September has long carried the energy of fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and new beginnings. Even if you're not stepping into a classroom, this is still a great time to learn something new or sharpen your skills. It’s not just symbolic either as September is also National Self-Improvement Month, making it the perfect moment to reset your goals and invest in yourself. To tap into that "back-to-school" spirit, here are some free and affordable training opportunities to explore both in-person in your area or online:
Community-based: Local libraries, networking groups, and community-based organizations can be great resources for free or reduced training and connections. Eventbrite has been a great resource for me in finding some of these opportunities!
Online: There are a myriad of certifications and workshops available online through sites like Coursera, Udemy, Google Career Certificates, LinkedIn Learning, and EdX. Most programs are self-paced and allow you to study nearly any topic of interest.
Entrepreneurial: Whether you are a small business owner or looking to launch your own projects, there are so many resources and training opportunities for entrepreneurs. Some of my favorites include Score Mentors (nationwide free mentoring program with diverse training opportunities), local enterprise or entrepreneurship centers, and EforAll (small business training and mentorship).
Academic: Local community colleges and state schools can be great resources for free career training, non-credit certifications and licenses, and one time online programs. In addition, renowned colleges across the country offer free and affordable courses, such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Georgia Tech, and more. Check it out today!
