In the latest edition of "My Path to Google," we talk to alumni, interns, apprentices, and even talk about how to prepare for an interview, as well as talk about how they got to the place.
Nichole Lasater, a software engineer at YouTube, has a background in both art and engineering and is the subject of today's post.
How did you get interested in computer science?
After taking a computer science course in college, I fell in love with software engineering and decided to study it. After graduating with a degree in computer science and game design, I started building video games with a group of my former classmates.
What do you do when you're not at work?
Trust and Safety is one of the teams I've worked on. I work for YouTube on TV, where I help bring the video sharing site to living room devices, game consoles and all sorts of entertainment systems. I like working on a product that so many people use every day. I like how this role allows me to bring my passion for art to my work, because I have a background in it.
How do you bring art into your work?
I care about the user experience. Material Design, a set of design tools and best practices from Google, are some of the things I've helped the teams with. I came up with a brand identity for the internal tool that looked and felt like a modern app. The projects helped me flex my technical and design skills and gave my teammates a better experience.
Did you know anything when you began the recruiting process?
I didn't write a single code until I was in college, but I have a different background than my teammates. I was worried that I wouldn't be taken seriously as a software engineer, because I wasn't as knowledgeable as my peers. The opposite is true. My background in both engineering and art made me stand out in the interview process. My team values my perspective. I build products and write code, but I also help them look good.
Did you learn anything from your job search?
Even if it wasn't something I was interested in, I applied to all the opportunities I saw. The practice of applying was worth the effort. I sent out many more resume than I got an interview. I was less afraid of rejection because of it.
Can you give me any tips to share with people who are interested in becoming a search engine professional?
At first, I was terrified. I didn't have a coding background, so I was afraid that I wouldn't fit in. I have learned that if you like what you see, just go for it. People who enjoy the work can be successful. You will find a place to call home.
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