11 free online courses you should take to be more successful in your career

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Whether you're just stepping out of your cap and gown or your college graduation is a distant memory, it's never too late to learn something new.

This is especially true when it comes to mastering the skills necessary to have a successful career.

From becoming more productive to communicating better, Coursera offers a number of courses that can help you hone skills that are useful to have in the working world. All are free and have paid versions that offer more extensive experiences.

Read on for some of the best, courtesy of Coursera's chief business officer, Lila Ibrahim:

Learning How to Learn — University of California at San Diego

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If you've ever wanted to become better at anything, this course is where you should begin.

Ibrahim says:

Most professionals will change jobs and even fields several times throughout their careers, and even those who stay in the same job will need to adapt constantly to keep up with changes in technology and consumer behavior. In short, we all need to keep learning — and this course teaches you to do just that. It's a great mix of scientific principles and practical advice, and the techniques you'll learn are incredibly effective. It's also just fascinating and fun.

Next session: May 9 to June 12

Find it here »

Leading Teams — University of Michigan

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Leading people is complicated, especially when you learn how only from trial and error and observing others.

"This course does a great job of equipping learners with concrete tools and strategies for establishing roles within a team, aligning individual and team goals, managing conflict, and building trust," Ibrahim says. "It's an outstanding resource for current and aspiring managers, and for anyone who just wants to be a better team player."

Next session: May 9 to June 12

Find it here »

What Is Social? — Northwestern University

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"Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have evolved to be much more than just social networks — they're major business tools with real impact and power," Ibrahim says.

This course, taught by a marketing-strategy firm CEO, provides a detailed overview of the role social media plays in modern marketplaces and guides learners through the process of building a thoughtful professional persona on social networks.

Next session: May 9 to June 12

Find it here »

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