Learning for life: Beyond the classroom

Build new skills with flexible online education

Gone are the days when education was a one-and-done investment that carried you through a lifelong career. We now live in a fast-paced, global society that is constantly evolving, and lifelong learning is necessary just to stay relevant. When done right, additional education can strengthen your talents and skills, which could help advance your career. However, despite the potential benefits, not everyone has the time or resources to go back to school – even on a part-time basis.

Thankfully, there’s another solution. Online learning makes it possible for busy professionals to take classes on their own terms. From podcasts to online courses, the resources are plentiful, and many of them cost very little or nothing at all. Best of all, you can boost your skill set and strengthen your knowledge base from the comfort of your home.

That’s good news for individuals with a full-time job, anyone not willing to give up their precious time and for parents with their hands full.

Explore your options

Whether you’re pursuing a degree or you simply want to learn something new, there’s a good chance you’ll find the online courses you’re looking for. Check out some popular choices below:

Coursera – University-level courses and professional certificates from global institutions.

LinkedIn Learning – Career-oriented courses in business, tech and creativity, integrated with LinkedIn profiles.

BBC Maestro – Expert-led masterclasses in creative and practical skills from notable British figures.

Future Learn/The Open University – University-backed platform offering courses, micro credentials and degrees.

edX – Academic courses and degrees from top universities with free audit options.

OpenLearn – Free, high-quality educational resources from The Open University.

Udemy – Wide range of affordable on-demand courses for personal and professional development.

King’s College London – Flexible online courses and master’s programs that allow students worldwide to earn accredited degrees.

Skillshare – Creative and entrepreneurial short courses focused on practical projects.

Alison – Free courses with optional certificates, covering business, IT and health.

Reed Courses – Course aggregator offering vocational and accredited training options.

Before you dive in

Whilst the affordability, convenience, and flexibility of online learning are undeniably appealing, it’s important to remember it isn’t suited to everyone. Many people favour, or indeed require, the in-person interaction and rapport that comes with traditional classroom settings. Perhaps the greatest challenge lies in the high level of self-discipline needed to keep on top of the work. This isn’t a route for the easily distracted – you’ll need excellent time management and organisational skills to juggle your studies alongside other commitments.

Do your homework

Your time is valuable, so it’s important to choose a class that meets your needs.

Read the course description. Some descriptions include a short video that offers a peek into the coursework. Find out who’s teaching the course or where the material originated and then verify the qualifications of that person or institution.

Read the reviews. Check out what previous learners are saying about the course or get course recommendations from people you know and trust. This helps to ensure you’re getting the quality instruction you’d expect.

Verify the fees. Not all online courses are free. Before you sign up, it helps to weigh any costs with potential benefits.

Identify the skills you need. It’s okay to learn for the sake of learning, but if you want to advance your career beyond the next level, it only makes sense to invest your time in classes that will help you accomplish that goal. Ask your manager about the skills you need to strengthen to help you select the right courses.

Next steps

Before you power up your computer, consider:

Which skills could help advance your career

Asking your wealth manager about budgeting money for tuition, books and supplies, if necessary

Sources: utep.edu; kickresume.com; themuse.com; bbcmaestro.com; businessnewsdaily.com; coursera.org; linkedin.com; kcl.ac.uk/online; khanacademy.org; edX.org; life-global.org; udemy.com; codecademy.com; sba.gov