P roduct Manager Alex Donaldson (13538) is in the driver’s seat at Google Sydney, helping to create an advanced version of Google Maps for car manufacturers. At 29, Old Boy Alex is an integral member of the Google Australia team, delivering the specialist software to several car makers, starting with Volvo and related car maker Polestar. After leaving College in 2010 and winning a scholarship to the University of Auckland, Alex opted for an engineering degree, focusing on engineering science to “use computers and mathematics to solve problems”. He loved the “new learning environment of a strong university” and decided to stay on to undertake a PhD. However, a decision to apply for a three- month internship at Google suddenly drove Alex in a very different direction. “About a year into my PhD, I did an internship at Google Sydney as a software engineer. I simply applied, was interviewed and got the chance to work there for three months. It proved to be a great experience and so I applied for a
full-time position as a software engineer and got that role. I decided to take the opportunity.” Alex points out that it is important to chase those openings and make the most of anything that comes along. “The good thing about software engineering is that you don’t necessarily need a degree in software engineering to get a job in software engineering,” he says. “I had a degree in an area related to computers, and a good engineering degree can take you down lots of paths.” After six years with Google, Alex is relishing his role and life in Sydney – both of which have provided great opportunities. He believes his time at Christ’s College has played a role in his determination to succeed in the IT sector. “It was great being around other boys who were academically motivated – that environment really pushed me,” Alex says. “I’m quite competitive and having classmates who were pushing themselves was good for me personally.” He adds that teachers have had a big impact, for example, former
Head of Department (HoD) – English Julie Peterson. “Teachers like Julie Peterson were very passionate about their subjects, bringing out that enthusiasm in their students,” Alex says. Apart from his academic commitment, Alex completed his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and loved his time in the choir – “particularly the Big Sing competition” – and the Drama productions, which were a lot of fun as a teenager, “particularly working with the girls”. When it comes to advice to Year 9 students, Alex believes that: “Social skills are at least as important as academic achievement. “Learn how to get along with others, especially people who are different from you.” As for his greatest attributes gained from College, Alex cites “diligence and the ability to work hard”, along with “learning to give things a go and take any opportunities”. “College is excellent at encouraging boys to try new things and to be open to anything.”
“I had a degree in an area related to computers, and a good engineering degree can take you down lots of paths.”
COLLEGE 2022
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