<p>I'm going to be a college freshman at a Top 15 College in a few weeks as an ECE major. I've been working at a small start up company this summer as a database admin and programmer. This past job has really strengthened my problem solving and analytical skills. I've worked on a project with a few programmers one year older than me that we created from scratch. It definitely was stressful and challenging at times, but I made it through in one piece.</p>
<p>With all of this in mind, I found an awesome internship at Google Germany through Google Jobs. I have all the qualifications for the job except for the ability to speak German. (The job asks for good English and German language skills; I have the former.) </p>
<p>Here's my question: Would I have a shot at getting this job next summer since I'm a freshman? How should I go about with the whole language thing? Do you think they could give me a decision on whether they would offer me the job right now...that way if they can, I can start learning the language right away? I'm not sure whether I want to put all my eggs in one basket and go ahead and start learning German unless I have a good chance at landing this job. (There are a lot of tech companies in Germany, too!)</p>
<p>I'm definitely interested in International Engineering...and if I do go to business school one day...International Business (& Marketing) would be my main focus.</p>
<p>Doubt you'll have a shot. Any position at Google is incredibly hard to get when you graduate from college. Right now, Google jobs might be the hottest job out there.</p>
<p>That's what I'm going to do. I'm definitely going to apply, but my question to you all is when is the best time to apply? Should I apply now (before I have a GPA and stuff) or wait till January or so?</p>
<p>Try your luck , but dont expect too much. Google expects a decent amount of curriculum based knowledge before they start showing interest , a HIGH gpa will definitely arouse their interest but they do check which classes you took just to understand your level of knowledge. Apply after you get your grades , Feb-March is internship season so you have time to gain experience.
Btw try looking at Microsoft , they have a freshman discover program which is a different kind of internship designed for freshman , you definitely have a great shot at that.</p>
<p>Here's the thing...I already have the experience necessary to get the job. I don't think any of the classes I'm going to take will make me any more qualified than I am now.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Must be studying a BS/MS in Computer Science or other Technical Discipline.
Have this...I'm a Electrical and Computer Engineering major.</p></li>
<li><p>Experience of web application development using some of the following: PHP, javascript, Perl, Python.
Have this...I have 3 years of freelance + a summer of work at a small business with PHP. I have about a year or so of experience with JavaScript. I know some CGI/Perl.</p></li>
<li><p>Expertise with web technologies, i.e. XML, HTML.
Have this...I have 3 years of freelance + a summer of work at a small business with HTML. I have about 2 years of experience working with XML (a lot of which deals with using 3rd party APIs)</p></li>
<li><p>Working knowledge of UNIX/Linux, and Apache or Windows and IIS.
Have this...I have a summer's worth of experience using Linux and Apache. I know the basic stuff. This is probably one of the weaker areas.</p></li>
<li><p>Knowledge of logical database design.
Have this...I have 3 years of freelance + a summer of work at a small business with SQL. I also took a class at a CC and have my Oracle 9i cert.</p></li>
<li><p>Ability to interact with customers and internal cross-functional teams.</p></li>
<li><p>Excellent follow through, technical documentation writing in HTML.</p></li>
<li><p>Experience in Presentation and code documentation.</p></li>
<li><p>Must have good English and German Language skills.
The rest is pretty subjective (besides the speaking German part). I think I have pretty good communication skills.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>You have plenty of time to develop at least an elementary level of German before you apply. Get Rosetta Stone German (pricey but very good for learning to speak a language quickly) and take a class either at your college or at a community center. Then, you can put that you know German on your app. If/when you get accepted, you can put more effort in so that when you go, you'll be nearly fluent. Show them that you are willing to put in a lot of effort to get this position. And good luck!</p>
<p>My experience:
Unless you hve something in particular that they want they will not interview you.</p>
<p>For example I worked on an application that interfaced between a database and google earth. Sent in my resume, with not such a great GPA etc. and I got a call for an internship to work on certain aspects of Google earth. Some of my brilliant friends didn't get a call because they didn't match any project.</p>
<p>Google already has loads of brilliant 'multi purpose' programmers - you'll get a call if they need certain skillset you posses.</p>