Lindsay Velecina: 0:03

Welcome to the scrum.org community podcast, a podcast from the home of Scrum. In this podcast we feature professional scrum trainers and other scrum practitioners sharing their stories and experiences to help learn from the experience of others. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Dave West: 0:20

Hello, and welcome to the scrum.org community podcast. I'm your host, Dave West, CEO here@scrum.org. This episode is part of a series of interviews of the participants in the Google's project management certificate program, formerly known as grow with Google. Some of you may know of it in that that guy's and many of you know if you've listened to other episodes of our interviews, that scrum.org is part of that program. I'm very fortunate today to have with me as somebody calling in I'm not even sure we say that any more calling in from the United Kingdom from just outside London, and Nancy Martinez. So she's a project manager working in, in the technology space now the engineering space. Nancy was originally from Spain, you're now lives in like me, she's moved somewhere else. She lives in London, the UK. Hello, Nancy, welcome to the podcast.

Nancy Martinez: 1:20

Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.

Dave West: 1:23

It's great to have you. And I know, for our listeners, Nancy's a little bit nervous. This is this is perhaps isn't your first podcast ever.

Nancy Martinez: 1:33

Yeah, it's not actually it's not my first interview. But it's my first podcast. Yes, along.

Dave West: 1:39

So it's very exciting. So I guess let's start at the very beginning. You know, tell us and tell our listeners about your experience with the grow with Google project management. Professional Program. Got it. That's a mouthful. How did you find it? Where were you at? I know, I know, you're probably living in Spain? Or maybe you just moved to the UK? Why did you choose it? Tell us your story, Nancy?

Nancy Martinez: 2:05

Well, my story is a little bit peculiar. I will say because I was already in London. When I moved here, I was hired from Spain, by a company here in Harlow, where I live, actually, and they just hired me because they were looking for somebody that can process letters of credit, which is just one banking product that many companies use for training. So I don't know why people in UK that can do that. But I was hired to do that. Here are part of that. I have always worked in the export import sector. So I'm as I'm a specialist in exporter import processes. So I started working here in UK because of that. But after like three years, I was like, this is just the same every day. I was like looking for something else. And also, I'm a single mother with two children. And I was looking for another career path that was that can allow me to grow professionally. And where I was, that was that was it. That was the top I can go or I can reach. So then just talking with my family, my brother was like, why don't you study something? And I was like, Well, I'm already 40 something years, I don't know, if is the time or is already late for me to start trying to, you know, change my career path. But I started to investigate and the I discovered Coursera. And in Coursera, I discovered Google protect party to pedal certificate. And what I did is that I didn't went in I didn't go into it directly. I started listening to the first episode or session. And he was like, wow, this is what I like to do. I have been doing this without any certificate for many years, you know, because my career in export import is very I have been living in Nigeria for many years. Spain now in UK and I have been doing trading on working with people companies, business people from many countries, and you have to, you know, organize or unplanned, everything that you do, and even organize things for your I mean, like commercial trips and things like that for your, your customers. So it was like a kind of a, I was able to identify myself with that. And when I started going into it more deeply into the, into the course the certificate, it was like, like, my hips flooded, like, wow, realize. And I was able to understand the process. And I was like, what, how have I been doing all this time? Till today? You know, and why didn't I know this before? And it was like, wow, this is what I want to do. And then I decided that I want to do the certificate. It was six months certificate, but I did it in three months. Oh, wow. Because it was like just like absorbing a lot of information that was so interesting for me. And actually, when I, when I arrived to the screws section, it was like, What is this again, like, hurts sploded again, like, wow, this is really, really, really nice. And I couldn't understand it very well, because at the beginning, they explain to you the process of a project, not just a linear process of doing project management. And then when they started with sprains and screws, and I was like, What is this, but it was really, really, really interesting and really nice. And I was able to understand why it has changed and why you really need something different or more flexible, more agile. But at the same time, at the beginning, I was like it lighter. But later now I can say that I'm hybrid, like, you know, yes, is very important to do. Or many in many sectors, it can be very useful to do sprints, but not everything has to be like that. Because you really need other processes that, you know, the the traditional project management process allows you to have so yeah, I have right I can see. Well, that's,

Dave West: 7:52

that's good to hear. And obviously, you know, yes, not everything is agile, though. Obviously, I'm biased, I kind of like agility and I like like Scrum. So I just and we'll come back to scrum in a moment and see but like to sort of push in a little bit or lean into the experience or the program, you said, you know, six months, you came to it from Coursera Tell me a little bit more about what what was the program like

Nancy Martinez: 8:18

the prom was, I recommend it to everybody because it's something really, really light to understand the way I mean, I think there's a lot of job behind because the way they explain the videos how they are taking you through all the the subjects in the program is really really, I mean, I really think there's a lot of chop behind for you to really understand and like in a nutshell, give you a lot of information, which is really difficult and they have been able to to achieve it which is really good. So, yeah, they start like, like in something simple, you know, the simple the more simple explanation on what what is project punishment, and then after they start to go deeper into each of the subjects that you'll need to know for you to be able to understand what is project management and you know, all the interfaces that you have to go through a for you to to execute a project in a way that it will be no as for you to deliver in a right way. And also a part of that they they they go into what is agile, what is scrum another methodologies that you may also encounter in your career or maybe not but they are important to know as well, which is which was very, very helpful for me. Because through that I started study by myself other mythologies, and interested in other things like screw, and, or XP, and many other methodologies. Then after that I did another course, which was the project management from Google helped me to understand many of the terminology that I was listening in that core. So, yes, it was really, really, really nice. I have a friend, in my place of workflow that she tried to do twice the, the PF Q, and she, she wasn't able to pass it. And I was telling her, if you do the the Google project management certificate, it will be easier for you. Because they really give you what you need to know, in a totally different way to something that you go through every day or every week, and you have like a teacher that is teaching you and is, you know, taking you through all the information. So yeah, it's it has been really, really helpful for me to, to do the, the certificate for me to also understand school, because I study for me to have the school master certificate as well, by myself with the old information that is in the website, and all that. But I think that, because I have that background of the certificate that I chose State, I was able to understand better, what was screwed, you know? Because yes, Scrum is very simple, very light, material, or subject. But at the same time, you know, there's a lot into it, too, for you to understand. And, yeah, I think the Google certificate also helped me to understand scrum more.

Dave West: 12:24

That's awesome. Yes, it's 10 minutes to understand it a lifetime to practice it, we often say so. So that's really now I guess, that I'm sure our listeners are wondering. Okay, so you took the grower Google Project Management Professional Program, you've got the certificate, you passed the PSM one, which is, which is a tricky exam. I know because I participated in the creation of the questions. So good job there. I'm really, really glad you passed that and did the studying, then what happened and see what happened next?

Nancy Martinez: 13:01

Well, when you're doing the Google certificate, the last bit of it is for you to your your project your plan for the future. And that is what I did. I did a plan for the future. I know, like I stated, What were were my goals, objectives, KPIs for six months, three months, one year, where where do I want to be? I think I have achieve most of it, you have to work hard. And I think that I was for a year apart of the certificate, I was for a year working and studying. And then after that, I spent months looking for job because I what I wanted to do, I couldn't do it where I was, so I have to just move to another company. And I, I applied for millions.

Dave West: 14:06

Joyfully not really millions, but

Nancy Martinez: 14:10

quite a lot. It was just like, well, and then my, my goal wasn't were to arrive or to start as where I'm starting now. It was lighter than that it was less than that. Because yes, you are now in the project management sector, but you can start as a junior project manager, or assistant project manager or something that is you're not really a project manager yet. But I started as a project manager and with paying a salary of a project manager, I just I just want to to change my career path. And then I'll After months, it was like, Well, I'm just applying, I don't think I'm going to, I have very nice interviews. But at the end of the day, nothing happened, nothing happened. And this last one was like, just another one. And they asked me, How much do you want to be paid? And I just say, well, this is what I want. I don't think they're going to come back to me. But they did. And that is how I got the job. And they really appreciated that I did the Google project management certificate. And that they, I had a the professional scrum master certificate. I mean, this is a company that was able to appreciate that. And also, I did also the PHQ. Before, and we'll do well, I was having the PF key as well. So I, they saw that I was investing a lot on my professional career, I think they, they also saw Well, she looks like serious on that. Then after when in the second interview, they did like a very tough exam of almost two hours. For me, for them to know whether I really know about project management. It was it was tough. What I passed it, so

Dave West: 16:26

it's fantastic. That's great. And, and I think for our listeners, the, you know, this, proving that you actually care about your career, having that, that project plan with KPIs and everything talks about the things that you're trying to achieve, and communicate that potential employers can be as valuable as experience. I mean, it really can. So that's a great message. I really, really do appreciate. So I guess, you know, there's a couple of last questions, we're coming up to the end of our time. First question is, what's next for you, Nancy, you know, where are you? What are you going to? What's your sort of journey? Are you continuing some professional development, adding some other certificates, maybe things like PSM two, or maybe the PMI, or in the UK prints and prints to obviously, a really thing, what's, what's your next What's your next journey, I'm really excited to hear,

Nancy Martinez: 17:25

Well, my plan, you know, my plan still going on. And there are a lot of KPIs that I haven't achieved yet. Because, you know, is like long term to want to do. And I'm really interested in risk risk management. And I'm thinking about having a certificate on that just or maybe, just to learn more about that. And now, in this job that I am right now, I can everyday I can feel the need, you know how SCRUM masters are needed, you know, because it's something that you can't really, if the person hasn't, here about scoping for, you might not understand it, because it's not a project manager. This is cool. Totally different. But I can I can see the need of it, you know, we are in a team of project and program managers, managers, and this, this, there are people that they are acting as Scrum Masters, without even knowing, you know, maybe they don't really have the routines that you know, you will understand as a scrum master. But all you're doing is you're a scrum master. And you don't know. And I really want to learn more about it, because I want to grow in the company, and I think is one of the things that can help me on that.

Dave West: 19:05

No, that's, that's, that's awesome. And yes, the helping people to get better at their craft, ultimately, is the is the calling that all of us need to follow in my opinion. So it's great to hear that and talking about risk. I just recently finished, General Stanley McChrystal, his book on risk, a user guide, I recommend it, it's really, really interesting, and a very pragmatic approach to risk management. So just sort of like a little aside there for our for our listeners and for yourself, Nancy, it's funny that you mentioned that because it literally I finished it last evening. That's how exciting the books that I read are at night, which is which is good. So so the last thing you know, if you're listening, you know what, what should if the listeners are sort of listening to this, they've heard your story. You've, you know, maybe you've inspired them, what would you say their next step should be Nancy, what do you think they should do?

Nancy Martinez: 20:05

If they haven't get the certificate yet? Well, if you haven't gone through the Google Product Management certificate, I really, really encourage you to go through it. Because it's really, really helpful. If you really want to know more, or go deeper into the project management sector, is it looks like well, is is not the PMI, or the APM. You know, like something more. I think that people know more, companies maybe appreciate more, or understand more, because they have been there for a lot longer time. But there's nothing different. I mean, I learn almost exactly the same. When I was doing the Google certificate. That was when I did the PF Q with it was basically the same. Even the Google certificate was more detailed, because it was it was also taking you through all the methodologies, more agile things that the PHQ doesn't really go into it. And that is very important right now, you know, if you chose want to do like, or understand the linear process of project management, you're obsolete. You're not this.

Dave West: 21:41

I need that to be on our website. Nancy, that sounds great.

Nancy Martinez: 21:45

That is that is it true, you know, there's no company now that is linear in any way, you know, you really need to expand your views and understand that you really need to be agile, in many, many things, many, many ways in in your job, even if you're not changing careers, but is is really helpful for you to to go into the certificate, because it's also explaining to you that is something that you can use in your personal life, which is true, I use it every day for you know, to organize myself with my children, and you know, all these, because the schools, they give you a lot of work a lot of stuff to do. And I have to be organized on that. Because if not you but Mom don't remember that you we have this. I can't be remembering everything, you know. So the also the certificate helped me to know how to, you know, schedule myself in, in other areas of my life, which was really, really helpful. It really changed me in many ways, you know, the way I approach things, you know, now I'm not anxious, have to do parents, whatever this and that. No, everything is more planned. And I like that.

Dave West: 23:14

That sounds awesome. So listeners, you heard it here from Nancy Martinez, a project manager who went through the Google Project Management Professional program and got this certificate, and also passed PSM. One, the first step is just do it. These are not just skills for changing careers. They're really life skills, which I think is a great message I some days though I wish that I could better project management might manage my children and see but but I guess that's that's a desire that all of us have. Sometimes work is easier. Well, thank you for your time. Thank you for taking your Friday evening from a dark and dismal London. Thank you for taking the time today to speak to us. And for our listeners. This is part of a series of interviews with participants of the Google project management certificate program. I'm your host, Dave West here, CEO scrum.org Thank you for listening. Thank you for your time, Nancy, thank you for everybody.

Nancy Martinez: 24:13

Thank you.

Dave West: 24:14

Take care everybody. Bye bye