“The expert at anything was once a beginner.”
– Helen Hayes
Learning is essential to our very survival. Just as food nourishes the body, continued learning can nourish our minds. This hidden need for continuously bettering ourselves came to the forefront during the recent pandemic. LinkedIn reported that in the first week of April 2020, people watched 1.7 million hours of video content on LinkedIn Learning compared to 560,000 hours in the first week of January 2020. More people than ever before were taking to Google to search for free online courses and it seems this is much more than a trend but rather, a staple ingredient in the recipe for self fulfillment that’s here to stay.
Lifelong learning is an indispensable tool for every entrepreneur, no matter what stage you are at with your business and theBLOQparq (tBp) is here to support your every step to personal and professional growth. We hope these 5 amazing and FREE online learning resources will serve you and your future successes well!
1. Skillshare
The Skillshare platform allows you to register for free and offers access to thousands of online classes that can teach you everything from mastering social media to tips on increasing productivity. Their courses are video-heavy, making them a perfect fit for those who are visual learners. Skillshare courses are created by professionals who share their knowledge, passion, and expertise in their fields. The free account version provides you with 353 free classes, community access, and the mobile app.
2. Udemy
You’ll find an impressive library of thousands of courses from experts and instructors. Udemy has something for all interests and skill levels. To locate the free courses, you’ll want to search for “free courses” as this will bring up an extensive list of online classes to consider. Udemy has everything from how to become a more decisive leader to best practices for working remotely. The work involves both video and reading material with an option to leave messages for the instructor.
3. Coursera
Coursera has a wide selection of college courses with endless subject options. Their courses include lectures taught by university professors, quizzes to your knowledge, and discussion forums. Some classes recognize your efforts once you pass the course with a certificate of completion. If you crave a structured classroom-style experience from home or the office, Coursera fits the bill.
Source: World Economic Forum 2018, Future of Jobs Report.
4. EdX
Much like Coursera, it offers online courses with a structured classroom feel, but the classes tend to focus on sciences, engineering, and math. It has established arrangements with many universities, including Harvard, which provide material for these courses. If science, math, or engineering are your thing,you’ll want to take a serious look at EdX.
5. Hubspot
If you’re looking to improve your skill sets in marketing, sales, services or more, Hubspot Academy gives you unlimited access to an impressive amount of free online courses. A unique and appealing feature of Hubspot is your ability to earn globally recognized certifications. Some of the current trending topics include SEO, social media, and content marketing. For someone looking to add to their treasure trove of knowledge, this is a site you could spend hours on without ever getting bored.
These 5 free resources allow you to pursue your professional aspirations and reach new heights in your entrepreneurial endeavors. However, it’s worthwhile to make time for your personal and creative passions as well. At tBp, we believe in maintaining a work-life balance in order to maintain an overall state of well-being. So sit back, relax and keep on learning (and living life) to the fullest in one of our desirable micro-office or coworking spaces.