Creativity and innovation are not one and the same. Creativity is the generation of new ideas by individuals and teams. Innovation is the process of converting those ideas into new products, business practices, and strategies that create value. It's a meaningful distinction because creativity needs to be translated into something concrete for it to generate value. Protecting and nurturing new ideas, and bringing them to fruition, is the basis of innovation. That innovation takes place in and through organizations making it more complex. Leaders of organizations of all sizes and types hope to encourage creativity in their employees. Eliciting creative and innovative ideas within a group, team, or organization has become a crucial skill.

This course is designed for those who are new to learning online. It will prepare you with strategies to be a successful online learner by answering the following questions: • How do I take notes during live or recorded instruction? What’s the difference? • What’s the point of discussions and how should I participate in them to get the most value? • What can I do if I have trouble concentrating or lack time to complete assignments? • What is the ideal study environment?

This course focuses on teaching you how to brand yourself professionally. What is brand? And how do you maintain your personal brand? The assignments in this course discuss the value of personal branding, the way to craft your personal brand statement, and finally, the best methods for communicating your personal brand to clients, employers, and other industry professionals.

As a person with unique gifts to offer, it is your responsibility to use your talents wisely and it is your right to enjoy yourself while doing so. In this class we will learn what it takes to develop career-enhancing skills that include: goal setting, time management, and personal organization. You will learn the crucial steps it takes to improve your creative abilities, gain confidence and minimize conflict in your life. Just as a successful business requires a mission and a plan, so does a fulfilling life.

Perhaps you have been in charge of your finances since you started working an after school job in high school, or maybe you are suddenly feeling overwhelmed with allocating the salary from your first job out of college. No matter what your financial situation is, it is important to understand how to handle your money. This course will familiarize you with the basics of budgeting, credit, saving, and investing.

For many people, simply hearing the word “stress” increases their heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and anxiety level. Regardless of one’s place in the world, all people face many difficulties every day that can cause them stress. But stress is not a thing; rather, it is how the body responds to things, called stressors. Stressors cannot really be eliminated, but people can learn to manage their own response to everyday stressors, leading them to a healthier body and a more positive outlook on life. This course discusses stress, the impact personal stress has on one’s health, and several ways people can learn to manage their personal stress levels.

If your current methods of coping with stress isn’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. Managing your stress begins with identifying the stress sources in your life. Although it isn't as easy as it sounds, our Personal Stress Reduction course will help you find these sources and take charge of your thoughts, emotions and the way you deal with problems. Included in our course discovering what stress is, how to relax and connect with your mind and body, and how to change your perspective and handle your life better.