Landing a job at a major tech company like Google is getting harder, but software engineer Aashna Doshi says intentional networking and meaningful projects helped her stand out.
Doshi, who interned twice at Google before being hired full-time, told Business Insider that cold applications alone aren’t enough. Building genuine relationships with others in the industry was key to her success.
“Knowing who you want to meet, finding that common bridge between both of you, and then really learning from their experience, was a big game changer for me,” she said.
Networking With Purpose
Doshi encourages students to connect with professionals whose careers inspire them — especially those who share common experiences. One example from her own journey was a female engineer working in Europe. Doshi, who grew up in Belgium, felt a personal connection and reached out to learn more about her work.
That connection later led to a referral, though Doshi never asked for one directly.
“We became friends and she let me into her life — what her day-to-day looks like, how she grows in the role that she’s in,” she said.
Doshi emphasized that building a strong bond can create long-term professional support, not just one-time help.
Projects Matter More Than Grades
To set herself apart from other applicants, Doshi focused on creating personal projects using her programming knowledge.
“If you take data structures and algorithms, and your peers take the same class, you all have the same foundational knowledge,” she said. “But what you do with that knowledge really makes a difference.”
She added that companies care less about deep specialization at the start and more about problem-solving ability and adaptability.
Standing Out During an Internship
After getting the internship, Doshi focused on becoming a reliable team member — someone people could count on.
“Being that go-to person is an absolute game changer,” she said.
She also advised interns not to isolate themselves or pretend to know everything. Instead, she recommends asking thoughtful questions that show you’ve tried to solve the problem on your own.
“I already tried to do X, Y, Z, and it didn’t work. How do I move forward?” she explained.
This approach helped her learn faster and avoid wasting time while still demonstrating initiative.
A Career Built on Curiosity and Connection
Doshi believes long-term career growth comes from forming genuine relationships and staying curious.
“As we progress in our lives, we are collecting people and supporting people,” she said. “The ones that stay with you are those you’ve built real connections with.”
For students hoping to follow her path, her message is clear: build meaningful relationships, work on real projects, and be open to learning from every experience.
