As a product designer, I’ve experienced firsthand the incredible impact that learning new software can have on one’s career. Today, I’m excited to share my journey and introduce you to ten amazing apps and software that you can learn for free and potentially secure a job within just two months. These tools have transformed my professional life, and I’m confident they can do the same for you. Let’s dive in!
1. Figma
My Journey with Figma
My journey with Figma began when I was looking to enhance my skills in UI/UX design. Figma is an amazing tool for designing user interfaces, and it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced designers. What I love about Figma is its collaborative nature—it’s a cloud-based tool, so you can work on projects with your team in real-time, no matter where they are in the world.
Why Figma?
- Collaborative Design: Work with your team in real-time.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy to learn and use.
- Community Resources: Tons of free templates and plugins available.
How to Start Learning Figma
- Figma’s Official Learning Resources: Start with Figma’s own Getting Started Guide which is comprehensive and free.
- YouTube Tutorials: I post Figma Tutorials on my YouTube Channels you can check it out, channels like DesignCourse and The Futur offer excellent Figma tutorials also.
- Online Courses: Websites like Coursera and Udemy have free and paid courses on Figma. Look for courses by top-rated instructors to ensure quality.
Where to Learn Figma
- Figma’s Website: The Figma Community is a great place to find resources and ask questions.
- YouTube: Search for Figma tutorials and you’ll find a wealth of content.
- Coursera and Udemy: These platforms offer structured courses that are incredibly helpful.
2. Power BI
Power BI is a powerful data visualization tool from Microsoft. If you have a knack for data and want to turn raw numbers into insightful visual reports, Power BI is the tool for you. It’s used widely in business intelligence and data analysis roles.
How to Start Learning Power BI
- Microsoft’s Learning Platform: Microsoft offers a free learning path for Power BI.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like Guy in a Cube and Edureka offer comprehensive Power BI tutorials.
- Online Courses: Websites like edX and LinkedIn Learning provide in-depth courses on Power BI.
Where to Learn Power BI
- Microsoft Learn: A comprehensive, free learning resource from Microsoft.
- YouTube: Look for detailed tutorial series on Power BI.
- edX and LinkedIn Learning: These platforms provide high-quality courses with certifications.
3. Adobe Premiere Pro
If you’re interested in video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry standard. Whether you want to edit YouTube videos, short films, or corporate videos, Premiere Pro offers the tools you need. It’s widely used by professionals, making it a great skill to have on your resume.
How to Start Learning Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe’s Official Tutorials: Adobe provides a wealth of free tutorials on their website.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like Premiere Gal and Adobe Creative Cloud offer excellent tutorials.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Skillshare and Udemy have comprehensive courses on Premiere Pro.
Where to Learn Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe’s Website: Access free tutorials directly from Adobe.
- YouTube: Search for Adobe Premiere Pro tutorials to find detailed guides.
- Skillshare and Udemy: These platforms offer structured courses that are perfect for learning at your own pace.
4. Excel
Excel might seem like an obvious choice, but its importance cannot be overstated. From basic data entry to complex data analysis, Excel is a must-know tool in many industries. It’s used in finance, marketing, data analysis, project management, and more.
How to Start Learning Excel
- Microsoft’s Learning Platform: Microsoft provides free Excel tutorials for beginners to advanced users.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like ExcelIsFun and Leila Gharani offer detailed Excel tutorials.
- Online Courses: Websites like Coursera and Udemy have a variety of Excel courses for all skill levels.
Where to Learn Excel
- Microsoft Learn: Access free tutorials and resources from Microsoft.
- YouTube: Look for comprehensive Excel tutorial series.
- Coursera and Udemy: These platforms offer structured courses with certificates of completion.
5. Canva
Canva is a fantastic tool for creating visually appealing graphics without the need for advanced design skills. Whether you’re creating social media posts, marketing materials, or presentations, Canva makes design accessible to everyone.
How to Start Learning Canva
- Canva’s Design School: Canva offers a free Design School with tutorials and courses.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like Design with Canva and Canva themselves offer great tutorials.
- Online Courses: Websites like Skillshare and Udemy have courses specifically focused on Canva.
Where to Learn Canva
- Canva’s Website: Access free tutorials and resources directly from Canva.
- YouTube: Search for Canva tutorials to find a wealth of content.
- Skillshare and Udemy: These platforms offer courses that provide in-depth knowledge of Canva.
6. AutoCAD
AutoCAD is the go-to software for engineers, architects, and construction professionals. It’s a powerful tool for creating precise 2D and 3D designs. Mastering AutoCAD can open doors to careers in engineering, architecture, and interior design.
How to Start Learning AutoCAD
- Autodesk’s Learning Platform: Autodesk offers a free AutoCAD learning path with tutorials and resources.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like AutoCAD Tutorials and The Engineering Academy provide excellent tutorials.
- Online Courses: Platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer in-depth courses on AutoCAD.
Where to Learn AutoCAD
- Autodesk’s Website: Access free tutorials and resources from Autodesk.
- YouTube: Search for AutoCAD tutorials to find detailed guides.
- LinkedIn Learning and Coursera: These platforms offer structured courses that are perfect for learning at your own pace.
7. Jira
Jira is a popular project management tool used extensively in the tech industry, especially among agile teams. It helps in tracking issues, managing projects, and automating workflows. Learning Jira can boost your career in project management, software development, and IT.
How to Start Learning Jira
- Atlassian’s Learning Platform: Atlassian offers a free learning path for Jira with comprehensive guides.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like Jira Training and Atlassian provide detailed tutorials.
- Online Courses: Websites like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning have excellent Jira courses.
Where to Learn Jira
- Atlassian’s Website: Access free tutorials and resources from Atlassian.
- YouTube: Look for detailed Jira tutorial series.
- Coursera and LinkedIn Learning: These platforms provide high-quality courses with certifications.
8. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an AI language model developed by OpenAI. It’s a powerful tool for automating customer service, creating content, and more. Learning to use ChatGPT can open up opportunities in tech, customer service, and digital marketing.
How to Start Learning ChatGPT
- OpenAI’s Documentation: Start with OpenAI’s official documentation.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like OpenAI and AI Simplified offer excellent tutorials.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy and Coursera have courses specifically focused on ChatGPT and AI.
Where to Learn ChatGPT
- OpenAI’s Website: Access comprehensive documentation directly from OpenAI.
- YouTube: Search for ChatGPT tutorials to find a wealth of content.
- Udemy and Coursera: These platforms offer courses that provide in-depth knowledge of ChatGPT.
9. CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor that’s widely used for logo design, web graphics, and print media. It’s an excellent tool for graphic designers and illustrators.
How to Start Learning CorelDRAW
- Corel’s Learning Platform: Corel offers a free learning path for CorelDRAW with tutorials and resources.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like CorelDRAW Tips and Tricks and Logos By Nick provide excellent tutorials.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning have comprehensive courses on CorelDRAW.
Where to Learn CorelDRAW
- Corel’s Website: Access free tutorials and resources from Corel.
- YouTube: Look for detailed CorelDRAW tutorial series.
- Udemy and LinkedIn Learning: These platforms offer structured courses that are perfect for learning at your own pace.
10. Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for photo editing and graphic design. Whether you’re interested in retouching photos, creating digital artwork
, or designing marketing materials, Photoshop is a must-know tool.
How to Start Learning Photoshop
- Adobe’s Official Tutorials: Adobe provides a wealth of free tutorials on their website.
- YouTube Tutorials: Channels like Photoshop Training Channel and PiXimperfect offer excellent tutorials.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Skillshare and Udemy have comprehensive courses on Photoshop.
Where to Learn Photoshop
- Adobe’s Website: Access free tutorials directly from Adobe.
- YouTube: Search for Photoshop tutorials to find detailed guides.
- Skillshare and Udemy: These platforms offer structured courses that are perfect for learning at your own pace.
Conclusion
Learning new software can open doors to new job opportunities and career advancement. By dedicating just a couple of months to learning these tools, you can significantly boost your employability and skillset. Here’s a quick recap:
- Figma – Ideal for UI/UX design.
- Power BI – Perfect for data visualization and business intelligence.
- Adobe Premiere Pro – Essential for video editing.
- Excel – A must-know for data analysis and many other fields.
- Canva – Great for creating professional graphics easily.
- AutoCAD – Key for engineering, architecture, and design.
- Jira – Excellent for project management and agile teams.
- ChatGPT – Powerful for AI-driven applications and customer service.
- CorelDRAW – Fantastic for vector graphics and illustration.
- Photoshop – Essential for photo editing and graphic design.
Each of these tools offers free resources to help you get started. Dive into the tutorials, practice regularly, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can become proficient. Happy learning, and here’s to your next job opportunity!
Additional Tips for Learning Software
- Set Clear Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with each software.
- Practice Regularly: Consistency is key to mastering any new skill.
- Join Communities: Engage with online forums and communities related to the software you’re learning. Sites like Reddit, Stack Overflow, and LinkedIn groups can be incredibly helpful.
- Take on Projects: Apply what you learn by working on real-world projects. This not only reinforces your skills but also builds your portfolio.
Final Thoughts
My journey with Figma not only expanded my skillset but also opened up new career opportunities. I hope this guide inspires you to take the leap and start learning these powerful tools. Whether you’re looking to break into a new field or advance in your current career, these software applications can make a significant difference. Good luck, and happy learning!
