Benefits at Google | Community and personal development

Life at Google

23 Feb 202202:20

Summary

TLDRBrandon Parrott, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager at Google, discusses the ERG Buddy Program he founded, which connects new hires with mentors from their Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). This initiative fosters a sense of belonging by pairing employees based on shared interests and backgrounds. Brandon reflects on the positive impact the program had on his own experience and emphasizes the importance of community in the workplace. He shares an inspiring encounter with a young student who expressed ambition to create his own version of Google, highlighting the potential influence of such initiatives on future generations.

Takeaways

😀 Brandon Parrott is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager at Google, focusing on site reliability engineering.
🤝 He founded the ERG Buddy Program, which connects new Googlers with mentors in their Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
🌍 Employee Resource Groups are internal networks aimed at fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging among employees from diverse communities.
👥 The ERG Buddy Program enhances onboarding by pairing new hires with experienced members who share similar interests within the same ERG.
🎨 Participants can provide information about their interests and hobbies to find common ground with their buddies.
🤗 Brandon values the support he received from informal ERG buddies when he joined Google and wants to offer the same experience to others.
📚 The company also engages in educational outreach, conducting coding activities and workshops for K-12 students.
🌟 Brandon recalls an inspiring moment with a young boy who expressed his ambition to one day have his own Google.
💡 This interaction highlights the importance of encouraging limitless thinking in young minds.
🚀 Brandon is passionate about the positive impact of ERGs on new hires and is committed to sustaining this momentum in the future.

Q & A

Who is Brandon Parrott?
-Brandon Parrott is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager for the site reliability engineering organization at Google.
What is the purpose of the ERG Buddy Program founded by Brandon?
-The ERG Buddy Program pairs new Googlers with mentors in their employee resource groups (ERGs) to help them build a stronger network and sense of belonging.
What are Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)?
-Employee Resource Groups are internal networks set up by companies to help employees from different communities and identities form strong networks and bonds.
How does the ERG Buddy Program enhance the onboarding experience for new hires?
-The program connects new hires with more experienced members in the same ERG, providing them with mentorship and support during their onboarding process.
What criteria are considered when pairing buddies in the ERG Buddy Program?
-Pairs are matched based on their ERG membership, preferences for team or role, and shared interests or hobbies like painting, reading, or working out.
What kind of outreach activities does Brandon mention for education?
-Brandon mentions conducting coding activities and workshops with K-12 students as part of Google's education outreach efforts.
What was the response of the young boy Brandon met during the tour?
-The young boy expressed his ambition by saying, 'I'm going to have my own Google one day,' which impressed Brandon and highlighted the positive impact of their outreach efforts.
What impact does Brandon believe the ERG community has on new hires?
-Brandon believes that the ERG community positively influences new hires by providing them with a sense of inclusion and belonging, which can enhance their overall experience at the company.
What is Brandon's perspective on giving back to the community?
-Brandon feels it is important to give back and appreciates that Google provides opportunities for employees to engage in community outreach.
How does Brandon feel about the future of the ERG Buddy Program?
-Brandon is optimistic about the future of the ERG Buddy Program and hopes to see the positive impact of these communities continue for new hires.