Five Skills You Can Strengthen Before September

Summer is often seen as a time to slow down. But it can also be the perfect opportunity to build skills that make a difference when work ramps up again in the fall.

If you've been thinking about professional development, these five in-demand workplace skills can be strengthened in just a few weeks and applied immediately in your role.

Here are five things you can learn to do in September

1.	Create Social Media That Supports Business Goals
	Posting content is easy. Building a social media strategy that drives engagement, awareness, and results takes a different skill set. By strengthening your social media strategy skills, you'll learn how to align content with organizational objectives, measure performance, and create more effective campaigns. Course: Social Media Strategy Skill gained: Strategic social media planning and measurement
2.	Write Policies and Procedures People Actually Use
	Clear policies and procedures help organizations operate consistently, reduce risk, and improve employee understanding. Whether you're documenting internal processes or developing formal workplace policies, strong writing skills can improve clarity and compliance. Course: Policy and Procedure Writing Skill gained: Policy and procedure development
3.	Negotiate Better Outcomes
	Negotiation isn't limited to contracts and sales. Leaders negotiate priorities, resources, timelines, and expectations every day. Learning proven negotiation techniques can help you build stronger relationships while achieving better outcomes for everyone involved. Course: Negotiation Skills for Leaders Skill gained: Effective negotiation and influence
4.	Solve Problems More Creatively
	Organizations value professionals who can think critically, evaluate options, and develop practical solutions. Strengthening your problem-solving and decision-making skills can help you approach challenges with greater confidence and creativity. Course: Problem-Solving, Decision-Making and Creativity Skill gained: Critical thinking and innovation
5.	Understand the Not-for-Profit Sector
	The not-for-profit sector plays a vital role in strengthening communities. Whether you're considering a career in the sector or already working with nonprofit organizations, understanding how they operate is an essential foundation. Gain insight into nonprofit governance, fund development, planning, and the unique opportunities and challenges organizations face while making a positive impact. Course: Introduction to the Not-for-Profit Sector Skill gained: Nonprofit sector knowledge and organizational governance

Start Learning This July

These five courses begin July 27 and are designed for working professionals looking to build practical skills they can apply immediately. Register now, and by September, you'll have new tools, new perspectives, and skills that help you make a greater impact.

View all courses starting July 27.