Getting Started with Coursera

You’re working toward your degree, but you want to make the most of your education. After all, your coursework is crucial, but it’s only one part of your journey. At the University of Cincinnati, we recognize that students need opportunities to develop their professional skills.

We’ve partnered with Coursera to get you there. With access to professional development content created by industry leaders, you’ll stand out in today’s competitive job market. 

• Through Coursera Career Academy, UC students can take courses and certificates geared toward professional development.

• The platform offers hands-on projects, micro-credentials, and opportunities for career exploration. 

• Using Coursera helps students strengthen skills, build resumes, and increase career readiness.

Coursera is an online learning platform that focuses on real-world job skills. It’s designed to help students build marketable skills that translate directly to the workplace. As a current UC student, you can take advantage of self-paced online courses and professional certificates through Coursera Career Academy.

Now that you understand what Coursera is, you may be wondering what you can learn through the platform. Let's look at just a few examples.

With these professional certificates, the focus is on developing specific skills within a short timeframe. You can complete Coursera professional certificates offered by industry leaders like Google, IBM, and Meta. By applying to entry-level roles with these credentials under your belt, you increase your chances of leaving an impression.

You’re most likely already tackling experiential learning through hands-on coursework and internship experience. Take it a step further with Coursera’s guided projects. Not only do these allow you to develop skills in your area of choice—they also help you build a professional-level portfolio before you even graduate. Your ability to demonstrate your professional skill set will go a long way when applying for jobs.

Want to become career-ready but unsure of what your dream job is? Coursera’s Career Discovery page showcases dozens of potential jobs that you can explore. From there, you can dive deeper into the required skills for any role. Coursera’s additional resources make a difference here, too, offering guidance on what micro-credentials and guided projects will help you get hired.

Coursera Career Academy is more than just a supplement to your education. Instead, it’s a commitment to building your professional skill set and pursuing your dream career.

Still not convinced that Coursera will transform your education? Here are five reasons you should give it a try: 

1. Building skills aligned to specific jobs makes you more competitive when applying for them.
   
   
2. Learning about professional roles you hadn’t previously considered expands your employment opportunities. 
   
   
3. Earning industry recognized credentials (IRC) sets you apart when applying for entry-level positions.
   
   
4. Having a broad, professional-quality portfolio right out of college increases your marketability.
   
   
5. Developing technical skills in specific fields, such as data analytics, software development, and digital marketing, makes you stand out.

At the University of Cincinnati, we know that our online students rely on flexibility in their education. Because of this, Coursera plays an integral role in career preparation. We are so excited for what this partnership will bring to UC! 

You can request free access to Coursera by filling out this online form. Still have questions? Visit UC Online’s Coursera—and explore everything the Coursera Career Academy Catalog has to offer.  

For more information, contact Jessica Nethers, Assistant Director, Career Technology and Training, at jessica.nethers@ucmail.uc.edu or (513) 556-0381.