The gig economy isn’t a side hustle anymore. It’s a career path. Lake Michigan College’s Gig Economy program gives you the real-world business skills to make it a sustainable one. You’ll learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and business owners who have built independent careers themselves, not just taught about them.
When you work for yourself, you’re your own HR department, marketing team, and finance office, all at once. This program is built for exactly that. You’ll learn how to run a business, market yourself, close sales, price your work fairly, communicate like a pro, and keep clients coming back.
Start small, go further, or go all the way. Every course you take counts toward the next step. Choose from three Quick-start Courses, stack those courses toward a Certificate in Gig Economy, or keep going to an Associate in Business degree.
Who it's for:
Creative consultants, writers, tradespeople, and service providers. Anyone ready to turn skills into a self-sustaining career.
Three one-credit, five-week courses that give you the essentials, fast. Take one on its own, or take all three back to back to complete the series in 15 weeks.
Best for: Freelancers and side-giggers who want practical skills right now.
Courses offered in a flexible hybrid-online format, with weekly live Zoom sessions covering the topics that actually matter for independent work.
Foundational Gig Concepts (5 weeks)
Branding & Client Acquisition (5 weeks)
Gig Finance Essentials (5 weeks)
Your quick-start courses count toward the full certificate. Build on them with courses in small business management, marketing, sales or customer service, and an elective of your choice.
Best for: Anyone ready to treat independent work as a long-term career and earn a credential that shows it.
| Gig Economy Certificate Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Business 112, Foundational Gig Concepts | 1 |
| Business 113, Branding and Client Acquisition | 1 |
| Business 114, Gig Finance Essentials | 1 |
| Business 130, Professionalism in the Workplace | 1 |
| Business 207, Small Business Management | 3 |
| Marketing: Business 152, Digital Marketing or Business 208, Advertising & Promotion |
3 |
| Customer Relationships: Business 103, Professional Sales or Business 115, Customer Service |
3 |
| Elective choice: Business 154, Digital Analytics or Business 123, Personal Finance or Computer Information Systems 112, Al and Ethics |
3 |
Both the quick-start courses and the full certificate apply toward Lake Michigan College’s Associate in Applied Science in Business degree. Learn more about the full degree here. Nothing you’ve already earned goes to waste.
Best for: Students who want a degree that opens even more doors.
Connect with us! Request more information or apply today, and we'll send you everything you need to begin your journey at LMC.
