While Studying, Working, Hustling… Oh, and Living, Trying to Lose Weight, and Eating Better (lol)
All you need is internet, WiFi, and your own pace.
Let me share a bit about my experience studying virtually since I moved to New York—and of course, I’ll include the platforms I use the most, plus some great organizations and resources where you can find virtual certificates and courses in both English and Spanish.
For me, online learning has been a true window to knowledge. These days, online education options are everywhere. But it wasn’t always like that.
In fact, right before the pandemic in 2019, I wrote to the university I graduated from in Cali, Colombia. I suggested they create an online course or workshop for communications professionals like me—something that helped us look beyond Cali, Bogotá, or even Colombia, and explore the broad range of opportunities that communication offers, even in the U.S. And guess what? They said no.
Then the pandemic hit… and now they even offer online master’s degrees. Go figure! (Let’s just say I’m no longer obsessed with them.)
Anyway, that’s just a little anecdote to get us started.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give to anyone unsure of what to study is: start with a short, affordable online course. If you commit the time and enjoy the subject, then you’ll know it’s worth investing in something more advanced. That’s exactly what I’ve done.
I’ve used Coursera and Udemy a lot. Coursera is great because it’s backed by major universities that I probably couldn’t access otherwise. And although Udemy doesn’t always offer certificates, their English and coaching courses have really impressed me—they’re fantastic if you just want to learn, certificate or not.
Now, let’s talk about Google Certificates—like the ones in Marketing and Project Management. At this point, I think they’re almost essential. They’re hosted on Coursera but issued by Google. When I first arrived, I didn’t have money for expensive programs, but I knew I needed something to improve my resume. These certificates helped me do that.
My longest online course so far was the Professional Translator Certificate from SUNY Orange Community College, through the Ed2Go platform. I loved it! The content was excellent, I had live sessions and exams with professors, the certificate came with the official logo and seal from the college, and the platform allowed me to pay in installments. I’ll admit—I had to request a paid extension to finish it… but I got it done! It lasted one full year.
For journalism and storytelling, I’ve taken great (and sometimes free!) courses with the Knight Center for Journalism. Some are light, others more intensive, and they always offer something valuable to learn—with a certificate included.
Recently, I’ve taken courses with Cornell University and Ed2Go again. I’ve also looked into certification programs directly through professional associations when I need something more specialized.
This year, my goal is to become a Certified Career Coach and finish my Business Entrepreneurship Program. Sure, sometimes I fall behind with assignments or assessments, but when I see that “Completed” badge or 100% mark, it’s such a satisfying feeling.
So please—make time to study. Education is a privilege. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep adding tools to your knowledge box.
📚 My Go-To Platforms and Resources for Online Learning (With Certificates and Workshops)
If you’re ready to explore new skills or career paths, here are some trusted platforms and resources (in English and Spanish) that offer online courses and certificates:
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