No matter what your profession is, advancing your skills is essential to building a successful creative career that can evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the workplace.
Parsons Continuing & Professional Education unlocks new pathways for professionals across industries to develop their existing skills, learn new ones, and contribute to their workplace in unique ways.
In each of Parsons’ online courses, learning connects with real-world experience.
Ali Krukowski , a marketing professional, enrolled in Digital Layout: Adobe InDesign to develop and expand her skills.
"While I came into the course with some experience using InDesign, my skill set has expanded significantly, and I now feel far more confident using the program," Krukowski said.
Upon finishing the course, in which she produced professional-grade portfolio work, Ali realized that she had mastered more than just the technical aspects of InDesign.
"Completing this course strengthens the next step in my career by improving how I collaborate with graphic designers and communicate design concepts," she said. "It also supports the growth of my personal creative projects, including developing visual identities for friends’ businesses, a nonprofit I volunteer with, and future independent projects. Overall, this course has helped me continue to grow professionally in the creative space and expand the scope and quality of the work I am able to produce."
In the Fashion Merchandising online course , merchandiser Gwyneth Heefner built a portfolio that became the backbone of her professional website. She learned how to create a brand mission statement, make pricing projections, develop marketing materials and a merchandising plan, and conduct a SWOT analysis.
"I developed a lot of research skills and was introduced to new resources like the trend forecasting company WGSN, which was helpful in researching trends. I also had the opportunity to analyze other brands’ merchandising strategies, which helped me better understand how and why brands have been successful."
Heefner also valued the opportunity the instructor, Susanna Moyer , provided to explore the wide-ranging aspects of the work and approach it as if in a professional setting.
"I enjoyed the creative freedom we were given and the opportunity to turn an idea into a business and merchandise it as our own," Heefner said.
Dalia Al Gazzali decided to pursue a Parsons Clo3D Virtual Fashion Design Certificate in preparation for a career creating customized accessories. In the Clo3D Design: Surface Design, Trims, and Hardware course , she used Clo3D software to create and develop designs for topstitching and hardware—essential parts of the accessories she makes.
"As I am targeting working on heritage projects," she said, "this course will help me to create customized accessories."
"The training will help me carry out my work on a higher level."
Across Parsons’ online courses , students build practical, portfolio-ready work while developing the technical, creative, and strategic skills needed to grow in their careers. Whether expanding existing expertise or exploring new directions, each course provides opportunities to apply learning in real-world contexts and produce work that supports long-term professional goals.
Interested in learning more? Call us at 332.239.2292, email cpe.advisor@newschool.edu , or reach out to us via LiveChat .