#google bold internship

  Lilybelle is an incoming General Course student interning at Google in Mountain View, California. Lily's first day at Google is pictured above.  How did you find this internship opportunity?

I've always been fascinated by Google's work culture. From the amenities to the company values, I knew I had to try to get my foot in the Google door. One evening, I googled "Google internships." Since I was a freshman at the time, I could not apply to the full-time internship, so I applied to a week immersion program for rising sophomores, called BOLD Immersion. After being accepted and having a mountain-top experience for that week at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, CA, I applied to the full-time BOLD internship for this summer. And thankfully, I got in.

What do your day-to-day responsibilities involve, and what projects are you working on?

No two days at Google are the same. The project I have been tasked with for this summer was to develop and execute focus groups on Google's Engineers with the purpose of finding ways to improve our recruitment. This project has been particularly important for the company due to increased competition with our competitors, i.e. Microsoft, Facebook, etc. I have also extensively grown my professional network with in Google. I regularly meet with leaders within Google, ranging from the Chief Economist to the Chief Legal Officer. I've been very fortunate to work for a company that values every employee, including the interns.

What are the biggest challenges in your role?

The biggest challenge has been to navigate through ambiguity. Google is known for its lack of strict guidelines. For my summer project, there was no format to follow because such a project had never been done before. I literally had to start from scratch. This forced me to both gain confidence in my ability to successfully deliver and to grow. The impact this project would have on my department was completely up to how hard I advocated and communicated within my field. Once I got rid of my fear of failing, I saw the possibility within freedom and I made the most of my role.

What's the most exciting thing about working at Google?

The most exciting thing about working at Google are the boundless opportunities. I could email anyone throughout the entire company and schedule a meeting with them the next day just by expressing interest in their role and seeking advice as an intern. Of course the gourmet food, the bounty of free t-shirts, and the beautiful offices add to the Google wonderland. But at the end of the day, it's the people at Google that make it magical. 

How do you think the programme you're about to undertake at LSE will help you advance your career?

No matter who I talked to this summer, every time I mentioned I was studying at the London School of Economics in the fall, I received extra attention. LSE is the best place to be for Economics, hands down. I know I will be surrounded not only by some of the greatest minds in the field, but also one of the most diverse populations in the world. I'm so excited for how I will develop academically and personally. It will be a challenge, but I know I will be a stronger student and professional in the end.

How was the application process? Did you find anything particularly challenging? 

Since I participated in Google's BOLD Immersion, I was funneled through the BOLD Internship application process. I had two phone interviews, back to back. However, since it was over the phone, I printed every Google product description I could find in order to successfully answer the questions. The Friday of the my interview week I received my offer for this summer. My recruiter really made sure I remained in the loop through all the decisions made regarding my placement and office. Even in the recruitment process, I felt respected and valued. 

Do you have any advice for students thinking of applying to the same type of internship?

My advice for anyone considering interning at Google is to demonstrate uniqueness. Google is all about the importance of diverse opinions. If you can prove that you will give the company a unique perspective, they will want you. For me, I showed that along with my Economics major, I had a technical background. Google also loves people with personality. Every single employee at Google is well-rounded; the list of hobbies just in my cubicle ranges from salsa dancing to roller-derby to comic con. I showed that along with my love of piano, I am a street-style blogger. Be you in all your special glory and Google will take notice.