From Service to Tech: Google IT Support Certificate for Student Veterans
Thanks to a grant from Google, Student Veterans of America® (SVA) is proud to offer the Google Career Certificates on Coursera, completely free for student veterans.
Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce does not mean starting from scratch. Many of the skills student veterans already possess, including problem solving, troubleshooting, communication, and leadership, align closely with careers in information technology (IT).
To support student veterans in this transition, Student Veterans of America (SVA) partners with Google to offer the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, a program that prepares learners for entry level IT roles in a growing and resilient job market.
A Strong Job Market for IT Support Professionals
Information technology continues to be a critical function across nearly every industry. According to Google Career Certificates data, there are more than 295,000 open IT support jobs in the United States, with a median entry level salary of approximately $65,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that computer support specialists earned a median annual wage of $61,550 in 2024, with higher earnings potential in network support and specialized roles. While overall employment in this occupation is projected to change over the next decade, the BLS still expects about 50,500 job openings each year, primarily due to workforce turnover and retirements.
These figures highlight a steady demand for trained professionals who can maintain systems, support users, and keep organizations running.
What is the Google IT Support Certificate?
The IT Support Certificate is designed to prepare learners for a range of entry level IT roles. Examples of positions aligned with this training include, but are not limited to:
- IT Support Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- Technical Support Analyst
No prior IT experience or college degree is required. The program is fully online and typically completed in three to six months with a flexible schedule.
What You Will Learn
Participants build practical, job ready skills in areas such as:
- Computer hardware and operating systems
- Networking fundamentals
- System administration
- Troubleshooting and customer support
- Core cybersecurity concepts
The curriculum reflects real world IT environments and prepares learners for day to day technical responsibilities.
Why This Program Works for Student Veterans
Student veterans bring discipline, adaptability, and mission focus to the workforce. The IT Support Certificate helps translate these strengths into technical skills that employers are actively seeking.
In addition, Google reports that 75 percent of certificate graduates experience positive career outcomes within six months, including finding a new job, earning a promotion, or receiving a raise.
The certificate also prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exams, the industry standard certification for entry level IT roles, allowing participants who complete both to earn a dual credential. In addition, the certificate is ACE® approved, making learners eligible to earn up to 16 college credits, the equivalent of six bachelor’s level courses.
Explore Open Roles on the SVA Job Board
Earning new skills is only one part of the transition. Finding the right opportunity is the next step.
Student Veterans of America’s Job Board connects student veterans and alumni with employers who are actively seeking veteran talent. Many of the roles posted align directly with entry level and early career IT positions, including IT support, help desk, and technical operations roles.
Learners are encouraged to explore current openings and begin networking with employers by visiting the SVA Job Board at: https://career.studentveterans.org/
Your Next Mission Starts Here
Whether you are entering the technology field for the first time or formalizing skills gained through military experience, the Google IT Support Certificate offers student veterans a practical, respected pathway into civilian careers.
With strong employer recognition, competitive salaries, and steady demand across industries, IT support can be the first step toward long term growth in the tech sector. Taking the first step to certificate completion is easy. To get started on this no cost career certificate, submit your contact information here. You will receive more information within 48 hours.