Laura, a participant in Merit America's Google Career Certificates program, stands in front of a computer

With a Google Data Analytics Certificate, Laura Has Career Options and Room to Grow

Impact Investments, Workforce & Economic Mobility, Education

Impact

An online training program, and a life-changing loan, led Laura to a new job she loves

Laura was working in an administrative role at a small tech company when she learned about Merit America on TikTok. Through an investment program supported by the Google Career Certificates Fund (a program managed by Social Finance), Laura was able to enroll in training at no upfront cost and with minimal financial risk.


The offer of paying zero dollars upfront—it sounded too good to be true, but it was truly the golden ticket for me.Laura, Merit America Graduate

“The offer of paying zero dollars upfront—it sounded too good to be true, but it was truly the golden ticket for me,” said Laura.

Merit America provided Laura with peer support and best-in-class coaching as she earned a Google Data Analytics Certificate. After completing the program, she landed a job as an EDI integration coordinator for a major tech company—earning $10,000 a year more than in her previous job. Laura loves her new role, which offers opportunities for career advancement.

“Ultimately, the ability to pay after earning a new job was my biggest deciding factor for enrolling in Merit America,” said Laura. “I could not possibly afford any sort of certificate or schooling any other way, as I couldn’t take on any additional bills. The course I took through Merit America was exactly what I needed to build on my existing skills and break through to a new career.”


The course I took through Merit America was exactly what I needed to build on my existing skills and break through to a new career.Laura, Merit America Graduate

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