Learning new skills is a great way to make extra money and advance your career. If the thought of spending years in a classroom overwhelms you, fear not. While getting a degree requires years of study, acquiring a new skill can take a few weeks to a few months.
Having the right skill can make your resume stand out and increase your value to your employer. This can give you more negotiating power and leverage during salary discussions. Use your knowledge to differentiate yourself and keep up to date with industry trends.
Having the right skill can make your resume stand out and increase your value to your employer. This can give you more negotiating power and leverage during salary discussions. Use your knowledge to differentiate yourself and keep up to date with industry trends.
CPR or First Aid Certification
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Having the skills to administer first aid or assist someone who’s choking can also be helpful in daily life, especially if you’re a parent or grandparent. The best way to get certified is to take a CPR class. Training takes three to five hours and the cost ranges from $50 to $115. Check out the American Red Cross website for classes near you.
A second language
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You can also use your mastery of another language to earn extra cash by tutoring or offering translation services. Tutors can earn anywhere from $25 to $100 an hour, making this a lucrative side hustle.
Check your community college for in-person or online class options. To brush up on your skills or start learning a new language, check out Duolingo for free lessons. Ready to get certified? The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a six-month Business Spanish Certificate program starting at $720.
Veterinary assistance
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There are both in-person and online programs available for veterinary assistant certification. The training includes both hands-on experience and coursework. VetBloom offers a six-month veterinary assistant program for $4,000.
Online marketing
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If you’re looking to learn more about online marketing, check out Udemy’s digital marketing courses. Ready to get certified? The University of Vermont offers a 10-week Digital Marketing Fundamentals Professional Certificate for $1,695.
Google Analytics certification
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One of the best things about this certification is that it’s free and can be completed at your own pace. It takes four to six hours to complete from beginning to end. Once you’re done, you’ll need to take the Analytics Individual Qualification Certification test.
Coding
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There’s no need for a four-year degree in computer science to get started. There are many free resources such as Codecademy to help you learn the basics. If you’re looking for a formal certification program, check out the Programming Certificate from the Harvard Extension School, which requires as little as three courses to complete and costs $2,750.
Writing
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There are many online courses that can help you learn to be a better writer for little or no cost. Considering becoming a full-time freelance writer? Check out The Complete Freelance Writing Online Course on Udemy for $10.99.
Public speaking
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Additionally, learning this skill can make you a better salesperson. If you’re looking to conquer your fear of public speaking in a group environment, look at the Toastmasters International website for meetings near you. For more personalized training, check out a 3-hour online training from Dale Carnegie on Successful Public Speaking for $349.
Google AdWords certification
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Videos vary in length from a few minutes to more than an hour, so you can study at your own pace. Training topics include creating Google ads for mobile, display and search, as well as video and shopping ads. Head over to the Google Academy for Ads to get started.
Photography
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You don’t need a degree to get started. Consider completing online classes to get the basics. Udemy offers digital photography classes online for beginner to advance levels starting at $10.99.
Video editing and production
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Skillshare, an online learning platform, offers a variety of video editing classes as well as many other courses and costs $15/month.
Real estate sales
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Each state has different training requirements, from 75 hours in Georgia to 180 hours in Texas. You’ll need to take several pre-licensing courses and costs vary between $200 and $400. Each one is specific to the state where you’ll be an agent.
For example, the New York Real Estate Institute offers salesperson-licensing courses for $395. After course completion, you’ll need to pass the real estate licensing exam, which costs between $100 and $300.
Yoga instruction
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Getting certified takes 200 to 500 hours, according to the Yoga Alliance. The cost of training varies depending on whether you attend in-person training or opt for an online program.
Notarizing
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Getting certified as a notary is fairly quick, requiring only three to six hours to complete the training. However, before you can practice, you’ll need to pass a notary exam approved by your state. Check with your employer to see if you can get the cost of the training covered. Training costs $100 to $200, according to the National Notary Association.
Bartending
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Getting the required training only takes two to five weeks. Training programs can cost anywhere between $40 and $400.
Transcription
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Training can be done via online classes and can take up to 90 days to complete. The Transcription Certification Institute offers an online course for $699.
Graphic design
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You can use your newfound skills to help companies market their products and drive sales. To learn the fundamentals, try an online course such as the ones from Creative Live, starting at $29. If you’re looking to get a full-time position as a designer, consider completing a graphic design certificate program.
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