Career Development through the Google Developer Group: My Experience as the Organizer of #GDGSarajevo

Hello everyone,

As the leader/organizer of the GDG Sarajevo community, I have the opportunity to work daily with talented individuals who are eager to gain knowledge and make progress. Recently, we have noticed an influx of new members who are highly motivated to enhance their skills. Therefore, I would like to share some guidelines that will help you in your career development through our Google Developer Group.

Learning Path and Professional Certification

To achieve success, it is important to have a clear learning path. In our free workshops, which we organize monthly, in addition to free senior mentorship, you also get free access to Google's learning platform worth $300 per user. So, put the pedal to the metal and take advantage of the opportunity to receive world-class Cloud training right here in Sarajevo!

Small Steps Forward

I recommend the following programs that everyone should complete to gain valuable practical experience and be ready for professional certifications within the next 1-3 years:

Foundations of Google Cloud Platform:

• Cloud Digital Leader: https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/9

Advanced Cloud Skills:

• Associate Cloud Engineer: https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/11

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

• AI Basics: https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/118
• Advanced AI: https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/183
• Machine Learning on GCP: https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/17

After completing these courses and obtaining mini-certificates, you can prepare for professional certification based on your preferences (DevOps, Security, Solution Architecture, Machine Learning...). You can find more information here: Google Cloud Certification.

Certifications are increasingly sought after by employers and will definitely help you profile yourself in the industry. Regardless of your previous experience, these certifications will open doors to a great career. I recommend dedicating at least 60 minutes a day to working on this plan.

Career through the GDG Sarajevo Community

After obtaining professional certifications, numerous opportunities open up within the Google Developer community. As the leader of GDG Sarajevo, I have seen members receive recommendations and become Google Developers Experts after certification. This title brings reputation, but also the opportunity to attend GDG community events worldwide, with Google covering travel and accommodation expenses (a similar program is offered by Microsoft with the MVP title!).

Moreover, wherever you relocate or get a new job, as a member of the GDG group, you have the opportunity to join a local GDG group or start your own. This way, you will always be connected to a global network of professionals and enthusiasts.

Possible Career Outcomes

Based on the experiences of our group, here are some realistic and achievable scenarios:

• Working as a consultant for Google partner companies, enterprise-level companies
• Employment at Google
• Developing your own business and partnering with Google
• Developing a career on other cloud platforms

These are just some of the paths you can follow. It is crucial to seize the opportunities presented to you, work on your development, and remain an active member of our community. I am confident that with dedication and hard work, you will achieve your goals and have a great career. A career is built with blood and sweat, and that path surely pays off in gold, dollars, or coins!

There is no place for slackers!

Good luck to everyone, and I look forward to our future successes!

Sincerely, Kemal Cholovich