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Cheapies & Freebies - Recommendation - Printable Version

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Cheapies & Freebies - Recommendation - bjcheung77 - 01-08-2026

Member Wrote:Hi bjcheung77,

I hope you are doing well.

I am writing to thank you for your previous advice. I followed your recommendation and successfully enrolled in the "Program". I really think it was exactly what I needed.

Now that I have started that, I wanted to ask for your expertise on "side" credentials:
What are your personal "hidden gem" courses or certificates (free or cheap) that you think are worth getting?

I've seen the FEMA courses, but I am looking for other under-the-radar options that look official or governmental on a resume.
Thanks again for your help.

Best regards,

I'd recommend skipping FEMA, go for ACE/NCCRS credits or foreign equivalents, such as ENEB.  You need to focus on one or two subjects, example, Business & IT related certs and experience. 

For undergrad/grad: I'd suggest doing the Coursera, EdX, cheapies such as the ENEB for business related subjects.  Here's the link to the cheapies/freebies, and here's the one for Coursera.

Cheapies/Freebies Link: Free Sources of Credit - Degree Forum Wiki
Coursera Link: Coursera - Degree Forum Wiki

PS:  In addition to the info above, you need to decide on a focus, not just because it's cheap or free, but because it would help enhance your resume or professional portfolio.  I usually recommend the trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  You need to tweak it to your preference with another trifecta of cost, ease, speed to finish - in order to do so, mix/match them to your liking, example: more certs and degrees for those with less experience vs less certs and degrees for those more experience in the field or subject areas.