With the ever-growing popularity of online learning and online courses in recent years, it only fits that a company like Google jumps on board the online learning marketplace. Using its brand to help people attain valuable new skills in exciting fields of work. Through the Coursera platform, Google offers a series of online courses in areas they deem “high-growth”. Some of these areas include:

• Project Management
• UX Design
• IT Support and Automation
• Data Analysis

This article looks to assess what these certificates are, what they do, how they work with the “Grow with Google” platform, and if they are worth attaining.

What is a Google Certificate, and What is its Purpose?

Simply put, a Google certificate is an online course provided through Coursera. It looks to kickstart careers in many high-growth industries. The purpose of the certificates is to drive employment in areas of technology that are growing rapidly and may not have enough new people coming in at an entry-level position.

By attaining a Google Certificate, you can get on the ladder by obtaining an entry-level position in a high growth sector. Without such an incentive, growing industries may find it more challenging to bring enough people to offset their growth.

Furthermore, with the average entry-level salaries across all certificate fields being $63,000, if the chance at personal development and promotion is not enough to incentivize you, then the money will be.

Are the Certificates Worth it?

Cost

With the average MBA setting you back a cool $168,000, it is no surprise that graduates from a broad spectrum of society are at a premium. With Google certificates, Google is challenging the idea that you need to earn a degree or an MBA to succeed in tech or business industries.

The certificate price structure is $49 per month of study with a 7-day free trial. As most courses take 6-months to complete, that costs less than $300 for a certificate backed by the world’s largest internet search engine.

Furthermore, with the exposure that you get to particular companies and industries, and the skills that you learn from industry-leading professionals, $300 is a small investment that will significantly impact your future in the best way.

Professionally

With most degrees, diplomas or MBA’s taking years and thousands of dollars to complete, they can put many people off. Someone looking to get into an industry quickly may not want to spend years in college or take out a student or college loan that they spend the rest of their adult lives paying back.

With each of Googles Certificates taking only 6-months to complete, it means that you can get on the company ladder quickly, and instead of spending years in college, you spend that time working your way up the company ladder instead.

Furthermore, a feature that I love about the Google certificate program is that in the end, you can share the fact that you are now certified with a host of over 130 quality companies in America. You can share your certificate with companies like Google, Hulu, Bank of America, Intel or Walmart. This is such a valuable feature because it is a fast-track to employment, and with Googles backing, it will look even more official.

Personally

Firstly, the courses are done online and are only 10-hours per week in length. This gives you ultimate control and flexibility over your learning. This is ideal for those with jobs or those with a busy lifestyle.

Secondly, each course allows you to build your professional portfolio of work, which only stands to help you find work easier outside of the course because employers will value such an organization. There are also scholarships available for those with specific financial circumstances. With over 100,000 scholarships available, it highlights that what is most important to Google is its ability to help those who need it to find a new passion and dive into new and exciting industries.

Finally, the ability to learn so many new skills and enter a new profession in such a short space of time is an exciting prospect for any learner. With just 10-hours per week of learning, you can graduate in 6-months and get your foot on the ladder with an entry position straight away. These certificates will make you feel productive and offer you a fast track to personal and professional freedom.

Grow With Google

Grow with Google is the initiative that Google uses to help people find work in their desired areas. The program underpins the Google certificate brand on Coursera. Their goal is to help their users grow stronger and accelerate economic recovery by significantly adding to the workforce of big tech and retail companies.

The scheme itself was designed to help businesses adapt and expand their online presence. They do this by providing free tools to companies that may help them reach new online customer bases and learn how to operate virtually or expand their market. It is ideal for small businesses and has not just been a force in the US. In Ireland, by the end of 2021, they hope to have had over 40,000 people utilize their free training tools, which will only serve to upskill those involved and, as a result, lead to better business prospects.

Through this initiative and its partnership with Coursera, existing businesses, employees or people looking to enter into a particular field can grow exponentially and, as a result, boost the tech industry. This will only help Google in the long run because in partnering with global entities like Walmart, Intel and Bank of America, they get increased revenue and can help to stimulate the economy. Everybody is a winner.

The Verdict

With 82% of Google Certificate users reporting a “positive career outcome” within 6-months of getting their certificate, it will not come as a surprise to see me say that Google Certificates are the real deal. They are inexpensive, offer ultimate flexibility, and unlock a host of new opportunities that allow those with or without a college degree a foot in the door in some of the worlds most exciting industries.

With a Google career certificate, you spend less time learning and more time earning and with their positive outcomes from both a personal and a professional standpoint, they are in my opinion, a must-have if you are considering trying something new or entering into a new field of work. Google has hit a home run with its career certificate range and its “Grow with Google” scheme.