From Bengaluru To Google California: What Helped This Computer Engineer Land A Big Tech Role

He shared that his tech journey began with a childhood dream of creating his own computer games. (News18 Hindi)

An engineer who moved from Bengaluru to California and built a successful career at Google said the key to his growth was having the right mentors. He credited their guidance for shaping his professional journey.

Deep Shah, who has been with Google since 2018, reflected on how mentorship transformed his path. He shared his journey from his initial interest in computer games to working at Google’s Mountain View headquarters in an interview with Business Insider.

Google’s Work Culture Remains Consistent Across Countries

“Since joining Google in 2018, it was amazing to see the impact I was able to make,” Deep Shah told the outlet. Shah initially worked on machine learning and AI for Google Maps in Bengaluru before moving to the Mountain View office in 2021 to work on search-related projects.

He noted that while Google’s work culture is similar across countries, mentors played a crucial role in helping him navigate the transition and other challenges.

He said, “I learned that mentors are invaluable. Good mentors changed the way I look at problems and shaped the engineer I became.”

How He Travelled From India To The US

Shah said his tech journey began with a childhood dream of creating his own computer games, which inspired him to study computer engineering. During his bachelor’s program, he took up competitive programming, opening doors to jobs at major tech firms. His first role was on an AI and machine-learning team supporting advertising clients. After a year and a half, he applied to Google and cleared the rigorous Big Tech interview process.

He added that moving to the US was a major adjustment, but the chance to work on improving Google Search made the transition worthwhile. Senior colleagues and friends in the US then helped him settle into life abroad.

Shah also said he believes mentorship is one of the most underrated assets for students and young professionals, calling it a truly career-shaping force. “I’ve been fortunate to have had some great mentors throughout my career, including during my undergraduate years, who supported me and shared invaluable ideas,” he said.

He added that college students should try to connect with a professor or anyone who can guide them through machine learning or AI problems they are passionate about, regardless of the scale. According to him, this builds confidence and a sense of ownership, making it a strong advantage on a résumé.

“My mentors taught me how to navigate organizational dynamics and influence stakeholders,” he said, noting that such skills are rarely learned through technical work alone.

His Advice For College Students

Shah also advised college students to be intentional in how they approach mentorship. He said, “It’s important to be very clear about what you want to use your mentor for, and I recommend having a clear agenda together. This helps them provide you with the right advice and helps clarify your expectations.”

He added that mentors can come from diverse backgrounds. “Every mentor will teach you different things, and they don’t necessarily have to be a professor. They could be a former student or a senior from your college. No matter how you find them, they should be someone you consider a good role model,” he said.