Registering for short courses online while building a career is a great habit to develop, and will help you to acquire the key skills that could accelerate your ascent up the salary scale.
Such courses include project management, consultancy, graphic and design, entrepreneurship, among many others.
The benefits
Simon Baguma, an educator in Kigali, says taking up short courses online comes with many advantages, like flexibility, which is needed for people with busy schedules.
"The good thing is that it allows those with tight schedules to organise their work accordingly, because it doesn’t require one to move about for classes,” he says.
Additionally, he says, these classes require one to stay focused in order to complete the course, so it is important to figure out how best to organise the learning schedule.
John Mugisha Mukasa, a head teacher in Kigali, says that it’s essential to put into consideration the weekly time spent on learning, because short courses vary from one programme to another.
He recommends using time well and avoiding procrastination so as not to fall behind. And that modern technology makes every minute count.
For example, he says, portable gadgets which provide easy access to learning material while travelling, or during work breaks.
Mugisha says that when it comes to gadgets, it’s important to choose the right device to avoid inconveniences.
"Short courses can help you build the technical prowess that will be very useful to your career,” he says.
And in most cases, he says, these courses are more affordable.
Diversity
Baguma says the courses too come with more options. With regular online courses, there is a high degree of freedom that allows you to strategically build the skills you can apply to your current job, or qualify you for the job you aspire to have.
For instance, Baguma says, if you are into communication and want some basic skills in photography or consultancy, you can continue with your job while studying during free hours.
This way, he says, it’s easy to progress in one’s career and possibly get a better job position without putting the current job on hold because of study.
"Short courses are a great way to fill the gaps in knowledge and give you a competitive edge when it comes to promotions,” he adds.
As technology evolves, programmes and practices change, making it critical for workers to refresh their skills and stay on top of the game.
Alternatively, for those who want to turn their interests into a hobby, short courses can be a great way to start.
Baguma says that studying anything from home gardening to drawing can be a fun way to get out of your comfort zone and learn new skills and knowledge.
Networking potential
Short online courses provide the opportunity to touch base with fellow professionals who are taking part in the same course, but may have very different backgrounds. When using an online study platform, communication with fellow students is easy, and meeting fellow professionals from around the world could have fantastic consequences for your career. This is according to the article ‘Why study short course certificates’ published by Edology, a blog founded by a passionate team of education and technology professionals.
Given their solid structure, short online courses focus primarily on the practical application of theory and knowledge. This can be a great advantage if you have chosen to take up employment in the short-term before doing a university degree, or if you are looking to practice professional skills before you graduate from university. In every case, taking a short course is going to boost your practical professional abilities in a short space of time, the article states.