Be the best you can be. That’s an admirable goal!
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But some of us make the mistake of thinking that the only way to learn about something is to go to school.
Much of the content you find online can be attributed back to certified professional sources so long as you do the necessary research to ensure your information is coming from a reliable source.
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While it’s true a degree in this or that will undoubtedly open doors, but there are ways to become an expert in your business which don’t involve spending countless hours in class and thousands of dollars for a semester’s tuition. The way things constantly evolve in the modern world, even those who did spend time in higher education may not have studied the industry they are in now. Thanks to the internet, there are endless opportunities to learn about your field without leaving the comfort of your own home. Much of the content you find online can be attributed back to certified professional sources so long as you do the necessary research to ensure your information is coming from a reliable source. There are many ways to access knowledge online and understanding each one can help you reach your ultimate goal. Here are some of the most popular ways people use the internet to expand their knowledge.
Podcasts
Long before podcasts became a thing, people listed to the radio in their cars and at home. Podcasts are a lot like that, except instead of a weather or traffic update, you’re listening to intelligent people have an intelligent conversation about a specific topic. Some podcasts discuss sports, others pop culture or music. Some delve into the world of finance while others expound on travel or food. Many are less than an hour long and can easily be listened too during your downtime or a commute. Podcasts are produced by professionals in nearly every discipline and if you’re not listening, you could be missing out on valuable information or trends that could help you invest in yourself.
Online Classes
We talked about school earlier, but one option offered to you by the internet is to take courses online. Expanding your knowledge of a certain job or industry is as easy as turning on your laptop. Many people find that they can complete the coursework on nights and weekends while still keeping a normal daytime routine. Online classes are much more cost-effective than attending class at a university and they are more flexible forms of education for those who have a lot on their plate already. There are several well-known online institutions so you have a choice when it comes to choosing the best for your industry. Those who are serious about investing in themselves know the value of education and the skills offered by online classes can be very helpful down the road.
YouTube
To some, YouTube is a collection of funny videos, sports highlights, music and movie trailers which never ceases to entertain. To others, YouTube can be one of the most impressive collections of knowledge ever assembled. With countless how to’s, instructionals, discussions, conference clips and more on the site, watching YouTube videos can be one of the easiest ways to educate yourself on what’s up the latest business news and trends. You can learn tangible skills which can easily be applied in the outside world so long as you set your mind to learning them. There are instructional videos on just about everything so if you want to learn a new skill or expand your knowledge of a certain area, then YouTube is the place to go.
Social Media
It might be where your crazy aunt uploads her cat pictures or where your best friend retweets everything by his favorite actor, but social media can actually be one of the most important ways to learn and expand your knowledge of the world around you. Just like with podcasts and YouTube, industry professionals flock to social media to interact with others, teach new skills and enhance the collective discussion about anything. You can find all sorts of relevant information in tweets and posts and shares, you just need to learn how to extract what’s useful and what’s not. Many social media platforms are using blue check marks and other forms of identification so you can be sure your following the right people. Investing in yourself could be a simple as reading a few posts, but you’ll never know until you try.
There are unlimited resources around you to expand your knowledge, invest in yourself and make your dreams a reality. Without lugging books to class or spending hours in a classroom, it’s possible to still learn some of what you need utilizing the resources you already have at your disposal. There’s a whole lot of information out there, you just need to be a little creative with how you find and learn it. There is nothing better than investing in yourself so if you’re just starting out, try the resources above and see what you can learn!
Photo: striatic/Flickr