Google IT Professional Certificate - Why isn't it so popular as many others?

While jumping into IT, looking for those platforms to get the knowledge and build up the right skills to succeed sometimes can be very annoying. There is a lot out there to look for, but in my opinion this certification created by Google can prepare and build up a great base to your entry-level role.

Description

As the program describes, this course is intended for the following purposes:

Prepare for an entry-level role in IT support by earning the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. No experience is required to get started. 

• Launch your IT career with a program designed to take you from beginner to job-ready in under six months
• Complete interactive, hands-on projects to help you ace job interviews
• Master the skills necessary to succeed in an entry-level role in IT support

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Gain skills required to succeed in an entry-level IT job
• Learn how to provide end-to-end customer support, ranging from identifying problems to troubleshooting and debugging
• Learn to perform day-to-day IT support tasks including computer assembly, wireless networking, installing programs, and customer service
• Learn to use systems including Linux, Domain Name Systems, Command-Line Interface, and Binary Code.

*** Extra Bonus for passing this certification:

This program also prepares you for the CompTIA A+ exams, the industry standard certification for IT—you’ll earn a dual credential when you complete both.

This program is ACE® approved—when you complete, you can earn up to 12 college credits, the equivalent of 4 associate degree-level courses.

Platforms to take it

While this course is created by Google over its program Grow with Google (Google IT Certificates) you must enroll and take the full course over the Coursera.org platform.

To take this you will follow a totally online course where you can follow your own schedule, but be aware that you will get a monthly subscription so sooner means less money to spend. Monthly subscription will cost you about 49 US dollar if you don't find a special offer from time to time. 

*** You can always try the option of financial aid or try it for free but this option will not give you access to the amazing labs they have and quiz and exams neither.

Structure of the Course

You will need to pass 5 Courses if you want to opt and gain for the Google IT Support Professional Certificate:

1. Technical Support Fundamentals
2. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
3. Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
4. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
5. IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts

After passing those courses mentioned above and studying and understanding all the materials and putting hands on labs, you will be ready to take the final exam which is based on answering questions (True/false - Multiple choice) about the whole program. If you pass then you will get your certificate, if not then you should verify and work on your weaknesses and then try again.

Final Considerations

What I like of this cert

First of all, this program is made by the "giant" Google, so content is updated and based on real field demands. You will find videos about real people experiences along the whole program what is really good to get motivated about this "not so easy" industry. After you finish the program, you can find videos to prepare for job interviews, as well as good tips about how to make a winner resume. As part of the coursera platform joined with Google, passing this certificate gives you access to enroll to some job website which is another alternative to start searching for some job opportunity. Another strong aspect I loved when passing this program was the chance of taking access to a ton of labs to practice every single skill learned. Also, great videos and study materials to take a look after schedule were you can find the most updated information about what we are learning on. Greatest point in my opinion goes to focusing the classes on building up the ability of working on multiple OS (linux, Windows, macOS) and mobile OS which is really good for anyone trying to jump into the IT.

What I didn't like at all...

Video classes are very fast to take notes or visualize the content by ourselves, so putting extra hours to understand the content is the key. Maybe the creators should be more illustrative about the content or create a kind of reading book to support the video classes. 

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What has worked to me...

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Where I started

Looking for that first step that makes you get the experience to face of those uncountable troubles that computing systems have every single day, made me get in front of one of the best certifications which in my opinion is the best way to start the journey along the Information Technology pathway. This certification gave me all the basic tools to be able an comfortable to understand "the bits an bytes" of the IT Infrastructure environment and how to troubleshoot its adverse situations.

As per CompTIA.org describes in their website about its A+ certification, the important aspects of this one are describe bellow:

CompTIA A+ certified professionals are proven problem solvers. They support today’s core technologies from security to cloud to data management and more. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for launching IT careers into today’s digital world. 

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Where to start your IT journey?

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It's all about a DREAM

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I used to work in another field... sales, PR, Marketing, Business, etc. I studied and prepared myself to do it great, but always felt I wasn't really involved, and took the decision about move to what I really like to do for a living: Information Technology (IT).

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