Seriously though, when was the last time you actually learnt something useful?

I am not talking about a life hack or a party trick, I am talking about a skill you can add to your CV – you know, knowledge that comes from reading information for 10 weeks that relates exclusively to one subject.

It’s been ages, right?

Well listen to this – according to local online education company GetSmarter, “it’s currently estimated that the amount of knowledge in the world is doubling every 13 months.”

And we have “the Internet of things” to blame for that, which shows no signs of slowing down. The ongoing trend towards the internet-working of the physical (connecting building, appliances etc through the Internet) will eventually lead to “a world in which the doubling of our collective human knowledge happens every 12 hours.”

That’s insane – every 12 hours? But check this out:

In 2015, 73% of CEOs cited the ‘skills gap’ as a key concern. In 2016, contention has come to the fold as to whether the skills gap actually exists, or is a result of unrealistic expectations of C-suite executives.

Regardless, the world has shifted toward increased professional development and continuing education, as competition in the global workplace continues to evolve.

Whether or not you have a qualification of some sorts, adding another skill set to your CV shows initiative – and online learning through guys like GetSmarter is a pretty ideal solution if you’re working full-time.

To help you through the process, they jotted down some really important pointers on maximising your career by continuing – or just starting – your education experience:

1. How to choose the right online short course for your career

In an economy where specialised, competency-based knowledge is increasingly rare and highly rewarded, it’s important to put a lot of thought into what you need to learn today to get where you want to be tomorrow.

• If 2017 is the year you decide to pursue an entrepreneurial venture, ask yourself which knowledge or competency gaps have been holding you back from getting started. Whether creative, strategic, or financial, an online course is a flexible and efficient way to gain the intellectual confidence you need to take action.  If you’re gunning for a promotion or lateral movement within your current organisation, the ultimate test of whether or not you’ve chosen the right online short course to advance your career is asking your employer to pay for it.
• You’d be surprised at how many employers are happy to pay for their employees’ professional development. In fact, over a quarter of GetSmarter’s online learners have reported that their employer paid for their course. Click here for a few pointers on how to handle that conversation.

2. How to take advantage of networking opportunities during your online course

• When you sign up for an online short course, you’re signing up for more than just an education. During the course, you’ll be granted access to a diverse network of like-minded professionals who you’ll be collaborating with for the duration of your learning journey.
• Don’t underestimate the value of forging real connections with the people you engage with during an online learning experience. At GetSmarter, we’ve seen numerous on-course class project collaborations turn into wildly successful post-course business ventures. Share valuable resources you come across while you’re researching assignments; connect with them on LinkedIn, and, if they’re in your area, try and meet up for coffee.

3. How to stand out from the crowd with your new skills

• Add your new online short course qualification to your resume and LinkedIn profile. This can be done in LinkedIn through either the education section, or by adding a course or certification.
• In addition to highlighting your newly-rounded skillset, it will indicate your willingness to continually improve – showing both current and prospective employers how truly valuable you are.

Thinking about enrolling in an online course?

Head on over to GetSmarter’s course portfolio HERE, and see which leading university you’ll study with this year.

[source:getsmarter]