In the digital information age where everything is online, it’s very easy to obtain new skills to pad your resume. Whether that is learning to cook, build something from scratch or code a website, there are a ton of free resources available online.

Here are five of the top resources available on the net today.

YouTube

As the second largest search engine on the internet, YouTube is also home to several video tutorials for just about anything you can think of. Trying to build a fence in the backyard? You’ll find a video for that. Trying to bake a quiche for the first time ever? YouTube has a video for that.

Some YouTube channels will ask you to subscribe to their email list in exchange for their content, but it’s still a great value for paying next to nothing. The next time you think of something you want to learn, head over to YouTube and see what kind of video content is available.

FreeCodeAcademy.org

Freecodeacademy.org is a website that offers a number of free online coding programs. This valuable resource gives students interested in a career in IT or technology a leg up with learning how to use different programming languages through online modules.

While it’s a great resource and virtually free for students, the program doesn’t offer any guidance if you were to get stuck.

Discord

Discord is another free online resource and community where several topics are shared. From coding to cooking, you’ll find a thread that provides the exact learning material you’re looking for.

To get started, you just need to create an account. Unlike YouTube or FreeCodeAcademy.org, a Discord server provides a sense of community that can help people learn with other people trying to learn similar material.

Reddit

Reddit is another invaluable resource for people trying to learn anything. You’ll have no trouble finding a subreddit for just about anything you want to learn. People in the Reddit community will often provide links and commentary on a number of different topics.

To get started on Reddit, simply search for a topic you’re interested in and you’ll find a subreddit. You’ll need to create an account if you want to engage with the community or ask questions.

Google

Last but certainly not least on the list is Google. As the number one search engine in the world, there’s almost nothing you can’t find within the realm of indexed pages on Google.

Google has especially invested time and energy into keeping users directly on search engine result pages. The search engine has accomplished this through modules that pull content from 3rd party websites directly into the result set. You’ll most like see this with recipes and cooking information. If you’ve been dying to know how to make a new authentic dish, Google is your top resource.

As you can see, there are several resources online that can help you get started learning almost anything you want. From cooking to coding, construction to calligraphy, using any of these resources will will get you on the right track to mastering a new subject.

Finding the right coding school in 2021 is a bit of a complex process. With so many schools going online and offering their programs through Zoom, it’s become a competitive space and can be somewhat confusing to students. It’s important to evaluate your options to find the right coding program for you.

Here are 4 tips to consider when selecting a new code academy program.

1. Location

With most of the world going online in 2020, you’ll find a lot of online coding schools are held over Zoom, Google Hangouts or Discord. These platforms make it easy to connect with students and instructors, and make the learning process easier. However, if you are the type of student who prefers to learn in person, you’ll want to find a program that offers enhanced interaction with other students. Whether you’re reviewing codebases with other students or trying to solve a quick problem, this type of peer-to-peer community is a must for some students.

2. Cost

Most official code academy programs are expensive and require an upfront commitment. And local community colleges are even more expensive. For this reason, a lot of students are turning to free coding schools to get their start in the industry. These online schools might be slower paced, but they are offered completely free of charge to students.

If you have the budget to afford a coding school, you have plenty of options in front of you. Most paid coding programs will provide you with a certificate at the end of the curriculum so you know it is official. Plan to spend around $400 per month on your classes and time with the instructor.

3. Review the Curriculum

While free online coding schools start from the beginning, paid programs will allow you to start where you feel the most comfortable. You’ll need to review a school’s curriculum and decide which courses are right for you. Check out courses on HTML, Javascript, how to handle SEO, how to build mobile apps and more. If you’re already qualified in one subject, move onto the next and round yourself out.

4. Career Support

Make sure to check with your instructor and the school staff to know what your career options are as soon as you graduate. Code academy programs train you to be the best of the best in the IT world, but you’ll want to have an idea of what you want to do for a living. Most online coding schools have a major support group and they are well connected to employers in the industry. Be sure to show off your projects and maintain a personal portfolio to attract future employers.

The main thing with coding schools is to consider exactly what you want to learn. There are so many programs out there that you can find just about anything you need, but take a minute to think about your career goals. Do you need a coding program for HTML or Java? Mobile apps or websites? Do you want to use coding to get into the world of online marketing? These are all things you’ll want to determine prior to signing up for a code academy school.