Thanks to the pandemic, we saw entire industries being shuttered, with millions of people losing their jobs in the early months of 2020. And yet, on the other end of the spectrum, some sectors like healthcare and edu-tech experienced exponential growth.
While unemployment benefits may provide temporary relief, there’s a huge need to reskill the laid-off workers and encourage them to switch over to understaffed sectors. Companies such as Amazon and Pricewaterhouse Coopers may have invested in employee upskilling programs, but Google has launched several initiatives to reskill millions of people across the board. The company recently launched Career Certificate Programs to cover various technologies, including data analytics, Android app development, project management, and UX.
These certifications are worth investing for graduates who’re fresh off the boat and unprepared for the workplace, and they’re also ideal for experienced professionals planning a career detour. If you’re one such professional, here are five certifications that can offer a jumpstart:
1. Google Project Management Professional Certificate – Project Management
The verdict about this certification program has so far been favorable on various forums. By spending $240 and less than 10 hours per week, you can complete this course within six months. It includes six components: foundations of project management, project initiation, project planning, project execution, agile project management, and a final capstone course where you learn how to apply project management in the real world.
The course teaches students how to apply different project management methodologies and even mix different methods.
If you plan a career in project management and don’t know how to start, this certification can be invaluable.
2. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate – Data Analytics
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate takes less than 3 months and around 5-10 hours every week. Some people have managed to complete the course in just one month! The course involves eight courses: data fundamentals, ask questions to make data-driven decisions, prepare data for exploration, process data from dirty to clean, analyze data to answer questions, share data through the art of visualization, analyzing data with R programming, and Google data analytics capstone.
It is ideal for beginners looking for a career in data analytics or those planning a mid-career switch. The program is not only well-structured but also includes abundant learning resources. You can also avail yourself of career resources like Google Cert Coursera Job Platform, Careercircle, and Big Interview.
3. Google UX Design Professional Certificate – UX Design
The Google UX Design Professional Certificate is designed for freshers interested in taking up UX design as a career. You will learn the basics of UX design and become familiar with the design process from beginning to end, including empathy maps, affinity diagrams, problem statements, ideating, drawing wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and even iterating on designs based on feedback.
Experienced UX designers at Google teach the course. They are friendly, to the point, and are careful enough to speak at a pace that’s easy to understand for non-native English speakers. The only downside to the course is that the assignments are peer-reviewed. It would have been helpful if Google’s experienced UX designers reviewed them – you don’t know if the fellow beginner is good enough to review your assignments.
Good or not, Google’s career certifications are indeed a great way to reskill and equip you with the confidence to learn more and explore or take up a new career – albeit at an entry-level.
