Hey folks, let’s address the elephant in the room: college degrees.
With the rise of Google professional certificates, traditional diplomas are becoming less relevant. The degree you worked so hard for might leave you drowning in student loan debt without a job in your field. But don’t worry—I’ve got a solution for you: Google certificates.
These are one of my favourite, more affordable, and accessible alternatives to a traditional college degree. So, grab a snack, tap that like button, and let’s dive into the impressive world of Google certificates!
Number 7: Google Digital Marketing and E-commerce Professional Certificate
Starting with the Google Digital Marketing and E-commerce Professional Certificate, which might be my least favorite among the limited number of Google certificates, but still far superior to many traditional alternatives.
Learning modern marketing in college is like trying to drive a Tesla by studying horse-drawn carriages. Colleges often lag behind in this fast-changing field, leaving you with outdated knowledge. Digital marketing today is about using data and technology to reach audiences precisely and track results in real-time.
This beginner-level course, rated 4.8 stars, can be completed in around six months with 10 hours of study per week, though many finish it much faster. Digital marketing includes SEO, PPC, email marketing, and more.
Entry-level digital marketing jobs on LinkedIn show 68,000 results, with an average salary of $68,000 per year.
Number 6: Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
Next up is the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate.
This course covers in-demand skills like Python, Git, and IT automation, helping you advance your career. It’s beginner-friendly, rated 4.8 stars, and can be completed in about six months, though most finish in 2-3 months. Python proficiency is highly sought after, with over 530,000 US job postings and 75,000 entry-level positions.
One potential job is Junior System Administrator, with around 12,000 entry-level listings and an average salary of $63,000 per year.
Number 5: Google Associate Android Developer Certificate
The Google Associate Android Developer Certificate, though not a professional certificate, is included due to the high demand for this skill set. You’ll learn Kotlin, used in 95% of the top 1,000 Android apps.
Career paths include mobile application development, with 3,800 entry-level jobs listed on LinkedIn and an average salary of $80,000 per year.
Number 4: Google UX Design Professional Certificate
The Google UX Design Professional Certificate is designed to get you job-ready for entry-level UX design positions in less than six months. Rated 4.8 stars with over 56,000 reviews, this course is intense but worthwhile. It helps you build a portfolio, crucial for breaking into UX design. With nearly a million job openings in UX design.
Positions like Interaction Designer have 2,900 entry-level listings on LinkedIn, with an average salary of $110,000 per year.
Number 3: Google Project Management Professional Certificate
The Google Project Management Professional Certificate is another valuable course. Rated 4.8 stars with over 71,000 reviews, it claims to be beginner-level and can be completed in about six months, though quicker completion is common. Project management is a highly valuable skill with 479,000 job openings.
Entry-level project managers see over 70,000 job listings on LinkedIn, with an average salary of $84,000 per year.
Number 2: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Tied for the top spot is the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate. This course aims to make you job-ready in about six months and is rated 4.8 stars with over 98,000 reviews. Data analytics is a high-demand field, and this certificate is a top recommendation for entering it.
There are 380,000 job openings in data analytics, with entry-level data analysts seeing around 50,000 job listings on LinkedIn and an average salary of $71,000 per year.
Number 1: Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Also tied for number one is the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, the most well-known and highly rated Google certificate. With a 4.8-star rating from 151,000 reviews, this course can often be completed much faster than the suggested six months.
IT support is a broad field with 400,000 job openings. Positions like Help Desk support are common entry points, but roles like Database Administrator and System Analyst also offer substantial opportunities.
Google certificates offer a fantastic alternative to traditional college degrees. They are affordable, flexible, and can help you quickly gain in-demand skills. While not a replacement for a college degree in every field, these certificates are a powerful tool for many career paths.
Plus, they can help you discover what you truly enjoy without a huge financial commitment. So, check them out and start your journey toward a new career today!