Grow your employment potential with one of these free online courses

Scrolling through endless job postings and firing off resumes can start to feel monotonous once you’ve been at it a while. It definitely doesn’t inspire the kind of focus and motivation you want to channel when applying for your dream job! One simple way to reinvigorate your job search — that’s totally physical-distancing-friendly — is to take an online course.

Upping your skills and know-how is something our YMCA Employment Specialists suggest to clients all the time, even pre-COVID-19. Gaining new credentials that are relevant to your field helps expand your employment potential. They add another proof point to your resume, showing (rather than just claiming) that you have what your future employer is looking for. Not to mention, mastering a course will give you the boost of confidence and inspiration you need to dive back into those applications, or ace your next interview.

To get you started, our employment team put together a list of just a few of the online learning opportunities you can try right now, at home.

1. Harvard University is offering 75 free online courses ranging from computer science to accounting to public policy.


2. Codecademy’s free hands-on program will have you writing real code in the very first module!


3. Springboard is the place to go for tech and digital training, including web development, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.


4. On Coursera, you can stream lectures from top universities and companies, then test your new skills with quizzes and hands-on projects.


5. You can get a whole month’s worth of training on LinkedIn through their free trial offer. They’ve got thousands of courses on really specific topics, like Excel how-tos, as well as big-picture skills, like creativity and strategic thinking.


6. Learn at your own pace at Khan Academy, a not-for-profit dedicated to bringing everyone a world-class education — for free.


7. Alison, a global online learning community, is currently offering over 600 free online courses on everything from makeup artistry to Japanese.


8. Get access to 1500 free online courses from top universities on Open Culture.


9. The Learning Hub can help set you up for success if you’re about to try for your GED or start an apprenticeship.

With thousands of learning opportunities to choose from, you’re sure to find a free online course that will help boost your employment potential. Not sure where to start? Our YMCA Employment Specialists are working remotely right now to provide you with free support and guidance. Book your virtual appointment today!