Career Development at the Library

Participants must fill out the Grow with Google online scholarship form. To be eligible for the free scholarship, applicants must:

• Reside in San Diego County
• Be at least 13 years old
• Have an active San Diego Public Library card or Student Excel Card and submit the library card number with their online application. 
  • Those who need a new library card may start the process by filling out the online library card application and activating their card by bringing in a photo ID and proof of residency to any San Diego Public Library location to activate your card. Current cardholders with expired cards may renew their SDPL card online or in-person.

Times may vary by the individual as the program courses are completely online and self-paced. 

Certificates typically take 3–6 months to complete with 5–10 hours of study per week. 

Grow with Google courses are rigorous, self-paced programs that typically take 3–6 months to complete part-time (5–10 hours/week). It is recommended that users take one course at a time. Access to the online content is available for 6 months and users may complete as many certificates as they can within that timeframe.

Applications may take up to 7 business days to process. Once a library card is verified and space is confirmed, applicants will receive a Coursera invitation email. Applicants should double-check their spam or junk mail folders if they do not receive a Coursera invitation within that timeframe. 

Please note that this email will not come from Google nor San Diego Public Library.

Spaces are limited. If the program is full, applicants will be added to a waitlist and invited when space becomes available. Wait times may vary. 

Email DiscoverU@sandiego.gov to inquire about the status of your application.

No. You must join the program and enroll in a course to activate your license.

Approved participants have 6 months once they are emailed the Coursera invitation to complete any number of Grow with Google certificate programs. Please note that this expiration only applies to the free scholarship license, as the courses themselves have no fixed completion date.

If an account is inactive for over 60 days, the license will be deactivated. While this will prevent users from accessing the online content, their course progress will be saved.

The library does not provide technical support for Grow with Google, however the City of San Diego’s Access 4 All program may be able to assist with resources, classes or one-on-one help.

For help with Coursera, contact the Coursera Learner Help Center.

Explore low- and no-cost education, career training, and certificate programs.

• San Diego Community College District & Continuing Education — Career training, adult education, computer, business, and academic programs.
• Community Colleges — Career education, workforce training, and certificates through Grossmont-Cuyamaca, MiraCosta, Palomar, and Southwestern.
• University Extended Studies — Professional certificates and continuing education through SDSU, UC San Diego, and University of San Diego.
• Center for Employment Training – San Diego — Hands-on training and job placement in skilled trades.
• San Diego Workforce Partnership -Access job-search assistance, career services, training opportunities, and employment resources in San Diego County.

• Goodwill Employment Centers — Get free help with job searches, applications, resumes, and interview preparation at five locations throughout San Diego County. Main Office: 3663 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92110 | 619-225-2200
• 2-1-1 San Diego — Search a directory of more than 2,000 local agencies offering employment, training, basic needs, legal, health, and other services. Call 211.
• FindLocalHelp — Find local employment, training, and support services through the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop network.
• California Employment Development Department (EDD) — Find employment services, job-search resources, unemployment information, and workforce programs.
• San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council — Explore job-search assistance, workforce training, and career resources.

• CalJOBS - Search job listings and post resumes for prospective employers. From California's Employment Development Department (EDD).
• City of San Diego Employment Opportunities
• County of San Diego - Department of Human Resources
• San Diego County Office of Education
• USAJOBS - The official job site of the U.S. Federal Government.
• America's Job Exchange - Commercial site partnered with state employment agencies.

• U-T Jobs - Career site of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Includes searchable classified ad listings and articles and advice on the local job market.
• Craigslist.org - Popular local community classifieds.
• Jobing.com - Jobing.com is an employment site and producer of job fairs. They are partnered with local training and community organizations.

• Indeed.com - Specialized and recommended search engine for unified searching across multiple job listing sites.
• Monster.com - Major job listing and career development site, with local and international operations.
• CareerBuilder.com - Major job listing service, partnered with hundreds of newspapers, web sites, and employment organizations.

• Job-Hunt  & Quintessential Careers - Directories to all things job-search. Good for locating specialized resources by industry, profession, or topic.
• JobHuntersBible.com - Companion site to the classic career guidance book 'What Color is Your Parachute'.
• The Job-Hunt & Quintessential Careers directories each list specialized job boards by profession, industry, background, location, and more.
• SnagAJob.com - Specializes in part-time and hourly employment.
• U.S. Small Business Administration -Learn about SBA loan programs and business counseling services for entrepreneurs.
• Day labor agencies contract workers for a single day's labor and some longer placements. Larger local day labor agencies include People Ready and Allied Forces.
• A comprehensive list of employment agencies can be found through Yellow Page listings or online.
• CareerOneStop.org (U.S. Dept. of Labor) 
• Occupational Outlook Handbook 

• The California Employment Development Department (EDD) provides unemployment claim filing and job search support. Telephone assistance at 1-800-300-5616. Claims can be filed online, by phone, fax, or mail, but not in person. Partnered offices support job search and provide phones and Internet access for filing, but do not process applications: in San Diego at 4389 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113; 619-266-4200.
• The California Department of Industrial Relations has additional information on workplace issues.

• The Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers clinics to assist with applications and hearings for social services.