Google IT Automation With Python Professional Certificate Review

Looking to increase your knowledge of Git, Python and IT automation? Here is a review of the Google IT Automation with Python professional certificate.

Pursuing a new career path often requires developing new skills, and this is particularly true when it comes to entering the field of IT automation.

In this review, we'll be examining the ins and outs of the Google IT Automation with Python professional certificate offered on Coursera, in order to help you determine if it's the right course for you.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

Why Learn Python for IT Automation?

In recent years, Python has replaced Java as the most popular programming language taught in colleges and universities.

This is representative of the increased demand we’re seeing in the tech industry.

According to analytics software company Burning Glass, more than 530,000 U.S. job postings currently require Python proficiency, including 75,000 entry-level jobs.

Why is Python so popular?

Well, the python language is one of the most accessible programming languages for learners because it has refreshingly simple syntax.

Its concise and expressive format essentially allows you to perform the same operations as other languages with fewer lines of code.

As such, Python is a highly productive language that allows organizations to automate repetitive tasks in an efficient and effective way.

Because the world’s largest companies run on it, knowing how to use Python to solve problems and automate solutions is a desirable skill to add to your toolbelt.

What is the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate?

The Google IT Automation with Python professional certificate is an online program that helps individuals with a basic IT foundation take their career to the next level by learning how to tackle real-world problems with Python.

The certificate is part of Grow with Google - an initiative through which Google partners with libraries, schools, and other organizations to provide flexible and affordable online career training.

The certificate includes the following 6 courses:

Crash Course on Python
Using Python to Interact with the Operating System
Introduction to Git and GitHub
Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques
Configuration Management and the Cloud
Automating Real-World Tasks with Python

With an average of 4 hours of effort invested per week, the certificate is estimated to take about 6-8 months to complete.

In addition, the course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

What will I be able to do with the Google IT Automation with Python Certificate?

By the end of the program, you will be able to:

Write scripts in Python

Analyze real-world IT problems and implement the appropriate strategies to solve those problems

Manage files and processes with Python

Setup your own developer environment in Python

Employ Git for version control

Apply automation at scale by using configuration management and the Cloud

Use and interact with GitHub

Use Python libraries to automate different processes

An Interesting Side Note

Google has announced that in its own hiring practices, it will consider the IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate as equivalent to a four-year degree for related roles.

Also, upon completion of the certificate, you'll be able to connect directly with over 130 U.S. employers who are looking to hire graduates of the program.

=> See what's included in the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate.

Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate Reviews

Here are a handful of learner reviews from each course in the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate:

Learner feedback from "Crash Course on Python" (Course 1)

"The exercises in each module were really helpful and the course has covered all of the required basics. People reading this, I will tell you not to skip the OOP module as it is the essence of python."

- Puneeth K.

Average course rating: 4.8/5.

Learner feedback from "Using Python to Interact with the Operating System"(Course 2)

"Bash scripting is explained insufficiently and I feel that the final project is too difficult for most people who are not familiar with python libraries such as sys, operator and re. Would be great if there could be more detailed explanation on all the topics and more guidance for the final project. Overall, still a great course."

- Lim B T

Average course rating: 4.7/5.

Learner feedback from "Introduction to Git and GitHub"(Course 3)

"The course was structured really well, with short and to-the-point videos. One single thing to improve would be to include some more exercises, since the ones in the lab were really easy to solve."- Andrei C G."

Average course rating: 4.8/5.

Learner feedback from "Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques" (Course 4)

"This is truly a great course for IT specialists! I really enjoy learning the troubleshooting and debugging techniques discussed in the courseware. Many problems mentioned in the courseware are things I've encountered before personally, and I either had a hard time, or I wasn't confident in resolving them on my own. Now I feel equipped."

- Fred T.

Average course rating: 4.6/5.

Learner feedback from "Configuration Management and the Cloud" (Course 5)

"This course was great, it gave me ideas on how to use Infrastructure as Code and how to monitor and automate configuration of systems. I also enjoyed the modules on Load Balancing and the tips and suggestions for continued availability. Of course all of these things are just an overview, but enough to help you see the possibilities.

- Luis

Average course rating: 4.8/5.

Learner feedback from "Automating Real-World Tasks with Python" (Course 6)

"This was a great course. Every instructor was amenable and knowledgeable. There are a lot of practices and projects to learn each aspect of automation. The python knowledge in this course gets you very far and gives you enough confidence to go and research on your own."- Belen

Average course rating: 4.8/5.

What to Expect: Breaking Down the Curriculum

The Google IT Automation with Python Certificate Program includes over 110 hours of instruction and hundreds of practice-based assessments developed by Google employees with decades of experience in IT automation.

Through a mix of videos, assessments, and hands-on labs, you'll tackle real-world scenarios that will challenge you to use multiple skills at once.

If you'd like to explore the course and quickly get a sense of what it's like, Coursera actually allows you to enroll in the certificate for free for 7 days.

At the end, I'll be sharing my personal thoughts on this program and whether it's worth it or not. But first, here's an overview of what to expect in each of the course modules:

Course 1: Crash Course on Python

This course will introduce you to the Python programming language and some of the benefits it offers. You'll learn some basic functions and keywords of the language, and discover how to implement the concept of object-oriented programming in Python.

Learning objectives:

Understand what Python is and why Python is relevant to automation

Write short Python scripts to perform automated actions

Understand how to use the basic Python structures: strings, lists, and dictionaries

Create your own Python objects

Course 2: Using Python to Interact with the Operating System

In course two, you’ll learn how you can get your python code ready to interact with the operating system. You'll be exposed to Bash scripting and basic Linux commands, subprocess management, and test-driven development.

Learning objectives:

Setup, configure, and use your own developer environment in Python

Manipulate files and processes running on the Operating System using Python

Understand and use regular expressions (regex), a powerful tool for processing text files

Know when to choose Bash or Python, and create small scripts using Bash

Course 3: Introduction to Git and GitHub

In this module, you'll be introduced to the concept of version control, which will help you keep track of different versions of your code.

You'll use a popular version control system (VCS) called Git and learn how you can leverage that platform to improve your coding abilities. You'll also explore how to use a VCS to work with others through remote repositories, like the ones provided by GitHub.

Learning objectives:

Understand why version control is a fundamental tool for coding and collaboration

Install and run Git on your local machine

Use and interact with GitHub

Collaborate with others through remote repositories

Course 4: Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques

Next, you'll learn about techniques for approaching almost any technical problem. You'll explore the factors that can cause a machine or program to act slowly, how to handle system and application crashes, and tips for good resource usage.

Learning objectives:

Analyze real-world IT problems and implement the appropriate strategies to solve those problems

Demonstrate techniques to quickly find and solve the root cause of problems in IT infrastructure

Understand the root cause for problems related to speed, crashes, or exhausted resources in your computer

Identify the most common pitfalls of your code and how to fix them

Course 5: Configuration Management and the Cloud

Next, you'll explore what it means to work at scale and how automation is needed to scale effectively.

You’ll learn about the concept of infrastructure as code and the benefits it brings, different types of cloud services, like SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, and the difference between unmanaged and managed configuration management.

Learning objectives:

Understand the benefits of configuration management and infrastructure as code

Manage a fleet of computers using Puppet

Automatically deploy new virtual machines running in the Cloud

Deploy changes in a safe manner

Course 6: Automating Real-World Tasks with Python

In the final course of the certificate, you'll tie everything you've learned together. You'll complete a final capstone project where you'll be given a description of what your customer needs, and it will be up to you to create a program to do it!

Learning objectives:

Use Python external libraries to create and modify documents, images, and messages

Understand and use Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to interact with web services

Understand and use data serialization to send messages between running programs

Build a solution using the skills you have learned

Conclusion: Is the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate Worth it?

If you're eager to learn Python and discover practical ways that it can be used in the workplace, then I think enrolling in the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate is definitely worth it.

Is it an easy course? No.

Is it designed to challenge you and help you adopt a new way of approaching complex technical problems? Absolutely.

Ultimately, the course is targeted towards learners who have already completed the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and are looking to specialize further by building proficiency in Python.

Even if you have no previous coding knowledge, this course will get you up to speed to the point where you're able to use Python to automate common system administration tasks.

It's an excellent way to build your confidence and skill set if you're looking to change careers and venture further into the world of IT.

And hey - when someone asks where you learned to become a Python pro, it's kind of cool to say you were taught by instructors at Google :)

=> Enroll in the Google IT Automation with Python professional certificate here.

Happy learning!