Google Student Blog: My Summer @ Google: Summer Trainee Engineering Program

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My Summer @ Google: Summer Trainee Engineering Program

November 7, 2012

As the last of our EMEA Summer Trainee Engineering Program (STEP) interns finish up for summer 2012, we sat down with two of our London based interns to discuss their time at Google, what their plans are for the future and quizzed them for more insights into STEP for next year’s students! We’re also pleased to announce that applications are available for STEP 2013.

Tell us your name, university, major and any other relevant background info. Elena: My name is Elena, I’m currently going into my second year at Bucharest University, studying computer science. The last relevant thing I did prior to STEP was a Girls Programming Camp at college. I first started programming in high school but participated in mathematics competitions before that.

Mariana: My name is Mariana, I’m currently going into my third year at the Politehnica University in Bucharest, studying computer science. In high school I was really into mathematics and physics, but now l enjoy informatics, the logic behind it, as well as solving problems.

How did you find out about the STEP Internship?
Elena: Actually this is funny. I accidentally saw a friend like a link to STEP applications on a social network and didn’t expect to get a response so quickly after applying!

Mariana: I saw an email from a Google Student Ambassador at Politehnica and applied, as I thought this internship suited me very well.

Why did you apply?
Elena: I already had lots of plans for the summer but I thought it would be interesting to do interviews and have the experience of doing some phone interviews at Google!

Mariana: I thought it would be nice to apply for an internship at Google. The perception is that for standard internships, you need to be in your 4th year or beyond but this internship is targeted at students in the earlier years of their studies. It sounded great so I thought, why not apply?

What did you do during your time at Google?
Elena: I worked on the Mobile team and did lots of coding! I worked on re-writing some code, refactoring as well as implementing a UI!

Mariana: I worked on Geo, mainly on front end work. I also learnt to interact with loads of people in different areas as the project used lots of different technologies.

What was your favourite part?
Elena: Absolutely everything ...well, after finishing reading tutorials! The first two weeks were overwhelming and tough, but after that I found my feet.

Mariana: I loved meeting new people and finding out about their projects. I also enjoyed working on a visual project and to see people excited about some aspects of my work during my final presentation was great!

What did you get out of STEP? What skills did you gain?
Elena: I enjoyed learning from hands on experience rather than only doing coursework. It was great to learn more about Google specific technologies and new concepts like version control. I also got a taste of managing a healthy work-life-balance.

Mariana: I learnt what writing good code is all about. I also learnt how to apply the things that I learnt and discussing different methods with others was also fun.

What are the next steps for you?
Elena: I’m going back to university and would like to do a summer internship every year from now.

Mariana: I’m going back to my 3rd year and looking forward to a graphics course and catching up with friends. I’m also actually looking forward to homework and coding assignments. Hopefully next year I’ll be back at Google!

Do you have any advice for anyone considering applying to the STEP Internship?
Elena: Yes: once you find out what team you will work with, read as much as you can beforehand.

Mariana: Just APPLY. Send your CV - don’t think too much about it and you will be fine :)

Posted by Farrah Djohan, Intern Programs

Labels: My Summer at Google 2012

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