Career Guide: Google is Launching a Project Management Certificate

And why I am sooooo excited about it for anyone looking to switch or break into Project Management career path.

My intention with this newsletter is to not be another “here is a GANTT chart” or “build a project plan” echo chamber. YouTube, internet, and books are filled with this knowledge by people far smarter than me. My goal for this newsletter is to share practical and strategic knowledge, mistakes I made in my career that I wish I had known earlier, and tips & tricks that took me from good to great.

A part of that experience is sharing my knowledge about breaking into the Technical Project Management field and having participated in interviewing people for these positions at places like Apple and Google.

Another aspect is career growth. So, on occasion, I will share things outside the regularly scheduled cadence of the newsletter about career focused topics. I feel they deserve their own spot instead of just being a filler.

Welcome to the Building Rome(s) Career Guide Supplemental! 🧑🏽‍💻👩🏽‍💻

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Google recently announced, a first from any tech company that I know, a Certification in Project Management. As part of their Grow With Google program, and recognition of the need in the future for a digital ready American workforce, Google is partnering with Coursera to condense 4-year college programs into 6 months. Most often companies focus on Product Management certificates alongside Technical ones. So, imagine my excitement to see this announcement.

Google @Google

College degrees are out of reach for many Americans, and you shouldn’t need a college diploma to have economic security. Today we’re announcing Google Career Certificates from #GrowWithGoogle to help job seekers prepare for careers in high-growth fields. goo.gle/3evINcc

Here are the details we know of right now:

• About six months to complete

• No previous experience required

• Entirely developed by Google

• Grants and scholarships will be available

• Hosted on Coursera

As College continues to reach a point of inaccessibility for a large segment of the US population due to high tuition costs, alternatives like Coursera, Udemy, and self taught on-demand programs have been filling in the gaps for years. Tech companies like Apple a few years back dropped university education as a requirement for any technical position.

Why am I excited about this? 🤩

Technical Program Management, in my opinion and experience, remains a rather practical career. Yes, a foundational education is required (the fundamentals of project management) but to make a great career requires years of practice.

I judge any educational programs like these on 4 criteria:

1. Curriculum

2. Teachers

3. Institute reputation

4. Career pathway and support.

The very fact that the Program is being developed and taught by Google Program Managers means that this already checks item 2 & 3. As details remain light and taking into account whatever success Google has had with their Grow With Google program so far, I have confidence that the program will check off items 1 & 4 as well. Lets’ see.

The people hired to work as Program Managers at Google are without a doubt talented and well versed in their craft. Google will hopefully pick the creme de la creme to develop this program, so the knowledge will definitely go above and beyond just the basics.

So, anyone looking into Project Management as a career or thinking of switching gears, keep an eye on this specific cert. 🙏🏽

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If you know of other Program Management courses, certificates, or programs that either helped you or someone you know launch their career in Project Management, send me a link or share in the comments below.

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