Google Shanghai Here I Come
Well it’s officially. I’ve decided to work for Google in Shanghai with a friend of mine, Christophe Bisciglia. I had to choose between Redfin in Seattle and Google in Shanghai, and the decision was not an easy one. Check it out:
Redfin
Pros
Insanely awesome coworkers. Unbeatable coworkers. Incredible company. Radical work. Great learning experience.
Cons
Located in Seattle. Won’t get better at engineering.
Google
Pros
Super challenging engineering work. Managerial experience. Located in Shanghai. Resume booster. Awesome boss.
Cons
Won’t get better at wireframing or specing.
This was a really hard decision. On one hand, I have a company that I truly love in a place that I really don’t like much at all. On the other hand, I have an insane opportunity with a prestigious company and super technical work. I decided on Google mostly because it would be a great segway into the Bay Area. I’d much rather start my life in the Bay, and Google in Shanghai is a great way to start that goal. I’ll get killer experience in Shanghai, which should make job hunting in the Bay much more easy. Shanghai is a crazy town as well, so just being there a few months will be an experience in and of itself. Redfin would also be a powerful experience, but I’m not willing to spend a few more years in Seattle. In fact, I’m scared of working in Seattle for a few more years.
I interned this past summer for Redfin in Seattle, and I found myself having a killer time at work and a boring/depressing time at home for the most part. I was limited a lot by the weather, and many of my college friends were home for the summer. I’m scared that if I were to stay in Seattle, the happiness gap between work and my personal life would grow too large. One could say, “Well why don’t you just leave Seattle if you get depressed?” My response is that I’m worried I might push myself to stay in Seattle until my shares at Redfin vest. Knowing me I’ll want to just stick it out and get my shares, and I don’t think that’s a healthy thing to do.
The Bay Area is still far from the people I love, but it’s much closer than Seattle. The Bay is also pretty close to Mammoth, which is a place where my friends, family, and I congregate all the time. It’s also my favorite place to snowboard. The Bay is also way closer to the ocean, making surfing much more accessible.
I believe I’m making the right decision, and I know that Shanghai will be an adventure to say the least. I just know I’m going to cry when I say goodbye to the rock-solid friends I’ve made at Redfin. I’m gonna miss you guys.
23 Comments so far
Leave a reply
I am happy for you. Family is important! Do know that you will be missed.
What a great place to intern - Shanghai! It’s sad to see you go, but what a great experience. You will be missed. Good luck!
Shanghai!?! Damn dood….international man of mystery. Do you know Italian? Crazy sauce…you got beef with Seattle?
Oh yea..I am coming to shred the Shang…
[...] revealed that Redfin is starting to issue stock in the company, in this tale of an intern’s stint at Redfin and subsequent decision to [...]
Congrats Alex… Google in Shanghai. That’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. We’ll miss you at the Fin though.
Regarding the 360Digest pingback, most if not all engineering companies these days offer stock options to their engineering employees.
[...] I begin to count down to my time in China, I’m starting to learn a lot more about the language and the culture. I’m creating a [...]
[...] I’ve started getting the “holy shit I’m graduation” feelings; they started with my last long night in the labs. These feelings have gotten me to reflect on my time spent in Seattle, and I’ve realized that I’ve loved my college life. I wanted to write this post for those of you that I’ve grown close to and that I’ve spent time with. I will greatly miss Seattle when I leave. [...]
[...] booked my flight to China for the summer/fall! Flying to Shanghai on August 22nd at 7:00am from Los Angeles; returning to Los Angeles on December [...]
[...] been buying things like mad in preparation for Europe and China. Take a [...]
[...] has also got me thinking some. I’m hoping that my desires will be fulfilled while at Google this summer. In fact I’m confident they will be. A wise man once said, “Be careful what you [...]
[...] Redfin. Sometimes I wonder why I’m leaving such a wonderful company, but I think I’ve made the right decision. I had a really hard time saying goodbye to all my awesome coworkers, and my insane [...]
How is it working at Google? What kind of people are you guys looking to hire? I went to the old Shanghai Google office on Huai Hai road and I was told that the office moved. I am currently living in Shanghai. One year teaching English and one year coordinating design projects, although I am a computer systems engineer and now I am looking for a new challenging experience. Is Google the right place for me?
Hi Andrew, I am actually not at Google yet; I start in late August. Google seems like a really awesome place to work, so perhaps you should try to get an interview and find out for yourself. Otherwise I will update you in a few months :).
Thank you Alex, I am very interested in knowing details about the employee development programs and working environment. I went to Google Shanghai yesterday to drop off a resume/CV and to talk to the people about their work experience. The office is located “Raffles City”, which is right beside People’s Square (this means it is right downtown). I got some information from the receiptionist and I was told that I need to network my way to talking to some engineers working there to know what the experience (leadership) is really like.
Cool, Andrew. I will keep you posted once August comes :).
[...] a doubt Berlin is the best city I’ve ever been to. We’ll see what Shanghai has to offer, though. I just wish I could have spent more time in the city; six nights [...]
[...] more days in Los Angeles, then I’m off to Cape Cod for a week, and finally I’m off to Shanghai. This should be ample time to get some good posts out there, so stay [...]
[...] is my fifth day in Shanghai. Though five days may seem short to most, I’ve had quite the journey thus far. I was worn [...]
Hi Alex,
I just stopped by at your blog. Actually I’m living next to your office in Shanghai. I’m also wondering how it is to work for Google. I just launched a new Online Social Network which is focussed on the nightlife of Shanghai. Beside that I’m looking for a challenging job. Google could be the right place for me as well. So how is it at Google Shanghai?
Hi Wei, unfortunately I’m no longer at Google in Shanghai. Read more here: http://www.alexloddengaard.com/2008/09/17/san-francisco-bound/
Google is definitely a good place to have a challenge. I was at Google for interesting circumstances, which means my experience there was much different than others’. I think the best way for you to learn about the office is to apply for a job and visit the office for yourself.
You could also take a look at my friend’s blog, who is also at Google in Shanghai: http://www.jim-george.com/
Hope this helps!
Hi Alex,
Thanx for your reply and have a good time overthere.