Is the Google Data Analytics Certification Worth It?

If you're looking into the Google Data Analytics course, and still undecided about whether to take it or not, you're probably already in the right place (and likely in the right mindset too).

With a projected 97 zettabytes of data created by the end of 2022, the world is in dire need of knowing how to handle all the information out there — and how to make the most of it too. Therefore, data analysts, data scientists, and data programmers are bound to be among the most sought-after professionals in the following years, and maybe even decades.

Is the Google Data Analytics certification worth taking, though? We've taken a deeper look at it and what people think about it. Read on if you want to learn more.

What Is the Google Data Analytics Certificate?

The Google Data Analytics Certificate is a professional certificate provided by Google. It’s designed for those who want to pursue a career in data analytics or advance their current career. The course covers topics such as collecting, processing, analyzing, and visualizing data.

The Google Data Analytics Certificate course is available on Coursera, provided by Google Careers Certificates, a top-rated instructor on this platform.

How Much Does the Data Analytics Certificate Cost?

The good news is that taking the Google Data Analytics course is free — but only if you finish it in 7 days (as Coursera will allow you a 7-day free trial for this course). However, given the complexity, length, and density of the course, it is unlikely that you will be able to wrap up the entire course in one week. The entire certificate program includes more than 180 hours of course available, which means you would either have to listen to all these courses at a considerable speed or spend an impossible 25 hours per day on them.

Once the trial period expires, you will have to pay $39/ month — and yes, you will receive an actual certificate when you complete the course, so you can share it on your resume, LinkedIn, and so on. Need good news? There is financial aid available for the Google Data Analytics Certificate, so if you can't afford it, you might be eligible for help in this direction.

What Does the Google Data Analytics Certificate Include?

Foundations: Data, Data Everywhere

This is the first course of the Google Data Analytics Certificate and it's designed to introduce you to the world of data — its volume, its velocity, and its variety.

You'll get an overview of what data is, how it's collected and used, as well as some of the ethical issues related to data collection. Furthermore, by the end of the course, you will be able to run an analytical thinking self-assessment and understand the role of analytics in the world of data science.

Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

This is the second course of the Google Data Analytics Certificate, and it's designed to help you understand how data can be used to answer questions and inform decision-making, as well as the role data science and analysis play in the entire process.

By the end of this section, you'll learn about different types of questioning techniques, explore real-world business scenarios, and dive into key ideas related to structured thinking.

Prepare Data for Exploration

As the third course in the program, this section will help you get more hands-on with your learning. The goal behind this course is to give you more in-depth information on structured and unstructured data, how to work with SQLs, databases, and data sets, as well as learn more about the best practices in how to organize data and keep it secure.

Process Data from Dirty to Clean

This is the fourth course of the Google Data Analytics Certificate, and it focuses on helping you understand how to process data from start to finish.

You'll learn about different types of data preparation methods, as well as understand how to work with spreadsheets, SQL, and other data tools to check and clean data regularly.

Analyze Data to Answer Questions

In the fifth course, the focus will lie on how to make sense of the data you collect and clean (which is the actual analysis phase of the entire process.)

By the end of this course, you will learn how to organize your data for analysis, how to work with processes for formatting and adjusting data, how to use SQL queries for calculations, and how to use formulas and functions in spreadsheets to perform data analysis.

Share Data Through the Art of Visualization

This is the sixth course of the Google Data Analytics Certificate, and it will center on understanding data visualization, creating narratives from data stories, using Tableau to create data visualizations, and even how to run Q&A with your audiences.

Data Analysis with R Programming

Although some complain this is the toughest course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate program, the truth is that R programming can be extremely useful when you're a data analyst, even if you don’t delve deeper into data development.

This seventh course will focus on helping you understand the importance of R programming, how to use RStudio, fundamental R programming concepts, and using R Markdown to document R programming.

Google Data Analytics Capstone: Complete a Case Study

As the last (eighth) course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate, this section will focus on creating a data-driven case study. It will teach you the importance of case studies for your job search, how to build a portfolio, and tips on how to network with peers and mentors.

All in all, the Google Data Analytics Certificate is a comprehensive program that will introduce you to the world of data analytics and leave you with some very marketable skills. You might not come out as a Senior Data Analyst from this, but you can definitely gain the knowledge and skillset you'd need for an entry-level position in data analysis.

Top 5 Reasons to Invest in the Data Analytics Course

Investing 180 hours of your time (and, potentially, a minimum of $234 if you spend 10 hours/ week on the course) is quite a big deal. So why would you — or anyone else — invest in this Google Data Analytics Course?

In short, here are the top 5 reasons you should at least consider taking this course (especially if you want to pursue a career in Data Analysis):

It's Comprehensive

The Google Data Analytics Certificate covers everything from the basics of data analytics to more specific and technical topics, such as data visualization and R programming.

The Course Is Up-to-Date

Because the field of data analytics is ever-changing, it's important to make sure you're learning the most recent methods and best practices. This course is designed with the most up-to-date information to help you succeed in the field.

It's a Flexible Learning Option

One of the best things about this program is that it's self-paced, which means you can complete the courses at your own speed and on your schedule.

The Course Is Designed and Vetted by Industry Experts

The courses are designed and led by Google employees who work in the field of data analytics. This means you're getting first-hand, expert knowledge from people who know what they're doing.

It's Affordable Too

When compared to other data analytics programs, the Google Data Analytics Certificate is very affordable. In fact, it's one of the most affordable data analytics programs available.

Add all these reasons to the fact that the average salary for a very junior data analyst is more than $64,000/ year and that a senior data analyst can make up to $89,000. Furthermore, according to LinkedIn, there are more than 395,000 "Data Analyst" job openings in the U.S. as of October 2022 — and chances are that this is a trend that will continue to grow in the following years as well.

What People Think of the Data Analytics Course

Most people who took the Google Data Analytics Certificate think it was a very good investment. Some even report that it helped them get a job — and overall, even those with a lot of experience in the data analysis field see this as a very solid course. The combination of theoretical knowledge and building practical skills, as well as how the certification program manages to introduce you very aptly to an otherwise very vast subject all make this certificate a good investment.

On Coursera, the Data Analytics Certificate has a 4.8 rating from more than 80,000 people, making it not only one of the best-rated courses there but also one of the most popular ones.

Conclusion: Is the Google Data Analytics Certificate Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your situation and what you hope to gain from the program. If you're looking for a comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to data analytics to pursue a career in this direction, this certificate is more than recommended. It will provide you with the basic skillset you need, it will help you build a portfolio to land your first job, and it will also offer you an actual certificate you can share on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

For the money, this is one of the best investments you can make in your career, especially considering the Big Data field will only continue to grow from hereon.

FAQs:

Q1. What is Google data analytics used for?

Google data analytics is used to collect, process, and analyze data to help businesses make better decisions.

Specifically, it can be used to track customer behavior, understand how products are being used, and optimize marketing campaigns.

Q2. Is the Google Data Analytics course good?

The Google Data Analytics certificate is a very good course – based on the course curricula, the in-depth details it provides on a very vast topic, and according to the more than 80,000 reviews on Coursera.

Q3. How do I become a Google data analyst?

You can become a Google data analyst by pursuing a data analytics program like the one offered by Google, via Coursera. Alternatively, you can also get a job in data analytics without a specific degree or certification, but the Google Data Analytics course will give you a significant advantage as it is less time-consuming and expensive than what an actual degree would be.