We live in the digital age where artificial intelligence threatens to eliminate jobs that were once considered the backbone of our economy. The job market is changing, and we must adapt to this reality with new determination, a positive attitude, and a new skill set. Acquiring a new skill set doesn’t mean you have to attend college to accomplish this task. The Internet provides us with ways to build new skill sets faster than in decades past. Here are a few vital skills you’ll need in today’s workplace:
- Digital literacy
- Artificial intelligence
- Project management
- Social media marketing and management
- Video production
- Web development
- Data analysis
- Cybersecurity
Many of these skills pay well, and you can become an entrepreneur who offers these skills to potential customers. If you love digital marketing, work as a freelance digital marketer and attract high-paying clients through networking, your online portfolio, and cold emails or cold calling. Or you may decide to start a video production company and create promotional videos and commercials for local businesses and content creators. Here are some ways to build a new skill set fast.
Obtain Certifications
Certifications help you build crucial skill sets in less time than it takes to earn a four-year degree. Depending on which certification you get, it may also be cheaper than a traditional college degree. If you’re interested in project management, obtain the PMP certification. Start by taking PMP courses through an affordable and accredited online program such as the Project Management Institute. Finally, you’ll take the PMP exam and receive your certification. Those interested in data science should consider the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate. If you sign up for this course through Coursera.com, you’ll only have to pay $429 for 11 months, the duration of the course.
Teach Yourself
Not all high-paying skills require certifications. You can teach yourself certain skills if you’re consistent and know where to find the information. I first learned about search engine optimization through operating my first blog and by doing freelance work for clients after college. I also read articles, listened to podcasts, and watched YouTube videos on the topic. Some people learned graphic design by working on personal projects for themselves and their friends. When I was in high school, I taught myself Spanish by taking notes in my Spanish classes and conjugating Spanish verbs using my textbook during my free time. And recently, I’ve been teaching myself how to create attention-grabbing Instagram posts with engaging captions.
Break Down the Skill in Chunks
By breaking down the components of the skill into chunks, it won’t be so overwhelming to learn it. Let’s say you want to learn how to write professional emails to potential clients. Your first step is to identify the goals of your emails, which is to get clients interested in your services and products. You’ll then need to write a concise and relevant subject line. The body of the email must address the right person, and you want to focus on your main goals. Finally, you may include a call-to-action in the email.
Talk With Someone Who Knows the Skill
It also helps to talk to someone who knows the skill you want to learn. You can ask this person to mentor you so that you’ll improve in this skill. Start by going to LinkedIn and reading about different individuals with expertise in the skill you’re learning. Read their articles and books, and if you can, attend any seminars where they’re giving speeches. Once you choose the person you want to work with, reach out to them. Personalize your message so it won’t sound generic. Discuss certain things you admire about their work, and you’re contacting them because you’re learning a certain skill, and you admire this individual’s expertise in that skill. Finally, you can request mentorship and give genuine reasons why you chose this person.
Practice Daily
Learning a new skill quickly is possible if you practice the skill daily. It doesn’t have to be boring because there are exciting ways to put what you learned into action. Instead of reciting Spanish words and phrases to yourself in your room, initiate a conversation in Spanish with a neighbor who is a native Spanish speaker. Try singing along with singers on Spanish-language songs as you improve your skills. Watch Spanish-language TV shows and read Spanish-language articles.
Teach the Skill to Others
One of the best ways to build a skill set fast is to teach it to others. Suppose you’re learning copywriting and proofreading. Your good friend needs to write some sample press releases as part of a PR writer job application. You teach her the skills you learned about copywriting and assist her in preparing her samples. As you teach her, you’re reinforcing the skills you learned.
Take Notes by Hand
When you take notes by hand, you’re more likely to retain what you learned than if you type your notes. According to research from various studies, when you type notes on the computer, you’re not thinking about or processing information effectively. When writing notes on paper, you force yourself to pay attention and prioritize which information is the most important. This requires deep thinking and concentration.
Use Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique where you review information in intervals rather than for longer periods. This method ensures that you remember your material better. Here are some ways you can use spaced repetition as you study:
- Summarize key points after your lessons
- Create and use flashcards daily to review your lessons
- Schedule reviews for every two to three days
- Study a different topic each day if learning multiple subjects
Choose A Skill You Enjoy
Before you choose a skill set to learn, think about which skills you enjoy and are the most interested in learning. You should learn skills that boost your chances of success in the workplace, but when you care about the skills you’re learning, you’re less likely to give up when you encounter setbacks. If you love graphic design, then choose a skill set that is aligned with this interest.
Begin With the Fundamentals
Start with the fundamentals of the skill you plan to learn because this lays the groundwork for the sub-skills that relate to the fundamentals. If you’re learning public speaking, you’ll need to start with the ability to enunciate your words clearly and work on your overall delivery of your messages to the audience. Even if you have the most well-researched points and good examples, your messages will fall on deaf ears if you lack confidence and poise in your delivery.
Picking up a new skill set quickly isn’t some magical trick. It’s really about being smart about how you learn, putting in the focused effort, and not being too hard on yourself when you stumble. Think of it like building anything worthwhile – you lay the groundwork with the basics, practice consistently, and build on the knowledge you acquired with new skills.