Waves of new technologies, security threats, and AI capabilities keep reshaping the IT landscape. At times, it can feel like you're navigating a fast-moving river, expending all your energy just to stay afloat. The challenge isn't simply keeping your head above water; it's learning new strokes, reading the currents, and steering toward where you want to go next.

Fortunately, Cornell offers a broad ecosystem of learning opportunities designed to help IT staff strengthen technical expertise, explore emerging technologies, and build the professional skills needed for long-term career growth.

Once you've decided where you want to go, the next step is choosing the right craft. A curated collection of training and professional development resources helps Cornell IT professionals chart their own course, whether they're building foundational skills, pursuing leadership development, earning industry certifications, or diving deeper into areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and security.

The collection brings together a wide range of learning options, including self-paced online platforms, instructor-led workshops, certification preparation, organizational change management training, and career development resources. Employees can explore offerings through LinkedIn Learning, Skillsoft, Workday Learning, eCornell, Pluralsight, AWS Skill Builder, and other programs that support both immediate job responsibilities and long-term professional growth.

For those interested in AI, the collection also highlights opportunities across the university, from AI literacy programs and short workshops to advanced learning pathways covering topics such as large language models, AI strategy, and agentic AI.

Many resources are available on demand, making it easier to fit learning into busy schedules. Others offer structured workshops, guided learning paths, certifications, continuing education credits, and opportunities to learn alongside colleagues.

For employees who aren't sure where to begin, several platforms can help identify areas for growth and suggest personalized learning paths.

"You don't need to have your entire career path mapped out before you start learning," said Julia Leonard, a program assistant in the IT Customer Experience group. "Tools in LinkedIn Learning and Skillsoft can recommend learning paths based on your current role or areas of interest. Whether you're building skills for your current position or exploring a future role, they can help you identify gaps and find training to close them. When new opportunities arise, you're already moving in that direction."

While platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and Workday Learning may be familiar to many employees, other resources can sometimes fly under the radar. The collection also includes leadership development programs, employee education benefits, specialized technical training, certification opportunities, and resources designed to help employees explore new career directions.

Whether you're looking to strengthen existing skills, prepare for a certification, expand your leadership capabilities, or explore an entirely new area of technology, Cornell's IT Professionals Learning Hub page offers a starting point.

"We have an abundance of learning opportunities across Cornell," said Leonard. "The challenge is helping people see the full range of what's available. Once they start exploring, they often discover resources, learning paths, and professional development opportunities they didn't know existed."

Explore the IT Professionals Learning Hub and discover opportunities that can help you move beyond treading water and prepare for what's next.