Google Cloud certifications are one of the most sought-after in the IT industry as they validate the holder’s ability to use Google Cloud technology. The certification opens up a lot of opportunities for the holder, and increases their chances of getting hired to high-paying jobs.
Google Cloud Certifications
I. What Is GCP Certification and What Does It Entail?
To understand the GCP certificate, let’s first look at the Google Cloud Platform.
Google Cloud Platform is an “Infrastructure as a Service” (IaaS) platform that offers a varied collection of services and products that businesses use to improve the products and services they offer to clients and end-users.
The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) certifications are role-based and evaluate your ability to use Google Cloud products to carry out specific activities. To obtain the distinct certifications, you must pass Google’s assessment exams, which test your knowledge, skills, and expertise in a range of cloud fields.
II. Why Should You Get GCP certification?
Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing industries. A Google Cloud Platform certification will help improve your skills and demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your area.
Here are some stats that highlight the importance of GCP certification.
- Cloud-based positions are among the top ten most in-demand IT careers in 2020.
- The average cloud remuneration is 29% more than the global average IT salary.
- The Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer certification was one of the top 15 highest-paying qualifications in 2021.
III. How Long Does It Take to Obtain GCP Certification?
When you register for the exams, your login details will be sent to you via mail, so you can take it at the appropriate time.
The amount of time the exam takes is dependent on the individual, especially the materials they studied. If you take a Google Cloud certification course before the exams, you’ll be better prepared and spend less time tackling the questions.
Once you’re done with the exams, it will take 7 to 10 business days for you to receive the results.
IV. Types of Google Cloud Certifications
Google currently offers 11 cloud certifications categorized into foundational, associate, professional and looker.
V. Google Cloud Foundational-level Certification.
The foundational level certification validates a broad understanding of cloud concepts as well as Google Cloud products, services, tools, features, benefits, and use cases, with an emphasis on Google Cloud capabilities.
1. Google Cloud Digital Leader Exam
This certification is intended for non-technical individuals who may provide value to their organization by learning about the cloud but have little or no hands-on experience with Google Cloud.
Prerequisite: There’s no hand-on experience requirement for this certification. You just need a general understanding of how the cloud works.
VI. Google Cloud Associate-level Certifications
The associate-level certification tests applicants on the basic skills of creating, monitoring, and maintaining Google Cloud projects.
This certification is intended for those who want to operate daily in a cloud environment.
It’s an excellent starting point for people new to cloud computing and can serve as a stepping stone to higher-level qualifications.
1. Associate Cloud Engineer Google Cloud Certified
This certification exam covers the fundamentals of installing, maintaining and observing projects on Google Cloud. It assesses your ability to do the following tasks:
- Create a solution environment that is cloud-based.
- Create and setup a cloud solution.
- Install and set up a cloud solution.
- Ensure the smooth operation of a cloud solution.
- Set up security and access.
Prerequisite: It is recommended to have at least up to 6 months of hands-on experience using Google Cloud before taking this Associate Cloud Engineer Google Cloud Certification exam.
VII. Google Cloud Professional Certifications
Google Cloud Professional certificates are awarded to those who have worked in the industry, and are familiar with Google Cloud products.
The exam assesses advanced skills in areas spanning from design to implementation and management, as well as key technical work activities.
It’s suitable for individuals with industry knowledge and experience with Google Cloud products and solutions.
Prerequisite: It’s recommended that you have at least three years of industry experience, including over a year of Google Cloud experience, to take this exam.
There are now eight professional certifications available:
1. The Cloud Architect Professional Certification.
A Cloud Architect is in charge of translating the technical requirements of a project into the architecture and design that will drive the outcome. The Professional Google Cloud Platform Architect exam assesses your knowledge of designing, building, and managing Google Cloud Platforms.
2. Cloud Developer Professional Certification
A Cloud Developer employs Google-recommended methodologies and technology to build scalable and highly available apps that leverage fully-managed services.
The exams assess your ability to develop, deploy, and manage cloud-native apps that are highly scalable, available, and dependable.
3. Data Engineer Professional Certification
A Data Engineer gathers, transforms, and publishes data to allow for data-driven decision-making. They are in charge of the planning, design, and implementation of data processing systems.
The exam tests your abilities to develop and manage data processing systems and machine learning models.
4. Cloud DevOps Engineer
GCP DevOps Engineers are responsible for making development processes as efficient as possible while preserving service dependability and delivery speed.
The Professional DevOps Engineer for Google Cloud Platform exam assesses your abilities to apply site reliability engineering concepts to a service, enhance the effectiveness of your service, implement service monitoring strategies, and more.
5. Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security Engineers help organizations develop and implement secure cloud infrastructures using security best practices and industry requirements.
The Professional Google Cloud Security Engineer exam assesses the ability to configure access and network security to a cloud solution, ensure data protection, compliance, and more.
6. Collaboration Engineer
This certification is intended for people who wish to rise to the level of G Suite Specialist in the future. The Engineer exam assesses your ability to plan and execute access and authorization to Google Workspace, manage the user, resource, and Shared Drive lifecycles, control, and configure Google Workspace, and more.
Candidates should have at least one year of experience with G-Suite Administration and at least three years of industry experience.
7. Cloud Networks Engineer
Google Cloud Network Engineers implement and manage network designs such as VPCs, hybrid connectivity, and network services.
The exam tests your ability to create, and prototype a network; configure a GCP VPC; configure the network services and more.
8. Google Cloud Machine Learning Engineer
A machine learning engineer develops and enhances machine learning models to solve business challenges.
The Professional Google Cloud Platform Machine Learning Engineer exam assesses your ability to frame ML problems, architect ML solutions, develop ML models, automate, orchestrate ML pipelines, and more.
Looker Certification
Looker allows you to perform in-depth data analysis, aggregate insights from several data sources, construct effective data-driven workflows, and build custom data apps.
Look ML Developer
The exam will test your model management skills including your ability to diagnose current model issues, apply data security requirements, generate LookML objects, and manage the health of LookML projects.
Prerequisite: At least 6 months looker experience.
VIII. GCP Certification Fees
GCP certification costs between $99 for the foundational level and $200 for the professional level. Whether you’re seeking your professional development or being sponsored by your employer, this is a low-cost choice.
IX. How to Prepare for the Google Cloud Certification Exam
1. Leverage Google-provided resources.
Each certification has its own “learning path” through which you can access GCP’s documentation and other resources to prepare for the exams.
Also consider registering a free GCP account. You’ll need a lot of experience with the platform to pass the exams. A free account will allow you access the tools you need in your spare time.
Once you’ve mastered the course materials, take a practice exam or two to confirm you can pass with ease.
2. What Are Your Career Options After GCP Certification?
A Google Cloud Platform certification can help you get into various cloud-based positions. The certification indicates that you are devoted to ongoing professional growth with popular technologies, which can be appealing to employers.
If you already have a job, becoming certified can help you gain a promotion or a pay boost.
However, while obtaining these badges is wonderful, you still need a lot of experience, and personal drive to grow your career.
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