Better Than College

by Theresa VanderMeer, Founder of WORK+SHELTER and The Lotus Odyssey

Remember undergrad? Semesters and weeks of learning fascinating, paradigm-shifting ideas and concepts? Marx, Freud, Kant? That was great. But THEN the real, working world happened. You quickly found your Anthropology, English, or other generic liberal arts degree to be largely irrelevant to prospective employers or even in your own initiatives. Further, even when you did get a job or launched your start-up even seemingly basic tasks like creating a project timeline or updating an Excel spreadsheet had to be learned. Suddenly what you could actually “do” mattered.

Don’t get me wrong - I value my liberal arts education more than anyone I know, but even for those of you who did pursue a more “employable” or “practical” degree, you still may feel like there’s a lot left to learn.

So, have an hour or more and want to actually learn how to “do” stuff? NYC is chock full of amazing resources for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs alike. Below are a few of the organizations on my radar that are teaching useful skills. Also, if you know of any courses or institutions that are relevant for female entrepreneurs we’d love to hear about it! Feel free to use the comment field to share. 

Enjoy!

Skillshare 
Who they are, in their own words: Skillshare is a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone.  
Expertise: They’re low-risk. Some classes start at just $1!
Available classes: here!
Recommended class: Building the Machine that Builds the Business

• This course created by one of Skillshare’s founders dives into “people, culture, process, and accountability”
• $35 and worth every penny
• April 30th course is sold out, but sign up for next time!

Other Skillshare Notes:
Maybe it was the classes I took, but I often found myself thinking, “where are all the ladies at?”

3rd Ward
Who they are, in their own words:  3rd Ward is a multi-disciplinary workspace and education center.
Expertise: A myriad of offerings for you “creative” types in addition to professional development courses
Available classes: here!
Relevant upcoming class: Business Plan Workshop

• 6 sessions so you really dive deep into the business planning process
• $245+
• Starts May 7th

Other 3rd Ward notes:

• A casual, artsy atmosphere. As in, my instructor wasn’t always on time, and sometimes had technical difficulties resulting in lost productivity
• Exciting discount code just for NYWSE members! : Enter “NYWOMEN” for 20% off any class - must use by April 30th
• Also, take a tour
• and get a $25 gift card

Girl Develop It
Who they are, in their own words: Girl Develop It is all about, “Teaching women how to code!”
Expertise: Creating a welcoming environment for aspiring female developers
Upcoming class: Intro to Android with Java

• Learn about mobile application development - designed for newbies! Don’t be scared!
• $80 for 4 sessions
• Starts April 23rd

Other Girl Develop It notes:

• In the old days people learned French. Now, it’s important to be fluent in “code.” But according to Girl Develop It, 91% of developers are male. If women want to shape the future we need to learn the language of the future!
• Join their Meetup group to hear about upcoming classes
• At $20 per class their courses are a major steal!  

General Assembly
Who they are, in their own words: General Assembly offers classes, and events at the intersection of technology, design, and entrepreneurship.
Expertise: In-depth technology-focused courses you won’t find anywhere else
Available classes: here!
Relevant upcoming class: Finance Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs: An Intensive Workshop

• Two day intensive workshop
• $495
• Upcoming April 28th

Other General Assembly notes:
In addition to classes, General Assembly offers events 

Fashion Institute of Technology School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Who they are, in their own words: New York City’s internationally recognized college for design, fashion, art, communications, and business.
Expertise: Fashion-related industries
Non-credit classes: here!
Upcoming classes: Creative Enterprise Ownership Noncredit Course Suite

• Class offerings include planning, finance, marketing and more
• $55+
• Classes available now and through the summer

Other Continuing Studies notes:
Individual classes are actually part of larger “certificate programs” so if you want to get really into one subject and walk out with something to add to your resume, you can.

 

About Theresa VanderMeer

 
Theresa VanderMeer is an American professional interested in development economics, what it means to be human, and harnessing technology and innovation for social change. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, founder of WORK+SHELTER and The Lotus Odyssey, and member of the NYWSE leadership team. She deeply identifies with the statement, “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”

Contact her at [email protected] 

Comments

[Bookkeeping Service Sunshine Coast]

I’m about to earn an MA degree in psychology and my husband just finished his culinary degree. I spent about what, 6-8 years to get where I am right now and he just spent a year to finish culinary arts, but, he earns more than I do. So I think skills really matter especially in this ever evolving world of work.

[esl las vegas]

Really depends on what you're gonna study. Some fields you definitely can find stuff that is better than college without much of a problem. Others, though...eh, its a tossup.

[resume examples]

These are really better than college. In college we can just get a certificate nothing less. But in these areas, we will get a lot of practical knowledge that will help us in our work-fields.