Landing a job in a communications field—PR, media, marketing, editorial—requires, well, knowing how to communicate.
This means being able to do anything from creating a brand to public speaking to crafting engaging content to knowing how to send professional, response-worthy emails.
Luckily, these skills are fairly easy to pick up—just sign up for one of these online classes, and you’re well on your way to making that career change and landing that dream job.
1. Create and Implement Engaging Content, Coursera
From marketing to blogging to building a website, knowing how to create content that’s trustworthy and engaging can be a challenge—this class will give you the expert knowledge you need to produce stellar content in your industry.
Cost: Free with trial/ $49 a month
Length: 12 weeks
2. Crisis Communications: Survive a Media Crisis, Udemy
Show your boss you can handle any PR emergency with this course on crisis management. Learn how to deliver the right message, organize press conferences, and proactively plan for the worst.
Cost: $20
Length: 10 hours/ 18 lectures
3. Writing for Brands: Freelancing in the Age of Content Marketing, Skillshare
Taught by a Talent Development Manager at Contently, this class will cover the basics of content marketing, how to market yourself as a writer, and crafting the perfect pitch to any brand.
Cost: Free with trial
Length: 32 minutes/ 9 videos
4. Introduction to Public Relations, Coursera
Dip your toes in PR with this extensive class on the process, trends, and best practices of this ever-popular field.
Cost: Free with trial/ $49 a month
Length: 4 weeks/ 6-8 hours a week
5. Journalism Masterclass: The Ultimate Guide to News Writing, Udemy
Pave your way to becoming a NYT contributor (OK, ambitious, but not impossible!) with this masterclass on news writing—the skills you need, how to lay out an article, and the do’s and don’ts of the industry.
Cost: $70
Length: 1 hour, 17 minutes/ 26 lectures
6. Marketing in a Digital World, Coursera
One of the most popular courses on Coursera, “Marketing in a Digital World” teaches you how to brand, advertise, and sell your product with the right tools in today’s modern world.
Cost: Free with trial/ $49 a month
Length: 4 weeks/ 6-8 hours a week
7. Being a Better Communicator: Grammar, De-jargoning, and Articulation, Pluralsight
Sometimes, your ideas get lost under the pile of buzzwords, jargon, and foreign terms. Make sure you relearn the basics for clear and effective business communication with this class (and actually get people to understand what you’re saying).
Cost: Free with trial
Length: 1 hour, 26 minutes
8. Advanced Communication Skills for 21st Century Leaders, Udemy
This course will teach you how to make better (and faster) decisions, speak with confidence, lead teams, and effectively share your ideas.
Cost: $75
Length: 4 hours/ 31 lectures
9. High-Impact Business Writing, Coursera
In everyday communication—email, memos, newsletters—it’s all about knowing your audience. This course on business writing will cover everything you need to know to communicate like a professional, no matter how tricky the topic or person you’re interacting with.
Cost: Free with trial/ $39 a month
Length: 4-8 hours
10. Marketing Management: Capturing Marketing Insights, Alison
This (free!) class is all about information—how to collect it, analyze it, and use it to make informed marketing decisions.
Cost: Free
Length: 2-3 hours