Working with computers has been a longtime hobby for Noah Forsberg, but he wanted to turn it into a career.
“Since I was about 13 (years old), I’ve been building my own computers,” he said. “It’s something I have always wanted to do.”
Forsberg, a Sycamore resident, has had plenty of self-taught experience, but he needed an entry point into the information technology industry — something that showed professional credentials. Now, one six-credit hour program at Kishwaukee College has him on a path to a job in IT and further education.
Kishwaukee College’s Google IT Support Professional Certificate prepares students for an entry-level position in the fast-growing IT industry. The six-credit hour program requires no prerequisites to take. The curriculum was developed by Google professionals to better meet their growing employment demands.
“It was developed by Google so it’s really good fundamentals,” Forsberg said. “It’s a great skills overview.”
Students learn about IT support staff, configuring software and accounts, networking security, and troubleshooting. Upon completion, students earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and Kishwaukee College’s IT Support Certificate.
“For me, personally, it has really worked out,” Forsberg said. “Immediately after this, I’m hoping to find a nice entry-level job. I’ll still be going to Kish, but also looking for work.”
Students who have recently completed the certificate are currently working at businesses in the field while continuing their education. Kishwaukee College works closely with area employers to provide apprenticeships where students earn while they learn. Through the Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program, employers have the opportunity to receive 50% reimbursement of wages for students working in a field related to their academic program.
Students can also use the course as a building block for further education. Zachary King of DeKalb plans on applying the class as a launchpad into an associate degree and possibly more.
“I’m planning to get more into computer programming,” he said. “I wanted to learn more about these types of things for more education.”
The program is currently conducted entirely online, with in-person support available. Another semester is fast approaching and seating is limited for the class, which can launch a student into the IT workforce.
“For someone looking to just get started, this is definitely something you should do,” Forsberg said.
For more information on the Google IT Certificate at Kish, or additional short-term training programs available, visit www.kish.edu/shortterm.
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