From Haryana to California: Remarkable journey of Karanveer Anand

Hailing from the small town of Shahabad Markanda of Kurukshetra district in Haryana, Karanveer Anand's journey from a local student to a leading technical program manager at Google proves his unwavering pursuit of excellence and extraordinary skills in the technology field. His journey resonates with ambition, dedication, and remarkable achievement.

At the age of 18, Anand left his hometown to pursue a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science (B. Tech CSE) at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore.

After completing his degree, Anand started his professional career as a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), where he was given the responsibility to resolve technical problems for enterprise customers, a challenge he fulfilled with outstanding efficiency and proficiency.

Anand's expertise in SRE was quickly recognized, and within 18 months of professional experience, he was granted the L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge visa by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which typically requires at least 12 months of experience.

At a very early stage in his career, Anand was promoted to Manager of the SRE Readiness Organization, a position that required both extensive technical knowledge and exceptional management skills. His success in this capacity was due to both his hard work and his inherent management and leadership qualities.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges worldwide, but Anand turned these challenges into opportunities. Taking advantage of remote work conditions, he earned a Master of Science in Computers from the University of Texas at Austin while living in California.

Anand joined Google in 2021. Within three years, reflecting his significant contributions to the company, he got the promotion. Currently, he works as a technical program manager for the SRE organization at Google.

His expertise in leading cross-functional technical programs focuses on improving the reliability of Google Workspace, which includes widely used services such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, and Calendar. Anand’s data-driven approach and strategic attitude have helped in improving the reliability and performance of these critical services.

"Numerous individuals regularly evaluate their internet connectivity by assessing the functionality of Google. This widespread practice reflects the significant trust placed in Google's constant availability and reliability. Maintaining Google's services through various projects and enhancing their reliability presents an exceptional opportunity for career advancement," Anand said.

Sharing his experience working with Google, he said, "With Google as my employer, I was in the best position to create impact at the largest scale where billions of people use Google services, and making them more reliable was the source of my inspiration to work hard."

Anand, a leader in technical program management, has been at the forefront of software reliability for more than five years. His vision for the next ten years includes incorporating generative artificial intelligence (AI) into technical project management.

Anand believes that advances in AI will transform the field by automating many elements of management and streamlining operations, making life easier for future leaders in the industry.

“In today's digital age, software plays a pivotal role in various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to finance. The reliable functioning of these software applications is crucial, as any disruptions can significantly impact our daily routines. Recognizing the importance of software reliability, I have always aspired to contribute to this field,” Anand said.

“During my career as a technical program manager in software reliability, I had the privilege of expanding my influence across diverse projects. This enabled me to impact the reliability of numerous software applications, ultimately benefiting billions of individuals worldwide,” he added.

In addition to his professional achievements, Anand has also made a substantial impact through his educational contributions. He authored a course on program management, which has assisted thousands of job seekers in the industry.

His course is available on Educative, which provides valuable insights and guidance for those aspiring to enter the field.

Anand also serves as a board advisor at San Jose State University, California, and the University of California, Irvine, where he provides valuable guidance and mentorship to the next generation of technology professionals.

Karanveer Anand’s journey from a small town in Haryana to a leading role at Google is a compelling narrative of hard work, innovation, and leadership. His achievements reflect not only his exceptional talent and dedication but also his ability to leverage opportunities and overcome challenges.

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure,” said Anand.