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Google Intern Insights 2014 - Meet Maria Langat
August 21, 2014
Our interns have the opportunity to work on some of Google’s most cutting edge and innovative projects - not only in engineering, but across sales and other business functions, bringing a fresh perspective to the work done at Google. To show you just how much of an impact interns make and to highlight their unique experiences, we’re bringing you a special blog series: Google Intern Insights. Make sure to look out for the different interns being featured on the blog throughout the summer!
Tell us one fun, outlandish fact about you!
I once petted a cheetah and fed a giraffe.
What inspired you to apply for this internship, and what made Google appealing to you as a potential intern?
Google products have changed the way the world works and I wanted to be a part of that. Eleven years ago, I googled “USA University” from a 10 cent-per-minute
cyber-cafe
in Nairobi, Kenya. That led me to applying to Yale, coming to the US and completely changing my life.
What team are you working on at Google? Can you provide us with a high-level description of your summer project?
I’m working in
Google Apps
as a Product Manager Intern. My job this summer is to figure out how developers can build great apps that integrate with Google. As a former Software Engineer, it’s exciting to be on the other side of the table and have the freedom to craft a product vision.
What’s the best part about working with your manager? What about your team?
My manager Ronald has really great product insights and truly cares about how to make user experiences better. I’ve found the same to be true about the rest of my team as well. Everyone’s also really open and excited about helping the interns!
We all know Googlers and interns love the food and the other benefits. Outside of some of the well-known perks, what’s your favorite part about working at Google?
My favorite part is learning about Googlers and their amazing lives. I’ve chatted with one Engineering Director who started, developed and sold her start-up while raising an infant. Another PM and his team ran with a 20% project and came up with
Google Cardboard
in six weeks. I’m surrounded by truly remarkable people.
What’s something you’ve accomplished during your internship (thus far) that you’re most proud of? Or something you’re looking forward to working on?
I’m excited to have biked to work almost every day using Google’s free intern bike program. I haven’t done that since I was a kid. I’m also looking forward to sharing my summer presentation with my team.
What does “being Googley” mean to you?
Being Googley means being smart, humble and a big dreamer.
If you could give one piece of advice to potential student applicants, what would it be?
Talk to as many Googlers as you can find!
Best meal at Google so far?
I’ve had delicious Indian food at Baadal, Google’s sit-down restaurant, with some other PM interns and
Ken Norton
, a former PM and partner at Google Ventures. The chai (milk tea) was amazing!
Outside of being a Google intern, what are some fun things you do outside the classroom/office throughout the year?
I’m interested in social innovation, and I’ve co-invented a new type of splint for burn survivors in Nepal.
Best overheard conversation in a MK/cafe/elevator
If you don’t get here by 9am, forget about it. The Dang [toasted coconut chips] are gone!
What is something that you’ve learned thus far about working on a team and/or in a professional environment?
Meetings are more fun when you get from the fourth floor to the third in a giant tube slide!
Posted by Shawn Dye, University Programs Team
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