Having the necessary skills to perform a particular job is vital. But cancer survivors who’ve taken time off for treatment sometimes feel that their skills have gotten a bit rusty. (And some employers may not feel it’s their responsibility to get you back up to speed professionally.) Similarly, people who decide to change careers as a result of their cancer experience often need to learn new skills. 

We recently discovered a terrific resource called Skillshare, which can help you develop new competencies or finesse your existing ones. With a free membership, you’ll have access to hundreds of online courses — everything from web design and music theory to business development and fashion blogging, or for a small monthly fee you'll get unrestricted access to all courses offered. The best part is that you can take them from the comfort of your own home, whenever it’s convenient for you.

According to the Skillshare website, each class features “short lessons and hands-on projects.” There’s also the opportunity to share your work and collaborate with others, which could be a good way to expand your pool of networking contacts.

So whether you’re looking to ratchet up your proficiency in a particular field or to change careers altogether, taking advantage of inexpensive online courses can be a great option.

For additional information on preparing yourself for job re-entry, check out our article “Back to Work After Cancer.”

And if you’re considering an entirely new type of job, read “What’s Next: Cancer As Inspiration for Career Changes.”