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50 Inexpensive Short Courses That Can Improve Workers’ Resumes

Shannon August 3, 2021

Whether you are looking to make a career change, start a new business, or if you are just interesting in learning a new skill, there is always some way you can improve your life. It’s even better if you can put the things you learn on your resume. Considering the outlandish price of a college degree, you would be shocked to see all of the valuable information you can learn to expand your career options for just $50 or less. Make sure to keep scrolling to the end, where we go over all of the free courses you can take online to improve your professional skills.

Social media marketing is incredibly important for modern businesses. Credit: Shutterstock

50. Social Media Marketing: $12

Nowadays, social media is a huge driving force in sales. Businesses everywhere are looking to young people to help them figure out Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Corporations and even celebrities rely on Social Media professionals to help run those accounts. The Social Media Management 2019 Manager Bootcamp is on Udemy for just $12, and there are other individual course on specific platforms, if you want to go more in-depth with your knowledge.

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If you learn CPR and First Aid, you just might save a life. Credit: Shutterstock

49. CRP and/or First Aid Certification: $25

There are many jobs out there that require you to be certified in CPR and First Aid, including professional nannies and lifeguards. Even if you do not plan to get a job that requires the certification, you never know when you may need to save someone’s life. The American Red Cross offers classes for $25 each. So for a total of $50, you can learn both skills, and add it to your resume.

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Cooking gourmet meals is impressive, and fun. Credit: Shutterstock

48. Gourmet Cooking at Sur La Table: $50+

There is something truly impressive about someone who can cook a really delicious gourmet meal. This skill may not help you get a job, unless you work in the food industry. But it could seriously give you brownie points in your personal life, and it may even be a great idea for a date night. Sur La Table is a kitchen supply store, but they have a fully stocked professional kitchen. They have cooking classes that start at $50, and go up well over $100, depending on what you are cooking. The price includes the cost of the food, and they sometimes allow you to keep free kitchen products, as well.

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Knowing Microsoft Office is essential in the modern workplace. Credit: Shutterstock

47. Microsoft Office Suite Certification: $39.

In this day and age, knowing how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint is essential for finding almost any job. Some people who lost their jobs during the 2008 recession struggled to find new employment, because they did not know these skills. If you personally struggle with these programs, you may want to find a course at your local community center, or county college. They typically cost just $50. There is also a $39 Groupon for Career Academy, where you can take courses online. If you truly cannot afford this price, check YouTube for free videos, as well. A certification may not be necessary, as long as you know how to use the programs proficiently.

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Businesses rely on digital marketing now more than ever.Credit: Shutterstock

46. The Complete Digital Marketing Super Bundle: $37

If you are interested in started a blog or an online business, there is a lot to learn about SEO and digital marketing. Entrepreneur.com has The Complete Digital Marketing Super Bundle for $37. It includes lessons about Facebook Ads, SEO, Affiliate Marketing, and so much more. The course is a whopping 57 hours long, as well, so you get a ton of information for your money. It will also look great on your resume in addition to a college degree.

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How do you know you are hiring the right job candidate? Credit: Shutterstock

45. Interviewing Skills: $50

If you find yourself in a management position, whether it be your own company or someone else’s, you might be tasked at interviewing potential candidates for a new job. This can be intimidating, especially if there is no one guiding you on how to make good choices. ZeroRisk HR has a $50 online course that only takes 2 hours to complete. Even if you are not a manager, but you are hoping to apply to a management position, this might be a good job skill to acquire, first.

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You may want to get a crash course in graphic design before enrolling in a full program. Credit: Shutterstock

44. Graphic Design Bootcamp: $15

Have you thought about studying graphic design, but you’re not sure if it’s truly worth the time and money investing in getting a Bachelor’s Degree? Design is one of those things that takes a lot of practice, and you truly can prove that you are good enough, so long as you have a good portfolio to show to potential employers. Getting this certificate may not replace a degree in graphic design, but it will help go over the essentials of what you need to know. Entrepreneur’s Graphic Design Bootcamp program is only $15, and it takes 8 hours to complete.

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Writing movie scripts is competetive, but it can be fun and fulfilling. Credit: Shutterstock

43. Screenwriting $34.99

Do you have an amazing idea for a movie, but you just don’t know how to sell your script? Creating a great screenplay does not necessarily require you to go to film school. There is a course on UDemy called Inspirational Screenwriting, and it’s just $34.99. It is one of the highest-rated courses on the website. There are 3 sample videos, so you can get a taste of the lessons before you choose to buy it, or not.

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It’s a good idea to at least have a base knowledge of wine culture. Credit: Shutterstock

42. Wine Tasting: $10 and Up

If you find yourself going on fancy business meetings at upscale restaurants, the wine menu can seem intimidating. There are so many different names, and it takes some real effort to memorize them all. And yes- there is a proper etiquette to drinking wine that might be a dead giveaway that you don’t know anything about it. If you want to get more knowledge about wine, it’s possible to get an in-depth wine tasting classes for under $40. General tastings at vineyards and wineries are usually $10 or less, as well. So instead of paying for a single course, you could also visit multiple wineries, and learn as you go.

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A lot of people get nervous about public speaking. Credit: Shutterstock

41. Public Speaking: $19

If you are in a leadership position, or making presentations is part of your job, then you need to have some public speaking skills. Most people take a class in college, but if this was not required during your degree, it’s not too late to take it. Mashable has a 2-hour online course that is just $19. Of course, if you are doing this online, you won’t be able to practice in front of a room of people, like you would in a real school. Check your local community center or county college, as well.

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Self publishing on Amazon is a booming business. Credit: Shutterstock

40. Self-Publishing Books on Amazon: Free (Or $5.99)

There is a saying that “everyone has at least one book in them”. Maybe you are an aspiring fiction writer, or you feel like having a nonfiction book on Amazon would cement your credibility in your field. If you’re not sure where to start, check out Write, Publish, Repeat, which you can purchase on Kindle for $5.99, or $21.99 on Audible. Once you have those base concepts covered, start listening to the Rocking Self Publishing Podcast, hosted by Simon Whistler, which is totally free.

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Successful people are usually great at soft skills. Credit: Shutterstock

39. Soft Skills $20

One of the things that successful people all have in common is that they have great soft skills. The definition of “soft skills” are emotional intelligence, organization, creativity, time management, customer service, etc. These may come naturally to some people, but for others, they may truly struggle, and it may get in the way of job performance. Mashable has a bundle filled with tons of different skill sets for just $20.

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Struggle to manage your stress levels at work? There are ways to cope with that. Credit: Shutterstock

38. Stress Management: $13

Have issues with stress in the work place? That may come in the way of getting along with your bosses and co-workers, or you may find that it spills over into your personal life at home. Mashable provides a short 1-hour course with 40 different techniques to reduce the amount of stress you have in your life. If you take these lessons to heart, $13 is a small price to pay to lower your blood pressure and improve your quality of life.

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Body language is incredibly important in social situations, as well as the work place. Credit: Shutterstock

37. Body Language: $20

Understanding body language is essential to succeeding in your personal life, as well as the workplace. By understanding how to interpret someone’s body language, you will be able to tell if people are flirting with you, and so much more. If you tend to struggle with reading body language, or if you are curious to find out any hidden secrets, Udemy has a course that is only 2 hours long, for just $20.

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Raspberry Pi is a great skill to learn if you are studying computer science. Credit: Shutterstock

36. Raspberry Pi: $19

If you are studying computer science, learning how to use a Raspberry Pi may come in handy. Keep in mind that this $19 price tag on Entrepreneur.com is only for the course on how to use it, and does not include the actual computer itself. You can find them on Amazon for around $100 or less, depending on the model and the accessories that come with your Raspberry Pi.

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Pitching your skills and business ideas are an essential part of being an entrepreneur. Credit: Shutterstock

35. Learn How to Pitch Yourself: $12

When you first become an entrepreneur, you may struggle with the famous “elevator pitch”, which is a short summary of what you do for a living, and what your business is. Some people are truly charismatic, and can get other people to become exciting about their business, too. If you want to learn how to do that, check out “Market Your Message, Ignite Curiosity, Inspire Action” by Udemy.

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Adobe In-Design is an essential program to learn for graphic designers. Credit: Shutterstock

34. Adobe Illustrator: $30

If you are interested in graphic design career, and you already took the crash course we mentioned earlier in this list, the next step in the process might be to learn Adobe Illustrator. Udemy has a course that will take you from a beginner’s level onwards for just $30. There are also a lot of free videos on YouTube that you can find to help you, as well.

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The Konmari Method can help your organization skills. Credit: Shutterstock

33. The Konmari Method Free to $60.

You may have seen the Netflix Original Series called Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, and you basically understand the ins and outs of her “Konmari Method” for free. (Minus the cost of your Netflix subscription, of course.) However, if you want to take it one step further, there is a Konmari Method class on Udemy. Yes- We know, it’s more than $50. However, there are other ways to learn her method for cheap, like the Kindle ebook of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

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In today’s world, taking great photos on the iPhone is an essential part of social media. Credit: Shutterstock

32. iPhone Photography $50

Nearly everyone has an iPhone nowadays, which means the camera in your pocket is more powerful than many professional digital cameras of just a few years ago. And yet there are some people out there who seem to be masters of making their Instagrams look professional using their phone more than others. If you are an aspiring blogger, you may want to learn iPhone Photography from Udemy for $50.

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Creating a good presentation is essential for budding entrepreneurs. Credit: Shutterstock

31. Presenting and Selling Your Business Idea $30

Do you have a business idea, but you just don’t know how to get it across to other people? Investors are really only willing to put their hard-earned money into people who are proving that they can do the work and get the job done on their own. But with the help of some extra cash flow, the business can be taken to the next level. In order to attract investors, you need to know how to present and sell your idea, first. Seth Godin is a famous author and public speaker, and he has done his own Udemy course called “On Powerful Presentations” for just $30.

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Apparently, animal reiki can help anxious pets calm down. Credit: Shutterstock

30. Get Certified in Animal Reiki. $50

Reiki is a healing massage technique that it supposed to help people relax. Some believe that is also helps to improve the flow of spiritual energy. Believe it or not, people sometimes want it done on their dogs and cats, as well. For $50, you can become certified in Animal Reiki. Just keep in mind that unless you live somewhere that appreciates something like this, you may not make your money back finding clients. If there is not a huge demand for the service, you might not be able to sell it as a package deal. But if may help your own pets, or be a great add-on if you work with animals professionally already.

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A lot of people claim that practicing mindfulness helped improve their quality of life. Credit: Shutterstock

29. Mindfulness: $11

A lot of people feel that their lives sort of drag from one day to the next, or they are so stressed out with a million things on their mind. If you tend to forget to enjoy life around you, it may be a good idea to study mindfulness. The idea behind mindfulness is to help people calm their mind, and be able to get to a moment of zen. Mashable has a Mindfulness course for just $11, and there are also plenty of free videos on YouTube, as well.

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There are plenty of people out there who make a full-time career out of copywriting. Credit: Shutterstock

28. Copywriting $18

Businesses like to hire copywriters to help them come up with product descriptions, tag lines, and blog posts. Entrepreneur.com has a “Master Writing Bundle” for $14. The bundle includes 4 different classes, with each one having 1 to 2 hours of content. It goes over creative writing skills, creating writing that sells well, improving your craft, and starting your own writing business.

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In today’s world cyber security is extremely important. Credit: Shutterstock

27. Cyber Security Certification: $20

If you have an IT background, and you considered getting into security, the IT Security Certification bundle is available on Entrepreneur.com. This course actually has a ‘pay what you want’ model, which means that you can go as low as $1 to get the course, but they recommend giving at least $20 towards the creators. There are 9 different courses, and each of them go for roughly 10 to 20 hours each.

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Learning personal finance can help improve your life. Credit: Shutterstock

26. Personal Finance $16

For whatever reason, they don’t teach personal finance in High School, even though they really should. Plenty of people even graduate from college, and they still do not know how to write a check or make a budget. If this sounds like you, maybe you should considered the Personal Finance Bundle on Entrepreneur.com. They have a pay-what-you-want model, so you could go as low as $1, but most people pay around $16.

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Photoshop is extremely useful for all different kinds of creative businesses. Credit: Shutterstock

25. Adobe Photoshop: $20

Whether you are an amateur photographer, or thinking about starting a career in graphic design, it is going to be essential for you to learn Adobe Photoshop. Udemy has a course called Learn Adobe Photoshop From Scratch, and it’s just $20. Once you get over the initial steps of how to use the program, you could always look up free videos on YouTube. Keep in mind that for absolute beginners, you probably need a course like this, because YouTubers tend to move pretty quickly through their tutorials. So it helps to have some level of familiarity, first.

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SketchUp is a program that helps make 3D models of homes. Credit: Shutterstock

24. Create 3D Models of Homes on SketchUp: $50

On nearly every design show you have ever seen, home owners get to see a 3D model of their new house before they agree to a full-blown makeover. This is done on a program called SketchUp, and if you are considering becoming an architect or interior design, you should probably learn how to use it. Sketchup is free for the first 30 days, and then you have to pay a couple hundred dollars per year to use it. For $50, you can take the “Master Sketchup” course on Udemy, and use those 30 days of your free trial to the fullest.

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Interior designers help transform a home. Credit: Shutterstock

23. Interior Design: $13

If you love watching HGTV, you just might have dreams of becoming an interior designer. The only trouble is that many colleges do not even offer interior design classes, unless you move somewhere like Los Angeles or New York. Thankfully, you can take an online class to get started. Udemy has a $13 online class called “Interior Decorate Like a Boss”. The first class is just one hour long, but there are multiple lessons available to purchase, if you decide that you enjoy the format.

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Learning Chinese may come in handy. Credit: Shutterstock

22. Mandarin Chinese: Free, or $50 Certification

China has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and it is a hub of manufacturing. If you work for a major corporation, chances are there are opportunities for people who know how to speak Mandarin. If this is something you might be interested in, you can take Mandarin Chinese Essentials on edX. It is a 5-week course, and you can take it for free. But if you want the official certificate proving that you completed the course, it is $50. There is also a second course, Mandarin for Business, that you could move on to after earning the first certificate.

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Starting a podcast can help you to get your voice heard. Credit: Shutterstock

21. Podcasting: $35

Nowadays, almost everyone has a podcast. Sometimes, it’s just a fun way to talk with your friends about your interests. But they truly can be useful if you are trying to promote one of your projects, or cement your expertise in your chosen career path. Udemy has a course called Professional Podcast Production for just $35 that will take you through all of the steps to starting a podcast from A to Z.

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Graphic designers can earn a living creating book covers for authors. Credit: Shutterstock

20. Book Cover Design $40

Most people judge a book by its cover, whether they like to admit it or not. A book needs to be eye catching, but it should also fit into the conventions of the genre. If you are a graphic designer, or a self-published author who is trying to make their own cover, check out “Book Covers Made Easy Using Free Canva and Gimp Software” on Udemy. Of course, this specific course is geared towards people who cannot afford Adobe Photoshop, which is normally very expensive. However, if you have Photoshop, this class can still give you some great tips on how to get your cover done.

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eBay can be a lucrative work-from-home business. Credit: Shutterstock

19. Selling on eBay: $40

For anyone who is trying to work from home, selling on eBay may be a great option. On eBay.com, they give you some free basic advice videos on their “How to Sell” page. But after this point, you may still feel confused on some of the finer details. Udemy has a “Learn How to Sell on eBay” course for $40. They go over some basic advice, as well as some advanced details on drop-shipping, and sourcing wholesale products to resell.

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In some cases, taking a crash course in MBA fundamentals is more useful than actually earning the degree. Credit: Shutterstock

18. An MBA (Kind of.) $12

A $12 Master’s of Business degree sounds too good to be true, right? “An Entire MBA in 1 Course” sounds like hyperbole, but for anyone who has taken business classes, you know that sometimes, the fundamental lessons could be watered down into a few key takeaways, instead of dragging it out into an entire semester. This is exactly what this online Udemy class aims to do. This may also be a great option for anyone out there who is considering going to Business School, but they are not sure if it would be worth the money.

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If you are searching for a job, having a LinkedIn profile is essential for networking. Credit: Shutterstock

17. LinkedIn and Professional Networking: $12

College will teach you a lot about how to become an expert in certain topics, but it doesn’t always give you the tools you need to actually get hired. If you have recently graduated, Udemy has a course called “The Complete Job Interview, Resume, and LinkedIn Network Guide” that will help guide you through the process of uploading your resume on LinkedIn, crafting cover letters, and networking with other professionals in your field.

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Social psychology can help you interact with people around you on a daily basis. Credit: Shutterstock

16. Social Psychology: $12

It is essential to get along with other people in the workplace. Even if you work alone, you usually still have to communicate with clients. If you find that it’s hard to get along with your co-workers, or even difficult to make friends in your personal life, you may want to check out “Social Psychology” on Udemy. For just $12, it just might help your social life.

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Diversity in the workplace is extremely important. Credit: Shutterstock

15. Diversity in the Workplace: $12

In today’s world, we know that white men are now the only ones who should be getting desirable positions in the workplace. If your company has told you that it’s time to hire women and people of color, it may be time to take the course called “Diversity for Dummies: Making Multiculturalism Work.” It is available for just $12 on Udemy.

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If you are an entrepreneur, business analytics are key to success. Credit: Shutterstock

14. Business Analytics and Data: $12

If you received a liberal arts degree in college, you may have been required to take Statistics. But you may have had a bad professor, or just found it to be very boring. However, if you are starting a business, analyzing statistics is actually vital to the growth of your brand. On Udemy, there is a course called “Statistics for Business Analytics and Data Science” for just $12. This will give you all of the necessary information you need to analyze data and succeed.

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Want to make an app? You need to learn the basics first. Credit: Shutterstock

13. The Basics of App Development: $12

Making smartphone apps is a very difficult process that may take years of learning how to code. But if it is something you are even considering as a career path, check out the class called “iOS 10 & Swift 3: From Beginner to Paid Professional” on Udemy. This will give you a very broad overview of what needs to be done in order to make an app. From there, you can decide if you want to continue your education, or possibly hire a professional to help create your app idea, instead.

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Spanish is extremely common as a second language in the United States. Credit: Shutterstock

12. Spanish: $12 and up (Or Free)

In the United States, Spanish is one of the most commonly spoken languages, after English. And if you live anywhere near the Mexican border, it is practically mandatory that you learn how to speak the language, in order to get along with your neighbors. Udemy has a course called “Conversational Spanish Made Easy” for just $12. There are also free apps, like DuoLingo, which will help you learn new vocabulary, as well.

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In business, there is an appropriate way to write e-mails and contracts. Credit: Shutterstock

11. Business Writing: Free

When you begin working in a professional environment, there are high standards for how you should compose e-mails, reports, and so much more. If you need help brushing up your skills, check out “High Impact Business Writing”, which is offered by the UCI Division of Continuing Education on Coursera. Since the class is totally free, you really do not have much to lose with this one. Even if you do not have an impressive white-collar job yet, this course can help you develop the skills that just might get you to the next level.

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Entrepreneurs should learn to use e-mail marketing tools. Credit: Shutterstock

10. Email Marketing: Free

If you have a business, podcast, or if you are trying to sell products, you may want to get your audience signed up for a mailing list. This helps to foster a sense of community, but it also helps bring in loyal customers whenever you put out a new product. Hubspot offers The Essential Crash Course on Modern eMail Marketing, which explains all of the finer details about why you should have a mailing list, and how to get it started.

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Need to write a speech? This class will help you do it. Credit: Shutterstock

9. Speech Writing: Free

Whether you are running for class president, or trying to give an important presentation in your company, there may come a time where you have to put your public speaking skills to the test. Coursera has a class simply called “Speech Writing”, and you can take it online for free. This will help you craft a great essay to keep people’s attention, instead of having them fall asleep in the audience.

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Negotiating can be an art, and you need to know how to master it. Credit: Shutterstock

8. Negotiation: Free

Whether you are planning to start a career as a lawyer, business person, or entrepreneur, you may find yourself in a situation where it is necessary to negotiate. Most Law and Business Schools will teach you this as part of the course curriculum, but if you did not study those fields, it’s likely that no one ever stopped to tell you what to do. Lucky for you, it’s possible to take a free class on Coursera called “Negotiation Skills”.

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Python is a coding language, and it can be very useful to know. Credit: Shutterstock

7. Learn to Code Python: Free

Python is a coding language that is considered to be a higher-level language, at least compared to HTML or CSS. So while this class is free, it is not necessarily the best for beginners. If you already have a bit of coding experience under your belt, you should check out Google’s Python Class, which is available for free. CodeAcademy and Khan Academy also have similar programs available for students willing to learn, as well.

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Coding is extremely valuable in the job market. Credit: Shutterstock

6. HTML and CSS: Free

CodeAcademy is an amazing website that will let you learn coding languages for free. If you are interested in web development, you may want to get started with HTML and CSS. These classes are extensive, and you can learn at your own pace. This is a great option for anyone who cannot afford to pay for a college tuition, but they still want to learn the skills necessary to become a programmer.

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It’s possible to take free online classes through HarvardX. Credit: Shutterstock

5. Take a Harvard Class Online: Free

This sounds too good to be true, right? Harvard University is notoriously expensive, but they actually partnered with edX to bring certain classes online for free, with their program called HarvardX. Unfortunately, taking this class does not make you an official Harvard student, and you can’t earn college credit, either. But it truly does look impressive on your resume to show that you have at least some form of Ivy League education.

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YouTube provides free training for aspiring film makers. Credit: Shutterstock

4. YouTube Creator Academy: Free

Becoming a YouTuber is like the new movie star. Instead of going on auditions or paying thousands of dollars to make a student film, people can now buy a relatively inexpensive camera, and upload videos immediately. The YouTube Creator Academy has a ton of free information to help newbies get started. There is also the official YouTube Creators Channel, where many different professionals give their advice on the finer details of being successful on the platform.

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Learning how to use Google Ads can be useful. Credit: Shutterstock

3. Google Ads Academy: Free

Business owners have the opportunity to use Google Ads to help their content rank high in a certain keyword. There is a full-on Google Ads Academy that explains how it works. Admittedly, this is only going to be helpful if you already have an established business, and a hefty budget to help you, as well. But since this academy is free, it just may be worth your time to see if it’s a good fit for your business.

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Selling on Etsy is a valuable tool for artists and crafts people. Credit: Shutterstock

2. Etsy Marketing: Free

Etsy is an online selling platform for people to sell handmade items, crafting supplies, and vintage. After you open an Etsy store, they will give you access to videos that go through some marketing and business tips called The Seller Handbook. There are hundreds of how-to-articles, as well as interviews with successful store owners. And if you type in “Etsy” on YouTube, you can find loads of videos of people giving helpful advice, as well.

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If you are interested in Facebook marketing, check out Facebook Blueprint. Credit: Shutterstock

1. Facebook Blueprint: Free

If you are starting a business, you may need to use Facebook for ads, groups, and more. Facebook Blueprint is a website that gives free classes on a variety of subjects to help business owners learn how to use the platform. Whether you are an entrepreneur, or someone who is interesting in being a digital marketing expert, it is truly worthwhile to take a look at the free content.

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