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Education — at least in the way we typically think of it, synonymous with the ivy-lined walls and hushed libraries of elite institutions — isn't a privilege everyone can enjoy thanks to increasing tuition costs and deep-rooted economic inequalities. A formal education is also no guarantee that you'll be ready for the "real world," as more employers report that they're not seeing the tangible skills they want from college grads. Throw rapidly changing technologies and job ecosystems into the mix, and it's no wonder the modern job seeker often feels like they're drowning.
Online education is touted as the solution that changes it all, giving job seekers the flexibility and opportunity to pursue quality classes and content they wouldn't necessarily be able to access otherwise. Millions of results for "online classes" pop up when you search for them, but a select few, including those offered by online learning platform Skillshare, truly stand out.
Founded in 2011, Skillshare now offers more than 19,000 classes across creative, business, and technology categories, and has been used by more than seven million students worldwide. For an affordable price, students learn from some of the top leaders in their industries, such as graphic designer Aaron Draplin and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and in-house professionals from companies like MailChimp, Squarespace, and DKNG Studios.
In 2014, Skillshare became one of the first online education companies to move from a pay-per-class model to a subscription model, making it even more affordable for students to learn the new skills they want and need. Students can take unlimited classes across the Skillshare catalog with a Premium membership, which starts at $15 for one month or $8.25 a month for an annual membership. There are also hundreds of classes available for free on the site and you can currently sign up for a two-month free trial of Premium.
More great e-learning classes to try:Plenty of sites boast talented teachers and accessible prices, but what sets Skillshare apart is that it provides a deep and broad set of expertise while also fostering a supportive community for non-traditional workers (such as freelancers). In fact, it doesn't consider itself simply an online learning website; instead, it's an online learning community.
Skillshare CEO Matt Cooper told Business Insider:
This community approach is essential to keeping students motivated. While anyone who is pursuing online classes is likely inherently self-motivated, Skillshare's project-based design further incentivizes students. Students must upload completed projects to the site in order to receive feedback. Put your work on display and you'll get rewarded with the validation and constructive criticism that will spur your improvement.
Learning by doing also bridges the gap between what job-seekers are offering and what employers actually want to see. Cooper says:
From UI/UX design and web development to illustration and even culinary skills, Skillshare courses empower students to take control of their own education and have something to show for it.
Get unlimited access to 19,000+ courses with a Skillshare Premium membership hereIf you're not sure where to start on Skillshare, we've shared some of the top courses in business, design, and tech below.
Read on for 15 of the top Skillshare classes.Read the original article on Business Insider
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