We rounded up a list of Miami’s best places to learn new skills: local organizations and makerspaces that can help you supplement your resume, change your career path, or just learn handy things—all for real grown-ups like us.
The Idea Center at Miami-Dade College
The Idea Center teaches skills for a world where technology is always evolving, like social media marketing, design thinking, Google Analytics, and coding. If you think you can’t commit because of time constraints, you’ve got no excuses – they have everything from full-on 12-week programs to workshops, events, and conferences.
Refresh Miami
Refresh is SoFlo’s largest tech/entrepreneurial community. They help you stay on top of tech trends through workshops, speakers, and networking events (Refresh is a membership-based organization.) They also have an uber helpful calendar of tech-related events on their site so you can find stuff that fits your schedule.
Moonlighter
For designers, makers, and overall handy-persons, we suggest Moonlighter – a local makerspace where creatives can learn or practice skills like 3-D printing and laser cutting. Here, you can see your own designs come to life or attend free workshops on things like sustainable up-cycling. Moonlighter is kid-friendly, and teaches young tykes skills like creative problem-solving and design thinking through modular electronics, so your kids can be smarter and cooler than you.
Miami Industrial Arts
Miami Industrial Arts is the place to go if you want to get hands-on and connect to your inner Ron Swanson. Although you’re taking it back and learning age-old skills like woodworking, welding, and ceramics, this makerspace is anything but basic. At M.I.A. you can take classes to learn the fundamentals, and after you’ve finished your course you can buy a membership for full access to its factory floor.
Wyncode
Located in the heart of Wynwood, Wyncode has established itself as Miami’s leading coding academy. The bootcamp’s first placement report claims that 97 percent of its graduates find jobs after graduation. Even if you aren’t planning to leave your job for the life of an engineering ninja, learning skills like web development can be a great way to boost your resume and expand your knowledge in an age where tech touches every industry.
Venture Cafe
Maybe you’re looking for a new hobby, group, or volunteer project. We recommend hitting up the weekly Venture Cafe. Meetups are great for a couple of reasons: You’ll find people doing dope things, and it’s always there, so even if you miss a week, you can catch the next one. Venture Cafe is all about innovation, connecting people across Miami’s burgeoning startup community, so if you’ve got a free Thursday and need some inspo (or a free beer), stop by.