Overview
Life in Silicon Valley
Interested in working for a leading technology company or startup in Silicon Valley?
Join our new Career Prep for Big Tech Webinar Series, designed to help students gain insight into careers in large tech organizations, navigate the unique hiring process, and learn what it’s really like to build a career in one of the world’s most dynamic innovation hubs. Through candid discussions with alumni currently working in tech, students will gain practical advice, career preparation strategies, and opportunities to build meaningful connections.
Through this series, you’ll:
– Explore career opportunities in Silicon Valley
– Learn about resources and supports available through McMaster’s Career and Experiential Education team
– Connect with successful McMaster alumni working in tech
– Better prepare for interviews, networking, and career growth in the industry
Whether you’re exploring co-op opportunities, preparing for interviews, or dreaming of a future in Silicon Valley, this webinar series will equip you with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to take the next step toward a career in tech.
Session 3: Life in Silicon Valley
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM-1:30 PM
Location: Virtual – Zoom
Curious about what it’s really like to live and work in Silicon Valley? From workplace culture and networking to immigration and housing to day-to-day life, this session will provide an honest look at the experience of building a career and a life in one of the world’s leading technology ecosystems.
Featured Speakers: Maanav Dalal and Tom Woudenberg
Maanav Dalal (Software Engineering ’22) is a developer relations engineer at Black Forest Labs in San Francisco, where he works on generative AI models, writes docs and demos, and ships experiments in public. Previously a product manager at Microsoft, he has built developer frameworks, spoken at conferences, and run hackathons across product, web development, and UX design. Maanav will share firsthand insights into making the move to Silicon Valley and building a career in the region’s fast-paced tech industry.
Tom Woudenberg (Software Engineering ’15) Tom Woudenberg is a software engineer at Google. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has built his career developing large-scale technology solutions and can share a wealth of experience from working at one of the world’s leading tech companies and building a life in Silicon Valley.
Questions for Maanav & Tom: Career Prep for Big Tech Webinar Series – Fill out form