Have you ever wondered what working at a company as large as Apple might look like? We sat down with software engineer Emilie to learn all about what it takes to work for such a prestigious company, her best advice for leading a meeting, and her favorite way to wind down after a long day of taking tech to new heights.
A day in the life
I commute from San Francisco. First thing when I get to work is set my bag and jacket down in my office and get a coffee. Nothing happens without my morning coffee. After that, I’m in meetings until around noon. I like to take my lunch break outside if possible. By the end of the day, I’ve been in several meetings and probably consumed two to three Nalgenes’ worth of water, and it’s time to head home.
On working her career
The work culture at Apple is incredibly unique. Apple's attention to the user experience and little details is pervasive throughout the work culture. You can tell in the way people talk about work, and on how decisions are made, that user experience is the driving force.
Getting to capture, relive, and share memories is one of the oldest human means of communication, whether through cave paintings, literature, art, or modern-day digital content, and I love that what I work on helps enable people to communicate in emotional and creative ways.
What is the best piece of advice a parent has ever given you?
Do things in moderation.
Do you have a go-to workday lunch?
Sushi. There was a time where I ate sushi every day for lunch at Apple for six years or so.
What's your favorite book to recommend?
Joys and Sorrows: Reflections by Pablo Casals, written by Albert Kahn.
Do you have a favorite after-hours hobby?
I love evenings when I get to play violin with my string quartet. We're a good group of friends who get together, drink wine, and play string quartets.
What are your best and worst work habits?
One of my best work habits is that I can be obsessive—whether it's tracking bugs or peeping pixels or trying to find the clearest means of communication. One of my worst work habits is procrastinating.
What is the smartest work decision you've ever made?
Switching teams inside Apple to work on something I was passionate about—camera and photos.
What's your best tip for leading a meeting?
Be the person who helps keep things focused and on track.
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