Course Overview

The Google IT Support Certificate is a beginner-friendly, career-oriented program designed to equip learners with the foundational skills required to start a career in IT support. Through hands-on labs, real-world examples, and expert instruction, learners will gain practical knowledge in troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration, and IT security.

By the end of the course, learners will be prepared for entry-level IT roles such as IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, or Systems Analyst.

Module 1: Introduction to IT Support & Career Foundations

Lessons:

• Welcome to IT Support

• Intro to IT

• Modern Computer Programs & Hardware

• Build a Computer in 20 Minutes

• IT Support for Mobile Devices

• IT Customer Service

• Why Troubleshooting is Critical in IT

• One Surprising Fact About IT Professionals

• Technology is an Equalizer: No Prior Experience Needed

• Google’s CIO Gives IT Career Advice

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of IT support in organizations.

• Identify core responsibilities of an IT support professional.

• Learn the fundamentals of computer hardware, mobile devices, and software basics.

• Build an entrepreneurial and growth mindset for an IT career.

• Explore IT career paths and advancement opportunities.

Key Takeaways:
By the end of this module, learners will have a solid foundation in IT fundamentals and be motivated to grow within the field.

Module 2: Operating Systems & System Tools

Lessons:

• Operating Systems: Composition and Management

• Operating Systems: Considerations and Installation

• A Deeper Look at Process Management

• Managing Devices, Drivers, and Software Packages

• The Operating System: Using the Command Line

• The Operating System: Files & Directories

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how operating systems function at a high level.

• Learn how to install, configure, and manage different operating systems.

• Gain confidence in using command-line tools for Windows and Linux.

• Manage processes, drivers, and software packages.

Key Takeaways:
Learners will acquire practical OS management skills, including installation, troubleshooting, and advanced command-line usage.

Module 3: Networking Essentials

Lessons:

• An In-Depth Look at the Internet

• How Computers Communicate in a Network

• Networking Services: Best Practices and Technologies

• Networking Services: What is DNS?

• Understanding the Components of the Network Layer

• Exploring the Transport and Application Layers

• Troubleshooting Internet Connections

• How Devices Connect to the Internet

• Practical Skills for Simplifying Your IT Role

Learning Objectives:

• Grasp the fundamentals of computer networking and the internet.

• Understand key networking concepts: DNS, IP addresses, transport/application layers.

• Learn best practices for managing network services.

• Troubleshoot common networking and connectivity issues.

Key Takeaways:
By the end of this module, learners will be able to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot networks confidently.

Module 4: System Administration & Infrastructure Services

Lessons:

• Users, Administrators, and Groups

• Infrastructure Services: The Backbone of an Organization

• Learn to Manage Services in Linux and Windows

• Software and Platform Service Options in IT

• What is a System Administrator?

• Directory Services: Keeping Track of the Who, What, and Where

• The Importance of Having a Plan for Data Recovery

• System Administrator Roles and Responsibilities

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of system administrators in IT.

• Learn how to manage users, groups, and permissions.

• Configure and maintain essential infrastructure services.

• Plan and implement disaster recovery strategies.

• Compare Linux and Windows server management.

Key Takeaways:
Learners will gain hands-on skills in system administration, preparing them for advanced IT support and sysadmin roles.

Module 5: IT Security Fundamentals

Lessons:

• Think Like a Hacker: The Allure of Information Security

• IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts

• Cryptography

• Hashing and Hashing Algorithms

• Creating a Company Culture for Security

• Network Security: Hardening

• Network Security: Defense in Depth

• Security: Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting

• Will IT Security Ever Get Rid of Hackers?

• A Day in the Life of a Security Engineer

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the principles of cybersecurity and information protection.

• Explore cryptography, hashing, and authentication methods.

• Understand network security strategies such as hardening and defense in depth.

• Develop best practices for building a security-first culture.

Key Takeaways:
By the end of this module, learners will have strong foundational knowledge in IT security, enabling them to protect systems and respond to threats.

Module 6: Professional Development & Career Readiness

Lessons:

• How to Succeed in Your IT Career

• Your First IT Job is Just the Beginning

• The 3 Most Desirable Qualities of an IT Professional

• The Future is Bright for IT Careers

• Changing the World with IT

• What is Driving You to a Career in IT?

• How Habits and Mindset Affect Your IT Career

• Why Networking in IT is Vital

• Managing Fear and Self-Doubt in an IT Career

• Finding Motivation to Overcome Obstacles

• The Importance of Self-Learning in IT

• Discovering Your Passion in an IT Career

• How Do You Define a Successful Career in IT?

• Tenacity, Grit, and Your IT Career

Learning Objectives:

• Build confidence for entering the IT workforce.

• Learn effective communication and teamwork strategies.

• Explore interview preparation, resume building, and job search skills.

• Develop resilience, self-learning, and adaptability in your IT career.

Key Takeaways:
Learners will be fully prepared to enter the IT job market, equipped with both technical and soft skills.

Module 7: Hands-On Practice & Technical Assessments

Lessons:

• Technical Interview Questions (Networks, Application Deployment, Error Messages, Info Security)

• How to Impress at Your IT Interview

• How to Program a Calculator in Python

• Intro to Binary, Computer Languages, & Character Encoding

Learning Objectives:

• Test technical knowledge with real-world IT interview questions.

• Practice programming fundamentals relevant to IT.

• Gain hands-on troubleshooting and problem-solving experience.

Key Takeaways:
This module reinforces learning through practical labs and interview prep, ensuring readiness for real-world challenges.

Final Outcome

Upon completion, learners will:

• Demonstrate competence in IT troubleshooting, networking, system administration, and security.
•  Be prepared for entry-level IT roles such as IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, and Junior System Administrator.
• Have the skills and confidence to pursue further IT certifications (CompTIA, Networking+, Security+, etc.).