Tag Archives: My Path to Google
A Google engineer’s journey from Cairo to Warsaw
Source: The Official Google Blog
How Sameer got back into tech and on our Responsible AI team
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Sameer Sethi, a lead technical program manager on our Responsible AI team.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in a Punjabi family in Delhi, India. Growing up, my parents were my role models and the biggest pillars in my life. My passions are trying different foods and drinks and exploring the world with my wife, who I met while traveling.
Walk us through your path to Google.
After completing my Bachelor’s of Engineering in Dublin, I worked as a software engineer at various telecom companies in Ireland. Afterwards, I moved back to India to help take care of my father and ended up opening an Indo-European bakery. While I enjoyed running a small business (especially one dedicated to my love of food), I still wanted to find an outlet for my engineering skills and use them to create a positive impact. So I got my master’s degree in engineering and ventured back into the tech world as a product manager.
I partnered with Google on a project during that time, and having seen my work firsthand, my Google colleagues encouraged me to apply for an open position in Google Fiber. The role tapped into my passion for data engineering, and I could make a difference by helping to provide fast, reliable and fairly priced internet access to everyone. So I applied and got the job.
What’s your role at Google now?
Now, I’m a lead technical program manager on Google’s Responsible AI team. I work with researchers, ethicists and machine learning practitioners to help Google build responsible AI products guided by our AI Principles and the societal impacts of our work.
What do you wish you’d known when you started the interview process?
I read about Google’s interview process online and got the impression that it would be a nerve-racking experience. To my surprise, however, it was quite the opposite. While the interviews definitely required a lot of preparation, all of the interviewers were very friendly, and the process is designed to make you feel comfortable and help you do your best. Looking back, I would have been much less nervous knowing that the interviewers were friendly and there to help me succeed.
What resources would you recommend to prepare for a Google interview?
I’d suggest reading about the hiring process and checking out the Life at Google YouTube channel to hear directly from Googlers about what it’s like to work here, and how to best prepare to apply or interview. And remember, your recruiter is your best ally so take their recommendations. They know the Google hiring process inside out.
Any tips you’d like to share with aspiring Googlers?
I’ll second what many other Googlers have said: Always strive for your best, prepare well and understand that the interviewers are there to help you succeed. Don’t lose hope, and never stop dreaming.
Source: The Official Google Blog
Improving accessibility led this UX researcher to Google
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Jerry Robinson, a user experience (UX) researcher on our Central Product Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility team.
What’s your role at Google?
I’m the lead UX researcher on the Lookout team. Lookout is an Android app that uses AI to help people who are blind or have low vision perform daily tasks faster. It can read text and detect different objects within the camera’s field of view. One of my favorite features is the food label mode, which can quickly identify food products — like whether you’re holding a can of chicken or tomato soup.
I conduct research with current and potential Lookout users to find opportunities to make the app more useful. I love this part of my job because I get to hear directly from the people using our products and share what I’ve learned with my teammates. It’s a privilege to be in a role where I can help our product teams better understand our users and carry out Google’s mission to make information universally accessible.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I graduated from Morehouse College in 2004 with a degree in accounting. After working in the banking industry for five years, I decided to go to grad school and find a career where I could make an impact on people’s everyday lives. Also, as someone with a disability living in a world not always designed with them in mind, I was interested in accessibility and ways to support people with disabilities on their terms.
I earned a Master of Science in Information Management and a PhD in Information Science. My dissertation was focused on accessible design from the perspective of people with physical disabilities finding their own ways to adapt to inaccessible situations in their everyday lives.
How did the application and interview process go for you?
I met a Googler at an assistive technology conference a few years earlier who told me about the open role. I expressed interest and connected with a recruiter, and eventually received a referral from another Googler.
My biggest concern during the interview process was communication. I have a distinct speech pattern because of my cerebral palsy, and I’ve always been concerned that potential employers might hold that against me. However, I knew that Google had an inclusive work environment. And I was confident in my ability to conduct good UX research.
The interview process actually assured me that I was a strong candidate. My interview committee asked tough questions, but they were extremely thoughtful and kind. One of them told me to think of the interview more as a conversation, while another complimented me on my presentation. I felt a level of respect from the very beginning that put me at ease and made me more certain that I wanted to work here.
Jerry in a Google office micro-kitchen.
What inspires you to come in (or log on) every day?
I’m inspired by all the Google UXers I work with who are passionate about designing for everyone. Google, and the tech industry overall, needs people who are dedicated to making accessible design the norm rather than an afterthought.
What resources did you use to prepare for your interview?
My recruiter was incredibly helpful. He gave me tips about what to communicate during each interview round, including how best to present the scope, complexity and impact of my work. I practiced my final presentation several times before my last round of interviews to build up my confidence. And I went to bed early the night before to make sure I felt rested.
Any tips to share with aspiring Googlers?
Do all that you can to prepare, but also be confident in what you bring to the table. Know that you’re going through the process because you’re already a qualified candidate. Remind yourself that as often as you need to.
Source: The Official Google Blog
How Camille and Aurane became community leads at Google
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
As Black History Month continues across Europe, we spoke with Aurane Dibeu and Camille Addo, two Googlers who have led local Black Googler Network (BGN) chapters in their offices. BGN is a global employee resource group (ERG) working to cultivate Black leaders at Google and beyond, empower the communities where we operate and ensure the technology industry reflects the diversity of its users. Aurane and Camille shared more about this important work and their own journeys to Google.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Aurane: I grew up in France and received a master’s degree in finance and economics. However, after five years of studying and working in finance, I realized I didn't like the industry’s culture. I still wanted to work in a field where I could use my analytical skills, so I decided to study data science and get into tech. Outside of work, I'm an astrophysics fan and aspiring pilot. I moved to Ireland three months ago after working remotely from Paris for a year.
Camille: I'm a born and bred Londoner, having grown up in South East London with my parents and two younger brothers. I studied Hispanic studies at Manchester University, during which I spent an incredible year abroad in Brazil and Cuba. I love languages, traveling and trying new food. When I'm not working, I try to absorb as much culture as I can and spend quality time with my friends and family.
Aurane visiting Google global headquarters.
What’s your role at Google?
Aurane: I’m a solutions consultant on the gCare team. In this role, I help our advertising clients solve any technical issues with our Google Marketing Platform tools, submit new feature proposals to our product teams and monitor for any bugs before launching those features.
Camille: I’m a program manager on the ads side of the business, which means I work with a team of specialists to help our biggest advertising clients meet their marketing objectives. I’m also a co-chair for BGN UK.
Camille hosting a BGN event.
What does the BGN community mean to you?
Aurane: To me, BGN represents three things: inclusivity, solidarity and inspiration. Before joining Google, I interned mostly in finance. In those jobs, I was usually the only Black woman — and sometimes, the only Black person — on the team. So when I joined Google and discovered BGN, I felt welcomed. In the years since, BGN has been a safe space and career accelerator for me. Thanks to this community, I’ve received mentoring and coaching to help me thrive in my role. I decided to become the Paris chapter lead to give back to this community.
Camille: BGN is a space where Black Googlers and allies can come together and celebrate the Black community in all its forms. This is in part because BGN fosters the feeling of psychological safety, creating a space for us to truly discuss pressing issues. BGN and all ERGs also have the support of senior management at Google, which helps create a sense of belonging across the company.
Any tips for aspiring Googlers?
Aurane: Go to outreach events hosted by Google. These will help you get a better understanding of the company, roles and, most importantly, the application and interview process. Learn more about these opportunities.
Camille: Read as much as possible and do as many Google Digital Garage courses as you can. And if you don't succeed the first time, don't get disheartened. Try again, especially after you’ve had a chance to absorb any feedback you got. There are so many fantastic teams here at Google, so even if one role isn't for you, the perfect one could be right around the corner.
Source: The Official Google Blog
How seeking inclusion in tech led Lara to Google
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Lara Suzuki, a technical director in Google Cloud’s Office of the CTO, who’s based in London.
What’s your role at Google?
I work at the forefront of many technologies, including machine learning, responsible AI, cloud robotics and AI applied to medicine. I collaborate with Googlers across product, engineering and sales.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got interested in technology.
I grew up in Sao Paulo in a Brazilian-Italian-Japanese family. I’m autistic and have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated with things that move or change state, like machines, cars and electronic equipment. I always wanted to understand how things worked — what made them behave the way they did, and how I could make them do something else.
I started a music degree when I was 15, but a year later, I decided to follow my passion for engineering. I went on to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in computer science.
Why did you decide to apply to Google?
Besides its technological impact, I was drawn to Google’s commitment to inclusion and belonging — including the programs they invest in to help people of all walks of life join the technology sector. The best thing about Google is the people and the value the organization puts on Googlers.
I will never be able to express my appreciation for the way Google has impacted my own life and helped me grow in this field. Even before I joined, Google awarded me an academic scholarship to pursue my PhD and provided mentorship, leadership and technical training.
What was your interview experience like?
Even though I was nervous, all my interview experiences at Google were fantastic (I applied for one role and received referrals for two). Every interviewer was enthusiastic about the technologies they were developing, and my potential role in them. Even in the early stages of the interview process, I could grasp the company’s culture of belonging and belief in everyone’s capabilities.
What resources did you use to prepare?
I used a lot of online resources to polish my coding skills, read books and took coding challenges. I also did mock interviews with my friends and husband. That helped me prepare for questions and keep my anxiety at bay. At the actual interview, it felt like I was having a chat with a friend.
What advice do you have for aspiring Googlers?
Applying to Google can sometimes feel like you’re taking a long shot. I was very motivated to make it to Google, but also a bit afraid I wouldn’t be good enough. Don’t hesitate to apply because of a fear of failure. In the end, you’ll find the right opportunity at the right time in your career.
Source: The Official Google Blog
This Googler helps make Pixel phones the best they can be
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns, apprentices and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Frances Wang, a test engineering director for the Google Pixel team based in Taiwan.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Taiwan and moved to Canada to pursue my bachelor’s degree in life science. After working in the mobile industry for 22 years, I returned to Taiwan to do an Executive MBA, and then started a new chapter of my career here. I enjoy outdoor activities like cycling and golfing, so it’s great to be in Taiwan. There are so many places here where I’m immersed in nature, and I find myself growing in confidence through conquering steeper and longer gradient rides.
Frances enjoying a bike ride.
What’s your role at Google?
I am a Test Engineering Director in our Google Pixel software test team. We’re involved in phone software testing, enhancing test efficiency and effectiveness through automation. My goal every day is to keep our team focused on delivering quality products and improving efficiency. It’s a mix of meetings, project reviews and communicating with other Googlers.
What inspires you to come in (or log on) every day?
Google is growing rapidly in Asia Pacific, and Taiwan is the company’s hub for software and hardware innovation. We have the largest engineering site in APAC and the second largest tech site outside of the US. It’s great to know I am contributing to this growth and working on products used by billions of people around the world.
I’m passionate about product quality and creating a great customer experience. The mobile phone industry is always evolving and as part of the Pixel team, it’s exciting to see how the products and technologies we work on help solve real problems and make people’s lives better. It’s a big plus to work in an environment that encourages innovation while still focusing on data and technical expertise.
How would you describe Google’s culture in Taiwan?
We have an inclusive culture and innovative approach to problem solving. The people here are driven, open and truly find success in collaboration. Google Taiwan is a place for talented people to challenge themselves and maximize their potential.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about applying to Google?
Be ready to deal with ambiguity and solve problems differently. If you’re looking for opportunities in both software and hardware, and you want to work on product used by people around the world, this is the place for you.
Source: The Official Google Blog
This Googler helps make Pixel phones the best they can be
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns, apprentices and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Frances Wang, a test engineering director for the Google Pixel team based in Taiwan.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Taiwan and moved to Canada to pursue my bachelor’s degree in life science. After working in the mobile industry for 22 years, I returned to Taiwan to do an Executive MBA, and then started a new chapter of my career here. I enjoy outdoor activities like cycling and golfing, so it’s great to be in Taiwan. There are so many places here where I’m immersed in nature, and I find myself growing in confidence through conquering steeper and longer gradient rides.
Frances enjoying a bike ride.
What’s your role at Google?
I am a Test Engineering Director in our Google Pixel software test team. We’re involved in phone software testing, enhancing test efficiency and effectiveness through automation. My goal every day is to keep our team focused on delivering quality products and improving efficiency. It’s a mix of meetings, project reviews and communicating with other Googlers.
What inspires you to come in (or log on) every day?
Google is growing rapidly in Asia Pacific, and Taiwan is the company’s hub for software and hardware innovation. We have the largest engineering site in APAC and the second largest tech site outside of the US. It’s great to know I am contributing to this growth and working on products used by billions of people around the world.
I’m passionate about product quality and creating a great customer experience. The mobile phone industry is always evolving and as part of the Pixel team, it’s exciting to see how the products and technologies we work on help solve real problems and make people’s lives better. It’s a big plus to work in an environment that encourages innovation while still focusing on data and technical expertise.
How would you describe Google’s culture in Taiwan?
We have an inclusive culture and innovative approach to problem solving. The people here are driven, open and truly find success in collaboration. Google Taiwan is a place for talented people to challenge themselves and maximize their potential.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about applying to Google?
Be ready to deal with ambiguity and solve problems differently. If you’re looking for opportunities in both software and hardware, and you want to work on product used by people around the world, this is the place for you.
Source: The Official Google Blog
How a second chance led Paula to Google
Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns, apprentices and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Paula Martinez, a Google Cloud Marketing Manager based in Argentina.
How would you describe your role?
As a Partner Marketing Manager, my main responsibility is to design marketing campaigns for Google Cloud products and solutions with our regional technological and reseller partners.
What does your typical workday look like?
I try to start my day without any meetings so I can get organized, create my to-do list and tackle the most pressing tasks. I work a lot with our sales teams and partners to plan and execute marketing initiatives that fit market strategies. Part of my day is focused on measuring and analyzing those campaigns and, with the help of my team, creating action plans based on the results. I'm the only one on my team based in Argentina, so I spend a lot of time connecting with my teammates virtually.
Paula, her husband Fredy and their Doogler (Dog-Googler), Jagger.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
My dad is from a traditional Venezuelan family, and my mom’s side of the family is Indigenous. Specifically, they’re from the Wayuu people, a community located in the Guajira Peninsula between Venezuela and Colombia. My parents wanted to give me an Indigenous name so I always remember my roots. Kai'tu is my middle name and means “Bright Sun” in Wayuunaiki, the language of our people.
For a long time, I struggled with my dual identity. But I’ve finally understood that it makes me unique and that I’m privileged to belong to both cultures.
Paula (front row, far right) with her sisters, mother, father and grandmother.
Why did you decide to apply to Google?
Something in me knew I would make it here, so I prepared myself. I applied to different roles over time, but without much success. When this job opened up on the Partner Marketing team, I felt like I had a good chance. I knew a lot about this field — I specialized in team management and strategy development — and had worked with partners in the region before.
What was your application experience like?
I actually have a funny story about my application. I put together my resume trying to highlight the skills from the job description. But I accidentally attached an old version of my resume that wasn’t very applicable to this role.
After a few days, I received an email similar to others I’d gotten in the past, saying, “Thank you for applying, but…” I stared at the screen bewildered, because I felt really good about my application. Later that day, I received another email. It was from a Google recruiter saying they felt something was off with my application. They asked me to complete a few questions and send my current resume. They gave me a second chance. I was always a fan of second chances, but now I’m a devout believer in them.
How did you prepare for your interview?
I’m a pretty methodical person, so I created scripts for each interview round. I thought about different scenarios and possible questions and answers, and prepared examples of my successes, failures and projects. This helped me a lot because almost all the interviews were in English, which is not my first language. So it allowed me to structure and better facilitate my line of thought.
What inspires you to come in (or log on) to work every day?
I feel a responsibility to represent every Indigenous girl with big dreams. I also really enjoy my work and the team I’m on. I feel super lucky to have the opportunity to learn and work with people I appreciate and respect. With them, I learn something every day.
Any tips for aspiring Googlers?
Preparation is key. Use the methods you know will work for you. Don't be overwhelmed by the excess of online information about interviews. Follow your recruiter’s recommendations — they know what you’ll be evaluated on.
Source: The Official Google Blog
How 3 engineers found careers and community at Google
Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) is the world’s largest annual gathering of women technologists, bringing together thousands of students and industry professionals to build their careers and communities. This year’s conference is taking place in person — in Orlando, Florida — for the first time since 2019.
Ahead of #GHC22, I spoke with three Googlers attending the conference — Elena Escalas, Faith Carter and Sabrina Hong — about their paths to engineering and the importance of community.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Elena: I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and studied computer science (CS) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Division 1 swimmer. I’m a software engineer on the Google TV team, where I work on smart home capabilities. My typical work day includes fixing bugs, prototyping new features, reviewing code and writing design documents.
Faith: I grew up in Houston and studied petroleum engineering, which is the study of extracting and producing oil and natural gas, at the University of Texas at Austin. I’m currently a product manager on the Payments Platform team at Google, where I build payments and identity management systems to help merchants grow their businesses. My typical day begins with an espresso macchiato from the amazing baristas working in my office building. After that, every day is different — but most of my time is spent working with engineers and designers across the company.
Sabrina: I was born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the Los Angeles area when I was two years old, eventually studying astrophysics at UCLA. While a lot of my peers went off to graduate school, I needed to find a job right away. So I became an instructor at a year-round outdoor science education camp. A year later, I joined the quantum computing industry. Now, I’m a hardware engineer on Google Research’s Quantum AI team, where I conduct research and development toward building a useful quantum computer and improving the quality of our quantum processors.
How did you get into engineering?
Elena: I wanted to challenge myself to do something difficult. And even though I had no coding experience, I loved the technology and software I used in my day-to-day life and wanted to help create these products. It was difficult to catch up to my classmates who had been coding since they were much younger, but my experience at my first-ever Grace Hopper Celebration — where I met so many women in tech and landed my first internship — helped me stay motivated.
Faith: I was fortunate enough to grow up in an amazing community of Black women engineers who helped me understand the different career paths available in the industry. Watching them create technology that fundamentally improved people’s lives gave me the confidence to know I could do the same. I pivoted into tech, and specifically commerce technology, after traveling throughout Latin America and West Africa. I saw how heavily reliant those economies were on informal commerce, like street vendors and home-run businesses, and the challenges merchants faced as a result. Those experiences piqued my interest in improving and making commerce technology more accessible.
Sabrina: My affinity for the sciences started when I was a kid. I always had a lot of questions that were grounded in science: How do clouds form? How do instruments make their sound? On top of that, I was enamored with all things NASA and the space race, and I dreamed of either becoming an astronaut, or a scientist or engineer at the forefront of a technology. All of that led me to study astrophysics, which introduced me to quantum computing.
Do you participate in any employee resource groups (ERGs) at Google? If so, what does that community mean to you?
Elena: Although it’s not an official ERG, I created a community group for newly graduated Nooglers (“Nooglers” are what we call new hires). “Noograds” hosts social events for recent graduates, and it’s helped me discover a passion for event planning, introduced me to lifelong friends and built a community of over 7,000 Googlers around the world. I’m excited to meet some of our newest members who are attending the Grace Hopper Celebration this year.
Faith: I’m part of the Black Googler Network (BGN), a community for Black Googlers around the world, which has played an important role in helping me feel welcome at Google. BGN has also given me access to incredible learning and mentorship opportunities.
Sabrina: I’m an active member of the Women@Google ERG, a global community for women at Google. Some of my colleagues in Quantum AI and I even started an informal community for women in our organization. I’m grateful to have a community I can lean on for career development advice and support as I navigate this field.