PSA: Waymo + Formation Program applications opened today - targeting 2024 summer internships (for 2025 grads only)
Hi friends! Waymo and Formation just announced the [Waymo + Formation Program](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7094403935964205056/) and applications are open now through August 23rd, 2023. This is a free program (paid for by Waymo) that will take place online and part time (on your schedule) in the fall. The program provides 2025 grads (undergrad OR masters) rigorous extra CS fundamentals training with the goal of being selected for a 2024 summer internship with Waymo - which is a pretty cool right now to work at!
I'm a co-founder of Formation and want to disclose that transparently, but this program has no catches (other than that it's for a very small number of people and will be very competitive to get into) and is a great opportunity for qualified students that I wanted to share with this community!
u/ContestExtension6111 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hey, do you have any programs for new graduates coming up? Thanks!
u/michaelnovatireplied·
We don't have any in the pipeline right now :( I wish we had more programs but we're really small and we're hoping that as the programs we do have succeed, they will attract more partnerships and larger scope partnerships.
u/im_going_crazy_fr wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
so, will people admitted to this program receive a summer 2024 intern offer from Waymo after the training? Or will they have to go through other interviews to determine their eligibility for Waymo summer 2024 internship?
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
You do have to interview but we're working with Waymo recruiters and engineers to prepare you for their interviews specifically and you should expect to have interaction with people at Waymo in different ways along the way. If you do everything you need to at Formation then you should get an interview (assuming the market or hiring doesn't change unexpectedly) and you should be extremely prepare for these interviews.
If you don't pass the interviews you'll also be super setup for other companies that have similar interview styles... you are getting approximately $13,500 of value from Formation paid for by Waymo if you are selected for the program.
u/im_going_crazy_fr wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hmm ok i see. Recruiting season is just around the corner so when should we expect to receive our results for the program, and if we are in the program, how much time should we expect to dedicate per week to the program?
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
Good question! It's about 20 hours a week (say 5 hours of scheduled sessions and the rest of tasks and benchmarking assessments to do). Formation's magic is that we pull your calendar and schedule all of your sessions and workload around your calendar (even weekends are fine), so as long as you're organized you can fit it in, but it will be a lot of work.
u/No-Presentation-8677 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Would you mind if I connect with you to learn more about the program?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Sure, feel free to DM me and I can answer questions async
u/1anonymous2021 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Is it strictly for URM only?
u/michaelnovatireplied·★ FEATURED
The goal of the program is to help increase diversity in tech and Waymo is looking broadly for "College students from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds pursuing a BS/MA/MS in a technical field (Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Statistics) graduating Summer of 2025."
So not necessarily "strictly for URM".
u/1337Reconz117 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hey there, sorry to bother but is it alright if I can ask a question about the application process? I believe I submitted my application but I had a doubt about it.
u/michaelnovatireplied·
If you DM your email address or LinkedIn I can confirm if it was received. You should also get an email with a link to a benchmark assessment that is very important for the application!
u/Crazy_Cash7631 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I would love to know if students selected for this program will receive some form of stipend or salary. Thank you!
u/michaelnovatireplied·
There is no salary or stipend but the training you receive is normally paid for and costs around $13500.
u/aguyyounevermet57 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
When is the training expected to start?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
It's Oct to Feb (I think the first week in October)
u/FatOstrich wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Would Information Technology qualify?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Yeah it would qualify! However, Waymo is looking for people that have done significant projects or past internships as engineers, so you might be less strong as a result if you have had less experience hands on coding.
u/FatOstrich wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
I don’t have internships but I went through a full time coding bootcamp and have a Java full stack certification. Would that qualify as hands on experience? For interviews would it be coding interviews ?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
That might qualify yeah! There is an initial benchmark everyone gets that is based on coding and it can't hurt to see how you do on that.
u/CaterpillarGood2292 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Is this open to Canadians?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Hi, Waymo requires existing work authorization in the United States, including F-1 Visas, but TN unfortunately.
u/henrynyguyen wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Hi, is this program still open? I find out about this too late :(
u/michaelnovatireplied·
It just closed unfortunately. I would apply to normal Waymo internships if you are really interested in the company!
u/TheCatInTheHat01 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
Anyone heard back from the final round, I'm curious if they're releasing the decision today specifically or during this week. u/michaelnovati any comments on this?
u/michaelnovatireplied·
Hi, my understanding (I'm not making decisions) is that it should be today or tomorrow or very soon!