Mentoring the Next Generation of Engineers

When Shailesh Kumar Gupta first stepped into the world of software engineering, his path seemed clear: Solve complex technical problems, build scalable systems and grow as an individual contributor.

With an M.Tech in computer science from IIT Kharagpur and early experience at global institutions such as the Technical University of Munich, Shailesh had already built an impressive technical foundation. But as his career progressed at Google—from tech lead to software engineering manager—something shifted.

“I found that I could achieve more by empowering other engineers,” he explains. “While my background was in technical development, I wanted to move beyond individual technical solutions and learn to lead motivated teams to success.”

That realization would ultimately lead Shailesh to our leadership and management certificate, where he learned not only to transform how he worked, but how he defined success.

“I was looking for a bridge between my technical expertise and the leadership skills required for a management role,” he shares. “I wanted a formal, structured framework for management that I could apply in a high-stakes environment like Google.”

It made me realize that leadership isn’t just a title, but a continuous practice of building others up.

Learning a Practical, Real-World Approach

The decision to start our certificate wasn’t random; it came highly recommended.

“I actually learned about the certificate from a colleague at Google who was already attending the courses,” Shailesh says. “Hearing about their firsthand experience and the quality of the curriculum made it an easy decision.”

What stood out most was the certificate’s real-world focus, which aligned closely with his day-to-day responsibilities.

“The experience was incredibly practical,” he explains. “We frequently discussed our day-to-day and past leadership challenges as part of the coursework, which allowed us to analyze real-world examples in real time.”

That immediacy—learning something in class and applying it the next day at work—proved to be a defining feature of his experience.

“Many of our class projects and discussions centered around the actual leadership challenges we were facing at work,” he recalls. “I was able to take those discussions and apply them directly to my role.”

One of the most significant shifts? His approach to leadership itself.

“It helped me move from ‘directing’ to ‘coaching,’ which was useful for my transition to a management role.”

That evolution—from giving instructions to developing people—has become a cornerstone of his leadership style.

Another impactful aspect of the certificate was the diversity of perspectives. “Connecting with experienced professionals from diverse fields provided a cross-functional perspective I wouldn’t have gained in tech alone,” Shailesh says.

For someone deeply embedded in the tech industry, this exposure broadened his understanding of leadership beyond engineering and into people skills such as communication, collaboration and organizational dynamics.

It also reinforced a key lesson: Great leadership principles transcend industries.

I wanted a formal, structured framework for management that I could apply in a high-stakes environment like Google.

Stepping Into a New Role at Google

Today, Shailesh is a software engineering manager at Google, leading teams and shaping technical strategy at a higher level. “My role has evolved into a highly cross-functional one,” he describes. “I now work closely with product managers to define strategy, collaborate with partner teams on complex integrations and manage expectations with various stakeholders.

“I also translate high-level direction from leadership into actionable goals for my team, ensuring our technical execution aligns with the company’s broader vision.”

It’s a role that requires not just technical expertise, but strong communication, empathy and strategic thinking.

For Shailesh, the impact of earning the certificate has gone far beyond career advancement.

“Professionally, it helped me during the transition from individual contributor to strategic leadership,” he says.

But the personal transformation may have been even more profound. “Personally, it was a mindset shift,” he shares. “It taught me that while code solves problems, people drive vision. It made me realize that leadership isn’t just a title, but a continuous practice of building others up.”

For those considering the certificate, Gupta emphasizes one key strategy: engagement: “Be an active participant in the discussions,” he advises.

More importantly, he encourages students to bring their real-world experiences into the classroom. “Your own workplace challenges are the best ‘lab’ for this certificate,” he says. “If you bring your real-world scenarios to the table, you will get tailored feedback from both your peers and your instructors.”

As he looks to the future, Shailesh’s ambitions extend beyond his own career growth. “I plan to continue growing in leadership roles within the tech and AI industry,” he says.

But what motivates him most is the opportunity to make a broader impact. “My focus will be on solving large-scale global problems and, most importantly, building and mentoring the next generation of leaders in tech.”