Mastering New Skills

The Power of Upskilling and Reskilling.

Lots of people find themselves needing to master new skills quickly. Maybe you’re at work, faced with the task of creating a pivot table in Excel, a skill you haven’t yet mastered. Or perhaps you’re aiming to take on a project management role and need to demonstrate your capability. On the flip side, you might be looking for ways to tackle your public speaking fears or want to find new techniques to make your PowerPoint engaging without creating a mountain of work for yourself. These common challenges can easily be addressed through bite-sized training videos and short-term training programs.

If you are currently working, gaining new skills is known as “upskilling”- since it involves enhancing one’s existing skill set to stay current with industry trends and technological advancements. Alternatively, reskilling focuses on acquiring entirely new skills to pivot to different job roles or industries. In either case, learning new skills is essential, and modern technology has made this process more accessible than ever. Platforms, such as Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, provide a vast amount of videos, courses, and certificate programs in high-demand skills ranging from project management and leadership to comprehensive tutorials on software like Microsoft Excel. Alternatively, if online learning isn’t your preferred method, local community colleges can also offer a wide array of upskilling or reskilling opportunities.

Get Noticed

The continuously evolving nature of technology has created a strong business case for employers to seek employees who are willing to continuously learn and adapt. Employers value candidates who are self-driven and eager to improve, as it shows they are open to new technologies and processes and can adapt to change. Earning certificates from reputable platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learn- ing, or from a local community college, demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. This not only makes you more attractive to potential employers but also allows you to confidently list “self-driven” on your resume, with certificates to prove it.

There are clear reasons to upskill versus not.

If you learn new skills and your industry changes or new opportunities arise, you can gain a lot—like higher pay, better job security, and more satisfying work.

Even if the industry stays the same, the new skills can still help you in your current job.

On the other hand, if you don’t upskill and your industry changes, you might lose your job, or miss out on promotions.

And if nothing changes, you might just risk feeling stuck.

LinkedIn Suggested Course: Communication Skills for Modern Management with Jean Marie DiGiovanna

LinkedIn Suggested Course: Customer Service Foundations with Jeff Toister.