My career path to Google included bartending and working at a nursing home. Here's what it taught me.

Milica Cvetkovic, a senior technical solutions consultant at Google based in Chicago, has taken an unconventional route to her current role, which involves building AI systems for Google Cloud customers. Her journey, filled with challenges and unique experiences, showcases the diverse paths individuals can take to reach their career goals. Originally from Serbia, Milica moved to the United States at the age of 18. Instead of following a traditional path to law school, she opted for a gap year that involved bartending, followed by a college education in mathematics. Her love for bartending persisted, and she later worked as a shot girl on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. However, a pivotal moment came when she relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where she worked as a caregiver in a nursing home. This experience exposed her to the fragility of life and solidified her understanding of the importance of discipline and hard work. Milica's career took a new direction when she landed a position as a curriculum designer at McGraw-Hill Education, where she worked for several years while pursuing a graduate degree in statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her studies, she focused on teaching machine learning to non-technical audiences, which opened doors in education and technology. After completing her degree, Milica interned as a machine learning engineer at a Madison startup focused on animal health. This role led to a full-time position and opportunities to teach at boot camps and eventually at the university level. Despite facing personal challenges, including health issues during her teaching career, she persevered, understanding that setbacks are part of the journey. Milica emphasizes that success in the tech industry does not require juggling multiple jobs or experiences. Instead, she believes that a deep understanding of one area, combined with the ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible manner, can be just as valuable. Her application to Google mirrored the preparation for a marathon, reflecting a culmination of her hard work and diverse experiences. In her view, the journey is as significant as the destination, and each step has contributed to her success in the tech world.