Google IT Support Professional Certificate Review 2023

In today’s digital age, the demand for skilled IT professionals has skyrocketed.

As per the research, there are around 503,000+ job openings in IT support in the U.S., with around a median salary of $56,000+.

Recognizing this pressing need, Google, one of the world’s leading technology companies, has developed the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program.

In this article, I have reviewed the complete Google IT Professional Certificate program to help you make an informed decision about whether the Google IT support professional certificate is the right path for you.

Throughout the article, I have mentioned the program’s key highlights, the availability of interactive labs and quizzes, and my examination of the program’s curriculum. 

Let’s quickly delve into this.

Platform	Coursera
Instructor	Certified Google Instructors
Number of Courses	5 Courses
Level	Beginner to Intermediate
Duration	6 months (10 hours a week)
Price	$49
Rating	4.8/5

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Key Highlights

Here are some of the key takeaways from the Google IT support professional certification program.

• Understand how to perform and manage day-to-day IT support tasks from scratch, like building computers, setting up networks, and working with operating systems.
• Gain the skills that are required to start a career in an entry-level IT job.
• Explore how computers and operating systems work.
• Know how to perform basic troubleshooting tasks.
• Learn to provide customer support and solve computer-related problems with software and hardware.
• Perform usual IT support tasks, including wireless networking, customer service, installing programs, etc.
• Learn to use systems like Domain Name Systems, Command-Line Interfaces, and Binary Code.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Overview

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is an online program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in IT support. 

Developed by Google in collaboration with industry experts, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of topics relevant to the field.

The program’s curriculum is divided into five courses, each focusing on different aspects of IT support.

The program is delivered entirely online, allowing learners to study at their own pace and fit their education around other commitments.

In addition to the curriculum, the program provides resources to support learners in their career development. This includes access to a community of learners and professionals, career coaching, resume support, and interview preparation materials. 

These resources aim to assist graduates in securing job opportunities and advancing their careers in IT support.

All in all, this program not only provides theoretical understanding but also develops practical problem-solving skills that are essential in the IT support industry.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Course Content

Let’s have a look at the curriculum of the Google IT Support Professional Certification program.

1. Technical Support Fundamentals

The first course in the IT support professional certification program provides you with a complete overview of the program. 

It will introduce you to the various facets of information technology, including internet, hardware, software, customer service, and troubleshooting.

Course cover all the basics like assembling a computer from scratch and how binary system works.

It takes 21 hours to complete the course, which also includes 22 interactive quizzes and assessments.

Simply put, this introductory course is designed to give you an overall idea about technical support and what comes with the certificate program.

Key Learnings:

• Learn to assemble a computer from basics.
• Understand how the binary system works.
• Get a complete overview of what the Internet is, how it works, and its impact on the modern world.
• Know how applications are built and how they work under the hood of a computer.
• Understand the usual problem-solving techniques and soft skills in an IT setting.

2. The Bits And Bytes Of Computer Networking

The next course, The Bits, and Bytes of Computer Networking, is designed to provide a complete overview of computer networking. 

Here you will be covered with the basics of modern networking technologies along with the protocols to an overview of the cloud to practical applications and network troubleshooting.

This course provides you with the five-layer model of computer networks, network troubleshooting, different network services, etc.

This course is around 27 hours long, combining six different modules and  34 assessments and quizzes.

All in all, this course provided practical aspects of troubleshooting the network using operating systems that helped me to solve common network connectivity problems.

Key Learnings:

• Investigate the common protocols used in TCP/IP communications.
• Learn about the network services that keep computer networks running, such as DNS and DHCP.
• Understand cloud computing, cloud storage, and everything as a service.
• Grasp powerful network troubleshooting techniques and tools.
• Describe the complete computer networks in terms of a five-layer model.
• Understand the basics of modern networking technologies.

3. Operating Systems And You: Becoming A Power User

The third course will take you into an in-depth discussion of operating systems and the crucial duties IT specialists carry out on them, like configuring hardware and managing software.

With this course, you will learn how system processes work and how you can manage them. 

Once you complete the course, you will be able to set up users, permissions, and groups and configure disk partitions and file systems.

Moreover, this course will give you an idea of how to use a graphical user interface and command-line interpreter to navigate Linus and Windows file systems.

Other than that, you will work with system logs and remote connection tools and troubleshoot common IT issues.

Key Learnings:

• Understand how system processes work and how to manage them.
• Work with system logs and remote connection tools.
• Learn how to navigate the Linux and Windows file systems using a graphical user interface and command line interpreter.
• Use operating system knowledge to troubleshoot common issues in an IT support specialist role.
• Configure disk partitions and file systems.
• Learn to set up groups, users, and permissions for account access.
• Understand how to install, configure and remove software on the Windows and Linus operating systems.

4. System Administration And IT Infrastructure Services

This 25 hours course will transform you from working on a single computer to an entire fleet.

With this course, you will learn about the infrastructure services that keep all kinds of organizations up and running.

The course will give you an overview of typical cloud infrastructure setups and managing cloud resources. 

Plus, you will learn how to manage and configure servers and how to use industry tools to manage user information, computer, and user productivity.

This course comes with a project where you will gain some practical skills in IT infrastructure.

Key Learnings:

• Use the best practices for choosing vendors, hardware, and services for your organizations.
• Understand how the most common infrastructure services. 
• Know how to make the most of the cloud for the organization.
• Choose and manage the tools that your organization will use.
• Manage an organization’s users by using Active Directory, OpenLDAP, and directory services.
• Use systems administration knowledge to plan and improve processes for IT environments.
• Learn how to back up your organization’s data and know how to recover your IT infrastructure in case of disaster.

5. IT Security: Defense Against The Digital Dark Arts

Now coming to the final course, this course introduces you to the various computer system threats and how to safeguard against them.

It covers a wide variety of IT security tools, concepts, and best practices. The instructor provides you with some background on encryption algorithms and how they are used to safeguard data.

You will be introduced to the three “A’s” of information security, which are authorization, authentication, and accounting.

The course also talks about network security solutions like firewalls and Wifi encryption options. 

Once you complete the course, you will be able to segregate Authorization from authentication and recognize various authentication types and systems.

Finally, you will also be able to help others understand security concepts and protect themselves.

Key Learnings:

• Learn various authentication types and systems.
• Understand how to evaluate the difference between authentication and authorization.
• Assess potential risks and make suggestions for risk-reduction measures.
• Know how various encryption algorithms and techniques work, as well as their limitations and benefits.
• Use the recommended procedures for network security.
• Learn how to protect yourself and assist others in understanding security ideas.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Pros And Cons

Now that you have a basic idea about the complete certification program, let’s have a look at some pros and cons that you should consider.

Pros:

• Earn a shareable certificate on completion.
• Learn and demonstrate your proficiency in portfolio-ready projects.
• Get professional-level training from Google.
• Work on your skills with the live projects.
• Learn at your own pace and flexibility.
• Pocket-friendly program.
• Taught by top universities and companies.
• Excellent course content.

Cons:

Here are some of the disadvantages that I found:

• You will have to pay the Coursera subscription fees each month to continue the program and earn a certificate of completion.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Instructors

Google Certificates created this comprehensive Google IT Support Certification with the aim of assisting individuals in learning and gaining various skills.

The complete certification program is instructed by the experts in their respective fields. Most of the instructors are professionals in the IT sector, Cloud computing, and Technical support.

Plus, these instructors are direct employees of Google at higher levels who explain the various concepts with in-depth and clear explanations. 

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Pricing

As this Google IT Support professional certification is offered on Course, the price for this program is $49 per month.

So if you are completing the course in 6 months, then the price for six months would be $296.

But as I said earlier, it takes around 2 to 3 months to finish the complete program with dedication. So, if you are completing the course within two months, then it will cost you around $96 for two months.

Plus, you have the option to get a free trial for seven days. 

Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Duration

So now let’s talk about the time to completion.

First of all, they say the complete program is going to take about six months with 10 hours of study each week.

I think this is completely false. It took around 3.5 or 4 months for me to complete the program.

You can get this certification done in less than two months or three. This IT certification is not that difficult, so it might hardly take around 40 to 45 hours to complete.

Also, this certification is 100% self-paced, so you can learn on your time and don’t have to show up to any class.

So yes, you can complete the program and get certified within 1 or 2 months if you learn it with dedication. 

Plus, there is financial aid available on a course-by-course basis. You can apply for financial aid, and if approved, you will be notified by email and automatically enrolled in the course. 

To give you a proper idea about the program duration, here is have mentioned detailed breakdown of course content-wise time investment.

Sr. No	Course Name	Key Skills	Time Needed
1.	Technical Support Fundamentals	Binary Code, Customer support, Linux Troubleshooting	21 hours
2.	The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking	Network Model, Troubleshooting, Domain Name System, ipv4.	27 hours
3.	Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User	Linux File Systems, Linus Command-Line Interface, Powershell	33 hours
4.	System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services	Lightweight Directory, Access Protocol, Backup, Directory Service	25 hours
5.	IT Security: Defense against the Digital Dark Arts	Wireless Security, Cybersecurity, Network Security	31 hours

Assessments And Certifications

Each course in this program combines interactive quizzes and assignments that you will be attempting along with the course in order to move further.

These quizzes and assignments are designed to help you understand the concepts better and gain practical knowledge.

Moreover, you will be going through the graded assessments and capstone projects that cover peer-graded assignments.

To get certified, you will need to clear all graded exams.

There are over 54 assignments that you will need to complete. They come in different forms, like simple question-answer sets, multiple-choice questions, and lab-based questions.

In case you fail, you will have to retake the exam again in order to gain the certificate.

All in all, if you study the course material properly, you will definitely pass the examination without having any issues.

Who Should Opt For The Course

This certification is available for anyone who is interested and willing to learn IT services and operations systems.

It is perfect for professionals who want to brush up on their IT and technical skills to excel in their organization.

It is also suitable for individuals who are applying for an entry-level job as an IT supporter.

Moreover, it is worth taking if you are an IT student and want to gain practical skills. 

Also, if you are a newbie in the IT sector and curious to learn the skills, then this program is a perfect choice.

Related Read:

• Is The Google Project Management Certificate Worth
• Google UX Design Certificate Review
• Best Free Google Certification Courses
• How to Get Google Certified for Free

Final Verdict: Is the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Worth It?

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate program offers a well-structured and comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of topics relevant to IT support. 

From troubleshooting techniques and networking fundamentals to operating systems and security, the program provides a solid foundation of knowledge. 

One aspect of the program that impressed me was its emphasis on real-world scenarios and hands-on labs.

Plus, through interactive exercises and simulations, I was able to apply my learning and develop problem-solving skills in a realistic environment. 

This practical experience was invaluable, as it prepared me for the challenges I would face in an actual IT support role.

Based on my personal experience, I firmly believe that the Google IT Support Professional Certificate is worth pursuing for individuals interested in a career in IT support. 

Considering the positive aspects and potential benefits, I highly recommend registering for the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. 

To help you make an informed decision, you can take advantage of the program’s 7-day free trial. You can use this trial period to delve into the course material, explore its content, and evaluate if this certification aligns with your career goals and aspirations. 

So what are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comment section below.

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