5 things I did to become a trainee at Google

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I am an environmental student at Yale-NUS (an art college), can you feel quite strange when I join a trainee at Google (and other technology companies)? Environmental research? Free art? What is the relationship between technology and business?

Surely my answer will make you feel extremely surprised! Anyone can work for Google or other tech giants if they really try. Let me - the article author explained and share some tips on what you can do to get an internship position at Google. Invite everyone to read!

1. Have done 9 different internships

1. Before entering university: The Thought Collective (a social enterprise);
2. First year summer college: Philanthropy in Motion (a non-profit organization);
3. Second year semester: Part-time trainee at Flare Communications (a company specializing in personnel and executive training);
4. In December, second year break: JFDI.Asia/QLC.io and Clickstream Ventures (now Cocoon Capital);
5. Second semester 2: Part-time trainee at Green Pea Cookie (a food startup);
6. Third year of college: 6-month internship at Founder Institute (a company specializing in nurseries) and 5-month internship at Tilt.

I know you're thinking: ' How can I do all that? . It's true that this sounds crazy, but as you can see, I have done many different trainee jobs since I was still in college.

Tips : Practice as much as you can to gain more experience. You can even do part-time, just go to school. Startups tend to be more flexible and willing to accept you as interns even without much experience.

Most internship programs are easy to find online, so work hard at the events, talk to startup founders and let them know you are interested in practicing in their company. In addition, you can subscribe to internships such as Meetup, TopDev, Tech In Asia, StartupJobs.Asia and Glints.

2. Co-founded a business and helped raise capital to $ 70,000

In my first year at university, I and two other students, co-founded a social networking business - called SDI Academy . The goal is to protect the rights of migrant workers through teaching English as well as helping them integrate better.

As a representative for SDI Academy, I participated in two programs: Business Challenge and SIF Young Social Entrepreneurs Program. These two events have taught me a lot about how to grow my business and allow me to meet many talented people in startup as well as founders and managers.

Tip : Although this is a great learning opportunity, but you don't have to do it like me, start up a startup. Because this can be extremely difficult, I advise you not to start working just to get a profit. However, you can start with small projects that you really are passionate about or take part in business competitions, trying to build a common connection network.

3. Join 10 software development contests and win 4 times

I'm not really good at code! How to win the hackathons (software development contest)? The secret lies in finding a team that has the same ideal. Often a team will consist of two programmers, a designer and a very good person in the presentation. A good idea is when it solves a problem, unique, not too complicated and can be profitable.

If you don't know how to code, try to be a really good speaker. With the ability to write a compelling script and design eye-catching presentation slides, you can still bring value to the team. Sometimes the presentation is just as important as the product itself, so make sure you can do it well. I was the speaker in most hackathon contests that I participated in and I always made sure that I always did my best.

Tip : Please join the hackathons regardless of your level because you will definitely learn something. Also, maybe lucky to smile and you can win.

4. Spend a year working in Silicon Valley

I decided to spend a year working in Silicon Valley through the NUS Overseas College program. I attended business classes at Stanford University, where I learned a lot from venture capitalists and famous entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk!

Tips : Spend time studying or practicing abroad. It will allow you to experience living in a completely new environment. Many multinational companies look for people with this experience because they can easily adapt to different cultures.

5. Go to more than 300 events

I'm a big event fanatic, going to many tech events and startups has helped me a lot:

1. Improve soft skills such as approaching and chatting with people easily;
2. Learn more about the latest technology trends;
3. Contact with Startup;
4. Make friends with many talented people in technology;
5. Look for opportunities to become trainees at Startup companies.

Tips : Take the time to join the event! It can help you learn new things, expand relationships and seize opportunities. You can search for events easily on Facebook, Eventbrite and Meetup.

Sacrifice what?

I cannot just list good results but forget to mention changes. In order to be able to do many internships, start a business, participate in many competitions and attend hundreds of events, I have to sacrifice other things:

1. Learning and scores: I have less time to study than my friends.
2. Extracurricular activities: As a member of some clubs in the first year, I had to reduce the time to attend extracurricular activities.
3. Social life: I can't spend a lot of time hanging out with friends because I often have a lot of work to do.

Tip : Maybe you will face many things, so consider carefully whether getting an internship or working in a leading technology company is what you really want? If you just like a safe and stable job, a high score is one of the important criteria.

Certainly, if you follow what I have done, you can get a job internship or work at a big technology company. You will reap the benefits and successes, but remember you may need to sacrifice some other things.

Author: Valerie Pang

Refer to some more articles:

1. Why are successful people ready to receive criticism from others?
2. 10 harsh facts about success in IT
3. 27 things I wish I knew before programming

Having fun!