10 free courses from Harvard & Google that'll future-proof your career

Hey guys, in our last newsletter we’ve talked about 11 skills that will become critical for workers as AI replaces 120 million workers globally. The good news, is that AI will also create over 170 million jobs, and to do these jobs well, we’ve prepared a list of courses that will help you learn the most critical skills for the future.

It's not just about tech—it's about thinking differently, adapting faster, and leading better. And the best part is that you can learn these skills for free from Harvard, Google, and Berkeley. Here's your roadmap.

— Anna and Anastasia

🧠 1/ Analytical & Critical Thinking
Why it matters: This is the top skill employers want. AI can process data, but humans need to interpret it, ask the right questions, and make strategic decisions.

Free Course: Introduction to Critical Thinking – Harvard University
What you'll learn: How to evaluate arguments, identify biases, and make better decisions
Time: Self-paced
Start Learning →

🚀 2/ Strategic Career Growth & Self-Advocacy
Why it matters: Having skills is one thing—knowing how to position yourself, negotiate, and navigate your career strategically is what actually gets you promoted and paid. Most people are great at their jobs but terrible at advocating for themselves.

Free Course: Boost – Career Growth & Strengths Development
What you'll learn: How to identify and leverage your unique strengths, advocate for yourself effectively, navigate career transitions, and build a strategic career plan (not just a resume). Think of it as the operating system for all the other skills you're learning.
Time: Self-paced modules
Start Your Career Growth →

🌱 3/ Resilience, Flexibility & Agility
Why it matters: With constant market changes (hello, tariffs and strikes), adaptability isn't nice-to-have—it's essential.

Free Course: Resilient Leadership – Harvard University
What you'll learn: How to lead through uncertainty, bounce back from setbacks, and stay effective under pressure
Time: Self-paced
Start Learning →

👥 4/ Leadership & Social Influence
Why it matters: Even if you're not a manager, influence matters. Career growth comes from rallying teams, driving projects, and earning trust.

Free Course: Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles – Harvard University
What you'll learn: Leadership beyond authority, building influence, and mobilizing people toward change
Time: Self-paced
Start Learning →

🤖 5/ AI & Big Data
Why it matters: AI isn't replacing jobs—it's changing them. You need to work alongside AI - and eventually manage it, not compete with it.

Free Course: Data Science and Machine Learning – Harvard University
What you'll learn: Python basics, machine learning fundamentals, how to analyze data and build models
Time: 12 weeks, 2-4 hours/week
Start Learning →

💻 6/ Technological Literacy
Why it matters: Digital fluency is baseline now. From understanding cloud tools to navigating automation, tech literacy separates candidates.

Free Course: Google Digital Garage
What you'll learn: Digital marketing, data analytics, career development, and essential tech skills
Time: Self-paced modules
Start Learning →

🎓 7/ Curiosity & Lifelong Learning
Why it matters: The half-life of skills is shrinking. Learning how to learn is your ultimate competitive advantage.

Free Course: Learning How to Learn – EdX
What you'll learn: Memory techniques, overcoming procrastination, and mastering difficult subjects faster
Time: 4 weeks
Start Learning →

❤️ 8/ Empathy & Active Listening
Why it matters: As AI handles transactions, human skills like empathy become premium. Customer-facing roles, management, and teamwork all demand EQ.

Free Course: Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work – UC Berkeley
What you'll learn: Reading emotions, building trust, navigating difficult conversations
Time: Self-paced
Start Learning →

💡 9/ Creative Thinking
Why it matters: AI can optimize, but humans innovate. Creative problem-solving is what keeps you irreplaceable.

Free Course: Creative Thinking – Imperial College London
What you'll learn: Techniques to generate ideas, think outside frameworks, and solve problems unconventionally
Time: 4 weeks
Start Learning →

🎯 10/ Motivation & Self-Awareness
Why it matters: Remote work, gig economy, career pivots—you're the CEO of your career now. Self-management is non-negotiable.

Free Course: Managing Happiness – Harvard University
What you'll learn: Building sustainable motivation, understanding your drivers, and optimizing well-being for performance
Time: Self-paced
Start Learning →

✅ 11/ Dependability & Attention to Detail
Why it matters: In a world of distractions, people who consistently deliver quality work stand out.

Free Resource: How to Get Your Brain to Focus – TEDx
What you'll learn: Neuroscience of focus, practical techniques to improve concentration, and managing digital distractions
Time: 11 minutes
Watch Now →

📌 Step 1: Pick ONE skill to start this week
Don't try to do all 10 at once. Choose the skill that matches your career goals or fills your biggest gap.

📌 Step 2: Block 30 minutes on your calendar
Treat it like a meeting. Sunday afternoon, weekday morning before work, whenever—just schedule it.

📌 Step 3: Tell someone
Accountability works. Tell a friend, post on LinkedIn, or join a study group. Public commitment = higher completion rates.

💰 Don't forget: The federal government plans to offer up to $15,000 in retraining support for mid-career workers in critical sectors (healthcare, AI, clean tech, advanced manufacturing). These free courses can be your foundation, then use government funding for advanced certifications. Visit your province’s website for more information.

🎯 Certificate tip: Most of these courses offer paid certificates ($50-$200). The learning is free, but if you want proof for your resume/LinkedIn, the certificate is optional. Only pay if it makes strategic sense for your job search.