CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONLINE COURSE WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE

You’re casually scrolling through your Facebook feed when an advertisement catches your eye – an online course in digital marketing, which gets your attention. You click on it, only to find yourself blasted with related ads and posts on all your social media feeds urging you to enroll. Before you know it, you’ve enrolled in the free masterclass, which promises deeper insights and a certificate of completion. And towards the end of the Masterclass, you are presented with endless course offerings – from content marketing to SEO to UX/UI design, all packaged with different prices with special bonuses if you enroll immediately. And if you don’t, you are not guaranteed that amazing offer again. Suddenly, the excitement turns into confusion. Should I enroll? Which course do I need? Do I buy the whole bundle? And the Fear of Missing out (FOMO) sets in.

Welcome to the online learning jungle, where the abundance of choices can leave even the most determined learners feeling lost and overwhelmed. It’s a place where students and working professionals often find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take and how to make the most of their educational journey.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONLINE COURSE

Just like with every other industry, the field of education is undergoing a revolution.  Today knowledge is at our fingertips with online education running in parallel with mainstream education and evolving as a convenient mode of learning for all ages.

For personal or professional growth, online learning options are abundant. With upskilling and reskilling being the norm today, what better way to stay relevant in the workforce and futureproof your career than by enlisting for a course or certification online? You get the benefit of flexibility and self-paced learning while gaining a competitive edge and opportunities for career progression.

However, with an abundance of online learning options, making an informed decision about which online course to choose can be daunting. Let’s explore some common challenges you could face when deciding on an online course:

5 COMMON CHALLENGES WHEN DECIDING ON AN ONLINE COURSE

1. Information overload when researching online courses:
   • Sorting through countless course options and information sources can be overwhelming, leaving you unsure where to begin your search.
2. Assessing the quality and credibility of online courses:
   • This is tricky because instructors may have different qualifications, courses may cover various topics, and accreditation status can vary among platforms and providers.
3. Finding a course that matches your learning style:
   • Whether you prefer to see (visual), hear (auditory), or do things (kinesthetic), it’s essential to pick a course that matches your learning style to make sure you learn effectively and stay engaged.
4. Weighing the investment against potential benefits:
   • Deciding if an online course is worth it involves considering its cost against what you’ll gain from it, like learning new skills, boosting your career, or growing personally.
5. Understanding the commitment required and setting realistic goals:
   • Recognizing the time and effort needed to complete a course, and setting realistic goals, is essential for a positive learning experience and avoiding burnout or disappointment.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE WHEN CHOOSING ONLINE COURSES?

The answer is simple:

Too often, it’s easy to lose sight of one’s purpose and direction in life when faced with many choices. It is quite possible that you could end up doing a lot of courses and certifications that might not necessarily add value.

You could enroll simply because they are popular, without clearly identifying your objectives and how beneficial these courses would be to your career path.

Consequently, significant money and time are spent on courses without receiving proper value in return.

It is also common for individuals to pursue numerous online courses solely to inflate the Certification section of their resume, often prioritizing quantity over quality.

Seeking professional guidance when choosing online courses can help prevent such pitfalls by ensuring that each course you undertake serves a purpose and contributes meaningfully to your personal and professional growth.

Here is where the guidance provided by a qualified Career Counsellor can make all the difference in your online learning journey.

HOW CAN A CAREER COUNSELLOR HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONLINE COURSES?

1. Identifying Goals and Aspirations:

• It all starts with a meaningful exploration and identification of your goals and aspirations. What are your ambitions? What are your interests? Where does your passion lie? What is your aptitude?

• These are questions that require introspection and are often not paid much attention to, or we are unable to find the answers by ourselves.
• By gaining these fundamental insights, the career counsellor can guide you in line with your long-term objectives.

2. Assessing Skills and Areas of Growth:

• Perhaps you are vying for a new post that’s come up in your organization, but are you ready to take it on? Do you have the skill sets required for the post?

• Accurately assessing your current skills against the Job Description and identifying skill gaps can be challenging on your own. This is where the expertise of a career counsellor in career development and assessment tools, can provide a comprehensive evaluation of your skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. They can then help you identify the most relevant and beneficial online courses for your career advancement.

3. Providing Industry Insights and Trends:

• By staying abreast of emerging fields, industry trends and developments, career counsellors can offer valuable insights into which skills are in high demand and which courses are most relevant to your desired career path.

• The job market is constantly evolving and in the next couple of years, the majority of today’s students will likely find themselves employed in roles that were previously unfamiliar to them.

• The expertise of a career counsellor ensures that you’re investing your time and resources wisely in online courses that will propel your career forward.

4. Assisting with Course Evaluation and Selection:

• With countless online course options and online educational institutions available, each projecting itself to be the best, one needs to exercise caution when making a choice.

• A career counselor can help streamline the decision-making process by providing criteria for evaluating courses, such as accreditation, course content, instructor expertise, and reviews. Their guidance empowers you to make informed choices that align with your learning objectives.

Armed with a deep understanding of your goals, skills, and industry trends, a career counsellor can recommend a personalized list of online courses that perfectly align with your needs. Whether you’re looking to acquire technical skills, develop leadership abilities, or explore new areas of interest, they’ll guide you toward courses that best fit your aspirations.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance before enrolling in online courses. Investing in the expertise of a career counsellor can save you time and money, while also ensuring that you embark on a path of personal and professional growth. Take the first step towards a brighter future by seeking guidance today and banish all concerns you might have about “How to choose the right online course?”.

At Elysian, we help you make the right choices to stay ahead in your professional journey. With personalized guidance and industry insights, our career counselling services empower you to acquire new skills, advance your career, explore new opportunities and achieve your goals.