I'm Caitlin--a University Programs Specialist based out of our London office. As part of Google's Engineering Staffing Team, I've spent the past three years finding, recruiting and hiring engineers and interns all across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. You might think I know a thing or two about software engineering--but when I joined Google my technical experience was actually very limited. Not every Googler is a technical whizz! Shocking!
Mea culpa :). A humanities-oriented English/fine arts major at heart, I've had to work hard to improve my understanding of Google's technology and of computer science in general--and I think I've actually made some progress! In my experience, the easiest and best way to learn about engineering is to ask the guys and girls who do it for a living. Our Google engineers love talking about what they do (even with amateurs like me) so, I thought, why not take it to the next level?
Why not convince some engineers to actually sit down for an interview? Why not document the experience with a lame snapshot? Why not share the whole thing on our Student Blog, so readers can learn a bit more about what we do all day long?
Join me as I learn more about computers, find out what's great about technology at Google...and get to know a few of our engineers! They're just like you and me, only way better at science. And math. And C++...
Interested in becoming a Google Engineer? Visit www.google.com/students to apply today!Episode 1: Baran, Test EngineerCaitlin: How long have you been at Google?
Baran: Three and a half years.
C: What are you currently working on?
B: Well, as test engineer with our mobile product team, I test our mobile applications for
bugs. My team ensures that an application looks good on any given mobile device, functions correctly, is secure, etc. Part of this involves creating new build systems for engineers. I'm currently working on a set of tools that will allow Google’s mobile developers to create applications more quickly and easily. This isn’t the only thing we do, though--we also spend lots of time actually testing applications and products. For example, I previously worked on testing the
Picasa Mobile web application to find bugs.
C: How do you find bugs?
B: We have special tools and processes. For instance, when we start work on a new application, we sync up with the software engineers in charge to think about what could go wrong. First, we cover 'positive use cases' to ensure that the application actually works if used correctly. Then, we get a bit naughtier and think up ways to abuse the application to make sure we catch problems before launching.
C: So you try to imagine an attack ahead of time to ultimately help make phones more secure?
B: Yes....We start with simple things to mess with phones first. For instance, if you're supposed to be able to type into an application, we'll enter an exaggeratedly long user input and see what happens. Or, if the application links with one of our Google servers, we'll mess with the code and see if it breaks. In mobile, we mostly rely on instinct and manual testing, but we also work on infrastructures to automate our processes. In other words, we create our own testing tools. Last year, we built a distributed testing environment which allowed London engineers to test a mobile application as if they were sitting in Google's South Africa office.
C: What happens when you find a bug?
B: We show it to the software engineers who built the application and help them fix it. The software engineers (particularly the ones I work with) do a fantastic job.
C: What one gadget, application or workaround would you recommend to us non-techies?
B:
Smartphones--but I'm sure you've heard that a million times! Otherwise, I'd really recommend
Google Reader, which consolidates all the news and articles I read everyday into one place. No matter what your job is, there are some pretty well-known bloggers you'll want to be following--and Reader makes that easy.
C: What do you do when you're not being a Google Test Engineer?
B: I realize this sounds boring, but I do actually code for pleasure. I'm currently writing a musical Android application called ‘chordmaster’. I watch a lot of television--Family Guy, The IT Crowd and Peep Show are my favorites. I also play guitar and recently formed a funk band called
‘Baron Funkenhausen’ with a bunch of other Googlers. We debuted last week at Google’s Friday night ‘TGIF’ party--so, stay tuned for news of our impending international success! Other than that, I tend to live very quietly and not do much for periods, then go out and travel for weeks at a time. Living in London has made it easier for me to get around Europe and I've also been to Cuba, Dubai and Australia recently.
C: Finally, how much wood would a
woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
B: It depends on how much wood he needs to chuck--does he have a family to support? Is this his job? If so, he'll have to chuck a lot. But, he shouldn't try to the exceed the limits of his natural capabilities or burn himself out.
C: So, woodchucks should strive for good work/life balance?
B: Exactly.
C: I like it. Thanks for talking to me today, Baran!
B: Anytime!
Baran demonstrates his wood/chuck formula while Caitlin looks on
16 comments :
cool!!
_________
аудиокниги скачать бесплатно
good post and nice blog, I really like this type of interesting articles keep it up.
………………………..
Dissertation Topics
I know that feeling when you don't know something, but you like it, you work so hard till you understand it. I didn't know a thing about Sildenafil and then I did a research and I liked what I found so I continued learning about it!
Really trustworthy blog. sesli Please keep updating with great posts like this one. sesli sohbet I have booked marked your site and am about to email it
to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading.. sesli chat
Really trustworthy blog. sesli Please keep updating with great posts like this one. sesli sohbet I have booked marked your site and am about to email it
to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading.. sesli chat
Love SMS
Friendship SMS
Funny SMS
Nice useful article, it really helped me a lot,
Please keep updating your site as i am regular visitor of your site.
Cool One,,,
Thanks For Share..!!
Birthday SMS
Diwali SMS
New Year SMS
Shayari SMS
hmm...your post is good. i really like it. . .nice job keep sharing ;)
Dissertations Writing
Thank you for sharing a nice article.
seslisohbet
This is my Good luck that I found your post which is according to my search and topic, I think you are a great blogger, thanks for helping me outta my problem..
UK Dissertation
good blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that qualify a blog to be a good one.
Hotels in Milan
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. Raw food diet Toenail fungus infection Health benefits of almonds Top fertility foods Common digestive disorders Common digestive system diseases and disorders Migraine headache Hard stool treatment Prevent candida yeast infection Cure ear infection Natural laxative foods Health benefits of papaya Wart Removal Health benefits of salt Dry skin patches Smooth and glowing skin Health benefits of almonds Remedies for sinus headache
Here, we will discuss engineer students. Those students, who wants to become a good engineer, they have to work hard because to get this degree is not an easy task. For this purpose, you have to read many difficult books. Assignment writing services.
Is powerwritings legit? I've been cooperating with this company for 4 years already, it's wonderful when you can help with writing any works, so that you do not waste your time, and sometimes your nerves (with our pace of life, this makes preparation very easy). All works are performed perfectly, if they return for defects, everything is supplemented and altered for free. But this is an isolated case (personally I had it 1 time). I'm sure if you have difficulties with writing works, this is real irreplaceable help.
This website contains numerous free samples of academic writings. Everyone can use them for free to create their own assignments and get the highest grades.
Require to do my macroeconomics assignment separated to providing 100% safe & fast service, we always try to help you by our expert's knowledge. coursework service online
Post a Comment