Applications are currently open for the Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2015. This scholarship supports talented computer scientists with a disability across Europe by offering 7,000 Euros towards their studies for 2015-16. As part of this commitment, Google has teamed up with EmployAbility, an organization dedicated to assisting disabled and dyslexic students in the transition from education to employment.


We recently caught up with Michael, a student from Russia and 2014 recipient of the Google Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, to hear first-hand about his experience as a Google Scholar:


So Michael, tell us a little about yourself…

I am studying for an undergraduate degree in Information Engineering and Management at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. For me,Computer Science and its subdomain of Software Engineering are fields which offer an intellectual challenge and satisfaction through innovation and problem-solving. I enjoy analysing problems and then designing and implementing applications that solve these problems in the most efficient and elegant way.

Broadly speaking, I am interested in creating and developing new technologies that will improve human life in some tangible form.

What do you think of the application process?

The application process was very clear: you have to write several essays, upload your resume and find two referees who will write letters of recommendation for you. If you are an international student, then you will also need to translate your official documents into English before submitting them with your application.

If at any stage during the preparation of your application you have any queries or problems, don't hesitate to contact the EmployAbility team, they can very quickly help you with any question and they can also give you valuable advice. They helped me several times with my application at the beginning.

In what way(s) has the Scholarship had an impact on your studies?

The scholarship, as recognition from Google and my university, was very important to me. It increased my confidence and encouraged me to continue what I am doing and to work even harder to achieve my goals.

During the course of my studies I wanted to attend some tech conferences. Now, after receiving this scholarship, not only will it be possible for me to attend these conferences, but I can also attend several others.

What tips would you give to someone when it comes to applying?

Start your application process with writing the answers to the essay questions. In writing your essays try to show who you really are, talk about your interests, contributions to open-source projects and commitment to computer science and technology. But don't forget that the Google Scholarship will assess you as a whole person, therefore your leadership skills and achievements are also crucial for this application.

If you are not sure you understand particular questions or any other aspects of the application process, discuss your issues with EmployAbility - they can really help.

Other important pieces of the application package are your recommendation letters. Try to submit your application early and leave enough time for your references to write them for you. It is in your own best interest.

Besides the financial benefit, what else did you gain from the scholarship?

I am extremely grateful to Google for selecting me as a scholarship recipient. It really means a lot to me. This has given me more confidence and understanding of what I can achieve, and has motivated me to continue to work on my projects, make contributions to assistive technology and promote the value and importance of Computer Science among students with disabilities and also encourage them to consider careers in technology.

Did the scholarship influence your thoughts about a career at Google or within the Tech sector?

It certainly did. It made me feel more confident in my abilities and once again confirmed my plan to have a career in the tech industry. I hope to continue to develop my technical breadth and depth while taking on more responsibilities and leadership. By the time I graduate from my university, I’d like to either start a tech company or join a company such as Google, a company that has a disability inclusive and diverse environment made up of smart people who work on innovative products that change the world around us.

What advice would you give to someone who isn’t sure about applying for the scholarship?

If you are not sure whether you should apply or not try to write the answers to essay questions and prepare all the necessary documents. After that you can ask the EmployAbility team to look at your application and judge whether there is enough relevant content and what can be done to improve your application. Even if you are unsuccessful in your scholarship application, you can reapply next year. You have nothing to lose, but you could potentially gain a lot.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2015 Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. Applications close on Thursday, January 1st, 2015, 17:00 GMT.

For questions about the scholarship or your application, please reach out to EmployAbility at [email protected].

Posted by Efrat Aghassy, EMEA Scholarships Program Manager

Applications are currently open for the Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2014. This scholarship supports talented computer scientists with a disability across Europe by offering 7,000 Euros towards their studies for 2014-15. As part of this commitment, Google has teamed up with EmployAbility, an organization dedicated to assisting disabled and dyslexic students in the transition from education to employment.


We recently caught up with Valentin, a student from Romania and 2013 recipient of the Google Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, to hear first-hand about his experience as a Google Scholar:


So Valentin, tell us a little about yourself…

I’m from Romania and I’m currently in my 2nd year of a computer graphics masters at the University Politehnica of Bucharest. I’ve loved computers and video games since I first came into contact with them. I’m currently working on my dissertation project to combine the power of Kinect and Oculus Rift to create a fully immersive experience. A fun fact about myself, I worked at Gameloft and you can find my name in the credits of the game 'My Little Pony' (yes, this is a game created by fully grown men!).

What did you think of the application process?

It was straight forward and simple. I asked my parents to help me translate official documents from my native language into English while I focussed on my resume and essays. EmployAbility were also on hand to advise and support me throughout the process.

In what way(s) has the Scholarship had an impact on your studies?

It allowed me to focus on my studies instead of dividing my time between university and a job. I also used the scholarship money to buy new equipment for my dissertation project. Generally, I feel more confident in my coding abilities and my decision to pursue this career path.

What top tips would you give to someone completing the application form?

Spend time on your essay to show who you are and your true potential. If you are re-applying, take the time to write a new essay because another year has passed and this is a new you, with new and improved skills and experiences. Also, if you have any difficulty or questions, ask the people from EmployAbility.

Aside from the financial benefit, what else did you gain from the scholarship?

After reflecting on my scholarship experience, I realized my disability doesn't make me any less capable, it just makes me different and difference is a good thing. People who think differently find the most innovative and creative solutions. Difference is what drives us forward. I met a wonderful, diverse group of people at last year’s Scholarships Retreat where, for a few amazing days, difference was the norm. It really boosted my confidence.

Did the scholarship influence your thoughts about a career at Google or within the Tech sector?

The experience truly transformed the way I see my life after graduating. Going to a Google development center and talking to the engineers who work there about their day-to day-lives and experiences was priceless. We also had the opportunity to network with Google recruiters, find out more about the hiring process and available positions, not to mention gaining some top interview tips. EmployAbility also offered lots of information about the support available for disabled candidates searching for a job.

To top it all off, a little after receiving the scholarship I was invited to interview for a position at Google!

What advice would you give someone who isn’t sure they should apply?

Think about it this way: Google is investing a lot to search for talented and passionate people like you. But they can't do it all. It's your job to say “here I am” and your duty to yourself to make sure you take every opportunity that comes your way, no matter how unlikely it might seem at first.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2014 Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. Apply today! Applications close on February 17th, 2014.

For questions about the scholarship or your application, please reach out to EmployAbility at [email protected].

Posted by Efrat Aghassy, EMEA Scholarships Project Manager

For a third year running, Google is excited to announce that applications for the 2014 STEP internship program in Europe are now open.

Designed to bridge the gap between academic study and a professional internship, STEP is open to students studying computer science or related subjects at a university in Europe.

Google is invested in increasing the number of computer scientists and software developers who are underrepresented in the field. We believe that in addition to hiring the best talent, a diversity of perspectives, ideas and cultures leads to the creation of better products and services.


The summer trainee program includes:

• Software Project: A 12-week development project that you will work on with a team of Googlers and other STEP Interns.
• Skills-Based Training: Enhance your coding skills; get exposed to new tools and programming languages.
• Professional Development: Attend weekly technical talks by senior Googlers. Additionally, learn how to enhance your resume, tackle technical interviews, and improve your presentation skills.
• Mentorship: Be matched with a Google engineer, other than your manager, to guide you through your summer experience.
• Fun: Social activities, community building and networking. Build a relationship with your peers.
• Exposure: A unique glimpse into applying your computer science studies in a professional environment.

Program qualifications

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a BA or BSc, majoring or intending to major in: computer science, computer engineering, informatics, or a closely related technical field at a university in Europe.
• Have completed their first year of undergraduate studies by Summer 2014.
• Have programming experience in either Java, Python, C, or C++.
• International students who are currently enrolled at a university within Europe are eligible to apply. If hired, students will need to provide Google with proof of authorization to work in the relevant country.
• Applicants must be available in 2014 between June 30th - September 19th.

To apply

• Submit your CV and transcripts on our Google Students job site.
• Provide evidence of a website or application you have created.
• Deadline for applications is January 31, 2014.

Read more about STEP on the Google Students Blog. We look forward to receiving your application!

Posted by Kerry Lale, Tech Intern Programs Specialist & Recruiter

Our 'Diary of a Business Associate Intern' series is designed to give you an inside look into the life of Google interns based all over Europe. Today, the spotlight is on Ben Butler from Ireland, who is a Business Associate Intern with the Marketing team in Google London.

I’ve tried writing this blog a number of times, and I found it surprisingly difficult. Google isn’t hard to write about: the beautiful offices, brilliant people, and bountiful free food pretty much sell themselves. What is hard, however, is writing about them without honest descriptions sounding hyperbolic. But I’ll give it a go.

My name is Ben Butler and I’m an intern at Google.

This is from a few years back, but it pretty accurately conveys my excitement when I heard that I would be interning at Google this summer.

I’m from Dublin and I’ve lived there all my life. Ireland is a great place to grow up. As a kid, I did a lot of acting - and some sport. While sport didn’t go too well (the highlight was Under 5’s Tennis Player of the Year), I really got into acting. When I got to college, I swapped the stage for the podium: representing Trinity at the European and World Debating Championships.

I’m two years into, and halfway through, my Law and Business degree. Trinity is a brilliant university, with ample opportunity for people to explore their interests both in and out of the lecture theatres. I’m currently Librarian of the college’s Law Society. Although a bit of an antiquated term, the ‘Librarian’ is the person who keeps the society’s members up to date with everything that’s going on with the society.

As a lot of my interests centre around communicating a message, marketing seemed like a perfect fit. I’m interning with the SMB (Small and Medium Business) Marketing team in London. I focus on Co-Marketing: marketing in partnership with banks, web hosting companies and ecommerce sites.

The best thing about being an intern at Google is that you’re treated like a full-time employee, and given the opportunity to own your own projects. At the moment, I’m working on creating video case studies of a few small businesses’ experiences with AdWords. There are some brilliant businesses out there, and I’m looking forward to showcasing that.

No day here is ever the same, but there are some regularities. When I come in in the morning, I’ll grab some breakfast with my team or some other interns. Then, after a quick double espresso, the day starts. I begin by blasting off a few emails and checking my calendar. Some work, and a couple of meetings later and it’s lunch.

Lunch with Pavel, Alex, Emily, and Chris (behind the camera).

How many interns does it take to make a coffee?

The interns here are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. They’re from all over the world: Australia, Brazil, Finland, Switzerland and beyond. It’s incredible that we’re all from such diverse backgrounds, and have so many different experiences; yet we get on so well and have so much in common.

Every day has been great, and I have so many highlights - even though I’m only halfway through! The photos are just a taster. Funnily enough, the experience of taking all the photos was actually really enjoyable. It was only when I went looking for photos that I realised we hadn’t taken that many. These are all from the one day (I do change my clothes).
Despite many years of training (Under 5s Tennis Champ, remember?), and outfitting myself with a pink headband (for aerodynamic purposes); I failed to make it past the first round of ‘Googledon’ (Google’s Swingball Championship).

For anyone thinking about applying, go for it! If you’re reading this, you’re obviously interested. Well, you probably are. Unless you’re my mom (hi Mom). I never thought I’d make it here, but I’m so happy that I filled out that application form!
I better get back to work, it’s nearly TGIF time.

Best of luck,
Ben
Interested in becoming a Google intern? Fill out this form for further info on the 2014 Google Summer internship programme in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Please note: This is a speculative application. You will be contacted once the application process for next year’s programme goes live.

EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.

For resume and interview tips before you apply, check out this Hangout on Air. Additionally, please find up to date information on all job and internship postings in EMEA on our job site, and learn more about how the hiring process works.

Posted by Tony Nelli, Tech University Programs

As part of our ‘A Day in the Life of a New Grad @ Google Dublin’ series we’re highlighting the work of 8 Googlers in our Google Dublin Office who joined straight after graduating!

Today we’re featuring one of our Norwegian Googlers, Håvard Nyberg, who joined Google in 2011, to give you an inside look into the Associate Account Strategist, SMB Sales role. If you’re interested in applying for an SMB Sales position, or any of our new grad roles in Google Dublin, check out our open opportunities at the bottom of this post.

Tell us about your path to Google?
I studied international marketing at university, and have always been interested in the role of the internet in growing businesses worldwide. Working for one of the worlds best known and most transformative companies seemed like a pretty good option.

Håvard at the Cliffs of Moher

What is your role at Google?
I work in SMB Sales where I help small and medium sized Norwegian advertisers develop and follow through on their online advertising strategy. The ability to work with small and medium companies to help them grow their business was something that really attracted me to Google in the first place.

How does your role fit in with the larger team?
The team I work in is called SMB Sales Nordics. As the name suggests, it is a cross-nordic team, made up of people from all the nordic countries. There are about 20 people on the team all handling different markets and responsibilities, but we work together and report as a truly Nordic team.

Tell us about a typical day in your life at Google
Wake up at 6:30am
I like to get up early in the morning. While walking to work, I listen to audio-books, especially historical biographies. Churchill, Napoleon, you name it, I like to walk to work with these guys.

8:00 - 8:30 Breakfast
Everything you have heard about food at Google is true and more! It all begins at 8am when a delicious breakfast is served. I like to have eggs in the morning, usually coupled with some bread and a glass of cold milk (nordic style!).

8:30 - 9:30 Emails
I take the elevator up to my desk (fastest elevator in Ireland, true story) to do some typing. The first thing I do every morning is clear my inbox.

9:30 - 11:00 Advertiser time
After sorting my emails I usually spend time reaching out to my clients. It can be everything from developing an email, to making phone calls and even having a live Hangout with advertisers where we go through the different opportunities open to them.

11:00 - 11:30 Team Huddle
We usually have a huddle around 11, where we spend some time updating each other on what we are working on.

11:30 - 12:30 Lunch
Lunch at 11:30...I know! We Nordic people like to eat early, so we usually go for lunch around this time. Usually I have lunch with Googlers from my team, but I also try to meet up with people on other teams.

12:30 - 15:00
After lunch I spend my time checking emails again and following up on whatever needs it. When that’s done, I tend to spend my time building advertising campaigns or attending meetings.

15:00 - 15:15 Break
I make sure to take a proper break around this time to go to the micro-kitchen to have a snack and a coffee with some coworkers.

15:15 - 18:00ish Meeting time
The rest of the day is usually a mix of meetings, and following up on projects that I have taken on.

What is the most interesting project/client that you have had to work with?
When we set up my current role for Norway. I was the first person to work on wide scale sales towards Google’s SMB clients in Norwegian media-agencies, and it has been a great ride to see what works and what doesn't work.

What's your favourite Google memory or ‘Magic Moment’?
My favourite Google memory was when I got to be an art-teacher for a day at an inner city children's school. Google is a very socially responsible company, and we set aside time every year to give back to the community. To teach art to 9 year olds was an experience I will never forget!

One fun fact about yourself?
Me and my brother once had this crazy idea of starting a country-and-western themed bar/restaurant in our home town back in Norway. We had an awesome time doing it!

What career advice would you give to a new grad embarking into the world of work?
Try to find a company that matches your values and what you find important. I don't think it’s possible to do great work unless you really believe in your employers core mission and values.

Interested in working for Google Dublin? Check out our new grad positions today and apply!
EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.

Posted by Håvard Nyberg, SMB Sales

Today we’re launching ‘A Day in the Life of a New Grad @ Google Dublin’, a new blog series highlighting the work of 8 Googlers in our Google Dublin Office who joined straight after graduating!

The Googlers you’ll read about work in the tallest office block in Ireland, located on Barrow Street, the "Silicon Valley" of Europe. As Google’s Headquarters for sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Googlers in the Dublin Office work with a broad range of businesses and markets – small businesses, multinationals, AdWords, AdSense, Display, Mobile advertising and more. Google Dublin is our third largest office in the world, made up of thousands of Googlers from over 65 countries, speaking over 46 different languages on a daily basis. The work that our Googlers do in this office are as diverse as the number of nationalities represented there!

We will feature a different Googler in the office and talk to them about what their day to day life at Google encompasses, their background and what they love about working for Google. For our first post, we hear from Christopher, a Global Customer Services Associate.

Visit Google for a day with Christopher
Meet Christopher - who has packed his suitcase and moved to Dublin from his home in Denmark to work in Google's European headquarters. With a background from CBS (Copenhagen Business School) and an entrepreneur's interest in innovation and online. Is Google the right place to nurture such passions - even when it's your first full time job after university? Christopher describes his daily work and what it’s like to work with over 3000 other young people from around the world in an industry that is constantly changing.

Christopher working at Google Dublin Office

So Christopher, tell us a bit about your background?
My background is from CBS (Copenhagen Business School), where I took a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics and a master’s degree in Management of Innovation and Business Development, with a semester spent at Renmin University of China in Beijing. My fascination for online and e-commerce derived mainly from my entrepreneurial project Steel - a niche online store that sells everything from viking to samurai swords. My current job at Google is my first full-time job.

What does an average day at Google involve for you?
I work directly with Google AdWords everyday. I am a single piece of a carefully composed puzzle where I support small and medium sized businesses and their online advertising with AdWords. It can include everything from solving technical problems to advising our advertisers on their online marketing strategy and how they can launch the perfect AdWords campaign.

An average day consists mostly of troubleshooting and consultation via email and / or phone in my support role. In addition, I have specific specialist roles in my Nordic team, making the daily work even more fun and interesting. I am a Nordic Analytics Specialist, which is my favourite role. Google Analytics is a free program that analyses the behavior of users on a website. I firmly believe that the analysis of this data can make a business’s website much better and can be used to improve advertising campaigns to reach new heights. In this regard, I support the Nordic team solving difficult Analytics challenges and I organize Analytics trainings.

Furthermore, I am the Nordic contact for one of our charitable programs, Google Grants which is where charities can apply to get free advertising with Google. It was in this role that I got my first major assignment to schedule Denmark's first ever Google Grants event. My manager gave me complete autonomy to plan, coordinate and organize the event. There was no micro-management and in November 2011, representatives of 18 charities appeared for an exciting day of “Google AdWords” at Google's new Copenhagen office.

I am also the editor of the Danish AdWords Blog where my next little project will be to write an Analytics blog post to help users to get more out of their Analytics accounts. Finally, I have helped to build a Danish learning portal that will aid new and inexperienced AdWords advertisers and this will launch soon.

These different roles keep my daily work fresh and give me a feeling of making a difference.

Can you tell us about your team mates?
I work among a team of incredibly talented people. Google's absolute force (besides the amazing food and future swimming pool) - are the people they hire. Most of whom are in the same situation as myself: they have moved from friends and family to pursue a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship merged with the online world.

My colleagues are also my new friends. Since moving to Dublin, I have met some of the most interesting and talented personalities I've ever encountered. It sounds like a cliche, but I can honestly say that I look forward to going to work every day and being motivated and challenged by people with very strong qualities. Each one of my teammates are all similar in terms of mindset, ambition and motivation despite having come from very diverse backgrounds. Amongst my closest colleagues is a Finnish fashion blogger from Aalto School of Economics in Helsinki and a Swede with a qualification in evolutionary anthropology from the University of Oxford outside of London. Everybody is unique or "Googley" as we say, whether they come from Ireland, Israel or Italy. This sheer diversity has helped make Google Dublin a truly unique place to work (in addition to the on-site masseuse, PlayStation rooms and the minigolf course that is ten feet away from my desk!).

What does your future hold?
What the future holds is hard to say, but it looks very interesting. I think that “being online” is a concept that is gradually disappearing as we are constantly “connected”. Whether it's on the laptop at work, on your smartphone on the go or on the tablet at home. Whether you’re looking for information about the program you’re watching on one of YouTube's millions of channels, needing to find your way in your self-driving car or keeping in touch with your global network via video chat, you are constantly "plugged in". Google dares to think bigger than most companies, and does everything possible to motivate employees to do the same - even as a new grad! I feel very privileged to be part of this.

Interested in working for Google Dublin? Check out our new grad positions today and apply!
EEA work authorization is required for roles supporting EEA markets.

Posted by Christopher Brixen, Global Customer Services Associate

Below you'll find the recording from our recent Hangout On Air where a panel of Googlers discussed the two 2013 Google Scholarships for Europe, Middle East and Africa: the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship and the Google Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

The panel consisted of a former scholarship recipient finalist (now full-time employee at Google) and senior judges who sit on the application review committee. They discussed what we look for when reviewing scholarship applications, what the application process looks like, and general tips for those interested in applying.

Both scholarships are now open and the deadline to apply is February 1, 2013. You can find the application for the Anita Borg Scholarship at http://www.google.com/anitaborg/emea. You can find the application for the Scholarship for Students with Disabilities at http://google.com/studentswithdisabilities-europe.



Posted by Efrat Aghassy, University Programs Specialist, Europe, Middle East and Africa

It’s that time of year when most of our summer interns have returned back to campus, and we begin our search for the next class of technical interns who are ready to make an impact in 2013. It’s also a nice time to reflect on all the fun intern activities that have taken place such as hiking trips in the Swiss Alps, riding segways through Munich in the rain and visiting salt mines in Krakow.  

In addition to all the fun, interns in EMEA contribute to large scale projects, help launch products and features, attend seminars, take part in competitions, meet lots of smart people from all over the world and sometimes, get to witness a little bit of  history through the first intern exchange visit with CERN!

Interns in EMEA have the opportunity to work in 12 different countries and take part in different programs to suit their skills and background. This year we introduced STEP (Summer Trainee Engineering Program) internships for engineering students who have completed the first year of their university studies. The program is based in London, Munich, Krakow and Zurich. Applications for the 2013 STEP internships (formerly Engineering Trainee Summer Program) are now open, check out the application page on Google Students site for more information. 

In addition to STEP, there is a specific program for students who study computer science at an African University. The Africa Trainee Program is based in Zurich and is an opportunity to spend the summer working with engineers and program managers on the Emerging Markets team. Franklin Ochieng, an intern from this year’s class, shared his experience as an intern in the Diary of a Summer Intern series and had this to say: 

Here at Google, I have learnt best practices, I have learnt to optimize, I have learnt to secure, I have learnt to design, I have learnt foresight, I have learnt teamwork, I have learnt to pay attention to detail. I've seen my code improve tremendously throughout the summer thanks to this review process. Basically, I have learnt to code like the professionals, like a real programmer.

Applications for this program are also open now, check out our application page for more information. You must be a student and you must be studying at a university based in Africa. 

If you are interested in becoming part of any of our intern programs in EMEA, apply here for our 2013 internships.  You’ll have the chance to work on impactful projects and have a world class internship experience!

Posted by Emma Edwards, College Recruiter - Europe, Middle East and Africa

Following our 2013 Google Scholarships in EMEA announcement, we’re hosting a Hangout on Air on Monday, November 5 at 16:30 GMT (find your local time here) from the Google Students page on Google+ to help prepare interested applicants. This Hangout on Air will feature a panel of former scholar recipients who are now Google engineers as well as two judges who sit on the application review committee. We’ll be giving general tips on what we look for when reviewing applications, answering questions about the application process and sharing experiences about the retreat.


You can submit your questions and vote for previous ones here or by using the hashtag #emeascholars on Google+ or Twitter. No worries if you can’t watch the Hangout live - we will upload the recording to the Google Students YouTube Channel.

To learn more about the EMEA 2013 scholarships programs please visit:

• http://www.google.com/anitaborg/emea/
• http://www.google.com/studentswithdisabilities-europe/index.html
  

Posted by Efrat Aghassy, University Programs Specialist, Europe, Middle East and Africa