1. Assists in conducting competitive and comparative analysis of in-market solutions and services to inform product decisions
2. Utilizes various data collection methods (i.e. surveys, focus groups, interviews) as well as AI-powered tools, to identify user preferences, needs, context of use, potential opportunities for improvement, and pain points
3. Meets with key stakeholders to identify any business requirements that must be met for the product to be successful
4. Seeks to understand, appreciate, and accept user behaviors in the context of business goals, utilizing AI powered tools when appropriate

1. Reviews existing research and best practices to identify patterns in customer and employee behavior as well as strategic business and design opportunities
2. Uses appropriate human-centered design methods, such as personas, scenarios, user journeys, or empathy maps, as well as AI-powered tools to synthesize insights
3. Contributes meaningfully to conversations on design space by demonstrating a deep understanding of user needs and behavior from qualitative and quantitative research
4. Reviews user data, current product usage analytics, and performance metrics, leveraging AI powered tools to identify trends, patterns, and insights

1. Assists in facilitating conversations and collaborative workshops with project teams and partners to brainstorm potential solutions
2. Assists in storyboarding and concept development, including the brainstorming of user flows and interactions
3. Balances trade-offs between user and business needs in the solution-creating process

1. Drafts outlines of key interactions based on design plan and user flows
2. Creates a variety of low fidelity and high fidelity and interactive prototypes – physical, digital, or hand drawn – for concept development and evaluation, utilizing AI-powered design tools when appropriate
3. Ensures that all prototypes follow best practices in UX design, utilizing style guides and design systems to maintain consistency and efficiency
4. Collaborates with cross functional team to continuously improve and adapt solutions to better serve users
5. Maintains awareness of users’ perspectives, leveraging AI-powered tools when appropriate, and continuously incorporates users’ needs into product prototypes
6. Follows company design system in the development of high-fidelity prototypes, if applicable

1. Collaborates with cross functional team members such as front-end or back-end developers and product managers/product owners to inform product development
2. Uses appropriate digital UX/UI design tools and software, including AI-powered tools when appropriate, to assist developers
3. Utilizes design systems to support product development

1. Prepares drafts of discussion guides to guide conversations around design solutions
2. Assists in designing and running usability evaluations, such as user tests or accessibility tests, on prototypes and solicits user feedback to improve design quality
3. Identifies and predicts design flaws, proposes solutions to mitigate them, and incorporates solutions into the final product, if applicable
4. Collaborates across teams to synthesize data findings and iterate better versions of the design

1. Respects user privacy and prioritizes informed consent in data collection and analysis, if applicable
2. Ensures that all products are accessible by following inclusive design principles, addressing accessibility throughout the design process, and complying with applicable external standards and practices (e.g. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1)
3. Follows best practices for UX design, such as avoiding deceptive practices (i.e. bait and switch, forced continuity)
4. Seeks out diverse voices and experiences throughout the design and testing process

1. Develops a portfolio showcasing key skills pertinent to User Experience design

1. Communicates effectively and thoughtfully in both written and verbal formats
2. Gives, receives and acts upon constructive feedback
3. Demonstrates effective and proactive problem-solving
4. Acts as a reliable teammate and peer when working collaboratively
5. Utilizes time management strategies and effectively prioritizes tasks to meet deadlines
6. Takes accountability and ownership of assigned work and its outcomes
7. Actively pursues opportunities for learning and development to adapt to new challenges and evolving technologies

1. Evaluates the strengths, risks, and limitations (e.g., outdated data) of AI models and tools to determine their appropriateness for specific tasks
2. Uses AI tools to enhance productivity and creativity, and to support problem-solving
3. Creates and refines AI inputs (e.g., prompts) using clear context and constraints to maximize the relevance and accuracy of outputs
4. Critically reviews AI-generated outputs for accuracy, bias, and completeness, validating against trusted sources
5. Protects personal, proprietary, and client data by adhering to organizational AI policies and using approved tools
6. Assumes full accountability for final decisions and deliverables, ensuring proper disclosure and citation for AI-generated content
7. Contributes to the advancement of responsible AI by sharing successful strategies and lessons learned, documenting risks and reporting errors

Apprentices will complete several required trainings as Google employees including: Code of Conduct Training, Information Security @ Google, Creating a Workplace for All

In the ten days of apprentice orientation, apprentices will be fully immersed in self-study and instructor-led sessions designed to help apprentices have a strong start in the program. Topics addressed include, but are not limited to: durable skills; corporate norms and ways of working; Google Workspace tools; giving and receiving feedback; time management; DOL competencies and requirements, etc. Apprentices will also complete an AI course to introduce them to the role AI can play in improving productivity, efficiency and creativity in the workplace.

The next phase of the program is a six-week virtual learning intensive we call Launchpad. During this time, apprentices complete the first four courses of their Google Career Certificate and participate in regular instructor-led sessions taught by our training partner. This frontloading of RTI provides foundational exposure to the skills and knowledge they’ll encounter once they join their teams.

Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design is the first in a series of seven courses that will equip learners with the skills needed to apply to entry-level jobs in user experience design. This course will introduce the field of UX design, explore job opportunities and career paths within the field, review common job responsibilities of entry-level UX designers, and explore common research methods used in UX design.

In this course, learners will complete the first phases of the design thinking framework for a project that they’ll be able to include in their UX design portfolio. Learners will begin to empathize with users and understand their pain points, define user needs with problem statements, and come up with potential solutions to those user problems.

In this course, learners will continue to design a mobile app for their UX design portfolio. They will practice ideating by creating storyboards and getting familiar with the basics of drawing. Then, they will create paper wireframes and digital wireframes using the design tool Figma. Learners will also create a paper prototype and a digital low-fidelity prototype in Figma.

In this course, learners will continue to design a mobile app that they will eventually include in a UX design portfolio. They will explore how to plan and conduct a usability study to gather feedback about designs. Then, they will modify their low-fidelity designs based on insights from their research.

After Launchpad, apprentices join their teams at Google and enter into Phase 2 of related technical instruction. During Phase 2, apprentices complete the remaining courses of their Google Career Certificate and begin applying their newly acquired skills on the job at Google.

In this course, learners will follow step-by-step tutorials to learn how to create high-fidelity designs in Figma, a popular design tool. Then, learners will turn those designs into an interactive prototype that works like a finished product. They will conduct research to collect feedback about their designs and make improvements.

In this course, learners will design a responsive website to include in their UX design portfolio. They will apply the design thinking framework by empathizing with the user, defining user needs, ideating on the research they’ve gathered, and coming up with ideas for design solutions to create a website prototype.

In the final course of this program, learners will design a dedicated mobile app and a responsive website focused on social good. Learners will showcase all that they have learned during the certificate program to complete the design thinking framework from beginning to end.

Depending on cohort need, Google may schedule additional RTI sessions to address specific competencies that may require deeper attention.

Apprentices will attend professional development workshops two times per quarter. These will focus on durable skills that are necessary for entry-level workers to succeed in an AI-driven workplace.