Self-Education Through Online Courses During COVID-19

Pivoting has been a huge theme during COVID-19.  With the world moving towards a digital way of life, it is now more integral than ever for business and industry professionals to ensure they have the relevant knowledge and skills to help navigate this new landscape.

Although this adjustment can seem daunting, and the usual in-person learning methods like masterclasses, panels and networking events have become unavailable, this area has also experienced a digital transformation. We are seeing many platforms offer a considerable number of courses and learning opportunities, many of which are free to complete! These resources are highly accessible and customizable depending on your schedule and preferred learning method. So, whether you can only manage a quick 30 min informational webinar, or you can commit time to a full course, there’s an option out there for you.

If you’re taking your first step into the world of digital marketing, I would highly recommend looking into the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing certificate from Google Digital Garage. From the completion of this 40-hour certificate course, I was able to gain insight on a variety of topics including taking a business online, marketing your online presence, Search Engine Optimisation and so much more. I could complete the course at my own pace and found it was surprisingly manageable, especially as I am working full-time as an intern. I left the experience feeling much more confident in my knowledge of digital concepts and skills, ready to put them to good use in my work.

If completing an online course doesn’t fit well with your schedule or you learn better through discussion-based learning platforms, webinars are the way to go. These informational sessions are great ways to learn about topics you really enjoy, while also hearing from industry professionals. These usually only take up an hour of your day, making them extremely manageable while still being informative. One of my favourite webinars I have attended thus far has been Meltwater’s panel discussion on the future of Marketing and PR post-COVID. Panelists shared the changes they have viewed in the industry, what has been learned during this experience and what the future of the PR and Marketing world could look like.

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives, including the way we are able to educate ourselves. It has forced the world to pivot and create new ways to communicate, educate and learn. Moving into the digital space has forced us to re-examine our strengths and weaknesses when it comes to maneuvering around the online world and provided us with the opportunities to strengthen our digital skills and knowledge. Whether you’re an intern like me or have been in the industry for 20 plus years, learning a new skill, or sharpening an old one will always be beneficial. And now more than ever, there are so many new learning opportunities and resources to take advantage of, that your only problem will be choosing which one! Take this time to learn something new and make the most out of your time at home, you won’t regret it!

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite FREE online courses here:

Harvard: https://online-learning.harvard.edu/catalog/free