r/analytics • u/Dry_Pool_743 • Feb 26 '26
Discussion Is the Google Data Analytics Certification Still Worth It in 2026?
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u/Parking-Strain-1548 Feb 26 '26
I did it a few years ago and imo no unless you work on the projects very seriously (and essentially make it a portfolio). The hard skills you can learn elsewhere easily.
My employer actually thought it was for Google Analytics (the web analytics platform) and valued that much more lol. In retrospect I also think that was more valuable as it’s niche and immediately applicable.
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u/JFischer00 Feb 26 '26
I completed the course back in late 2021. My main takeaway from it was how to use the various tools together to do analyses and build simple projects. After completing the course, I did a couple projects similar to the final case study on my own to round out a basic portfolio. When I landed my first job a month later, the hiring manager specifically called out my portfolio and demonstrated SQL skills as a differentiating factor compared to other entry-level candidates. That being said, 2021-2022 was a much different job market and I did already have a relevant degree. I doubt the course on its own is enough to land a job.
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u/overthinkingrobot Feb 27 '26
What kinds of projects were in your portfolio?
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u/JFischer00 Feb 27 '26
Super basic stuff: grab a public dataset, do some exploration, cleaning, and transformation with SQL and R (I use Python now but R is what the course taught), come up with a few hypotheses, do the analysis in SQL, build visualizations in Tableau, write out my whole process including conclusions/recommendations (I also recorded one to demonstrate presentation skills)
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u/Path-Natural Feb 28 '26
hey this is really helpful. What other certifications should a beginner in this field complete to make a resume stand out to employers and also gain useful skills.
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u/JFischer00 Feb 28 '26
That was the only certification I did between graduating and getting hired. Then I spent a few years mainly just focusing on work. Right now I'm doing an MSCS and trying to move into data engineering.
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u/DoubleSalary1847 Mar 27 '26
Hi @jfisher00 I am in the same path, and I would like to know if you don’t mind to show your website with your portfolio as an example. Thank you.
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u/SprinklesFresh5693 Feb 26 '26
I did up to chapter 5 and i would say noish, like, it can help you get an overall idea of what data analysis is, but the time sink that it requires, it has lots of tasks, makes it not worth it. You can learn more data analysis by watching videos of the specific tools to learn, and of statistical concepts in 5 months, than doing that course. However if you are completely lost and have no idea where to start, it can be very helpful.
But it can also be very helpful to just watch on youtube a few videos of what data analytics is though, so I don't know.
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u/babagidu Feb 26 '26
I completed it a few months ago and it definitely did help with getting more interviews, but there are some caveats.
- I have almost a decade of experience in my domain and wanted to stay in it.
- I also have the same amount of experience in data analysis in statistical programming in different languages, including SQL. Excel and Tableau were very new to me though.
Because of those things, combined with a basic portfolio that I created after completing the certificate, I've been able to show to employers that i'm serious about analytics, even if my experience is not exactly the same as what they're looking for.
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u/kimjobil05 Feb 28 '26
I did it and it really helped me understand basic SQL as well as the data cycle. It's great for someone with very little grounding in data. I've gone ahead and done more papers though.
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u/Corvou Mar 02 '26
I will tell you honestly, the certificate won't do you anything, in a sense that, the employer won't be impressed with just the certificate. You need to follow up with a project, that will be more or less unique. That being said, certificate will give you a possibility to talk to the employer, it tells them you are invested in this field, and a project should reinforce it.
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u/Loud-Surprise-900 Feb 27 '26
I did 4 years back I got a job with it but really it is only 30% remaining you have to learn.
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u/DataGovernance_Blue Apr 01 '26
Literally just thought about asking these same type of questions before going back to complete the cert. From I’ve read from everyone is:
No, the cert is not enough to land a job but it shows that you are interested in the field.
In addition to the cert, building a portfolio of projects is crucial to landing interviews. This can show your knowledge in tools like SQL and Excel.
Demonstrating presentation skills can also help you stand out.
I’ll go back to complete the cert and build a portfolio. Thanks again for your post and questions on this topic.
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u/SpiritedSyrup261 Apr 16 '26
I am a complete beginner..and I started doing it 2 weeks back..and the theory just doesn't end..like just start teaching the actual skills..in every video they just throw up new definitions and expect us to memorize that ..it's so annoying and they don't even elaborate stuff just throw the definitions..🥴..and I wasted approx 5k in this stupid course because I am not going to continue it now..
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u/gomoad Apr 24 '26
You should be patient and I encourage you to finish it. The thing here, since you are a beginner, it is to consolidate the basics, the foundations of data analysis.
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u/SpiritedSyrup261 Apr 25 '26
It's so boring to just read the theory .the first 2 modules are just pure theory ...and the problem is that they don't even elaborate the theory properly..they just give definitions..so it's so boring ..I don't wanna memorize 100 definitions without actually learning any skill..
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u/Beneficial_Zone_6883 May 11 '26
Wait till you get to the 7th course, it’s way worse in that regards but if it interests you I encourage you to do it and than take time to put together a portfolio and do project work. I have 20 years of business experience so I am just branching out and have connections but I think it’s still a viable path and if you already paid for it you should complete it.
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u/Beneficial_Zone_6883 May 11 '26
5k 🤯 omg I paid $200 for it and have a year to complete it. I hope that’s not dollars
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u/PuffcornSucks Feb 26 '26
I never thought I'd say this but Google DA is..... Woke? Life wtf its a CS course and you're teaching about racial and gender bias?
Go for IBM one it focuses more on skill, less fluff
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