I have the next few months of nearly no work, only working five hours daily. Anyone know of anything free online I can do during this free time that can possibly open some new doors? I'm a professional driver, and it's our slow season...I am working toward finishing my degrees, but I was just curious if anyone knew of free online training that might help me get my foot in the door somewhere doing something different (been doing this for 15 years). Like I said, just kicking it around. You guys seem to be very resourceful with this kind of thing!
maybe something in here http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/21709-free-online-courses.html
It depends an awful lot on what you want to do, but you can always start with something like http://edX.org
How are you pursuing that degree? Any chance of accelerating that? I might argue that the best way to change your current job is to network into a different one....I don't know of a "free course" in anything that will reliably result in a new job. I think i would spend a day polishing my linked in account and resuem then hit the road peddling myself at any company that sounds like it might be a fit.
Lot of cool stuff here, in just about any subject you like. Most are free if you don't care about getting the certificate. https://www.coursera.org/
Honestly you need to set some sort of direction. There are programming bootcamps and certs, if you have any interest and aptitude for that kind of thing...but you probably would have already known that if you DID have the interest. You need to plan this a little more carefully. 1. So, what do you want to do, sony747? 2. Do you have any contacts with people working in that area? If so, talk to them and find out how they like the work, how they got started, and how and if they can help you. 3. Figure out what you need to do that job (degrees, training, etc...). 4. Do you still want to do that job? If not go back to 1. 5. NOW set short term and long term goals to achieve your dream. You seem to be starting at step 5.
I'm not aware of any real quick career changes. One of my nephews got his HVAC certification in about 6 months IIRC. He was interviewed and hired before he graduated by a larger local HVAC company. It starts around $13 an hour, but with overtime and other shift differentials it can be more. He's already received a couple of raises so he's at about $15 an hour only a year or so in. A quicker trade school might be something you can look into. I'll second the other posters who've mentioned the need for a little more planning. What do you want to do? What field are you getting your degree in? What aptitudes do you have? What's wrong with the truck driving? Good luck.
I am doing Saylor classes at the moment to work toward ACE credits. I'm enrolled with TESU, and have to get some things sorted out due to financial aid eligibility changes.
I am a geek and love technology and I've always done computer repair for people as a side gig, but Math is my nemesis, which is why I haven't tried comp. Sci. You made some good points.