Imagine this.
It’s your first day looking for a new job in a different career. You’re feeling excited about all the possibilities out there and a little nervous about what exactly it’s going to take to make the jump into a new field, but ready to do the work necessary to succeed.
There’s only one problem.
You keep seeing the same term come up over and over in your research — digital skills.
From everything you’ve read, these skills are something you absolutely need to have. But what are they exactly? And how are you going to get them quickly?
While they sound mysterious and daunting, digital skills simply enable businesses to do their work faster and smarter through tech innovations. These skills might range from creating a Google Slides presentation to present new ideas, to using computer analytics to evaluate a company’s website traffic, to manipulating an Excel spreadsheet to sort through financial data.
What surprises people is that many digital skills can be learned quickly and do not require formal training. Better yet, many of these skills offer onramps to jobs in fast-growing fields like data analysis, digital marketing, and technical project management. These skills are becoming a growing part of any modern job and can be a useful addition to nearly any career to increase your competitiveness as well as your effectiveness on the job.
The first step is to take a deeper look at the various learning models available in order to obtain your digital skills.
Bootcamps are instructor-led, intensive programs that take a student from beginner to job-ready in a matter of months. These programs can be expensive but very thorough and often offer one-on-one support and interview training.
Examples: General Assembly, Flatiron School
These programs are similar to bootcamps but offered through universities and often more affordable. Students take the courses in cohorts and are supported throughout the learning journey by instructors. They also are eligible for federal student aid and hold college credit.
Examples: Pathstream, 2U
Hosted by businesses, these programs are often more robust and beginner friendly than MOOCs. They also offer some support for students as they complete the course. Since they are not affiliated with universities and other educational institutions, they may not offer class credit.
Examples: Springboard, Skillcrush, Career Foundry
These self-paced online courses are offered at little to no cost. If you choose to take these courses, know that there is minimal support provided outside of course materials as you go through your learning journey.
Examples: Coursera, Udemy, Interaction Design Foundation, Adobe Learning
No matter what model you use to acquire them, keeping your digital skills fresh and sharp is a clear way to show an employer that you’re dedicated to being a productive and efficient employee. And after you’re done honing those skills, Artisan is here to connect you with the right organization to put them in practice.