QUICK Tips

In this month’s article, we narrow the story of living in the new normal down to the professional side. Because every business is affected by COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another, some people are victims of pay-cuts and layoffs, and not to mention newly graduated students who are looking for their places in the labor market. 
 

These situations may be grim, but we can’t let our emotions get the best of us. We must make the most of the bad situation we are now in. It’s ok if you don’t have jobs yet because it means you have a lot of time for professional development. Let’s hone your job skills now and be prepared for more opportunities when everything is back to normal again full steam. That’s why we’ve selected 3 websites that are perfect for just that. 

LINKEDIN LEARNING

You may have already heard of LinkedIn which is a  networking platform where employers post jobs and job seekers post their CVs. But there is also “LinkedIn Learning” that offers over 16,000 expert-led courses for professional improvement. The courses are divided into three main categories: business, creativity and technology. You can explore them anytime and as many courses as you like on your computer or mobile phone. New courses are added weekly. Now the courses are available in 5 languages, i.e., English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
 

If you don’t know what to watch yet, the site provides personalized course recommendations based on your current job, skills and what professionals like you are learning. Exercise files are provided for you to download, so that you can practice after each lesson. You will also be tested to validate what you’re learning with quizzes.
 

When you complete a course, you will get a certificate. This gives you the opportunity to “learn from “industry experts” and “connect with a global network of experience.” All in all, if you are looking for a place to improve your professional skills, this site is a great start. Some of the courses are free or you can join the 1-month free trial first to see how it goes. Then, you can continue to enjoy the service with unlimited access at about 1,000 baht. 

UDEMY

For those who think a monthly professional development subscription is a little too overwhelming, try UDEMY. There are about 150,000 online courses for you to choose from. And new courses are added every month in various categories: business, design, photography, development, marketing, IT, software and professional development.

 
Here you don’t have to worry about the monthly subscription fee because you can purchase the course à la carte style. Yes, you can actually buy it one by one. Now you don’t have to feel sorry if sometimes you don’t have time to sharpen your professional skills and can’t help feeling like wasting away the monthly subscription. 
 

The price for each course starts at just about 300 baht. And if you find out after purchasing that the course is not what you want, you can request a refund within 30 days. So, if you are on a budget or just want to take a professional development course without the commitment of monthly subscription fee, UDEMY might be the place you’re looking for.

CODECADEMY

Imagine you really want this job. You have everything that is required in the job description except for one basic thing—coding skill. That must be frustrating, right? Let's end that now by taking a course at Codecademy. Some might find coding intimidating, but we’re stepping into a digital era. That’s why it’s not surprising to see that many jobs out there require you know how to code.
 

Codeademy offers several foundation classes, such as ones on HTML, Java, C++ and other languages. The basic courses are free to learn. Once you get the hang of it and want to step into the coding world further, it’s time to go Pro. The Pro version is available at about 600 baht per month. You will have access to exclusive courses, quizzes, extra practice content and real-world projects. Plus, you will get the chance to connect with other Pro members to work together, exchange ideas, resources and more. Therefore, if you are a code newbie with the fire to learn more about coding, visit Codeademy and you won’t be disappointed.
 

Now that we have recommended the three websites for professional development, it’s time to ask yourself what you want to learn. We may not know when everything will return to normal again. The world in the pre-COVID times may be gone forever. Instead of wondering when everything will go back to the way it was, let’s be prepared for whatever life throws your way and start improving your professional skills now.