If you have access to the internet or even books, the coronavirus quarantine is a good time to learn new skills. It is frustrating and heartbreaking to lose your job, but all you can do now is collect your unemployment benefits and figure out what would be the next best move for your life. Like it or not, jobs of the 21st century and onward will demand computer literacy. We will list out some of the computer skills for jobs of the future.
Why Learn Computer Skills
Everything is moving towards computerization. From the capital markets to healthcare database management, from teaching to food and accommodation business inventories, computers are everywhere. Orders and administration, sales, legal teams, etc. everyone is onboard the internet revolution. There are lesser and lesser jobs that don’t demand computer skills.
Computer programs can revolutionize your personal life as much as it has changed businesses. You can use simple software and programs to manage your expenses, taxes and even handle your own investments. Cloud-based storage solutions can help you to maintain those pesky bills and receipts permanently with no fear of losing track of them.
There are a whole lot of upcoming fields in computer science which even universities are just now starting to offer courses in. The best way to learn them actually happens to be through online courses by professional organizations. Many people have managed to make lucrative careers by self-learning these skills.
Skills List
Many companies spend time and money training new recruits on these skills. Imagine the edge you will have by going in with them already in your repertoire. Although some of the jobs requiring these skills may prefer those with degrees, there are many who have attained success by acquiring them by self-learning.
Python
Python, the programming language has three core applications:
- Data Science — including machine learning, data analysis, and data visualization
- Scripting
- Web Development
The above fields are larger domains facilitated by the knowledge of programming languages. Not only do you get jobs by knowing these skills, but you can also start your own web-based businesses.
Harvard University is offering a free online course teaching the basics of python.
Machine Learning
This field is a subset of artificial intelligence. It is quite complex to learn, but successfully doing so can launch you into a great career, precisely because it is still a relatively rare skill.
It now powers many of the modern-day services like streaming platforms, e-commerce sites, media players etc. where data is quickly sorted through to determine what you might like.
A comprehensive machine learning program will also impart allied skills such as statistics.
A good resource to explore this skill is Coursera, where you can audit courses for free.
Power BI
While not strictly connecting to computing, this tool required by business analysts can make you a great fit for business development roles. You can learn PowerBI on Youtube as well as LinkedIn Premium
Google Office Tools
Google is providing stiff competition to Microsoft with its suite of spreadsheets, presentations, etc. software. Acquiring these skills provides you with an entry point to many promising careers. Its much quicker to learn than AI, ML or any such broader field.
UI/UX Design
These are very lucrative skills nowadays and there is a lot of demand for freelancers as well. Developing a portfolio of work really helps. There are numerous paid and free resources to learn from, but paid resources might be better if they include a capstone project. Coursera has some design courses you can audit for free.
Data Visualization
This career goal is a good idea for those who are artistically oriented. It involves transforming data into a visually appealing form. EdX has a free course that you can also get a certificate for by paying extra.
There are many other advanced courses you can opt for in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence if you already have some knowledge of computer science.
Though the world looks hopeless when you have been laid off, it might just take you in a direction you never thought of. Make sure to collect your unemployment benefits and try your best to stay positive. The government is charting up plans to slowly restart the economy so, we will see a future outline soon.