The outcome depends entirely on you. How to choose a course

Contents

• Why do you need courses and is it difficult to choose them?
• How to define learning goals
• What are the training options?
• Course formats. What to consider when choosing
• How to check the accreditation and reputation of the platform
• How to choose a course by cost
• How important are up-to-date curricula and internship
• What else should you consider when choosing training?

Nowadays, continuous learning and self-improvement are part of a successful career and personal growth. With the development of technology and access to information, the number of educational platforms and courses is constantly increasing. For example, in its annual Global Skills Report Coursera indicated that in 2023, more than 136 million students worldwide were studying on their platform alone.

This explosion of opportunities presents us with new challenges—choosing the right course of study is becoming increasingly difficult. So, let's explore how to choose the right one from the wide variety of options.

Why do you need courses and is it difficult to choose them?

— Is it difficult to choose a course? It's probably impossible to answer this question definitively if you don't know your goals. Why are you studying, what do you plan to do with this knowledge, what is your budget, how much time are you willing to spend on learning, whether you want to ask questions of the instructor or take courses at a convenient time and communicate with the curator, and what practical experience and benefits do you want to gain? In fact, having answered all these questions, you will already understand which course is worth paying attention to for you, — shares Ekaterina Borovets.

How to define learning goals

The first and key step in choosing a course is defining your personal and professional goals. And this is not just a formal stage.Clearly defining your goals helps you focus on what exactly you want to achieve through training. These could be:

• improving qualifications in the current field of activity;
• acquiring new skills to change professions;
• deepening knowledge in the area of ​​interest.

When you clearly understand your goals, you can narrow your search by excluding what doesn't meet your needs and expectations. For example, if your goal is to learn programming to move into the IT field, then it doesn't make sense for you to consider PRO level courses. In this case, it's better to start with the basics and then expand your knowledge.

—Without a request,it's difficult to understand what to learn and how to do it. Therefore, with a clear goal, you will have both an action plan and motivation, — explains Ekaterina. — For example, if your goal is to take your first orders in graphic design in six months, which you know nothing about, then you need to look for a short, systematic, but sufficiently in-depth, practice-oriented course that will provide both a portfolio and a certificate.

What are the training options?

Modern educational technologies offer various solutions with their own advantages that are suitable for the specific needs of students. The choice of a specific type depends on your preferences and goals:

• Online courses.Online education has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its accessibility and flexibility. It allows students to study at a time and place convenient for them, choosing a variety of tracks. This is an excellent option for those who prefer independent learning and are ready to manage their own time.
• Offline seminars and lectures.Offline provides students with the opportunity to interact personally with professors and colleagues, discuss material in real time, and receive feedback. This is especially useful for those who prefer traditional methods and value personal interaction.
• Hybrid courses.They combine the benefits of online and offline learning. Students can study materials online and then participate in offline seminars or practical classes to consolidate knowledge and discuss issues with instructors and colleagues. This format is suitable for those who value the flexibility of online learning, but want personal interaction and practical experience.

Course formats. What to rely on when choosing

The importance of flexibility in learning lies in the ability to combine studies with work, family responsibilities, and other daily activities. A flexible format allows students to manage their own time and adapt their learning to their lifestyle. This is especially important for busy professionals, parents, and students who need to balance studying with other responsibilities.

— When choosing a format, you need to consider your life situation.Just because one particular course suited your friend, Petya, who is unemployed, doesn't mean it will suit you. Because you are a mother on maternity leave with three children and can only study in the morning while everyone else is at kindergarten and school,— the expert believes. —Therefore, ask yourself as many questions as possible—what, how, and when you want to learn. The more details, the more likely you are to purchase the right course.

How to check the accreditation and reputation of the platform

Checking the accreditation of the curriculum and the reputation of the educational platform is important. It will help you make an informed decision, which will increase your chances of successfully completing your studies and achieving your educational and career goals.

Here's why it's important:

• Accreditation of an educational program ensures that it meets established educational quality standards.
• Accreditation helps ensure that your education will be recognized by employers or other educational institutions.
• The reputation of an educational platform reflects its reliability, quality of materials, and level of student support.

— Why is it important to check the accreditation and reputation of the educational platform before choosing? Because the quality of education you will receive depends on this. I may surprise you now, but it is not the case that one platform has only good courses, and another only bad ones. It depends on many factors. Who created a specific course, who teaches it, — says Ekaterina. — I remember studying one course on stress resistance, the content was excellent, but I never watched it to the end. Because the lecturer put me to sleep. Maybe that was the point of the course, and that’s how I improved my stress resistance, but I didn’t achieve my learning goal. Therefore, if possible, get trial access and feedback from those who studied, if you can find it. The main thing is to look at the content and listen to the speaker; usually, if he teaches a course, you can listen to it somewhere else.

How to choose a course based on cost

When choosing a course, you need to consider the cost of tuition and your financial capabilities to make your studies accessible and cost-effective. And here are some aspects to consider:

• Value for money.An expensive course is not always the best choice, so it is important to look at its content and the benefits that the training provides.
• Financial support.For example, scholarships, grants, or student discounts.
• Payment flexibility.Ask about paying in installments or in stages to make your studies more affordable.
• Financial assistance.Many organizations, universities, and even government agencies provide financial support for education, especially in certain fields or for certain categories of students.

How important are up-to-date curricula and practical experience?

When choosing a course of study, you should also pay attention to the relevance of the curricula and the availability of practical experience. Here's why this is so important:

• Up-to-date programs take into account modern labor market requirements and technological changes in the industry.
• Practical-oriented learning provides students with the opportunity to apply acquired knowledge in practice and develop the skills necessary for a successful career.
• Practical assignments and cases help students better assimilate the material. This makes learning more interesting, effective, and memorable.
• Students who have completed an internship have a competitive advantage in the labor market, as they have real-world experience in their field and can demonstrate their skills to employers.

What else should you consider when choosing training

Defining your goals, researching options, checking accreditation and reputation, analyzing costs and available resources, evaluating the format and flexibility, the relevance of programs and the presence of practical experience - all these factors will help you make an informed decision and choose the option that meets your needs and educational goals.

At the same time, career expert and career guidance specialist Ekaterina Borovets advises paying attention to yourself. Do you have the resources, motivation, discipline, and a clear goal. Very few people complete the training, and often not because the course is bad, but because motivation and interest are lost along the way:

“I once spoke with an educational course methodologist who had retrained, having previously been a sales specialist. And she shared that the course she took was very weak. She lacked information, and sometimes, in order to complete her homework, she had to read two more books and study a large number of articles.

But she completed it because she understood that she would have to stay in sales, save money for a new course, and there was no guarantee that it would be stronger in content. So she decided not to waste time and start realizing herself in a new profession, filling in the gaps as she went.

Therefore, don't expect a magic pill that will fill your head with knowledge after just one course, even the most powerful one. It doesn't work that way. You need to invest, do homework, seek out additional information, and defend your thesis. Consider maximum comfort when choosing a course, but remember that the learning outcome depends not on the course, but on you."