Top 10 Free Tech Training at Libraries and Community Centers in Bellevue, WA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Why Bellevue’s Free Tech Training Feels Like a Transit Map
• KCLS + LinkedIn Learning
• KCLS Professional & Business Certifications
• Bellevue Library ideaX Makerspace
• KCLS Computers & Technology Workshops
• Northstar Digital Literacy
• Tech Help & Tech Help Tuesdays
• Teen Science, Technology & Math Events
• Digital Navigator Training at Community Hubs
• Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls
• Friendship Circle of Washington - Technology Resources & Computer Help
• 30-Day Free Learning Plan Using Bellevue Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

KCLS + LinkedIn Learning

Among all the free routes on Bellevue’s learning “transit map,” this is the closest thing to an all-night express bus. With a King County Library card, you unlock LinkedIn Learning - more than 16,000 online courses covering technology, business, and creative skills - without paying the usual subscription fee that runs about $20-$40 per month if you buy it yourself. For a commuter trying to reskill between Teams calls or late-night shifts, being able to stream Python, SQL, or cloud content on demand is a serious advantage.

What you actually get with KCLS + LinkedIn Learning

Through the King County Library System’s digital resources, you log in with your library card number and PIN via the state’s LinkedIn Learning for Washingtonians portal. That single sign-on turns your library card into the tech equivalent of an ORCA pass: one tap, and you’re into full courses on Python, data analysis, cloud platforms, Git, and more. The Washington State Library notes that coverage ranges from “beginner computer skills to advanced programming,” and it’s all available 24/7, fully online, and self-paced, which lines up well with Bellevue’s mix of hybrid workers, students, and career changers juggling family logistics.

“If you’ve got a King County Library System card, you’ve got free access to LinkedIn Learning.” - King County Housing Authority, Facebook post

Why it’s especially useful for AI and data paths

If you’re scanning Bellevue and Seattle job postings for AI, data, or software roles, you’ll notice the same stack over and over: Python, SQL, cloud (AWS or Azure), Git, basic statistics, and communication skills. LinkedIn Learning lets you “test-drive” all of those without spending a dime. You can move from “Learning Python” to “Python for Data Science,” then into introductory machine learning with tools like scikit-learn, and round it out with Git, Excel, and presentation skills that matter at places like Microsoft’s Redmond campus or Amazon’s Eastside offices. In a state with no state income tax, every month you don’t pay for a subscription is money you can keep in your pocket or redirect toward a future bootcamp, certification exam, or a better laptop.

A practical 4-week express route to try

The key is to avoid wandering the catalog and instead treat LinkedIn Learning like a bus line with deliberate stops. One realistic 4-week mini-route for an aspiring AI or data practitioner in Bellevue might look like this:

1. Week 1
   • Spend 5-7 hours on a “Learning Python” course plus basic command line.
   • Add 2-3 hours on Excel or Google Sheets, because data literacy still runs through spreadsheets.
2. Week 2
   • Devote 6-8 hours to “Python for Data Science” or “SQL Essential Training.”
3. Week 3
   • Invest another 6-8 hours in a beginner “Machine Learning Foundations” course.
4. Week 4
   • Spend about 4 hours on Git and GitHub basics.
   • Use 3-4 hours on a portfolio-focused course, like “Building a Data Science Portfolio.”

After those four weeks of disciplined riding on this express route, you’ll have a concrete feel for whether you enjoy the day-to-day reality of coding and data work. More importantly, you’ll be primed to “transfer” onto other local lines - like in-person makerspace projects, free certification prep, or eventually a structured bootcamp - without paying tuition just to find out you don’t actually like writing code on dark winter evenings.

KCLS Professional & Business Certifications

If LinkedIn Learning is the knowledge express bus, the King County Library System’s professional certifications are the route that drops you off with something tangible you can paste into a resume. Through KCLS’s Professional & Business Certifications program, Bellevue-area residents can prepare for industry-recognized exams and often sit for them at no out-of-pocket exam cost, turning library study time into verifiable credentials that hiring managers actually recognize.

What this certification route includes

Under the KCLS Professional & Business Certifications initiative, you get access to free online training materials and free or subsidized proctored exams for in-demand credentials such as Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Adobe Certified Professional, and several entry-level IT and business certifications. Each of these exams typically costs $100+ when purchased directly from vendors, which means a single passed test can represent over a hundred dollars of value that you didn’t have to pull from your own budget.

Why this matters in Bellevue’s tech hiring

On the Eastside, even teams doing cutting-edge AI work still run on fundamentals: spreadsheets, slide decks, and documentation. A data analyst supporting a cloud team in Bellevue might spend as much time in Excel and PowerPoint as in Python; designers working near AI projects often live inside Adobe tools. KCLS certifications help you prove those baseline tools aren’t a weak link. As one instructor noted in a KCLS feature on 21st century programs, the library’s tech offerings provide “the beauty of offering a variety of learning options that build both personal confidence and professional résumés,” and it’s rewarding to see students grow the “group-work skills essential for the modern workplace.” - Innovative Library Program for the 21st Century, KCLS

“The beauty of offering a variety of learning options is that they build both personal confidence and professional résumés.” - Instructor, Innovative Library Program for the 21st Century, King County Library System

How to ride this line strategically

The smartest way to treat this program is as a fast connection between “I watched some videos” and “I have something concrete on my LinkedIn profile.” A realistic route for a Bellevue career-changer might look like:

1. Month 1
   • Use LinkedIn Learning plus official practice tests to prep for a MOS Excel exam.
   • Schedule your test date through the KCLS certification portal to create a real deadline.
2. Months 2-3
   • Add PowerPoint or Word certifications if you’re targeting business or analyst roles.
   • Or pivot to an Adobe credential if you’re more interested in UX, product marketing, or creative work around AI products.

For adults in Bellevue moving into tech from finance, administration, education, or service jobs, this can be the fastest zero-tuition way to upgrade a resume. You study on your own time, often using the same computers and Wi-Fi you already rely on at the library, then convert that effort into line items that recruiters and hiring managers in the Seattle-Bellevue corridor actually search for - long before you decide whether to invest in a formal bootcamp or degree. And if you need broader context on how free and affordable digital skills training can ladder into better jobs, regional initiatives highlighted by NCW Tech Help reinforce that these credentials are a practical part of a modern upskilling strategy.

Bellevue Library ideaX Makerspace

Some people don’t really “get” tech until they can put their hands on it. If that’s you, the ideaX Makerspace at the downtown Bellevue library is your scenic route: less about cramming for exams, more about seeing what happens when you mix curiosity with tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing and embroidery machines, and full sound-recording setups. Walk-in drop-in hours typically run several times a week in blocks like 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., and the price of admission is the same as the rest of KCLS: a library card and a willingness to ask questions.

What you get when you walk in

The makerspace is staffed, supervised, and intentionally beginner-friendly. You don’t have to know the difference between PLA and ABS or how to set laser power levels; staff and volunteers guide you through safe use of the gear, from loading filament to exporting a design file. Everything is set up so you can move from “I’ve only seen this on YouTube” to “I just printed something” in a single session. That hands-on, experimental vibe lines up with Bellevue’s broader “inclusive innovation” focus described in the city’s Thriving People and Communities vision, where access to real tools is part of keeping residents connected to a high-tech economy.

“Get hands-on experience with emerging technology for free at a library makerspace.” - King County Library System video invitation

How a makerspace fits an AI or data trajectory

On paper, 3D printers and sewing machines don’t look like machine learning. In practice, they’re a perfect playground for AI-adjacent skills: designing enclosures for Raspberry Pi or sensor projects, building simple IoT prototypes, or recording clean audio you can later use as a small speech dataset. Bellevue’s makerspace has even hosted themed events like DIY assistive technology, which dovetail with the city’s emphasis on accessibility in its It’s Your City program guides and give you concrete stories about using tech to solve real problems.

Turning online lessons into portfolio artifacts

The real power move is treating the makerspace as your lab for all the abstract stuff you’re learning online. Finish a Python-and-hardware tutorial, then design and print a simple case for the device. Take an introductory data or AI course, then use the sound booth to record and edit a short podcast episode explaining what you built and why. Use drop-in hours to collaborate with other patrons and practice the communication and teamwork skills hiring managers at Eastside employers quietly expect from entry-level engineers and analysts.

In a market where dozens of applicants can list the same online courses, a single well-documented makerspace project - photos, code, and a short write-up - can give you a story that stands out when you’re talking to a recruiter or bootcamp advisor. And because Washington doesn’t skim a state income tax off your future paychecks, every dollar you don’t spend on specialized prototyping labs now is a dollar that can later go into more targeted training, from AI-focused bootcamps to advanced coursework, once you know this is a bus route you actually want to stay on.

KCLS Computers & Technology Workshops

For a lot of adults in Bellevue, the first step toward an AI or data career isn’t gradients or GPUs - it’s remembering how to right-click, manage files, or send attachments without anxiety. That’s exactly where the King County Library System’s Computers & Technology workshops come in. They’re the neighborhood shuttle on the learning map: slower than the express lines into Python and cloud, but methodically stopping at every basic skill you might have missed or forgotten the first time around.

What these workshops actually cover

Under the broader Computers & Technology umbrella, KCLS offers a rotating mix of free classes and labs that show up on the system-wide KCLS events calendar on BiblioCommons. Sessions range from absolute basics - mouse and keyboard practice, email setup, file management - to guided Northstar Digital Literacy classes and occasional intro coding offerings like “Python for Teens” or STEM activities for younger learners. Most are beginner-friendly, free with a library card, and require advance registration because class sizes are intentionally kept small enough for questions.

Who these sessions are really for

These classes are built for smart, motivated people who just didn’t grow up living inside a laptop: mid-career professionals whose skills are out of date, newcomers to the U.S. who want patient, in-person guidance in English, and parents who’d rather let their teen try coding at the library before paying for a pricey camp. Participants in Bellevue-area adult education consistently describe local tech classes as “rewarding” and “transformative,” praising instructors who are flexible enough to work around busy lives and varied starting points, as highlighted in reviews of adult education programs in Bellevue on Yelp.

“Instructors are knowledgeable in all facets of the technology spectrum” and able to accommodate “busy lifestyles,” noted one Bellevue-area adult learner, reflecting on their tech education experience. - Yelp reviewer, Adult Education in Bellevue

Using the “local shuttle” before you hit the express

If you’re ultimately aiming at AI or data work, these workshops aren’t a detour - they’re how you make sure the express bus doesn’t leave you behind. A practical way to use them over your first month or two might look like this:

1. Start with a basic computer or internet class to smooth out friction around files, tabs, downloads, and email.
2. Add a Northstar-aligned session so you can benchmark your skills and see where you’re solid vs. shaky.
3. Take an intro spreadsheet or Office/Google tools workshop, since so much entry-level data work still flows through rows and columns.
4. If you have a teen at home, sign them up for a Python or STEM event and sit nearby; you’ll absorb more than you expect just by listening.

Once those fundamentals feel less intimidating, it becomes much easier to ride the faster routes - self-paced Python courses, cloud tutorials, even a structured bootcamp - without getting derailed by basic tasks like unzipping a file or finding where your browser saved a download. In a place like Bellevue, where the job market rewards tech fluency but the cost of living makes every wasted tuition dollar sting, using these free, slow-and-steady workshops first is simply good route planning.

Northstar Digital Literacy

Every good transit trip starts with knowing which station you’re standing in, and in the digital world that’s what Northstar Digital Literacy gives you. Instead of guessing whether you’re “bad with computers” or “pretty decent,” Northstar turns those feelings into concrete scores across basic computer operations, internet and email, operating systems, and everyday tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Through KCLS, you can take these standardized assessments for free, then plug into classes that are explicitly designed to teach to those standards.

What Northstar actually measures

Northstar breaks your skills into specific, testable areas: basic computer use, internet and email, Windows and Mac OS, Microsoft Office apps, and even social media. In practice, that means it can tell you whether you’re ready to keep up with a Python course, or whether file systems and keyboard shortcuts are going to trip you up before you even import a dataset. Libraries across the country have adopted this kind of tool because, as one feature on public libraries and workforce development noted, they help “level the playing field for students and job seekers” who didn’t start their careers in front of a screen.

“Public libraries level the playing field for students and job seekers.” - Sponsored feature on library-based tech programs, The Seattle Times

Why this matters before AI, data, or formal study

AI and data work assume you’re already fluent in basics: navigating folders, installing software, typing fast enough to keep up with a lesson, understanding simple spreadsheet formulas. Northstar tells you whether that’s true today. If you score low on, say, Excel or basic computer skills, you can focus on free KCLS classes first instead of paying Bellevue College tuition to sit in a course you’re not quite ready for. When you do reach for paid options - whether a community college class you might audit via Bellevue College’s course audit policies or an intensive bootcamp - you’ll be doing it with a realistic picture of your baseline.

A practical way to use Northstar as your on-ramp looks like this: In your first serious week of studying, schedule three free assessments through KCLS-linked offerings - basic computer skills, Internet & Email, and either Excel or Word, depending on your goals. Review the results honestly and let them dictate your next moves: prioritize KCLS workshops if the scores are low, or move more quickly into Python and data courses if they’re strong. Retake the same modules after about a month and jot down your score changes in a simple learning log. That kind of self-tracking not only keeps you motivated, it also lines up with the stepwise, data-informed approach recommended in worker retraining guides like Nucamp’s overview of fastest WA worker retraining programs, where knowing your starting point is what keeps you from wasting time and money later.

Northstar itself won’t impress a hiring manager for an AI role, but it quietly reduces the risk on every other decision: whether you’re ready for an online machine learning course, whether it’s time to pay for a certificate, or whether you should give yourself another month on the “local” routes in Bellevue’s learning network before you hop on the express.

Tech Help & Tech Help Tuesdays

Some of the biggest derailments in a learning journey aren’t conceptual at all; they’re tiny technical snags. The installer fails, Wi-Fi drops during a test, or a job application portal won’t accept your resume file. KCLS’s one-on-one Tech Help sessions - including the recurring Tech Help Tuesdays at Bellevue Library - are the transfer stations on this route: brief stops where a human looks at your actual screen and gets you moving again.

What one-on-one Tech Help looks like

Listed on the KCLS events platform, sessions like Tech Help Tuesdays at Bellevue Library typically offer individual 30-60 minute appointments. Staff or volunteers sit down with you - in person - to handle things like device setup, installing apps, navigating online forms, and basic troubleshooting. Cost to you: $0 with a library card. Format: in-person, usually by registration so you’re guaranteed focused time rather than standing in a queue hoping someone is free.

“Get basic computer help, such as creating email accounts, filling out online forms, or learning how to download eBooks.” - Tech Help event description, King County Library System on BiblioCommons

Why these sessions matter for learning momentum

If you’re trying to install Python and VS Code, set up Git so you can push to GitHub, or configure a LinkedIn profile before applying to a junior analyst role in Bellevue, tiny configuration problems can feel like brick walls. Instead of spending a whole rainy evening on Stack Overflow and YouTube, you can walk into Tech Help and have someone calmly walk you through password resets, browser settings, or cryptic error messages. For many adults in Bellevue’s multilingual communities, that face-to-face support is the difference between abandoning an AI course after the first “pip install” failure and actually finishing it.

Using Tech Help as a transfer station, not a last resort

The smartest way to use these sessions is proactively, as planned transfers between routes in your learning map rather than emergency stops when everything is on fire. A simple way to bake Tech Help into your first few months:

1. Before Week 1 of serious study
   • Book a Tech Help slot to check your laptop, browser, and Wi-Fi.
   • Get assistance installing tools like Python, VS Code, Anaconda, or a password manager.
2. Midway through your first project
   • Schedule a session if an environment issue, Git error, or login problem is blocking progress.
3. Right before applications
   • Use Tech Help to polish your resume file, troubleshoot online application portals, or sanity-check your email and LinkedIn settings.

You don’t need to be “stuck enough” to justify asking for help. Treat Tech Help like you would asking a senior engineer at work: a normal, expected part of getting unstuck quickly so you can stay on the express lines - Python, data, cloud - instead of watching another winter commute go by from the platform.

Teen Science, Technology & Math Events

When you’re a teenager in Bellevue, standing at the edge of tech can feel a lot like standing at that departures board downtown: you see “AI,” “data science,” “robotics” flash by, but nobody tells you which one to hop on first. That’s where KCLS’s teen-focused Science, Technology & Math events come in. They’re low-stakes starter routes into coding and making - places where you can try Python, robotics, or game dev after school without your family having to gamble on a pricey summer camp.

What the teen STEM route actually offers

Across the system, KCLS curates a rotating lineup of free programs for teens: coding workshops like “Python for Teens,” robotics and engineering clubs, hands-on STEM challenges, and occasional guest speakers. They’re highlighted on the library’s teen STEM hub and scheduled through the events calendar, usually as small-group, registration-only sessions. For a high schooler in Bellevue eyeing UW, a local community college, or even a bootcamp later on, these are where you can write your very first lines of code or wire up a simple robot in a room full of peers instead of struggling alone in your bedroom.

Why this matters in an Eastside tech corridor

The Seattle-Bellevue corridor is packed with teams working on cloud, AI, and data products, which means today’s teens are tomorrow’s neighbors at those companies. Starting early - and cheaply - matters. Programs like these give teens a way to explore STEM in a supportive environment, while parents get a feel for their kid’s genuine interest before investing in bigger-ticket options like specialized youth nonprofits such as Coding For All in Bellevue. For families watching housing, transit, and college costs climb, being able to test-drive this interest for free is a real financial relief.

Stacking teen events into a future-ready path

The move here is not to treat each workshop as a one-off field trip, but as early steps on a longer route. A teen might attend a monthly coding club all school year, use that momentum to build a tiny game or data project, and then document it on GitHub. Parents who see sustained interest over a few quarters can more confidently support bigger commitments later, whether that’s a CS degree, an AI-focused bootcamp like those offered by Skillspire on the Eastside, or a Nucamp program after graduation. Even if a student eventually chooses a non-CS major, having already navigated code editors, simple algorithms, and team projects at the library makes them far more fluent in the tools that almost every modern job in this region will touch.

Digital Navigator Training at Community Hubs

Long before you’re tweaking neural nets, there’s a quieter decision point: can you actually live online comfortably enough to use all these tools? That’s where Digital Navigators come in. Instead of another class or video course, they’re more like route planners for your digital life - people based in libraries and community hubs who help you get connected, stay safe, and use the web for work and learning without getting lost or scammed.

What Digital Navigators actually do

In Bellevue and across Washington, Digital Navigator-style programs focus on the unglamorous but essential pieces of digital life: finding low-cost internet, setting up devices, creating and managing email accounts, filling out online forms, and learning basic online safety. They often sit alongside library offerings like KCLS’s Computers and Technology programs, but with a more ongoing, relationship-based flavor. Instead of a one-off workshop, you might check in multiple times with the same navigator as you move from “I’m not sure how to use this tablet” to “I’m comfortable signing up for cloud platforms and online courses on my own.”

Why this matters before you dive into AI and data

For someone eyeing AI or data roles, it’s easy to underestimate how much friction comes from basic digital uncertainty. If you’re not sure how to spot a phishing email, manage passwords, or tell whether a course site is legitimate, you’ll hesitate every time you need a new tool - GitHub, a cloud console, even a job portal. Digital Navigators help you build that foundation in a way that’s paced for you, often in your preferred language, so when you’re ready to enroll in a Python course or spin up a cloud instance, the account-creation and security steps feel routine instead of terrifying.

“Learn digital skills through free and affordable training so you can connect with work, school, health care, and more.” - NCW Tech Help, regional digital skills initiative

How Digital Navigators compare to other support routes

In practice, you might meet a Digital Navigator once to map out your next three to six months - what accounts you’ll need, which devices you have, and where the biggest gaps are - then check back as you start using tools like LinkedIn, GitHub, or online IDEs. If English isn’t your first language or you’re helping family members get online alongside your own AI learning, this kind of support can quietly remove barriers that would otherwise stall you out. Used well, Digital Navigators don’t replace your courses or bootcamps; they make sure you can actually reach them, stay safe while you’re there, and keep moving when the route gets more complex.

Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls

In a city as diverse as Bellevue, learning tech isn’t just about syntax and software; it’s also about feeling like you belong in the room. The Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls (CCCWW) is the city’s way of taking that seriously: instead of one physical building, it’s a network of programs and partners that bring cultural events, language access, and digital literacy directly into neighborhoods where people already live and gather.

A “center” that lives in many places

According to the City of Bellevue, the CCCWW is a “network of programs and partnerships” embedded in community spaces rather than a single address, and it sits inside the broader Diversity Advantage Initiative. In practice, that means funding and coordinating events with libraries, community centers, and nonprofits so residents can access technology programming, cultural exchange, and language support close to home. The city frames this as part of an “inclusive, welcoming and equitable” vision for Bellevue, making sure rapid tech growth on the Eastside doesn’t leave immigrant and underrepresented communities behind.

“The Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls is a network of programs and partnerships that bring culturally relevant programming to Bellevue’s diverse communities.” - City of Bellevue, Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls

How CCCWW-linked programs support tech learners

For someone aiming at AI or data work, CCCWW-aligned offerings might not look like traditional coding bootcamps at first glance. But they create crucial on-ramps: digital literacy workshops run in multiple languages, community tech talks that connect innovation to everyday issues like translation or civic engagement, and events where facilitators understand the cultural context you’re navigating. That matters when you’re trying to build skills for high-paying roles in a region with no state income tax, where each step up the salary ladder can dramatically change what’s possible for your family.

CCCWW vs. other learning “routes” in the city

Using CCCWW as part of a larger learning journey

The practical move here is to treat CCCWW-connected events as part of your overall route planning, especially if you or your family navigate multiple languages or cultural expectations. You might attend a CCCWW-backed digital literacy series in your neighborhood, then “transfer” to KCLS’s LinkedIn Learning or makerspace projects once you’re more comfortable. Or you might meet peers and community leaders through CCCWW who later become study partners, mentors, or even references when you apply for bootcamps or entry-level roles. In a metro where so many jobs are filled through networks as much as resumes, that community fabric can be as valuable as any single course.

Friendship Circle of Washington - Technology Resources & Computer Help

On this transit map of free tech learning, the Friendship Circle of Washington’s Technology Resources & Computer Skills programs are a niche but essential line: designed specifically for youth and adults with disabilities and neurodiverse learners who need quieter spaces, adjusted pacing, and assistive tools baked into the experience. Instead of trying to squeeze into a crowded general workshop at the library, participants get small-group or one-on-one support that respects sensory needs, processing speed, and attention limits.

What Friendship Circle offers that’s different

The organization’s Technology Resources & Computer Skills track focuses on guided computer skill-building and exposure to assistive technologies, all within a supportive, relationship-based environment. Programs are intentionally accessible and either free or very low-cost, backed by community donations and grants rather than tuition checks. According to the program description on the Friendship Circle of Washington website, participants work on practical skills like using email, navigating the web, and leveraging adaptive tools, with staff and volunteers who understand disability and neurodiversity as a starting point, not an afterthought.

Why this matters in an AI-powered accessibility era

AI is rapidly changing accessibility: modern screen readers, voice assistants, and smart-home devices increasingly rely on better language and vision models. But to benefit from that progress - or to help design the next wave of tools - people need a baseline of digital comfort: how to use a browser, configure accessibility settings, and evaluate which app actually meets their needs. Friendship Circle’s tech programs create space for that foundation to develop at a sustainable pace, so participants can eventually tap into broader offerings at Bellevue Library, online platforms, or even beginner-friendly bootcamps without being overwhelmed.

Using this route as a bridge, not a dead end

If you or a family member is autistic, ADHD, or living with a physical or cognitive disability, the right sequence might be: start with Friendship Circle sessions to build confidence on the keyboard and screen, then “transfer” to KCLS workshops, LinkedIn Learning, or makerspace visits when ready. For some, the goal will be greater independence in school, work, or daily life; for others, it might be a gradual path into tech-adjacent roles where lived experience with assistive tech is a real asset. Either way, in a region where tech salaries are high and Washington’s lack of a state income tax lets you keep more of every raise, having a disability-aware on-ramp like this means you don’t have to choose between accessibility and ambition - you can design a route that respects both.

30-Day Free Learning Plan Using Bellevue Resources

By the time you’ve scrolled this far, you’ve seen the whole departures board: certifications, makerspace, LinkedIn Learning, Tech Help, community programs. The point of a 30-day plan isn’t to sample everything; it’s to pick a few routes, ride them consistently, and then decide whether it’s worth paying for a bigger jump like a bootcamp or a Bellevue College course. Think of this month as a focused trial run for the kind of habits you’ll need if you want to eventually read local job posts for support engineer or data roles on sites like Monster’s Bellevue listings and feel like the requirements are within reach, not a different universe.

This plan assumes you’re working or in school and have a life; it asks for focused effort, not heroics. On average you’re looking at roughly an hour a day on weekdays and a bit more on weekends, but you can cluster sessions around your commute or family schedule. The goal is to chain together several of Bellevue’s free routes into one coherent journey: assessments to see where you are, online content to build up skills, and in-person help and spaces to turn that into something tangible. By the end of 30 days, you’ll have enough signal to decide whether to double down, pivot, or keep tech as a side interest.

Week 1: Set Up Your Starting Station

Week 1 is about infrastructure and honest benchmarking, not mastering Python.

1. Get your KCLS library card (Day 1)
   • Sign up online or in person at Bellevue Library.
   • That single card unlocks LinkedIn Learning, certifications, classes, and more.
2. Book a Tech Help session (Days 2-3)
   • Use Tech Help or Tech Help Tuesdays to:
     • Check your laptop, browser, and Wi-Fi.
     • Install Python, VS Code, or Anaconda if you’re curious about coding.
3. Complete Northstar assessments (Days 4-5)
   • Take:
     • Basic Computer Skills
     • Internet & Email
     • Excel (if you’re data-curious) or Word (if you lean business/operations)
   • Write down your scores; they’re your baseline, not a judgment.
4. Log into LinkedIn Learning (Days 6-7)
   • Activate access through KCLS and pick one beginner course:
     • “Learning Python” if you want AI/data/engineering.
     • “Excel Essential Training” if you’re analyst/operations-oriented.
   • Aim for 3-4 hours total over these two days.

Week 2: Ride the Express Line (Online)

Now you start building momentum with a single, focused online path.

1. Commit to one track
   • AI/data track: Python + basic data analysis or SQL.
   • Business/ops track: Excel + other Office tools.
   • Study 1-1.5 hours per day, 5 days this week (about 6-8 hours total).
2. Add one KCLS workshop
   • Register for an online or in-person class aligned with your weakest Northstar area.
   • Use it to ask questions you collected during your self-study.
3. Start a simple learning journal
   • Once this week, jot down:
     • What you learned.
     • What felt fun vs. draining.
     • Any blockers you hit.

Week 3: Add Hands-On and Credentials

Week 3 is where you test how it feels to build things and aim at a specific credential.

1. Visit the Bellevue ideaX Makerspace (one session)
   • Drop in during posted hours.
   • Get an orientation and try:
     • A basic 3D print, or
     • Recording a short audio clip in the sound booth.
2. Explore KCLS certification options
   • Review library-supported certifications and choose one:
     • Excel or PowerPoint for analyst/ops paths.
     • Adobe tools if you lean toward UX/creative work.
   • Register for an exam date 1-2 months out to create a real deadline.
3. Keep the online course going
   • Log another 4-6 hours on your primary LinkedIn Learning path.
   • Try to finish at least one beginner course by the end of the week.

Week 4: Test Your Direction and Plan the Next 90 Days

The last week is about checking progress and choosing what comes next, not maximizing hours.

1. Retake a Northstar module
   • Pick the area you cared most about in Week 1 (e.g., Excel or Basic Computer Skills).
   • Compare scores; note specific improvements and remaining gaps.
2. Attend one more in-person event
   • Choose:
     • A follow-up computer skills or Office workshop, or
     • A Tech Help session to unblock any lingering issues, or
     • A teen STEM event if you’re supporting a high schooler and want to observe.
3. Sketch a 3-month route based on what you learned
   • If you loved data and Python:
     • Continue down the data/ML course sequence.
     • Start a tiny project (e.g., analyze a public dataset) and use the Makerspace for any physical or audio elements.
   • If you preferred business tools:
     • Double down on Excel/PowerPoint and prep seriously for your chosen certification.
     • Begin tailoring your resume to analyst or operations roles.
   • If you struggled with basics but still feel curious:
     • Schedule regular KCLS classes and Digital Navigator check-ins for the next few months.
     • Hold off on any paid bootcamp until your Northstar scores and confidence are higher.

By the end of these 30 days, you’ll have tried real tools, sat in real rooms, and seen how tech work actually feels in your week, not in an abstract “someday.” You’ll also be in a much better position to decide whether investing in something bigger - like a bootcamp, a community college course, or even an event at Microsoft’s campus such as Visual Studio Live! at Microsoft HQ - is a smart next transfer or an unnecessary express bus. The risk isn’t that you’ll pick the wrong route; it’s that you’ll keep reading the board without tapping your ORCA card - or your library card - and getting on anything at all.

Frequently Asked Questions