Students in Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley Deepen Industry Connections through Google Tech Treks

Students at both the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley campuses made the trek to the Google offices last month to meet Googlers and learn about what it’s like to work at the leading tech company. The parallel Tech Treks were planned by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Information Networking Institute (INI) alumni who work at Google, along with career services staff from across the university.   

After touring the Google offices, students sat down to lunch with current Googlers representing teams across the company to talk about work-life balance at Google. Thanks to the enthusiasm and support of our alumni network, students were invited to a panel to learn about the technical aspects of the typical workday, followed by a question-and-answer session.  

“We had insightful discussions with Googlers who shared their journeys into roles spanning cloud security, red teaming, threat intelligence, data science and internal security,” said Ananya Mallekatte Basavarajappa, a Master of Science in Information Networking (MSIN) student. “It was inspiring to see how the concepts we’re learning in class align with real-world challenges faced by these professionals.”  

Daniel Carr, INI’s director of career services, shared his thoughts on the trip. “This was a significant milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry,” said Carr. “The success of the Tech Trek highlights the importance of these partnerships in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ultimately preparing the next generation of tech leaders to tackle real-world challenges. A special thanks to our INI alumni network, which was at the foundation of it all.”  

INI students regularly have the opportunity to connect with alumni and industry professionals through events hosted by the INI. Through Tech Treks like this one, career fairs and alumni panels, students have multiple options to engage in the broader technical community.   

Highlights from Tech Trecks

CMU students outside of the Google office in Silicon Valley.

INI students at the Pittsburgh Google office.

Katie Cassarly (left), INI Alum Evan Wright (center) and Daniel Carr (right).