Are you “open to work”, seeking remote work, or aiming to elevate your career? I curated a quick list of free courses for you! ( along with links and approx completion time )

Microsoft certifications in Excel, Power BI, Copilot, and data analytics can be your ticket to a real high demand, well paying job.

These credentials, often accessible through free or low cost training from Microsoft, IBM, and platforms like Coursera, validate your skills in tools used by 97% of Fortune 500 companies.

Not only can they lead to significant salary boosts, ranging from 10–25% depending on the role, but they also open doors to diverse, remote friendly roles like data analyst, business intelligence analyst, and more.

Salary Increases & Job Opportunities:

• Salary Boosts: Certifications can increase salaries by 10–25%. For example, data analysts with Power BI certification (PL-300) earn $70,000–$100,000 (up from $60,000 without), while BI analysts see jumps from $70,000 to $80,000–$120,000.

• Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23% growth for data-related roles (2022–2032), with 17,700 annual openings for data analysts alone.

• Remote Work: Roles like data analyst, BI analyst, and business analyst often offer remote or hybrid options, with platforms like LinkedIn listing thousands of remote data jobs requiring Power BI or Excel skills.

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE FREE COURSES BELOW

Excel Basics for Data Analysis
Enhance your Microsoft Excel skills with this 5 week course by IBM. Learn to create, analyze, and present data professionally.
20 hours
Enroll Now

Get Started with Microsoft 365 Copilot
Learn how to save time and work efficiently by using Microsoft 365 Copilot in various areas and applications.
30 hours
Enroll Now

Take Your First Steps with Python
Build a solid foundation in programming with Microsoft’s beginner-friendly Python course, covering everyday code, scenarios, error handling, and API calls.
4.5 hours
Enroll Now

Create and Use Analytics Reports with Power BI
Gain skills in data visualization, avoid common design issues, and create compelling and cohesive reports in Power BI.
20.5 hours
Enroll Now

Get Started with Artificial Intelligence
Explore AI concepts with various Microsoft courses offered on the topic of AI, such as fundamentals of AI, natural language processing, image analysis, etc.
25 hours
Enroll Now

Get Started with Microsoft Data Analytics
Explore the journey of a data analyst, understanding their roles and tasks, and learn how to efficiently analyze data.
57 minutes
Enroll Now

The certifications above—Power BI Data Analyst Associate, Co-Pilot, Copilot, and IBM’s Data Analyst Professional Certificate—offer a powerful pathway to high-demand, well paying, and often remote jobs.

With free training from Microsoft Learn, Coursera, IBM, etc, you can gain in-demand skills without breaking the bank. These credentials not only boost salaries by 10–25% (potentially adding $10,000–$30,000 annually) but also align with booming job markets, where data roles are projected to grow 23% by 2032.

For remote work seekers, these certifications are especially valuable, as they signal expertise to employers and open doors to flexible roles like data analyst, BI analyst, and more. Start today by exploring free resources, building a portfolio, and taking the first step toward a rewarding career.

Best of luck and PLEASE reach out if you need any assistance or guidance with anything!

Are there any courses that YOU KNOW OF or have taken that were WILDLY worth it? Hit reply and let me know so I can share those as well.

Take Action Now!

Start your journey with free courses at Microsoft Learn or Coursera. Follow me on Twitter (@LeaderBriefs) for tips, job leads, and cert updates.

@ Me with your career goals or DM me your favorite cert, what’s your next step?

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