Relying Only on Online Courses for Career Growth? Read This.

On your way aboard the online learning train, hoping it's your golden ticket to professional success? 

Before you go full steam ahead with online courses for career growth, let's pause for a moment and consider something crucial.

Sure, online certification courses have their perks—you can learn at your own pace, from the comfort of your favourite fuzzy socks, and at any time that suits your schedule. 

But hold up. 🤚 

We can't ignore the disadvantages of online courses. 

Let's be honest: they may not offer the full package for your career aspirations.

In this blog, we will explore why relying solely on online courses for career growth might leave you feeling a little short-changed. 

But fear not. We've got a bright alternative that's like the North Star guiding you toward success: 1:1 mentorship. 

It’s like personalised guidance, and support tailored to your unique needs, challenges, and goals. 

So, join me as I explore why balancing online courses with 1:1 mentorship can be the secret sauce to your professional triumph. 

Get ready for some eye-opening insights, relatable examples, and a roadmap to help you reach your career dreams.

Let's dive in, shall we? 🚀

Let’s break down Online Certification Courses

Online certification courses are virtual classes you can take from the comfort of your home or anywhere with an internet connection. 

They are like little power-ups for your career. 

Instead of sitting in a traditional classroom, you learn and study through videos, quizzes, and interactive materials online.

👉But here's an important thing to consider about online courses: they don't always support active learning.

What is Active Learning?

Active learning is like learning by doing. It's when you get involved and participate instead of just listening or watching. Active learning lets us use our brains better. It's like exercising for the mind!

Remember in classrooms teachers asked questions, we had discussions, group projects, and hands-on activities? 

It was fun and engaging. 

But now, with pre-recorded courses, things have changed. 

We often just watch videos or read stuff passively. 

It's like being a passive listener instead of an active learner. 

Less interaction, less fun. 🤷

👉Imagine you're a graphic designer. 

You want to improve your skills and make yourself more valuable in the job market. 

So, you enrolled in some online courses related to graphic design, like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Typography 101. 

But, there was no time frame for completion, no practical application, and you got distracted and didn’t have anyone to hold you accountable. 

So in the end you only completed one course. But uh-oh! You didn't really gain any new skills from it.

Why? 

Because just passively watching videos and skimming through materials, won't do the trick. 

You need active learning! 

Without it, it's like watching someone else play a game without actually playing yourself. You won't improve much.

When Can Doing Online Courses be Helpful?

Here are 5 ways in which you can get the best out of online courses.

💫When you use it as an enhancement to your skills

Online courses are like a spicy seasoning to your knowledge dish! 

They can be helpful when you want to boost your existing skills or learn something new. 

But remember, they work best as an enhancement, not the whole meal. 

It's like adding cheese to a pizza—it makes it yummier, but you still need the crust and sauce!

👷‍♀️When you supplement it with practical experience

Learning is cool, but doing is cooler! 

Online courses become even more helpful when you mix them with real-life experience. 

It's like riding a bike—you can watch all the YouTube tutorials, but you won't learn until you pedal yourself!

🎯When you choose the right specialisation

There are a lot of options with online certifications.

But they'll only help when you choose the right specialisation for your domain. 

So, first you need to understand your specific learning needs.

And then find a course that provides you with exactly that.

However, it's hard to find the right course with the right syllabus when you don't know the pros and cons of each.

It's like finding a needle in a haystack! 

💪When you know you are going to be accountable and self-motivated to complete it

Being motivated is the secret sauce! 

Online courses are helpful when you have the self-discipline to stay on track. 

Do you know what can help?

Having an accountability buddy. Finding a knowledgeable work mentor who can share valuable insights and advice will help keep you on track.

Having a mentor can do wonders for your career. Get to know how here.

⭐When the course is credible for industry recognition

Not all courses are made equal.

Some are like hidden treasure chests, while others are like empty candy wrappers. 

Look for courses from reputable platforms or institutions. 

Only then can that certificate get you the right jobs.

When is Doing Online Courses Not Helpful?

Online courses are fantastic, no doubt about it.

But like everything else in life, they have their limitations too. 

Let's bust these common beliefs and see when online courses might not be your best choice.

📍When you're switching domains

Imagine you're on a quest to become a developer from a non-IT background. 

That's a big jump! 

Online courses might not give you the personal touch you need. 

Learning to code like a pro may require hands-on experience with a real mentor guiding you in practical skills. 

Online courses can't do that for you.

♻️When you're looking for end-to-end guidance and support from an expert

Online courses might teach you the skills, but what about practical exposure? What about applying for jobs? And practising for interviews?

Upskilling is only part of the journey. 

It might not get you to your goals by itself.

If you want someone to hold your hand through the journey, in-person support might be the way to go.

🔎When you want proper evaluation on your skills

Feedback is a booster rocket to improvement.

Online courses might give you quizzes, but they can't replace real people analysing your work and giving you valuable feedback. 

But a mentor can spot your hidden talents and areas needing improvement, like a superhero with x-ray vision. 

📄When you're only doing it to add labels to your CV

Fancy names (even Harvard and MIT) on a CV look cool, but are they just empty trophies? 

These courses might seem great but maybe they lack the knowledge you need.

Online courses are like snacks—they won't fill you up with expertise if you're munching for the show.

Your focus should be on finding a course that aligns with your passions and goals, not just a shiny label.

📚When you're choosing a course with an outdated syllabus

Imagine learning about the latest technology using a history book—not helpful, right? 

Some online courses might not keep up with the times and teach outdated stuff.

Whereas, say, learning directly from an industry professional will get you on top of the latest trends and insights.

Why Do Online Pre-Recorded Courses Often Fail To Provide an Active Learning Opportunity?

Online certification courses often don’t give you the results they promise because:

• They promote passive consumption and not active engagement.
• There is no real-time interaction.
• They have a cookie-cutter approach—
• There’s a lack of hands-on practice and immediate feedback.
• There are distractions galore—

Fun fact: According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), students in active learning environments have better academic performance and increased retention rates than those in passive learning settings.

To Wrap It Up

So, now you know why online courses aren’t the best bet at securing your dream job.

Know what can help instead?

Personalised mentoring.

Mentors are experienced professionals who have already seen the struggles you are facing. 

Having a mentor is like having a wise elder showing you the ropes in your professional jungle.

They can point to the correct certification, tell you exactly how it will help you bag new jobs, and hold your hand through the process until you’ve achieved your dreams!

Online pre-recorded courses are a great starting point, but they often fall short with active learning. 

To supercharge your learning journey and career growth, consider 1:1 mentorship. 

It's like switching from a bicycle to a rocket ship! 

A mentor can take your skills and knowledge to new heights with personalised attention, real-time feedback, and unwavering support. 

So, don't just watch from the sidelines. Find a mentor, and get ready for an adventure of active learning and success!

Go here for a free 1:1 career planning session with a MAANG mentor.