Case study
Insights into Careers, Culture and Innovation at Google
Experiential Treks are immersive learning experiences that provide students with opportunities to engage and network with professionals while getting more acquainted with the local culture. As part of Northeastern University London’s commitment to experiential learning, a group of students recently visited Google’s London office for an immersive and inspiring afternoon.
Organised in partnership with Google’s team, the visit offered students direct access to the people, practices and values that drive one of the world’s most recognised technology companies.
Meeting Googlers and Learning First-Hand
Throughout the day, students engaged with four Googlers (Google employees) from a range of backgrounds and roles. These professionals shared their career journeys and offered practical advice on how to navigate entry into the tech industry. One speaker, who had recently joined the company, gave a personal and relatable account of their path to Google, which is an invaluable perspective for students considering similar careers.
The group also gained insight into the Google Partnerships Programme, learning how collaboration sits at the heart of the company’s global impact. This was accompanied by a detailed overview of Google’s hiring practices, including tips on crafting strong applications and what qualities the company looks for in prospective candidates.
Exploring Culture and Building Connections
Beyond career pathways, the visit offered students a meaningful introduction to Google’s workplace culture. Themes of innovation, inclusion and continuous learning came through strongly in discussions, helping students to reflect on the kind of environments in which they might thrive.
To round off the day, students were given a tour of the office, which provided a glimpse into the creative spaces where teams collaborate and problem-solve. The experience concluded with an open Q&A session, where students were encouraged to ask questions and explore topics of personal interest.
Googlers also invited students to continue conversations after the visit — opening the door for ongoing networking and mentorship opportunities.
An Experience That Sparks Ambition
This Experiential Trek exemplifies Northeastern’s experiential learning philosophy, providing real-world encounters that connect classroom theory with industry practice. By facilitating such opportunities, the university aims to empower students with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to pursue bold career aspirations.
Student perspective
“I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Google Cloud HQ. I personally had past experiences from meeting with Google teams in west coast and I wanted to repeat the experience also to highlight the differences on how Google runs in Europe.
Barbara De Rossi, MSc. AI & Tech Leadership Student
It was very interesting to get to know more Google Cloud department as we had four different speakers across teams that introduced us programs and features. Each section was really interactive with many questions from the attendees. The focus turned quickly into career path and job interview styles at Google but also in general. Each speaker, very generously, shared personal experiences as recruiter or as applicant themselves and the discussion became shortly very dynamic and with a sincere supportive outcome.
For many students to prepare a job interview, and not having much experience in the first place, can be very abstract and therefore stressful: this event was the right occasion to see both sides and to ask for as many doubts as we all had. Overall, the experience was really energizing and positive!
Faculty perspective
“This Experiential Trek to Google perfectly demonstrates our commitment to bridging academic theory with real-world practice. What excites me most is how students gained authentic insights into industry practices, workplace culture, and career pathways whilst building genuine connections with Googlers who offered ongoing mentorship opportunities.
Prof Naomi Goulder, Deputy Dean and Associate Deam, Innovation & Enterprise
Experiences like this are essential in preparing our graduates for the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Our students leave not just with knowledge, but with confidence, connections, and a clearer vision of their career aspirations – which is exactly what experiential learning should achieve.”