VCU news

By Stephanie Mack
School of Engineering

On April 17, Beata Strack, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering graduate program alumna and software engineer for Google, held the school’s first Google Recruitment Day. As part of a Google initiative for on-campus recruitment at VCU, Strack conducted a series of one-on-one meetings with select students to fine-tune their résumé writing and interview skills.

She then regaled approximately 95 students, as well as faculty and staff, in her Google Career Workshop with how to ace an interview with one of the world’s largest information technology companies. With this valuable insider knowledge, VCU School of Engineering students are now better equipped to land their dream job at Google, which is notorious for its challenging interview process.

“Developing software for Google is pure fun,” Strack said. The workshop kicked off with an explanation of how her team conducts research for the multinational company. “In only a few short months, our project has saved Google $50 million. It’s cool when you work on a project where you really see the impact.”

It’s important to show something extra, like an open source project or putting your code out there. Mention internships, and be sure to detail your responsibilities. Be proud of the work you are doing.

For VCU School of Engineering students interested in programming and Google’s workplace inventiveness, the goal is landing that first interview. Strack offered a run-through of the interview process as well as helpful tips for making the best impression on Google panels.

“It’s important to show something extra,” said Strack, “like an open source project or putting your code out there. Mention internships, and be sure to detail your responsibilities. Be proud of the work you are doing.”

Near the end of the workshop, Krzysztof Cios, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Computer Science, highlighted one engineering student who has successfully traversed the Google hiring process and is set to join Strack post-graduation in May. Allen Calderwood is the School of Engineering's first undergraduate Google recruit. Of his new employer and the opportunities before him, Calderwood said, “If you make it there, you’ve made it pretty much anywhere.”  Through recruitment campaigns such as the Google Career Workshop, attendees are one step closer to working for Google and other large companies looking for VCU talent.

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