A Google software engineer’s practical advice for students aspiring to enter the tech industry is making waves after his recent interview provided a reality check—and a roadmap—amid fierce competition for software jobs. The engineer, who secured a full-time position at Google after two successive summer internships, advocates for seizing early internship opportunities, mastering problem-solving fundamentals, and strategically positioning oneself through organized job search tactics. His insights offer much-needed clarity for Thai computer science students facing a challenging global job market reshaped by a recent wave of tech layoffs and the growing presence of artificial intelligence.
With recent graduates now entering one of the toughest hiring landscapes in years, the suggestions carry particular weight. “I think one of the most important things I’ve done in my career, to date, is applying for these first and second year programs,” the engineer told YouTuber Sajjaad Khader in an interview summarized by Business Insider (businessinsider.com). For students early in their studies, he emphasized, internship programs specifically targeting first- and second-year university students offer “a much, much lower” hiring bar—often substituting easier technical interviews compared to those for upperclassmen and graduates.
This advice comes as the post-pandemic tech hiring boom has cooled dramatically, with industry leaders reporting reduced hiring quotas and a shift in focus toward AI-driven automation over human coders (reuters.com). In Thailand, this downturn is echoed by reports from academic career centres and job portals, which show new IT graduates encountering stiffer competition and more stringent requirements in interviews, particularly for prestigious multinationals like Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
Key to gaining an advantage, the Google engineer stresses, is a methodical approach to job applications. “I started tracking my applications for these internships as opposed to just mass applying,” he described. “It was very organized. I would update the status of each application and it would help me a lot to prepare for each interview and for which stage I was at in each interview.” Thai educators and career advisers echo this sentiment, noting that structured application processes not only increase response rates but also allow students to better tailor their preparation for each company and interview round (bangkokpost.com).
The engineer’s journey also underscores the importance of understanding technical interview patterns. He advises against rote memorization of coding problems and instead recommends developing an understanding of the core problem-solving principles tested in platforms like Leetcode. “If you try to memorize it problem by problem, you’ll eventually be given a problem that you don’t know,” he said. “So you just want to master the overarching principles.” This view is well supported by educational experts, who argue that genuine comprehension of algorithms and data structures is increasingly prioritized by top employers worldwide (acm.org).
However, the engineer acknowledged that personal referrals can significantly boost application outcomes: “I got an interview really soon after she submitted the referral. You want to try to separate yourself from everyone as much as you can when you’re applying for these internships.” For Thai students, building a professional network—through professors, alumni groups, or tech events—can play a crucial role in securing these recommendations, especially as internship and job openings become more competitive.
In cases where internships prove elusive, the engineer urges students not to lose heart but to create their own opportunities for growth. “Try to start learning critical skills on your own time by taking on projects,” he suggests. Not only do independent projects cultivate computer science fundamentals, but they also add substance to CVs, helping candidates stand out even without work experience. Thai students, familiar with makings of the “portfolios” valued in local job markets, can apply similar principles by showcasing open-source contributions or personal programming endeavors (ict.mahidol.ac.th).
A further piece of advice may resonate deeply with Thai learners, who sometimes hesitate to ask for help out of respect for hierarchy or for fear of “losing face.” The Google engineer recommends: “Ask for help when you need it, but the more problems you solve on your own, the more you’re likely to learn.” Balancing independence with timely requests for support, he notes, leads to deeper understanding and eventually positions individuals to “start helping people with your expertise.”
This practical guidance is especially pertinent as Thailand rolls out new curriculum frameworks that prioritize STEM education and digital literacy from an early age (moe.go.th). While local internship opportunities at tech giants remain limited, leading universities—including Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi—are expanding partnerships with multinational firms and launching bootcamps to bridge the gap between theory and practical skill sets.
Culturally, Thailand’s “connection society,” or khon ru jak, in which personal referrals and relationships historically influence job prospects, meshes well with the advice to seek recommendations. However, as competition and transparency increase, especially in digital industries, the focus is shifting toward skill-based assessments and portfolio evidence. This means that students from all backgrounds, not just those with well-connected families, have greater chances to break into top-tier companies—provided they prepare methodically and proactively develop practical skills.
Looking forward, the landscape for both Thai and global tech hopefuls may become even more competitive. Continued advances in generative AI and automation threaten to further contract traditional developer roles, with employers expecting new hires to demonstrate strong critical thinking and cross-disciplinary skills. Industry observers project that students who capitalize on early, structured internship programs and self-directed learning will have a decisive edge in the years ahead (worldbank.org).
For Thai students aspiring to follow in the footsteps of this successful Google engineer, several actions could prove decisive. First, proactively search for and apply to first- and second-year internship programmes, even if you feel your skills are still basic. Second, develop a systematic approach to organizing and tracking your job applications. Leverage the resources of university career centers, technology clubs, and online coding platforms to hone your practical interview skills. Whenever possible, cultivate personal and professional networks that could support your career, but ensure you are always preparing real skills and tangible project work, not just relying on connections. Above all, focus on building your independent problem-solving abilities, while seeking guidance—respectfully and strategically—when truly necessary.
As the wise advice goes, “Learn as much as possible from your more experienced colleagues,” and never underestimate the power of getting your foot in the door early. In a fast-changing tech world, Thai students who combine methodical preparation, a growth mindset, and real-world practice are best positioned to not only survive but thrive.