Carefully deciding between Google vs Microsoft SWE internship
Hi all, I’m a second year student in university. I have competing offers from Google and Microsoft and I’m not sure which one to choose. I wanted to ask blind over reddit because it seems more people here have industry experience. Microsoft pros: I’ve heard that Microsoft’s intern experience is better than Google’s. Their interviews were fun to do, flying to Seattle and interviewing onsite, whereas Google had 2 technical phone screens. My Microsoft interviews were actually more difficult than my Google interviews. Microsoft also has a higher return offer rate, i would probably need to reinterview at Google next year. I don’t think TC would necessarily be higher at Google compared to Microsoft when it comes to full time. Google pros: Ive heard Google has a better reputation, but I’m not sure how much better that is for internships. I also heard that I would probably learn more as an intern at Google, though team dependent. I think companies like Airbnb, Robinhood, Jane Street, Two Sig (companies that pay a lot), would care more about a Google internship than Microsoft when it comes to my internship search in the fall. It would probably be easier to network with cool startups in the Bay Area than in Seattle. I would rather work for Google full time than Microsoft full time. It seems more HYPS (Harvard, Stanford, etc) students are at Google as devs. Feel free to correct my pros, I could be wrong for some points. Are there certain factors I should pay more attention to based on your guys’ experience out of college? I also want to do what’s best for my career and my future TC. Thanks everyone for your help!
Probably Google. But also depends on what org/team
Focus on brand value for 1 year out of college. Then focus on interesting work wherever that may be.
YES.
Microsoft by far has the best intern program. They are payed more than entry-level SWEs, basically don't have to do anything other than the ample intern events, and are fast-tracked for jobs at Google, Facebook, Amazon, and other companies.
You know what else fast tracks for jobs at Google? Interning at Google...
Ya but then you actually have to work and deal with people who don't understand jokes
Optimize for brand value and perceived prestige for now. A Google internship will make it super easy for you to get interview calls from whichever company you want in the future. Also try to intern at a startup next year. This is to make sure you get experience of both kinds of places and can take an informed decision as to where you want to work for full time. In terms of compensation, Google FTE pays way more.
Thanks, this is very helpful!
Work in an enterprise based firm vs a disruptor. Depends on what you want on a long term
You may not realize it but Microsoft is definitely a disruptor.
Sure if you are lucky enough to be sorted into the right department. Lots of pm just hate their life coz they get sorted into old platforms
Microsoft
I don’t think these two brands make too much difference for your next job. Both are well recognized. I feel location may be a more important factor as Bay Area has much more startups, if you care that.
Without knowing much more Google is probably better as you are more likely to get stuck with a random chaotic team in MS. There are some pretty cool teams in Microsoft though (quantum computing software?) So if you significantly prefer subject matter in Microsoft go there. Another consideration is where you want to end up after graduation. If you don’t have a geography preference, Seattle would be much better economically because there is no state tax and the COL is lower while compensation is similar and the high tech scene is second to only the Bay Area.
Google hands down
Thanks! Can I ask you why or what attracted you to Google?
It’s generally regarded as more prestigious than Microsoft. You are correct that companies will care more about seeing Google than Microsoft.