3 Free Online Courses To Take This Summer — Each One Can Lead To $10K+ Raises
Hoping for a raise in the fall? Your instinct might be to dive into an artificial intelligence (AI) course and call it a day. That's understandable, but it's also incomplete.
Cord Harper, CEO of Endeavor Agency, Inc, a top career coaching organization based in Columbia, Missouri, put it plainly: "Employers still need people who can communicate clearly, collaborate with others, solve problems and help those around them succeed." While AI is undeniably valuable and can make people more efficient, Harper noted that "it can't build trust or inspire people. That's why job seekers who invest in their communication and relationship-building skills will continue to stand out, even as technology keeps evolving."
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This insight aligns with what the 2026 Skills Economy Report from Cornerstone found. While AI skill requirements are growing rapidly, the demand for soft skills is growing just as fast. In fact, the report shows that the days of separating roles into "technical jobs" and "people jobs" are over. Today, most positions require a 50-50 balance of technical expertise and interpersonal ability.
Luckily, there are a wealth of online courses you can sign up for to improve your knowledge and close skill gaps. Online platforms like HubSpot Academy and Skillshare offer free classes or free trials and are great places to start looking, but even universities like Harvard, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Duke and more offer the ability to audit courses for free.
You can use these courses listed below as inspiration to find the one that works best for you, your job and your goals.
Introduction to the Internet of Things (Stanford School of Engineering)
This course covers an overview of technical areas relating to the Internet of Things (IoT) industry. You’ll learn about the technology that makes up the IoT, from pill-shaped micro-cameras to the smart devices found in homes, learning about the building blocks and underlying technology.
If your work is in this industry, this course can offer valuable insights that you can leverage into a raise.
Social Media Marketing Certification Course (HubSpot Academy)
Today’s brands and companies are expected to have a social media presence regardless of industry. If you see a gap in how your company is using social media, taking this course from HubSpot Academy can give you the tools to take on more responsibility and ultimately ask for a raise.
This course teaches you to “create engaging content, expand your reach and measure ROI.” You can use this new knowledge to “up your business’s brand awareness and attract new customers!”
ChatGPT for Project Management — Leveraging AI for Success (Vanderbilt University)
This course teaches you “how to leverage ChatGPT and AI to streamline project planning, execution and optimization, transforming how you manage and deliver successful projects.” Whether you’re currently in a project management position or aspire to one, this course can give you the skill necessary to earn a raise.
In this course, you’ll complete hands-on projects and attend live labs to work with GPT-40, gaining real experience that you can take to work with you.
How To Decide Which Course To Take
Rather than hopping online and choosing a course at random and thinking it will lead to a raise, there are a few things you can do to decide which type of course is worth your time and attention.
Audit your own skills: Taking a few minutes to audit your own skill set and identify areas that could be improved is a great place to start. “The right training,” Harper said, “depends on each person’s career goals and their skill gaps.”
Talk to your supervisor: There may be areas within the business where your supervisor needs help or sees gaps. If this is the case, then you may have the opportunity to take a course focused on gaining the right skills.
Assess your industry: Take a look at where your industry is headed and choose a course based on what will support its direction. Harper said a free AI course might be a good investment for one person, while another would benefit from improving communication skills.
Don’t expect a $10,000 raise immediately: Harper said to focus less on the dollar amount and more on the size of the raise, saying “a 10% raise early in your career can have a lasting impact because future raises are often based on your current salary.” Bumping your salary up now, even by 10%, can compound over time.
Overall, Harper recommended courses that "will make a client more competitive for the specific roles they’re pursuing. The key is to focus on learning something that fills a gap in your experience and helps you qualify for the next opportunity.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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