Why I said ‘NO’ to Google for the third time!
Product management has been my dream role since I stumbled upon it. While I am determined to become a product manager one day, there are hardships and challenges along the way.
A little bit about myself:
I’m Harinya, a computer science graduate from a well-known university that provides an education equal to the standards of tier-1 colleges in the country. I have worked as an intern at large MNCs like Microsoft and Oracle, where I went through steep learning curves to understand the industry operations.
The journey so far:
Throughout my academic journey, the allure of working for Google has been ever-present. As a tech enthusiast and aspiring professional, the opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s most prestigious companies seemed like a dream come true.
On not one, but three occasions, I had the chance to take part in Google’s recruitment process, each time providing me with valuable lessons.
The first instance occurred when I applied for the summer internship at Google. I was very excited when I received an interview call, but I was faced with a dilemma. Before Google’s invitation arrived, I had secured an equally prestigious summer internship with another company and had already accepted their offer. Declining an accepted offer was not only a matter of professional courtesy, but I also believed that it would be unfair to put Google through the entire recruitment process, considering that my spot could be given to another deserving candidate.
The second instance was when I applied for the winter internship at Google. This time, I found myself in a situation where I held a full-time job offer from my current company, but not from Google. The winter internship offered by Google was enticing, with an attractive salary package, but it came with the uncertainty of future full-time employment. Although I was confident in my abilities to perform well and convert the internship to a full-time position, I chose to decline the interview call once again. My decision was grounded in the same principles as before — respect for the current company’s offer and the desire not to waste Google’s time.
Now, on to the third and most recent opportunity with Google. This time, the circumstances were different. I had completed my studies and graduated, ready to embark on my professional journey full-time. Read on to understand why I declined the ‘offer’ (not just the interview calls) from Google.
During my final year at college, I came across product management, and I realized that it perfectly aligned with my interests and skills. However, I soon discovered that most industry roles required at least one year of experience, which I lacked. I found that gaining some practical experience would be crucial for my career progression.
I had 2 roads to decide upon:
One widely pursued way was to pursue an MBA. I could grab immediate job opportunities, but it would require intense preparation for admission into top-tier business schools. However, I was determined to focus solely on product management and didn’t want to spend time learning unrelated subjects.
The other one is considering an internal shift from working as a software developer to a product manager, unfortunately, it might take quite some time to make such a huge transition (usually 1–2 years), Hence I looked for a more immediate solution to gain the necessary experience.
Well, maybe I could start learning the basics of product management and before I could secure a role, I might have enough theoretical knowledge.
Amidst all the confusion, I came across Google’s Project Management Apprenticeship program which is a work and study opportunity that provided a chance to gain real-world experience while also getting paid.
Google also offers apprenticeships in various domains like digital marketing, data analytics, and information technology. Intrigued, I decided to explore the project management apprenticeship further.
More info here: https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/apprenticeships
Before I could decide to invest my time in the application process for this apprenticeship, I wanted to understand more about project management.
Project management vs Product management:
A lot of sites and blogs have explained the similarities and differences between product management and project management. Without going into much detail, a short explanation here:
The product manager is responsible for the overall strategy, vision, and success of a product or product line while the project manager is responsible for the planning and execution of a specific project.
More about it here: https://www.coursera.org/articles/product-manager-vs-project-manager
Product management’s day-to-day intricacies vary based on organization, team, and domain, shaping a dynamic and unique role for each practitioner, and in most cases, the product manager oversees the project’s intricacies as well.
After having explored project management, I concluded that this apprenticeship program might be a good start for navigating the role of product manager.
With a strong desire to become a product manager, I applied for the Google Project Management Apprenticeship program, specifically for the India location. The program had a duration of 24 months, allowing ample time for learning and growth.
After a series of tests and interviews, to my delight, I received the news of my selection and was even presented with an offer letter from Google. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to make the difficult decision to reject the offer.
While Google’s Project Management Apprenticeship program offers valuable opportunities, it’s essential to consider certain aspects. Firstly, the compensation package provided during the apprenticeship may be very minimal. Additionally, upon completion (after 2 years), there is no guarantee of continued employment with Google. Moreover, the program primarily offers assistance rather than a definitive pathway to another job. It’s important to note that the apprenticeships are location-specific, limiting the flexibility to work remotely or change locations. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the training is conducted by an external firm collaborating with Google, rather than directly by Google itself.
If you are an aspiring product manager seeking hands-on experience and growth, I encourage you to explore Google’s Project Management Apprenticeship program. It may be the life-changing opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Remember, the path to your dream career may not always be straightforward, but with determination and a willingness to explore unconventional routes, you can overcome obstacles and make your aspirations a reality.
PS: My decision of rejecting the offer from Google was solely based on personal reasons and the company was very supportive during the entire process of hiring.
Author: S R Harinya Devi
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