Welcome to the latest edition of “My Path to Google,” where we talk to Googlers, interns, apprentices and alumni about how they got to Google, what their roles are like and even some tips on how to prepare for interviews.
Today’s post is all about Frances Wang, a test engineering director for the Google Pixel team based in Taiwan.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Taiwan and moved to Canada to pursue my bachelor’s degree in life science. After working in the mobile industry for 22 years, I returned to Taiwan to do an Executive MBA, and then started a new chapter of my career here. I enjoy outdoor activities like cycling and golfing, so it’s great to be in Taiwan. There are so many places here where I’m immersed in nature, and I find myself growing in confidence through conquering steeper and longer gradient rides.
Frances enjoying a bike ride.
What’s your role at Google?
I am a Test Engineering Director in our Google Pixel software test team. We’re involved in phone software testing, enhancing test efficiency and effectiveness through automation. My goal every day is to keep our team focused on delivering quality products and improving efficiency. It’s a mix of meetings, project reviews and communicating with other Googlers.
What inspires you to come in (or log on) every day?
Google is growing rapidly in Asia Pacific, and Taiwan is the company’s hub for software and hardware innovation. We have the largest engineering site in APAC and the second largest tech site outside of the US. It’s great to know I am contributing to this growth and working on products used by billions of people around the world.
I’m passionate about product quality and creating a great customer experience. The mobile phone industry is always evolving and as part of the Pixel team, it’s exciting to see how the products and technologies we work on help solve real problems and make people’s lives better. It’s a big plus to work in an environment that encourages innovation while still focusing on data and technical expertise.
How would you describe Google’s culture in Taiwan?
We have an inclusive culture and innovative approach to problem solving. The people here are driven, open and truly find success in collaboration. Google Taiwan is a place for talented people to challenge themselves and maximize their potential.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about applying to Google?
Be ready to deal with ambiguity and solve problems differently. If you’re looking for opportunities in both software and hardware, and you want to work on product used by people around the world, this is the place for you.