5 Best Online Resources to Learn New Tech Skills

The information technology field is an incredibly dynamic field, especially in 2022. Technology is constantly developing and improving. Not only this, but every other field uses technology.

Almost all businesses today use some kind of computer software to help them fulfill their roles. As a result, professionals in the IT field should be on the lookout for new, useful skills that they can learn and implement. They should also, of course, be refining the skills they already have.

There is a lot of variety when it comes to the tech world, including specialization in customer support, cybersecurity, and software development. Different employers will want different sets of skills, so it’s important to know in what direction you would like to go when looking for a job in the IT field.

Be willing to learn! If you want to get into a certain area of IT but don’t have all the skills necessary quite yet, don’t let that stop you from going for it. If you get an interview, be honest, and let them know you are willing to learn. However, you should also be proactive in actually developing those skills.

Here are five of the current best online resources to help you learn those new skill sets:

1. Coursera

Coursera is an excellent platform for learning new tech skills. The platform partners with over 250 of the world’s top universities and companies, including Google, the University of Michigan, IBM, and Yale.

The courses they offer span a variety of tech topics such as data science, machine learning, deep learning, big data, and digital marketing. In between each course, Coursera quizzes you on what you have learned. It also gives you projects to work on to help you become more familiar with your new skill.

Coursera offers a selection of hundreds of free courses as well as premium options. If you go with a premium route, you may achieve specialization in a certain area, a certificate, or even a university degree, depending on what option you go with.

If you are looking for a highly credible resource to help you learn new skills or even earn a more affordable Master or Bachelor degree in the IT field, Coursera might be right for you.

2. Alison

Alison provides hundreds of free courses for IT. Alison works with experts in the fields of business, education, industry, and government agencies to build its courses in order to provide you with professional knowledge and instruction.

The platform includes courses in computer networking, software development, software tools, hardware, game development, data science, software engineering, databases, IT management, the list goes on.

With Alison, you have the option to choose a certificate course or a longer diploma course. The courses themselves are free of charge, but there is a fee if you would like to receive a digital certificate or diploma (which you may later print).

Alison also offers a premium option. A premium account costs about $9 a month and includes features such as an ad-free learning experience, certificate-fee discounts, and a resume building tool.

Alison strives to keep its courses up-to-date on standards and benchmarks in the IT industry in order to maintain quality. If you are looking to continue developing your professional skills, Alison might be a good learning resource for you.

3. Pluralsight

Pluralsight works with a network of experts in the IT world to help you to learn new IT skills fast and effectively. Pluralsight starts you off by having you take an assessment of where you currently stand in a certain skill.

This allows them to effectively steer you to a course that will be sure to teach you what you don’t already know. The courses are interactive, so you can practice what you learn as you learn it. As you complete projects, Pluralsight offers helpful feedback, so you can perfect what you’re learning.

If you are looking for a platform that tailors itself to your current skill level and focuses on what you need, Pluralsight might be the right resource for your skill-learning journey.

4. Codeacademy

Codeacademy is geared toward the coding side of IT. The courses are free, and you have the option to take coding courses in programming/markup languages such as Ruby, JavaScript, Java, Python, React.js, jQuery, CSS, Sass, HTML, and AngularJS.

Codeacademy claims they will have you “coding in seconds,” and that you will be able to write some code, even after just the first lesson. It also offers peer feedback in real time, so you can better develop your coding.

There is also an option for a Codeacademy Pro account. The pro option is $19.99 a month and allows you to connect with advisors to guide you as you learn. It also offers projects and quizzes to test how well you’re coming along. If you’re interested in a resource to help you learn new skills in the code world, Codeacademy might be what you’re looking for.

5. EDX

EDX’s courses are developed from courses at universities such as Oxford and Harvard. It offers a variety of learning experiences to its users. The courses are free, and learners receive a certificate after completing a course.

These courses implement videos, graphics, data visualizations, and other interactive elements in order to engage their users. It also gives you a chance to demonstrate what you have learned by practice in the form of quizzes and “virtual environments.” If you would like an engaging and dynamic way to take high-level courses, EDX might be the best resource for you.

In such a quickly growing industry, it’s important to be at the top of your IT game.

Be sure to develop new skill sets, so you can find your dream job. When it comes to finding that ideal IT job, prosourceIT can help. We specialize in helping driven IT professionals connect with industry-leading organizations. We don’t just list job postings and expect you to do the rest of the work. We work hard to help you to find the perfect IT job match.