It has never been easier or faster to transition into a new career path or gain valuable skills that employers demand. Below are ways to receive training in a new career (options from 6 months to 4+ years) as well as a list of career overviews and training options.
Low-Cost Individual Courses (YouTube, Udemy):
In today's dynamic job market, you don't always need a four-year degree to start earning more quickly. By leveraging targeted, short-term educational opportunities, you can rapidly acquire job-ready competencies and make a tangible impact on your career trajectory. Sometimes it is as easy as taking a few courses, building a portfolio, and applying for jobs in the new field.
Description: Access to individual lectures, videos, and basic course materials.
Time: Weeks to months, self-paced, requires self-drive and self-motivation.
Typical Path: Train in courses, build a portfolio, start applying for jobs.
Price Range: Approximately $0- $500
For some quick trade / career overviews, please see the "Career Overviews & Education Paths" section below.
Professional/Technical Certificates (Google Career Certificates, MTECH):
Description: Focused training designed to provide job-ready skills and industry certifications in high-demand fields (IT, trades, healthcare).
Time: Several weeks to 6–12 months.
Price Range: $100 to $5,000, depending on the program and institution (MTECH is very affordable; specialized bootcamps are often thousands of dollars).
Traditional Degrees (BYU, UVU, Western Governors):
Description: Traditional degrees providing foundational to advanced knowledge preparing students for specific careers.
Time: Typically 2 years - 4+ years (full-time).
Price Range: $3,000–$40,000 annually.
BYU is a major research university offering a wide array of over 190 bachelor's, 60 master's, and 25 doctoral degree programs, including highly-ranked programs in accounting, law, and engineering.
Integration of Faith and Learning: All education is rooted in the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Students take required religion courses and agree to live by an Honor Code that aligns with Church standards, fostering a supportive community environment.
Exceptional Language Programs and Global Awareness: Due to a high rate of students who have served Church missions, BYU has an extensive foreign language program, teaching over 60 languages regularly. The university also offers more than 100 study abroad programs in numerous countries.
Research and Experiential Learning: The university emphasizes undergraduate research, providing opportunities for students to work side-by-side with faculty mentors in labs, studios, and field work. Students can participate in capstone projects, internships, and service-learning initiatives.
Vibrant Campus Life: Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, the campus offers extensive extracurricular activities, including NCAA Division I athletics (Big 12 Conference), a thriving performing arts scene, museums, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking and skiing.
Career and Alumni Network: Students benefit from strong career preparation services, high job placement rates, and a powerful global alumni network that helps graduates succeed in their chosen fields.
You can learn more about admissions requirements and the unique campus culture by exploring the BYU website.
BYU-Pathway Worldwide offers a completely online, affordable, and spiritually grounded pathway to a bachelor's degree. It works by stacking three certificates to build a degree, allowing students to gain marketable job skills and improve their careers after completing each certificate. The programs, offered in partnership with BYU-Idaho and Ensign College, also include the option of starting with the foundational PathwayConnect program.
Completely online programs: All courses and degree programs are offered online, providing flexibility for students balancing school with other obligations.
Affordable education: Tuition costs are significantly reduced, with a three-year bachelor's degree available for a total cost below $6,300 in the U.S..
Certificate-based degrees: Students can stack three certificates to build an associate and then a bachelor's degree. Each certificate can be completed in a year or less and provides job-ready skills.
Career advancement: Certificate programs are focused on high-demand fields like business, technology, and health, with many students seeing immediate career improvement after their first certificate.
Spiritual development: Courses incorporate teachings from scriptures and modern prophets, and many students report that participation increases their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Weekly group meetings: Students can gather in online groups or at local church facilities for educational and leadership activities.
Career services: Support is available for resumes, job searching, and interview preparation.
PathwayConnect: This recommended first step is a one-year program with foundational academic and religion courses designed to help students succeed in their degree.
Coursera is a leading global online learning platform that provides universal access to a vast catalog of educational content and credentials from over 375 top universities and industry partners, including Google, IBM, Stanford, and Yale. Its mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to transform their life through flexible, affordable, and job-relevant online learning experiences. Google certificates are self-paced certificates, available on Coursera, and can typically be completed in under six months!
What They Offer
Diverse Learning Formats: Coursera offers various types of learning experiences tailored to different goals and time commitments.
Individual Courses: Access to video lectures, readings, and quizzes, often available to audit for free, with an option to pay for a shareable certificate upon completion.
Guided Projects: Short, hands-on, browser-based projects designed to build practical skills in 1-2 hours.
Specializations: A series of related courses and hands-on projects designed to help users master a specific job-related skill area, typically taking 1-3 months.
Professional Certificates: Programs created by industry leaders (like Google or Meta) to prepare learners for specific, in-demand entry-level jobs (e.g., IT support, data analytics, UX design).
MasterTrack® Certificates: Portions of full master's degree programs that can be completed online and potentially count toward a degree if the learner is later accepted into the full program.
Fully Online Degrees: Opportunities to earn a full bachelor's or master's degree from accredited universities through the platform, often at a more affordable cost than traditional on-campus programs.
Credibility and Recognition: Certificates and degrees are backed by respected academic institutions and major companies, and are widely recognized by employers as valuable additions to a resume or LinkedIn profile, demonstrating motivation and relevant skills.
Flexible and Accessible Learning: Content is 100% online and self-paced, allowing individuals to learn at their convenience. The platform is available on mobile devices and offers financial aid options for those who need assistance.
AI-Powered Innovation: Coursera uses AI-powered features, such as skill diagnostics and career coaching tools, to personalize the learning experience and ensure content remains current with labor market demands.
Google Certificates
Google Career Certificates are flexible, online training programs developed by Google experts that provide job-ready skills in high-growth fields, with no prior experience required. These self-paced certificates, available on Coursera, can typically be completed in under six months and cover fields such as:
IT Support
Data Analytics
Project Management
UX Design (User Experience)
Digital Marketing & E-commerce
Cybersecurity
Advanced Data Analytics
IT Automation with Python
You can explore the full range of options and enrollment details on the official Coursera website or consider the Coursera Plus subscription for unlimited access to the majority of the course catalog.
Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) is a public technical college within the Utah System of Higher Education, with a mission to "enhance the employability of individuals through market-driven career and technical education". MTECH provides hands-on, competency-based vocational training that prepares both high school and adult students with the necessary skills to enter the workforce or advance their careers. It is known for its affordable tuition and a high job placement average for graduates.
What They Offer
Market-Driven Programs: MTECH offers nearly 40 programs designed to meet local employer demands for skilled workers. Programs are regularly updated to ensure graduates have the skills businesses expect.
Hands-On Training: The college emphasizes practical, hands-on learning experiences in labs and clinical settings, which helps students build confidence and job-ready skills.
Certificate Programs: Students earn certificates of completion and are prepared for state licensure or certification exams in their chosen fields. Some credits and programs are also transferable to other higher education institutions, such as UVU.
Diverse Fields of Study: MTECH provides training in a wide range of high-demand areas, including:
Healthcare: Practical Nursing (LPN), Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, Radiography Technology, EMT, and Medical Billing & Coding.
Trades & Apprenticeships: Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Welding, Machining, Electrical and Plumbing Apprenticeships, and Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
Technology: Digital Marketing, Web & Mobile Development, Networking & Cybersecurity, Data Technology, and IT Automation.
Services: Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, and Master Hair Design/Barbering.
Affordable and Accessible Education: MTECH offers low tuition costs, and many students graduate without educational debt. High school students can enroll in programs for free tuition to get a head start on their careers.
Accreditation: Mountainland Technical College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), ensuring programs meet national standards for quality technical training.
To view the full range of programs and learn more, you can visit the Mountainland Technical College website.
Provo College aims to provide high-quality training through diploma, associate, and bachelor's degree programs, with an emphasis on practical skills and job placement.
What They Offer
Healthcare-Focused Programs: The college specializes in high-demand healthcare fields.
Practical Nursing (LPN): A diploma program preparing students for licensure.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA): An Associate of Science degree program accredited by CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): An accelerated, blended (in-person and online) program that can be completed in as little as three years.
Blended Learning Model: Programs combine online coursework with essential hands-on, in-person labs and clinical rotations at the campus facility.
Accreditation: Provo College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specific programs, like the BSN, hold additional specialized accreditations.
Career-Oriented Training: The mission is to equip students with specific competencies required in their chosen occupations, focusing heavily on student outcomes and job placement rates.
You can learn more about their active programs and admissions by visiting the Provo College website.
Udemy is a massive open online course (MOOC) platform designed primarily for professional adults and students. Unlike traditional academic institutions, Udemy operates as an online learning marketplace where expert instructors can build and promote their own courses, while learners purchase access to them. The platform offers an extensive and affordable catalog focused on practical, real-world skills, aiming to bridge the gap between learning and earning.
Courses go on sale often and can regularly be obtained for as little as $15.00 to $25.00
What They Offer
Vast Course Library: Udemy hosts over 200,000 online video courses in more than 75 languages, covering a huge variety of topics from software development, IT and data, business skills, design, and marketing, to personal development, music, and health/fitness.
Marketplace Model: The content is user-generated and quality varies; however, top courses are often highly rated by thousands of students. Instructors set their own curriculum, offering a dynamic and rapidly updated library of content that stays current with new technologies and industry trends.
Lifetime Access and Flexibility: When you purchase a course, you typically receive lifetime access to the materials (videos, articles, downloadable resources) on both desktop and mobile devices. Courses are self-paced, allowing learners to fit education around their busy schedules.
Affordable Learning & Frequent Sales: Courses are usually priced individually, often starting at a low entry point. Udemy is well known for running frequent, steep sales that make high-value courses extremely affordable.
Certificates of Completion: Students receive a certificate of completion after finishing a paid course. While these certificates are not formal academic accreditation or degrees, they are valuable additions to LinkedIn profiles and resumes, demonstrating specific skill acquisition to employers.
You can browse the extensive course catalog and find learning opportunities on the official Udemy website.
Utah Valley University (UVU), located in Orem, Utah, is the largest public university in the state and operates with a distinctive dual-mission model. This model seamlessly merges the openness and vocational offerings of a community college with the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university, providing accessible, high-quality education for all students. UVU is committed to student success through "engaged learning," which combines academic study with real-world experiences like internships and community service.
What They Offer
Comprehensive Degree Pathways: UVU offers more than 300 degree and certificate options, ranging from short-term vocational certificates and associate degrees to bachelor's and master's degrees. This flexibility allows students to start with a certificate or associate degree and seamlessly transition into a four-year program. For further education, UVU also offers a few masters programs.
Open Access and Inclusivity: The university maintains open enrollment, welcoming students of all backgrounds and levels of preparation without requiring ACT/SAT scores for initial admission. This inclusive environment supports a diverse student population, including a large percentage of first-generation learners.
Engaged Learning and Career Readiness: A core philosophy is "engaged learning," where students connect classroom theory with practical application through internships, faculty-mentored research, and community projects. This focus ensures graduates are both job-ready and civically engaged.
Wide Range of Programs: UVU's academic offerings span numerous high-demand fields, with popular majors including health professions, business management, psychology, and aviation sciences. The university has strong colleges in engineering & technology, health & public service, business, and the arts.
Affordable and High Value: The university provides a cost-effective education, offering one of the best values in the state with relatively low tuition costs and a strong return on investment through high post-graduation earnings.
Vibrant Campus and Community: Students have access to extensive student life opportunities, including NCAA Division I athletics (the Wolverines compete in the Big 12 conference), over 100 student clubs, a wellness center with a climbing wall, and access to the surrounding Wasatch Mountains for outdoor recreation.
You can find detailed information on academic programs, admissions, and student life by visiting the Utah Valley University website.
Western Governors University (WGU) is a non-profit, fully online university founded by 19 U.S. governors to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education for working adults. It pioneered the use of a flexible, competency-based education (CBE) model, which measures a student's mastery of job-ready skills and knowledge rather than time spent in a classroom.
What They Offer
Competency-Based Model: Students progress through their degree programs by demonstrating mastery of course material through assessments (exams or written assignments), allowing them to leverage prior knowledge and accelerate their studies. This can lead to finishing degrees faster and saving money.
Affordable Flat-Rate Tuition: Tuition is charged at a flat rate every six months, regardless of how many courses a student completes during that term. This incentivizes rapid completion of studies.
Fully Online and Flexible: All coursework is accessible 24/7 online, designed for busy professionals, parents, and others who need to balance education with work and family responsibilities.
Personalized Support System: Every student is assigned a dedicated "program mentor" who provides one-on-one guidance and support from enrollment through graduation. Students also have access to course instructors and tutors for subject-specific help.
Industry-Aligned and Accredited Degrees: Programs are developed in collaboration with industry leaders to ensure the curriculum aligns with current workforce demands in fields such as business, IT, healthcare, and education. WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and many programs hold specialized accreditation as well.
Valuable Certifications: Many IT and health programs include valuable, industry-recognized professional certifications (e.g., CompTIA, AWS, CISM) within the degree program at no additional cost, enhancing a graduate's resume.
For more information and to explore their degree programs, visit the Western Governors University website.
Department of Workforce Services - Education
Department of Workforce Services - Workshops
Department of Workforce Services - Career Exploration
LDS Employment Services - Online Workshops
Typical Salary Outlook
Standard: $30,000–$40,000
With experience or in specialized facilities a CNA can make $40,000+
Career Overview
CNAs assist patients with daily living activities, take vital signs, and provide basic patient care under the supervision of nurses.
Typical Training Paths
State-approved CNA training programs (4–12 weeks)
Clinical experience requirements
Certifications
State CNA Certification (required after passing a competency exam)
Education
Mountainland Technical College
Red Cross CNA Training (online)
Local community colleges (CNA hybrid programs)
Nurse.org CNA Resources (online)
Professional Groups or Resources
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
CNA Classes Near Me (Resource Hub)
Typical Salary Outlook
Entry: $30,000–$40,000
Standard: $40,000–$75,000
Experienced specialists and managers can earn $90,000+
Career Overview
Digital Marketing Specialists focus on online promotion, including social media, SEO, email marketing, and digital advertising.
Typical Training Paths
Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Certificate (Coursera)
Short-term marketing bootcamps
Self-taught via online courses
Certifications
Google Analytics Certification
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
Meta (Facebook) Digital Marketing Certification
Education
Mountainland Technical College
Coursera (Online Google Digital Marketing Certificate)
Udemy (Online SEO & Social Media Marketing Courses)
HubSpot Academy (Online Free Certifications)
Professional Groups or Resources
American Marketing Association (AMA)
DigitalMarketer Community
Junior: $45,000–$60,000
Mid to Senior: $60,000–$80,000 (average)
Lead Designer: $100,000+ (especially in corporate learning, higher education, or eLearning management roles)
Career Overview
An instructional design career involves creating effective learning materials for various audiences, from students to corporate employees. These learning experiences focus on being engaging, concise, and effective and require an understanding of how people digest information and an ability to anticipate confusion.
eLearning Design: Building interactive online courses using tools like Articulate 360 or Captivate.
Corporate Training Design: Creating learning materials, job aids, and performance support for employees.
Higher Education Design: Designing online or hybrid college courses and working with faculty.
Curriculum & Content Development: Writing lesson plans, storyboards, and training scripts.
Learning Experience Design (LxD): Focuses on learner engagement, accessibility, and user experience in training.
Instructional Technology Integration: Implementing LMS platforms (Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard) and authoring tools.
Mountainland Technical College / UVU: Certificates or associate degrees in Instructional Technology or Digital Learning.
Bachelor’s degrees: Education, Instructional Design, or Educational Technology.
Master’s degrees: Many ID professionals earn an M.Ed. or M.S. in Instructional Design or Learning Experience Design.
Self-taught / Online: Many IDs start by learning tools and principles online, building a portfolio of sample courses.
Google & Coursera: “Instructional Design Foundations and Applications” (University of Illinois).
Udemy: Articulate 360, Captivate, and eLearning course design classes.
LinkedIn Learning: Microcourses on learning theories, visual design, and assessment strategies.
Udemy allows you to learn specific software and design methods affordably. Wait for sales (courses often drop to $15–25). You control the pace — no deadlines, homework, or tuition.
Suggested Path
Optional Add-ons (find courses in...):
Captivate or iSpring Suite Essentials
Canva for Education & Visual Storytelling
Accessibility in eLearning Design (WCAG & Section 508)
Authoring Tools: Articulate Storyline 360, Rise, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, iSpring Suite
Design Tools: Canva, Figma, PowerPoint, Photoshop
Learning Management Systems (LMS): Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, TalentLMS
Multimedia: Audacity, Vyond, D-ID, ElevenLabs (voiceover tools), Synthesia (AI video)
Collaboration & Workflow: Trello, Notion, Miro, Google Workspace
ATD Instructional Design Certificate
eLearning Guild Membership / Certificate Programs
IDOL Academy Certification (industry-recognized bootcamp)
Articulate Storyline 360 or Captivate Professional Certificates
Adobe Certified Professional – eLearning Specialist
Coursera: Instructional Design Foundations (University of Illinois)
The eLearning Designer’s Community (via LinkedIn or Slack)
ATD (Association for Talent Development)
Reddit: r/instructionaldesign, r/elearning
Facebook Groups: “Instructional Designers in Education” and “Articulate E-Learning Heroes”
LinkedIn Groups: “Instructional Design & eLearning Professionals”
Devlin Peck Community: Portfolio-building challenges and feedback
Meetup: Local learning design or L&D networking groups
Typical Salary Outlook
Entry: $40,000
Standard: $50,000–$70,000
Career Overview
IT Support Specialists help users with hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting issues in various industries.
Typical Training Paths
Google IT Support Certificate (Coursera)
Associate degree in IT (optional)
Self-paced online courses
Certifications
CompTIA A+ (Widely recognized)
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Education
Coursera (Online Google IT Support Certificate)
LinkedIn Learning (Online IT Help Desk courses)
Udemy (Online IT Support Bootcamps)
Professional Groups or Resources
CompTIA IT Pro Community
Spiceworks Community Forums
Typical Salary Outlook
Entry: $40,000–$45,000
Standard: $50,000–$65,000
Experienced technicians can earn $70,000+
Career Overview
HVAC Technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings.
Typical Training Paths
HVAC trade school programs (6 months to 2 years)
Apprenticeships
On-the-job training
Certifications
EPA Section 608 Certification (Required)
NATE Certification (Optional, respected in the industry)
Education
Mountainland Technical College (hands-on)
Penn Foster HVACR Technician Training (online)
SkillCat HVAC Training App (online)
Coursera or edX for HVAC fundamentals (online)
Professional Groups or Resources
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
Typical Salary Outlook
Standard: $35,000–$45,000
Experienced: $45,000–$55,000
Career Overview
Medical Billers and Coders handle insurance claims, medical coding, and billing procedures in healthcare settings.
Typical Training Paths
Certificate programs (6 months to 1 year)
Associate degree in Health Information Technology (optional)
Certifications
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) by AAPC
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) by AHIMA
Education
Mountainland Technical College
AAPC Online Medical Coding Courses (online)
Penn Foster Medical Billing & Coding Program (online)
Coursera Healthcare IT Courses (online)
Professional Groups or Resources
AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)
AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association)
Typical Salary Outlook
Entry-level: $60,000–$80,000
Mid-level: $80,000–$100,000
Senior and certified (e.g., PMP): $110,000+, depending on industry and region
Types of Project Management
Waterfall (traditional, sequential planning)
Agile (adaptive, iterative, often in tech)
Scrum (Agile sub-framework using sprints)
Kanban (visual workflow board)
Lean (focus on efficiency, waste reduction)
Hybrid (mix of Agile + Waterfall)
Education Paths
Traditional: Business or Management degrees (2–4 years)
Google Project Management Certificate (via Coursera)
Udemy: PM Bootcamps and Agile/Scrum training
Coursera: University-led project management courses
edX: Professional certificates from top universities
Certifications to Consider
CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management (entry-level)
PMP: Project Management Professional (industry gold standard)
PMI-ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner
ScrumMaster (CSM): For Agile/Scrum roles
CompTIA Project+: For IT-related PMs
Join a Professional Community
PMI (Project Management Institute): offers membership, resources, and local chapters
Scrum Alliance: Agile/Scrum community and certifications
LinkedIn Groups: "Project Management Professionals", "Agile Enthusiasts", etc.
Local Meetups or Tech Hubs
Typical Salary Outlook
Junior: $50,000–$70,000
Mid-level: $80,000–$100,000
Senior: $120,000+, especially in front-end frameworks or full-stack roles
Types of Web Development
Front-End Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UI frameworks like React, Vue)
Back-End Development (server-side logic, databases, Node.js, Django, etc.)
Full-Stack Development (front-end + back-end skills)
Web Design (UI/UX focus, sometimes overlaps with front-end)
DevOps (deployment, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure for web apps)
Education Paths
Mountainland Technical College
Self-Taught: Thousands of free resources online (MDN, FreeCodeCamp, YouTube, etc.)
Google Career Certificates (via Coursera)
Udemy: Full-Stack Web Dev Bootcamps, JS courses, Python courses
Coursera & edX: University-led web development programs
Coding Bootcamps: Short-term, immersive programs (3–6 months)
Associate/Bachelor's degrees in Computer Science or Web Dev
Education: Udemy Course Path Suggestions
Udemy is a skill learning platform. No certificates or degrees. A common path for Udemy learners is to learn the skill, gain experience through projects, create a portfolio, apply for jobs, get a job.
Wait for sales (courses often drop to $15–25). You control the pace — no deadlines, homework, or tuition.
Course Path Suggestion (JavaScript & React)
Course Path Suggestion (Python)
Cloud Computing (pick one or both)
Popular Tools & Technologies
HTML, CSS, JavaScript
React, Vue, Angular (Front-End Frameworks)
Node.js, Express, Django, Flask (Back-End)
Python
Git, GitHub (Version Control)
MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL (Databases)
VS Code, Chrome DevTools, Netlify, Vercel (Dev Tools & Deployment)
Certifications to Consider
FreeCodeCamp Certifications (Responsive Design, JS Algorithms, APIs)
Google Front-End Certificate (Coursera)
Meta Front-End or Back-End Certificate (Coursera)
Udemy Full-Stack Developer Bootcamp Certificate
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (good for hosting knowledge)
Communities to Join
GitHub: Explore projects, contribute to open source
Stack Overflow: Ask/answer coding questions
Dev.to: Web dev blog community
Reddit: webdev, learnprogramming
Discord: Web dev servers for real-time help
Meetup: Local dev groups & coding nights
Typical Salary Outlook
$45,000–$60,000 per year
Advanced roles or specialized welders can earn $70,000+
Career Overview
Welding Technicians join metal parts using welding tools and techniques, often working in construction, manufacturing, or repair industries.
Typical Training Paths
Welding certificate programs (6 months to 2 years)
Apprenticeships or on-the-job training
Certifications (if applicable)
AWS Certified Welder (American Welding Society)
Specialized certifications for specific techniques or industries
Best Training Options
Mountainland Technical College
Tulsa Welding School Online Resources (Online)
Lincoln Electric Welding Training (Online)
Coursera Introductory Metalwork Courses (Online)
Professional Groups or Resources
American Welding Society (AWS)
WeldingWeb Online Community