With summer’s more flexible schedule, now might be the perfect time faculty and staff can explore UMW’s Career Academy by Coursera — a professional development opportunity that’s been quietly available to employees alongside students since its launch earlier this year.
The platform offers complimentary access to more than 45 entry-level professional certificates from industry leaders including Google, IBM, Adobe and Meta. These aren’t academic courses but practical, career-focused microcredentials designed to build job-ready skills in high-demand areas like data analysis, cybersecurity, project management, media production and social media communication.
The beauty of the program lies in its flexibility — perfect for summertime learning when regular work routines might allow for more professional development time. The online training modules are designed to be completed over 6-8 months with just 4-8 hours of weekly commitment, so you can progress at your own pace around your work schedule. Whether you’re interested in brushing up on skills you studied years ago or diving into something entirely new, the platform allows for both structured learning and independent exploration.
Access is seamless through your UMW NetID via single-sign-on. For faculty and staff looking to enhance their current role or explore new topics, it’s an ideal time to learn something new or add credentials to your professional portfolio without additional cost.
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Read Career Academy FAQs
Read the full announcement about UMW’s Career Academy launch