How a Stranger Led Me to Google

What you will se on Linkedln...

vs.

How I actually was:

Since childhood, I had always heard stories about Google—the creativity, the gaming, and the incredible facilities. I often wondered what it would be like to see it all with my own eyes. My curiosity only grew as I pursued my bachelor's degree, where I even wrote my thesis on the rivalry between Google and ChatGPT. My goal became clear: I wanted to visit Google.

My mentor, a brilliant and kind individual, suggested I start networking on LinkedIn. That’s where I found someone who had gone to my college and now worked at Google. It wasn’t a direct path, though. He first invited me to participate in something called "Google Coffee Talks," a project in collaboration with an association named 'Hola'. Unfortunately, the project didn't pan out, but instead, he surprised me with an offer to visit Google’s facilities.

I was in shock—what I had dreamed of was actually happening. That weekend, I flew to Switzerland and toured the Google offices. The stranger who made it all possible? He’s now a good friend. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience, and this year, they even reached out to me again to participate in those Google Coffee Talks!