Right about now, you’re probably feeling a cash crunch. It’s hard not to after months spent social distancing to flatten the curve. These healthcare precautions did a number on the economy, and more than 40 million Americans filed for unemployment. Improving your skills to make more money.
As the economy gradually returns to normal, there’s going to be a lot of competition for the few jobs that open up. How will you stand out? Beefing up your Skills to Make More Money can help you rise to the top of the candidate pool.
Table of Contents
What Skills Are in Demand Right Now?
According to Indeed, the employment listing search engine, healthcare and tech industries are slated to have the most growth rates for the next five years.
Some jobs on this list pay little over minimum wage, but if you’re careful, you can spot high-paying positions in need of fresh faces. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects tech salaries will see a cash injection over the next decade.
Affording Your Re-Education
Normally, going back to school would be a costly investment, but the good news is online education tends to be a lot cheaper than in-class instruction. You may not even need to take out student or personal loans to afford your classes.
If you’re worried about how you’ll juggle bills and your courses, check out these free finance resources to learn more about budgeting and borrowing. You’ll find useful information about how installment loans fit into your budget, and when it’s better to save.
You may also want to speak with your employer. Some companies offer career development opportunities that allow you to upgrade relevant skills on the boss’ dime. Just understand there may be strings attached. While the company may pay the bills, you may have to extend your contract for a certain time after you graduate to ensure your newly acquired skills help you in your current position.
Learn New Skills Online
If you’re ready to make the leap into changing careers, you need to figure out what position you want to shoot for. Narrowing down your options will help you focus on what skills and experience you need for the job.
Likely, you’ll need to upgrade your education. Are you ready to go back to school? Nowadays, you don’t have to head back to campus and rub elbows with freshmen half your age. Today, you can take online courses to learn or hone much-needed skills.
Once you have your finances sorted out, you can start exploring your online options.
- edX: This modest platform has partnered with the likes of Harvard and MIT to provide 2650 courses with fees ranging between $50 and $300.
- LinkedIn Learning: Formerly Lynda, LinkedIn Learning’s education hub has more than 16,000 courses spanning various industries. While the first month is free, an unlimited pass is just $29.99.
- Udemy: Perfect for the professional looking to upgrade their skills, Udemy’s platform offers more than 100,000 courses. Courses are individually priced but can range between free and $200.
It’s Time to Brush Off Your Resume
Compared to a traditional bachelor’s degree, an online certificate is an affordable addition to your budget. Now that the Internet has made it easy to connect with instructors all over the world, you can upgrade your Skills to Make More Money without investing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Take the time to find the right course with the best platform, and you’ll be on your way to bringing home a bigger paycheck in no time.