# AI for the Workplace with Gemini Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/ai-for-the-workplace-with-gemini-course-self-paced>

## Overview

This self-paced course helps participants build practical, job-ready skills with Google Gemini AI, from first prompts to advanced workflows. You will learn how to prompt effectively, work with files and multimedia, create custom Gems, use Canvas and Memory, and apply advanced features such as Deep Research and NotebookLM to research, analysis, writing, and knowledge management tasks. The course also shows you how to use Gemini within Google Workspace tools such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and Drive, and how to set up automations with Extensions, Scheduled Actions, and Workspace Flows. Through guided exercises and a capstone project, you will build a personalized Gemini system aligned to your role and leave with practical deliverables you can apply in your workplace.

## What you'll learn

- Write structured prompts and use advanced techniques including Deep Think mode and Google Search grounding
- Create Gems, use Canvas for interactive content, and configure Memory for persistent context
- Use Deep Research to produce automated, multi-page research reports and transform them into interactive deliverables
- Build source-grounded knowledge bases with NotebookLM and generate Audio Overviews
- Work with Gemini’s side panel in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and Drive for real-time AI-assisted work
- Set up Extensions, Scheduled Actions, and Workspace Flows for cross-application automation
- Build a complete, personalized Gemini system for your own job — from task audit through finished deliverable

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Getting Started with Claude AI

- Explain how Claude works in plain language.
- Identify the model tiers, plans, and key parts of the claude.ai interface.
- Practice starting a first conversation with Claude.

#### Module 2: Prompting Fundamentals & Working with Files

- Identify the core parts of an effective prompt, including context, task, format, constraints, and examples.
- Apply prompting across writing, summarization, analysis, research, and creative problem-solving.
- Work with images, PDFs, spreadsheets, screenshots, and handwritten notes in Claude.

#### Module 3: Projects — Organizing Ongoing Work

- Explain how Projects use custom instructions, knowledge bases, and RAG to organize ongoing work.
- Write effective Project instructions for real workplace tasks.
- Create a Project using real work documents.

#### Module 4: Artifacts, Skills, and Memory

- Create reusable deliverables with Artifacts.
- Customize how Claude communicates using Skills, custom instructions, and persistent context with Memory.
- Apply usage management tips to extend plan value.

#### Module 5: Intermediate Prompting & Advanced Features

- Use role-based prompting, chain-of-thought, and multi-step workflows.
- Apply advanced features such as web search, Extended Thinking, and the “You Ask Me” technique.
- Practice advanced prompting with real work scenarios.

#### Module 6: Claude vs. Other AI Tools

- Compare Claude with tools such as Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT.
- Choose the right tool for different types of work.
- Recognize data privacy considerations and organizational AI policies.

#### Module 7: Introduction to Claude Cowork

- Explain what Claude Cowork is and how it differs from claude.ai.
- Read, write, and manage files from the desktop environment.
- Complete a first Cowork task.

#### Module 8: Building Your Context System

- Build three foundational files: about-me, brand-voice, and working-style.
- Distinguish between Global Instructions and Folder Instructions.
- Use the AskUserQuestion workflow to improve context and outputs.

#### Module 9: Guardrails, Permissions, and Safe Use

- Configure file access controls, network egress, and privacy settings.
- Recognize prompt injection risks and mitigation strategies.
- Set up safety settings for secure use.

#### Module 10: Connectors, Claude for Chrome, and Office Add-Ins

- Connect tools such as Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, and more through MCP.
- Use Claude for Chrome, Claude for Excel, and Claude for PowerPoint.
- Build a multi-tool workflow across connected applications.

#### Module 11: Plugins and Scheduled Tasks

- Install domain-specific Plugins for functions such as Data, Marketing, HR, Finance, and Project Management.
- Use slash commands and recurring automations.
- Create a Scheduled Task and test a Plugin workflow.

#### Module 12: Industry Applications

- Apply Claude across role-specific scenarios in Data, Marketing, HR, Operations, Project Management, and Finance.
- Complete practical workflows using real files.
- Adapt Claude workflows to different job functions.

#### Module 13: Capstone — Build Your Personal Claude System

- Audit job tasks and identify high-value Claude use cases.
- Configure a personal Claude system and connect relevant tools.
- Run a complete end-to-end workflow that produces a real deliverable.

#### Module 14: Wrap-Up and Next Steps

- Review Claude’s limitations and available resources.
- Create a Week 1 action plan for applying what was learned.
- Identify next steps for continued use and improvement.

## Instructors

### Steve Pesklo — Instructor

Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance.

Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years.

Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $799