“All sorts of things can happen when you’re open to new ideas and playing around with things.”
Stephanie Kwolek
Inspired by this quote, is the amazing journey of a junior student, Lian Bourret who initially had a deep interest in Political Science, but later on, decided to pursue Computer Science and as destiny would have it, she got selected for one of the most prestigious internships- The Google STEP internship. She is currently in her junior year at Wellesley College.
Lian Bourret became the recipient of the Google STEP internship.
Google STEP (Student Training in Engineering Program) Internship program, is basically for second and third year undergraduate students who are passionate about Computer Science. This program offers a wide range of opportunities for students who want to sharpen their technical skills.
To know more about the program: click here!
You can read more about Google interns hips here.
Read on to know more about Lian Bouret and how she got selected for the program.
Key Takeaways from this interview:
A. About Lian
B. About Google STEP Internship application process in brief
C. Why Lian thinks she got selected
D. Word of advice for future aspirants
The Interview
1. What does the application process involve?
Apply with short-answer questions, resume, and transcript (unofficial is fine). From there, you’re selected to proceed to an interview that consists of two technical interviews (as many questions are you can get through within 45 minutes). After that, the interview feedback is sent to the hiring committee where they decide whether to extend an offer.
2. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Could be your story.
I entered college with the full intention to major in political science. I’ve always been deeply invested in current events and found politics to be a very interesting field. When I was deciding classes for my freshman fall, I had no idea how to fill my schedule and ended up picking out Introduction to CS because I thought it was a useful skill. Through that class, I realized that I loved CS and decided to pursue a major in the field! Moral of the story: always keep an open mind and try out new classes.
3. Why do you think you were selected?
I had a very positive attitude during my technical interviews and communicated my thought process throughout the interviews. Even during the interview I was told that they were happy that I was communicating the different approaches I was debating to take for the problem because applicants sometimes get quiet when they’re stuck on a problem instead of voicing their thought process and enabling their interviewer to offer hints.
4. Any advice you would like to give future applicants?
Don’t be afraid to apply because you think you’re underprepared or under qualified! Worst outcome is you don’t get the job and use it as a learning opportunity where you can improve your technical knowledge.
In her response, Lian has agreed to mentor fellow aspirants, so stay tuned and keep learning.
Scholarship Track 