Google Data

We know that students with big ideas idea can do some pretty cool things. After all, Larry and Sergey met while studying at Stanford University and opened the first Google office in a garage back in 1998. The company has since grown to 70 offices in more than 40 countries—and Google Japan continues to grow at an incredible pace.

We are eager to meet future business leaders with diverse backgrounds who share our passion for technology and our healthy disregard for the impossible. So, we are excited to announce the Google Japanese MBA Summit. We will select up to 45 bilingual (English and Japanese) MBA students to attend an all-expenses-paid summit at Google’s Cambridge office on November 7th, 2013.

Please review the Google Japanese MBA Summit website for more details. The deadline to submit the application is 11:59PM PST, October 6, 2013. All decisions will be communicated to applicants in October 2013.

Questions about the program can be directed to [email protected].

Posted by Mala Tejwani, University Programs

Our ‘Diary of an MBA Intern’ series is designed to give you an inside look into the life of Google interns based all over Europe. Today, the spotlight is on Michael Conn from Australia, who is an MBA intern with GAGA (Global Accounts, Global Agency) in Google London. 

An MBA perspective: It’s easy to be a sheep when applying for internships

Now over halfway through my MBA at London Business School (LBS), this is my story on why I didn’t even apply for a consulting role for my summer internship (despite my previous interests), and why I’m so excited to be interning at Google.

For over five years I worked as a marketer managing brands and project managing campaigns, events and product launches for some leading companies and startups in Australia. For years I was adamant that I wanted to change into management consulting.

So in August 2012 when I started my MBA at LBS, it was clear that management consulting was for me – it all made sense! With the diversity of projects consulting offers, I thought this would be a great way to solidify my MBA skills, develop a broad range of business experiences, and fast track my career due to the large range and scope of these experiences. And you still need to consider the the exit options one would have a few years down the road.

It was easy to be a sheep too. Although approximately a third of LBS graduates go into consulting (which includes sponsored students), around 40% of all students applied for summer consulting internships. In fact, it wasn’t until 2012 when Google became the most applied to MBA internship programme at LBS, surpassing recruiting heavyweight consultancies BCG and McKinsey.

But then the mind battle began.

As part of my self-assessment when I started my MBA, I collected 360 degree feedback from my previous work colleagues, undertook personality tests, and did lots of self-reflection. During this time I learnt that I prefer to be set in a long term role and focus on specialising my experiences. This is opposed to the typical consultancy environment with short term projects and jumping from one type of problem to another. I like to learn the in’s and out’s of a company, which only comes with time, and to really get my teeth into a challenge and see it through to completion.

For years I had tried to break into the consulting industry and further discussions with my consulting MBA peers were re-affirming the contrast with my self-assessment. So what was the ideal career for me?

During all of this, I had been on technology treks with LBS to Dublin and the Silicon Valley where we met business leaders at Google, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Zynga just to name a few. The insights I gained on these trips demonstrated just how fast the technology industry is growing which truly whets my appetite with the opportunities presented.

After nearly eight months of my MBA, it was crunch time – summer internship applications were due. Although I cannot argue that consulting can be a great career path, I was forced to ask myself “Is it the best path for me?” I chose to go with my gut and ignore the consulting opportunities all my friends were applying to, despite my previous affiliations. I focused on knowing the in’s and out’s of the technology industry, meeting as many people as I could in related roles. After a few nerve wrecking months, ultimately it paid off.

Now that I’ve been interning with Google for over six weeks, I couldn’t be happier. True to its reputation, Google is fast paced and full of passionate and intellectual people AND you get weekly insights into some of the amazing projects Larry and Sergey are leading. My team is truly global with video conference calls happening a few times a week with team members from San Fran, Thailand, and all around Europe. The projects I have been a part of have real business impact including:

• Predicting smartphone sales according to media spend and timing which helps improve our understanding of online’s role on our client’s sales
• Improving conversion rates of the digital check out process for our global tech clients
• Redesigning our internal communication structure within the team and other teams globally.

I’m really excited to help execute them.

As a consulting friend of mine said, in her role she was “Always the bridesmaid and never the bride”. Here I am six weeks in and already having an impact on Google’s bottom line..

Although the fast pace and innovative nature of Google could be confused for the constant change that occurs with project work in major consultancies, there is a difference. I’ve heard how management consultancies take great pride in making you part of the team, it can be hard as ultimately there are two teams – the consultancy and the client. At Google there is no confusion. You are part of team Google and from day one your co-workers are your friends, and it is these tech passionate and intellectually driven people that really make me so excited to be interning here and glad with the decisions I made.

First day on the job, and loving it!

Michael Conn is from Melbourne, Australia, works in the Global Top Accounts – Tech team in the London, United Kingdom office and is an MBA2014 at London Business School. His previous work experience includes working with Clemenger BBDO as an Account Executive, managing his own marketing consultancy, and was a marketing coordinator and brand manager for Deloitte, Australia. When not cooking and having friends around for dinner and cards, he enjoys learning local customs whilst flying around Europe and getting involved in various TEDx conferences.

Interested in becoming a Google intern? Fill out this form for further info on the 2014 Google Summer internship programme in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Please note: This is a speculative application. You will be contacted once the application process for next year’s programme goes live.

EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.

For resume and interview tips before you apply, check out this Hangout on Air. Additionally, please find up to date information on all job and internship postings in EMEA on our job site, and learn more about how the hiring process works.

Posted by Corrina Kavanaugh, University Programs EMEA Team

We are very excited to announce our Google scholarship opportunities for university students in North America!

The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship is open to current female undergraduate or graduate students who will be studying at a university in the United States or Canada for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The Generation Google Scholarship is open to current undergraduate or graduate students from an underrepresented background in computer science who will be studying at a university in United States or Canada for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The Google Lime Scholarship is open to current undergraduate or graduate students with disabilities who will be studying at a university in United States or Canada for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The Google SVA Scholarship is open to current undergraduate or graduate student veterans who will be studying at a university in the United States for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Applicants should be enrolled in a computer science, computer engineering, or closely related technical program, maintain a record of strong academic performance, and demonstrate leadership in their communities. Scholarship recipients will be awarded a $10,000 USD or $5,000 CAD award and will be invited to attend the annual Google Scholars’ Retreat– a networking retreat at a Google office in the summer of 2014. The deadline for all scholarships is Monday, December 2, 2013. Apply today!

In addition to our scholarships for university students, we have scholarship opportunities for high school seniors which will be made available in early 2014. Please watch out for announcements on our Google Students Blog for details.

For more on Google’s scholarships please visit www.google.com/students/scholarships.

Posted by Azusa Liu, Tech Student Development Programs

It’s that time again! Pack up the swimsuits and put on the backpacks – back to school we go!

We had a packed, productive summer and and hope you did too (whether that means interning, summer courses or Netflix marathons). We know that starting a new semester is refreshingly exciting for some and not so much for others, so we’re stepping in to help make that process easier in our Back2School series for technical students!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature topics to help you navigate your college journey and prepare you to take the next steps into a career (or discover it for the first time). We’ll also include a Mythbusters segment in each post to tackle the most common misconceptions and set the record straight for our students!

Going Beyond the Classroom

While most of the teaching happens in the classroom, lots of learning happens outside the classroom walls. Pursue your passions and go beyond the classroom by getting involved in STEM organizations, working on personal projects, attending hackathons, participating in code jams and just doing things you truly love (sports, music, bands, etc.). Team-oriented projects are especially helpful in building leadership and collaboration skills, which prove to be essential in the workplace.

Google’s Tech University Programs team takes on the myths many students have about getting involved outside of the classroom!

Mythbusters

Myth #1: My campus/community doesn’t have any CS related clubs, so there’s nothing I can do.
Reality: False! Why not consider starting your own club if there isn’t one already on your campus? Many national groups, such as ACM, IEEE and others have resources to help you start a local chapter on your campus.

Myth #2: The more clubs I join, the better.
Reality: It’s great to get involved in a variety of clubs and areas of interest, but it’s also important to detail your leadership experience, the impact you have had on the organization, or creative approaches to solving problems. Did you boost marketing efforts and double the size of active members in the club? Did you start a new program or activity for your organization? Did you think of unique ways to partner with your faculty, community, and other clubs? List it on your resume!

Myth #3: I can’t be involved in any extracurriculars that aren’t about engineering, and I certainly can’t list anything else on my resume.
Reality: Showing you have a well-rounded set of interests is important, especially if you took a leadership role or did work in the community. Also you never know what your interviewer’s interests are–you might bond over your participation in orchestra, chess, or the swing dance club!

Get started! For ways to get involved with Google, check out [Google CodeJam, CSSI, Chrome Academy, Android Camp, links to other tech programs here.] Program applications open in the Winter/Spring. Keep your eyes peeled!

Posted by Kieu-Thu Bui, Tech Student Development Team

For resume and interview tips before you apply, check out this Hangout on Air. Additionally, please find up to date information on all job and internship postings in EMEA on our job site, and learn more about how the hiring process works.

Posted by Tony Nelli, Tech University Programs

Caption: The Seattle/Kirkland Interns had an awesome thrift shop themed boat cruise night and you can see me here in my Willy Wonka themed getup! 

Posted by Tony Nelli, Tech University Programs

Cross-posted from Google Cloud Platform Blog

Google Cloud Platform is used around the world to create and deploy solutions that are affordable, scalable and easy to maintain. These qualities empower developers worldwide to solve local and global challenges with cloud technology . 

This sets the stage for the very first Google Cloud Platform Developer Challenge. We’re inviting you to build locally relevant web applications that solve real world problems. You will have the opportunity to “WOW” the world with your awesome web application built on Google App Engine using Google APIs like the Google+, YouTube and Maps APIs. 

The competition starts September 4th, 2013 with the first round of submissions starting on the October 22nd, 2013. The categories for this challenge are

• Enterprise/Small Business Solutions , Education, Not for Profit
• Social / Personal Productivity/Games / Fun

Submissions will be accepted from any one of six regions across the world:

• Latin America
• Sub Saharan Africa
• South East Asia
• Middle East & North Africa
• India
• Rest of the World

We will be working in tandem with Google Developer Groups (GDGs), Google Business Groups and Google Student Ambassadors to put up and organize events around the challenge. Ensure you connect with your local communities for more information about these meetups. 

Do you want to start hacking out a cloud based web app now and you need pointers and hints? If yes , then the Google App Engine tutorial is a good place to start.

The Form+ team, one of the winners of last year’s Google Apps Developer Challenge

If your application is judged the best in your region, within one of the two categories mentioned above, you could win a prize of $20,000! We are devoted to raising the next generation of information technology experts as well as encouraging diversity among software developers. In line with this, we have special prizes for all-female teams — $2,000 and $1,000 dollars for ‘all-student teams’ that make the second round. Any ‘all female student team’ that makes the second round will receive a prize of $3,000. There are also prizes available for those who are interested in mentoring contestants.

Please read through the terms and conditions on the Google Cloud Platform Developer Challenge page and follow the hashtag #gcdc on Google+ for any additional updates.

What are you waiting for? Register your gcdc2013-.appspot.com – apply for $2,000 worth of Google Cloud Platform credit atcloud.google.com/starterpack using the promo code: gcpdc-in, and start hacking with Google Cloud Platform!

Posted by Chukwuemeka Afigbo, Program Manager

Today we’re featuring Michelle Ferreirae, a Software Engineer on the G+ Notifications team based out of Mountain View. Michelle joined Google full-time in late June, but she made her debut at Google last summer as a Software Engineering Intern on internal tools. Michelle is from San Diego, and graduated in May from Wellesley College in Massachusetts with a B.A. in Computer Science.

Tell us a little bit about how you first got interested in computer science?
I had absolutely zero exposure to computer science before I got to college; I thought I was going to be a political science major. My first semester, I only got into one of the four classes I had originally wanted, so I had to use my backup plans, and introductory CS was my second backup. I adored the class; I hadn’t realized that I could take logical thinking, which I’ve always loved, and apply it to making cool, useful programs. Halfway through the semester, I found myself doing my CS problem set to procrastinate on readings for my political science class, and I realized I should probably reevaluate my major plans.

Tell us about your path to a full-time software engineering role at Google? What inspired you to initially apply to Google?
I’ve always loved Google products… long before I worked here, I convinced my family to switch to Chrome and use Gmail and Google Docs. I wanted to do an industry internship after my junior year, so I applied to lots of places, including Google. I was a little surprised when they emailed me back! After my internship, I got the chance to convert to full-time. I got offers from other companies too, but I was really excited to come back to Google; I’d had an awesome summer.

Were there any particular classes, clubs, and/or activities that you participated in during college that you found especially helped prepare you for an internship/job in the tech industry?
The most helpful thing I did was research. Wellesley has a Human Computer Interaction lab that I joined at the beginning of my sophomore year. Working in the lab let me work on much larger projects than I had seen in my classes, and gave me a much better sense for how to work on a team and deal with a large code base that wasn’t my own. Plus, the projects I worked on were really interesting–applications for tabletop touch screen computers that make scientific research more accessible to students in introductory science classes.

I know you attended a small liberal arts college. Do you have any suggestions for current students at similar types of colleges who may be interested in pursuing opportunities at Google?
Don’t be afraid! I was worried my classes were too theoretical; I knew people at other colleges who were learning things directly related to software engineering, while I was doing theoretical, non-useful computer science. But that hasn’t held me back; I’m able to learn new skills quickly when I need to. Another tip: liberal arts colleges often have strong alumni networks; it can be helpful for finding a job, at Google or anywhere else, to reach out to an alum who works there and talk to them.

What’s your favorite Google memory or ‘Magic Moment’?
This is my second year in the Google laser tag league. We play in between two Google buildings, where we hide behind trees and come up with strategies to draw out the other team. Sometimes other Googlers wander through, unaware that anything is happening… and other times they notice the engineers laughing and shooting at each other. It’s fun, exciting, and silly, which is exactly what I expect from working at Google.

Posted by Cari Bulman, Tech Student Engagement Team

It’s intern season at Google! Interns are located in offices all across the globe, and represent a broad diversity of backgrounds, concentrations and interests. Inspired by Stephen Colbert’s Better Know a District, we’re bringing to you “Better Know an Intern!” The series will introduce you to our interns across the globe, and will get you the scoop on the impactful projects they work on, their interests and passions, and what it’s really like to intern at Google straight from the source.

For our next post, meet Lamar Gary, an intern on the Online Partnerships Group team.

Lamar Gary
Senior, Class of 2014
University of Southern California – Business Administration
Returning BOLD Intern

Fun fact: After moving into my humble abode in San Francisco near Chinatown, I named it the Castle of Shaolin. I’m fascinated with the intersection of Black and Chinese culture (i.e. blaxploitation and kung fu films, hip hop, and the idolatry of Bruce Lee). The name stems from the film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, which inspired the title and most of the samples on the Wu-Tang Clan’s album Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. It was almost a no-brainer to don my self-proclaimed castle with the name.

1. Of all the companies to apply for, why did you want to work at Google?
I chose Google because of its amazing company culture and innovative approach to solving problems through technology. Working in a fast-paced environment, where people are constantly thinking of ways to solve big problems differently and efficiently (e.g. bringing Internet access to more people around the world through a network of high-altitude balloons), is inspiring. I wanted to work at a company that wasn’t afraid to tackle big challenges and do the unimaginable.

2. In what way(s) has Google impacted you, and how have you left an impact at Google?
Google has taught me the importance of being able to balance a challenging workload while pursuing causes and activities that help me grow outside of the scope of my job. I believe your personal experiences are contributors to your success, which is why having fun outside of work is important. You learn so much from your experiences, especially since many of them require you to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things.

For instance, I started to adventure through the Bay Area to find small mom-and-pop restaurants that serve up some of the best ethnic cuisine. Somehow I always end up in a conversation with my waiter, who’s typically an immigrant or a first-generation American, about their story, their history, and how they landed in the U.S. and the Bay Area. Those conversations help me better understand the diversity around me and make me a better global citizen. Google values that perspective. It allows you to bring a fresh point of view to the table and makes you more Googley. At Google, I bring my perspective into the conversation and apply my analytical skills to solve big problems and influence business strategy.

In addition to my core work duties, I cleaned up Emma Prusch Park with other Googlers for GoogleServe and I represent BOLD interns at multiple University Programs events, such as BOLD Immersion for Freshmen.

3. What is the most interesting/exciting thing that you have been able to do as a Google intern? Your “Magic Moment”?
Midway into my internship, I demoed one of my deliverables, which was a risk assessment tool, for my manager’s manager. He was in awe with the impact it could have on the entire organization. He told me my work could help grow 10% of the global business. All of a sudden I realized my internship wasn’t just about completing a project. I had an opportunity to drive impact that will continue after I leave.

4. Aside from working for Google, what kinds of organizations/clubs/activities are you involved with in your community / around your school’s campus?
Executive Director of the USC Black Student Assembly, Undergraduate Student Government, USC Honorary Degrees Committee, Google Student Ambassador.

5. What types of lessons/skills have you learned at Google that you will take back to school after this summer ends?
This summer has been all about navigating ambiguity and synthesizing data for actionable decision making. At times it can be daunting with so much uncertainty and loads of information. In the end, you learn a ton. I’m taking my learnings from this summer back to school and beyond.

6. Any advice for students interested in being a Google intern?
Get involved with projects that challenge you to solve problems and take action. The experience will help you achieve success as a Google intern.

7. Favorite micro-kitchen snack?
That’s easy! Blueberries and chocolate. NorCal’s blueberry season begins in June. Micro-kitchens are always stocked with fresh blueberries during the summer. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I grab a bowl of blueberries and a chocolate square.

Posted by Tony Nelli, Tech University Programs

Posted by Tony Nelli, Tech University Programs

For our next post, meet Elisse (Elle) Roche, an intern on the SMB Marketing team.

Elisse (Elle) Roche
Columbia University, CC ‘14
English Major
Hispanic Studies Concentration
Fun Fact: I’m a singer/songwriter – I perform on campus at Columbia and share my music on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ellerocke.

APMM (Associate Product Marketing Manager) Intern, Global SMB Marketing

1. Of all the companies to apply for, why did you want to work at Google?
In high school, when I thought about what I wanted to with my life, I didn’t really have a plan. All I knew was that I wanted to do something creative and something that would change the world, ideally for the better – whatever that meant. I had this fear of being forgotten. I loved reading history books and I envisioned myself being in one, with one of those shaded boxes that had a photo, bio, and contribution to… really anything.

But by my freshman year in college, I had forgotten all of that somehow. Over the next couple of years, I fell into a couple different marketing internships and by the end of the summer I realized that I wasn’t in love – with the companies I worked for, I mean. I realized then I had forgotten what I was all about: creativity and global impact. I’m a story-lover at heart and at will, and I wasn’t engaging with either of those passions. So as I approached the application process during my Junior year, I remembered what mattered to me, personally, what gave me energy and what inspired me. I knew that I had to work for a company that I believed in – I needed to feel the “chills.” They’re kind of like a spiritual compass for me so I know I’m going in the right direction. Like when I applied ED to Columbia University and got accepted, I felt those chills and knew I was going where I was supposed to go in life.

I also strongly believe in serendipity. A year ago, I randomly heard about a Google Recruiting Info Session hosted by Columbia’s Organization for Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE). I clicked on it and thought… why not? The event was actually going to be in the lounge of my dorm building, where I live and work as a Resident Adviser. Super convenient.

So I show up to this event and look around the lounge and take it all in for a second. I swear all of the students were bright-eyed like deer… agitated, too. The excitement was palpable. The recruiters were making rounds across the room, smiling and saying hello. And when the presentation began, I knew why everyone was so… electric. This was Google – that search engine I had apparently been taking for granted each day, the new history book. It was like my extended brain.

During the presentation, the recruiters talked about all of these incredible things that Google has done and can do with our (the students’) help. They said, “do cool stuff that matters.” Those words resonated deep down in those bones of mine, a subtle vibration that spread from the neck down through my entire body. The chills. I thought, “I believe in this.” And I knew Google was my direction. Google was the company where I could be creative and change the world… and who knows, maybe end up in that history book one day– that or a sick knowledge graph.

2. In what way(s) has Google impacted you, and how have you left an impact at Google?
So, I mentioned “do cool stuff that matters” before, and this summer I’ve done exactly that by working on projects that fall within Global SMB Marketing’s threefold mission, which entails: 1) helping SMBs get online; 2) targeting them with the right Google products; and 3) setting them up for success and growth. Essentially, the team strives to help SMBs get online, grow online, and thrive online – and that’s not an easy task.

This summer, I worked on a particular project that involved the first two aspects of our mission, that is getting SMBs online and targeting them with the right Google products for them. I know that storytelling is a huge part of Google’s culture, and I believe that this project will convey to small businesses how we (Google) can fit into their “story,” and ideally make it a bit better.

What’s really cool about being an intern here is that you get to work on confidential projects before they launch so you feel like a full-time employee. Honestly, it felt like my team welcomed me, and my perspective, with open arms, so I feel like I have been able to actually help empower SMBs in the digital space.

3. What is the most interesting/exciting thing that you have been able to do as a Google intern? Your “Magic Moment”?
As part of the APMM (Associate Product Marketing Manager) Intern program, we have the opportunity to present to our other 20 or so APMM interns towards the end of the summer – this was definitely my magic moment. I learned so much that day about everyone’s different teams, spanning from Chrome Brand to Ad Arts, and I was literally inspired my fellow interns again and again. Definitely had some chills going on there, hearing about the infinite ways that Google has changed people’s lives for the better… and how we plan on increasing those efforts by 10x.

4. Aside from working for Google, what kinds of organizations/clubs/activities are you involved with in your community / around your school’s campus?
At Columbia, apart from academics, I spend a lot of time working as a Resident Adviser with the CU Office of Residential Programs, where I’m responsible for the emotional, psychological, and academic well-being of about 35-40 students each year. As an RA, I serve as a student leader and resource by upholding community standards and coordinating bi-monthly social and educational programs. The best part of this job is definitely the people – every year, I work with a great staff and can establish really meaningful and lasting relationships. I believe that being an RA really is the best way to meet a diverse group of people that you otherwise wouldn’t meet in a college made up of thousands of students. Along these lines, I’m also a member of the Multicultural Affairs Advisory Board (MAAB), where I collaboratively evaluate and address the needs of the diverse undergraduate population. I’m also responsible for student outreach and event marketing for the Board.

In addition to community development related roles, I’m also super passionate about singing, songwriting, and performing on campus. Last year, I acted as the Outreach Manager for a student-run music group called “Postcrypt Coffeehouse” that hosts weekly student and professional singer-songwriters in the basement of St. Paul’s Chapel. I also performed a few times with this band called Ace of Cake, which was sick because I usually perform solo with my guitar and vocals. Pretty much all of my performances, along with my favorite original songs, can be found at www.youtube.com/ellerocke.

5. What types of lessons/skills have you learned at Google that you will take back to school after this summer ends?
I’ve definitely learned to be more flexible. At school, you get an assignment that’s clearly outlined, you write a draft, meet with your professor, get even more direction, edit it, hand it in. And voilá! Assignment complete. But the real world just doesn’t work like that – the world, and the workplace, is constantly in flux. New challenges, obstacles, and objectives could arise literally at any time and I’ve learned that it’s important to be able to adapt, and adapt well.

This is definitely something I plan on applying to my Senior year – being more open to risk, change, and redirection. I’ve learned to consider a challenge as an opportunity, which is something that can’t really be taught but rather experienced.

5. Any advice for students interested in being a Google intern?
Be honestly and truly who you are – and if you haven’t figured that out yet, start there first. Google values individuals and personalities, so don’t think that there’s a certain mold you necessarily need to fit, i.e. tech background, Econ major, hacker, etc. Look at me – I’m an English Major, singer/songwriter, and storyteller. I know who I am and what I love, and also what I can personally do for Google: communicate their story to the world.

So think about who you are and how you can uniquely contribute to the company as a whole. That’s the best approach, in my mind, when it comes to editing your resume and writing your application. Keep thinking: “Who am I? What can I do?” And more importantly: “What will I do?”

6. Favorite micro-kitchen snack?
Background: I’m a vegetarian with a devastating soy allergy. Clearly, the universe laughs at my existence. Keeping this in mind, I’d have to say that my favorite micro-kitchen snack is definitely the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Zing bars. They’re great for a pre-workout snack, are soy-free, and taste like chocolate and sunshine.

Posted by Tony Nelli, Tech University Programs

Our ‘Diary of a Business Associate Intern’ series is designed to give you an inside look into the life of Google interns based all over Europe. Today, the spotlight is on Veronica Velo from Spain, who is a Business Associate Intern with YouTube in Google Madrid.

For many workers and interns, getting up on a Monday morning is a very tough moment. Early in the morning the alarm clock rings and unwillingly wakes you up, starting another long week that doesn’t end until Friday. Many people go to work because there is no other choice. Well, this is not what happens to me!

The end of my second month at Google is rapidly approaching and yet it feels like I’ve just arrived. Time flies by when you are having fun! Until the end of August, I’ll be interning in the YouTube team in Spain. In September, I will begin the last year of a double Bachelor´s Degree in Law and Business Administration and Management in the Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid.

Every Monday (and every day) the alarm sounds, I snooze five more minutes (or 10), I wake up and drive to one of the tallest buildings in the most important and central streets of Madrid (Paseo de la Castellana) where the Google offices are located. An amazing and delicious breakfast is waiting in our restaurant. I have to say that my breakfast routine has changed a lot, from having an unhealthy breakfast to having a real “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, which completely changes the way I start my day!

After charging batteries, my workday begins as a Business Associate Intern. Not only do I have the chance to work in a company like Google, but also to be working as part of a team like YouTube Partnerships. I am learning a lot both professionally and personally. It is an incredible team where, from the first moment, they have made me feel a real part of it. I am discovering more about the incredible and diverse content online around the world.

On a daily basis, I analyze and investigate multiple projects I have been assigned. During the last month I have been evaluating the different types of content Italian and Spanish users watch on YouTube. For the last portion of my internship, I will be given new challenges! Some days I also attend meetings, events or video calls using Hangouts, where I can really see how this sector works. Coffee breaks, delicious meals and ping pong games are always present. And yes, I watch a lot of videos!

This is an incredible experience. The culture of the company and the desire to do cool things that matter is unique. I encourage everyone to apply! When I registered my application I couldn’t believe I was going to learn and enjoy so much at the same time. For this experience, and much more, is the reason that I wake up every morning happy and highly motivated!

Hasta la vista!!

Interested in becoming a Google intern? Fill out this form for further info on the 2014 Google Summer internship programme in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Please note: This is a speculative application. You will be contacted once the application process for next year’s programme goes live.

EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.

For resume and interview tips before you apply, check out this Hangout on Air. Additionally, please find up to date information on all job and internship postings in EMEA on our job site, and learn more about how the hiring process works.

Post content Posted by Sarah Henderson, Student Development Programs Team

For our today’s ‘Better Know an Intern’ post, meet Zorah Fung, a software engineering intern on the Google Docs Team in New York. Zorah is a rising senior at the University of Washington, double majoring in computer science and interdisciplinary visual arts. Fun fact about Zorah: one of her life goals is to own and be able to play every musical instrument in the world. She’s already accumulated about 20!

1. Of all the companies to apply for, why did you want to work at Google?
Googlers are known to be incredibly smart and talented. But more importantly, they are enthusiastic, caring and passionate people. The work environment is very collaborative, and I’m really drawn to that. You can find interesting and challenging problems at any tech company, but I really think the people here set Google apart.

2. In what way(s) has Google impacted you, and how have you left an impact at Google?
At Google, you’re not just impacting the company, but impacting the millions of people that use Google products. I work on the Google Docs frontend, which means that I get to create features that users around the world see and use every day. Being given that much responsibility is both motivating and inspiring.

3. What is the most interesting/exciting thing that you have been able to do as a Google intern? Your “Magic Moment”?
During my first Google internship last summer, I was asked to design a Google T-shirt for the University of Washington Computer Science and Engineering department. As someone who has always dreamt of being a Google Doodler (the people who draw the doodles on the front page of Google), I was ecstatic to take on this project and draw a doodle of my own. The shirts became quite popular, and even ended up on GeekWire!

4. Aside from working for Google, what kinds of organizations/clubs/activities are you involved with in your community / around your school’s campus?
For the past two years, I have been a TA for the Intro Programming courses. I’m also heavily involved with Computer Science K-12 Outreach programs, including volunteering in a middle school classroom to help develop lesson plans and work with students to get them excited about computing. Additionally, I am chair of ACM-W (the Association of Computing Machinery, Women’s Chapter) at UW. We work on building a welcoming and supportive environment for women in the CSE department.

5. What types of lessons/skills have you learned at Google that you will take back to school after this summer ends?
I’ve met some of the most amazing people here at Google. Both my mentor and my host have been so encouraging and supportive, and have allowed me to grow not just as an engineer, but as a person. I think my main takeaway from the summer is to be confident in yourself. It’s a cliche (and even odd) piece of advice to get at a tech company. But I think it’s really easy at an internship to get stressed out, focus on impressing people, and worry about what people are thinking about you and whether you’re doing good enough. It’s neither sustainable nor productive.

5. Any advice for students interested in being a Google intern?
Be passionate and ask questions. Being a good intern isn’t about knowing a lot, but growing a lot. (I know, super corny advice.) No matter where you are in your education, or how long you have programmed, you should always focus on working hard, learning, and constantly improving. If you do these things, you’re going to be successful.

6. Favorite micro-kitchen snack?
Unreal Peanut Butter cups. Sooooo good. But so bad for you.

Interested in applying for internships at Google? Check out google.com/jobs/students this fall to learn more about our opportunities.

Post content Posted by Sarah Henderson, Tech Student Development Programs

What happens when you give hundreds of student teams across the world an AdWords online advertising budget of US$250 and three weeks to help a local business improve their marketing campaign?

You get the annual Google Online Marketing Challenge(GOMC), which is now in its sixth and most competitive year yet. Over 12,000 students from 80 countries and territories participated in this year’s challenge and the results are in.

I. AdWords Awards

Global Winner
The Global Winning team comes from the University of the Philippines in the Philippines, under Professor James Ryan Jonas. The team of Jeanina Melissa K. Tee, Martin Joseph Alexandre R. Gonzaga, Wesley Paul S. Cortez, Francis Louie M. Karunungan, Nigel Willamson T. Lee and Erika Kathleen A. Uy worked with “Sun Cruises Philippines”, which specializes in providing ferry as well as tour services to Corregidor Island.

Regional Winners

• The Asia Pacific Winner comes from Asian Institute of Management, under Professor David Gulliver Go in the Philippines. The team of Kaushal Pilikuli, Madhu Konanur Venkataram, Sangamesh Desai, Matthew Chua and Pratik Piyush worked with the “Happily Unmarried” based in India, specializing in selling unique lifestyle products.

• The Americas Winner comes from the University of Houston in Texas, under Professor Steven Koch. The team of Heather Nguyen, Jason Ruth, James McLellan and Adam Jalfon worked with “Children’s Museum of Houston”, a non-profit with the mission of “Transforming communities through innovative, child centered learning”.

• The Europe Winner comes from the Turku School of Economics in Finland, under Professor Joni Salminen. The team of Nina Tapiol, Iida Vanhanen, Saana Häkkinen, Veera Engren and Laura Aho worked with gTIE, a Finnish designer of innovative and stylish design neckwear and fashion accessories.

• The Middle East/Africa winner comes from the Mansoura University in Egypt, under Professor Heba Mahmoud Elsabaa. The team of Ahmed Ali Abdelbakey Ali, Ahmed Mohamed Elzahy, Bahr Yassien Ahmed worked with Aldaryan, a foundation for the free distance learning academy.

II. Google+ Social Media Marketing Awards
We’re also pleased to announce the winners of the second ever Social Media Award, awarded to the GOMC team that runs the best Google+ page for their company or organization.

Global Winner

This year’s global winner comes from James Madison University under Professor Theresa B. Clarke. The team of Lindsay Hayes, Shay Meadows, Lauren Mason and Cortney Marchetto
worked with Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

Regional Winners

• The Americas Winner comes from Pepperdine University, under Professor Brian Hemsworth. The team of Ian Garcia, Casey Chock and AC Wichstrom worked with Shane’s Inspiration, a a non-profit organization, which builds inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities.

• The Europe Winner comes from Poznan University of Economics in Poland, under Professor Wojciech Wiza. The team of Adrian Gasiński, Ilona Sadłowska, Hanna Pietruszyńska, Marta Musiał, Olga Żytkowiak and Maciej Żytkowiak worked with Kino Muza, one of the oldest cinemas in Poznan (Poland).

• The Middle East/Africa Winner comes from Bethlehem University in the West Bank, under Professor Nadira Alaraj. The team of Hind Abu Shkhadim, Lina Sleib, Margaret Al Sous, Ala’ Suboh and Laila Elzoghier worked with TAM, a non-profit for empowering women through media.

• There was no APAC winner this year as no team in this region met the requirements to compete.

III. Social Impact Awards

This category recognizes the GOMC teams that made an outstanding difference to their non-profit partners via superb online marketing campaigns.

1st Place is awarded to Jeremy Vogan Joshua Baugher, Scott Guengerich, Melissa Allen and Baris Bilek, who were taught by Professor Theresa B. Clarke at James Madison University in the United States. The team partnered with The Augusta Regional SPCA, an animal rescue shelter.

2nd Place goes to Lennart Kiefat, Aurelija Vaitkute, Svenja Bierwirth, who were taught under Professor Tobias-Benedikt Blask from Leuphana Universität Lüneburg in Germany. This team partnered with Futurepreneur e.V, a non-profit educating children and young people about being self-employed.

3rd Place is awarded to Chris Foster, Carla Reese, Kelcey Troxell, Xavier Pickett, Craig Honeycutt and Dale Richards, who were taught by Professor Theresa B. Clarke at James Madison University in the US. This team partnered with the Virginia Quilt Museum, a non-profit institute dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the quilting heritage of Virginia.

2013 Team Results will be posted to GOMC Past Challenges page later this month.

Congratulations to all 2013 Winners and a big round of applause for all teams that have participated in this year’s edition.

To learn more about the Google Online Marketing Challenge and to pre-register for next year’s challenge, please visit our website: www.google.com/onlinechallenge.

Post content Posted by Claire Lloyd, GOMC Team