Below are the Google Engineer’s simple guide and advice on how to land a tech internship.
Target early-stage internships
Apply for first- and second-year programs at big tech companies. These internships have a lower hiring bar—technical interviews often involve easier coding challenges, giving early students a better chance to shine.
2. Organize your applications
Rather than mass applying and hoping for the best, track your applications carefully. Create a spreadsheet, note deadlines, status, and upcoming interviews. This helps you stay prepared and reduces stress.
3. Master patterns, not problems
For technical screens, focus on understanding the overarching patterns in coding challenges (like common LeetCode algorithms), rather than memorizing individual problems. This builds strong problem-solving skills that work in interviews.
4. Use referrals
A referral can help your application stand out. Tawfiq got his foot in the door thanks to a friend of his father who worked at Google. If you know someone in the company, ask politely for a referral—it could be the difference.
5. Build skills independently
If internships aren’t coming your way yet, take initiative. Build personal coding projects and highlight them on your résumé. This shows you can learn on your own and builds experience—even without a formal internship.
6. Be independent—but ask smartly
Once you land an internship, tackle problems on your own first. Try to solve issues by researching, experimenting, and testing. Only ask for help when you’re truly stuck—this deepens your learning and shows you’re resourceful.
7. Learn from experienced teammates
Reach out to mentors and peers. Interns who take initiative by asking questions, seeking feedback, and building relationships tend to leave a stronger impression. They often get invited to coffee chats or informal networking moments.
💡 Key Takeaways at a Glance
| Area | Action Plan |
|---|---|
| Internship Strategy | Target early-year programs; get referrals |
| Preparation | Track apps, build side projects |
| Interview Prep | Learn coding patterns, not memorized solutions |
| Internship Success | Solve independently, then ask; network actively |
By focusing on early exposure, maintaining organization, speed-learning, and relying on initiative, students can set themselves up for long-term success—even before graduation. Tawfiq’s experience shows that breaking into tech is as much about mindset and persistence as it is about coding skills.
If you’d like, I can add quotes from other Googlers or blend in advice from startup vs Big Tech paths. Just let me know!
