9 free online courses you can sign up for right now to improve your professional skills and career prospects

Advertisement
Marguerite WardMay 17, 2020, 18:02 IST
9 free online courses you can sign up for right now to improve your professional skills and career prospects

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer a range of free online courses that can help you advance your career.GaudiLab/Shutterstock

  • For millions of Americans who have been recently laid off or furloughed, now is a great time to look into career-boosting online courses.
  • Business Insider reviewed popular online education websites and found several free courses.
  • Subjects include how to think more creatively, what makes a good resume, and how to be productive while working from home.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The coronavirus pandemic has left millions of Americans with more time on their hands.

Some workers have faced layoffs, furlough, reduced hours, or are working remotely. This means now could be a good time to invest in your long-term career growth. If you want to work on landing your next job, or simply want to think more about your career during this time, now is a great time to take a free online course on those topics.

Business Insider went through some of the most well-known online education platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy, and found several courses you can take, from how to write a resume to boosting your negotiation skills and creative thinking. All that's required is an email to sign up.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Advertisement

The course "Successful Negotiation," walks students through what makes a good argument in a negotiation.

The course "Successful Negotiation," walks students through what makes a good argument in a negotiation.
George Siedel is an American author and professor emeritus at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Coursera

Platform: Coursera

Provider: University of Michigan

What students learn: In this course, students watch videos on how to prepare for a negotiation, as well as tips on how to succeed to get your desired outcome.

Sign up for the course here>>

"Mindshift: How to Break Through Obstacles" can help you see your career in a whole new light, especially if you're facing an obstacle like a recent lay off.

"Mindshift: How to Break Through Obstacles" can help you see your career in a whole new light, especially if you're facing an obstacle like a recent lay off.
Barbara Oakley is a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and Terrence Sejnowski is pioneer in computational neuroscience and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Coursera

Platform: Coursera

Provider: McMaster University

What students learn: Users learn a variety of great career tips, including how to seek out career mentors, how to get out of a career rut, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Sign up for the course here>>

Advertisement

This short course, "How to Write a Résumé," can help you present your experience in the best way possible.

This short course, "How to Write a Résumé," can help you present your experience in the best way possible.
Zachary Slaybaugh is was previously a career counselor for SUNY Buffalo. Coursera

Platform: Coursera

Provider: The State University of New York

What students learn: This course is designed mainly for college students who are writing their first résumé or for young professionals looking to give an old résumé a fresh professional look.

Sign up for the course here>>

"How to Be a Successful, Inclusive Leader" is a great option for managers or people who hope to soon become a manager, regardless of industry.

"How to Be a Successful, Inclusive Leader" is a great option for managers or people who hope to soon become a manager, regardless of industry.
Instructors Deepali Bagati, ​Krista Brookman, and Emily Troiano are all with Catalyst, a global nonprofit that works with companies around the world to accelerate women into leadership. edX

Platform: edX

Provider: Catalyst

What students learn: This class teaches participants how to bolster key leadership skills to succeed in the modern, diverse workplace like empowering others, humility, and empathy.

Sign up for the course here>>

Advertisement

If you're trying to make a name for yourself, "Introduction to Personal Branding" is a great starter course.

If you're trying to make a name for yourself, "Introduction to Personal Branding" is a great starter course.
Kimberley Barker is the University of Virginia's Claude Moore Health Sciences Library's digital initiatives librarian. Coursera

Platform: Coursera

Provider: University of Virginia

What students learn: Users will learn how to build a brand, set themselves up on different social media platforms, and create a personal mission statement.

Sign up for the course here>>

In "The Science of Success," students learn to overcome what's holding them back from achieving their goals.

In "The Science of Success," students learn to overcome what's holding them back from achieving their goals.
Paula Caproni is a faculty member in the management and organizations department at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Coursera

Platform: Coursera

Provider: University of Michigan

What students learn: Learners will learn about growth mindset, self-limiting beliefs, and other research into what makes people successful in life, regardless of your job.

Sign up for the course here>>

Advertisement

The class "Creative Thinking" helps you approaching problems from fresh angles.

The class "Creative Thinking" helps you approaching problems from fresh angles.
Peter Childs is head of the Dyson School of Design Engineering at Imperial College London. edX

Platform: edX

Provider: Imperial College London

What students learn: This course teaches people how to better solve problems, come up with ideas, and excel in your chosen career.

Sign up for the course here>>

The helpful 1-hour course "How to Be Productive Working From Home" gives newly remote workers handy tips.

The helpful 1-hour course "How to Be Productive Working From Home" gives newly remote workers handy tips.
Rebecca Brizi is a business and entrepreneur consultant. Udemy

Platform: Udemy

Provider: Rebecca Brizi, a business and entrepreneur consultant

What students learn: Want to know how to be as productive at home as you were in the office? This short video course will give helpful tips.

Sign up for the course here>>

Advertisement

"The Science of Wellbeing," which is Yale's most popular course, can help you learn to be happier, wherever you are in life.

"The Science of Wellbeing," which is Yale's most popular course, can help you learn to be happier, wherever you are in life.
Laurie Santos is a professor of psychology at Yale University. edX

Platform: Coursera

Provider: Yale University

What students learn: In this course, students learn tricks to rewire the way they think in order to have a more positive outlook on life. It's Yale University's most popular course.

Sign up for the course here>>

Next StoryQuarantine can leave you traumatized. Here's what...
Advertisement
Popular on BI
Latest Stories
View All Latest
Trending News
Buying Guides
Advertisement
Popular Categories
Trending Right Now

Copyright © 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.