An honest Synthesis School Review from parents and their ten-year-old.

If Tesla is to cars as SpaceX is to space travel, is the Ad Astra & Synthesis School the future of education?

Educating our children in the digital age presents a sea of opportunities and ongoing enrichment programs. 

It is also an experience still grounded in the traditional classroom and tethered by tax-dollar constraints.

We wanted to share our story in the event it could help curious parents evaluate if their child’s learning experiences and education systems are truly teaching relevant skills.

A Good Problem to Have

We’ve been fortunate to have kids who thrive in the traditional system. Blessed, in fact.

But will the conventional system prepare them for the world that awaits them ten years from now?

My guess is no.

And I can tell you the exact moment it became clear:

The parent-teacher conference.

Driving there, we were curious about the deep insights we will hear about our child’s specific behaviors, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. We couldn’t wait. 

Driving home, we felt the feedback we received could have been copied and pasted for 80% of the kids in the class.

Beyond that, we couldn’t shake the nagging sense the subjects felt like an outdated checklist of nice-to-haves.

Could memorizing state capitals be more important than learning to code?

Our thesis: With Siri a whisper away and supercomputers in our pockets, memorizing facts should take an immediate backseat to developing fundamental problem-solving skills.

Follow Every Direction

But how could they learn to solve real problems when always given both direction and rules?

Flashback to my niece’s first day of soccer. Shin guards on, a little nervous to try something new, and a last-minute pep talk from the car reminded her, “be certain you follow every direction from your coach.”

The coach asked the young group to run down the line and back to warm-up. Unsurprisingly, she was last to finish as she tried to run literally “down the line” like a balance beam.

She was doing exactly what she had been told: follow every direction. 

I was beginning to feel like school days encouraged a lot of carefully following one another to tiptoe down the line.

But She’s Doing Great In School

My daughter might receive high praise for listening well to others, being organized, and owning the completion of her tasks.

And while she is very self-sufficient when it comes to her homework, one night Math triggered tears. She was distraught and declared there was no way a specific problem was fair as her teacher would never assign something that hadn’t yet been taught.

Upon reading the problem and others she had completed, you could recognize that the theme was similar, just flipped on its side. She had no interest in trying to problem solve, she was simply hurt to be asked to do something she didn’t understand.

This was a flag for us.

She had been hailed as an “excellent mathematician” the week before. This experience highlighted that she was excellent at coloring in the lines but inexperienced in flexing the necessary muscles to solve a new problem without a handbook patiently.

What school would we design?

You might not be surprised to learn this, but we’re both engineers.

When faced with a problem, our instinct if take it apart and design something better.

So we turned over our daughter’s report cards and began with a fresh sheet of paper.

What are the essential capabilities for her to develop? And how would she practice those skills?

• Get comfortable being uncomfortable / embrace the chaos
• Have the curiosity to look at complex problems and define your own speed limit
• Practice and refine collaborative problem-solving skills
• Ask questions and listen for thoughtful answers
• Build relationships with those who can help

And if we’re being honest, we’re not contrarian enough to homeschool our kids to make this a reality. Instead, we looked for ways to supplement.

Enter: Synthesis School

This quick video from a parent certainly piqued our interest:

What is the Synthesis School

Synthesis School (you’ll find them at synthesis.com) is an online school that started as a full-time program for the children of parents who worked at SpaceX. It was born of – surprise, surprise – a disappointing parent-teacher conference for Elon Musk.

When Elon left a meeting with his child’s teacher, he was inspired to re-think the concept of a school from first principles. Why did we continue to teach kids the same as we did 100 years ago? Especially given success in the world looks much different today?

He asked Josh Dahn to create that school with two principles in mind:

1. Cohort children based on their ability, not their age.
2. Don’t teach the tool. Teach the problem.

He rationed that learning how to use tools for the sake of learning them can be boring until you see how tools can help to solve problems. He felt that the current grade-level model was not the right fit and that students have different skills and interests that vary over time. 

He noticed that his children didn’t need any nudging to play video games, so why not gamify education?

With these guiding principles, Josh Dahn went on to create Elon Musk’s Ad Astra school (in Latin, “to the stars”) a lab school for Musk’s children and SpaceX employees.

In Dahn’s own words, “The goal was to develop students who are enthralled by complexity and solving for the unknown. Synthesis is the most innovative learning experience from that school. It is designed to cultivate student voice, strategic thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.”

Enter Chrisman Frank, engineer #1 at ClassDojo, a K-12 network that reaches ~30 million teachers and students. He visited Ad Astra for the day and was astonished by the energy and excitement flowing from the classroom during the “Synthesis” course. Instead of lectures, students were whole-heartedly engaged in Astra Nova game simulations. 

Frank felt compelled to bring this opportunity to students around the world and is now the co-founder and CEO of the edtech startup Synthesis School.

How does it work?

Sometimes it’s easier to show than tell.

There are another half dozen games and simulations that kids play weekly with a consistent group of peers. They can also opt into an increasingly diverse set of programs with other kids worldwide.

For our family, the weekly consistency combined with opt-in flexibility works for our 10-year-old.

You can always learn more about their approach on their website too. It’s worth checking since the offering is rapidly changing as they learn more about what works.

Bracing Yourself to Embrace the Chaos

I know we struggled with this.

As parents, we can’t aspire for our kids to get comfortable with failing and constantly prevent mistakes. We can’t ask them to make sense of ambiguity and then ask for every detail to be settled in advance.

So like us, you’ll probably have questions like:

Who are the Teachers?

Synthesis School is quick to point out a razor-sharp focus on their teachers. Only 4-6% of those who apply to teach are accepted. 

Our daughter would be quick to point out that she thinks of the “teacher” as more of a facilitator for her cohort. More questions than instructions.

What’s Application Process?

We had first heard about Synthesis on Pomp’s podcast.

Intrigued, we began to dig a little more and actively followed the school’s chief learning evangelist, ana Lorena Fabrega (aka Ms. Fab):

We mentioned the idea to both daughters and shared the video of students playing the Constellations. Their reaction was one of slight intrigue, but it sounded like “more school.”

As parents, we were intrigued. 

“Apply to Synthesis” remained on the whiteboard for several weeks.

As we were making dinner, we put on the office hours webinar. Our youngest was in the kitchen with us, and after listening for a bit, she raised her hand and hopped off her seat at dinner to complete her application.

In the spirit of student-led learning, we didn’t peer over her shoulder or suggest re-recording her interview. It was one honest, enthusiastic take.

And I wish we had recorded her reaction when we told her she was admitted the following day. It was an authentic “I made it!”

We’ve heard from a few friends that there is a waitlist now, so might be worth getting your name in sooner than later.

What if my kid hates it?

First, I’ll admit things started a bit slowly for our daughter. The game was new. The people were unknown. The rules weren’t unclear; they didn’t exist.

So if we asked her how she liked it, it was closer to a “meh” than a “hell yeah.”

But we were determined to see if she could get more comfortable with all that newness. After all, wasn’t that the point.

Ultimately she did. And especially for a couple of other games, she “holy moly loved it.”

But Synthesis School also makes it easy on us. If we wanted to bow out after a month because it wasn’t what we expected, their refund policy is to simply ask. That’s it.

Our Daughter’s Experience 3 Months In

To set expectations, we didn’t expect raving reviews every session. Our expectation, knowing our daughter, is that she’d straddle curiosity and discomfort.

But that she’d want to show up and actively participate week in and week out. And hopefully, build into some optional sessions.

We also tried to set her up for success: we have good internet speed (some kids don’t and it’s frustrating for everyone), a good laptop, and a quiet place to play. And we give her a gentle reminder to expect the tsunami of chaos and “ride the wave”.

Thus far, I’d say we’re meeting that expectation. She loved the introduction of the Constellation 3D game.

In fact, here’s her take:

What’s the best part of Synthesis School?

The best part is the challenges.

A challenge can be to reach a certain number of points or to reach a certain area of a map. You get to do challenges with your cohort, and there’s one for each game.

Everyone has so much fun with the challenges, and it brings us closer together as a team.

What’s one thing you’d change?

I would add cohort vs cohort challenges. If we could meet at a random time during the week to do games or a challenge with other cohorts, that would make it awesome!

What are the kids in your cohort like?

The kids in my cohort are very nice, they are very focused, and they are competitive. The kids from my cohort are not just from the U.S, they are from all over the globe!

It’s fun to be with my cohort during the week because you get used to them over the weeks.

My only problem is the fact that I am one of the oldest in my cohort. I am with all the younger kids.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give new students?

I would say just try your best. Even if you are not very good at a game yet, or you are confused about how the game works, give it some practice, and you will get better!

Are you Ready to Try Synthesis School?

By sharing our experience, we hope that you can decide if introducing a little chaos is just what your little learner needs. And if it’s not gamified online problem solving, perhaps you prefer to supplement with advanced math?

We’ll circle back and provide updates periodically as our daughter grows and Synthesis School evolves with her.

If you have any feedback, let us know in the comments. And if you decide to make the leap, we’d love to hear about your experience.

Excellent digital marketing professionals master a range of skills from search engine optimization (SEO), to pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, to expert content marketing and social media strategy.  

Are you eager to apply marketing analytics to help businesses navigate the digital world and drive e-commerce through metrics-based campaigns?

Business owners strive to reach their audience through various marketing channels, ranging from creative copywriting to strategic Google Ads to partnering with relevant influencers.  To compete, every company’s marketing plan needs to include a savvy internet marketing strategy. This creates a real demand for talented digital marketing specialists.

I have curated a thorough list of digital marketing training courses. Below you will see a range of opportunities. Some of which are free courses, others are professional certificate programs. 

Commitment to these courses could be the first step towards a new digital media marketing career. 

Let’s begin.

Top 11 Best Online Digital Marketing Courses & Classes 2024

1. Learning Path: Digital Marketing (LinkedIn Learning)

First on our list is a comprehensive set of courses from LinkedIn Learning which features 11 modules taught by several digital media experts. Instead of having to research which SEO course to take and then the best AD Words course to follow, you can commit to this one “learning path.”

Since the digital world evolves quickly, you will see that these lessons and the course materials are regularly brought up to date. 

The curriculum includes: training with Google Analytics 4, dive into SEO (landing page design, keyword strategy, link building), hands-on work with Google Ads, content and social media marketing (including deep dives on Facebook and Instagram), developing newsletters and email campaigns, and wraps up with graphic design to teach the editing images and developing logos using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Students can also join a digital marketing community page to trade ideas with others.

This learning path combined with a community allows you the convenience to work at your own pace coupled with elements of a college curriculum to hold you accountable and motivated to learn, connect and earn a certificate of completion.

• One-stop shopping for comprehensive learning
• Taught by multiple industry experts
• Chapter quizzes to keep you on track
• Certificate of Completion – display on CV

2.  Digital marketing crash course for online marketing: Social media, email, SEO, advertising and more (Skillshare)

If you’re looking for a crash course in online marketing training, this online course is a great pick! After completing this beginner-level course, you will be able to effectively create your own digital marketing campaign.

Your instructor for this online course is Henk Dezzel, an online marketer with years of experience and consistently great reviews so you know he delivers quality.

Course modules in this online digital marketing course include online marketing vs traditional marketing, value chain, brand marketing, Google analytics, affiliate marketing, and Facebook ads. Lasting 1 ¼ hours of on-demand video, there are also bonus extras of class projects, class discussions, and downloadable resources.

You will find this course on SkillShare, the online continuing education platform for instruction in the arts, science, technology, healthcare, and business that offers new users a free trial. All in all, this is a great beginner’s course on the fundamentals of digital marketing!

• Beginner level
• 1 ¼ hours on-demand video
• Taught by highly rated instructor
• Downloadable resources
• Class discussions
• Class projects

3. Become a Digital Marketing Specialist (LinkedIn Learning)

If you’re keen to deepen your digital marketing knowledge, this beginner-level learning pathway pulls together a series of courses for a complete digital marketing education!

Instructors for these courses are carefully-selected experts from the fields of marketing, business administration, sales, and internet technology. Each of the instructors is certified by LinkedIn Learning to provide online education on these subjects.

Spanning over 25 hours of on-demand video, this online course features modules on Google analytics, SEO, content marketing, social media, email and newsletters, ads, and graphic design. Each of these online courses includes valuable extras such as downloadable resources, class discussions, and a certificate of completion for the entire learning path.

This online course is hosted on LinkedIn Learning, part of the LinkedIn online platform for business and professional networking, training, and job searching. If you’re new to LinkedIn, make sure you sign up for a free trial! Overall, this is a highly comprehensive digital marketing course that will teach you all you need to know!

• Beginner level
• 25 ¼ hours on-demand video
• Taught by experts in digital marketing
• Part of an entire learning path
• Downloadable resources
• Certificate of completion

4. The Complete Digital Marketing Course – 12 Courses in 1 (Udemy)

Over 400,000 students have taken this interactive online course which will guide you from scratch to being able to do expert level online and digital marketing. It’s beginner-level instruction and is actually 12 online courses in 1.

Your instructors for this online course are specially picked professionals in their fields and fully certified to teach these subjects online, so you are getting a wealth of knowledge and experience by taking this course.

Over 23 hours of on-demand video, this course features lessons on market research, WordPress, Google Adwords, social media, YouTube, and Google Analytics. Also included are many downloadable resources for each class, class projects, exams, and a certificate of completion.

This course is found on Udemy which hosts thousands of online courses for adult professional continuing education and certifications. Enroll right away to take advantage of this fantastic course if you’re new to digital marketing!

• Beginner level
• 23 hours on-demand video
• Professional business operators as instructors
• Exams
• Downloadable resources
• Certificate of completion

5. Digital Marketing Specialist (SimpliLearn)

In partnership with Harvard Business Publishing Education, this online course will provide advanced-level tools that will make you fully competent and completely equipped to handle any tasks involved in digital marketing!

This online course is taught by a team of diverse professors and professionals from various marketing and business administration backgrounds, so you will receive the benefit of their broad experience.

Throughout a year-long study program with access to over 75 different online courses to complete an education in digital marketing, some courses cover SEO, content marketing, social media, web analytics, and mobile marketing. Extras include marketing tools, downloadable resources, certification alignment, and a masters certificate as an Online Marketing Certified Professional.

Students enrolled in SimpliLearn courses have access to top-level instructors and receive lots of valuable bonus materials and programs, so you won’t want to miss this great online digital marketing course to get started in the industry!

• Beginner through advanced level
• A year-long course of study
• Taught by business professionals and professors
• OMCP certification
• Marketing tools provided
• Downloadable resources

6. Digital Marketing Specialization (Coursera)

Part of the Master of Business Administration (iMBA) degree program from the University of Illinois, this specialization covers the new digital and online marketing environment and teaches you from beginner level through to advanced levels!

Since the University of Illinois MBA program is a top-rated program with expert instructors, you will be taught in this course by true leaders in their field who provide a superior level of business education.

This online course will take about 8 months to complete with class topics including marketing principles, strategies, analytics, and analog marketing, as well as providing hands-on demonstrations, downloadable resources, and class discussions.

You can find this course on Coursera, a platform that condenses degree-level courses from various universities and colleges into online courses you can complete in just a few weeks or months, allowing you to continue working as you enhance your skills and knowledge! All in all, a fantastic course to boost your digital marketing skills.

Check out our guide on getting 1000’s Of Coursera Courses For Free if you are interested in more Coursera opportunities!

• Beginner through advanced level
• An 8-month course of study
• Taught by experts from the University of Illinois
• Hands-on demonstrations
• Downloadable resources
• Certificate of completion

7. Become a Digital Marketer (Udacity)

Learn how to create engaging content and advertise through social media and email with this beginner-level course that has a lot of flexibility built in for self-paced learning!

You will be taught in this online course by a team of successful online marketers, business consultants, and app developers from the USA and Europe.

Plenty of value is jam-packed into this online course, such as personalized feedback, technical mentor support, a personal business coach, and real-world projects to work on. Throughout 3 months of on-demand video, this course comprises modules covering marketing fundamentals, content strategy, social media, email ads, and display advertising.

You can take this course on Udacity, providing expert-level instruction for many types of business administration and marketing. Overall, this is one course you’ll want to enroll in to deepen your understanding of digital marketing!

• Beginner level
• 3 months of on-demand video and other access
• Taught by experts in digital marketing
• Personal mentors
• Real-world exercises
• Certificate of completion

8. Build Your Digital Marketing Agency | Run Your Social Media Marketing Business (Full Course) (Skillshare)

If your goal is to guide other businesses as a digital marketing consultant, this online course suitable for all levels will teach you what you need to know to do so effectively!

Robin and Jesper, digital marketing experts, are your instructors for this highly rated online course, sharing their knowledge, skills, and wide experience with you.

Within the course modules of this 6 ½ hour on-demand video class is instruction covering niche vs general advertising, creating a legal entity, taxes, banking, setting prices, getting clients, and writing contracts. Students also receive downloadable resources and class projects with discussion.

You will find this online course on SkillShare along with bonus extras included with all courses as mentioned above, plus you get the benefit of a free trial if you’re a new user. You won’t want to miss this excellent digital marketing course, no matter what level you’re currently at!

• All levels
• 6 ½ hours on-demand video
• Taught by marketing experts
• Downloadable resources
• Class projects
• Class discussions

9. Digital Marketing Masterclass – 23 Courses in 1 (Udemy)

If you’re interested in a complete digital marketing learning path with 23 courses in 1 package of online instruction, this beginner’s class will start you on your journey to growing a business through effective digital marketing strategies and techniques!

In this online course, you will be taught by a team of very highly rated instructors with 4 ½ million satisfied students among them so you know you are getting quality teaching.

Course modules in this online course include identifying a target audience, brand identity, websites, email marketing, YouTube, social media, analytics, and live streaming. Students also receive downloadable resources, class projects, class discussions, and a certificate of completion during the 32 ½ hours of on-demand video.

Udemy, the host for this online course, provides students with a great educational experience by pairing expert trainers with willing students. Overall, this is a highly comprehensive course that will help you develop all of the necessary digital marketing skills to build your business!

• Beginner level
• 32 ½ hours on-demand video
• Expert, highly rated instructors
• Downloadable resources
• Class projects
• Certificate of completion

10. Free Online Digital Marketing Courses and Exams (Semrush)

Next up on my list is a series of courses covering all aspects of digital marketing, ranging from beginner to advanced level!

As for your instructors for this online course, all are experts in their respective fields and certified to teach online courses, so you are in great hands.

In this online digital marketing course, modules include SEO fundamentals, content marketing strategy, and certification courses throughout the easily accessible on-demand video that lets students take their learning at their own pace. This course also features downloadable resources and exams.

You can find this online course hosted on Semrush, a leading digital marketing provider so they can teach you about the things they have excelled in for years. No matter what level your digital marketing skills are at, you’ll want to dive deeper with this great online course!

• All Levels
• Self-paced study including on-demand video
• Taught by certified experts
• Downloadable resources
• Exams
• Certifications available

11. Marketing Tools: Digital Marketing (LinkedIn Learning)

If you’re keen to learn crucial marketing tools for digital marketing, this beginner-level class will provide top-level instruction for marketing in the online business world!

Your instructor for this online course is author Anson Alexander, an expert in SEO, blogging, and all things digital and online.

Course modules throughout the 1 ½ hours of the on-demand video include marketing tools, promotion, media automation, display automation, and content creation. Extras include downloadable resources, class projects, and class discussions.

LinkedIn Learning is the host for this online course and includes many extras such as a certificate of completion, plus a free trial if you’re a new LinkedIn user. All in all, this is an excellent course for those new to digital marketing!

• Beginner level
• 1 ½ hours on-demand video
• Taught by SEO expert
• Class projects
• Downloadable resources
• Certificate of completion

Do you have your eyes set on a job at fast-food chain Chick-fil-A? If so, knowing the common Chick-fil-A interview questions will help you be prepared and respond with confidence during the interview.

Because of its values and strong company culture, many people want to work at Chick-fil-A, so getting through the interview process is competitive. They are typically able to fill roles within a few weeks of posting new job openings. 

Chick-fil-A job interviews may be stressful, and the competition with your future coworkers can be tricky. If you don’t prepare with the right interview tips, your chances of getting hired are much lower.

The questions listed below are typical of those asked during a Chick-fil-A interview for entry-level and intermediate roles. I have also put together some example responses and some additional pointers and tactics for you to ace the interview and get a job you’re proud of. 

Let’s get this ball rolling and get you on that Chick-fil-A team!

What Is The Chick-fil-A Interview Process? 

Before we dive into the questions, I want to give you a sense of the typical process. While it can vary a bit from location to location, the process tends to follow this basic path:

• You need to submit a job application. There seems to be equal success applying in person as applying online through sites like Indeed or Glassdoor on even on chick-fil-a.com.
• The next step is an email to schedule a phone or video interview. If they haven’t reached out to schedule this in 7-10 days, it might be worth following up. 
• Finally, you’ll be asked to come to the store for an second interview in person. These are usually one-on-one though occasionally they hold small group interviews. 
• In many cases, if this goes well, you’ll be hired on the spot. But don’t despair if this doesn’t happen, check out our follow up email templates for inspiration for checking back in. 

Now let’s get into the Chick-fil-A interview questions you should expect. 

Sample Chick-Fil-A Interview Questions And Answers

Why Do You Want To Work For Chick-fil-A?

This is one of the most common interview questions you can expect, so you must nail the answer to “why Chick-fil-A?”

You could answer this one by telling them how their values and mission resonate with your values. For example, Chick-fil-A emphasizes bringing the community together; you could say a few things about that too while drawing on your extracurricular activities like sports, clubs or volunteering.

Talk about how you want to represent them because you love their service and the food. On top of that, you must also mention that you want to work for a fast-growing fast-food restaurant.

If you’re a student looking for a job to fund your college, you could mention how having a job at Chick-fil-A will help you get the education you want.

Tell Us A Little About Yourself?

This is also a pretty common job interview question that you could be asked, so let it flow naturally.

This is how you should answer it:

• You could answer this by touching on the present, the past, and the future. Lightly talk about these three things when you’re asked to talk about yourself.
• Talk a little about what you currently do, along with some significant achievements that you’re proud of. For example, you’re a student who recently graduated high school and has had multiple accomplishments in your extracurricular activities. You talk a little about at time you went the extra mile and allow them to see who you are as a person.
• Then you could move onto an experience that you may have relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying to become a kitchen staff member, you must mention how you work well under pressure and how you like to cook in your spare time.
• And lastly, you could brush up on why having this particular job can help you with personal and professional growth.

What Do You Know About Chick-fil-A?

You should consider doing a little homework before you show up for the interview. 

Here’s what your answer should sound like:

You should touch on surface-level information like how Chick-fil-A is a restaurant founded by S. Truett Cathy specializing in chicken sandwiches and has over 2600 restaurants in 2021. It is operated as a franchise and unlike most fast-food restaurants, it is closed on Sundays across all locations. 

This is a very basic question that you should 100% expect the hiring manager to ask. And its an easy one to shine on if you prepare in advance and show how much you know about the franchise. 

Not only does this gives them an idea about how aware you are of their operations and function, it also shows them that you prepare and take your work seriously.

Finally, don’t get tripped up if the interviewer mentions CFA. Many people shorten Chick-fil-A this way.

How Do You Define Excellent Customer Service?

As a job seeker who is supposed to work a high-pressure job, you must have a strong sense of what customer service looks like. Naturally, the hiring manager would want to hear your point of view on this as Chick-fil-A takes hospitality very seriously.

Your response should sound something like this:

• Customer service is about going above and beyond to ensure that the customer leaves the restaurant fully satisfied. This means that their needs must be met, and they should be happy with the entire experience.
• You can then follow up highlighting the importance of being responsive and fast, especially when taking orders and interacting with customers. 

How Could Your Skillset Be Used To Help Further Customer Experience?

Every person is born with a particular set of skills that are innate in nature. You could talk about those traits by highlighting your skills that best match the job description.

Answer:

Talk about the traits you’re most confident in; for example, you are a sociable person who happens to make friends easily. So, you could talk about that and how that specific trait has helped you through life and then link this trait to the job requirements.

So as a sociable person, it is easier for you to be friendly and responsive to customers who walk in since it comes naturally to you.

Highlighting how your work ethic and team player attitude will benefit customers is great here as well.

What Makes You A Good Fit For Our Team?

The right way to answer this question is to focus on the hiring manager’s qualities. You’ll get an idea after you go over the job descriptions.

The answer:

You should start by highlighting Chick-fil-A’s values and how your skills, qualities, and traits align with them. You should let them know that you are motivated to contribute to the business and provide great customer service. Even better if you have prior work experience you can connect to this.

Also, talk about how teamwork is essential and give them an instance where you worked with a team—and how it helped you achieve quicker results. 

Finally, mention how you’re purpose-driven and that you are willing to put in the effort in helping the business achieve its goals, i.e., keeping the customer happy. This is a cornerstone to their company culture. 

What Would You Say Is Your Greatest Strength?

Here you could mention some traits that can convince the hiring manager that you’re a purpose-driven individual willing to work in a high-stress environment. 

When the interviewer asks, your answer should sound something like this:

Think of a trait that helped you during a difficult time or when you had to work your way out of a challenging situation. It could be anything. For example, you could talk about how flexible you are; it could be with timings, skillset, adaptability, anything! Just make sure you’ve identified a strength relevant to the job you’re applying for.

This will help the hiring manager understand what you are like and how you, as an individual, can be an asset to their franchise.

What Are Your Weaknesses?

It is important that you share your weaknesses with the interviewer to know what areas you’ll be working on once you join them.

You could say that your sociable personality makes it difficult for you to peel away from the customers once you start chatting with them, and that’s something you’d want to work on. Tell them how you’re learning to serve people efficiently without getting too chatty with them.

Let them know that you’re actively trying to work on your weakness. It’s okay for you to tell the hiring manager about the weaknesses. This should not cause you any stress or anxiety (since we’re all imperfect) – what they’re looking for is that you’re making an effort to overcome them and improve.

How Would You Describe Your Teamwork Skills?

This question is usually asked to determine whether the candidate being interviewed understands the importance of teamwork or not. It would be best if you let them know that you’re a good team player.

Your answer should sound something like this:

Mention how you work well in a team and give them an example of working with several people and achieving something through collective effort. It could be a project you worked on, a sports activity, or something that made you feel like you accomplished something.

Showcasing teamwork skills is important in any work environment, especially for a popular restaurant like Chick-fil-A. A typical day is always crowded with customers coming in and out of the joint.

How Well Do You Work In A Fast-Paced Environment?

Multitaskers and highly organized people are often the ones that thrive in fast-paced situations. Do not forget to bring along some examples of arranging your work and multitask when you need to attend to several customers.

So what should your answer sound like?

You should let them know that you can think on your feet, which is one of the reasons you work in a fast-paced working environment. You should go ahead and highlight relevant experiences here—it could be anything, a situation, action, a task, or maybe a result. Put extra emphasis on how well you performed in a fast-paced environment.

Your flexibility and versatility are important in these working environments because the hiring manager wants to know whether you’ll be available to juggle different tasks or not. What if one of the team members is not there or cannot perform that specific task that needs to be done as soon as possible.

How Would You Handle A Customer Who Tells You Their Order Is Wrong?

Errors occur, and mistakes happen, but what can you do in a situation where you’re required to calm down a furious customer or fix what’s already happened. Hiring managers want to know how you would handle a stressful situation where their order has been messed up because it’s likely to occur in a business.

Here is how you should answer this question:

You want the interviewer to understand that you’re a person who doesn’t avoid taking responsibility for their actions. So you must show them that you will not have a problem apologizing to the customer.

The first thing that should come out of your mouth in a situation like this is an apology; tell the customer you are sorry and apologize for the inconveniences caused by you. Second, you must immediately explain to your customer what happened; for example, if it was a staff error, let the customer know what the issue was.

This helps you be more transparent and honest. This is exactly what the hiring manager is looking for, someone who can connect with the customer to ease their frustration. After which, you must reassure them that it will not happen again. This will reduce the chances of them leaving the restaurant frustrated.

If We Ran Out Of A Product, How Would You Communicate This To A Customer?

It is not unusual for restaurants to run out of products or ingredients that customers frequently order. So the hiring manager obviously would want to know what you would do in a situation where you have to tell a customer that you no longer have a particular product.

This is what your answer should look like:

It would be best to mention how the first thing you would do in that situation is to listen to the customer. Ask them what they need and what they are looking for. If the product is not in stock, you must let them know immediately and offer an alternative. Ask them if they would like to have something similar to the product that they want.

This will comfort them and help them understand other options that you present them with. But, again, communication is critical in a situation like this, and you should let the hiring manager know that you’ll be handling the case pretty well.

What Would You Do If A Customer Was Shouting At You?

It can be pretty frustrating and nerve-wracking when things fly off the handle, and a customer starts to shout at you. This isn’t something the restaurant businesses are not familiar with; in fact, it happens quite a lot. Since that’s the case, hiring managers like to know whether the person they plan on hiring can handle the situation professionally or not.

Your answer should look something like this:

Let them know that you’re willing to stay calm no matter how difficult the situation may get for you. Then you could tell them that the first thing you’d do is try and calm them down by acknowledging their distress. Listening to your customer is the key here, and you’re going to make sure you’re making your customer feel heard and seen.

The two main things you must focus on are sympathy and apology. You’ll have to listen to your customer’s concerns, apologize, repeat those concerns to them and let them know you’ll try and sort them out.

Conclusion: Chick-fil-A Interview Questions

In the end, going into a job interview might be nerve-wracking. But lucky for you, we have provided you with a list of 13 most frequently asked Chick-fil-A interview questions that might help you ace the interview.

Take advantage of the questions and sample answers provided to you. This way, you can land a job in a popular franchise like Chick-fil-A, and you can finally fulfill your dream of working at Chick-fil-A.

Make sure to check out our article on fast food resume skills as well as our follow-up email templates to round your job application process. 

And if a job at Chick-fil-A isn’t quite right for you, we have similar guides for McDonald’s, Starbucks, Tim Hortons & Target.

Good luck!

Supply chains are backed up and it is unclear if anything you order for the holidays on Amazon will arrive in time. 

A gift card often feels like a great gift choice so that we know the recipient can get something they want. But have you ever wondered how many gift cards go unused each year? Roughly 50% of Americans are sitting on an unused gift card. Now, this isn’t just an unused sweater collecting dust, it is cash that is never translated into a gift or an experience. A swing, and a miss.

Is this the year you give better gifts?

Perhaps the best gift idea this year doesn’t come in a box, but rather it is an experience they won’t soon forget. And why just one experience, when it could be many? 

Like you, we put significant, time, energy, and search cycles into reading gift guides and trying to choose the perfect gift for loved ones. I feel most confident when I am able to gift something I have truly enjoyed.

Enter the MasterClass Subscription.

Instead of trying to find the perfect book, why not gift unlimited access to inspiration from the world’s best talent. We are thankful for Netflix as it helps us to “punch out” but we love the time spent with MasterClass as it nudges us to “lean in”.

Why not give the gift of learning?

Seize the opportunity to give annual membership to a learning platform that can spark new ideas in 2022.

One bonus of gifting a MasterClass subscription around the holidays is this content’s ability to enhance almost any new year’s resolution a friend might be contemplating. Given that many forget their resolutions before Groundhog’s Day we are reminded that a goal without a plan is simply a wish.

As avid users of this platform, we break down a summary of MasterClass, the ease of sending the eGift of a MasterClass Subscription, and our thoughts on inspiring courses for family members, friends, or anyone who simply doesn’t need another “thing.”

What is MasterClass? 

In short, a MasterClass gift provides access to a curated catalog of 100+ beautifully produced online classes from celebrities and luminaries in a variety of fields.

With a MasterClass subscription, members can learn cooking from Gordon Ramsay, tennis from Serena Williams, astronomy from Neil Degrasse Tyson, and acting from Samuel L. Jackson.  

They are adding new classes and instructors almost every week. From the homepage, it is easy to see which courses are trending.

And if you want to learn more about all features plus the pros and cons, check out our in-depth MasterClass Platform Review.

In addition, they are releasing new formats like their MasterClass Sessions which provide 30 days of results-oriented learning and direct interaction with A-list teachers.

Think singing with Christina Aguilera or creating your own baking recipes with Johanna Chang.  

This program is designed to be hands-on and focused on specific outcomes. Instead of sitting back to listen, students are actively involved, complete the 30-day curriculum and benefit from feedback to improve their skills. 

What can you learn in one month? 

Here’s another look at what they’re building:

How Can I Give A MasterClass Gift?

There is no other online learning platform out there that makes this easier. We can walk you through the process step by step.

First, visit Masterclass.com/gift or you can select the menu option for “Gift” to arrive at the Gifting Page.

Then you’ll need to select the level of subscription you’d like to gift. “Plus” is the best value given watching offline on iOS is an important feature for most people. You can skip the “Premium” unless the whole family is getting the mix.

After creating an account with your email or logging in with Google or Facebook, you’ll enter the gift recipient’s name and email address.

You have the option of adding a personal note to help suggest a course or two that you think they may enjoy.   It is easy to set the delivery time of the MasterClass Subscription to be today or on a delivery date of your choosing (ahem Christmas morning). 

Payment can be made by credit card. Importantly, the MasterClass subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The gift recipient will receive an email that walks through setting up a new MasterClass account which makes redeeming the gift a seamless process. Your loved one can be learning within minutes.

MasterClass Subscription Buy One Get One Free: The Perfect Gift for You AND a Loved One

MasterClass will periodically run a Give One, Get One promotion for its annual subscription. In our view, this gift is head and shoulders above any Black Friday deal or a new pajama set. 

Keep an eye out for this special opportunity to partner with a loved one on a year of learning and get the most out of a Masterclass All-Access pass!

With a friend and accountability partner, together you could enhance your lives, and have fun making the most of your new skills:

• Commit to taking Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking together and then host a dinner party
• Further your writing skills with Margaret Atwood and co-author an article or blog post
• Share a plot in a community garden and let Ron Finley guide you throughout the summer

With a partner in learning, you can encourage one another to complete the pdf workbooks that are assigned, practice the recipes, and make time each week to learn something new.

A MasterClass Gift Guide:

Given all that we have personally learned from Masterclass, we have included the suggested gift guide below. While these suggested online classes may be a jumping-off point, a MasterClass subscription allows your gift recipient to wander the virtual halls of a college campus and pop into lectures from the world’s leading talent at any time. Imagine the impact of trading a few Netflix nights for evenings of self-improvement.

Gifts for Her

Gifts for Mom: Her To-Do List is Long and Time is Short

The juggling and multitasking skills of a mom are often unparalleled. The perfect gift for her might be an opportunity to feed her own curiosity.  

Part of the beauty of MasterClass is that you can listen to a lesson while driving, on a run, or feel incredibly productive and engaged…even as you prep dinner or fold laundry.

Give her the opportunity to focus on improving sleep, setting and achieving goals with vigor, or learning a few make-up tips and self-care from Bobbi Brown herself.

• Robin Arzón Teaches Mental Strength
• Matthew Walker Teaches The Science Of Better Sleep
• Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup and Beauty

Gifts For Her: The Creative Genius

Help to encourage all of her creative talents with some insights from the best. Inspire her knack for design to go to the next level.

• Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design
• Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
• David Carson Teaches Graphic Design

Gifts for Her: The Athlete

For her, movement and mindfulness are medicine. Help further her love for an aspect of her life that she values deeply.

So why not be inspired by the best? As Serena says, “This is as close to a private lesson as you can get with me.”

• Serena Williams Teaches Tennis
• Joe Holder Teaches Fitness and Wellness Fundamentals
• Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique And Artistry
• Wayne Gretzky Teaches The Athlete’s Mindset

Gifts for Her: The Entrepreneur

Think of Masterclass as the gift of unlimited access to world-class business coaches and CEOs to help take her business to the next level.

• Sarah Blakely (Spanx) Teaches Self-made Entrepreneurship
• Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity & Leadership
• Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation
• Robert Reffkin Teaches Buying and Selling Real Estate

Gifts for Him

Gifts For Him: For Dads Who Love To Dabble

Unlimited access to MasterClass is perfect for the guy who loves to dabble. Never shy about trying a new hobby, improving his Manhattan, his jump shot, or his poker game.

• Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball Handling, And Scoring
• Lynnette Marrero & Ryan Chetiyawardana Teach Mixology
• Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker
• Metallica Teaches Being A Band

Gifts for Him: For the Guy who is Happiest Outside

Leisure for him always requires fresh air. Inspire him to think differently about goals and fear with Alex Honnold of Free solo, smoke better ribs that will be the envy of the neighbors, and master the prep for his next overnight hike.

• Aaron Franklin Teaches Texas-style BBQ
• Alex Honnold & Tommy Caldwell Teach Rock Climbing
• Jessie Krebs Teaches Wilderness Survival

Gifts for Him: For the Guy Who Has a Story to Write

Help encourage him to take his hobby into focus this year. With insights and specific exercises across a range of genres, he can take the idea from concept to manuscript.

• Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art of Storytelling
• David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor
• Salman Rushdie Teaches Storytelling and Writing
• N.K. Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Gifts for Couples

Learning as a team dramatically increases the chances of completing a class, or testing out your new recipes for friends. This year they can prepare new dishes alongside Michelin Star chefs, gain an appreciation for the finest ingredients, and plan for Tuesday night wine tasting.

A perfect gift for newlyweds or longtime partners.

• Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training
• Ron Finley Teaches Gardening
• Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking
• James Suckling Teaches Wine Appreciation
• Gary Kasparov Teaches Chess

Gifts For Teens

Gifts for Teens: Who Can’t Get Enough Music

For the teen who is often humming a tune or happiest with headphones on, give them the gift of inspiration from the best. 

• Alicia Keys Teaches Song Writing and Producing
• Yo Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection
• QuestLove Teaches Music Curation, and DJing
• Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of the Guitar

Gifts For Teens: Who Love Art & Have To Create

In some cases, the typical school experience may leave limited time for students to explore the arts. The perfect gift for the artistic teen could be more time spent with leading creative minds. 

• Es Devlin Teaches Turning Ideas into Art
• Futura Teaches Spraypainting and Abstract Art
• Tyler Mitchell Teaches Storytelling Through Portrait Photography
• Marc Jacobs Teaches Fashion design

Gifts For Teens: Show Them How An Interest Can Become A Career

Stoke the fire of a teen’s passion.

Today, our teens have numerous, hobbies and interests paired with access to endless information. Help further their love for gaming by learning more about design. Introduce them to leading minds on building a fashion brand or a feature film.

Perhaps instead of asking “what do you want to be when you grow up?” instead ask about the type of work or influence they hope to contribute and what they find most rewarding. 

• Will Wright (creator of the SIMS) Teaches Game Design
• Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein Teach Advertising and Creativity
• Diane von Furstenberg Teaches Building a Fashion Brand
• James Cameron Teaches Film Making

Gifts for Grandparents

What do you give to the person who is always on top of the news, an avid reader, and the person who freely forwards you a must-see Ted Talk?

It is challenging to come up with great gift ideas. How about a new perspective on Government Leadership or embracing the world with the critical eye of an economist?

Masterclass has just launched a new series: MasterClass Presents: The White House. These lessons feature Bill and Hillary Clinton, George Bush,  & Madeline Albright speaking about leadership, diplomacy, and their experiences in government.

• Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking
• Paul Krugman Teaches Economics and Society
• Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

What is Udacity?

Udacity is a robust online learning platform specializing in teaching technical skills to help advance and accelerate your professional career. They specialize in high-quality instruction from industry experts that will prepare students for the growing fields such as programming, data science, digital marketing and cyber security.

Students on Udacity work to earn a certification they call a Nanodegree. This credential demonstrates that the student completed all of the relevant work in the class. In addition, throughout these courses, students will be solving real-world problems, receiving feedback through project reviews, and building portfolios to showcase their skills.

The results? In 2019, ~75% percent of students decided to pursue a Nanodegree program to help their careers. Of those, “71 percent of these reported a salary increase, with 37 percent having scored a significant raise of more than 20 percent.”

While this credentialing system differs from a traditional educational institution, many employers recognize the values of these certifications. Part of the draw for many is Udacity’s partnership with leading technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and AWS.

It is essential to highlight that industry experts teach these courses. In practice, this partnership means that aspiring Machine Learning Engineers have the opportunity to learn from Google’s Deep Learning experts.

Co-founder and president Sebastian Thrun has often stated his belief that “the ultimate value proposition of education is employment.” 

Udacity provides students with in-demand skills, helps them achieve mastery, and supports their graduates in finding their next job. If your goal is to change careers or level up in your existing technical role, Udacity is possibly your highest value option.

USE CODE UPSKILL21 FOR AN EXTRA 50% OFF ANY UDACITY NANODEGREE COURSES.

How does Udacity work?

Once you’ve enrolled in Udacity, students complete the onboarding process. Udacity provides a syllabus and has each student set up a personal study schedule, including individual goal setting and setting up reminders to ensure students follow their designed plan.

The Udacity Nanodegree programs themselves are broken down into individual segments. Each segment takes between ten to twenty minutes to complete, designed to be easy to work on whether you have plenty of time to barrel through the course or only have a short amount of time to spare. 

The segments consist of a variety of learning exercises. Students learn most information through video lectures, but that’s not the only way students engage. Their online courses also contain a variety of interactive activities, quizzes, and projects. These exercises ensure a student has understood the content, and most importantly, can apply their learnings to real-world problems.

An expert in the field instructs each course. In order to become a Udacity instructor, there are high standard requirements, including a minimum number of years in the chosen area and years of previous teaching experience. These instructors will offer personal feedback on your assignments, assistance when needed, and personally shape the course instruction.

In addition to getting feedback from the instructor, Udacity also offers several features for connecting students with one another. Students can post to one another for academic support, learn through discussion forums, rely on mentor support and enjoy career networking as they make their way through their Udacity course.

One frustration many users may find is that Udacity is only accessible via web browsers, so it’s optimized to be taken on a computer (though modern smartphones are also ok). While they used to offer an app for learning on the go, they removed it in 2019 and have yet to replace it. An integrated app is something that most consumers expect of online learning platforms, so the lack of a dedicated app may be a surprise for first-time users of Udacity.

Who is Udacity For?

Udacity targets motivated learners who have identified the tech skills they need to advance their careers. A Udacity Nanodegree program offers the chance to learn and practice these skills at a time in your career when they are most relevant. 

Udacity provides learning opportunities for students are various stages in their careers. Importantly, you do need to be a software engineer or robotics expert to find value here. There are several development tracks:

Beginners: These students may have little to no programming experience and have not yet chosen a career path, but see the growth in technology jobs and want to build their tech skills. Perhaps one intro to programming course piqued your interest, and you want to learn more.

Intermediate: Learners here may already work in technology and are strong in their fundamental skills but eyeing their next move. Perhaps your career in software development has been positive, but you are thinking of switching gears and need to upskill to compete with other job applicants. 

Advanced: The focus for advanced students is mastery. These programs tend to go much deeper and more specialized. Instead of training to be a general programmer, students will learn specifically about programming for blockchain or self-driving cars. 

Naturally, several of these courses have prerequisites to ensure a student has enough baseline understanding to make the most of the course.

Udacity is probably not the best platform for casual learners or those whose interests are focused more on humanities or arts. If this happens to be where your interest lies, we would encourage you to check out Skillshare or Masterclass. 

Skillshare covers a broad range of niche topics, and MasterClass offers A-list instructors in more of a behind-the-scenes edutainment format. And both give you access to their complete catalogs for a subscription price that’s less than Netflix.

Do you have to pay to use Udacity?

While some courses on Udacity don’t require a paid membership, in general, their best courses do cost money. 

These free courses tend to be introduction courses that aren’t as in-depth or specialized as their paid courses. They also tend to have less individual interaction with your instructor. And if earning a credential or certification is what’s important to you, those only come with the paid nanodegrees. On net, these free courses are suitable for trying out Udacity but less valuable for your overall professional development.

Unfortunately, Udacity doesn’t offer any kind of trial or preview program, so aside from taking some of their free courses, there’s no way to test out the program before having to pay for access.

Does Udacity Offer Scholarship or Financial Aid? 

Yes! Udacity also offers several scholarship programs that can be used to pay for your Udacity learning, depending on the program you are choosing to pursue.

Here is the list of open scholarship programs: 

• STEM Forward with Women Scholarship Program ($5 million in scholarships over 5 years)
• Bertelsmann Technology Scholarship (15,000 seats available)
• OneTen + Blacks in Technology Foundation Scholarship (15,000 seats available)

Udacity also offered more than 25,000 scholarships earlier via Advance Africa Scholarship Program, Grow with Google, and the Blacks In Technology Foundation Scholarship Program. However, enrollment in both of those programs is now closed. AT&T, Facebook, and AWS have all sponsored scholarships in the past couple of years, so it is undoubtedly worth close monitoring.

How much does Udacity cost?

The precise cost of Udacity depends on the program you select. The pricing model of Udacity is a monthly subscription that you continue to pay per month until you finish your degree program. As a result, the price can vary widely depending on how much time you can spend on your program per month and how quickly you can move through the course.

Most Udacity classes are around $400 per month, with the average length of time they take to complete being approximately four to six months, devoting roughly 5-10 hours per week. The total cost of Udacity programs in this scenario is approximately $1500-2000.

USE CODE UPSKILL21 FOR AN EXTRA 50% OFF ANY UDACITY NANODEGREE COURSES.

However, use our exclusive partner code, and you can cut the cost of a Nanodegree in half. So if you’re able to complete this in 3-4 months, the cost would drop to around $600-800. This investment is a no-brainer when considering that these skills can often raise your income by $10,000-$25,000 per year. 

Can I get a refund on Udacity?

Udacity offers all students a 2-day window after enrollment to disenroll and request a refund. However, after two days have passed, there’s no opportunity to receive a refund for payments already made, although you can drop out of your program at any time to prevent future payments.

What Courses Are Offered On Udacity?

Udacity offers a broad variety of professional and career-based courses, based mainly on computer science and technology. 

Udacity offers online courses in the following “schools”: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Business, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Programming & Development, and Product Management. These categories each contain several more specific courses for roles like Blockchain Developer, Self-Driving Car Engineer, Android Developer, Growth Product Manager, Cyber Security Architect, IOS Developer, and many more.

In addition, there is a group of free courses focused on career services. These classes aim to help students with specific job searching skills such as refreshing your resume, strengthening your LinkedIn brand and network, GitHub portfolio review, and some deep dives on industry-specific interview prep for roles in data science, machine learning, or mobile development.

Udacity advertises that industry leaders rather than academics create its educational content. This process ensures that the content is at the cutting edge and relevant to the modern field. In a constantly changing field like technology, current material, and real-world projects are critical to each student’s learning.

What Are The Most Popular Nanodegree Programs?

5 Most Popular Artificial Intelligence Nanodegree Programs

• Natural Language Processing
• Artificial Intelligence for Trading
• AI Programming With Python
• Machine Learning DevOps Engineer
• Deep Learning

5 Most Popular Data Science Nanodegree Programs

• Data Visualization
• Data Scientist
• Business Analytics
• Data Analyst
• Programming for Data Science With Python
• SQL

5 Most Popular Cloud Computing Nanodegree Programs

• Cloud Developer
• Cloud Native Application Architecture
• Cloud DevOps Engineer
• Data Structures And Algorithms
• AWS Cloud Architect

5 Most Popular Programming And Development Nanodegree Programs

• Android Basics
• Full Stack Web Developer
• C++
• Java Programming
• Full Stack JavaScript Developer

5 Most Popular Product Management Nanodegree Programs

• Product Manager
• Digital Marketing
• UX Designer
• Data Product Manager
• Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI

Does Udacity work?

While it’s not for everyone, Udacity is an effective platform for the learner who is motivated to advance a career in technology. With a focus on current content shaped by industry leaders, students can upskill while working on real-world problems. 

And these insdurty leaders aren’t just leading the courses, they’re hiring from them. In 2019 alone:

• Accenture hired 20
• Amazon hired 25
• AT&T hired 41
• Google hired 33
• IBM hired 20

How do they get such consistent results? What students are buying is more than a series of online videos. 

This online learning platform is highly interactive. A student will complete several quizzes and problem sets throughout a course to reconfirm understanding of the material. A Udacity Project Reviewer reviews projects to ensure that the student’s work is complete and meets the requirements. A Udacity nanodegree reflects a job applicants’ continued focus on improvement. 

In addition to its digital programs, Udacity offers individualized support with direct instruction from teachers, making it much more like a traditional online school than many other online learning platforms. It also provides career services support, such as job coaching, resume building, and networking opportunities, so those attending Udacity to further their careers will find plenty of assistance. 

How can I get the most out of a Udacity Nanodegree?

The best way to get the most bang for your back with Udacity is to work as efficiently as possible. Because of their month-to-month subscription model, you will spend more money the longer you take to complete your program. Successful graduates found that setting aside specific time blocks each week to devote to their studies was most effective. 

It’s also crucial to make sure that you choose the correct course before enrolling. While it is possible to switch courses after starting one, the process can be tricky and will involve starting over from the beginning. Before committing to a nanogegree program, please do plenty of research and ensure it’s the one to best help you meet your goals.

And don’t forget to use our discount code!

USE CODE UPSKILL21 FOR AN EXTRA 50% OFF ANY UDACITY NANODEGREE COURSES.

References:

https://www.bertelsmann.com/news-and-media/news/udacity-celebrates-100-000-graduates.jsp

https://www.udacity.com/blog/2020/12/top-companies-that-hired-udacity-graduates.html

MasterClass has become a widely popular online learning platform. Its prime draw is that beloved celebrity instructors teach its high-quality online courses. It features classic writers such as Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman, celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Alice Waters, famous athletes such as Serena Williams and Simone Biles, and world-renowned scientists such as Dr. Jane Goodall and Chris Hadfield.

However, the biggest question remains; is this star-studded lineup nothing more than clever marketing or does MasterClass deliver valuable insights and meaningful lessons? We share our personal learning experiences in this in-depth MasterClass review.

What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass is a premium online learning platform targeted towards personal development. Starting with just 3 courses in 2015, MasterClass now boasts more than 1.5 million subscribers with the ambition to “rebuild the Library of Alexandria in digital form.”

MasterClass is an incredible resource for the curious. We find the courses to be informative and are continually impressed that the content provides inspiration and entertainment. 

Its focus is on “edutainment,” where users are both entertained and educated by the instruction provided, focusing on motivational content and exciting celebrity instructors. This online education platform offers a unique opportunity to learn from your idols.

Instruction is primarily delivered through video modules and audio-only podcasts, although select classes offer interactive workbooks, assignments, and activities. However, the lessons and activities are optional, and students rarely receive grading or feedback on their work. Each class is a series of videos with a different “instructor,” ranging in length from one and a half to five hours, with each video typically clocking in under five minutes.

Who Is MasterClass For?

David Rogier, the founder of MasterClass, was inspired by a passion for education and the idea to make the world a little better by offering everyone an opportunity to learn from the best. The company isn’t focused on how many courses each person completes but aims to change members’ lives. Admittedly an aggressive goal, but in their market research, they share that 25% of their members report that their engagement with the platform has had a profound impact.

The experience may sing to an avid reader or a learner who would value hearing the world’s most inspiring keynote speakers in person. Part of the value here is to learn and experience these lectures at your own pace in a way that fits your life. That means learning is possible from the comfort of your couch, as an inspiring listen while driving or thoughtful companion on a walk around the block. 

This experience is similar to life on a college campus, where you can drop in and audit a lecture on a whim. On this digital “campus,” celebrity instructors share insights on their craft and process through beautifully produced segments. 

Members may be drawn to MasterClass to learn new skills in a single class from a specific teacher, perhaps the chance to learn from someone you idolize. Users will find the most value here by exploring a range of MasterClass classes.

After only a few minutes of Gordon Ramsey‘s Cooking I course, his passion for food inspired me. I may not aspire to attain a Michelin star, but I had his voice in my head when I selected produce that week. And since taking his course, I have been more committed to adding fresh herbs to our families’ meals; his genuine enthusiasm on this topic jumps through the screen. 

Our Experience With Masterclass

Sometimes we will choose to watch a MasterClass instead of picking up a book or scrolling through AppleTV in our house. MasterClass videos are genuinely entertaining.

A particular instructor may be the reason that you looked into MasterClass. Perhaps you are a huge Shonda Rhimes fan or you have seen every Samuel L. Jackson film. 

For us, the first class we chose is still paying dividends: Aaron Franklin’s tips on Texas-style bbq elevated our dabbling with a new electric smoker to friends asking if we could bring “those” ribs to a party. The class was engaging and we came away with a few tips that proved to be game-changing, even without an expensive smoker.

Similarly, one small tip from Serena Williams is to practice pretending you are serving down by a score of 15-30. Stepping into that mindset during practice is a small change that has helped me acquire more hours of playing calmly from behind.

My most recent 5-star experience was devouring Robin Arzon‘s upbeat class on mental toughness. I first “met” Robin through her endorphin-inducing Peloton rides. While I naturally gravitate to her coaching style on the bike, my time spent with this course inspired me to focus on themes outside of exercise. For example, she proposes frameworks for goal-setting that build to asking, “why NOT me?” My ROI for these 75 minutes was incredibly high. And I have returned to a few of these segments repeatedly.

We want to highlight that there is a 30-day money-back guarantee with MasterClass. I make it a practice to note this in my calendar at the 25 and 29-day mark to ensure that I get real value from any new subscription or membership. With such a range of online classes and hours of video lessons, 30 days is plenty of time to explore the platform. 

Imagine what you could learn in a month:

• Commit to that writing class.
• Set aside 30 minutes a day to focus on filmmaking.
• Try ten new recipes. 

What classes are available on MasterClass?

MasterClass organizes its content into 11 themes: Arts & Entertainment, Home & Lifestyle, Business, Writing, Food, Music, Design & Style, Sports & Gaming, Wellness, Community & Government, and Science & Tech. Within those categories, class topics vary widely. And they introduce 1-2 new classes per week, so the course catalog is constantly growing. 

The platform’s most popular content includes an introductory home cooking class from Gordon Ramsey and a Cooking Techniques class from Thomas Keller, both of which are great for leveling up your home cooking skills. Chris Voss, a well-known FBI hostage negotiator, offers a popular class on the art of negotiation. Beauty mogul Bobbi Brown offers a top-rated class on Makeup & Beauty.

For those interested in furthering their scientific knowledge, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson provides a course on Scientific Thinking. James Patterson’s course on writing connects with inspiring writers and suggests that avid readers will read books in a new way after learning from him. Dr. Cornel West recently released a Philosophy course. The categories are broad-reaching yet specific enough to remain unique and exciting.

We love how MasterClass built a feature that creates a playlist, or as they call it, a Quick List of related modules from various instructors who touch on a theme. 

Here’s a Quick List on Insecurity, Vulnerability and Letting Go:

• Judd Apatow‘s reminder that the audience could be wrong
• Malcolm Gladwell‘s caution about interpreting a critic’s feedback to 
• Helen Mirren‘s anecdote on learning to release worry 

The next day, you could invest a few minutes focusing on risk-taking with insights from an astronaut, a writer, and a chef.

And similar to Netflix, when I log in to the platform, I can also see which courses are trending.

Will I Get To Interact With My Instructor?

In the vast majority of cases, the answer is no. While you might occasionally have a class where you receive feedback on an assignment, in most courses, you complete your work independently without feedback or interaction with your instructor. 

There are exceptions to this rule. MasterClass Community offers a forum where members can interact with other classmates and receive feedback on their work, sometimes from the instructors. They also run contests to encourage class participants to try their hand at what they learned and submit the results.

MasterClass also experimented with a feature called DirectLine in September 2021, allowing students to speak 1:1 with select instructors. We’ll see if they offer this again in the future.

Finally, we would encourage you to check out the extension offered by MasterClass Live. This platform features live follow-up interviews with course instructors, creating another opportunity to further your learning and hear questions answered in a live segment.

What Are The Best Masterclass Courses? 

We’ve included links to some of our favorite courses as well as those that are popular with the MasterClass community. Click through any of the links for a course preview and description.

Arts & Entertainment

• deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production
• Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing
• Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking
• Nas Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling
• Natalie Portman Teaches Acting
• Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

Food

• Gordon Ramsey Teaches Cooking
• Aaron Franklin Teaches Texas-Style BBQ
• Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking Techniques
• Madhur Jaffrey Teaches Indian Cooking
• Mashama Bailey Teaches Southern Cooking

Business

• Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation
• Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership
• Dan Pink Teaches Sales and Persuasion
• Sara Blakely Teaches Self-Made Entrepreneurship
• Elaine Welteroth Teaches Designing Your Career

Sports & Gaming

• Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess
• Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker
• Serena Williams Teaches Tennis
• Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball-Handling and Scoring
• Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique and Artistry

Writing

• Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling
• Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting
• Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing
• Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers
• Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television
• Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

Home & Lifestyle

• Ron Finley Teaches Gardening
• Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design
• Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training
• Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design

Design & Style

• Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup & Beauty
• Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity & Leadership
• Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
• Es Devlin Teaches Turning Ideas Into Art

Science & Tech

• Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication
• Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration
• Dr Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation

Wellness

• Robin Arzon Teaches Mental Strength
• Matthew Walker Teaches the Science of Better Sleep
• Jon Kabat-Zin Teaches Mindfulness and Meditation
• Joe Holder Teaches Fitness and Wellness Fundamentals

How Much Does MasterClass Cost?

Membership with MasterClass is available in several different all-access pass levels, all of which include access to all available classes, bonus workbooks and content, pus members-only community and discussion. 

The difference between Standard, Plus, and Premium is that Standard only allows viewing on one device at a time, whereas Plus enables two viewers and adds offline viewing on iOS. Premium increases the number of simultaneous devices to 6, but we imagine that’s a pretty rare use case.  

• The Standard membership is the least expensive, at $15 per month, or $180 when billed annually. 
• The Plus membership is advertised as the best-valued tier at $20 per month, or $240 when billed annually. 
• The Premium package is only slightly more expensive than the Plus at $23 per month, or $276 when billed annually. 

MasterClass bills all subscriptions annually. They used to offer a monthly option but have recently stopped. 

That commitment might make you nervous, but it is important to remember that MasterClass offers a 30-day moneyback guarantee. This policy provides new members comfort that their investment will meet their expectations.

How Do I Gift MasterClass To Someone?

I often struggle with trying to find a friend or colleague an excellent gift. I aim to find something personal, unique, and valuable. At best, this often lands as a book or membership to a book club. At the last minute, this usually ends with a gift card. We wanted to highlight a new option as the ability to gift a year of MasterClass membership may not be well known. 

Compared to almost every other online learning platform, Masterclass made this the easiest. All you need to do is use this gifting link, enter the recipient’s email address, and then checkout as you normally would. 

Pro tip: be sure to check if they’re running their “Buy One Gift One” program. This promotion happens 3-4 times each year, and one of those times is right around the holidays.

There are many parallels between gifting a Book of Month experience and a MasterClass membership for a friend. Both gifts encourage the recipient to find something they genuinely enjoy. And just as I believe you take a little something away from each book you read, I have found inspiration in each MasterClass course I have taken. 

We’ve even taken the time to separately highlight which MasterClass courses might appeal as gifts for him and her, as well gifts for teens, couples, and grandparents.

Similarly, I would research and spend a considerable amount of time hunting an end-of-year gift for my team, clients, and colleagues. As many of us love to give recommendations of our favorite books, podcasts, recipes, and workouts, a Masterclass subscription creates an easy way to give the gift of learning.

Some may not want to “email a present.” We find joy in the presentation here as well. We often pair the gift of membership with a hand-wrapped journal and a note to say, “I can’t wait to hear about what you learn this year and how it inspires you!” Further, we like to mention a few favorite courses we love and think the recipient may enjoy. 

We know that committing to any new practice with a friend will greatly increase your joy in this activity and your likelihood to complete a task or make a new habit a hobby. The idea of “let’s explore this together” is a unique gift to you as well as the lucky recipient.

Whether it’s a new graduate, an old friend, or perhaps a colleague recovering from surgery, the gift of MasterClass can resonate and be appreciated by many.

Is There Financial Assistance Available To Get MasterClass?

If you work with an accredited charitable organization, you may qualify for a grant through the MasterClass Grants Program. This program seeks to extend learning opportunities to help organizations professionally develop their team.

Are Any Discounts Available For MasterClass?

If you’re looking to get MasterClass memberships for a larger group of people, you may be able to get a more attractive rate through MasterClass for Business. If you purchase five or more memberships at once, you can get a steep discount. The exact rate you’re able to get varies based on the number of memberships you purchase at once but can extend up to 35% off. This discount program is popular with businesses looking to support the leadership, business, storytelling, or design skills of their employees.

If you have a bit of patience, you can also wait until MasterClass runs a sale. Each year so far, they have offered a BOGO deal where you can Buy One membership for yourself and Gift One for someone else. This sale is a great chance to get half off by signing up with a friend or gift a membership to a friend for the holidays while getting a membership for yourself. 

If I Don’t Like MasterClass, Is It Easy To Get A Refund?

MasterClass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but beyond that, there are no refunds. 

Those who lose interest in MasterClass should also note that the default setting is for your annual membership to renew automatically. If you don’t want a surprise charge showing up on your bank statement, make sure to cancel the automatic renewal ahead of time.

What Are The Pros Of Using MasterClass?

The primary benefit of using MasterClass instead of a similar digital learning platform is its value as “edutainment,” simultaneously being educational and entertaining. The content’s production quality is high, and the tone is engaging, with recognizable and respected instructors. It’s easy to find the classes just as fun as they are educational.

For those interested in taking a lot of classes, MasterClass’ model is also very appealing. You get unlimited access to the classes for a relatively reasonable monthly rate, making it an excellent investment.

What Are The Cons Of Using MasterClass?

The biggest argument against using MasterClass is the lack of feedback or grading that students receive. If you are serious about pursuing any of the subjects taught, having consistent expert feedback on your work will be critical to your growth. While hearing Aaron Sorkin or David Mamet pontificate on the finer points of their art might be helpful for an aspiring writer, it’s unlikely to have the same educational value as receiving careful, detailed feedback on your writing.

MasterClass is also not great for those whose interest only extends to one or two classes. Because there is no “a la carte” option and the only option is to pay upfront for a full year, it’s only a good investment if you intend to take many classes.

Masterclass vs Skillshare: A Comparison

Skillshare is an e-learning platform with a more extensive catalog of 29,000 video classes vs. just over 100 for MasterClass. Skillshare excels at offering niche instruction across a wide range of topics if that’s what you need. You can learn everything from python to piano on Skillshare for a comparable $15/month cost. 

Skillshare doesn’t offer the same level of talent quality from their instructors, especially in popular fields like Arts, Music, Entertainment, Sports, and Writing.

MasterClass vs Udemy: A Comparison

Udemy is another popular learning platform with an impressive list of 150,000 available courses. 

While MasterClass offers a subscription to attend a range of lectures from famous instructors, many seek to use Udemy to learn a specific new skill by taking one great course. In the Udemy model, students pay for each separate class. Udemy also allows anyone to submit a course on their platform, so you should expect the quality range to be stark compared to MasterClass’s production quality. 

How Can I Get The Most Out Of MasterClass?

The best way to get the most out of MasterClass is, primarily, to be open-minded and take as many classes as you can. 

A technologist might find inspiration from Es Devlin‘s process to transform something from a nebulous idea to a concrete form. 

A business executive may see their perceived limits differently after listening to Alex Honnold & Tommy Caldwell talk about their climbing careers. 

While I enjoy the occasional trip to a rock climbing gym, I didn’t watch this course for climbing tips. I loved watching Free Solo and was inspired to learn more. This week, the chance to start my day with a cup of coffee, scenes from climbing El Capitan, and insights from professional climbers inspired me to what is possible. 

MasterClass Review – Is It Worth The Cost?

We absolutely get value from MasterClass. For the exact monthly cost of our Netflix subscription, MasterClass provides a springboard for learning new concepts. 

MasterClass offers the opportunity to learn from top instructors in their fields and be inspired by their stories. These course modules can help learners think differently about a topic or further their understanding of something that has piqued a curiosity. The company hopes that an opportunity to hear from the world’s best can accelerate anyone’s learning on a topic, and we have experienced this value first hand. 

The 30-day money-back guarantee provides a generous window to test-drive this platform and watch a range of courses. Much like investing in a gym membership signals physical health as a priority, a MasterClass subscription is a commitment to continued learning and inspiration from new ideas.

If we can provide any further insights, please drop us a question in the comments section. 

Freelance work encompasses so many benefits: setting your own hours, working remotely from anywhere you’d like, and generating extra income. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a step towards a digital nomad career change, creative freelance work opens doors to a lot of opportunities. 

Getting started is the toughest part, but once you get the ball rolling, you can start building a consistent client base. In this article, we break down our top 6 choices for creative freelance work, how to learn the skills needed, and where to look for work. 

How to become a freelance creative professional

First things first, you need to learn the tricks of the trade. Domestika, the fastest-growing online learning platform for creative courses, has the goal of helping users reinvent themselves professionally. With their wide range of creative courses taught by industry experts, Domestika offers quality lessons for users to learn new skills and, in the process, build a creative portfolio to attract potential clients.

Once you’ve honed your skills and developed quality samples of your work, you’ll want to set up a profile and get approved on a freelance marketplace. The popularity and prices tend to vary from niche to niche, so make sure to check out a few. Fiverr, Upwork and Freelance are all popular options. And usually, approval to offer creative gigs happens the same day.

Now you’re ready to market your skills. While it can feel daunting to start from scratch, you have several advantages on your side.

First, you can study the busiest and most successful freelancers in your niche and replicate their offerings – no need to reinvent the wheel.

Second, we’d suggest starting a little cheaper than the average cost in the market. You don’t yet have customer ratings to make you stand out so make it easy for people to take a chance on you.

Finally, because you’re new, you can be faster and go above and beyond for your first few clients. This will pay dividends in the long run with return work and great ratings.

We know it’s hard to believe how easy it is to find people around the world who’ll value and pay for your skills. Now let’s look at the most popular creative freelance jobs to give you some inspiration to start your entrepreneurial journey today.

2024‘s Top 6 Best Creative Freelance Jobs

While there are nearly infinite niches and bundles to offer your freelance customers, some areas are showing more growth and popularity than others. While our advice is to focus where you have both the passion and skills, it’s also helpful to be mindful of what’s in demand.

And while we might disagree that transcription is a top creative freelance job (side note: my mom was both a transcriptionist and very crafty, so I’m throwing no shade) we do agree with Indeed on several of the other best freelance jobs for creative professionals.

So let’s dive into more detail on the skills needed for one of these top creative freelancer gigs. We’ve taken the liberty of highlighting the best courses from Domestika in each area. We also did some research on the best platform to market your creative services.

USE CODE SKILLSCOUTER-10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF ANY OF THE COURSES AVAILABLE.

Without further ado. Let’s count them down…

6. Freelance Graphic Designer or Illustrator

Think logo design, illustrations for a company’s social media, or designs for products. For those who would love to create illustrations or designs, but don’t know their way around Photoshop or Illustrator: Domestika has in-depth courses called Domestika Basics, where you get a complete walkthrough of professional creative software. For those who already are familiar with design software and want to build a portfolio, there’s a wide range of design courses available to choose from.

Here are a few:

Procreate for Beginners: Digital Illustration 101 (Basics)

Adobe Illustrator for Beginners (Basics)

Adobe Photoshop for Beginners (Basics)

Logo Design: From Concept to Presentation

Editorial Illustration for Magazines

Creative Patterns for Graphic Design

Where to find freelance graphic design and illustration work: Fiverr.com

5. UX Design and App Design

The future is now, and it’s in the apps on our phones and the experience users have online. User experience (known as UX) is very quickly rising in demand as companies start to pay more attention to how their clients experience their apps and websites. At Domestika, they have a variety of courses on the different aspects of UX.

Introduction to UX Design

UX Research 101

Introduction to Adobe XD (Basics)

App Design: Prototyping for Beginners

Where to find freelance UX work: most job websites including LinkedIn

4. Freelance Photographer

Yes, photography can be much more than just a hobby. A great place to start is by learning how to use a photographer’s two favorite software programs: Lightroom and Photoshop, then build your portfolio with product photography or brand photography for social media course. 

Adobe Lightroom Classic: A Beginner’s Guide (Basics)

Adobe Photoshop: Beginner’s Guide for Photographers (Basics)

Directing People for Portrait Photography

Creative Product Photography from Start to Finish

Lifestyle Brand Photography for Social Media

Where to find freelance photography work: Upwork.com

3. Branding and Social Media Management

Branding and social media go hand in hand. Branding is all about how customers perceive a product, and social media is one of the most important mediums to position a product. Both fields require strategizing content, engagement, as well as setting and reaching metric goals. 

Community Management Fundamentals

Instagram Strategy for Business Growth

Building a Personal Brand on Instagram

Brand Strategy for Online Platforms

Brand Strategy: Defining User Experience

Where to find social media management and branding work: Indeed.com 

2. Freelance Copywriter  

Copywriting is an excellent freelance job. Companies are always looking for new written content for their websites, articles, blogs, social media, etc. If you are interested in pursuing freelance copywriting but don’t have any experience, a great place to start is with a blog. Domestika has a number of writing and content marketing courses, which are very useful when starting out or when perfecting your tone and style.

Copywriting for Social Media

Blogging 101: Tone, Branding, and Strategy

Screenwriting Essentials: Create, Write, and Develop for TV

Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life

Where to look for freelance writing work: Fiverr.com or Freelance.com

1. E-commerce 

There’s nothing like being your own boss. Starting your own e-commerce business allows you to create something that expresses your own unique style, and you get to build something that is truly your own. Domestika has course options to start your own e-commerce business with little investment required, such as print-on-demand dropshipping, as well as courses to apply your illustrations on different products and how to sell them online.

Print-on-Demand for Creatives: Design and Sell Your Own Products

Digital Marketing Strategy: Build Your Online Presence

From Illustrations to Merchandise: Market Your Artwork

E-Commerce Fundamentals: Launching an Online Store from Scratch

Where to start: Shopify.com

When starting a new project, the first step is always the most difficult one. But as the famous saying goes: believe you can, and you’re halfway there. The best time to start your next project is now. If you’re interested in exploring the rest of Domestika’s course catalog, check them out here.

The best way to break out of routine and spark some creativity in your life is by picking up a new hobby. With the rise in popularity of online courses, the sky’s the limit for what you can learn. And when it comes to top-quality online courses, Domestika has got you covered. 

Domestika is the fastest-growing online learning platform for creative courses. What sets them apart is their professionally produced courses and their carefully curated teacher roster. Each course is filmed in-house by a production team in their studios across major international cities, and every teacher is handpicked by a team of recruiters. 

The best part is the genuine sense of community within their platform. Every student has their own profile where they can publish their work, which is a great way to get a feel for the course or get inspired by final projects. If you have a question about the course, you can post it in the class forum and get quick feedback from both the teachers and others taking the course.

USE CODE SKILLSCOUTER-10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF ANY OF THE COURSES AVAILABLE.

For more information on the Domestika platform and its offerings, check out our full review.

Learn a new creative hobby from home with Domestika

You might be wondering, what creative hobby should I do? Whether you want to learn a popular common hobby like sewing or cooking, or a hobby that’s a bit more unusual like making furniture out of concrete, Domestika has a course for you. Here’s a list of the best creative courses to pick up your next hobby from the comfort of your home.

Build your own original furniture 

There’s no better feeling than creating something useful with your own hands. Domestika has a great variety of courses to build furniture or upcycle and restore existing ones. Add some color to your home with a mosaic table, a resin lamp, or even a concrete coffee table!

• Design and Build a Resin Lamp
• Introduction to Mosaic Artwork
• Furniture Design and Construction for Beginners
• Concrete Furniture Creation for Beginners
• Creative Furniture Upcycling

Learn to sew, make jewelry, or design your own clothing

Give your wardrobe a makeover by making your own clothing or jewelry. Take out your sewing machine and make your first dress, or unwind by learning how to crochet. Who knows? Your next hobby could lead to your next statement fashion piece. 

• Resin Jewelry Design
• Sewing Machine 101: Make Your First Dress
• Creating Garments Using Crochet 
• Design and Make Brass Jewelry from Scratch 
• Textile Printing Techniques for Beginners

Make your own ceramics, paper crafts, and embroidery

Try your hand at a new creative craft by learning a new technique. These courses are great for teachers or parents of younger ones to spark their imagination, or simply for anyone who wants to make something beautiful with their hands. 

• Pop-up Book Creation
• Paper Cutting Techniques for Storytelling
• Paper Mache for Beginners: Sculpt a Colorful Character
• Creating Your First Ceramic Vessel 
• Realistic Embroidery Techniques 

Take a food design course

Whether you want to make delicious chocolate textures, detailed dessert designs, or a full-on four-course meal, the courses at Domestika can take your hobbies into the kitchen. Impress your next dinner guests after learning expert culinary techniques from professionals.

• Texture Design with Chocolate
• Food Styling: The Art of Plating
• Sugar Flowers for Cake Designs 
• Decorative Buttercream Flowers for Cake Design

Want to explore more courses? Domestika is a creative playground with a world of possibilities. Check out their entire selection of courses in English here. Your next hobby is just a click away!

In my 2021 Brilliant review, I focus on how this highly visual online platform and app can help you or your students learn new problem-solving skills in math, science and coding. Brilliant.org is an excellent supplement to classroom learning, especially since you can access much of the content for free.

With daily puzzles and games to explain complicated concepts with easy-to-understand animations, they’ll move all the way from fundamentals for beginners to challenging problems for advanced learners. 

Brilliant.org’s learning platform’s stated goal is to help students see math and science in a new way. Lectures are replaced by hands-on-keys problem-solving activities and games, allowing each of us to learn through play. Brilliant.org aims to help its community develop STEM intuition and learning through mastery instead of simple memorization.

On a personal note, our family loves the daily puzzles. Our 12-year-old enjoys the immediate feedback on her rank vs others who dared to solve today’s challenge.

Let’s dive in!

Brilliant Review 2024 | What Is Brilliant.org?

Brilliant is an online learning platform. Users can learn various STEM-based subjects through their interactive courses, which focus on concept mastery and comprehension. Brilliant is built upon the idea that everyone is a learner, and through encouraging curiosity, everyone can learn about science, math, and technology. It’s especially well known for turning complex concepts into fun, entertaining, and approachable concepts for the average learner.

Brilliant has been rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years. In 2020, more than 9 million registered Brilliant users were on the site, with its companion mobile app reaching 2 million uses each month.

With so much buzz about the product, many people wonder whether it’s worth it to jump in and start learning with Brilliant.

What Can You Learn On Brilliant.org?

Brilliant courses offered are exclusively STEM-related – no literature, history, or art here. However, they offer a wide breadth of STEM learning. The site offers seven different “learning paths,” educating users on Math, Science, Computer Science, Logic, Statistics & Finance, Software Development, Data Science, and Calculus & Advanced Maths.

Each learning path is comprised of several different courses which users can work through at their own pace. Popular courses include subjects like Quantum Computing, Special Relativity, Programming with Python, Computational Biology, and Artificial Neural Networks. 

The course material covers a surprisingly advanced level of study. For example, in math, the courses range from basic high school math fundamentals to the most advanced levels of linear algebra and differential equations. Here are a few more in each of focus just to give you a feel for their library of courses.

Brilliant Math Sample Courses

• Pre-Algebra
• Mathematical Fundamentals
• 3D Geometry
• Applied Probability
• Statisitics Fundamentals
• Trigonometry

Brilliant Science Sample Courses

• Scientific Thinking
• Physics of Everyday
• Classical Mechanics
• Quantum Computing
• Astrophysics

Brilliant Computer Science Sample Courses

• Computer Science Fundamentals
• Data Structures
• Algorithm Fundamenals
• Artificial Neural Networks
• Machine Learning
• Cryptocurrency

What Skill Levels Or Grade Levels Are On Brilliant.org?

The most basic levels of learning are approximately on par with a middle school level of math skills, depending on the student, and gradually progress through upper collegiate levels. While the platform isn’t appropriate for elementary children or younger, teens and adults alike will find the proper level of high quality STEM challenge for them.

Because of Brilliant’s technique of visual learning and whole-concept instruction, Brilliant may be an excellent resource for those who have struggled most of their life with scientific and mathematical learning.

How Can Brilliant.org Help Me?

Brilliant is an invaluable tool for students who need extra help with understanding their classwork. Many teens and college students report finding a lot of help on Brilliant with understanding concepts that they struggled to grasp with their college study alone or who used Brilliant as a way to brush up on subjects before returning to school in the fall. However, Brilliant isn’t just for students.

Perhaps like us, you’re parents of a middle schooler trying to help with challenging problems, but your explanations are only leading to more frustration? The animations and engaging problems will give you new ways to explain your thinking or give you a break while your student gets a tutorial on new concepts from Brilliant directly.

Maybe you’re an adult who teaches mathematical or scientific concepts daily. You will likely find Brilliant an invaluable resource. Teachers, professors, as well as professional engineers, and computer scientists will find inspiration in the online courses from Brilliant.org. And their daily puzzles tend to keep up with trending topics too. 

Even an adult learner who is simply curious about mathematical, scientific, or programming concepts you’re not familiar with will enjoy Brilliant. You’ll have lots of fun learning and engaging with new information, as no scientific or educational background is required to participate. Everyone is welcome.

This range of student needs highlights an essential feature of Brilliant, which is its self-paced nature. It allows those who are brushing up on old math skills or scientific concepts to quickly fly through the courses, while first-time learners can take their time to carefully master each skill before moving on to the next lesson.

How Much Does Brilliant.org Cost?

There are several features on Brilliant that are available for free. While the full courses and mobile app are only available to Brilliant Premium subscribers, much of the site is accessible for free users, like partial courses, daily challenges, portions of their wiki and practice questions.

The price for a Brilliant premium subscription is $24.99/month, which is on the higher end of the spectrum for a product of this type. However, there is a free 7-day trial, so you can take it for a test drive and see how you like it. For those looking to save a bit of money, you can also sign up for the annual subscription, which is one payment of $149 annually, that locks in just over 50% savings. Even better, if you know someone who is a subscriber, they can gift you a yearly subscription for $120 for the first year!

There are bulk order options too. If you’re hoping to sign up your whole family or your whole staff of employees, you can save even more by getting an annual group subscription for three or more people, starting at $299.88 per year. Or, if you can’t imagine going through middle school and high school without access to Brilliant.org, they even offer a lifetime subscription for one flat fee!

Does Brilliant Have A Free Trial?

Yes, while they don’t go out of their way to advertise it, Brilliant offers a free 7-day trial for new learners. If you have questions about the specific policy, they talk more about it on their helpful FAQ page.

Is Brilliant Fun?

Of all the online learning tools, Brilliant is one of the best at making the learning process engaging and interesting by gamifying many concepts and work. Rather than sitting through boring lectures, Brilliant feels more akin to playing puzzle games and active learning. Learners on Brilliant can use various educational tools, like quizzes, readings, and games, to never feel disengaged.

Brilliant even offers a mobile app (available for IOS in the App Store as well as for Android on Google Play) with games and activities, so it’s easy to take the learning on the road and keep practicing your new skills or picking up new ones while you’re on the go as well.

What Are People Saying?

Reviews for Brilliant are mainly positive, with people praising their fun puzzles, engaging learning experiences, and the fun they have when using the site. However, the primary criticisms target the site’s in-depth instruction, which users report is sometimes lacking. Suppose you’re aiming to study the highest level of theoretical math and science. In that case, you might find some of the instruction lacking and need to use supplemental materials to grasp the concepts fully.

How Does Brilliant Compare To Its Competitors?

Review of Brilliant vs Skillshare?

Skillshare and Brilliant do share a lot in common, as they are online learning platforms with unique courses that users can take. However, the two diverge significantly.

As far as content, Skillshare focuses much more on the humanities and the arts, with few STEM courses. The computer skills courses they offer concentrate more on design and development than coding and programming, and the courses in math and science are minimal. Skillshare also has less of an interactive element. Most of their learning is in a series of videos for users to watch rather than using interactive games and activities for education and practice.

In terms of price, there is little to no difference comparing Skillshare vs Brilliant. While Brilliant costs $24.99 per month, Skillshare starts at just $15. But remember, you can use the gift-giving trick to get your monthly fee for Brilliant down $10, well below that of Skillshare.

Review of Brilliant vs Khan Academy?

Khan Academy, while similar to Brilliant in content coverage, is very different in format. Khan Academy offers math and science courses, as well as courses in reading, humanities, economics, computing, and even life skills. The material is largely more appropriate for school children, but math and science extend to the college level.

However, the structure of Khan Academy is a lot less gamified, with the learning content primarily focused around videos, demonstrations, and lectures, with students being offered quizzes and practice problems. Khan Academy feels a lot more like a school learning model, whereas Brilliant makes learning fun, engaging, and accessible.

While Khan Academy is a great resource, it’s ultimately not as fun or engaging as Brilliant. However, Khan’s primary advantage over Brilliant is that Khan Academy is 100% free to use with no premium subscription required.

Review of Brilliant vs Coursera

We tend to think of Brilliant and Coursera as complements as opposed to competitors, as each serves a specific niche in the overall online learning space. So use Coursera to get access to college courses for credit and let Brilliants online puzzles and animations provide you alternative explanations when you’re confused.  

Summary Brilliant Review: Is Brilliant.org Worth It?

Hopefully, you found this Brilliant.org review helpful.

Suppose you are a beginner student with a focus in STEM, a rusty parent trying to assist their teenager with homework, or just someone interested in honing your mathematical or scientific skills. In that case, Brilliant is worth checking out.

Or if your kids want to supercharge their online learning, pair up Brilliant with the problem-solving techniques of Elon Musk’s Synthesis School.

And with a price tag less than Netflix, its fun games and thought-provoking puzzles will help you keep sharp and keep up on your work, study, or interests.

Whether you’re looking to boost your portfolio or pick up a new hobby, learning a new skill is at the heart of creative growth. At Domestika, the largest online creative community, curious minds from around the world enjoy professionally produced courses taught by renowned creative experts in a wide range of creative disciplines. With industry-leading teachers like Sagi Haviv in design, Karmen Loh in illustration, and Facebook’s Creative Director Ji Lee in marketing, Domestika is an ideal platform to reach new creative heights. 

The courses at Domestika range from introductory courses to area-specific niches for experienced users. So, whether you want to learn Adobe software from scratch, or explore something more specific like female character design for manga, or even boost the social media presence of your freelance portfolio with the latest marketing techniques, there’s a Domestika course waiting to be discovered.

Domestika Courses in English: Top Picks & Complete List

Discover the best courses in illustration, craft, design, and much more with this list of top-rated courses. Get inspired by the most popular courses on Domestika or keep reading to find the complete list of courses in English.

USE CODE SKILLSCOUTER-10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF ANY OF THE COURSES AVAILABLE.

Illustration courses to inspire your creativity 

Illustration is a world of infinite possibilities. From the classic techniques of watercolors or drawing to the digital tools of Photoshop or Illustrator, Domestika has a vast range of courses to choose from.

Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink by Alex Hillkurtz

Digital Fantasy Portraits with Photoshop by Karmen Loh (Bearbrickjia)

Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds by Sarah Stokes

Lighting Principles for Digital Painting by Samuel Smith

Get crafty with the best craft courses

One of the most popular categories at Domestika is craft. From making accessories from resin to creating custom garments with embroidery, Domestika is widely known for its extensive range of craft courses. Whether you’re a professional artist with a successful shop or a new creative hobbyist, you can’t go wrong.

Realistic Embroidery Techniques by Emillie Ferris

Introduction to Kintsugi: Repair Your Pottery with Gold by Clara Graziolino

Design and Build Miniature Interiors by Jessica Dance

Resin Jewelry Design by Mia Winston-Hart

Boost your professional career with marketing and business courses

With the ever-growing popularity of social media in the world of marketing, learning the tricks of Instagram and building a strong digital marketing strategy are essential tools to learn.

Instagram Strategy for Business Growth by Dot Lung

Transforming Your Creative Ideas into Personal Projects by Ji Lee

Copywriting for Social Media by Paul Anglin

E-Commerce Fundamentals: Launching an Online Store from Scratch by Ellie Rivers

Top Design Courses

Design encompasses a wide variety of fields, and the courses at Domestika cover a great number of design areas. With courses in UX design, visual branding, packaging design, logo design, and more, bringing your design ideas to life is made simple alongside professional designers.

Logo Design: From Concept to Presentation by Sagi Haviv

Presentation Design: Create a Professional Template by Katya Kovalenko

Adobe InDesign for Beginners by Jamie Sanchez Hearn

Contemporary Brand Identity: Using Verbal and Visual Branding by Michael Johnson

Learn to make animations and 3D designs 

From making fun motion graphic stickers for social media to creating 3D CGI with the powerful tools of Cinema4D and Octane Render, there is an entire universe to explore in 3D and animation.

Psychedelic Animation with Photoshop and After Effects by Klarens Malluta

3D Animation with Cinema 4D and Redshift for Beginners by Farid Ghanbari (RenderBurger)

Motion Graphics for Social Media: Create A Sticker Pack by Laurie Rowan

Digital Animation with Experimental Techniques by Danaé Gosset

Photography and video editing courses to get creative

Capturing the world around you through a lens is an art form; but learning how to film, take photographs, and edit your work with professionals is a powerful tool to have.

Lifestyle and Travel Photography by Julia Nimke

Beginner’s Photography: Basic Camera Use and Theory by Giulia Candussi

Creative Product Photography from Start to Finish by Weekend Creative

Adobe Photoshop: Beginner’s Guide for Photographers by Mikael Eliasson

Discover the top courses in typography and calligraphy

Letters have the ability to say more than words in the world of typography and calligraphy. Whether it be a meditative experience with expressive brush strokes, or an exploratory adventure by combining typeforms and animation, there’s always something new to discover.

Custom Letter Design with Procreate by Jimbo Bernaus

Shodo: Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy by Rie Takaeda

Introduction to Brush Lettering by James Lewis

Introduction to Designing with Letters by Abraham Lule

Complete List of Domestika Courses in English

With new courses posted on a regular basis, there’s always something new to learn at Domestika. Check out the rest of their courses in English here.

Domestika courses are produced in English, Spanish, and Portuguese with subtitles in many languages, so starting your next creative project has never been easier!

If you’d like to learn more, check out our full review of Domestika.