Tag Archives: Inside Google

Best commute ever? Ride along with Google execs Diane Greene and Fei-Fei Li

Editor’s Note: The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is coming up, and Diane Greene and Dr. Fei-Fei Li—two of our senior leaders—are getting ready. Sometimes Diane and Fei-Fei commute to the office together, and this time we happened to be along to capture the ride. Diane took over the music for the commute, and with Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” in the background, she and Fei-Fei chatted about the conference, their careers in tech, motherhood, and amplifying female voices everywhere. Hop in the backseat for Diane and Fei-Fei’s ride to work.

(A quick note for the riders: This conversation has been edited for brevity, and so you don’t have to read Diane and Fei-Fei talking about U-turns.)

Fei-Fei: Are you getting excited for Grace Hopper?

Diane: I’m super excited for the conference. We’re bringing together technical women to surface a lot of things that haven’t been talked about as openly in the past.

Fei-Fei: You’ve had a long career in tech. What makes this point in time different from the early days when you entered this field?

Diane: I got a degree in engineering in 1976 (ed note: Fei-Fei jumped in to remind Diane that this was the year she was born!). Computers were so exciting, and I learned to program. When I went to grad school to study computer science in 1985, there was actually a fair number of women at UC Berkeley. I’d say we had at least 30 percent women, which is way better than today.

It was a new, undefined field. And whenever there’s a new industry or technology, it’s wide open for everyone because nothing’s been established. Tech was that way, so it was quite natural for women to work in artificial intelligence and theory, and even in systems, networking, and hardware architecture. I came from mechanical engineering and the oil industry where I was the only woman. Tech was full of women then, but now less than 15 percent of women are in tech.

Fei-Fei: So do you think it’s too late?

Diane: I don’t think it’s too late. Girls in grade school and high school are coding. And certainly in colleges the focus on engineering is really strong, and the numbers are growing again.

Fei-Fei: You’re giving a talk at Grace Hopper—how will you talk to them about what distinguishes your career?

Diane: It’s wonderful that we’re both giving talks! Growing up, I loved building things so it was natural for me to go into engineering. I want to encourage other women to start with what you’re interested in and what makes you excited. If you love building things, focus on that, and the career success will come. I’ve been so unbelievably lucky in my career, but it’s a proof point that you can end up having quite a good career while doing what you’re interested in.

I want to encourage other women to start with what you’re interested in and what makes you excited. If you love building things, focus on that, and the career success will come. Diane Greene

Fei-Fei: And you are a mother of two grown, beautiful children. How did you prioritize them while balancing career?

Diane: When I was at VMware, I had the “go home for dinner” rule. When we founded the company, I was pregnant and none of the other founders had kids. But we were able to build a the culture around families—every time someone had a kid we gave them a VMware diaper bag. Whenever my kids were having a school play or parent teacher conference, I would make a big show of leaving in the middle of the day so everyone would know they could do that too. And at Google, I encourage both men and women on my team to find that balance.

Fei-Fei: It’s so important for your message to get across because young women today are thinking about their goals and what they want to build for the world, but also for themselves and their families. And there are so many women and people of color doing great work, how do we lift up their work? How do we get their voices heard? This is something I think about all the time, the voice of women and underrepresented communities in AI.

Diane: This is about educating people—not just women—to surface the accomplishments of everybody and make sure there’s no unconscious bias going on. I think Grace Hopper is a phenomenal tool for this, and there are things that I incorporate into my work day to prevent that unconscious bias: pausing to make sure the right people were included in a meeting, and that no one has been overlooked. And encouraging everyone in that meeting to participate so that all voices are heard.

Fei-Fei: Grace Hopper could be a great platform to share best practices for how to address these issues.

...young women today are thinking about their goals and what they want to build for the world, but also for themselves and their families. Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Diane: Every company is struggling to address diversity and there’s a school of thought that says having three or more people from one minority group makes all the difference in the world—I see it on boards. Whenever we have three or more women, the whole dynamic changes. Do you see that in your research group at all?

Fei-Fei: Yes, for a long time I was the only woman faculty member in the Stanford AI lab, but now it has attracted a lot of women who do very well because there’s a community. And that’s wonderful for me, and for the group.

Now back to you … you’ve had such a successful career, and I think a lot of women would love to know what keeps you going every day.

Diane: When you wake up in the morning, be excited about what’s ahead for the day. And if you’re not excited, ask yourself if it’s time for a change. Right now the Cloud is at the center of massive change in our world, and I’m lucky to have a front row seat to how it’s happening and what’s possible with it. We’re creating the next generation of technologies that are going to help people do things that we didn’t even know were possible, particularly in the AI/ML area. It’s exciting to be in the middle of the transformation of our world and the fast pace at which it’s happening.

Fei-Fei: Coming to Google Cloud, the most rewarding part is seeing how this is helping people go through that transformation and making a difference. And it’s at such a scale that it’s unthinkable on almost any other platform.

Diane: Cloud is making it easier for companies to work together and for people to work across boundaries together, and I love that. I’ve always found when you can collaborate across more boundaries you can get a lot more done.

To hear more from Fei-Fei and Diane, tune into Grace Hopper’s live stream on October 4.

Source: The Official Google Blog

The more things change, the more the pastrami stays the same: a Talks at Google roundup

As the seasons change, we started thinking about other types of change. This month’s Talks at Google roundup delves into everything from changing habits to how two famous Jewish delis balance classic dishes amidst a changing food scene.

Author, podcaster and expert habit-former Gretchen Rubin talks about “Better Than Before,” her book that offers a new perspective on habits. She explains how to form habits, why we break them, and the four types of habit tendencies.

Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar wanted to do something about the mounting violence against women in the world. He shares how he used creative arts to create social change, and talks about his creative process along the way.

Hear from Matthew Claudel—author of “City of Tomorrow”—whose job is to imagine the future of cities, and how technology is changing that future.

Jennifer Brown, author of “Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace & the Will to Change,” shares her strategies for empowering employees and harnessing the power of diversity in today’s ever-changing world of business.

Disclaimer: this one might make you hungry. Jake Dell (owner of Katz’s Deli in New York) and Evan Bloom (co-owner of Wise Sons Deli in San Francisco) chat about the evolution of the Jewish deli, and how they maintain tradition while staying current (especially when it comes to pastrami sandwiches). They may not be in lox-step in their approach to food, but we think you’ll like this talk a latke.

Source: The Official Google Blog

Googler Adriana Jara doesn’t accept “fine”—she changes things for the better

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the fascinating stories and important contributions of our Hispanic Googlers—their histories, their families, and what keeps them busy inside and outside of work. Today we hear from Adriana Jara, software engineer, passionate dancer and dog lover, who thinks life is too short to wear matching socks.

Give us the 10-second, one-sentence version of what you do at Google.

As a software engineer, I help build the infrastructure to make shopping ads on Youtube.com more relevant and useful.

When did you immigrate to the U.S.?

When I got the job at Google, I moved to Sunnyvale, CA from Candelaria de Naranjo, a small town in Costa Rica. I got on a flight on September 27, 2013—exactly four years ago today!

How has the Hispanic community been a part of your experience at Google?

For me, it’s extremely important to have a group of people who are “like me,” who share my cultural background and can speaking Spanish with me sometimes. It gives me a sense of belonging at Google.

What is your favorite Costa Rican tradition or food?

I love “olla de carne.” It’s a kind of soup with a bunch of vegetables and meat (of course, the best one is my mom’s).

Have you always pictured yourself working at Google?

It’s been a dream since Gmail came out while I was in college. I remember trying it out and thinking “I really want to work with the people who built this thing.” I thought email was fine as it used to work, but wow, they took a thing that was “fine” and improved it so much. I want to be one of those people that doesn’t accept things that are fine, but changes them for the better. Years later, I heard about an opportunity at Google, thought back to those college days and decided to give the dream a try.

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

My entire family. But the things that have pushed me the most were first given to me by my father. He gave me a love for books—he is always reading—and taught me to be a self-learner. He always talks about wonderful places around the world and he took me in my first trip outside of Costa Rica, planting in me the hunger to see the world.

What has been a big moment for you at Google?

I went to a recruiting event at a high school in Costa Rica. When I was introduced, they mentioned my small hometown, and I heard a solitary but enthusiastic “Woo!” from the crowd. After the talk, one of the students (the source of the “woo”) approached me and said, “I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that someone from our hometown could work at Google. This is awesome, I now want to work for NASA and I think I can do it.” That moment made me feel like I’ve come so far, and that I’m helping people see it is possible to work for big companies, no matter where you’re born.

Here's my family: without them I couldn't have done anything.
My dogs are my fellow adventurers—they traveled all the way from Costa Rica with me
In the famous ball pit at the Googleplex in Mountain View.

Source: The Official Google Blog

Hector Mujica on “showing grace to those in the margins” and his social impact work at Google

Any Venezuelan football fans out there? Here I am showing some love for "Vino Tinto."

Next up is Hector Mujica, social justice champion, enthusiast of the outdoors, and self-proclaimed acronym inventor (SPAI).

Give us the 10-second, one-sentence version of what you do at Google.

I work on Google.org, Google’s philanthropy team, where I manage our programs across Latin America, and support our disaster relief giving and volunteering work globally.

When did you (or generations before you) immigrate to the U.S.?

My family immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela when I was a young child, after my dad landed a job at Oracle in Miami. Of all the places to start in America, South Florida must be one of the best—with the rich cultural diversity and ample Latin food, it made the transition smooth, and kept me close to my Hispanic heritage.

How are you involved in the Hispanic community at Google, and why is it important to you?

I worked closely on the founding of HOLA, our Hispanic employee resource group (ERG). Through HOLA, I’ve gotten to meet many of our Latino Googlers over the years—all of whom continue to amaze me with their stories, talents, and passions to make this company, and the world, a better, more equitable place. The Hispanic community is vital to Google because it brings in people who might otherwise feel like cultural strangers and tells them, “come as you are—you belong.”

The Hispanic community is vital to Google because it brings in people who might otherwise feel like cultural strangers and tells them, “come as you are—you belong.”

How did you find your way to Google? Have you always pictured yourself working here?

I actually never had ambitions to work in tech or at Google. While in my junior year of undergrad at Florida International University, I looked for internships around the country, and was intrigued by working at company that was breaking all the established norms in corporate America. I applied to Google’s BOLD internship program, thinking it was a long shot, and after a few interviews, I found myself living out the coldest summer of my life in San Francisco, interning at Google on the People Operations team. I fell in love with Northern California and Google, and anxiously awaited the opportunities that lay ahead.

Day one of my BOLD internship at Google in 2010, before I learned that dress shirts and ties are not part of the dress code at Google.

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

My dad’s hustle, grit, passion and optimism have taught me much about life and the world. As a first-generation immigrant, he taught me about risk-taking and tenacity. As a man of faith, he’s taught me about unapologetically straying true to my convictions. As a family man, he’s been a caretaker and steward of not only his nuclear family, but—like a good Latino—his extended family as well. He’s always balanced family life with the needs of the community. Whether it meant taking immigrant families into our home while they got on their feet, working with the homeless to help them rehabilitate, or volunteering to feed the needy at nearby shelters, my dad never turned down a chance show grace to those in the margins. These experiences shaped my worldview and gave me sense of social justice and altruism, which continues to influence the work I do today at Google.org.

Sunrise on top of the world, at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing mountains is tough, but the summit is always worth it.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Outdoors. Or traveling to experience the outdoors in the rest of the world. I’ve always been in awe of nature. Oceans and mountains both scare me and inspire me. Whenever I have a chance to see the natural world from a new angle, I usually take it. That wanderlust has taken me to nearly every continent (Antarctica, I’m coming for you!), 51 countries, and from the deepest depths (I’m a scuba diver) to some of the highest highs (just did Kilimanjaro last year!).

What career advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Invest wisely in people and moments. The networks of people around you will help shape your perspectives, career and open doors to new opportunities ... and when these opportunities present themselves, capitalize on the moments. They will teach you more than any classroom can.

What has been a big moment for you at Google?

I’ve had many Google “magic moments,” but the one that comes to mind was Googlers’ collective reaction to the travel ban earlier this year. Within days of the ban, Googlers organized a demonstration and showed up in full force, with messages of encouragement and enthusiasm during grim times. My team and I assembled a $4 million crisis fund to support key organizations that were leading the way in fighting injustice and intolerance. This moment reinforced in me the power of unity and comradery at Google, and within immigrant communities, who bring their best selves to this great country of ours.

As a Venezuelan-American that has benefited from ample opportunity, I am compelled to give back to my community. That’s why I’m so thankful of the opportunity I have at Google.org to invest in a better, most just, and more equitable world, for everyone.

“La familia lo es todo.” Here is most of my extended family, who never misses a chance to get together and build new memories.
Volunteering with my teammates during GoogleServe 2016, our annual month of service at Google.
Participating in demonstration with my team, who showed up in full force to support our immigrant communities and colleagues earlier this year.

Source: The Official Google Blog

Googler Susanna Kohly on “building digital bridges” in Cuba, her family’s homeland

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the fascinating stories and important contributions of our Hispanic Googlers. Over the course of the month, we’ll share a bit about their histories, their families, and what keeps them busy inside and outside of work. First up is Susanna Kohly, builder of “digital bridges,” San Francisco resident and mother of two boys (and mini Instagram celebrities).

Give us the ten-second, one-sentence version of what you do at Google.

Here's Susanna in Old Havana during a work trip this year.

My job has two parts (so I might need 20 seconds!). I work on the Hispanic Marketing team to help the 57 million U.S. Hispanics connect with Google as a company. Inspired by my Cuban heritage, I also co-founded Google Cuba, a team that brings greater access to connectivity, new technologies, and Google products to Cuba to “build digital bridges” between Cuba and the rest of the world.

When did you (or generations before you) immigrate to the U.S.?

I am a product of the Cuban diaspora. My mother is American, my father was born in Cuba, and I was born in Miami. I grew up speaking two languages, blending between two cultures and nationalities, so I understand the ambiguity of identity—how you can belong and not belong at the same time. This has helped me adapt to different environments and given me the ability to blend in, to understand, and to empathize. Growing up around other people who had left everything to make a new life for their families, I became obsessed with my own family’s story, Cuban history, and politics. I started reading and taking courses—anything I could learn that would make me feel closer to my heritage and where I came from.

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

2017-09-14 11.55.39 1.jpg — My Abuela (translation: grandmother) Carmen

My abuela Carmen—a mother of eight, an immigrant, and the matriarch of our family. Upon leaving Cuba, she sold every valuable thing she owned (including her wedding ring!) to provide for her family and put her kids through school. She worked three jobs, learned English, and has never complained about what she lost. Growing up, she told me stories of survival, and instilled in me a notion of hard work and sacrifice.

I’m grateful to Google for giving me the opportunity to work on projects that bridge generations of Cuban people. My hope is that my two sons will have a sense of their own Cuban identity, just like my abuela made sure I had.

Tell us about something you're proud of doing at Google

In December 2016, I accompanied our Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt to Havana to sign the first-ever internet deal between Cuba and a U.S. internet company. The deal represented a barrier that hadn’t been bridged in more than five decades. I remember standing in the press room before the announcement, running on pure adrenaline and too much café Cubano. Despite our sheer exhaustion, the team was proud to help to help set a precedent that will hopefully open the door for more commercial and cultural exchanges between our two countries.

Like many Cuban-Americans, I feel a responsibility to reconnect with the island that our grandparents left. I’m a firm believer that we can grow stronger by working together as opposed to growing apart in isolation.

Like many Cuban-Americans, I have a responsibility to reconnect with the island that our forefathers left. I am a firm believer that we can grow stronger by working together.

An old photo taken in the family car, Havana 1947.
Susanna, Eric Schmidt, Brett Perlmutter and Florencia Bianco in Havana after announcing Google’s first internet deal with Cuba’s ISP monopoly, ETECSA.
Marketing VP Lisa Gevelber and Susanna during the Havana virtual reality launch of the documentary “Nuestro Martí,” where hundreds of school children experienced VR for the first time.
People sit in front of the a sign that reads ‘Con internet, yo puedo...” meaning “with internet, I can...”

Source: The Official Google Blog

We went to Google with our daughters for the day. Here’s what we saw.

Editor’s Note: Every other year, Google hosts “Take Your Parents to Work Day,” when parents of Googlers visit the campus and get a glimpse of what it’s like to work there. There are lots of activities to keep the parents busy, and snacks to keep them fed. To mark the occasion, the proud moms of the Keyword editors stepped in to share their perspective of the day’s activities.

First day of Google

Gregoria (mom of Elisabeth): When my husband and I arrived on campus, it felt like first day of school—but this time, our daughter was the one taking us by the hand. We spent the morning checking out the activities at the “expo,” starting at the CodeLab where, after a few minutes of tinkering, I realized that I needed a basic knowledge of HTML. That was the end of that, so we moved on to a lesson on mindful eating and then a demo from the Google Ergonomics team, who help Googlers set up their desks to make them as comfortable as possible. A piece of feedback for next year: let me take a Google Ergonomics specialist with me to my office!

Lisbeth (mom of Emily): The atmosphere was festive: part open house, part Renaissance Faire. Stations to braid Google-colored ribbons into our hair or paint the green Android guy on our faces would not have seemed out of place. Proud but slightly dazzled parents trailed after their Googlers, listening as the young folks took charge. Photo ops and pink shirts were everywhere.

Gregoria: Speaking of photo ops, one of the best moments of the day was learning how to do a Boomerang.

Lisbeth: We marveled at the bravery of guests trying out silent disco [ed note: yes, we definitely had to explain what this was]. There was a station where people could record themselves speaking to help improve the Google Assistant’s voice recognition, and I lent my not-very-unusual voice patterns to the “Ok, Google…” database of pronunciation in English.

parents — On Take Your Parents To Work Day, we play with Google-shaped blocks.

Seeing the sights at the Googleplex

Lisbeth: We visited Stan, the T-rex; the bocce ball courts; the Oreo guy … the egrets! We shared some introductions with people we met along the paths and took turns taking each other’s photos. We ate lots of snacks.

Gregoria: You see the Google brand everywhere on campus, especially on the t-shirts of the happy, casually dressed Googlers. I love all the flair—the bikes, the adirondack chairs, a giant Android peeking out of the second floor of a building (I wonder what goes on in that building?), the many types of flavored spa water.

Team meeting with parents in the room and on Google Hangouts.

Meeting of … the moms

Lisbeth: Emily and Elisabeth’s team had a special “parent edition” of their weekly meeting. Some parents even joined in via Google Hangouts. Now I have a better idea of where my Googler spends her days and a better feel for the personalities of her colleagues. Meeting other parents gave me another little window into the environments that shaped the team members. Listening to everyone describe themselves and their work was a favorite part of the event—second only to spending a whole day knocking around with my sweet Emily.

Gregoria: For a lot of us parents it’s hard to understand what our kids do day-to-day at Google. I got a glimpse into my daughter’s work day and it was really special to see firsthand an environment that supports her and encourages her to grow and learn. I also enjoyed meeting the parents of her teammates—now I know why their children are brilliant!

Elisabeth's parents actually got to rest in the “rest-y things” before TGIF.

TGIF: the day ends in harmony

Gregoria: Lots of food trucks showed up before TGIF—Google’s weekly company-wide meeting—and per Elisabeth’s advice, we had to look at every truck before deciding what to order. After surveying our options, we listened to Googlepella, one of Google’s super talented a capella groups. Yes, Google has more than one a capella group … apparently we had just missed a performance from the Alphabeats.

Lisbeth: Walking around before TGIF, I asked Emily, “What are those tents?” She replied, in her understated way, "I think they're just rest-y things."

Lisbeth: We finished the day in the amphitheatre, where Sergey and Sundar fielded questions with quick wit and wisdom.

Gregoria: I admire a CEO who takes the time to answer questions from nosy parents. I liked the part of the presentation when they talked about the Google Assistant, which I downloaded on my iPhone. But I’m still waiting for my Googler to teach me how to use it …

Lisbeth: Google is still big and mysterious. The world’s future is uncertain as ever. But it is a comfort to know that smart, conscientious, dedicated people are working to meet the challenges we face.

Source: The Official Google Blog

We went to Google with our daughters for the day. Here’s what we saw.

First day of Google

Gregoria: Speaking of photo ops, one of the best moments of the day was learning how to do a Boomerang.

HTML fail.
Lisbeth checks out a Street View car.
Photo opp with Android Oreo.
On Take Your Parents To Work Day, we play with Google-shaped blocks.

Seeing the sights at the Googleplex

Meeting of … the moms

TGIF: the day ends in harmony

Lisbeth: Walking around before TGIF, I asked Emily, “What are those tents?” She replied, in her understated way, "I think they're just rest-y things."

Lisbeth: We finished the day in the amphitheatre, where Sergey and Sundar fielded questions with quick wit and wisdom.

Source: The Official Google Blog

A few favorites from Talks at Google in August

Whether you want to rise up with the cast of Hamilton, transport yourself to the sky with an astronomy expert, or learn to live happier with less from “The Minimalists,” you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few of our favorite Talks at Google from August (we know … it’s a week late, but worth the wait).

Jessica Biel stops by Google NYC to discuss her new TV series based on the international best selling novel, “The Sinner.”

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, together known as “The Minimalists,” help people live meaningful lives with less with less stuff.

In our Future of Race series, panelists Chef Eddie Huang, actress Paola Mendoza, Googler (and one of the fathers of the internet) Vint Cerf, and author Luvvie Ajayi discuss how dismantling structural systems held up by historical racism, will require an entire new perspective on race, rooted in a belief that the future of identity will be much more complex than it is today.

Former Vice President Al Gore, Filmmakers Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, and Dr. Joe Hanson of “It's Okay To Be Smart” discuss "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power."

Hamilton National Tour cast members Solea Pfeiffer (Eliza Schuyler), Ruben Carbajal (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), and Ryan Alvarado (Alexander Hamilton) delve into how the play has affected their lives and the learnings we can all take home from Hamilton. Talk moderated by Michael Smart.

Zack Rago, Dr. Mark Eakin and Richard Vevers, the creative team behind Netflix's documentary “Chasing Coral,” discuss the making of the film and reveal how the oceans are changing.

Andrew Franknoi is the Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill college and former Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He joins us to talk about the most exciting astronomical event of the decade: the total solar eclipse of 2017.

Dr. Rasmus Nielsen, Director at the Reuters Institute, shared his perspective on the 2017 Reuters Institute Digital News Report. He discussed trust in media around the world, increasing levels of political polarization and how people are discovering content through new mediums.

As always, to see more talks, subscribe to Talks at Google on YouTube, follow them on Twitter or browse their website.

Source: The Official Google Blog

The (real) Internship: catching up with our summer interns

They came, they saw, they interned.

Each summer, Google and Alphabet welcome thousands of interns to our offices around the world. Now that it’s time for the interns to head back to school, we sat down with a few of them to hear about the highlights from their experience.

Jacob Schaider, YouTube TV

Tell us about the work you did this summer:

I worked on an internal tool for YouTube TV. It was an amazing experience seeing how Google engineers solve a problem that hasn't been solved before. I would do it over again in a heartbeat!

What was the highlight of your project/work:

It happened about halfway into my work. I finally accomplished the first part of my project and seeing my work pay off had never felt better. Another highlight was seeing actual Google engineers use my project as an internal tool. Something that I made was actually being used to help improve YouTube TV!

After spending a summer at Google, what does "Googleyness" mean to you?

Googleyness is the possession of qualities that Googlers strive for. It describes a collaborative, ingenious, passionate, friendly, genuine person, and I was privileged to work with so many people like this. My coworkers helped me through every problem I had and took the time to explain the answer. If I was working at my desk during lunch time, they would ask me to join them for food. They wanted to spend time with us outside of work. Googleyness is honestly the best compliment someone can receive.

What was your favorite snack in the microkitchen?

The microkitchen fueled me all day long—I can’t pick a favorite snack! When I first got into work, the only thing on my mind was a bowl of nice hot oatmeal with strawberries. My go-to afternoon snack was Babybel cheese and a cup of chocolate pudding.

What are you going to do next?

I’m a Sophomore year at University of Southern California. I play drums in the marching band here so my fall semester will be taken up by rehearsals, game days, and traveling with the football team. I also plan on getting more involved in the Computer Science community during my spring semester by joining an organization called Lavalab.

Camille Eddy, Robotics, X

Tell us about the work you did this summer:

I worked on hardware projects in the robotics team at X.

What was the highlight of your internship?

I really enjoyed working with my team, and getting an inside view on an X project.

Can you share a particularly special moment from your internship?

As a woman of color in tech, it’s important for me to find role models in other women and people of color. I found that at X, and feel a sense of privilege to work at a company that values inclusion. I sat down with other female engineers, learned from their stories and challenged myself based on their advice.

Who is the most interesting person (X’er or intern) you met during your internship?

Astro Teller, CEO and Captain of Moonshots at X. His vision for the company and his explanation of what moonshots really are inspired me and convinced me that I’m in the right place!

What does "Googleyness" look like at X ?

X’s values center around teamwork and team spirit, doing the right thing not because you have to, but because it fosters an inclusive and safe environment. And of course, being willing to jump in and take a moonshot!

What was your favorite snack in the microkitchen?

I enjoy the Hint water a lot. My favorite flavor is green apple.

What are you going to do next?

I am continuing my internship through the fall, and I look forward to learning more from my team!

Tiam Jaroensri, Research & Machine Intelligence

Tell us about the work you did this summer:

Tuberculosis kills two million people each year. We use convolutional neural networks—the technique used to recognize pictures of cats and dogs—to recognize tuberculosis under a microscope. Tuberculosis cells are hard to find manually, which leads to misdiagnosis of tuberculosis in the developing world.

Outside of your project/work, what was the highlight of Life at Google:

Exploring Northern California. I went backpacking for the first time in Yosemite. The view was breathtaking.

After spending a summer at Google, what does "Googleyness" mean to you?

Googleyness means everyone is always willing to offer a helping hand, no matter how busy they are with their own code.

What was your favorite snack in the microkitchen?

Dried mango, definitely. It reminded me of home in Thailand.

What are you going to do next?

Going back to school to finish my PhD. Hopefully I’ll get to come back to Google one day!

Source: The Official Google Blog

All dogs go to Google: a story of adoption in Chile

Google is a dog company. Googlers often bring their dogs—affectionately referred to as Dooglers—to work, but our company-wide love for dogs goes even deeper than that.

Google’s affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we’re a dog company." Google Code of Conduct

We recently heard a pretty cool story about dogs at our data center in Quilicura, Chile, and in honor of National Dog Day tomorrow, we’re sharing it with you.

This is Nala, who was adopted by a family in the U.S.!

While the data center in Chile was being built in 2014, the workers on site noticed a problem: about 40 stray dogs repeatedly visited the site in search of food. Cute dogs without loving owners? This was certainly a problem we could solve.

We built a kennel on the construction site to feed the dogs and keep them safe and healthy. We brought in a veterinarian to spay and neuter the dogs, give them antiparasitic treatment and ensure they had proper vaccinations. And most importantly, we named the dogs—Nala, Luna, Burro (translation: donkey), and Perro Chico (translation: small dog) are just a few.

From there, we created an adoption program for the dogs and spread word to the surrounding community. Within a year and a half, every dog found a new home.

We’ll bark to that.