After years of working from home and running his own small business, Brennan was ready for something different. He wanted to reconnect with his community and contribute to a mission-driven organization. That desire led him to Palmetto Goodwill, where he joined the team as a front desk assistant early this year.
A few weeks into his new role, Brennan was encouraged by team members from Palmetto Goodwill’s Mission Services department to explore free access to Google Coursera certifications through Palmetto Goodwill.
He was surprised to find a wide range of self-paced, industry-recognized programs and quickly enrolled in the Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Certificate to strengthen his business skills and connect more meaningfully with his audience.
The results were immediate and transformative. Through expert-led modules on customer engagement, analytics and retention strategies, Brennan learned how to identify where his web traffic was coming from and define his core customer base. He launched a blog, leveraged social media to drive traffic and implemented A/B testing, which led to a 400% increase in sessions within just one week. Site engagement continued to grow, with a consistent 100% increase in user sessions.
The program’s deep dive into Shopify, the platform Brennan uses for his site, provided practical solutions for improving SEO and load speed. He learned to optimize large GIF and WEBP files without compromising his brand’s visual identity and applied UX design principles to create a faster, cleaner and more intuitive website.
One of the most exciting outcomes was a renewed motivation to revisit a longtime goal—launching branded merchandise. Although a previous attempt hadn’t panned out, the skills and knowledge gained through the course gave him the foundation to pursue the project with a clearer strategy and stronger execution.
“Completing both courses alongside my job responsibilities at Palmetto Goodwill was a testament to the organization’s supportive culture,” Brennan said. “Goodwill’s approach to skill development really stands out. There’s a consistent drive to empower every team member, and that creates an environment of growth.”
Since completing the program, he has taken full ownership of his brand’s digital marketing and e-commerce operations. He also earned the Google IT Support Certificate and is currently enrolled in the Google IT Automation with Python Certificate to continue expanding his technical skill set.
At work, Brennan finds purpose in contributing to a mission he believes in and enjoys seeing that mission come to life each day. And through Palmetto Goodwill’s free Coursera access, he’s found the tools to grow professionally, creatively and independently.
Free access to Google Coursera certifications is available not only to team members but to community members across the Lowcountry as well. Whether you’re looking to upskill, change careers or launch a new one, these flexible, expert-led programs can help you take the next step.
To explore free Google Coursera certifications through Palmetto Goodwill—including programs in digital marketing, IT, UX design, data analytics and more—visit palmettogoodwill.org/google-coursera.
The deadline to enroll is Dec. 31, 2025.
Looking to grow your career in a mission-driven environment? Explore job opportunities at Palmetto Goodwill and be part of a team that empowers people every day.
