Bringing Google to life at VUW

This year’s Google Student Ambassadors are a passionate and organised bunch. We asked Joanna Rubi what makes her and her fellow ambassadors Bianca Fraser, Mayur Panchal and Charlene Leong tick...

What is the Google Student Ambassadors programme?

It’s a bridge between Google and the University. We act as the voice of Google on campus, promoting the products and services that Google has to offer, and keeping the university updated on all Google-related news.

Is this a global initiative?

Yes – there are approximately 1000 student ambassadors across 65 countries. It allows universities from countries across the world to connect with Google and with one another.

What makes a good Google Student Ambassador?

A good Google Student Ambassador is someone who is passionate about technology and who is actively involved in their university and wider community.

How did you get this opportunity?

I went to several Google events and found out about the programme. It was a dream of mine to work for Google so I applied online and my dream came true – this is the best thing to happen to me since Gmail!

Who is on your team and what do you do?

I work with my fellow students Bianca Fraser, Mayur Panchal and Charlene Leong. We host events to champion Google’s products and programmes on campus. We also manage a Facebook page called ‘Google at VUW’.

What are the perks of the job?

We get the chance to improve our leadership and communication skills and add the experience to our CVs.

What do you guys hope to achieve this year?

We want to promote Google as much as we can by creating fun, informative and helpful events for Victoria University students.

What was the ‘Google on Campus’ event?

Some Googlers from the Sydney office came to Victoria recently to promote opportunities for students including their graduate programme and other internships and scholarships. They also ran a Code Lab where students created a real-time web chat app.

How did it go?

The Googlers told us we had the biggest turn out they’d ever seen - our 300-seat lecture theatre was overflowing!

And what about the ‘Android Hackathon’ event recently?

Our students spent a weekend hacking together a basic Android app. They had to pitch their idea, design the app and then build the code as a team. Most importantly this event was to promote our upcoming AdMob challenge.

So what is the AdMob challenge?

If you’re a student with a great idea for a mobile app, this is your chance to build it, learn how to make money from it - and win awesome prizes. The Grand Prize winner will score a week-long trip to San Francisco, including a visit to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View.

What other kind of events will you host this year?

We hope to host a big mix of events including educational seminars and social events. Students always flock to get the free Google gear and pizza. Like us on our Facebook page ‘Google at VUW’ so you don’t miss out.

What would you say to our ECS students thinking of attending your events?

Get ready for heaps of fun and also to learn lots about how Google can help make life easier for you and your community.

And finally, what would you say to someone thinking of becoming a Google Student Ambassador?

Just get yourself out there and do it!