The best business course is determined on a person-by-person basis. Your learning style and purpose for learning are some of the key factors to consider before choosing a course, but there are other elements to factor in as well. Business is an incredibly layered subject that requires communication, technical, creative, critical thinking, marketing, and financial skills and is a centuries-old practice that is continually evolving. Whether you need a short introduction or a thorough overview of your specific tool or specialization, there’s a course out there for you. This article intends to reveal the most important considerations when choosing a course to help you determine which learning method and course option is the most suited to your needs and goals.
Brand New to Business?
If you are thinking about enrolling in a business course, it is important to consider what relevant experience you have that can help you along your learning journey. If you have previous or relevant experience, a business course will likely be less strenuous than if you are completely new to the subject matter. If this applies, you will want to explore training options that gloss over or entirely skip the introductory subject matter so you can get the most from your experience. Alternatively, students with absolutely zero experience will want to start with a shorter introductory course that gives them a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced concepts and topics. This allows beginners to explore business for themselves and determine whether this is the right path. Ultimately, your experience can play a big role in whether one course is more suitable.
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Consider Your Budget
Once you’ve decided to enroll in a business course, you likely have many elements to contemplate. One of the most obvious factors is your budget and the amount you are willing, or able, to spend on a course. No matter what, a professional training program will pay off substantially in the long run once you’ve acquired the necessary skills to find gainful employment. Still, the upfront cost can be jarring to some. Introductory classes cost less because they cover less material, whereas certificates and bootcamps are far more in-depth and the cost reflects that. University and college degrees are the most expensive option by far. Students can search for scholarships and financial aid, but this can only reduce the cost so much. This path is unrealistic for many, so opting for a certificate program may be the perfect balance between a short, cost-effective course and a lengthy, expensive program. While the price is well worth the reward, your budget is essential when considering a training program.
The introductory, intermediate, and advanced-level courses are typically the least expensive options, aside from on-demand classes (which are far less immersive and not suggested for someone who wants to enter the field and become a business professional). These typically cost a couple hundred dollars; however, if you plan to advance through each level, a bootcamp or certificate course may be the best choice. Bootcamps and certificates typically cost a thousand to thousands of dollars but are an easy medium between introductory courses and degree programs. If you’re concerned that you’ll need additional guidance outside of your training program, there are a range of free resources to supplement your training, such as those from Noble Desktop’s Learn Hub.
How Quickly Do You Need to Learn New Skills?
If you’re working on a time crunch, that may determine which course you choose. If you have enough time to pace yourself and learn gradually, you can consider part-time courses as opposed to the shorter full-time option. Part-time classes typically occur over the weekends or in the evenings and the classes are far less lengthy. This means the course will span more time than a full-time offering, but for someone in no real rush to acquire these skills, it can be a worthwhile path. However, you may have an upcoming project at work that requires you to learn essential skills before beginning. In this case, a full-time course will suit your needs. No two classes, bootcamps, or certificate programs are the same, however, so it is important to check the dates and make sure you’re enrolling in a course that aligns with your scheduling needs. Some full-time programs still last a few weeks to a few months, but they are certainly less time-consuming than the university degree programs that last for years. With this in mind, you can explore different courses and decide which is best for you.
Do You Want to Become a Professional Business Person?
It’s important to know what your long-term goals are so that you can avoid wasting your time and money. Therefore, your learning experience will need to reflect your long-term goals. If you want to make business into a career, an introductory course or on-demand program will not cut it. If you want to learn business for personal reasons, such as to manage your finances or strengthen your side hustle’s social media strategies, you can enroll in a course that specializes in those skills. Alternatively, if you want to make business your profession, you will want to find a bootcamp or certificate course that focuses on career readiness. These learning methods frequently offer additional resources that help you take the next steps.
How Much Technical Training Do You Need?
Similar to considering your intended outcome, you may ask yourself how much technical skills versus theoretical understanding you may need. If you plan to use your business skills for a specific task, you will likely want to skip over the theory and focus entirely on practical application. On the other hand, if you plan to entrench yourself in the business world, you may want to explore different economic and marketing theories. For example, an Entrepreneur or Business Owner would likely want to know every aspect of business, from technical and practical skills to the more nuanced and theoretical practices.
Do You Prefer In-Person or Online Training?
Lastly, your training preferences matter when you choose a course. Luckily, there are different options to suit your needs. Much like part-time and full-time options, there are in-person and online courses. Most students agree that in-person instruction helps the learning process go more smoothly and will less strain. It’s easy and less intimidating to learn alongside other like-minded individuals and the direction from an instructor makes learning more complex concepts far less challenging. Additionally, the hands-on nature of in-person courses ensures that students will gain realistic experience and receive feedback that helps them continually improve. Students are expected to regularly attend class, so they must have ample time and reliable transportation. Regardless, in-person courses are effective for gaining new skills.
Online classes, by contrast, have a few different methods. Live online classes are another worthwhile endeavor, usually attempting to mimic an in-person course as much as possible. They offer far more flexibility and diversity, with courses being offered from training centers all across the world. Students in live online courses can still receive feedback and interact with peers and instructors as well. Although students have to count on their internet connection to learn and there may be distractions, live online classes are an ideal course for students who need a flexible learning option. This option also negates the need for a commute, but can sometimes feel less interactive than an in-person course, which is held in a more neutral learning environment.
Learn Business Skills with Noble Desktop
No matter what your schedule, budget, or learning preferences are, Noble Desktop has courses that can give you the educational experience you need. Their Data Science Certificate course is a complete overview of data science principles and techniques, including statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. Students will gain experience through real-world experience collecting, manipulating, and interpreting data. Using coding languages and tools like Python, SQL, and Tableau, students will learn how to visualize their data through predictive models, charts, interactive graphs, and dashboards. Because this is a career-focused course, students will gain the skills necessary to help them enter the data science field quickly and efficiently.
The Excel Bootcamp helps students gain proficiency in using Excel. Students will learn how to perform basic functions, like creating a spreadsheet, and perform more advanced techniques like analyzing data and creating macros. In addition, the instructor will show students how to adequately use Pivot Tables, formulas, calculations, and functions and to sort and filter through different databases. Students will learn everything from formatting spreadsheets and VLOOKUP functions to What-If Analysis and INDEX functions. This course combines the fundamentals, intermediate information, and advanced skills needed to feel confident using Excel professionally.
To gain basic project management skills in a short timeframe, Noble Desktop’s Project Management Level I course teaches students the best methods for planning, executing, and monitoring a project from start to finish. The instructor will cover key aspects of budgeting, scheduling, communicating, and mitigating risk. Students will learn through real case studies and earn hands-on experience juggling different tasks simultaneously. By the end of the course, students will have a greater sense of what goes into project management and know necessary to take the next steps in their learning journey or apply their skills to an upcoming project at work.