Learning to Learn
One of the most compelling things I’ve learned in my time in the workforce is the availability of free resources to expand your knowledge and skills. I’m a learner at heart, so this was a game-changer for me. In the time since, I’ve completed numerous certifications and taken courses from some of the best universities and industry leaders, all for free. With the shifting economy and market, I’ve been revisiting some of my tried and true learning resources so I’ve put together a list for fellow learners to leverage.
edX
One of my favorites because of some of the players. Universities like MIT and Harvard have compiled online, learn-on-demand courses. They’ve got courses on topics from A-Z, many of which have the option to obtain a paid certification as well, if you want to go that path.
Google Skillshop
If you need to work with Google’s products, they have a number of free training and certifications available. Take courses on Google Ads, Analytics, Marketing Platform, Google My Business and more to help you expand your skillset and maybe even land your next job.
Grow with Google
Google’s free resources aren’t limited to their products, though. Grow with Google was created to help professionals grow their careers, featuring certifications like IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management and more.
Microsoft Learn
We use a lot of Microsoft products in our company, so Microsoft Learn has become an integral part of our training process. It’s a great source for becoming an expert in Microsoft’s products and they have paid certification exams as well.
LinkedIn Learning
I know this isn’t really a free resource, but there are a lot of helpful courses. In addition to the opportunity for free trials, this made my list because some libraries actually include access to LinkedIn Learning with your library card! That’s the case for our Columbus library, which makes this a quick and easy way to learn on a wide array of topics.
If you’re looking for ways to level-up your skill set, the most important thing is to not limit yourself. I had no clue these resources existed when I started out, and there are a lot of other free resources that you can find through employers, schools, or even an ambitious Google search! Keep at it, and best of luck.