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 they do in their roles and how they prepared for their interviews.

In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, today’s post features Unni Nair, a senior research strategist on Google’s Responsible Innovation team. As a second-generation Indian American, Unni’s background has helped shape his passion for sustainability and responsible artificial intelligence (AI).

What’s your role at Google?

I’m a senior research strategist on the Responsible Innovation team. In this role, I use Google’s AI Principles to help our teams build products that are both helpful and socially responsible. More specifically, I’m passionate about how we can proactively incorporate responsible AI into emerging technologies to drive sustainable development priorities. For example, I’ve been working with the Google Earth Engine team to align their work with our AI Principles, which we spoke about in a workshop at Google I/O. I helped the team develop a data set — used by governments, companies and researchers — to efficiently display information related to conservation, biodiversity, agriculture and forest management efforts.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but I lived in many different parts of the U.S., and often traveled internationally, throughout my childhood. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to live in and learn from so many different communities at such a young age. As a child of Indian immigrants, I was exposed to diverse ways of life and various forms of inequity. These experiences gave me a unique perspective on the world, helping me see the potential in every human being and nurturing a sense of duty to uplift others. It took dabbling in fields from social work to philosophy, and making lots of mistakes along the way, to figure out how to turn this passion into impact.

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, how else has your background influenced your work?

I’m grateful for having roots in the 5,000+ year-old Indian civilization and am constantly reminded of its value working in Silicon Valley. One notable example that’s influenced my professional life is the concept of Ahimsa — the ethical principle of not causing harm to other living things. While its historical definition has been more spiritually related, in modern day practice I’ve found it’s nurtured a respect for nature and a passion for sustainability and human rights in business. This contemporary interpretation of Ahimsa also encourages me to consider the far-reaching impacts — for better or for worse — that technology can have on people, the environment or society at large.

How did you ultimately end up at Google?

I was itching to work on more technology-driven solutions to global sustainability issues. I started to see that many of the world’s challenges are in part driven by macro forces like rapid globalization and technology growth. However, the sustainability field and development sector were slow to adapt from analog problem solving. I wanted to explore unconventional solutions like artificial intelligence, which is why I taught myself the Python programming language and learned more about AI. I started hearing about Google’s AI-first approach to help users and society, with an emphasis on the need to develop that technology responsibly. So I applied to the Responsible Innovation team for the chance to create helpful technology with social benefit in mind.

Any advice for aspiring Googlers?

Google is one of those rare places where the impact you’re making isn’t just on a narrow band of users — it’s on society at large. So, take the time to reflect on what sort of impact you want to make in the world. Knowing your answer to that question will allow you to weave your past experiences into a cohesive narrative during the interview process. And more importantly, it will also serve as your personal guide when making important decisions throughout your career.

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 Gordon Kuo, a Taiwan-based engineer on the Pixel Mobile Wireless Team. He shares what makes Google Taiwan a unique place for engineers to work and advice for anyone interested in applying to Google.

What’s your role at Google?

I’m an engineering lead on the Pixel Mobile Wireless team. Our goal is to help connect people across the world with Google Pixel phones. We solve hardware and software challenges and work with different teams to improve functionality and performance. We talk about everything from design and bug fixes to performance optimization, which makes every day feel different. I love that no matter what we’re working on, it’s always interesting and helpful.

How did you land in your current role?

After completing my PhD in Computer Networking, I started my career at a Taiwanese integrated circuit (IC) design company. After that, I worked on modems at a technology company in China for several years. During that time, I had a few friends and former colleagues at Google, and when we spoke about their jobs and the company culture, everyone shared really positive experiences. Getting the chance to build a career around work that I enjoy was one of the biggest draws. So I applied and interviewed — and now, two years in, I’m leading a team.

What was your application and interview experience like?

Above everything, my recruiter was really supportive, which helped make the process feel much more straightforward. I actually applied and interviewed for another engineering position at first, but I didn’t end up getting it. I was disappointed at the time, but it wasn’t long before my recruiter shared another position that was even more aligned with my skills and career goals. Finding the right fit doesn’t always happen right away, and I appreciated that my recruiter was so committed to setting me up for success.

What have you learned about leadership since joining Google?

Google is a place where people truly listen and communicate openly. Because of this, I’ve learned to never assume anything. Instead, I put in the time to better understand my team and others we work with. It’s important to stay on the same page when you’re leading a team or project, and that requires respect and regular communication.

What makes Google Taiwan such a special place to work?

Taiwan is home to world-class integrated circuit design companies and is known for its thriving manufacturing industry. There’s a lot of exciting product development work happening here too, and it’s one of our largest sites in Asia. In fact, Taiwan is our largest hardware hub outside of the U.S. — with an engineering team that is uniquely skilled in both software and hardware integration. We collaborate with other functions and teams worldwide, and have opportunities to lead important projects from start to finish. From working on widely used products to building and leading a team, I’ve had growth opportunities here that I couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago. I’m continually inspired by the work we do.

On a more personal note, Taiwan is a relatively small island, easy to get around and nestled between the beach and the mountains — it’s a pretty nice place to work!

You recently participated in a live-streamed event about career opportunities at Google Taiwan. Can you tell us more about that?

The event was aimed at helping potential candidates learn more about technical career opportunities at Google Taiwan and what it’s like to work with us. I really enjoyed the conversation! If anyone is interested, they can watch the recording.

What advice do you have for aspiring Googlers?

Work closely with your recruiter! My recruiter guided me through Google’s interview process, shared tips about how to answer leadership-based questions and gave me insight into what the technical interview would be like. I hadn’t experienced this kind of interview support and care before, and it went a long way in helping me prepare. If you’re applying for an engineering role, I recommend doing programming exercises to practice your coding abilities. I also revisited my textbooks to review material, brushed up on my skills and searched for tips online from previous interviewees. Going through an interview process can be nerve-wracking, but the best thing you can do is just go for it.

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 Ben Miles, a Technical Solutions Engineer for Google Cloud who’s based in our London office.

What’s your current role at Google?

I’m a Technical Solutions Engineer for Google Cloud. I work specifically on Apigee, Google Cloud’s API management platform. In my role, I help Google Cloud’s customers fix technical issues through a mix of troubleshooting, debugging, software development and system administration. I enjoy the entire process, from reporting an issue to finding a resolution. It always feels great to help our customers and learn something new along the way.

When did you first get interested in technology?

I always had a passion for technology when I was growing up — I would play endless amounts of video games and take apart my parents’ desktop computer for fun. Flash forward to today, I still spend a lot of time teaching myself new programming languages and researching areas like space exploration (watching a live SpaceX rocket launch is on my bucket list).

But I didn’t study anything even remotely technical in school. In fact, I’ve never been very academic — I didn’t attend university or get a degree, and my grades in high school were never that strong. So I thought my chances of working in the tech industry were over before I had even started. That’s why Google’s apprenticeship program was a great stepping stone into tech for me. I was able to learn on the job and even get certified through formal training connected to the program.

What made you decide to apply to Google?

Like many Googlers, I never thought I would get a job here. I was terrified to apply, because I didn’t think I’d stand a chance. Once I realized I had nothing to lose, I ultimately took the leap and applied. You can’t achieve anything if you don’t try.

I got accepted into Google’s digital marketing apprenticeship program when I was 18. I spent one year there before applying to another apprenticeship focused on IT engineering. In that IT role, I helped other Googlers solve technical problems, like fixing their laptops and debugging software issues. Taking on two apprenticeships back to back is rare — I’m actually the only Google apprentice who’s ever done it! — and I learned a lot from both experiences.

How did the recruitment process go for you?
I’ve been through many recruiting processes at Google, both as an internal and external applicant, and every experience has been rewarding. Applying to the Technical Solutions Engineer role was especially challenging, but I felt supported every step of the way. My recruiter talked me through each part of the process and what to expect, and the interviewers were all extremely kind.

What resources did you use to prepare for your interview?
Since I didn’t have specialized education or training, I prepared entirely using the internet and free resources. I watched YouTube videos to learn more about specific topics, and used forums like Reddit to research and ask questions. Reading books was another good way to absorb a lot of information at once. If you can’t find a specific book for free online, it’s probably available in your local library!

Any tips for aspiring Googlers?
There is no one “type” of person Google hires. I have an unconventional background and still managed to reach my goal of working here. I still can’t believe that I’m writing this now. Thinking back to a few years ago when I was in high school, a job at Google seemed completely unrealistic. Now, I get to do what I love every day and work with some of the largest companies in the world on services that millions of people use. I am so grateful that Google saw potential in me, and I can't wait to see where the future takes me.

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 they do in their roles and how they prepared for their interviews.

Today, Ricardo Prada shares how his passion for helping users has led to a career building technology to positively impact the world.

What do you do at Google?

I lead the AI User Experience (AIUX) team in Google Research. Working alongside top research scientists, I study changes in society and science to create and bring product concepts to life. Outside of my core role, I also help out with our company-wide efforts to support the Latino community.

Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I was born in Colombia and moved to California with my family when I was five. My dad was an engineer, my mom was a math teacher and I was a nerdy kid who loved science fiction and technology. I graduated from high school early and went straight to a community college, where I discovered my passion for applying psychology to technology and engineering.

How did you ultimately end up at Google?

I was a UX Design intern at Google while studying for my PhD at George Mason University in Virginia. After graduation, I worked for the aerospace company Boeing — and while I was there, I reconnected with my former team at Google. During one of our conversations, we started chatting about Gmail and I shared how I’d design Gmail labels based on my experiences in UX. We stayed in touch, and I eventually decided to return to Google.

What were you up to before your current role?

I’ve always been intentional about my career path and had a passion for working on technology that will have a positive impact on the world. I worked at X for almost eight years, where I led design for Project Chauffeur — Google’s self-driving car program, now known as Waymo — and was the first UX tester for many of X’s early-stage projects. I’m proud to have helped dozens of rockstar scientists and designers create principled and unexpected solutions to the world's biggest problems, from self-driving cars to medical devices.

What gets you most excited about your role?

In UX, my job is to understand our users — how are we going to make their lives better? For me, talking to people, listening to their problems and figuring out how to solve them has been super rewarding. I’m also part of the Latinx Leadership Council at Google, which has given me the opportunity to create even more impact. I’m proud to represent Colombia and help Google empower the Latino community, such as increasing representation in our use cases and workforce.

What inspires you to log on every day?

It’s really important to me to stay useful and not get bored. I'm coming close to 15 years at Google. Whenever I start thinking about my next move, someone tells me, "Go to this building and open this door." I'll go and think, "Whoa, I didn't know we were doing this!" Google is an incredible place to get really broad experiences, and that's what keeps me going.

What advice would you share with your past self?

Tell people what drives your decisions. At Google, we always say to focus on the user and all else will follow. I learned this early on and molded my work around it. Once you establish your values, everything will fall into place. You’ll attract people and projects that are aligned with those values.

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 they do in their roles and how they prepared for their interviews.

Today’s post is all about Adrienne (Ada) Hopkins, a Strategic Partner Manager at YouTube and a tireless advocate for Black creatives.

What do you do at YouTube?

I’m a Strategic Partner Manager on YouTube’s Top Creators team, where I focus on amplifying and accelerating the growth of creators from underrepresented backgrounds. I also co-lead efforts to promote inclusion across YouTube’s partnerships, and work to strengthen the relationship between YouTube and aspiring Black creators, artists, executives and creative communities. I’m called to use technology to ensure creatives, particularly those most marginalized, are educated about the businesses they occupy, have equitable access to opportunity, are compensated for their gifts and have safe spaces to use their authentic voices.

Can you walk us through a typical work day?

Part of the reason I love my job is because no two days are the same — my time is dictated by what my creators need and the big ideas they imagine. What is consistent is the fact that most of my days are spent in meetings collaborating with our most influential creators, building YouTube’s approach to driving equity and inclusion in our partnerships (including how we show up authentically in cultural moments), imagining ways YouTube can invest in aspiring creators and serving our employee resource group, Black@YouTube.

What were you up to before YouTube?

If you told me I’d be working in tech 10 years post college graduation, I would have laughed you out of the room! After graduating from Stanford, I started my career in investment banking. However, I realized I needed more purpose, so I took a mini “sabbatical” to join a social enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya. That set me on a path of purpose-driven work that included a stint in social impact consulting, leadership development and philanthropy advising. I wanted to go deeper in this space, so I enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania for my MBA. During this time, I co-founded a social enterprise to bring plant-based, affordable food to low-income, food desert communities.

How did you go from social impact to YouTube?

I began to feel overwhelmed and disillusioned by the magnitude of the problems I was tackling and knew there had to be another path to effect change. Music is a mighty tool for progress and has always played a central role in my life. Plus, I’ve always been struck by the challenges I witnessed artists grappling with. I thought that if I could empower creatives to manage the business side of their work while also tending to the spirit, it would help them create from healed places. That vision led me to Grammy-nominated recording artist Jidenna and other TV and film producers, directors and agencies. I found renewed purpose in this work and wanted to do it on a larger platform, which led me to YouTube.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired to open my computer everyday because at the core, I’m helping historically disenfranchised creators build intergenerational wealth. To do this work for the world’s largest platform is a responsibility and gift I do not take lightly. And with YouTube’s renewed commitment to racial justice, equity and product inclusion, there isn’t a better time. Service is my highest calling, I’m immensely grateful for each and every day.

Any advice for your past self?

Find your why — what you were uniquely put on this earth to do — and focus on just that. When you are aligned with your truest and highest self, things flow and you find the right opportunities. I would tell her difficult seasons are guaranteed but suffering is a choice so find peace within if you hope for peace in the world. Finally I’d tell her not to run from her light. We’re conditioned to play small and devalue our worthiness, but those days are over!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Yesterday I spoke at Google’s Transforming Tech event, a month-long campaign to highlight recent transformative work in tech, the Googlers behind it and their impact on the Black community. I spoke at the “Uplifting Black Voice on YouTube” panel, where we discussed our multi-year effort to center and grow Black creators and artists. You can find it at goo.gle/bhm2022 if you want to watch!

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 they do in their roles and how they prepared for their interviews.

Today’s post is all about Grant Bennett, a Human Resource Associate working remotely from North Carolina, and his passion for driving equity and inclusivity both in and outside of Google.

What do you do at Google?

I’m in Google’s Human Resources Associate program, a two-year rotational program for recent college graduates. Now in my second and final rotation, I work as an Operations and Analytics Specialist on the Retention and Progression team. I help analyze and share insights to improve Googlers’ experiences.

What’s your typical workday like?

I’ve been working remotely from North Carolina since I started at Google in 2020. My day usually begins with a morning workout and some dedicated reading time. Once I log in to work, I check emails, create my to-do list and take data science skills training. The rest of my day is spent jumping in and out of meetings with teammates and consultants, working through data and generating reports for my team.

Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. My father served in the military and my mother is an educator at our local community college. Baseball was my favorite activity as a kid. One time when I was practicing in downtown Fayetteville, a director asked me to make a cameo in a music video for the rapper J.Cole (which I eagerly accepted). I met J.Cole again years later, and we talked about the importance of branching out and having new experiences. That conversation inspired me to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). I enrolled at Morehouse College, the only all-male HBCU in the United States, on a baseball and academic scholarship. I studied psychology and got really involved in campus life. Through these experiences, I found my passion for social impact and research.

What’s your daily source of inspiration?

I’m inspired that Google continues to work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace, and I’m excited to take on projects connected to our HBCU commitments. I’m passionate about this work, because I understand the value of investing in communities that have been historically under-resourced and excluded.

Are you working on any projects outside of work?

I’m the Founder and Executive Director of The Two-Six Project, a nonprofit organization helping to develop leaders from marginalized communities. We provide funding, leadership development training and scholarships to youth athletic organizations in the Fayetteville area. Thanks in part to the generous support of individual Googlers during our holiday giving campaign, The Two-Six Project recently hosted its second annual “Christmas Giveback” event and provided food, toys and winter clothing to over 2,000 people. The success of this event led to a feature in Forbes Magazine and my participation on a panel about equity, moderated by Former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

How did you prepare for your Google interviews?

I really studied my resumé to help me tell my career story and quantify my impact. I also researched behavioral-based questions — “tell me about a time you…” — and asked close friends to conduct mock interviews.

What advice would you give to your past self?

I would remind myself that my perspective is valuable. Coming from an HBCU, you may feel a sense of imposter syndrome or self-doubt when going through the hiring process. But it’s important to remember that your unique experience helps you impact the world in your own way. I would tell myself to trust the path that got me here, and to focus on showing why I would be a good fit for the role.

Any tips for aspiring Googlers?

No matter what, be authentic. Google is a melting pot of diverse people, so know that you will add just as much value to the company as it will add to your professional growth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be intentional with your energy and build healthy habits around networking.