With unemployment still running rampant, a lot of folks have opted to go back to school rather than compete for jobs. But university fees are climbing, too, and not everyone has the luxury of opting out of the work force for a few years to get a degree. Besides, not everyone – particularly creative professionals – needs another bachelor’s degree. That’s where online courses come in.
One of the most frightening aspects of being laid off is wondering how you’ll stack up against other people looking for a job. Times have changed, and a lot of positions require more technical skills than you might be used to. When PsPrint Facebook fan Lori lost her job as an editor, she cathartically took her pen to paper to create a comic strip whose name expresses her disdain for her situation (warning: adult language, to put it mildly). The latest in the series shows her frustration over being interviewed by a publishing company that expects her to know PowerPoint. Lori has been proactive, though. She has years of writing and editing experience, so she needs a job more than she needs another degree. That quest led Lori to lynda.com, which provides online software training for a monthly subscription charge. To make her $25 per month worthwhile, Lori takes as many classes as possible for programs such as Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Her continuing education is evident in the technical progression of her cartoons. In my opinion, when it comes to graphic design and so many other creative careers, your portfolio should matter more than your education. Designer and blogger David Airey recently compiled a list of complaints about graphic design schools, such as, “What we lacked was web design teaching. It’s a big part of the demand would have been a major plus.” If you’re past the traditional college age of early 20s, now might be the time to fill in the holes in your technical expertise, and online classes are an affordable option for people who are pressed for time. Check out PsPrint blogger Valerie’s list of individualized design courses. How have you kept yourself relevant in today’s job market?
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