Google focused its recruiting efforts at the University of Washington Bothell this fall through three educational workshops. They aimed to make students more aware of what they could do at the company and, more broadly, in the technology industry.
“We’re here to help students understand how they can present the best of themselves to any tech company — not just Google — but obviously we’d like them to apply to us,” said David Pitman, the lead for the three workshops.
Rising tide lifts all ships
Pitman is an engineering manager for the Google Cloud Platform in the Seattle office. Not primarily a recruiter, he personally wants to help students understand broad possibilities in the tech industry, with the idea that it would be mutually beneficial.
Already in Kirkland and Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, Google recently opened the first phase of a new office in Seattle’s South Lake Union tech hub.
“We’re hoping to add some more great, smart people to the area,” said Pitman. “We think they can come from a variety of different areas and backgrounds.”
Work, work, work
The first workshop in the Activities & Recreation Center on Oct. 1 advised first- and second-year computer science students how to prepare for internships and careers. The second on Oct. 8 guided students in how to format and structure their resumes to maximize chances for an interview. And the third workshop on Oct. 14 gave students a chance to practice interviewing, with mock questions and tips.
The workshop responses exceeded expectations, Pitman said.
Temesgen Habte, a Computer Science & Software Engineering major, arrived more than a half-hour early for the Oct. 8 workshop, ready to polish his resume. He’s planning to graduate in 2021, after recently switching from an Electrical Engineering major. He’d like to work at Google but also is interested in preparing for career fairs and internship applications.
“I want to know where I can improve and where I can do better,” he said. “I want to present myself really well.”
Face to face connections
The Google workshops were presented through the UW Bothell Career Services Office. It also presented the All Industries Career Fair on Oct. 16 and the Tech & Engineering Fair on Oct. 17. Hundreds of students attended the fairs for the opportunity to connect with dozens of companies looking for interns and employees.
The workshops at UW Bothell, which has one of the most diverse student bodies in the state, represent Google’s commitment to support a diverse workforce, noted Kim Wilson, the Career Services director.
“Having Google here, being able to ask questions one-to-one with them, enables students to see themselves there,” Wilson said. “I think there’s real power in that.”
