Google Internship: Types, Positions, Pays & How to Apply

Out of all the other movies and documentaries about Google, one movie stood out.

This movie is the Internship, where the two protagonists saw the inner workings of the tech giant by competing for spots in their internship program.

The competition is fictitious, but the internship is real.

Being a part of a coveted company like Google will catapult anybody’s career.

That’s why we’re talking about what you need to know about a Google internship.

Does Google Have an Internship Program?

Google does have programs, but not just one internship.

There are various paths to take here, let’s have a look.

Types of Internships Offered by Google

Google offers several internships that cater to a wide variety of students and their skills.

• APM Program: APM stands for the Associate Product Marketing Manager program, for students in English Lit, Art, History, Economics, and the like.
• BOLD Program: Build Opportunities for Leadership & Development is the program for those attuned to sales, marketing, and business in general.
• STEP Program: The program Student Training in Engineering is by far the most famous out of the other programs, considering that Google is essentially a tech company.

There were a total of more than 3,500 interns in 2021 alone. These interns came from over 4000 universities in around 40 countries.

That’s how much reach and diversity this single company can make.

Google Internship Positions

Google offers a lot of roles since it’s such a vast enterprise.

With that being said, most (if not all) of the positions in their internship programs would fall under two main divisions: Business and Engineering and Technology.

• Business: Any corporation will always focus on products and profit, hence the focus on business roles.
• Engineering and Technology: For the leading tech company in the world, a role like this is to be expected.

What Does an Intern at Google Do?

What an intern would do at Google will depend on the role applied for.

The company has so much going on that it’s not unheard of if some of the interns get to shift from one program or department to the next.

If a part of the group needs help, an intern can step in.

If you applied for APMM, then you’ll focus on aiding product growth.

You focus on how certain Google products and services help out everyday people. You get to show them how.

As for BOLD candidates, these people will align themselves with business-related problems. These problems can be long-term or short.

All in all, it’s all about sales and marketing.

Who Does Google Target for Internships?

Students eligible for this program are the ones in their last year of university.

For the most part, the internships Google offers target students in technical fields, business, and marketing.

This includes young adults in computer science (M. Tech, B. Tech, B. Com, B.A., MBA, Post Graduate, and the like).

What is a Google Internship Like?

If you want to grow as a professional in a competitive world, an internship at Google is the one for you.

Interns get to immerse themselves in the actual working environment to practice and learn the necessary skills for their respective fields.

Google Internship Process

The internship process can be different for other candidates, but this is usually the process interns go through throughout their 12–14 week internship:

• Step 1: Application
• Step 2: Follow-up survey
• Step 3: Interviews
• Step 4: Waiting Period
• Step 5: Follow-up Call
• Step 6: Training
• Step 7: Immersion

Is It Hard to Intern at Google?

If you’re not used to an environment that might be considered fast-paced and diverse, then you might have trouble adjusting.

You also have to consider the role you got as an intern to how fast you can learn and adapt.

Interns follow the regular schedule of any employee.

The day usually starts at 9 AM and ends at around dinnertime. So, you can say that it’s going to be around 40 hours a week.

What Notable Projects Can Interns Potentially Work On?

There are constantly new projects circulating in Google’s hallowed halls.

These projects include coding specific hubs to help out sales teams, to utilizing current tech to help people with visual impairments through bracelets that can read for them.

The possibilities are endless.

Google Internship Benefits

Here’s the part of the Google internship experience that everybody’s been waiting for: the perks of interning at Google.

The following are just some of the benefits you can get:

• Gear and Apparel
• Dance Lessons
• Laundry Services
• Gym Memberships
• Transportation
• Housing stipend
• Food and Refreshments

What Do You Learn in a Google Internship?

Apart from the internship itself, interns are encouraged to attend various seminars and talks.

There are a lot of technical and leadership talks, as well as chances for mentorships.

Google also hosts team-building exercises for morale.

Are Google Interns Paid?

The good thing about an internship at Google is that every internship it offers is paid.

In Google, the hourly rate is $45. There’s an additional monthly stipend of $9,000 for living expenses, along with other benefits.

The pay Google gives its interns consists of on average a base pay of $4,803, a bonus pay of $641, and a percentage they get from stock in the company (around $1,025).

In total, that rounds up to $6,469 per month.

Requirements for Getting an Internship at Google

Google does look for specific things in its possible candidates.

It’s ideal if you have experience with object-oriented design and one programming language like C++, Java, and Python.

Candidates should be getting their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in programs relating to technology and engineering.

These programs consist of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, and other degrees.

Google Internship Acceptance Rate

The people that work at Google try to uphold their standard of excellence and learning for every individual that they screen.

Representatives from Google stated before that their acceptance rate is only 3.75%.

Suggested Areas of Study for Google Interns

Google focuses on goods and services relating to online programs and technology.

The candidate’s background should reflect that with the following degrees:

• Technical fields, like Computer Science and Engineering courses
• Marketing and sales courses, about People Operations
• Business degrees, concerning entrepreneurship, operations, and project management

Does Google Care About GPA?

The people at Google do, but not in the way that you think.

There is technically no minimum GPA requirement to be considered for an internship position at Google.

Though, it’s still better to put your best foot forward.

GPA does give future employers a glimpse at your strong points and weaknesses.

Having a score of at least 3.0 won’t make other people question your capabilities.

Recommended Skills for Google Interns

Tech is the name of the game at Google.

A modicum of skills in more than coding language will help in the long run.

There are other skills you also need to possess to succeed in your internship:

• Creativity
• Leadership
• Adaptability
• Self-Motivation
• Time Management
• Grace Under Pressure
• Good Decision-making skills
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution

Does Google Background Check or Drug Test Their Interns?

Yes. Background checks are standard for any job, including internships.

Once you get accepted into one of Google’s internship programs, then they’ll do a formal background check regarding the information you’ve given during the application process.

Google doesn’t do initial or even random drug tests in the middle of any or all internships.

How Likely Will an Internship at Google Turn Into a Full-Time Job?

Yes, Google does do that. A lot of tech companies hire their hardworking interns after they’ve graduated.

An internship, while you’re at school, is a great way to ensure that you have a job right after graduation.

Google is one of those companies that value their interns as well as their full-time employees.

This company offers full-time positions to as high as 65% of all its interns.

How Do I Get an Internship at Google?

There are steps needed to land an internship, like the following:

First off, complete your resume with the type of internship and company you have in mind.

Google is known for its “Googleyness”, so make sure to highlight your extracurriculars and everything that makes you a unique candidate.

Don’t forget to send your application on time and prepare for the interviews.

Google also looks through any potential candidate’s socials for added assessment. You should probably check all of yours as well.

Where to Find Google Internship Opportunities?

A Google internship is among the best internship opportunities you can find anyway.

Even finding the right Google internship for you is rather simple.

Google itself lists every single internship program in every country it’s available on its website, along with the area of expertise and other specifics.

Interview for a Google Internship

Generally speaking, the first interview for the position will be a phone screening.

This will determine whether you will go through to the next round of interviews.

There will be two other interviews after that.

They’ll be around 45 minutes each, and will focus more on the technical aspects of the job.

What Should I Wear to a Google Internship Interview?

For any interview, in particular, it’s best to dress smart.

It calls for business or professional clothing.

Slacks should be a guy’s go-to, along with a crisp shirt, tie, and blazer. A sweater is good too if you’re a bit chilly.

As for women’s attire, a dress is something you can put on that you won’t have to think about too much.

If you prefer pants, slacks and a blouse works just as well.

How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work at Google?

Think about what you want to get out of the internship instead of thinking that the internship is ultimately what you want.

It’s a great opportunity, but it shouldn’t be your main reason for applying.

How Do I Prepare for a Google Internship?

You don’t need to do a lot to prepare for an internship at Google because you’ll learn everything you need to know on the job itself.

What you can do is look forward to the experience and try to make as many connections as possible.

Is Google a Good Internship?

If you’re basing it on the reputation of the company alone, Google internships aren’t just good.

They are excellent for learning the trade you chose in a dynamic environment.

The key aspect of achieving a spot in a place like this is to use the program for you.

Look for your aim in life. Once you establish what you want, Google will see the potential and help you along.

Similar Programs to Check Out

Google isn’t the only one with a decent internship program.

If you’re looking for internships, other companies offer programs too, like the following:

• Facebook Internship: Programs for this company include a summer internship and Meta University. Facebook Internships can last from 8 to 12 weeks. They involve the projects full-time employees handle with coding and designing.
• Apple Internship: Apple shows off a wide range of internships that range from engineering and machine learning to chemistry. An Apple Internship can be done during the summer or even the school year.
• Amazon Internship: An Amazon Internship has both technical and non-technical programs. Apart from tech and engineering positions, Amazon’s focal point is about business but also research.

Frequently Asked Question

Wrapping Up

Google does have an internship program, and it’s a great program to be a part of.

A Google internship is a well-rounded way for individuals to gain valuable work experience.

Attaining a position in one of Google’s internship programs will most likely give you a job offer once you graduate.

On the other hand, the internship shouldn’t be your ultimate goal in your career.

This kind of internship is there to help you achieve what you want out of life, but not build the entirety of it.

Click here to check out Google’s career page to build your future today.