What made me stay?
I recently became a 5-year-Googler!
The number is daunting if I’m being honest. I feel the resistance to stay put. After a moment of realization, I’ve gauged some ideas to keep still that I’d love to share with you.
The stereotypical perception that I’ve heard over the years:
“Oh, you work at Google! So it must mean you enjoy the slow pace, small work scope, you ultimately sold your soul to a big corporation?” Often the same crowd follows with “but tell me what is it like?”
I figured after ~1825 days I can finally demystify that with bonus learnings working at Google. Honest review.
Myth #1: Is it really “Tiny scope, slow pace working at Google?”
People’s perception is their truth so I’m not gonna argue with that.
In my experience, the answer is a firm “NO”. Hell no. As a UX designer who went from an L3 to an L5 (~equivalent to a Jr to Sr/manager) and switched 3 product areas (Ads > Cloud > Workspace), my work scope was never tiny and the pace was an inferno in a good way, in comparison to the boutique agency I worked at before.
Vividly did I recall the first month when I started on Google AdManager. It felt like my brain was at capacity every single day. I was the youngest on the team responsible for revamping a tool called “Reporting”; a complex data analysis product for Ads publishers like New York Times, WSJ with a dry, dense UI full of forms and data tables. It looks like a control panel to pilot a spaceship. Yet it runs millions of queries daily for ad-ops to monitor $$$ deals.
I wasn’t paired with a senior designer to start with. The previous designer was gone for 6 months. All the resources were thrown in my face in a second language in a bazillion decks. I needed to somehow become the go-to UX who speaks “Reporting”. I had a notepad with my handwriting full of ads acronyms. I read them before joining every meeting.
It was challenging yet exciting! My first few meetings surrounded by 10+ engineers forced me to never be a wallflower. I was wonderfully pressured to join those who think smart and talk fast!
Most importantly, I was empowered, supported, motivated to get my voice heard. My PM and Eng counterparts were simply the smartest and friendliest on the planet who expected and encouraged me, the UX person to lead discussions. Autonomy became my #1 practice. I learned to ask questions and provide solutions. I got the support to run sprints. I was the sole designer proposing solutions to senior leaderships. The success path for each designer is to be a leader, an owner, a driver.
I felt my growth minute by minute. Now, if I give you one thing I’m gifted by Google? Proactivity.
It fuels and fulfills me. Not a single day was I bored. My calendar was always packed with on average 3 meetings a day where I lead discussions and collaboration with super talented people.
Here’s a normal week like for me by data:
The downside, though, is it did take me quite some time to bring a product to life. The development cycle is at least 1 year. In rare cases, it launches rapidly. Some products remain mysterious for several years. I’ve launched a project from the ground up within 3 months (we even yellow-taped our work area to indicate the urgency). I was also on a project that hasn’t launched until this day.
Myth #2: Everyone who works at Google is super smart?
My answer: yes and no. An absolute yes from my own experience, a no from Googlers themselves since through data and observation that nearly everyone suffers from imposter syndrome to think they aren’t smart!
Another Googlers’ attribute: versatility. I can never be amazed enough by Googlers’ hidden talents as a comedian, a musician, a writer, a photographer, a dancer, a scholar, and a nuclear scientist! Sarah Cooper, who writes “100 ways to look smarter” and performs stand-up comedy was an example. (Hard to believe she worked on the same team I’m on.)
My everyday engineering buddy is building a 5-acre farm. My tech lead used to compete in a national dance tournament. My UX collaborator plays Bach for fun. Researcher on my team is a part-time singer performing in a band. I can go on and on. Even when I look at myself: I regularly write a channel on Redbook and earned 25k followers. You get the idea!
Myth #3: Is the perks really that good? Are the food and snacks all free?
Yes, IT IS! Plus free massage points, super good eye insurance, barista handmade cappuccino with oat milk, cheaper Classpass membership, the list goes on.
Although it’s been a huge loss during WFH era, it brings me gratitude by counting on these amazing perks.
You can even use the same badge to open any doors across the globe where there’s a Google office and load yourself with a beverage, local snacks and refreshments on a trip. Th company culture that cares about longevity and people’s mental health works better than cash if you ask me.
What did I learn at Google?
- Make peace with my imposter syndrome
One of my established Eng director/mentor shared this with me: I don’t think my imposter syndrome will ever go away. And that’s ok.
Working with so many talented people regardless of levels who shared the same insecurity level had reassured me to thrive. - To claim, to lead, to own
Let my confidence co-live with my imposter syndrome. Hesitate none to speak up for opinions, achievements, efforts, doubts. As a designer at Google, the ratio usually goes as 1 UXer : 5+ eng in a meeting room. It’s a MUST to be vocal, articulate, rationalize to drive alignment with assertiveness. Raffle feathers. Take on challenges. Create team sports. - Offer help where help is needed
The more I give, the more I feel empowered. It started from “oh I can onboard new members” to “that feels good giving that course/arranging that event/delegating that task/mentoring that person”. Google made that easy via mentorship programs, internal platform to teach, freedom to build community, etc.
What motivates me to work at Google, after 5 solid years?
Having been wondering about the greener grass, I’ve slowly come to a realization: it’s a practice to recognize what I have then capitalize it.
When everything goes so well, I develop a fear. The fear of happiness as Dr. Brene Brown had put it: to cancel that out, one must develop gratitude.
I analyzed hard and come to these 5 things:
- I’m still learning new things
- I’m inspired to work every day
- I’m given new challenges and opportunities for more growth
- I’ve never learned about the start-up side of things but that’s ok, I’ll have a chance when the time comes
- I’ve built support systems full of mentors and cheerleaders who I can turn to when I need guidance and tips. Their existence motivates me, making me feel the growth by the hour.
I’m grateful. I’m learning. I’m inspired. That’s it.
Hello, I’m Leecy Li, a UX designer working and living in NYC for 8 years. I share about UX career growth. I look forward to exchanging learnings with you all!
Cheers!
