Very many young people today think that after they don the UoN, UISU, Strathmore, or JKUAT graduation gown it’s game over – never stepping in a lecture room again or even touching a book. They kiss courseworks and exams goodbye. Sorry to burst your bubble, if you want to advance in your career, continuous learning and earning more badges in the form of certificates or more degrees/Masters/PhD is going to be the order of the day so tighten your seat belts.
For those that don’t know what continuous learning is, it is a workplace culture that encourages employees to prioritize ongoing learning and improvement.
Today, there are a multitude of resources and platforms that can enable continuous learning but also offer certificates for each completed course. To even make it juicier, you might not have to appear physically, you just need an internet connection, and a mobile device/laptop.
Now, let me tell you why getting more certifications and continuous learning is important.
Staying Relevant in Your Field
In these changing times, and with universities churning out graduates in high numbers, it’s very important that you stay relevant in your field or you will easily be replaced. Keeping up with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in your field is necessary. Continuous learning helps you stay up-to-date and relevant, positioning you as a valuable asset within your company. Therefore, it’s very important to keep refining your knowledge and skills so as to stay one step ahead.
Opening New Career Opportunities
Looking for a promotion, salary increase, change in role title? Continuous learning and getting new certifications could open that door for you. As you acquire new skills and expand your knowledge base, you become more versatile and marketable to potential employers.
Personal Growth and Adaptability
Beyond the professional realm, continuous learning contributes significantly to personal growth because it nurtures intellectual curiosity, boosts confidence, and fosters a sense of personal achievement. This can lead to improved problem-solving abilities, creativity, and resilience, all of which are crucial traits for career advancement.
Salary Increase
We have all seen it happen in real life. People with more papers and skills often take the bigger roles and also bag the best salaries. All this is attributed to continuous learning. So, if you want that salary to be increased, start reading more, taking short courses and getting certificates and skills, in no time, you will see.
Below are some of the best websites for free online courses with free certificates:
LinkedIn formerly Lynda (Lynda.com)
At the commencement of the course, LinkedIn offers a month-free trial which means you can learn for one month without any charges. You are also entitled to free, printable certificates for the online course.
Available courses at LinkedIn include:
- Cloud Computing
- Data Science
- Marketing, among others
Alison
Alison is great at IT, Science and Coding. Not just that, they offer free courses that are not below 1000. However, some certificates are made free for some courses, while others go for a fee. This online learning platform has over 13 million students committed to learning, with over 2 million graduates.
Microsoft Learning
The courses offered at the platform are above 30 and the certificates are free for some courses, while others are not free. Those who want to acquire more upgraded skills, with more job prospects are encouraged to give this online learning platform a try. The Microsoft certificates are accredited and recognized by employers. With the accreditation, you can seek digital nomad jobs if you wish to work while on transit. Other courses available by Microsoft Learning include:
Udemy
Udemy is great for Marketing and Design. There are about 823 available courses at Udemy with free certificates for all the courses. It does not just provide free courses, there are free videos available for individual courses. The certificates are also downloadable and printable and are offered upon the completion of your course.
Google Digital Garage
The platform is great for Digital Marketing students. There are 100 available free courses, with free certificates for some and paid certificates for others. Google is not just a platform for searching just anything, it also has a platform for online learning.
MaryAnne is a renowned Kenyan author and career strategist dedicated to helping students and young professionals unlock their career potential. With years of experience guiding individuals through the critical stages of career planning and skill development, she writes with a deep understanding of the unique challenges in today’s job market. MaryAnne’s engaging articles provide practical, step-by-step advice on everything from choosing a career path to excelling in interviews and building a professional network. Her mission is simple: to empower her readers to find fulfilling careers that align with their passions and strengths.
