Google Data

Hey everyone!

It looks like my 11 weeks here at the Googleplex are up! Besides making sure I eat at all of the cafes and use my massage credit before I leave, I’ve been focused on wrapping up my projects and reflecting on the work I did on the Benefits projects and communications team this summer.

Nancy (left) and Daraiha Greene (right)-- both interns on the Benefits team-- with their managers on the 2011 intern boat cruise in San Francisco
Working on this team the past three months, I saw the two things I most admire about Google—its innovation and its drive to make a positive impact in people’s lives—in an entirely new context: employee benefits. In particular, I took on various projects surrounding Google’s global health and wellness initiative for employees. These projects included:

• Setting up health libraries in the Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Toronto offices. These health libraries will serve as areas where Googlers can check out resources to help them and their families lead healthy lives. After setting up these three libraries, many other Google offices in the U.S. have started creating their own.
  
  
• Collecting health testimonials from Googlers in the London, Paris and Beijing offices surrounding company health programs such as Weight Watchers and an initiative on tobacco cessation. Through this project, I saw how Google inspires its employees across the globe to get healthy and stay healthy in all aspects of their lives.
  
  
• Researching how to engage more Google employees in health and wellness through technology. I created a fitness buddies program in which Googlers can connect to one another based on exercise goals and interests and also looked into how social networks like Google+ can be used to motivate employees to adopt healthy lifestyles and offer support.
  

I came out of this challenging yet rewarding experience having learned about everything from corporate health and wellness, to branding and messaging, to project management. I also broadened my skill set, working with tools and programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Google Analytics (in addition to picking up a little html by working on Google Sites). Even in a non-technical role, I quickly became part of Google’s fast-paced and innovative work environment and this work mindset is something I will definitely maintain in my future endeavors.

Lastly, I’ve met some of the most interesting and amazing people—on my team, in BOLD and across different departments. I don’t just work with Googlers, either. I spent a day driving bumper cars and riding roller coasters with my team in Santa Cruz, and I also took a day trip to Sonoma with a group of BOLD interns. The innovation never stops and the fun never ends working here. Free food and massages aside, this summer has been one-of-a-kind learning, social and professional experience that I’m truly going to miss.

Nancy with other members of the Benefits team enjoying an afternoon in Santa Cruz

It’s been real, see you around!

Nancy

Posted by Jessica Safir, University Programs Coordinator