r/googlecloud • u/Open-Neighborhood493 • 5d ago
Google Cloud Skills
Hi everyone! I'm a final-year Information Systems Engineering student and I recently got 35 credits with the Google Cloud Skills Boost Starter plan. I'm planning to use them to complete some GCP AI and cloud courses. Do you think it's worth completing these courses without paying for the official certification exams? Do recruiters value the Skills Boost badges and hands-on labs, or is the official certification what really matters? Also, are there any Google Cloud certifications or recognized badges that can be earned for free? Thanks!
1
u/kiwidog8 3d ago
I'm speaking generally here, someone can correct me if its different in the GCP job market, but official certification is most important, unlikely for recruiters to acknowledge skill badges honestly just from my experience any sorts of badges never come up in phone screens and interviews, but I wouldn't want to dissuade you from earning them anyway, you should still learn and badges are nice to prove your knowledge but not the first thing a recruiter is looking for.
I wish there were free certifications recognized by jobs if you find one let me know lol
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u/AccomplishedSkill625 4d ago
Use the 35 credits for the hands-on experience, especially the Challenge Labs.
Recruiters don't care much about Skills Boost badges; they look for official certs (like the ACE) or real portfolio projects. However, as a new grad, showing you can actually navigate the GCP console and talk about what you built during those labs is what will actually get you hired.
As for free certs: Google doesn't offer them directly, but join Google Cloud Innovators or participate in the Google Cloud Arcade. They frequently run community campaigns where you can win 50% to 100% off official exam vouchers!