00:00What is the best way to land a job in cloud and IT?
00:03Now this is a question I get asked all the time in my comments section
00:06ever since I started this YouTube channel three years ago.
00:08Having gone through this process myself, from studying information systems in university
00:12to spending two years at AWS as a solutions architect,
00:15I know just how hard it can be to figure out where to start.
00:18And everyone's journey is different, right?
00:20You might be fresh out of school, looking to switch career paths,
00:23or perhaps you're just curious about IT and want to dive into something new.
00:26Which is why in this video, I'd like to share with you something I wish I came across
00:30earlier in my tech journey, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
00:34This is a program designed by Google, provided by Coursera,
00:37that offers a comprehensive pathway to understand the fundamentals of IT.
00:40No prior knowledge is required and by the end of the program,
00:43you'll be equipped with the skills needed for an entry-level IT job.
00:47Now this video is sponsored by Coursera,
00:49so a big thank you to them for allowing me to provide my honest review.
00:52But before we dive further into the certificate,
00:54let's understand why IT skills are so in demand and will continue to be sought after for years to come.
01:00In today's digital world, technology is at the center of everything we do.
01:04From every app we use to every online transaction we make,
01:07we heavily rely on IT systems to run smoothly.
01:10In fact, it's estimated that tens of millions of IT-related jobs are being generated worldwide.
01:15And just in the US alone, there were 4.1 million tech job openings last year.
01:19With advancements in areas like cloud, AI and cybersecurity,
01:22the IT landscape will continue to grow and evolve.
01:25This means that demand for people with IT skills isn't just going to be a temporary trend,
01:30it's something that will continue to rise in popularity.
01:32Now you might be asking, what does an IT professional actually do?
01:35Well, IT at its core is all about solving problems.
01:39This could involve fixing network issues, safeguarding important company data,
01:42or just making sure software is kept up to date.
01:45People who work in IT are pretty much the backbone of every modern business.
01:49They work hand in hand with different departments in the company to make sure
01:52that the tech infrastructure is not only up and running, but is also secure and efficient.
01:56And so, this is where the Google IT Support Professional Certificate comes into play.
02:01It's an online program designed for anyone looking to learn more about IT,
02:05and build the right skills to get hired into an entry-level role.
02:07It's 100% online, making it super flexible and easy to tune into.
02:11It's also self-paced, meaning you can learn at your own speed.
02:14You can see here that there's over 1.3 million students that have enrolled,
02:18and the course has a 4.8 star rating.
02:20Now, I know here that it says it takes 6 months if you spend 10 hours a week,
02:23but if you're like me and also like to watch things in 2x speed,
02:27you might be able to complete it much faster.
02:29Another bonus is that this program is pretty well known in the tech community,
02:32so when you add it to your resume or LinkedIn profile,
02:35it can help you stand out to potential employers.
02:37Okay, let's take a look at what the Google IT Support Professional Certificate actually covers.
02:42This is a five-course series, and each course aims to teach you a different side of IT.
02:47The first course starts off with the fundamentals of tech support,
02:50and then goes into other topics like computer networking,
02:52operating systems, systems administration, and IT security.
02:56As I went through each of the courses,
02:58I found that the videos not only provided me with very detailed explanations,
03:01but were also very fun and engaging to watch.
03:04Instead of just throwing facts and figures at you,
03:06the content is aligned with real-world IT challenges that companies face,
03:09which means that once you complete it, you'll be equipped with skills that you can apply directly to your next
03:14IT job.
03:15For example, throughout the courses, you'll learn how to perform day-to-day IT support tasks,
03:19how to provide end-to-end customer support,
03:21and how to use systems like Linux and the command line interface.
03:25They also have quizzes and hands-on labs to test your understanding,
03:28so this will help solidify your knowledge on topics and increase your confidence.
03:32Something else I wanted to highlight is that this program prepares you for the Comp Tier A-plus exams,
03:36which, if you don't already know, is the Industry Standard Certification for IT.
03:40Now, onto the most important question for the video.
03:43Is the Google IT Professional Certificate worth your time and energy?
03:46My honest opinion is yes and no.
03:49One major advantage of this program is that it offers training designed by Google,
03:53one of the largest tech giants in the world.
03:55This means you'll be learning from Google employees who have used these IT foundations to launch their own careers.
04:00Another benefit is how flexible the program is.
04:03Even with a packed schedule, dedicating just 10 hours a week can get you an industry-recognized certificate in 6
04:08months' time.
04:09And while doing so, you're preparing yourself for an entry-level job in IT.
04:13On the cost side of things, taking this program can save you a significant amount of money,
04:17especially compared to the more traditional routes like boot camps or intensive courses.
04:22The Google IT Professional Certificate on Coursera offers a 7-day free trial to start with,
04:26and after that, it's $39 per month.
04:29However, just like every other learning resource, it's not suitable for everyone.
04:33This certificate focuses on covering IT foundations,
04:36so if you already have years of experience working in IT,
04:39it might be better to go for something more advanced or more specialized.
04:42Another reason it might not be right for you is if you're not ready to commit
04:45and put in the hours truly needed to understand the content.
04:48For example, if you're deciding between different career paths and not sure if IT is right for you,
04:53then it might be good to do a bit more exploration before diving straight into the program.
04:57But yeah, overall, I believe the Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera
05:01is a great way to learn and build your foundations in order to start a career in IT.
05:06It offers a structured learning path and covers the fundamental concepts,
05:09so that by the end of it, you'll walk away with a certificate that you can add on to your
05:13resume.
05:13As I mentioned, there's a 7-day free trial available for the certificate,
05:17so head to the link in the description below if you're interested.
05:20Alright, so this brings us to the end of the video.
05:22Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below,
05:24and if you end up enrolling, I'd love to hear how it goes.
05:27Thanks so much for watching and I'll see you soon.
05:29Bye for now!
Comments