From Intern to Full-Time Engineer

🎉😃🎆🥳‼️🌟– Translation: when your internship turns into a full-time offer! Meet Owen Hsieh, a former engineering intern who recently accepted a full-time position at Taboola as a Software Engineer. In a recent conversation with Owen, I learned more about a Taboola engineer’s impact on its clients, the tech team environment, and collaboration, and how his transition to his new role has been off to a wonderful start because of Taboola’s work culture.

First impressions at Taboola

After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2023 with a Computer Science degree, Owen began an engineering internship at Taboola, working in a space he always knew he was interested in pursuing.  “From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by my colleagues, which created an atmosphere of collaboration and encouragement.” Owen emphasized that his team never throws him into the deep end, allowing him to learn and grow in his role focused on the backend team. The structured approach to his onboarding allowed him to slowly acclimate without feeling overwhelmed.

“One thing I truly appreciate is how kind and welcoming everyone is. When I first started, people would initiate conversations with me, and the friendly atmosphere and eagerness to help one another have made a significant difference in my experience.”

From engineering intern to full-time engineer

“I think it’s amazing to see the impact of my work firsthand,” Owen shares. “With things moving quickly, I never feel like I’m just going through the motions or doing busy work. Instead, I’m constantly engaged in projects that make a difference.” Owen expressed how when beginning his full-time role, he was never given projects that were too far out of scope and that he has been given opportunities to work on things that are great ‘stretch’ projects.

For example, his manager has supported his development by encouraging Owen to work on a new backend service project, which he hadn’t done on his own before. He shared how it was a great learning experience having to do something new and coordinating with a different team.

Since joining Taboola, Owen has proudly worked on the Taboola Newsroom product, focused on the real-time analytics dashboard, which provides valuable insights for publishers into article performance and user interactions. “I’m particularly excited about the Homepage For You tool, which allows publishers to curate their website’s homepage based on individual user preferences. I love how this customization enhances the user experience by showcasing content that truly resonates with each visitor, making it more engaging and relevant. It’s rewarding to contribute to a tool that empowers publishers to connect more meaningfully with their audiences!”

Working with people who care

“One important highlight is how Taboola has fostered a fantastic working environment that has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth.” Owen shared that Taboola, being his first “real world” career experience, has given him more confidence to do something new while learning and trusting himself. He stressed how the environment here encourages people to grow together, celebrate successes, and support each other through obstacles. “There’s a sense of community that makes me excited to come to work, and it’s a reminder of how powerful it is to be a part of a team that genuinely cares about each other’s growth and well-being.”

Although his Taboola journey is still in early stages, Owen expressed how much he’s grown because of the great people he’s met and approaching situations with an open mind and a commitment to continuous learning. “Taboola’s superpower is its trust in people,” he shares. “Everyone is empowered with the autonomy to do their work, which fosters a sense of ownership and creativity, enabling us to contribute our best ideas.”

Standout #TaboolaLife moments

My conversation with Owen wrapped up with him sharing some of the standout moments he’s experienced during his time at Taboola. During AAPI month, he helped organize a catering event that included authentic pho. The experience of collaborating with colleagues from the NYC office and researching local restaurants, helped him feel genuinely valued as a part of the community and team. He expressed, “This experience deepened my connections with the team and allowed me to contribute to a meaningful celebration of diversity within the company.”

Outside of work, you can find Owen enjoying a gym workout or attending concerts, something he shares keeps him energized and performing his best at work. Those concerts have also been a great conversation starter, as the music exchanges bring a fun dynamic to his work interactions, further fostering that community culture.

To learn more about why we are consistently ranked as a great place to work, check out the Taboola Life blog. Visit our careers page and discover your moment. #TaboolaLife