New Professional Tech Certificates from Google, Snowflake & Microsoft

The demand for tech professionals is not slowing down — at all! If you are sitting there wondering if you should take the leap and enter the industry – yes, yes and then yes again. According to research from Microsoft and LinkedIn, nearly half (exactly 46%) of working professionals are considering to quit their job and switch careers in 2024. Nearly half is a large number, and you may be wondering why.

1. Google Cybersecurity Certificate – Get on the fast track to a career in cybersecurity.

2. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate – Up your data analytics game

3. Google IT Support Professional Certificate – Support your organization in IT

Well, the answer is simple. People are moving with the times. What’s the point in staying in a career or industry which may possibly not develop and why wouldn’t I want to be part of an industry that is continuously growing?

The demand for skills in the Generative AI space, data and project management is growing faster than ever. Day by day people are realising this space’s potential and want a piece of it. Now the big question is how do I get into the tech space?

In this blog, I will dive into 4 new professional tech certifications that have just landed and why they are a good starting point.

Google Cloud Data Analytics

 
Link: Google Cloud Data Analytics Professional Certificate

A course that is catered for beginners and can be completed on a flexible schedule, or 2 months if you commit 10 hours a week. It consists of a 5-course series and 19 modules in which you will be able to launch your career in Cloud Data Analytics.

As we see more and more organisations shift their operations and data to the cloud, the importance of understanding cloud computing and its access to data is an important and high-demand skill.

In this professional certification, you will learn how you become a data-driven powerhouse where you will unlock the hidden insights of datasets, and transform these raw numbers into valuable insights that shape a business’s next move. You will explore the benefits of data analytics in cloud computing, describe key aspects of managing and storing data in Google Cloud as well as apply transformation strategies to data sets to solve business needs. With a mix of expert instruction and real-world challenges, you’ll build a portfolio of impressive projects, showcasing to employers that you can analyse, visualise, and communicate data.

Google Cloud Cybersecurity

 
Link: Google Cloud Cybersecurity Professional Certificate

Another course that is catered for beginners and can be completed on a flexible schedule, or 2 months if you commit 10 hours a week. It consists of a 5-course series and 19 modules in which you will be able to launch your career in Cloud Cybersecurity.

The power and value of data is here to stay. The digital world is going to grow and the world needs professionals who can protect it. We need professionals who can safeguard these valuable assets from the world of cybercrime.

In this professional certification, you will become a digital guardian. You will learn how to analyse and apply cloud security principles in practical scenarios, develop and implement risk management and compliance strategies and execute effective incident response and recovery plans. With a mix of expert-led courses and immersive Google Cloud challenges through interactive labs, you’ll be able to analyse threats, build defences, and complete a final mission that will impress your future employers.

Intro to Snowflake

 
Link: Intro to Snowflake for Devs, Data Scientists, Data Engineers

If you don’t know what Snowflake is, it is a company that offers data-as-a-service where you can enable data storage, processing, and analytic solutions faster and easier. And we already know the value of data and why organisations want to get more out of it.

This professional certification is aimed at beginners who are specifically looking to become developers, data scientists or data engineers. The course takes 10 hours to complete, or 3 weeks if you commit 3 hours a week.

You will go from having zero Snowflake knowledge to being a Snowflake wizard. You will learn how to create and manipulate Snowflake’s core objects, such as virtual warehouses, databases, schemas, tables, and stages. You will dive into the importance of Snowflake features and objects, such as time travel, cloning, resource monitors, UDFs, stored procedures, and Snowpark DataFrames. Understanding the basics of Snowflake’s capabilities will prepare you for a career in data engineering, generative AI, machine learning, and app development.

Microsoft UX/UI Design

 
Link: Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate

Everything is digital, which means the need for web developers and digital designers is highly desirable, with an expected growth of 23% in the next 6 years. In this professional certification offered by Microsoft, you will learn how to launch a career in UI/UX Design. This certification is specifically aimed at beginners and consists of a 4-course series that can be completed in 2 months if you commit 10 hours a week.

You will learn how to define the core principles of UX, Human-Centered Design, and design thinking frameworks, and identify UX team roles and user research methods. You will then be able to translate insights into solutions by analysing user needs, using design ideation techniques, storyboarding, and applying information architecture. Go further by adapting design ideas into interactive prototypes using wireframing, mockups, and prototyping tools, and leverage design systems and style guides. Last but not least, you will apply visual design principles and craft high-fidelity mockups that adhere to platform best practices and ensure accessibility for all.

The best news is that with this certification, you can earn 50% off your Microsoft UX Designer MO-300 Certification Exam.

Wrapping Up

There is so much potential in the tech industry and a lot of people believe they have to become a software developer or machine learning engineer to get a piece of the cake. There are different routes you can go down which doesn’t require you to change what you love.

For example, if you come from a creative background and want to enter the tech space, the UI/UX space will be the best place for you to flow creatively.

Up-skilling is key in the year 2024.

Nisha Arya is a data scientist, freelance technical writer, and an editor and community manager for KDnuggets. She is particularly interested in providing data science career advice or tutorials and theory-based knowledge around data science. Nisha covers a wide range of topics and wishes to explore the different ways artificial intelligence can benefit the longevity of human life. A keen learner, Nisha seeks to broaden her tech knowledge and writing skills, while helping guide others.