provides you with income. The main difference between the two though, is that jobs do not always require learning and growth, while a career by definition does. This is why it’s a good idea to look into how online courses can be beneficial to your professional growth.
1. Credentials
Online courses are a great way to take up extra hours in your already busy schedule and earn certificates or qualifications from leading companies in the industry.
If you’re just starting out though, you might not yet be sure about which path you want to take. In this case, it could be beneficial to start working towards an online change management graduate certificate, or another similar course, since that will provide you with useful skills that can be applied to many different career paths. Of course, if you already know which industry you wish to pursue, then being able to add a qualification relevant to that specific field is a no-brainer.
Online courses are available in a wide range of subjects, so it’s up to you to decide which ones will be perfect for your future career goals.
2. Learning And Working
Traditional schooling might limit the number of working hours you can spend in school, however, online courses are different. You can take them during work and simply make sure to set aside enough time for studying to get the most out of it.
Oftentimes, students may not be able to fully comprehend the material they’re studying if they haven’t previously had any experience working in that field. In previous years, there was a significant gap between the tools available for online students and those who were attending universities. Fortunately, many online courses today are more advanced and engaging, which makes it a lot easier for students to be motivated enough to follow through with their studies.
This is why online courses can provide you with a great opportunity to get practical work experience, while simultaneously learning important concepts about your industry.
3. Broaden Your Horizons
When you’re already working in one company, you might become accustomed to how things are done and the culture of that particular environment. If you then move on to another company, there is a significant chance that it could be completely different from your previous job in many ways.
This is why it’s often beneficial for employees to take up courses in their free time since they provide the opportunity to explore other career options within the same industry. For example, if you’re already working in the marketing department, then taking courses in social media or digital marketing can open up your career to new opportunities. There are some companies that recognize the value of online courses and offer tuition reimbursement for employees who wish to take them.
However, even if this isn’t the case in your company, you can still request that your performance reviews reflect how many courses you’ve taken. That way, you will have a better chance of earning a promotion.
4. Learn New Skills
Whether you’re entering the workforce or advancing in your current job, online courses are a good way to learn new skills that will allow you to improve your performance and impress potential employers.
Staying up to date with the latest industry trends can be difficult, so it’s always better to invest in courses that help you do just that. This is especially useful for people who already have years of experience under their belt since they might feel like it’s time to update their skills in order to keep up with the changing times. If you enjoy your current position but wish to find a more challenging role, then taking courses to improve your existing skills can open up the door to more advanced roles.
For example, if you’re already working in IT, then taking courses on Java or Python can help you get better at your job and also provide the opportunity to explore other career options within that field.
5. Start A New Career
For some people, going back to school isn’t necessary in order to get a new job since they already have enough experience and a degree under their belt. Other people might feel like it’s time to make a career change and eliminate any focus on their past jobs since they aren’t as enjoyable.
This is why courses online can help you discover new interests and pave the way toward starting a new career. For example, if you’re currently working as an accountant but want to switch over to web development then taking courses in that field will be a good first step. Since many online courses are offered as part of a series and are relatively affordable, they can be a great way to explore something new without committing too much time and money.
Changing careers doesn’t mean that you have to do an MBA, but taking courses online can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to start a new career.
6. Stay Motivated
Even for people who already enjoy their jobs, it might be difficult to stay motivated throughout the week if they don’t receive enough recognition or aren’t feeling challenged anymore.
However, this is where online courses come in since they can help keep your spirits high and provide a positive boost to your career. Learning something new and applying it in your existing job can be a great way to feel refreshed and reinvigorated when the weekend comes around. In many cases, taking courses online can help employees to start an unexpected road of self-discovery.
Additionally, completing a course successfully is a nice confidence boost for anyone who might have been feeling discouraged since it shows that they’re capable of learning something new and applying it to their life.
7. Improve Your Network
When you take a course online, you make yourself more visible on a global scale and benefit from the potential connections with other students who are going through the same course as you.
In many cases, this can provide a great opportunity for networking since you’ll have access to an expanded network of professionals who can help you in your career. For example, if you’re taking courses in social media or web development then it’s likely that people from those industries will have signed up for the same course since they’re looking to improve themselves as well.
Trying to balance a full-time job, family life, and finding time for personal projects can be difficult. However, if you use your free time wisely then you can find more opportunities that might improve both your career and new knowledge. For some people, this might mean starting an online course and sharing their progress with others. When it comes to building a career, there are many courses online that can help you improve your existing skills and provide new opportunities for advancement. This is why it’s always important to make the most of your free time and contribute towards your future.