Ana Hernández
Skill Development Mexico´s SiteAli Hamid
Skill Development, Fort Collins
How and why did you get started with this course? There are always ways to expand our knowledge out there. I went to go talk to Krissi and she was more than helpful in explaining what Qualfon can offer and how to get started. I study engineering at CSU currently so these Lynda courses were a great opportunity to supplement my business knowledge with a structured course that could push me more than I would push myself.
What did you learn with this course? I took a project management course to bolster my time management skills. What I found most useful were the guides for software and tools which can aid in managing time. The ultimate takeaways would be knowledge of tools out there to help with managing time and projects, the importance of a constant open line of communication with stakeholders, and the importance of being flexible with deadlines.
How did you find the time to complete your course? I committed myself to go straight to the library right after work. Like a lot of people I am sure, when I get home I find a million and one other things to do. As such, I made sure studying is a priority and I that I was going to a study environment which minimized distractions.
Your advice to others: Do a little bit every day. If you look at it as one big chunk then it will seem impossible. Even just 15 minutes a day will help you get in the groove. If you feel you have the energy to keep going, do it! Try telling yourself “5 more minutes” and you will be surprised how far that takes you.
Brittany McNeece
Skill Development, Fort Collins
How and why did you get started on this course?I began Lynda courses to further my personal interest in Project Management as well as continue my growth in Recruiting.
What did you learn in this course?I learned how to use Gantt Charts and the importance of them, picked up a few helpful tricks while mining for applicants, and learned the importance of time management for all aspects of my life.
How did you find the time to complete your course?Rather than scrolling social media or watching TV, I would spend my free time on Lynda. The mobile app was easy to navigate, this made it possible and convenient to learn while also working.
Your advice to others:Don’t hesitate and further your education!
Tracy Patterson
MicroDegree, Guyana
Hi, my name is Tracy Patterson. I have been with Qualfon Guyana for two years now and my position in the company is a team leader. Growing up I was never given the chance to further my studies after I wrote CSEC examination.
After joining Qualfon I was given the chance to further my studies by applying to do a course with Qualfon Education. I sent in my application to do a course in Business leadership and my application was approved. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to complete my course within three months without affecting my normal job duties. This course has really helped me a lot when it comes to carrying out my duties effectively. While doing this course it has not only given me acknowledge but I had a great experience while doing volunteering work with our missions office. I got to meet so many children and adults at different homes and also volunteer to feed the homeless. I got the opportunity to interact with these children and watching them with that joy on their faces when you give them things has really touched my heart. It made me realize how lucky and special I am to have so many persons around me and it has definitely changed my life perspective in so many ways.
My learning partner Amanda Charles was and is very supportive and helpful to me when it comes to my course. She was very patient with me whenever I have an issue or I am unclear about something from the course. She would find the time to sit with me and explain to me in steps until I understand. It is a great privilege for me to have her as my learning partner.
Kendra Sidebottom
Skill Development, Fort Collins
I got started with Lynda courses because I think it is a wonderful concept for a company to value their employees enough to want them to get a Higher Education. I also have always wanted to continue my education so to have the resources to do that is what made me want to further proceed with learning.
I learned a lot from the Lynda courses. Such as owning a small business, business math, photography, management skills. The one thing I realized was if you want something you will go for it no matter how hard it may seem at the time, but I found the time by doing a lot of it on my breaks and lunch and also on my days off. If you can take 30 min out of your day to learn you can do it.
My advice to others is don’t give up when it seems hard. Ask for help this company is here to help you any way they can. Also, keep in mind what you want out of this program.
Morelia Margarito
Skill Development, Fort Collins
How I started was asking the higher education team how everything worked and found out more information and I started because I wanted to do something better for me and my baby.
I learned how to go through the legal way to start up a business by getting your license and things that are required to have. I went ahead and completed these course by doing it when I had free time. As long as you are motivated, you will be able to find the time and effort to complete the program.
Clark Robinson
MicroDegree, Cebu
As a nurse, it reinforced some information especially with the health care system in the United States. It tackled not just on providing health care but on the legality of nursing care as well. I also realized that health care providers should be the driver Of patient’s rights and ethics. Overall, it helps me improve and develop my professional skills and knowledge in health care.
Nancy Reaume
Skill Development, Fort Collins
I really wanted to learn something that I could use and possibly turn into a source of extra income. I also think it’s great to expand your mind.
I still have a lot to learn but I can make my photos unique in Light Room and I still have so much to build on. Honestly being able to view the courses on computers at work is something I don’t think any other workplace would offer. I feel very blessed to be able to do so.
When I first started I was a little bit discouraged that I wasn’t picking it up as fast as I wanted to but you can take similar courses that will help reiterate points and eventually you will get better. I also got a bit burnt out and took a break to learn something new so I can come back to it excited and ready that’s a really nice option as well.
Kala Eisenhuth
Skill Development, Johnstown
When I became employed by Qualfon, I was told about Higher Education. I was thrilled that I could do this to further my education. I have done so many of the Lynda.com course that I wanted to challenge myself more and go for the MicroDegree!
I have a passion for Photography and a passion for kids. With the Lynda Courses, I took advantage of the photography courses as well as the education courses. With doing both, it has opened my eyes to a whole new experience when taking my photos and has helped me with the Course for my MicroDegree.
I have learned how to manage both work and courses. I have downtime at work and they allow me to work on it there as long as it does not interfere with my calls. I also take the time on the weekends to do more of the course.
My advice would be to take the leap and use this resource that Qualfon has offered you! You will not regret it! It has been a lifesaver for me and helping me peruse my passion for teaching.
Jacob Austin
MicroDegree, Johnstown
How I got started is pretty straightforward. Our mission leader put out an announcement that Qualfon would be offering opportunities for higher education and I was immediately interested. I attended a presentation where the courses and volunteering were explained. After deciding which course I wanted to take I filled out some easy forms online and after a pleasant over the phone interview I was enrolled into the course.
As for the why. Well, my career is important to me. So I needed something that would give me a unique leg up over the competition, while also being something I wanted to learn. A lot of it was that I also wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and overall wanted to better myself. My experience with Higher Education at the time was limited. So I wanted to know that I was really someone who could rise to the challenge before me and come out on top.
Wow, I learned so much. The obvious here is that I learned how to create programs and manage files using Python, but there was so much that came together to get there. It began with an overview of computer science and introductions to programming in general. Next, I learned college-level algebra and was given a taste or trigonometry. Then it was learning Python from the ground up and even a bit of GitHub. In order to be proficient enough to reach the advanced levels I had to learn a lot of odds and ends. Managing many moving parts at once. Planning ahead the right way. Critical thinking and troubleshooting. Even intuition. All of these are skills and more I have learned or further honed during this program.
I found the time little by little, day by day. A half hour before work. An hour or two before bed. You’d be amazed how many pockets of free time you have when you’re willing to put off entertainment for a little while. The best advice I can give is to take the opportunity that has been given to you. It is an investment in yourself, plain and simple.
This program has absolutely had a positive impact. In addition to having a host of new skills at my disposal, I have also been exposed to a very welcoming and supportive community. However, the biggest impact would have to be the promotion I have recently received. When the course began I was a sale agent and now I am a quality analyst. The Python degree I earned play a very important role in acquiring my new position as well. It really did give me that leg up I was looking for.
Gumercindo Amaya
Specializations, Mexico City
How and why did you start with this course? I knew this course, as a result of having started courses previously in Lynda, I had previously registered and I really like the question of remote learning. Continue with the course because I was given continuity in my learning and I believe that a remote learning tool should always be appreciated by accepting the opportunity for continuous growth.
What did you learn with this course? That not only of videos is learned, but also of interaction with other partners to help each other. Making constructive criticisms that help us to a continuous improvement.
What impact did this program have on your life (personal/professional)? It has a very big impact because thanks to my continuous course attending activities in my day to day in the schools I can continue learning and applying in my active listening of the English language.
What advice would you give to your colleagues? That they give themselves the opportunity to have a course which allows them to develop in the area that they like the most, that remember that Coursera, gives them the opportunity, they will decide if they accept it.
Jane Mirafe
MicroDegree, Cebu
I love how it had helped me become a better Sales Trainer. I was able to watch videos about Sales Strategies that I can use in teaching my trainees. I was introduced to a whole new level of perceptive as to how products are presented to customers — that is, stressing the value of the products and how they can solve customers’ problems. We don’t sell just because we have a quota to reach. We sell in order to provide solutions to the needs of our customers.
Amanda Boyce
MicroDegree, Fort Collins
How and why did you get started with Qualfon Education? I wanted to further my education and knowledge. Knowledge is power! Additionally, I am currently on a path that is looking towards finding a more holistic path for healing, it is nice to learn how our current health system works and what facts they have supported their findings.
What did you learn through the program? I learned from this course that there has been a huge change in our healthcare industry, where it seems to be focused more on making money and less about the clients well being. However, there are people who are still trying to good in the health industry by finding the truth about information that is being shared so we are able to either support the facts with evidence or we can debunk them.
How did you find the time to complete the courses? I found the time to complete this course by taking small steps. Some days I only got 10 minutes of reading done. Some days I got 2 hours. I just had to take steps and also schedule the time so that I didn’t schedule that time for anything else. I called it a Study Hall meeting time!
What would be your advice to others? Come up with an ultimate goal, then come up with a small step by step plan that will help you achieve your goals. Always ask for help or tips or tricks from those around you, they may have some good advice.
Brittany Ramirez
Skill Development, Fort Collins
How and why did you get started on this course?I attended a couple information sessions and was extremely encouraged by my supervisors and Krissi to begin the program. I was looking to expand my knowledge in an non-traditional way that kept a good work/school/life balance. I love learning and getting in depth into subjects, this program made all of that possible. I have taken courses over several topics that I have been curious about for some time and delving into them through Lynda.com has really given me that extra knowledge I was looking for and has opened my mind to all the other opportunities that Lynda provides.
What did you learn in this course?I learned a lot about recruiting techniques, leadership skills, and team dynamics. These classes load you with a lot of information but at the end, I love that remind you to start with implementing just a couple of the techniques they have reviewed and see how it changes your work. That’s exactly what I have been doing and the results are proof that these courses really work.
How did you find the time to complete your course?I had great support from my manager in providing segments during work to do lessons as well as adjusting how I spent my time away from work. It boiled down to replacing Netflix time Lynda.com time when you think about it the length of one movie is the length of a (or a couple) course videos and a much more productive use of time.
Your advice to others: You can do this! The support is there, the equipment is there there’s no reason not to take advantage of this great program! Fight for what is important to you and make yourself and your education a priority, it will benefit you and everything that you do.
Sarafina Chung
Skill Development, Guyana
I’m pleased to say I completed my Lynda course successfully both Online learning hours and Mission hours. I must say the playlist assigned was very helpful to me. I used it as a guide to each course, it showed when I started a new course and which ones were incomplete. So I knew exactly where to go once logged into Lynda.com. It was a real help to me throughout this course.
Volunteering was super awesome!! It was my first experience, which I’m grateful for. I completed volunteering at the kid’s fest held by the mission team and also at the orphanage. I am thankful for my learning partner Amanda who updated me on all the volunteering activities and making sure I was there. I Must you are my motivation!
Crystal Fretwell
MicroDegree, Fort Collins
I chose the Accounting MicroDegree because I had previously taken some accounting courses and was interested in gaining more knowledge about accounting. I learned the fundamentals of accounting with this course. It really gives you a great foundation to build on.
As a full-time employee and mother of 3, I am often busy working or running the kids around. The time commitment was my biggest fear when I signed up. This actually became a way for me to spend a little more time with my kids when they were doing homework, I was doing homework. My youngest, he just turned 6, doesn’t have traditional homework so I would give him books to practicing reading while the rest of us sat at the table doing our homework. I also spent a little extra time after getting the kids in bed and when they were outside playing on the weekends.
My advice to others is to pick something you are interested in. If you think the subject is boring you won’t find the time for it. If it is something you enjoy you will make the time.
Jamual Fortune
Skill Development, Guyana
I must say thank you so much for leading me down this path to achieve a great knowledge and understand of the program/courses that you had assigned to me. I must say I learned a great lot from this journey. I had some challenges but I’ve overcome them.
I’ve completed this course so when I’m back I’ll be looking out for you to assign another task to me. Once again thank you so much for leading me down this path.
Grace Torgeson
Skill Development, Fort Collins
I began the Skill Development program to better my abilities in instructional design. I’ve learned about how to cater to adult learners and how neuroscience affects learning, allowing me to better create and maintain the training material for my account. I have also stepped out of the Instructional Design Learning Path to better my skills with other playlists, such as having difficult conversations and the fundamentals of time management.
My favorite course was The Neuroscience of Learning. I plan on getting my masters in Psychology, and the human brain is something that I find incredibly fascinating. I learned many techniques to help us remember what we learn, like using wordplay, acronyms, and mnemonic devices. I learned that our brain relates to pictures better and that hand-writing notes are better for learning than typing them.
I took minimal amounts of free time to sit down and watch the playlists. It was a little difficult at first, but I found a way to carve out the necessary time for my hours. I still haven’t finished my learning path, and I am excited to continue learning about instructional design and expand on other skills that are related to my job here at Qualfon.
When the Higher Education program first debuted a year or so ago, I didn’t see any reason to invest my time in it. I was given the right to give it a try, and now I’ll tell you how wrong I was. The Skill Development program from Lynda gives you a platform to create or build upon already existing skills, even if they aren’t work-related.
Jonina Withem
Skill Development, Fort Collins
I believe to become more financially stable, I need to continue to grow. I enjoyed learning better communication skills including leadership, creativity, and effective dialogues.
I made this course a priority with the continued accountability support from Krissi Georgio, Learning Partner. My advice to others is that you have to make a commitment and walk through the challenges to become a success.
Shellana Washington
Skill Development, Guyana Campus
Hi, my name is Shellana Washington. I’ve been with Qualfon for 1 year 3 months I’m currently acting in the capacity of a quality assurance analyst. Upon having my son at the age of 19 and not knowing what was my next move a friend encouraged me to join Qualfon and provided all the benefits of working for the company, I ignored. And eventually, I decided to join the company and never regretted it.
Qualfon trained & educated me, molding me into the leader I am today. I was motivated to educate and empower myself further as a person, a mother and a woman with a drive to become successful in her career path by members of the mission department. Since I enjoyed the aspect of volunteer work and helping others, doing my mission hours came naturally.
Even though my course was often challenging and I wanted to quit, but my learning partner Amanda Charles was there to clear things up and keep me pushing. Now I’ve successfully completed my course and I’m proud of myself, I would like to say thank you, Qualfon Education gave me the opportunity to reach higher levels within my career.
Ebony Ashley
Skill Development, Fort Collins
How and why did you get started with this course? (Or what interested you in continuing your education?) I was interested in starting my own business and generally having more knowledge.
What did you learn through this program? I learned a lot about how to communicate with other people in a way that was easy to digest. I was very happy with the courses on managing and teaching others as well.
How did you find the time to complete your course? I ended up watching a lot of my courses at home during the evening or on my smartphone while I was traveling.
Your advice to others: Sneak in some time for your courses wherever you can, it’s totally worth it!
Paul Brunet
MicroDegree, Fort Collins
Hello, I am Paul Brunet, I am 43, and work at Qualfon in Fort Collins, Colorado. I started my MicroDegree in Sales and Marketing when I was an agent on the LifeLock account. I chose the program so I could make more sales. Now, I am working as a recruiter and use my new skills every day. Understanding how marketing and sales are related is essential to being a successful recruiter. I learned how to make contact with potential customers, how to gauge and track interest, and how that process allows you to eventually close deals. My favorite class was viral marketing which was taught by the Wharton Business School.
Completing the course was easy. I identified times when I was usually lazy and replaced those bad habits with class time. Instead of watching Netflix I would watch classes. I also set time aside for my days off to watch and found that I was most consistent at night when I had a free hour before bedtime.
My advice to anyone interested in these programs is to take them sooner, rather than later. The knowledge will help you in your current position and will get you closer to your dream job. Pair up with a friend to take the classes together. You can have a set meeting every week. You can download the classes, so be creative with when and where you watch videos; while fishing, waiting at the doctor’s office, at your favorite bench in the park. I watched a few while sitting on a patio for happy hour.
Jill Farrington
MicroDegree, Fort Collins
The opportunity to continue my education presented itself through work and I thought it would be a good chance to add to my knowledge base and improve my value to my employer.
I was hoping the Accounting courses would have been more hands on. I did the Sales and Marketing course as well and learn more. You have to know the product in order to sell the product. I took advantage of my time off to complete your course.
My advice to others: when the opportunity presents itself don’t be afraid to take advantage of it. This is a great chance to gain more knowledge of what you are doing and can be doing. It can also be kinda fun doing your homework the same time your teenager is.
Sherryl Stewart-Smith
MicroDegree, Orangeburg
I started with this class after seeing the information on our local Qualfon Site page, and I wanted to gather more business courses to further my personal educational goals. I learned that this course is for people who want to start a business. It really was not what I thought it was going to be, but because I started it, I decided to continue until the end. It provides valuable information for entrepreneurs who want to sell products and/or services.
Completing this course took a lot of time. I dedicated time outside of work to complete the course. I am fortunate enough to not have small children, so I had the time. I worked almost every weekday after work for at least two to three hours, except on weekends. I spent the majority of my Saturdays and Sundays doing work for the class.
If you want to start your own business, then this is the class for you!! This course takes a lot of groundwork to complete. If you have other extracurricular activities that take up your time, then be prepared to juggle those activities and classes. It is hard work, but for starting your own business, it will definitely be worth it.
Kimberely Casey
Sill Development, Fort Collins
I got started with the Lynda Skill classes by signing up to improve my learning of Six Sigma and why business use it.
I learned that Six Sigma is used to improve and analyze the performance of a company. I found the time to complete my course by making the time.
My advice to others would be to make sure to look over a few of the skill classes because chances are some classes have the same videos and they will count once you take them, so you are able to start another learning path with those videos you already took being accounted towards them.
Kunal Singh
Sill Development, Guyana Campus
Hi, My Name is Kunal Singh, I have been with Qualfon Guyana for 2 years. I have elevated my self from an agent level to a team leader because of my ability of learning and keeping track with updates.
My main ambition was to become an engineer but I was not able to further my studies but with working with Qualfon, I was given the opportunity to work and to further my studies. While facing challenges, I was encouraged to “think outside of the box” and explore new possibilities. I must say there’s no better feeling like accomplishing something what a great feeling.
Partnering with Amanda Charles was very helpful, we learn a lot from each other and she was always willing to explain things to me when I am unclear. I must say coming together with people is a beginning and it keeps us together in a progress and working together for success and that what she did and still doing. My relationship with my learning partner is a good one and I do look forward to continuing to work with her.
William Brotherton
MicroDegree, Fort Collins
How and why did you get started with this course?
I first discovered that these courses were offered when I was in my training class. I really saw this as an excellent opportunity to attain a degree. After only 2 semesters, and some extra classes and miscellaneous credits that I have attained in my life, going through the current higher education system left me with $16,000 in debt towards a music competition degree that I am still paying off to this day. At this point, I was left with a choice in light of this new opportunity; I can attain a degree without increasing my debt. With the topic of money and finances weighing heavy on my mind, I felt pursuing Accounting would be a pretty fitting start.
What did you learn with this course?
This was a pretty detailed and comprehensive course, to ask what I learned is kind of a loaded question. I learned the basic knowledge of Book Keepers and Accounting principles and practices to be able to get a job in the field though I haven’t pursued opportunities in that field yet. One of the coolest things that I was able to do was apply this knowledge immediately to my personal life, to save and compile the data, then organize the information into a way where it can be managed.
How did you find the time to complete your course?
Honestly, attempting to apply the principals that I was learning as I was learning them, in the end saved me so much time. I’m a pretty busy guy who is always on the move doing something. When I began the class, I was working 8:30am-5pm, and was only able to devote an hour every day after work. In February, we had a work related systems launch and I had to take a break to focus on that development from how much I was working. After I received my promotion, my hours changed to 10:30am-6:30pm. This gave me 2 hours a day in the morning to work on the degree.
Your advice to others:
1) Be organized. 2) Be consistent. 3) Be ready to study Excel.
4) Create opportunity to apply what you learn immediately.
Honestly, there is a lot of information to sort through and I discovered that I create a lot of data every single day. The amount of data that is generated doesn’t really change, so if you take a break from collecting and recording data, you will have to put in the same amount of work when you come back from your break. If you can’t do it daily, collect information weekly. If you can’t do it weekly, then do it monthly.