In this blog, we'll explore several data skills that a company's employees might need, and why they are important.

The right project management certification can do a lot for your career. One certification can help you earn a promotion, land a better job, even deepen your earning power.

Let’s explore the concept of a project management certification — what it is, how it helps and what it could mean for learners like you, on the cusp of a meaningful six-figure career.

What is a project management certification?

A project management certification is an official credential that demonstrates your credibility in successfully implementing and executing project management strategies. Project Management Professionals, also known as PMPs, represent the gold standard in project management certification.

In order to become a PMP, you must first pass an exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The best project management certification prep programs help students like you prepare to nail that exam on their first try.

To earn your PMP, you must first meet experience and education requirements, and then pass an exam.

The PMP exam isn’t easy; most students study for months in anticipation. Fortunately, our Essential Project Management Exam Preparation course can help you prepare for your upcoming examination.

Who is a project management certification for?

A project management certification is beneficial for anyone who wants to pursue a career in project management. The same certification can help non-certified project managers deepen their earning power and improve an existing skillset.

Today, many employers prefer to hire candidates who hold an active project management certification.

What will I learn as part of a project management certification?

As part of our 

What’s one sentence that you can chime in with in any conversation—and people will immediately think you’ve been listening the whole time?

“It’s all about balance.”

We’re always trying to balance our lives. With so many activities shared between family, friends, employment and health, sometimes we can forget to make time for education.

School and work are often at odds, which is why many students or full-time employees opt for one or the other.

Still, some people choose to pursue both, or they simply don’t have the luxury of picking one.

Education is not only for those who can devote the majority of their day to school. In today’s world, quality education is more accessible than ever.

However, there is still a limited number of hours in the day. How can you provide both education and employment with the time and attention they need — without losing yourself to a vortex of due dates and scheduled work shifts?

Oh, and don’t forget about sleep.

Whether you’re a freshman in college trying to gain a little job experience, or a seasoned professional looking to elevate your resume, finding the right work/study balance is key to achieving your goals.

Here are a few strategies to find a work/life balance that’s just right for you.

Aim for sustainability

In finding the right balance of employment and education, you’re looking for sustainability. This means creating, and maintaining, a schedule that you can return to each day, with enough energy and motivation to make progress in work and in school.

Being consistent is key for sustainability. Forming good habits that keep you motivated make it easier to achieve your goals — no matter what those goals might be.

Regular meals, exercise routines, sleep and important social events shouldn’t be neglected for the sake of work and study. Some of these aspects may look different in a busy schedule, but including them in a day-to-day

Self-paced education: a revolutionary approach to your next big career move

There are a thousand reasons why you might consider self-paced education. You might find yourself overwhelmed by the pace of traditional education. Perhaps it’s the opposite: You’re looking to move faster than your educational institution will allow.

No matter the reason why you’re considering self-paced education, you’re not alone.

Many professionals — and students on every level — are choosing self-paced education, an alternative to the traditional education model.

What is self-paced education?

Self-paced education allows students to personalize their education environment to fit their individual needs, by offering courses students can complete at a rate comfortable for them.

Self-paced students are empowered with a sense of responsibility and confidence. They have control over the amount of material they want to cover, and can take the time they need to master one concept before moving on to the next one.

Students enrolled in self-paced courses are not locked into a schedule. However, many self-paced curriculums still require some deadlines to be met within the context of a particular lesson, to help usher students along within a defined time range.

Many members of the workforce looking to learn new skills will opt for self-paced education, since it allows them the freedom to find time to learn.

Not contained by a traditional 4-year academic definition, self-paced education can include a curriculum, professional training in the workforce, and further education in technical skills.

What makes self-paced education different from a traditional education?

Traditional education is teacher-led, and sessions typically involve the whole class. Students’ coursework must be completed within a defined time, such as a quarter or a semester.

Traditional education is found in most high schools, undergraduate

No matter what you’re studying, academics can be a challenging hurdle. You’re developing new skills, familiarizing yourself with new concepts, meeting new people — and that’s before we talk about classwork. Intramural activities like sports, clubs, employment and social events further reduce the amount of time you have to study — or even breathe.

If your current schedule and your current workload have you more than a little stressed, we certainly understand.

Before you drop out of school and pursue a 30-day clown certification, take a moment to review our recommended study tips. We can’t guarantee straight As, but we can certainly help you study smarter — not harder — and replace stress with some peace of mind.

1. Spice up your surroundings

It’s much easier to say “No” to studying and “Yes” to Netflix if you’re already horizontal on your bed.

Get up. We can wait.

Stretch your legs, and shake things up a bit.

Even a little movement can help improve your blood flow and improve your academic mindset. Sometimes all you need to do is move to a different room of your house to mentally separate the different activities you complete throughout the day.

Also, no one said you need to study in the same boring places. Explore your local park, beach or coffeeshop as potential study spots. Maybe it’s even warm enough to sit outside on your patio or balcony, soaking up the sun while you familiarize yourself with the material for next week’s exams.

2. Daily routine = daily success

Here’s a foundational study tip for any student: Get enough sleep.

Rest and productivity share a parallel relationship, no matter what you do for a living. Students in particular need sleep to feel productive. Building your study routine around your sleep schedule is the first step to maximizing your study potential.

Commit to a daily routine. When you are intentional with your time, you can more easily focus o

Academic advisors are very different from umbrellas. One is typically the employee of a college or university, and can help you make decisions that affect your professional future. The other is an umbrella.

Still, umbrellas and most academic advisors have one thing in common: We forget they exist until we need them.

No matter how amazing an umbrella might be, you likely keep yours stashed away in a closet or a trunk — until it rains. When it rains, you reconcile with your umbrella in an attempt to stay dry.

Similarly, most students tend to forget about their academic advisor until it’s time to register for classes. While all students — in-person or remote — typically have access to an academic advisor, far fewer will take advantage of the resources their advisor offers.

Academic advisors serve as a go-to resource for so many things a student might need: Career guidance, professional mentorship, study outlines, even connections to obtain scholarships or financial aid that makes education even more affordable.

So, what makes a good academic advisor?

We’re so glad you asked.

Not all academic advisors are created equal. You’re looking for an academic advisor who can provide clarity and critical guidance, helping you navigate a sea of possible course and career opportunities to find the ones that vibe with your goals. A quality academic advisor provides peace of mind when you need it, as an advocate in your corner who helps you steer toward the future you deserve.

We typically emphasize a few qualities when speaking to students about finding a great academic advisor. We’ve included what we believe are the 7 most important things to look for in an academic advisor below.

You can thank us later.

1. Positivity

You’ll begin your college career with a few challenges ahead of you. Look for an academic advisor who is eager to help you scale any hurdle you’