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Mariah
Student
Richmond, Kentucky
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What are some supportive free online courses to get started on my pathway?
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9 answers
Aravind C
39
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Aravind’s Answer
1. Retail Fashion Jobs (Entry-Level)
Roles: Work as a sales or stock associate at stores like Zara, H&M, or Forever 21.
Why it helps: Learn about what customers like, how to display products, different fabrics, and trends for each season.
2. Internships with Local Designers or Boutiques
How: Contact them through email or social media to see if they need interns or assistants.
Why it helps: Gain hands-on experience in styling, designing, helping with fittings, or even sewing.
3. Freelance or Commission-Based Design
Platforms: Create custom t-shirt designs, digital portraits, or logos on Instagram or Etsy.
Skills gained: Improve communication with clients, basic marketing, digital design, and pricing your work.
4. Thrift Flipping or Upcycling
How: Buy second-hand clothes, alter or decorate them, and sell them online (Depop, Poshmark) or at local markets.
Why it helps: Boosts your sewing, styling, and creativity skills, and teaches business basics.
5. Summer Programs & Pre-College Courses
Examples:
- FIT High School Summer Live
- Parsons Teen Courses
- SCAD Rising Star
Why it helps: Provides formal design education and helps develop your portfolio.
6. Fashion Blogging or Social Media Content Creation
Start a blog, TikTok, or Instagram about styling tips, thrift finds, or outfit ideas.
Why it helps: Builds your personal brand and skills in content creation and trend analysis.
7. Yearbook, Drama Club, or School Fashion Show
Roles: Work as a costume designer, set designer, creative director, or layout designer.
Why it helps: Develops design thinking, teamwork, and visual communication skills.
8. Assistant for a Photographer or Creative Team
What you do: Assist with styling, setting up photo shoots, or editing.
Why it helps: Learn about fashion from a visual and editorial perspective.
9. Craft & Sewing Store Assistant
Places like: JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, or local craft boutiques.
Why it helps: Get to know textiles, patterns, and DIY materials.
10. Volunteer at Arts/Fashion Events
Where: Community art fairs, local fashion shows, or student showcases.
Why it helps: Offers networking opportunities and event production experience.
🧵 Bonus Skills to Build on the Side
- Learn to sew: Use YouTube tutorials or take classes at a community center.
- Master digital tools: Practice with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate for fashion sketching.
- Start a portfolio: Include sketches, mood boards, garments, or your social media content.
Would you like a list of specific internships, competitions, or online design programs for high schoolers too?
---
What are some supportive free online courses to get started on my pathway?
Here are some free online courses to help you begin your journey into design or fashion design:
🎨 Free Online Graphic Design Courses for Beginners
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design – Coursera (CalArts): Learn core principles like typography, color theory, and composition. Perfect for beginners.
- Graphic Design Basics – Canva Design School: Quick lessons on layout, branding, and color. Great for social media graphics.
- Introduction to Graphic Design with Photoshop – Great Learning: Focuses on Adobe Photoshop basics. Good for digital design beginners.
- Graphic Design – Alison: Covers design principles, theory, practical skills, and career guidance.
👗 Free Online Fashion Design Courses for Beginners
- Fashion Designing Online Courses – Oxford Home Study Centre: Learn about fashion illustration, textiles, and design processes.
- Intro to Fashion Design and Styling – Alison: Focuses on design aesthetics and styling techniques.
- Fashion as Design – MoMA via Coursera: Explore global fashion and its cultural significance with insights from experts.
- Fashion Design and Styling Courses – Cursa: Offers courses on sewing, cutting, and designing clothes, with free certification.
🧵 Additional Resources
- Coursesity: Offers a wide range of free design and fashion design courses.
- DigitalDefynd: Provides a curated list of free design courses and certificates.
Roles: Work as a sales or stock associate at stores like Zara, H&M, or Forever 21.
Why it helps: Learn about what customers like, how to display products, different fabrics, and trends for each season.
2. Internships with Local Designers or Boutiques
How: Contact them through email or social media to see if they need interns or assistants.
Why it helps: Gain hands-on experience in styling, designing, helping with fittings, or even sewing.
3. Freelance or Commission-Based Design
Platforms: Create custom t-shirt designs, digital portraits, or logos on Instagram or Etsy.
Skills gained: Improve communication with clients, basic marketing, digital design, and pricing your work.
4. Thrift Flipping or Upcycling
How: Buy second-hand clothes, alter or decorate them, and sell them online (Depop, Poshmark) or at local markets.
Why it helps: Boosts your sewing, styling, and creativity skills, and teaches business basics.
5. Summer Programs & Pre-College Courses
Examples:
- FIT High School Summer Live
- Parsons Teen Courses
- SCAD Rising Star
Why it helps: Provides formal design education and helps develop your portfolio.
6. Fashion Blogging or Social Media Content Creation
Start a blog, TikTok, or Instagram about styling tips, thrift finds, or outfit ideas.
Why it helps: Builds your personal brand and skills in content creation and trend analysis.
7. Yearbook, Drama Club, or School Fashion Show
Roles: Work as a costume designer, set designer, creative director, or layout designer.
Why it helps: Develops design thinking, teamwork, and visual communication skills.
8. Assistant for a Photographer or Creative Team
What you do: Assist with styling, setting up photo shoots, or editing.
Why it helps: Learn about fashion from a visual and editorial perspective.
9. Craft & Sewing Store Assistant
Places like: JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, or local craft boutiques.
Why it helps: Get to know textiles, patterns, and DIY materials.
10. Volunteer at Arts/Fashion Events
Where: Community art fairs, local fashion shows, or student showcases.
Why it helps: Offers networking opportunities and event production experience.
🧵 Bonus Skills to Build on the Side
- Learn to sew: Use YouTube tutorials or take classes at a community center.
- Master digital tools: Practice with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate for fashion sketching.
- Start a portfolio: Include sketches, mood boards, garments, or your social media content.
Would you like a list of specific internships, competitions, or online design programs for high schoolers too?
---
What are some supportive free online courses to get started on my pathway?
Here are some free online courses to help you begin your journey into design or fashion design:
🎨 Free Online Graphic Design Courses for Beginners
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design – Coursera (CalArts): Learn core principles like typography, color theory, and composition. Perfect for beginners.
- Graphic Design Basics – Canva Design School: Quick lessons on layout, branding, and color. Great for social media graphics.
- Introduction to Graphic Design with Photoshop – Great Learning: Focuses on Adobe Photoshop basics. Good for digital design beginners.
- Graphic Design – Alison: Covers design principles, theory, practical skills, and career guidance.
👗 Free Online Fashion Design Courses for Beginners
- Fashion Designing Online Courses – Oxford Home Study Centre: Learn about fashion illustration, textiles, and design processes.
- Intro to Fashion Design and Styling – Alison: Focuses on design aesthetics and styling techniques.
- Fashion as Design – MoMA via Coursera: Explore global fashion and its cultural significance with insights from experts.
- Fashion Design and Styling Courses – Cursa: Offers courses on sewing, cutting, and designing clothes, with free certification.
🧵 Additional Resources
- Coursesity: Offers a wide range of free design and fashion design courses.
- DigitalDefynd: Provides a curated list of free design courses and certificates.
Shira Goodfellow, PMP
2
Answers
Updated
Shira’s Answer
Being a lifelong learner is a smart move that can help you succeed. There are plenty of free courses available to help you learn new skills.
Udemy offers a wide range of courses, some free and some paid. It's a great place to learn new skills, from Excel formulas to preparing for a Project Management Professional certification.
Many universities, like Harvard, offer free online classes, which are worth checking out.
LinkedIn Learning is another good resource for various courses.
For general education topics, Khan Academy is also a helpful option.
Udemy offers a wide range of courses, some free and some paid. It's a great place to learn new skills, from Excel formulas to preparing for a Project Management Professional certification.
Many universities, like Harvard, offer free online classes, which are worth checking out.
LinkedIn Learning is another good resource for various courses.
For general education topics, Khan Academy is also a helpful option.
Destiny Hankerson
Athlete, Artist, and Writer
33
Answers
East Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Destiny’s Answer
Hi Mariah,
There are plenty of free and safe online courses you can use to start your pathway for your career. Although I don't know which kind of career you wish to pursue, I know of websites that have many options and choices. I've tried several of them, and I liked Open University's free courses, Khan Academy, Alison, and Udemy. Each one has different things you can do with them, but most of the courses are free unless you want to pay for a certificate. Open University's free courses can even give you a professional development digital badge!
As you can see, you have many options for free education, and these can build your career knowledge and experience. If you continue to educate yourself, it also shows you are willing to learn and grow beyond your hours at school, and people like to see that!
I hope you have a great experience, and be sure to check out some of the options others have told you about, too.
There are plenty of free and safe online courses you can use to start your pathway for your career. Although I don't know which kind of career you wish to pursue, I know of websites that have many options and choices. I've tried several of them, and I liked Open University's free courses, Khan Academy, Alison, and Udemy. Each one has different things you can do with them, but most of the courses are free unless you want to pay for a certificate. Open University's free courses can even give you a professional development digital badge!
As you can see, you have many options for free education, and these can build your career knowledge and experience. If you continue to educate yourself, it also shows you are willing to learn and grow beyond your hours at school, and people like to see that!
I hope you have a great experience, and be sure to check out some of the options others have told you about, too.
Yashasvi Sharma
IT Security
14
Answers
Chesapeake, Virginia
Updated
Yashasvi’s Answer
There are many excellent free online resources to help you explore careers, build skills, and prepare for your job search. Here are some of the best options:
1. Career Exploration and Planning
• O*NET Online: Explore detailed information about different careers, required skills, and job outlooks.
• My Next Move: An interactive tool to help you find careers that match your interests.
• CareerOneStop: Offers career assessments, job search tips, and industry information.
2. Skill-Building Platforms
• Coursera & edX: Offer free courses from top universities on a wide range of subjects (audit mode is free).
• Khan Academy: Great for foundational skills in math, science, and more.
• Codecademy & freeCodeCamp: Free coding and web development courses for beginners.
• Google Digital Garage: Free courses on digital marketing, career development, and tech skills.
3. Job Search and Resume Help
• LinkedIn: Create a professional profile, connect with others, and search for internships/jobs.
• Indeed Career Guide: Tips on resumes, interviews, and job searching.
• Canva: Free resume templates and design tools.
4. Interview Preparation
• Big Interview: Some features are free and help you practice interview questions.
• Glassdoor: Research companies and read interview experiences.
5. Networking and Mentorship
• LinkedIn Groups: Join groups related to your field to connect with professionals.
• Ten Thousand Coffees: Free networking and mentorship platform (sometimes offered through universities).
Tips for Getting Started
• Set up a LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and connect with professionals.
• Take free online courses to build relevant skills for your chosen field.
• Use career exploration tools to clarify your interests and goals
1. Career Exploration and Planning
• O*NET Online: Explore detailed information about different careers, required skills, and job outlooks.
• My Next Move: An interactive tool to help you find careers that match your interests.
• CareerOneStop: Offers career assessments, job search tips, and industry information.
2. Skill-Building Platforms
• Coursera & edX: Offer free courses from top universities on a wide range of subjects (audit mode is free).
• Khan Academy: Great for foundational skills in math, science, and more.
• Codecademy & freeCodeCamp: Free coding and web development courses for beginners.
• Google Digital Garage: Free courses on digital marketing, career development, and tech skills.
3. Job Search and Resume Help
• LinkedIn: Create a professional profile, connect with others, and search for internships/jobs.
• Indeed Career Guide: Tips on resumes, interviews, and job searching.
• Canva: Free resume templates and design tools.
4. Interview Preparation
• Big Interview: Some features are free and help you practice interview questions.
• Glassdoor: Research companies and read interview experiences.
5. Networking and Mentorship
• LinkedIn Groups: Join groups related to your field to connect with professionals.
• Ten Thousand Coffees: Free networking and mentorship platform (sometimes offered through universities).
Tips for Getting Started
• Set up a LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and connect with professionals.
• Take free online courses to build relevant skills for your chosen field.
• Use career exploration tools to clarify your interests and goals
Chiquria Willis
Loan Processor - Rocket Mortgage
94
Answers
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Updated
Chiquria’s Answer
Absolutely! There are plenty of safe and reliable websites offering free online courses to kickstart any educational or career journey you have in mind. Check out these fantastic options:
1. Coursera https://www.coursera.org/
Access free versions of courses from top universities. You can audit most courses for free and only pay if you want a certificate.
Subjects: Business, computer science, health, languages, and more.
2. edX https://www.edx.org/
Audit courses for free from prestigious universities like MIT and Harvard.
Subjects: Science, engineering, humanities, data, public health, and more.
3. Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/
100% free and perfect for learning math, science, computer coding, economics, test prep, and foundational skills.
4. FutureLearn https://www.futurelearn.com/
Offers free access to university and industry-backed courses.
Ideal for business, health, tech, and personal development topics.
5. LinkedIn Learning https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
Get free access through many public libraries, focusing on professional and tech skills.
6. Alison https://alison.com/
Provides free courses in business, tech, health, and workplace skills.
All these sites are trustworthy and safe for learners of all ages.
Tip: Begin with a topic that excites you and try out beginner-level courses to ease into learning.
Learn more:
Class Central (Course Search Engine)
Coursera
edX
Khan Academy
FutureLearn
1. Coursera https://www.coursera.org/
Access free versions of courses from top universities. You can audit most courses for free and only pay if you want a certificate.
Subjects: Business, computer science, health, languages, and more.
2. edX https://www.edx.org/
Audit courses for free from prestigious universities like MIT and Harvard.
Subjects: Science, engineering, humanities, data, public health, and more.
3. Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/
100% free and perfect for learning math, science, computer coding, economics, test prep, and foundational skills.
4. FutureLearn https://www.futurelearn.com/
Offers free access to university and industry-backed courses.
Ideal for business, health, tech, and personal development topics.
5. LinkedIn Learning https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
Get free access through many public libraries, focusing on professional and tech skills.
6. Alison https://alison.com/
Provides free courses in business, tech, health, and workplace skills.
All these sites are trustworthy and safe for learners of all ages.
Tip: Begin with a topic that excites you and try out beginner-level courses to ease into learning.
Learn more:
Class Central (Course Search Engine)
Coursera
edX
Khan Academy
FutureLearn
Lirio Delgado
14
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Lirio’s Answer
If you want to start learning new things online for free, there are safe and easy websites you can use. Khan Academy is great for school subjects like math, science, and history. Coursera and edX have free classes from big colleges about things like business, psychology, or computers. FutureLearn and OpenLearn also have short and easy classes about topics like health, life skills, and world issues. These sites are safe to use, and you don’t need to pay unless you want a certificate. They’re a good way to explore what you like and learn something new.
Annika Swanson
Consulting
13
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Annika’s Answer
Check out Coursera, edX, Google Career Certificates, and Khan Academy. They have beginner-friendly content in everything from coding to business to design!
Ernie Clarke
Change Management Consultant
3
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Ernie’s Answer
Khan Academy is awesome!
Joseph Baldinger
1
Answer
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Great question! Here are some sites I used in my past to help me in my learning journey.
1. Coursera
2. Khan Academy (this is a personal favorite, helped me immensely in college)
3. Udemy
4. LinkedIn Learning
5. TED-Ed
1. Coursera
2. Khan Academy (this is a personal favorite, helped me immensely in college)
3. Udemy
4. LinkedIn Learning
5. TED-Ed