One of 14 paths
Building one skill through a short program or self-study.
You build one skill through a short program or self-study, with no degree required.
It fits if you want one in-demand skill fast and can stay disciplined without a campus.
Watch for: quality varies widely, and a certificate is only worth what employers in that field recognize.
Each scale shows its level and the reason, and "our read" marks a judgment call.
Level: You pay a little, 1 of 5 on the paying side
Some online certificates cost little or nothing to start, though bootcamps can be expensive.
Dollar signs to the left of the middle mean you're paid while you do it, and dollar signs to the right mean you pay. More of them means more money either way. The mark in the middle means free.
Level: A year or less, 1 of 5
A short program or self-study can take just a few months.
Level: Above the middle to Higher, 4 to 5 of 5
Tech support jobs pay above the middle, and some other tech jobs pay much more.
This varies a lot with the specific job, the place, and experience.
Middle means the middle pay across all jobs.
Level: Open to most, 1 of 5
No degree needed, and self-study and online certificates are open to teens.
Level: Mostly easy, 2 of 5
Trying it is low-risk, though a certificate only counts where employers recognize it.
Level: Mostly familiar, 1 of 5
Learning from home keeps your days close to what you know.
A certification shows you have specific skills, and you usually have to pass a test to earn it. Google says its certificates are completely online and self-paced. Google also says you need no experience to start. With no campus around you, staying on track is up to you.
No degree is needed. Many bootcamps ask for a diploma or GED, and some set a minimum age of 18. Self-study and many online certificates are open to teens. AWS exams start at age 13, with a parent's consent under 18, and CompTIA exams are open to everyone. Google says many learners finish a certificate in a few months of part-time study. The course page has its current estimate. Some online certificates cost little or nothing to start, but bootcamps can be expensive. Some short programs now qualify for Pell Grants, so ask whether a program takes federal student aid.
Computer support specialists may qualify with a high school diploma plus IT certifications, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says. It also says web developers may not need specific credentials if their work or projects show their skills, though a bachelor's degree is typical. At Google's pace, you could have a certificate or two done a year in. Many computer support specialists go on to other IT jobs, like software developer.
Self-study and some online certificates cost little or nothing to start, so there's a low-risk way to try this. A certificate only counts where employers in that field recognize it, so check local job postings first. Google's certificates come with a college credit recommendation, but each school decides whether to accept it.
Pick one to try this month. Trying a thing isn't choosing it.
Put these to a program, or to someone who works in the field.
PBS says Julia Child's life had no real direction until her World War II volunteer service. In 1948 her husband Paul's work took them to Paris, where she enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu and earned its diploma in 1951.
A story like this can't tell you what's likely for you.
Prices, age rules, and aid vary by program, so check them at the source.
These three paths are worth weighing next to this one, and their pages use the same scales.
It fits if you're unsure of a major, want options open, or plan to transfer later.
It fits if you want steady work in health, wellness, or public safety, like EMT or firefighter.
It fits if you want income, or you're not ready for more school.