The Types Of Online Courses To Take This Summer

By Elana Goodwin on May 14, 2016

For most college students, summer is the long-awaited reward for making it through a hard and lengthy semester. But besides being a well-deserved break, summertime is also a great opportunity for college students to advance their skills with online courses. There are a number of online courses students can take during the summer that will be an asset to them on resumes and when it comes to job applications.

However, what courses you should take online this summer depend on your major and what classes you’ve already completed and those required for you to take through your school. It’s best to complete online courses in areas you’d not otherwise need to take classes in so you end up complementing your college classes with other desirable courses that will make you the most well-rounded.

That being said, here are some of the types of online courses you should consider taking this summer to add to your know-how.

Photo Credit: laurelsprings.com

Computer Science/Programming Courses. With such a high-tech world, having more computer knowledge and abilities will only be an asset for you down the line. You can learn more about thinking algorithmically, solving problems, and creating websites, in addition to becoming familiar with Java, CSS, HTML and PHP. Consider taking some sort of Intro to Computer Science or Programming online courses to add to your computer skills and give you an edge.

Design Courses. As much of design is now completed on computers, taking an online design course over the summer can help you make yourself more marketable. Learning how to use Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other Adobe programs will enable you to create awesome graphics. Additionally, lots of employers consider your ability to use these programs a plus as they’re often used for marketing materials and business purposes. Consider taking an intro course to Photoshop, InDesign, or Graphic Design this summer so you can add those skills to your repertoire.

Marketing Courses. Online marketing is a growing field as more and more advertising is done online. You may think you’re good at social media but completing an online course on the subject will only make you better and that much more prepared to potentially handle a business’s social media account. There are lots of online courses that teach you the basics of social media, from setting a tone in your post to understanding marketing analytics to different methods to succeed in social media marketing and search engine optimization. Consider taking an online course on Marketing, Social Media, Google Analytics, or SEO so you can add social media guru to your resume.

Writing Courses. Writing is not only a big part of college, but the real world as well; which means taking an online writing course over the summer may prove really beneficial down the line. There are lots of different kinds of writing — from business to academic to copywriting to writing for the internet — and there are numerous online courses offered on each subject and more. Knowing how to write and write well for different audiences and purposes is a great skill that will have employers interested and provide you with an important ability that not everyone has.

Business Courses. Having more business sense and a broader background in the subject can never hurt when it comes to job applications. There are lots of online business courses you can consider from startups to competitive strategy to financial accounting to game theory, all of which will educate you on different business-associated practices and aspects. Even if you’re not really interested in getting into the business-side of a company, taking an online course about business is still a good idea as it’ll give you more perspective and knowledge.

Communication Courses. Communication is an essential part of our society and as such, it’s a great online course to take over the summer. Learn more about the ways we communicate and how those methods have changed, in addition to networking, public speaking, negotiating and more. No matter what course you take, you’ll end up being a more effective and confident communicator, and understand how to talk to people better. Depending on your interests and what skills you’d like to bulk up on, consider taking a course like Intro to Public Speaking or Intro to Communications.

So if you’re looking to further your education this summer and keep your brain sharp, consider enrolling in some online courses. There are lots of free options out there you can take advantage of if you don’t want to spend money on an extra online course this summer but make sure you’ll be able to handle and balance whichever course or courses you sign up for with whatever other summer activities you’d got lined up, like an internship or job. And of course, leave yourself plenty of time to relax and have fun this summer!

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