A Conversation with Maddie: From Software Engineer to Google Ads

TLDRIn this video, we have a conversation with Maddie, a software engineer at Google, as she shares her journey from working in Google Search to Google Ads. She discusses the differences between the two teams, the challenges she faced, and the impact she makes in the field of retail ads. Maddie also provides insights into her interview prep and offers advice for aspiring software engineers.

Key insights

👩‍💻Maddie shares her experience transitioning from Google Search to Google Ads and the differences in the work culture between the teams.

🔥She highlights the passion and dedication of the people in healthcare and medicine, and how it resonates with her experience in the field.

⚙️Maddie explains the importance of practical experience through internships and the role they played in her career growth.

💼She emphasizes the value of networking and attending career fairs to secure internships and job opportunities.

💡Maddie offers insights into interview preparation, including practicing coding challenges and mock interviews.

Q&A

How long has Maddie been working at Google?

—Maddie has been working at Google for over three and a half years.

What teams has Maddie worked on at Google?

—Maddie has worked in Google Search, Google Ads, and specifically in retail ads.

What type of internships did Maddie have before joining Google?

—Maddie had internships at a startup, a middle-sized company, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM.

What skills and experiences helped Maddie secure a job at Google?

—Maddie's practical experience, research, and preparation for technical challenges played a key role in securing her job at Google.

Will AI and generative coding replace software engineering jobs?

—Maddie believes that software engineering jobs will remain as long as humans need to specify requirements and handle complex processes within companies.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to the conversation with Maddie, a software engineer at Google.

03:24Maddie discusses her transition from Google Search to Google Ads and the cultural differences between the teams.

06:59Insights into Maddie's educational background, internships, and the practical skills she gained.

09:57The importance of networking and attending career fairs for securing internships and job opportunities.

14:59Maddie shares her interview preparation tips and the significance of practicing coding challenges and mock interviews.

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