In case the COVID-19 pandemic has got you worried about your career, don’t worry, it’s only natural to feel a bit stressed. The fact of the matter is that the pandemic has brought many uncertainties to the modern business world, and has caused many people to lose their jobs. Whether you are looking to change your career due to a job loss, or if you’re looking to solidify your position in your field and current company, you have a chance to do all of that without breaking the COVID prevention rules.
Needless to say, the coronavirus pandemic should not hinder your progress and professional growth, and there are many cost-effective ways you can keep developing in the professional realm. That’s why today we are taking a closer look at the five best ways you can upskill and get certified online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what you can do to take your career to the next level.
Understand your long-term career goals
The road to long-term success in any career begins with a vision, not what you see right before you. Some of the most successful business leaders and entrepreneurs will tell you that the secret to their success is simply reverse engineering, or the art of working your way back to setting tactics and tasks that will help you reach the desired outcome. In more layman’s terms, you want to start by envisioning your future and picturing where you want to be professionally in the next few years.
Once you have an end goal, you can start working your way back to uncover the steps and decisions you need to make to reach that goal. This will prevent you from upskilling in the wrong direction or paying for the wrong certifications, and it will help streamline the whole process. Ultimately, this will help you make the right decisions and invest time and money in the right milestones.
Look to free Ivy League classes and courses
You might already be an Ivy League graduate, but that doesn’t mean that your academic journey is over. Whether you have graduated from a top school in your country is irrelevant when you consider the fact that nowadays some of the leading Ivy League schools offer free online courses and classes from the most eminent professors and authority figures in the world.
You won’t get a business degree from Harvard by attending these classes, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable for your professional development.
The Ivy League network of schools has embraced digital transformation in the last few years and made its courses and classes available to the global audience. This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge base and upskill under the guidance of the top professionals in almost any field.
Get certified quickly from home
Much like you would upskill through online courses and workshops, you should look for ways to get the necessary certifications online to take your career forward or change career paths quickly and without too much hassle. That said, it’s not just about getting certified, it’s about choosing the right certification that will open the right doors for you in the field you choose to develop your career, so you need to choose carefully.
For example, now that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for cardiac and life support professionals, attending an online ACLS course and getting certified has become one of the primary ways for job-seekers to enter the medical profession quickly and aid in the struggle against the pandemic. Following this mindset, you should look for certifications that are currently relevant and will remain relevant in the years to come in order to secure your position in the field of your choosing.
Work on your soft and leadership skills
One of the best ways to set yourself up for long-term success and become a viable candidate for leadership positions is to upskill your soft and leadership skills.
In order to be an effective leader, you need to know how to communicate with and manage the people that work with you, and that’s probably a career skill you didn’t learn in college. Be sure to look for leadership training courses online and get in touch with a personal mentor to teach you essential and advanced soft skills remotely.
Take advantage of employee development programs
Last but not least, if you’re looking to ascend the ranks in your company and set yourself up for a promotion, you can always take advantage of any available employee development programs that your company might be offering. Whether you’re working from home or at the office, you can probably get advanced training and education through your employer that will help you bring more value to the company and ensure your mutual growth.
Wrapping up
You might think that advancing your career during the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult, but there are many opportunities out there. With these tips in mind, go ahead and get the training and certifications you need to pave the road to long-term professional success.
