Pick A Path

Each path is a free course in order, from first lesson to first income. None of them needs a degree.

AI & Data

• Become an AI Engineer: Build and ship apps on top of large language models. No degree. A laptop and patience with Python.
• Data Analyst from Zero: Turn messy spreadsheets into answers a business acts on. No degree. A laptop; Google's certificate is optional.
• AI Automation for Small Businesses: Automate the busywork of a small business and charge for it. No degree. A laptop and free tool trials.

Software & IT

• Build & Sell Your First Website: Build fast, good-looking websites and sell them to local businesses. No degree. A laptop.
• Full-Stack Web Developer: Build complete web apps, front to back. No degree. A laptop and a few months.
• IT Support Technician: Fix computers, networks and accounts for a help desk. No degree. CompTIA A+ helps (two exams).
• Cybersecurity Starter: Land a first SOC analyst or security role. No degree. Security+ is the usual first certificate.
• Make & Sell an Indie Game: Finish a small game and release it on itch.io or Steam. No degree. A laptop.

Design & Creative Software

• Freelance Logo & Brand Designer: Design logos and brand kits that small businesses pay for. No degree. A laptop; Canva or Affinity to start.
• UI/UX Designer: Design apps and websites in Figma, with a portfolio. No degree. A laptop and Figma (free).
• 3D Artist with Blender: Model, light and render 3D for products, games and ads. No degree. A decent computer; Blender is free.

Video, Photo & Audio

• Video Editor for Hire: Edit YouTube videos, ads and Reels for paying clients. No degree. A laptop; DaVinci Resolve is free.
• Product Photographer: Shoot product photos that sell for shops and brands. No degree. A phone or used camera, and a light box.
• Commercial Drone Pilot: Pass the FAA Part 107 test and fly paid jobs. No degree. FAA Part 107 certificate (one test).

Music

• Make & Sell Beats: Produce finished tracks and sell or license them. No degree. A laptop and headphones.
• Play Guitar & Teach It: Play confidently and give paid lessons and gigs. No degree. A guitar.

Marketing & Content

• Grow a YouTube Channel: Start a channel, grow it and get to monetisation. No degree. A phone is enough to begin.
• Social Media Manager: Run social accounts for local businesses on a monthly retainer. No degree. A phone and a laptop.
• SEO & Digital Marketing Freelancer: Get small businesses found on Google and sell it monthly. No degree. A laptop; Google's free certificates help.

Online Shops & Selling

• Open an Etsy Shop: Open a shop, list products that get found, and make your first sales. No degree. Something to sell, a phone camera.
• Reselling & Flipping: Buy low at thrift stores and sales, sell high on eBay and Poshmark. No degree. A small float to buy stock.
• Print on Demand & Custom Tees: Sell your designs on shirts, mugs and more without holding stock. No degree. A laptop; a heat press for local orders.

Money & Business

• Freelance Bookkeeper: Keep the books for small businesses from home. No degree. QuickBooks certification is free.
• Virtual Assistant: Run inboxes, calendars and admin for busy owners, remotely. No degree. A laptop and good internet.
• Start a Small Business: Turn an idea into a registered, profitable small business. No degree. An idea.
• Real Estate Agent: Get licensed and close your first sales. No degree. A state licence (pre-licensing course and exam).

Writing, Languages & Teaching

• Write & Self-Publish a Book: Write, publish and market a book on Amazon KDP. No degree. A laptop.
• Teach English Online: Teach English to students worldwide from home. No degree for many platforms; a TEFL certificate helps.
• Freelance Writer & Copywriter: Write blogs, web copy and emails for paying clients. No degree. A laptop.
• Learn Spanish for Work: Hold work conversations in Spanish. No degree. Practice every day.
• Home Daycare & Nanny: Care for children professionally, at home or as a nanny. No degree. State childcare licence for home daycare; CPR and first aid.

Arts & Crafts

• Polymer Clay Earrings → Etsy: Make polymer clay earrings good enough to sell, and sell them. No degree. A kit of about $40 and your home oven.
• Soy Candle Business: Pour clean-burning candles and sell them online and at markets. No degree. A starter kit of about $60.
• Resin Art & Coasters: Make resin coasters, trays and art that sell. No degree. A starter kit of about $50 and a ventilated space.
• Handmade Jewellery Business: Make beaded, wire and silver jewellery and sell it. No degree. Basic pliers and supplies.
• Sell Your Art: Prints & Stickers: Turn drawings into prints, stickers and commissions. No degree. A sketchbook; an iPad helps.
• Pottery for Sale: Throw and glaze mugs and bowls good enough to sell. No degree. A local studio membership to start.

Sewing, Fashion & Textiles

• Sewing & Alterations Business: Hem, take in and repair clothes for paying customers. No degree. A sewing machine.
• Crochet & Knit to Sell: Crochet amigurumi and wearables that sell, plus patterns. No degree. Hooks and yarn, about $25.

Maker Tech

• Sell 3D-Printed Products: Design, print and sell products from a home print farm. No degree. A 3D printer (from about $250).
• Laser Engraving Business: Engrave and cut personalised gifts, signs and tumblers to order. No degree. A diode laser (from about $300) and ventilation.
• Phone & Electronics Repair: Fix phones, consoles and laptops for paying customers. No degree. A repair toolkit, about $40.

Woodworking & Home Repair

• Woodworking to Sell: Build cutting boards, furniture and decor people buy. No degree. A few tools; build up as you sell.
• Handyman Business: Do the small home repairs people need every week, for pay. No degree. Basic tools; check your state's licence limits.
• Furniture Flipping: Buy tired furniture, refinish it and sell it for profit. No degree. Sandpaper, paint and a car.

Trades & Construction

• Electrician Apprentice: Be ready to start an apprenticeship and pass your licensing exam later. No degree. Paid apprenticeship; licence by exam later. Not legal advice: check your state.
• HVAC Technician: Understand heating and cooling systems and pass EPA 608. No degree. EPA 608 certification (one exam).
• Plumbing Starter: Be ready for a plumbing apprenticeship. No degree. Paid apprenticeship; licence by exam later.
• Welding → Certification: Run good beads in MIG, stick and TIG, and prepare for a cert test. No degree. An AWS certification test.
• Carpentry & Construction: Frame, finish and read plans like a working carpenter. No degree. Start as a helper or apprentice.
• CDL Truck Driver: Pass the CDL permit and skills test. No degree. A CDL (school or company-paid training).

Green Energy & Auto

• Solar Installer Starter: Understand solar systems well enough to join an install crew. No degree. On-the-job training; NABCEP entry exam optional.
• Wind Turbine Technician: Know the job, the safety training and the skills crews hire for. No degree. GWO safety training; a short technical course helps.
• Auto Mechanic: Diagnose and fix cars, including hybrids and EVs. No degree. ASE certifications as you go.
• Mobile Car Detailing: Run a mobile detailing business from your car. No degree. About $300 of supplies.

Health & Care

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Prepare for the CNA skills test and patient care work. No degree. A state-approved course of 4 to 12 weeks, then the exam.
• Phlebotomist: Prepare for phlebotomy training and certification. No degree. A short certificate programme.
• Medical Billing & Coding from Home: Prepare for the CPC exam and remote coding work. No degree. A certificate (CPC or similar).
• EMT & First Responder: Prepare for EMT-Basic training and the NREMT exam. No degree. A semester-length EMT course.
• Pharmacy Technician: Prepare for the PTCB exam. No degree. PTCB certification.

Fitness & Wellness

• Personal Trainer: Prepare for a CPT exam and train paying clients. No degree. A certification (NASM, ACE or ISSA).
• Yoga & Pilates Teacher: Deepen your practice and prepare for teacher training. No degree. A 200-hour teacher training to teach in studios.
• Massage Therapist: Learn the strokes and prepare for massage school and licensing. No degree. A state licence (massage school of about 500 hours).

Beauty & Hair

• Nail Tech at Home: Do gel, acrylic and nail art well enough to book clients. No degree. A state nail licence (short course).
• Barbering: Cut fades and classic cuts well enough for paying clients. No degree. A state barber licence.
• Lash & Brow Tech: Learn lash extensions, lifts and brows. No degree. Usually an esthetics or cosmetology licence: check your state.

Food & Drink

• Home Bakery Business: Bake to order from home under your state's cottage food law. No degree. Your state's cottage food rules (often a short permit).
• Cake Decorating for Orders: Make celebration cakes people order. No degree. Basic tools, about $50.
• Meal Prep, Catering & Food Trucks: Cook well at volume and sell meals. No degree. A food handler card; a licensed kitchen for most sales.
• Barista & Bartender: Pull great espresso and make classic cocktails. No degree. A food handler card; alcohol server training for bars.

Home, Garden & Land

• Grow & Sell Microgreens: Grow microgreens and vegetables and sell to restaurants and markets. No degree. Trays, lights and seeds, about $100.
• Lawn Care & Landscaping Business: Run a lawn and landscape business with regular customers. No degree. A mower and a trailer; check local licences.
• Cleaning Business: Start a house or commercial cleaning business. No degree. Supplies, insurance and a car.
• Beekeeping & Honey: Keep healthy hives and sell honey and wax. No degree. A hive and bees, about $400.
• Dog Trainer & Pet Business: Train dogs for clients and run a pet care business. No degree. Certification (CPDT-KA) optional.

Events, Travel & Hospitality

• Balloon & Event Decor Business: Build balloon garlands and backdrops people book. No degree. About $100 of tools and balloons.
• Floral Design: Arrange bouquets and wedding flowers for orders. No degree.
• Event & Wedding Planner: Plan and run weddings and events for clients. No degree.
• Travel Advisor: Book trips for clients through a host agency. No degree. Join a host agency.