The global cloud computing workforce faces a significant gender imbalance, with just 14% of cloud professionals identifying as women as of 2021. For companies to remain competitive, they need talented employees who understand the cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies at the top of enterprise investment priorities – and tapping into this underrepresented group is one of the lowest-hanging fruits.
Google Cloud is one company taking the opportunity to fold more women into its workforce. In 2021, the hyperscaler committed to train 40 million people in skills unique to its cloud infrastructure. To support that goal, this year Google Cloud introduced a new training and certification program that aims to address the cloud workforce’s gender gap.
The Google Cloud Launchpad for Women gives participants “a clear path to develop cloud skills no matter their experience level – which is so important, considering women are underrepresented in this field right now,” Erin Rifkin, Google Cloud managing director of cloud learning services, told SDxCentral.
Designed to be accessible to participants of varying roles and expertise levels, Rifkin described the program as having a “…diverse participant pool, which includes CEOs, marketing leads, developers and HR professionals from some of our biggest customers.”
“In addition to skill building,” she added, “participants also get to learn alongside a supportive network of inspiring women.”
This free-for-Google-Cloud-customers skills program was designed to be an entry point to the broader world of Google’s cloud infrastructure. Through a combination of self-paced learning, live panels and instructor-led training, the program covers topics like the fundamentals of cloud computing, infrastructure modernization, cloud operations and cloud security.
The first class is already in session, with participants on track to take the hyperscaler’s Cloud Digital Leader certification exam, which will be available at no additional cost, between March 15 and April 1.
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Launchpad impacts
The feedback from this program and its learning structure “has been overwhelmingly positive,” Rifkin said. “With such a strong response, we’re definitely looking into expanding the program in the near future.”
Palo Alto Networks is one ecosystem partner that invited and encouraged its female workforce to join the first cohort of Google Cloud Launchpad for Women.
“Our female employees appreciated the chance to actively engage in and gain firsthand experience with Google Cloud technologies, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to drive innovation,” Palo Alto Networks CTO May Wang told SDxCentral.
Highmark Health is another Google Cloud customer that is participating in the program. The blended health organization has been working with Google Cloud to digitally transform since 2020. As the parent company of a health insurance business and an integrated delivery network, Highmark is using the Google Cloud Launchpad for Women to upskill team members and empower them to innovate with cloud computing.
“Not only are we upskilling our team, but this program is also helping to narrow the industry-wide gender gap in AI, machine learning, and cloud technology,” Julia McDowell, Highmark Health VP of AI, told SDxCentral. “We’re proud to be in lockstep with Google Cloud to help make equity in tech a reality.”
Highmark’s participation in the training facilitated “a broader sense of community and shared understanding,” McDowell said. “We not only learned more about Google Cloud and the benefits of our partnership, but also how to support one another on our professional journeys as women in technology.”
Training women across the industry
Fellow technology stalwart AMD launched a similar program, dubbed Advancing Women in Tech, aimed at training women on the technical engineer track. AMD prides itself on being intentional with its hiring practices, recruiting early-in-career talent and providing “solid support infrastructure with mentorship and development programs along the way,” AMD SVP of Marketing, Communications and HR Ruth Cotter told SDxCentral.
Current female leaders at AMD like CEO Lisa Su and CFO Jean Hu “model courage and drive,” Cotter said. “Representation is key to supporting the growth of women in technology.”
Despite progress, “there’s more work to do,” Cotter said. Global societal expectations and the availability of childcare, for example, continue to influence how women choose educational and career opportunities. Conscious and unconscious biases also significantly change what opportunities are available to women in tech and the industry as a whole by reinforcing stereotypes and creating an uneven playing field.
How women win in tech
Though Cotter has seen her fair share of setbacks and challenges throughout her career, she credits her success to her professional community. “I have been fortunate enough to have early career advocates, coaches and mentors who encouraged, advised and advocated for me when I wasn’t in the room, playing a crucial role in my professional journey,” she said.
Google’s Rifkin also cited her professional community as key to her success. She found a career in the technology industry by selling mountain bike parts on Craigslist, which led her to meet the COO of a Seattle tech startup. After starting in accounting and customer support, she continued shifting roles and growing her toolbox before landing in cloud computing. “I am acutely aware of how mentors, sponsors, and self-motivation to push the boundaries helped me in my career,” Rifkin said.
Following stints at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft, Rifkin joined Google Cloud for “the amazing, world-class technology and the mission … to accelerate every organization’s ability to digitally transform,” she said.
Her passion today lies in helping other women learn, succeed and establish careers in the cloud. “Throughout my career, I’ve often been the only female on teams or in leadership roles. This experience has shown me the importance of having diverse perspectives within teams and creating opportunities for everyone,” Rifkin said.
Palo Alto Networks’ Wang shared a similar career story rooted in innovation and perseverance. “I encountered setbacks early on as a young female minority in the tech industry,” she told SDxCentral. “Despite my expertise, I found my voice often overlooked, particularly in customer interactions and industry conferences.”
A decade ago, Wang cofounded the AI-based IoT security company Zingbox, which Palo Alto Networks acquired in 2019. She now leads AI projects at Palo Alto across various security products. “Each setback served as fuel to propel me forward, reinforcing my commitment to achieving my career goals and making a tangible impact in the tech industry,” Wang said.
“As women in tech, we have a responsibility to forge our own paths while actively supporting others along the way,” Rifkin said. “By sharing our experiences and lifting each other up, we empower the next generation of female innovators and entrepreneurs.”
