How Katarzyna Lisiecka landed a Google internship

At Formation, we love celebrating the journeys of our fellows. Today, we’re excited to share the story of Katarzyna Lisiecka, a Formation fellow who joined us as part of our exclusive Waymo X Formation program, where she transitioned from architecture to computer science and landed an internship at Google. She shares insights into her career journey, the impact of Formation, and advice for aspiring SWEs.

Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?

Hi! I’m a computer science student at the DSW University of Lower Silesia in Wrocław, Poland. I’m beginning a specialization in cloud technologies and mobile applications — an area I’m truly passionate about. Before this, I earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture.  It was a great experience, but I realized I was more drawn to the technical and problem-solving aspects of technology and discovered that computer science was my true calling.

So you’ll have two bachelor’s degrees? That’s impressive!

Yes! I completed my architecture degree and decided to pursue another in computer science. It’s been an interesting journey, but I’m excited about where it’s taking me.

How did you get involved with Formation?

Last year, Danielle Poleski reached out to me on LinkedIn and suggested I apply for the Waymo program with Formation. After researching and reading so much positive feedback from Formation alumni, I realized it was an incredible opportunity.

Can you describe what the Waymo x Formation program was like for you?

We practiced coding problems in a structured way, which helped me get comfortable with different concepts.

We also focused on behavioral interview preparation. We worked on refining our resumes, participated in mock interviews, and learned how to communicate our thought processes clearly. One of the biggest benefits was being part of a study group where I could work through problems with other fellows. We would review each other’s work, explain our reasoning, and learn together.

I really appreciated the sessions where we were paired with mentors and other students at the same level as us. It was great to have the opportunity to solve problems together, discuss approaches, and build confidence before the actual interviews. I was especially grateful for the support from my mentors, who helped guide me and encouraged me to keep improving.

Overall, the program helped me strengthen my technical skills while also preparing me for real-world interviews. Even though my Waymo interview didn’t go as planned, the experience I gained through the program was invaluable, and it played a huge role in helping me secure my Google internship.

You initially applied for an internship with Waymo. How did that experience go?

It was my first technical interview — ever — and honestly, I was really nervous. I did well in the first half of the technical problem, but then I started stuttering, my palms were sweating, and I let the stress get to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass that interview, but looking back, it was an important learning experience. And I had Formation to lean on. 

But then you landed an internship at Google! What was different in that interview?

Yes! My Google interview went much better. One key difference was that in the Waymo interview, my code had to compile correctly, whereas in the Google interview, I had to verbally explain my approach. I focused on demonstrating my understanding of data structures by discussing my thought process while coding.

Another major difference was that by the time I interviewed with Google, I had more experience with technical interviews. After my Waymo experience, I practiced how to correctly verbalize my problem-solving approach. During the Waymo interview, I seemed uncofident and couldn’t easily explain my thoughts. In my Google interview, I made sure to explain my reasoning, the trade-offs between different solutions clearly, and why I was choosing a particular approach.

I also learned to stay calm under pressure. During my first interview, I let my nerves take over, but with guidance from Formation, I became much more confident. I treated my Google interview more like a conversation and focused on making sure the interviewer understood my thinking, which made a big difference.

What advice would you give to someone considering Formation?

If you have the opportunity to join, take it! It’s a unique chance to develop both technical and soft skills that are invaluable in a tech career. The program provides structured learning, mentorship, and a supportive community. You also get to work with different mentors, which is great because everyone has a different teaching style. Formation truly provided me a thorough Learning Roadmap like no one earlier could.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in tech?

Just start. Open your laptop and begin learning. Be patient with yourself.

One of my biggest lessons is that it’s okay not to know everything at first. The key is to start exploring — try different programming languages, work on small projects, and see what excites you. Don’t get discouraged if something feels difficult; every experienced engineer was once a beginner.

Another crucial piece of advice is to build a support system. Whether it’s a mentor, an online community, or a study group, having people to learn with can make a huge difference. Collaboration helps reinforce concepts, introduces new perspectives, and keeps you motivated when things get tough.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Every mistake is a learning opportunity. Keep pushing yourself, stay curious, and be open to new challenges. The journey in tech is all about continuous learning, and as long as you keep going, you’ll find your place.

Any final thoughts?

I am incredibly grateful to Formation. I’ve said this before — they gave me a fishing rod and taught me how to use it, and now it’s up to me to catch the fish. This program gave me the opportunity to grow and provided a supportive environment where I could learn and improve. I can’t thank them enough!

We’re so excited for Kasia and can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next. If you’re considering applying to Formation, take her advice — just start. The right opportunity might be closer than you think!