The huge conglomerate that is Google has found yet another way to serve the masses. This time in the form of educational programs that result in professional certificates. They call them Google Career Certifications, and acquiring one can open many doors.
Digital skills are becoming essential for employees nowadays. Google’s training teaches you all the skills you need and then some. Unlike other programs, Google’s is super accessible—being 100% online.
We’re going to explore all the details of these certifications and what you can expect after earning one.
Table Of Contents:
Google’s Professional Certificates:
It’s not a huge list, but these skills are in high demand. Not to mention, the pay you can expect for any of those careers is respectable. Now there are few things you should know about this opportunity. Let’s start with how the courses work.
How Do Google Certification Courses Work?
First and foremost, all the courses are run through a platform called Coursera (except the android development course). Don’t get confused though, the courses are developed and supported by Google. Coursera simply serves as a host.
Next, you should know there is a time commitment associated with Google Career Certifications. Google suggests students will spend under 10 hours a week of flexible studying. However, you are free to learn and complete the courses at your own pace.
Following Google’s recommendations, you can expect to complete the courses in 6 months. Of course, it’s possible to complete them in more or less time. It all depends on the student.
Lastly, you should be aware of the costs which, all things considered, are reasonable. To take a course, you’re going to need a subscription from Coursera which is $39 a month (Google doesn’t make any money).
Don’t let the cost steer you away! For one, financial aid is available for programs. More importantly, let’s put the cost into perspective. If it takes you 6 months to get a Google certification, you will have paid $234.
Instead of making students pay for the course upfront, it’s subscription-based. That way, if one month in, you realize it’s not for you, you can cancel and you’ll have only spent $39.
You’ll see the money is more than well spent when considering the salary for entry-level positions.
What Happens After You’re Certified?
Google doesn’t just leave you stranded after you complete a course. You’ll have access to a resume-building tool, career networking support, mock interviews, and more. Notably, you’ll be able to get your foot the door in with over 150 top employers through the Google Employer Consortium.
That’s just fancy phrasing for Google’s employer network. I must say, the network is an amazing opportunity as their employers are seeking people who have Google certifications. It’s Google’s way of helping you realize an ROI (return on investment).
So, you complete a course, become certified, start a job search, get hired, and start working…Or you could choose a different route; be sure to check out the bonus at the end of the article to find out what that route is!
It’s time we get to the juicy part, the pay.
How Much Can I Make With A Google Career Certification?
The entry-level salary figures Google provides are extremely competitive. They may even surprise you considering the amount of time it takes to obtain a Google Certification. Here is what you can expect to earn:
| Course: | Experience: | Average Salary: |
|---|---|---|
| IT Support | Entry Level | $50,800 |
| Data Analytics | Entry Level | $67,900 |
| Project Management | Entry Level | $59,000 |
| UX Design | Entry Level | $58,600 |
| Android Development | Entry Level | $81,940 |
As you can see, the certifications will more than pay for themselves. Those figures are what many bachelor’s degree educated job seekers hope to earn. However, these certifications take six months, while a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years.
I’d say, if college or the military isn’t for you, Google career certifications could be the next best thing.
Again, you’re not relegated to getting the certification and seeking an employer. Here’s the other option.
Bonus: Work For Yourself
Once you have the certification, you can start offering your skillset to clients as a freelancer. If you make your resume and portfolio attractive enough, people will be more than happy to hire you for tasks they simply cannot do.
Sites like Fiverr and Upwork make it extremely easy to start your freelance career. To start I’d recommend you head over to one of those platforms and determine how you could sell your services.
For some tips on how to be successful as a freelancer check: What is eCommerce? (Make Money Online)
Additionally, Google has other certifications you can acquire which can also help you with your freelancing endeavors. These courses are different from their career certification courses.
What’s Google Skillshop?
Google also offers 100% online/ free courses to help you master their products. These courses are completely hosted by Google meaning there’s no third-party learning platform like Coursera.
Not only will you learn the product, but you’ll also get certifications that could help boost your business’s trust factor or resume. The courses in Google Skillshop include:
- Google Ads
- Google Marketing Platform
- Analytics Academy
- Google My Business
- Google Ad Manager
- Google AdMob
- Authorized Buyers
- Waze
That’s the full list of courses in the Skillshop to this date. Some of these courses are purely designed to help business owners and have no actual certifications.
Currently, you can become certified in Google Ads, Google Marketing Platform, Analytics Academy, and Waze. Again, you could use these certifications to sell a service or just as a means to bolster your resume. Some Skillshop certifications work hand-in-hand with Google Career Certifications such as Analytics Academy and Data Analytics.
Summary:
Google Career Certifications are a great way to learn in-demand, job-ready skills. Being that the courses are 100% online and subscription-based, makes them accessible to almost anyone.
The training is coming from a reputable source in Google, and with their tools and employer network, I think you’d be hard-pressed not to find a job. If finding a job is what you desire that is.
What sticks out to me is how affordable the program is. If you’re already working, but in need of a new job; $39 dollars a month isn’t going to break the bank and it’s well worth it considering the average entry-level salaries for these positions.
This may have been a lot to take in, so if you have any questions, I’d recommend you look at Google’s FAQs for their career certifications. I found them extremely helpful.
Let me know in the comments what you think of Google Career Certifications.