Cloud services have become essential for almost all types of organizations. Not only are these services helpful for hosting and developing applications, but they are also the perfect choice for computing and storing large sets of data. Google Cloud Platform is a cloud service by Google that is widely used by organizations worldwide. Gaining a Google Cloud Certification is a great way to master all the skills required to work with the Google Cloud Platform.What is Google Cloud Certification? Offered by Google, the Google Cloud Certification is not just one exam but consists of multiple different certifications. You can become proficient in Google Cloud services by clearing the assessments and earning the certification. This professional certification can offer you training on a wide range of cloud services, including database management, cloud security, machine learning, IoT, and data analytics. If you plan to work as a specialist engaging with cloud architecture, you are highly advised to complete the Google Cloud Certification. Organizations that work with Google Cloud Platform instead of AWS or Azure seek professionals with a Google Cloud Certification for their job roles.Are Google Cloud Certifications Worth it?Google Cloud Platform is one of the top cloud-based service providers in the world, along with Azure and AWS. Globally, many organizations utilize GCP for their storage and cloud needs. Earning a Google Cloud Certification boosts your skillset and enables you to become job-ready for a wide range of roles. As the certification encompasses multiple niches like cloud architecture, security, database management, etc., you will be trained in a comprehensive skill set that can help you land a high-profile job.What are the Different Types of Google Cloud Certifications?While some online platforms offer you a free trial period of training courses on Google Cloud basics, the original certification offered by Google has 3 stages - Foundational, Associate, and Professional certificates. You can choose the type of certification you want to complete based on your professional goals and skill set.Foundational CertificationThis is the perfect certification for professionals who already work in organizations in technical positions and want to gain new skills and techniques in cloud architecture. This can also serve as a good beginner course for those newly venturing into the field of cloud management.The Foundational Certificate will comprise basic knowledge about Google Cloud Platform and its tools, features, services, and products. To enroll in this course, you do not need any technical requirements, but you need work experience in a collaborative role with other professionals. This certification is valid for three years.Once you complete this certification, you will be able to work as a Digital Cloud Leader in any organization. If you already have a thorough grasp of the basic workings of the Google Cloud Platform, you can directly opt for the Associate-level certification.Associate CertificationThe Associate certification goes beyond the skill set offered by the foundational certification. By gaining this certificate, you will be able to create, manage, and deploy projects in the Google Cloud Platform.To gain this certificate, you will need to work and build projects on the Google Cloud Platform for at least six months. This level of certification also covers additional skills such as cloud architecture, data engineering, and machine learning in the context of IT infrastructure and cloud services. It is valid for two years.Once you have earned the Associate level certification, you can work as a cloud engineer in any established organization.Professional CertificationIf you are looking to bag an advanced role in your organization, then a Professional Certification might be the perfect option for you. By earning this, you can assess critical technical functions as a cloud specialist. You can gain advanced skills in designing and implementing a variety of Google Cloud products.To earn this certification, you need to have at least three years of experience in the cloud industry and one year of experience with the Google Cloud Platform. The Google Cloud Professional Certification is available for various specializations, including:Cloud ArchitectData Engineer Cloud Security EngineerCloud Cybersecurity Cloud Developer Cloud Data Analytics How to Choose the Right Certification for You?If you are eager to work in cloud solutions in big organizations, then a Google Cloud Certification can boost your profile. It is important to assess your career goals before applying for one of these certifications. While the foundational certification is useful, you might not need it if you already have experience in the field.Also, when it comes to professional certification, make sure to choose from the multiple options Google Cloud offers you. Once you have picked a specialization, you can work on that specific area and become a highly-trained technician for that field.Google Cloud Certifications and their PricingCertificationCost (USD)Associate Cloud Engineer$125Professional Cloud Architect$200Professional Data Engineer$200Professional Cloud Developer$200Professional Cloud Network Engineer$200Professional Cloud Security Engineer$200Professional Machine Learning Engineer$200Associate Cloud Security Engineer$125How to Prepare for the Certification Exams?The Google Cloud Skills Boost is a great place to start your cloud journey if you are looking to earn Google Cloud Certifications. Here are a few other tips and suggestions on how to prepare for these exams.Online Courses - You can find multiple online courses in popular online learning platforms that help you prepare for the various levels of certifications.Practice Tests - Google Cloud offers sample questions for all the certification exams. By working through them, you can get a grasp of the question patterns in the exams and how to prepare for them.YouTube - Google Cloud Tech YouTube channel has a great repository of free videos that boost your knowledge and enhance your skill set for the exams.Salaries for Google Cloud DevOps Engineers based on location and experience levelLocationEntry-Level (0-2 years)Mid-Level (3-5 years)Senior-Level (6+ years)United States$80,000 - $110,000$110,000 - $150,000$150,000 - $200,000United Kingdom£40,000 - £60,000£60,000 - £85,000£85,000 - £120,000CanadaCAD 70,000 - CAD 95,000CAD 95,000 - CAD 125,000CAD 125,000 - CAD 160,000AustraliaAUD 80,000 - AUD 110,000AUD 110,000 - AUD 150,000AUD 150,000 - AUD 200,000Germany€55,000 - €75,000€75,000 - €100,000€100,000 - €130,000India₹1,000,000 - ₹1,500,000₹1,500,000 - ₹2,000,000₹2,000,000 - ₹3,000,000Conclusion Google Cloud Certification has multiple certifications that you can complete to gain advanced skill sets and knowledge on cloud functioning. Based on their career goals, one can choose any from foundational, associate, or professional certifications offered by Google Cloud. Each certification has its own requirements and validity. Preparing for the exams requires online courses and preparation tests. Google Cloud also offers various supporting materials to help you prepare for the certification exams.Read Morehttps://devopsden.io/article/what-is-microsoft-azure-active-directoryFollow us onhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/devopsden/
