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It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year — summer! While you can — and should — still enjoy copious amounts of hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches and other seasonal treats, there’s no doubt that this summer will look and feel a little different due to the coronavirus crisis.
As a result, most summer internships have been canceled or altered. Many students are now frantically searching for other ways to add to their resume and learn new skills. If you’re in the same boat, please know that you’re not alone.
To help you make the most of this extra downtime, we’ve compiled a list of the most interesting (and free!) courses to take this summer. Even if you devote just a few hours a week to stream online lessons as you chill out on your couch in sweatpants with a giant bag of cheese puffs in hand, we guarantee you’ll find these newfound skills to be helpful. Plus, it’ll give you a leg up on your peers when it comes time to apply for your next job or internship.
Related: What to Do Now That Your Summer Program/Internship Has Been Canceled
Google Analytics Academy
Analytics Academy was designed to help users understand the importance of data analysis. We recommend starting with Google Analytics for Beginners, which features 17 lessons broken down into four units. Students will learn how to implement tracking code, set up data filters and dashboards, compile reports and take advantage of helpful shortcuts. Plus, Analytics Academy is a great resource that you can use to study for the Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) exam — an industry-recognized (and totally free!) qualification.
General Assembly’s Dash Coding Program
This fun and interactive course from General Assembly will teach you all the basics of web development and coding (HTML, Javascript, and CSS). The course consists of four tasks; each is a request from a fictional client. Upon completion of the program, you’ll have published three websites. You’re free to complete the course on your own time, so you can sleep in as long as you’d like.
Hootsuite Platform Training
This two-and-a-half-hour Hootsuite course is broken down into two chapters. Chapter One outlines the basics of the social media management platform, while Chapter Two dives deeper into advanced engagement techniques (like geotargeting specific audiences), and useful tips and tricks like bulk uploading. (FYI: Hootsuite lets you schedule up to 350 posts at once!) After you complete the course, you have the option to sign up for the Hootsuite Platform Certification Exam ($99).
Hubspot’s Social Media Strategy Certification Course
Now that you’ve completed your Hootsuite training (congrats!), it’s time to learn the ins and outs of social media strategy! This Hubspot certification course, taught by social media expert Crystal King, consists of nine lessons, 37 videos, and 29 quizzes. So, if you’re looking for something to keep you occupied all summer long, look no further.
A Beginner’s Guide to Adobe InDesign
There’s no sugarcoating it: Adobe InDesign can be intimidating at first glance, but it’s pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. In this course (which features 11 hours of videos for you to watch at your leisure), you’ll learn how to utilize grids to create a custom layout, work with text, format paragraphs and combine text and objects.
A Crash Course in Data Science (Certification Upon Completion)
This one-week (!) course is offered by Johns Hopkins University and wastes no time diving deep into all things data science. Students will learn how statistics, software engineering, and machine learning impact data science; the terms and tools used by data scientists; how to identify a successful (and unsuccessful) data science project; and other practical insights.
Alison’s Diploma of Project Management Course
“What the heck is project management?” you may be wondering. According to the Association of Project Management, it’s defined as the “application of processes, methods, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters.” Put simply, this course will help you hone in on your project management abilities. Whether or not you plan to pursue a career in project management, you should graduate from this course with a better understanding of critical thinking, risk management, and other valuable skills.
BONUS: CEA’s Very Own College Essay Academy!
College Essay Academy is a process-driven, advice-filled, fully animated video course that teaches the art of writing the college admissions essay. In this three-and-a-half-hour course, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the entire essay writing process, from the brainstorming phase all the way through to the final polish.
