Want A Higher-Paying Job? 3 FREE Programs To Help You Make More Money

In today’s job market, standing out from the crowd and landing a higher-paying job can seem daunting. It’s more important than ever to have the skills employers are looking for. Fear not; we’ve got you.

Both Glassdoor and Coursera researched high-paying and high-demand jobs and skills. You’ll notice that the jobs in their lists with 6-figure salaries are in technology, marketing, data analysis, and project management. 

Here are 3 FREE programs to help you develop the skills and network you need to get a higher-paying job in these fields. We picked these programs using the following criteria:

• • FREE: You don’t pay a cent.

• • Job placement: You have support throughout your job search. Part of the program includes helping you find a job, e.g., access to a network of employers, interview and resume coaching, etc.

• • Multiple career options: Each program has several career tracks you can choose from, so pick what works for you. All career tracks are focused on in-demand jobs.

Let’s dive in and discover how you can unleash your career potential and make more money.

Our Top 3 FREE Programs To Get A Higher-Paying Job

1) Generation

Generation is a global non-profit that prepares, places and supports people into life-changing careers in high-demand fields like technology, healthcare, sales, digital marketing, and customer service.

It offers 4 to 16-week FREE training and job placement programs in 17 countries (including the US). Generation works with over 11,000 employers worldwide, so you’ll have many job opportunities. Over 85,000 people have graduated from its programs, and 80% are employed within 90 days of completing the program.

2) Year Up

Year Up is a US-based non-profit that provides young adults (18 to 29 yrs) with the skills, experience, and support they need to launch successful careers in cybersecurity, project management, software development, and more. 

Year Up’s FREE program combines classroom training with paid, full-time internships at top companies. It takes about 1 year to complete the program, and 80% of its graduates are employed and/or enrolled in postsecondary education within 4 months of program completion.

3) Per Scholas

Per Scholas is a US-based non-profit that provides free technology training and job placement. It offers full-time, part-time, and online programs covering topics like software development, IT support, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

Per Scholas has a strong network of hiring partners, and they work closely with graduates to help them find jobs in the tech industry.

Honorable mention: Grow with Google

We’re including Grow with Google, although it isn’t free because it’s low cost compared to alternatives and it comes with job placement support if you complete any of the courses. 

Google partners with Coursera to offer courses in high-growth fields. You get a 7-day free trial and then need a Coursera subscription at $49/month.

You can earn certificates in cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, digital marketing & e-commerce, project management, or UX design. These online courses are self-paced and take 3 to 6 months to complete.

Once you complete a course and earn a Google Career Certificate, you get exclusive access to Google’s CareerCircle, which offers 1-on-1 coaching, interview support, and a job board to connect directly with employers.

16 Additional Online Resources To Help You Explore Careers or Develop New Skills

Wanna explore more career options e.g., learn what it’s like to work in careers you just discovered? Or get a qualification in fields not mentioned above, like sales operations, mechanical engineering, or supply chain management?

There are many online resources to help you learn about different careers or learn new skills. 

Resources for career exploration 

1) CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop provides information and tools to help people find jobs. The site is sponsored by the US Department of Labor. It includes information on careers, schools, programs, scholarships, certificates, job search preparation, job listings, and local resources for employment support.

2) Khan Academy Careers Course

Khan Academy is a non-profit that offers free online courses. I love its Careers course – it features many people talking about what they do, how much they make, and how they got their job. If you need help picking your new career, check out their videos on over 70 careers.

For example, Aidan talks about her experience as a user experience researcher, making about $113,000 a year, while Bhavna talks about her experience as a senior product manager, earning $160,000 a year.

Resources for online courses

You have a lot of options for online courses. You can pick the right one depending on your interests and needs.  

3) Coursera

4) edX

5) Udacity

6) Udemy

7) The Open University

8) LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

9) Alison

10) Masterclass

11) Skillshare

12) FutureLearn

13) MIT OpenCourseWare

14) HubSpot Academy

15) Codecademy 

16) freeCodeCamp

The Bottom Line

The path to a higher-paying job doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Free programs like Generation, Year Up and Per Scholas can help you to acquire new skills, gain valuable certifications, and tap into a network of employers to launch your new career. Our honorable mention, Grow with Google, is a low cost alternative which includes a self-paced online course and job placement support for graduates.

You can also customize your journey using the 16 online resources listed above. Invest your time and effort to develop new skills and use them to supercharge your career.