Whoever said there’s no such thing as a free lunch has never visited the Googleplex, Google’s 2 million square feet global headquarters in Mountainview.
Four Googlers, Fresno State alums, gave 14 Fresno State students, staff, and faculty a guided tour through several buildings on the campus, enjoying the fun amenities the tech behemoth offers its employees and guests.
“It was eye-opening to see firsthand how a powerhouse like Google promotes a culture of collaboration and encourages its employees to work in the ways that are most productive for them,” Computer science major Christopher Garcia said.
“The key to success for students aspiring to work here is having a growth mindset, embracing ambiguity, and being cross-disciplinary,” Miguel Bueno, Fresno State Alum and Data Scientist at Google.
Julian Prater, Ryan Hang, and Mingkuan Pang, other computer science majors on the trip, shared some of Garcia’s views, saying the tour profoundly impacted their views of the tech world.
“Exploring Google’s campus was like stepping into a tech wonderland,” Hang said. “The vibrant atmosphere, collaborative spaces, and cutting-edge technology transformed the visit into a unique field trip.”
Miguel Bueno, a data scientist at Google and a Fresno State alum who graduated with double major degrees in mathematics and economics, led the tour.
Bueno described his career at Google as “incredibly rewarding” and gave tips to students looking to work at Google.
“The key to success for students aspiring to work here is having a growth mindset, embracing ambiguity, and being cross-disciplinary,” Bueno said.
Bueno’s colleagues, safety engineer Francisco Elias and software engineers Robert Wong and Jaehoon Hwang, answered questions about their careers at Google and gave the students tips for making themselves marketable in the industry.
“Exploring Google’s campus was like stepping into a tech wonderland,” Ryan Hang, Computer Science Major, and Web Developer Intern.
Jamie Xiong, a multimedia and interactive design major, described the tour as “an inspirational experience for students who value innovation and creativity.”
“Every corner is filled with transformative ideas and limitless possibilities that strongly inspired me to work harder towards my career as a designer,” Xiong said.
Fresno State’s Career Development Center sponsored and organized the trip. Professor Betsy Hays, the faculty director of career readiness and a public relations professor, led the group.
The delegation included students and staff from the Digital Transformation and Innovation (DXIHub) at Technology Services. Dr. Shih-Hsi (Alex) Liu, Chair of the Computer Science Department, also participated in the tour.
Google is one of the world’s most recognized multinational technology companies, specializing in Internet-related services and products, including search engines, online advertising technologies, cloud computing, software, and hardware.
Prater said seeing how the tech giant operates is “definitely very memorable.”
According to a New York Times report, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has more than 180,000 full-time employees worldwide.
But despite its size, Google continues to provide employees with various perks, such as free meals, exercise areas, free rides to work, and a fun, immersive working environment.
Google’s impact on the world is profound. It revolutionized how people access and interact with information, influenced global communication, business, and technology, and shaped the daily lives of billions.
“Exploring Google’s campus was like stepping into a tech wonderland,” Hang said. “The vibrant atmosphere, collaborative spaces, and cutting-edge technology transformed the visit into a unique field trip.”