Best Free MOOCs In Business For March

Shaping the Future of Work

School: MIT

Platform: edX

Registration Link: CLICK HERE

Start Date: March 28, 2016 (7 Weeks Long)

Workload: 3-5 Hours Per Week

Instructor: Thomas Kochan

Credentials: Kochan is the Co-Director of the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research at the Sloan School of Management. Over his career, he has documented the changing economic and workforce forces and practices and how they have altered specific industries ranging from healthcare and manufacturing. At the same time, his research has illustrated how these forces have changed how American workers interact and what they expect expect, along with how they have re-shaped family and community life. In the process, he has advised public and private sector entities for the past 40 years. During this course, Kochan will be assisted by several MIT students, including two second-year MBAs from Sloan.

Graded: Students can earn a verified certificate by completing all course requirements and paying $49.

Description: “Work hard and stay in school.” That advice was given to Professor Cochan when he was young. Unfortunately, it is woefully out of date. In today’s world, education, work ethic, and attitude don’t necessarily ensure success. In fact, Cochan worries that there aren’t enough good jobs being created to sustain the high standard of living that Americans expect. In this course, students will look back on the history of the American workforce to see how and why it has evolved. From these trends, students will examine what employers now seek. Most important, they will develop a strategic career plan to better align with the skills and outlook needed to navigate an uncertain future in the labor market.

Review: “This is an excellent course. The USA is facing a really particular social situation that have been reflected in other countries too. The global system is taking major changes, and this course helps you reflect about your future taking your context objectively to make accurate decisions.” For additional reviews, click here.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.