You may have heard of, or at least seen, the Amazon Mechanical Turk. The Amazon Mechanical Turk is a place where you can take small tasks for businesses or brands you’re passionate about. For example, you can transcribe audio files, take a survey, or perform simple data entry. The tasks are simple and have a quick turnaround time, so they’re often a great choice for busy people who want to make a few extra bucks online.
While performing online, you’ll see a lot of certifications that you can earn. These aren’t bad, per se, but before you get too excited, you should know what they mean.
What Are Certifications?
A certification is a formal recognition of a specific skill, knowledge, or capability. For example, the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is designed to recognize the proficiency of individuals in using Microsoft Office products (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) either locally or remotely. Certifications are often times also required to attain a certain level of competence; in some cases, they’re even necessary to become eligible for a job or promotion.
Why Do I Need to Care About Certifications?
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already considering taking the plunge and pursuing an online career. Maybe you’ve even started down that path already and are now feeling overwhelmed by the amount of choice. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves in the same situation, so here are a few reasons why you might want to think about certifications before you sign up with a company that offers an online course.
They May Help Your Future Career
One of the wonderful things about the internet is that it enables you to build a professional network that potentially lasts forever. This could be a really useful tool for someone who is just beginning their career, or someone who is looking to change careers. With a network of professionals, you can be sure that you’ll always be able to find help when you need it. Networking is an important part of the job search process, and it’s something that you can do even when you’re doing something self-directed. For example, if you’re looking for a new job, you could contact a friend or family member who knows of someone who might be interested in hiring you. You wouldn’t want to lose out on a great opportunity because you didn’t have the right contacts, would you?
They May Help You Get Further Remuneration
In most cases, certifications don’t directly correspond to a monetary value – at least not yet. However, in some instances, certifications can be worth their weight in gold. For example, the Microsoft Office Specialist certification, as mentioned above, is widely respected and can be a valuable asset to anyone seeking a career in office technology. Another well-known certification is the IBM Certified Professional (CIP). The CIP certification is only available to individuals who have completed a four-year degree from an accredited institution, and it is an indicator of proficiency in using various IBM software products. In both of these examples, the value of the certification directly corresponded to the value of the qualification. If you’re looking to increase your earnings, certifications might be a way to go.
They Allow You to Focus on Practicing
In many cases, certifications require you to practice a set of skills or knowledge – in some instances, they even require you to take a test, and then retest at least once a year to maintain your certification. In these cases, it’s important to recognize that certifications are not a passive pursuit. You have to actively participate in acquiring and maintaining the certification. Practicing on your own is important, but it’s also a good idea to participate in online learning centers that can provide you with a mentor to help you through the process. If you want to ensure you’re practicing correctly, it’s important to take the time to study the material, practice with a copilot, and then retest. In some cases, this can even be a time-consuming process, so be prepared to commit the time to maintain your certification.
The Importance of Being Authentic
In some cases, certifications can even serve as a type of pseudocredential. In these instances, it’s important to be authentic. In other words, it’s important to work towards acquiring and maintaining a certification while acting in a way that’s consistent with the core values of the certification. For example, if you’re seeking the Microsoft Office Specialist certification, it’s important to work towards being a professional who is capable of using Microsoft Office. If you want to appear to be a legitimate Microsoft Office expert, it’s important to practice using Microsoft Office products and to learn how to apply for jobs using them. In many cases, it’s also important to refrain from using unlicensed products when practicing with a Microsoft product. It might even be a good idea to consult with a Microsoft license expert to make sure your practices are being monitored and compliant with all relevant licensing policies. In some cases, it’s also important to refrain from using public wifi when practicing or learning with a Microsoft product. Doing so might render your practice inaccessible to other users on the network, and it also means you’re more likely to become a target of hackers who might want to access your private information. In these cases, being authentic means practicing with a VPN (virtual private network) or wifi shielding device to securely connect to a private network when practicing or learning with a Microsoft product.
The Growing Popularity of e-Learning
Many of the jobs that exist in the digital era didn’t even exist 10 years ago. This is largely due to the fact that the internet has created a global marketplace for professionals, enabling them to gain experience and knowledge while remaining flexible about where they work and who they work for. In many cases, this also means that the skills required to obtain a specific qualification don’t necessarily correspond to the job descriptions listed on resumes. In the world of online learning, this is known as “learning on the job.”