learn

“You can never be overdressed or overeducated” Oscar Wilde

Learning for me is something that is never complete. After all, the workforce is continually evolving - especially in fields such as media and marketing, where social media has become a total game changer. My job now, as a freelance digital consultant, didn’t even exist when I begun choosing subjects back in secondary school. Now however, it is a whole industry in itself, and as platforms change (think Insta-stories vs Snapchat!), there is a whole lot more to consider.

I often get asked questions about how I’ve been able to start work as a freelancer in social media. The short answer - a lot of study! I have a Bachelor in Commerce (Hons) /Arts (majoring in Marketing, Management, Cultural Studies and Sociology).

However, you don’t necessarily have to go to a traditional Uni pathway, sitting in lectures and tutorials to receive these qualifications. A different option that offers more flexibility is an online education provider like Upskilled . Upskilled offers courses similar to what I’ve studied, such as a Diploma of Marketing and a Diploma of Social Media Marketing (something that a lot of mainstream uni’s are yet to introduce!). Upskilled also offer tertiary qualifications online like the Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and a Bachelor of Business (Public Relations). Each of these courses are the perfect way to enhance your skills and keep your knowledge up to date, or to supplement your expertise to help your skills fall into a particular niche. I myself am thinking of perhaps enhancing my business knowledge with something in the nutrition field, since I work a lot with health brands (I’m thinking this course here).

The flexibility of online learning is particularly great for fitting in with your current study or work. Think listening to lectures on your laptop over coffee at cafes, at home or on the way to work! Basically, online learning means you work when you can, so you don’t have to put everything else on hold.

If you’re unsure of what you’re looking to do, fear not because a lot of Australians are in the same boat. Upskilled have also just released their annual Australian Career Survey, which you can check out here.

It gives some info on the current landscape of the Australian workforce and how workers really feel, including the fact that many want to gain further education and training. Because after all, you really can never be too well dressed or well read.