PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (August 9, 2022) – With technology increasing at an ever-expansive rate, tech giants like Google are tapping into the next generation’s workforce to help shape the coders and developers of the future. Four Prairie View A&M University students attended the Google Tech Exchange program this spring, turning high-tech dreams into reality for a chance at promising careers.
“After being selected for Google’s Tech Exchange program, I have the opportunity to accelerate and consistently improve my coding skills for pursuing a career in software engineering, project management or UX design,” said Tori Watson, a sophomore computer science major. “Now that I was one of the many participants, it motivates me to continue to improve my professional skills and know I can reach out for help and possible future collaborations.”
Watson, along with PVAMU students Maximus Agubuzo, Victor Akpan and Samantha Roberts, participated in what is known as Tech-X. The Google virtual academic program seeks students who are historically underrepresented in the industry to offer them access to “cutting-edge industry courses” and networking opportunities that could help learners secure internships or even employment with Google, according to the company’s website.
PVAMU was one of 15 universities chosen by Google for this year’s program.
“The Computer Science Department at PVAMU has been in this program since 2019,” said Yonggao Yang, Ph.D., head of the Computer Science Department at PVAMU. “It brings very positive impacts to the department and students. Those students who participated in the program all received many job offers upon their graduation.”
Yang added that several students who have been through the program are now software engineers at companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon.
“The program motivates our students to study harder and smarter and to be more tech completive,” he said. “All of them passed all the courses they took in the program, and all of them are successful and demonstrate that they ARE technically competitive.”
Best of the Best
For a company like Google, hiring those who are elites in their field ensures the company continues to produce ground-breaking technology and services that make all our lives easier.
Roberts, who is a rising senior computer science major at PVAMU, said this is just the beginning of PVAMU’s march to excellence in the tech arena.
“I am glad that PVAMU is on Google’s radar, as it should be on every company’s,” said Roberts. “We produce amazing engineers. To be able to say Google recruited us panthers is amazing, and I hope I can continue to say that, and we get an even better connection with Google.”
Yang said the students earned each of their spots amongst fierce competition.
“These students successfully passed the Google high-standard tech assessment and interview,” said Yang. “I am proud of them.”
Hard work to build a better future took place during the program, giving students a leg up on the competition through some real-world interaction.
“Through the program, we took several technical interviews that simulate real ones,” said Watson. “We were continuously challenged through repeated tests over common data structures used in the industry. I am extremely appreciative to have been a part of this program and the opportunities presented to us.”
Adjusting to Pandemic Protocols
Prior to the start of the pandemic and the shutdowns that have affected the entire world, the Google Tech-X virtual academic program took place at the Google headquarters in Silicon Valley, where students would live, work and study for an entire semester, gaining a full experience of the Silicon Valley culture.
“After Covid-19 hit, the program was forced to be virtual,” said Yang. “Students took courses offered by the program virtually.”
Although students chosen for this semester’s program did not spend the entire semester in Silicon Valley, they did have a chance to visit the tech giant’s headquarters. Students also received a stipend from Google.
“To be selected for Google’s Tech Exchange program validates my academic and professional efforts up to this point. The minds at Google shape the world we live in on a daily basis. To have been part of those select few was a very eye-opening experience,” said rising senior CS major Akpan. “The people I’ve met, connections I’ve made, and skills I’ve built here are all things I believe will be essential in endorsing my future ventures.”
Watson said she enjoyed the opportunity to develop her coding and problem-solving skills, receiving knowledge from the best technologists in the business.
“Learning from them was an amazing opportunity that provided insight into our future careers,” said Watson. “It is an honor that Google chose Prairie View students to participate in Google’s academic program. Being selected shows that PV’s Computer Science Department produces top CS students who are up to date with CS industry standards.”
For more information about the Google Tech-X program or to apply for a future semester in the program, visit the Google Tech Exchange page.
By Kerry Laird
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