Google IT Certificates

Frequently asked questions

• What does IT stand for?

  IT stands for information technology and refers to the use of computers and other devices to create, process, store, secure, and exchange electronic data. IT support specialists troubleshoot problems so computers and networks run correctly.

• What is IT support?

  IT support is troubleshooting and problem solving in the field of information technology, including setting up computers for users within an organization, overseeing computer systems, and debugging whenever a problem arises.

  Businesses, nonprofits, school systems, and government organizations all rely on technology. Computers break, systems fail, phones die—when that happens, we need experts to fix them. IT support is all about troubleshooting and problem solving when the tech fails, and providing great customer service along the way. A job in IT support can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a range of organizations across many different industries.

• Why start a career in IT?

  With entry-level jobs in IT fetching an average salary of $52,000 per year, starting a career in IT can be extremely lucrative and have a high potential for growth.

  In the U.S., there were over 86,500 open entry-level IT support roles in 2020, and jobs in this field are projected to grow 8% between 2019 and 2029 — faster than the average of all other occupations. Basic IT skills will position you to secure an introductory-level role to begin your IT career, and from then on, the opportunities are endless.

  The stackability of these skills means that after gaining a baseline level of knowledge through the Google IT Support Certificate program, it is easy to pick up more advanced skills or build on those foundations with the IT Automation with Python Certificate program.

• What are the different careers in IT?

  A career in IT can encompass many different things. Types of careers in IT may include jobs working with...

  • Hardware and infrastructure
  • Information security
  • Cloud computing technologies
  • Computer networks
  • Storage and data

• What are some in-demand IT jobs?

  A job in IT can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a range of organizations across many different industries. In-demand IT jobs include:

  • Database administrator
  • IT specialist
  • Tech support specialist
  • Systems analyst
  • Network engineer
  • Help desk technician
  • IT support specialist
  • IT technician
  • Computer user specialist
  • IT assistant
    

• What is an IT certificate?

  An IT certificate is an end-of-program certification earned by completing a professional training program and demonstrating competency in core areas. A certificate in information technology can be the start of a promising career. The Google IT Support Certificate curriculum is developed and taught by Googlers with years of experience in the field. More than 150 companies in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs.

• What Google IT certificates are available?

  There are two Google IT certificates available: an introductory-level IT Support Certificate and an advanced-level IT Automation with Python Certificate.

• What IT courses are included in the IT Support curriculum?

  IT courses included in the IT Support program are ...

  • Technical Support Fundamentals
  • The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
  • Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
  • System Administration and IT - Infrastructure Services
  • IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts

• What are the prerequisites for the IT Support Certificate?

  There are no prerequisites for the IT Support Certificate. The program is open to anyone interested in learning the foundational skills of IT support, whether you've been tinkering with IT on your own, or even if you are completely new to the field.

• What IT courses are included in the IT Automation with Python curriculum?

  Courses in the IT Automation with Python curriculum include:

  • Crash Course on Python
  • Using Python to Interact with the Operating System
  • Introduction to Git and GitHub
  • Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques
  • Configuration Management and the Cloud
  • Automating Real-World Tasks with Python

• What are the prerequisites for the IT Automation with Python Certificate?

  The prerequisites for the IT Automation with Python Certificate include familiarity with basic IT concepts and operating systems, files, and processes; and networking and data management. The program builds on your IT foundations to help you take your career to the next level. No previous knowledge of coding is required.

• What is Python?

  Python is a general-purpose computer programming language used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis. Python is used to automate common system administrator tasks, and it's one of the most in-demand programming languages used by employers today.

• What are the advantages of learning Python?

  There are many advantages to learning Python programming. Adding Python to your skill set builds on your IT knowledge foundation and can prepare you to advance in your IT career. Knowing how to write code to solve problems and automate solutions is a crucial skill for anybody working in IT today. Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.

• Who designed the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates?

  The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates were designed and built by subject-matter experts and senior practitioners at Google — real-world professionals with strong backgrounds in IT support, working in fields such as operations engineering, security, site reliability engineering, and systems administration. The certificates were created to equip learners with theoretical and practical knowledge and real-life problem-solving skills to be successful in entry-level jobs or achieve career advancement.

• What other languages are the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates offered in?

  The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates are also available in Spanish and Portuguese.

  • Certificado Profesional de Soporte de Tecnologías de la Información de Google
  • Certificado Profissional de Suporte em TI do Google

• Where can I access the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates?

  The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese on Coursera.

• What is the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium? Can it help me find IT jobs?

  The Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium consists of over 150 U.S. companies like HCL, World Wide Technology, Infosys, AT&T, Wells Fargo and Google. These companies span multiple sectors and are committed to considering Google IT Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs. Upon completion of the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, you will gain access to an exclusive job platform where you can easily apply to opportunities from employers with open IT jobs.

  Employers interested in joining the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium can find more information at grow.google/employers.

• What other kind of support is available after I complete a Google Career Certificate?

  In addition to expert training and hands-on projects designed to prepare you for a job in your field of choice, you'll get access to career resources including a resume building tool, mock interviews and networking support designed to help you with your job search. You'll also be able to connect with over 150 US employers in the hiring consortium who are accepting candidates who have completed a Google Career Certificate.

• Why did Google create these programs?

  Google created the IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificate programs because we faced the same issue many other companies had — open IT roles and not enough qualified candidates to fill them. So a few years ago, we began working with a nonprofit organization to provide training and pathways to roles in technical support at Google. We learned that not only is IT support a highly teachable field, but that we could teach someone completely new to the industry the IT fundamentals in under six months. We decided to build an IT training program on Coursera, created entirely by Googlers who are expert in IT support so this training could be available to everyone.

• How much do the Google IT Certificates cost?

  The IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates cost $39 per month by subscription on Coursera.

• Is financial assistance available for the Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates?

  If you are interested in financial assistance for the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, you may be eligible for financial aid via Coursera through the course page. Recipients of financial aid will have full access to course content and assignments required to earn a certificate. To apply, go to the certificate course page on Coursera and click the “Financial aid available” link next to the “Enroll” button.
  

  Google has also funded 100,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates, which will be distributed by Grow with Google partners and Google.org grantees like Merit America, Per Scholas, NPower, Goodwill, Futuro Health, Generation USA, UnidosUS, LULAC and Hispanic Federation. These funds will create a lasting impact in helping people land high-quality jobs in high-growth fields.

• Can I get college credit for taking the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates?

  Those planning to attend a degree program can utilize ACE®️ recommendations, the industry standard for translating workplace learning to college credit. Learners can earn a recommendation of 12 college credits for completing the IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, the equivalent of 4 college courses at a bachelor’s degree level. This aims to help open up additional pathways to learners who are interested in higher education, and prepare them for entry-level jobs.
  

  To share proof of completion with schools, IT certificate graduates will receive an email prompting them to claim their Credly badge, which contains the ACE®️ credit recommendation. Once claimed, they will receive a competency-based transcript that signifies the credit recommendation, which can be shared directly with a school from the Credly platform. Please note that the decision to accept specific credit recommendations is up to each institution and is not guaranteed.
  

  IT Certificate graduates who also pass the CompTIA A+ certification exams will earn a dual credential from CompTIA and Google.