Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dr. Tracy Brower writes about joy, community and the future of work. If you’re looking for a job, your experience as an intern ...

So, you want to intern at Google. You're not alone — students around the world chase this badge because it promises the kind of learning few places can match. But the chase often gets clouded by myth.

In summer 2025, Fernando Picoral (CompSci'26) wrapped up his third internship at Google, where he learned that great engineering is as much about “designing for others” as it is about writing code.