Google Career Certificates Challenge the College Degree

• Google Career Certificates will be accepted by the tech giant in lieu of a four-year degree.
• While colleges struggle to find grads jobs, certificate programs offer professional support.
• Certificate programs are shorter and cheaper, but may not replace degrees in the long run.

Four-year college degrees can be time-consuming and costly. And while a college education may help students develop valuable soft skills like critical thinking and creative problem-solving, many employers believe college graduates lack real-world skills.

A number of colleges, particularly liberal arts colleges, have seen a downturn in applications and enrollment because students don't trust that work will be waiting for them on the other side. According to a recent survey, half of American teenagers question the value of traditional college and would be open to alternative education paths.

Some colleges have attempted to adapt to new job market demands by adding shorter, career-focused programs, allowing students to pursue vocational credentials in areas like craft brewing and cybersecurity alongside a traditional four-year degree.

Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM have also begun to offer nondegree training programs through online education platforms like Coursera and edX.

Are Certificates Equal to College Degrees?

If you're looking to join the tech industry, a career certificate may unlock the same doors as a four-year degree.

Last year, Google launched new certificate programs in areas like data analytics and UX design. According to Kent Walker, senior vice president of global affairs at Google, "In our own hiring, we will now treat these new career certificates as the equivalent of a four-year degree for related roles."

Career certificates can also be earned on a shorter, more flexible timeline, for about the cost of a single semester's worth of college textbooks. Students in Google's certificate programs are free to learn at their own pace. At $49 per month, a student who wrapped up a program in six months would pay just under $300 in total.

Typically, certificates are cheaper than college degrees, while the earning potential of a college degree is higher. That may not be the case, though, when it comes to tech certificates, as the tech industry pays relatively high salaries, even for entry-level roles.

Many certificate programs also promise a smoother, more supported transition from training to work. Historically, colleges have not focused on helping graduates find jobs, and many college grads are underemployed. With career certificate programs like Google's, professional support is baked into the program.

Graduates of Google's certification programs gain access to resume workshops, career coaching, mock interviews, and a partnership network with employers who have committed to hiring Google graduates. Bank of America, Intel, Hulu, and Snap Inc. will all consider Google Career Certificate-holders for entry-level tech positions.