From blog writing to photo editing: how to pursue your hobbies on the internet

Acting, writing, crafting, cooking — whatever your hobbies might be, the internet is full of tips and guides on how to pursue them and improve on them. Not only that but there are plenty of platforms that allow you to grow your professional skills as well, opening up new job opportunities and career paths in the process.

Here are some of the top online platforms that will help you expand your skills and find new interests.

MasterClass

Overview: MasterClass brings world-renowned professionals from a variety of different fields to teach the tricks of their trade. Classes cover topics including film and TV, music and entertainment, Writing and cooking, politics, business, sports, science, and more. Classes are taught by recognizable names in these industries.

Price: $90 per course or $15 per month for unlimited courses

Class examples:

• Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting
• Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking
• Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball Handling, and Scoring
• Dr. Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation

Udemy

Overview: Udemy offers over 183,000 online video courses in things like web development, office productivity, lifestyle, photography and video, and much more. Subcategories include more niche topics, like game development, using Microsoft Excel, bread baking, dog training, and using Adobe Lightroom.

Price: A mixture of free and paid courses, with prices starting at $19.99 per course.

Class examples:

• The Complete Cryptocurrency Course
• The Complete Foundation of Stock Trading
• How to Make Soap
• Jewelry Making for Beginners
• 23 Steps to Creating Better Habits

Khan Academy

Overview: Khan Academy is a nonprofit that primarily serves students in grades K-12, but also provides a number of courses on life skills. Teachers and students can especially benefit from Khan Academy’s courses since they’re especially catered to school-grade learning. They also offer prep courses for standardized tests.

Price: All courses are free

Class examples:

• Geometry
• Art history
• Macroeconomics
• Computer programming
• Grammar
• Personal finance

Coursera

Overview: Coursera is similar to Khan Academy but is geared more toward online degrees and helping people expand skills for new careers. The platform collaborates with over 200 universities and companies to provide a curriculum that prepares people for in-demand careers.

Price: Many classes can be audited for free, certificates and degrees are $49

Class examples:

• Google UX Design
• Introduction to Data Science
• Chinese for Beginners
• Social Psychology
• Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills

LinkedIn Learning

Overview: Hosted on the social media platform LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning has a catalog of over 17,000 classes covering a wide variety of professional development skills. The courses mainly focus on creative skills, business skills, and technology and offer special certificates upon completion.

Price: One-month free trial, then $19.99 per month for an annual subscription or $29.99 per month for a monthly subscription

Class examples:

• Six Morning Habits of High Performers
• Learning Python
• Excel Weekly Tips
• Learning Personal Branding
• Introduction to Graphic Design