Whether you’re just starting out or working your way up the ladder, getting ahead in your career can often be tough on your pocket. However, did you know that there are some educational apps and services around that are absolutely free?
These services are designed with people like you in mind and could help you acquire new transferable skills and knowledge you can use. Skills that will prove invaluable in helping you get ahead, secure that promotion and move forward in your chosen career. Here are just some of the free educational apps and learning services available to you.
If you don’t know about this app already, where have you been? It’s a free language-learning app that teaches you up to ten different languages. The service is designed so that as users progress through the lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents. It also offers extensive written lessons as well as dictation, with speaking practice for more advanced users.
Learning a second language is extremely beneficial for a variety of careers, especially if you have to deal with foreign businesses or people. It’s a great addition to your CV and will set you apart from the rest when it comes to applying for jobs. You may even get travel opportunities because of it.
You don’t need me to tell you how technological the world is becoming. Kids are now learning how to code websites as early as primary school. If you don’t know what I mean by that then maybe you should check out this free service.
In an ever-evolving world where computers are used for everything, it’s a pretty good idea to know your html from your CSS. Code academy can teach you all there is to know about the mechanics behind websites, and will teach you how to make your own from scratch. It could really transform you career, and add a fresh, relevant set of skills to your arsenal.
Mind tools is a website with all the reading you’ll ever need on the basic core skills of working life; from project management, to problem solving and leadership skills – there’s material on everything.
You may not get a qualification out of it, but it’ll certainly make you better at your job, which may help impress your manager and catch the eye of the big guys at the top. Subscribe and you’ll learn new career skills every week, plus you’ll get your own Personal Development Plan.
If you’d prefer to be armed with a recognised qualification, then head to Alison.com. They have an extensive range of free certified courses from the world’s top publishers. Courses include diplomas in accounting and psychology, business and enterprise skills, and certificates in health & safety and fire safety among many other essential skills.
Courses are self-paced, so there’s no stress involved, and you can fit studying around your own schedule. Just decide what you want to study, get enrolled, take the assessments and get certified.
If you’re more inspired by people and their stories than reading material, you’ll love TED talks. First and foremost it’s a website, but they’ve also developed an app that does the same thing. TED presents, “inspiring and informative lectures from education radicals, tech geniuses, medical mavericks, business gurus, music legends and other remarkable minds.”
You’ll be wowed and amazed, but you’ll also learn a lot from experts in your field, the industry you work in, the world you live in, as well as more academic matters. In fact, there are over 1900 talks to choose from, learn from and put into practice. Also, it’s well tagged, which means you can explore surrounding concepts and watch related videos with ease.
If you really want to get ahead in your career or you simply want to learn a new something new, take a look at these before paying big bucks elsewhere.
About the Author
Kathryn Kearns is a Creative Writing and Media Graduate with a passion for writing. She currently discusses all things technology and telecoms for Number Direct. Kathryn also contributes to Tech Cocktail, Customer Service Guru, The Fuss and Holiday Numbers, and has been published on Vancouver Gadgets and Women’s News.
