In today's economy, students need to acquire marketable skills, such as computer programming, as it is highly in demand. This article discusses the required steps to gain those skills, how much it would cost students, and what returns they can expect after obtaining those skill sets.

What are some skills that are currently in high demand?

Computer programming has become one of the most sought-after marketable skills because it is used in virtually all industries today, including education, finance, healthcare, retail, and many more. Moreover, learning computer programming allows students to create their own mobile apps, which can help them make money or gain employment easily when they graduate from college.

As mentioned before, some universities offer free courses. For example, the course “Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python” provides students with an opportunity to learn how to program logic, design interactive applications for both PC and mobile devices using the Python programming language.

After completing this course successfully, they will be able to create their own mobile games or other types of apps that are useful for their career development or future employment opportunities.

Another useful skill that is always in high demand is data science. With the Master of Data Science programme with UNSW, you can learn this skill and just start working! Depending on where you wish to direct your Data Scientist career, you can specialize in areas such as machine learning, database systems, or statistics. 

Why is studying online getting more and more popular?

As a student in the 21st century, it is important to get updated with the latest technology. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are quickly changing how we work, learn and play. As such, traditional learning systems, which used to rely on extensive face-to-face interaction, may become outdated or inefficient for today's students who need more flexible access to learning opportunities, tools, and resources.

Studying online allows students to acquire marketable skills at their own pace and convenience. It also gives them an opportunity to learn virtually from anywhere, since they can access their course materials on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets that provide an easy and fast way of accessing information and communications.

Currently, there are no strict boundaries between where one learns — classrooms, libraries, the workplace, home, or any other environment — as long as students have access to information and communications. Moreover, learning materials can be found online at their convenience.

All of these factors make studying online extremely appealing to learners, especially those who are employed full-time. As such, many universities offer their courses through an e-learning platform, which allows students to easily register for classes and engage with other learners via discussion boards or chat rooms.

How do you acquire skills that are high in demand online?

Most universities offer courses specifically tailored to acquire skills in high demand. However, they are not free. Students need to spend a significant amount of time searching for the best programs that offer relevant skills in return for an affordable price.

As mentioned, it is hard to say which online course will provide the most value when there is no scientific evidence about their learning outcomes. Therefore, students should be aware that there are no guarantees when they sign up for a course unless the Universities guarantee them one-on-one interaction with their professors and fellow students.

Even though many online courses are free of cost, there are still costs involved with getting the necessary equipment, so you can study effectively at home (e.g., a laptop, good internet connection). There are also costs associated with taking an exam in order to get the certificate at the end of each course platform. 

Even though some online courses can be really expensive, they represent an excellent value because they promise high-quality education without having to relocate, commute long distances or spend money on tuition fees at brick-and-mortar universities.

On the other hand, a college education is also a smart investment for those who can afford it because post-graduation employment opportunities are much better than at any other time in history. 

Increase in employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be about an 11% increase in employment between 2012 and 2022 which means there will be approximately 44 million job openings by the end of this decade! However, completing an online course could give you the skills necessary to find a good job once you graduate from college, even though these online courses may not provide you with a traditional diploma.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of data scientists is expected to increase by 26% between 2012 and 2022 which is much faster than average job growth. This means that if you want to get a good job upon graduation, you should definitely investigate the possibility of learning data science through Python programming language or other courses.

How much does it cost to acquire a marketable skill?

The short is — it depends on what you choose to learn. Some online courses cost nothing, while other costs are defined per exam taken at the end of each course.

Regardless of what you major in, taking an online course will help you get ahead and accomplish your goals faster than if you didn't have access to these high-quality e-learning platforms.

Is a college degree still a good investment?

Even though there are many opportunities for students who want to continue their education after high school, not everyone can afford to go back to study for years because it is often time-consuming and expensive. College tuition fees range from about $40000 per year (not including living expenses) and they keep on increasing.

It would be a mistake to think that a college education is always more expensive than taking an online course because some universities offer free or affordable courses in their catalogue, but it mostly is that way.

If you currently don't have a degree, and you want to improve your employment opportunities in the future, enrolling in courses is much more affordable than going back to college. You can learn valuable skills and through experience learn directly the most important things about that course.