Diary of a Summer Intern – Nancy
July 1st, 2011 | Published in Google Student Blog
Hey everyone!
I’m now almost a month into my BOLD internship and wow, time flies! Work and fun both play major roles here at the Googleplex so this internship has challenged my time management skills and my work-life balance this summer. The good news is that I finally have my daily work routine going; the bad news is that there’s so much to do and so little time to do it.
I am working on four different projects this summer, all dealing with Google’s health and wellness initiatives for its employees. Not only have I been developing my project management skills (an essential skill for all Googlers), I have also been gaining skills in new areas like graphic design and web development. I’m also working on my projects with Googlers in offices across the globe from Sao Paulo, to Toronto, to London. In my few weeks here, I’ve realized that Google assigns interns projects that have an impact, whether it’s on people who end up using a product or on employees. I was told at orientation that I wouldn’t be running around getting coffee for someone, unless I wanted a cup for myself. This has definitely proven true (and I will confess now that I may be guilty of drinking one too many cups of coffee!).
Aside from my core projects, I have had the opportunity to explore my interests and passions for other “Googley” things, like the Google+ project. I’m so lucky to be working here during its development and I’m constantly learning more about the project and connecting with other Googlers who work on it. I also let loose at the end of the day with Bollywood or Salsa at the Google Danceplex.
Every Friday, the BOLD program holds a speaker series for all of the interns in the program. Last Friday we heard a presentation on time management skills followed by a presentation from Stacy Brown-Philpot, the Director of Owned and Operated Properties. Both presentations were relevant to us both as Google interns and as student leaders on our college campuses. I look forward to attending the rest of the BOLD series talks and applying what I’ve learned in the fall when I’m back on campus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Lastly, I think I should mention that I do have a life outside of the Googleplex! Even though the weekend is only two days long, I make time to explore the Bay Area with my roommates and the other interns. I visited Berkeley and Oakland to go to concerts, road tripped to the beach in Santa Cruz and also explored San Francisco’s unique districts like Japantown and Haight Ashbury. Last weekend I also marched with a few hundred other Googlers in the San Francisco Pride Parade (see picture above).
That’s all for now—stay Googley!
Nancy
Fun Google Fact: Although I’ve mentioned the cool and quirky things you can find at the Googleplex in Mountain View, each Google office has its own unique touches. I visited the San Francisco office a couple of weeks ago, and it not only has a view of the Bay Bridge but also a slide. Forget snack break: slide break, anyone?
Posted by Jessica Safir, University Programs Coordinator
I’m now almost a month into my BOLD internship and wow, time flies! Work and fun both play major roles here at the Googleplex so this internship has challenged my time management skills and my work-life balance this summer. The good news is that I finally have my daily work routine going; the bad news is that there’s so much to do and so little time to do it.
I am working on four different projects this summer, all dealing with Google’s health and wellness initiatives for its employees. Not only have I been developing my project management skills (an essential skill for all Googlers), I have also been gaining skills in new areas like graphic design and web development. I’m also working on my projects with Googlers in offices across the globe from Sao Paulo, to Toronto, to London. In my few weeks here, I’ve realized that Google assigns interns projects that have an impact, whether it’s on people who end up using a product or on employees. I was told at orientation that I wouldn’t be running around getting coffee for someone, unless I wanted a cup for myself. This has definitely proven true (and I will confess now that I may be guilty of drinking one too many cups of coffee!).
Aside from my core projects, I have had the opportunity to explore my interests and passions for other “Googley” things, like the Google+ project. I’m so lucky to be working here during its development and I’m constantly learning more about the project and connecting with other Googlers who work on it. I also let loose at the end of the day with Bollywood or Salsa at the Google Danceplex.
Lastly, I think I should mention that I do have a life outside of the Googleplex! Even though the weekend is only two days long, I make time to explore the Bay Area with my roommates and the other interns. I visited Berkeley and Oakland to go to concerts, road tripped to the beach in Santa Cruz and also explored San Francisco’s unique districts like Japantown and Haight Ashbury. Last weekend I also marched with a few hundred other Googlers in the San Francisco Pride Parade (see picture above).
That’s all for now—stay Googley!
Nancy
Fun Google Fact: Although I’ve mentioned the cool and quirky things you can find at the Googleplex in Mountain View, each Google office has its own unique touches. I visited the San Francisco office a couple of weeks ago, and it not only has a view of the Bay Bridge but also a slide. Forget snack break: slide break, anyone?
Posted by Jessica Safir, University Programs Coordinator