People I (Mostly) Admire 5. Susan Wojcicki: “Hey, Let’s Go Buy YouTube!”
Oct 17, 2020
Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube and the sixteenth employee at Google, shares her remarkable journey from literature to tech leadership. She discusses the early days of Google and the evolving dynamics of the tech industry, highlighting the importance of encouraging girls in STEM. Wojcicki dives into YouTube's acquisition, initially met with skepticism but ultimately transformative. She addresses challenges like misinformation and content moderation while offering insights into balancing a fulfilling life with the responsibilities of leadership and parenting.
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Renting to Google
- Susan Wojcicki rented out her garage to help pay her mortgage after graduating from business school.
- The renters turned out to be Sergey and Larry, the founders of Google.
Early CS Education
- Encourage early computer science education, especially for girls.
- A strong CS background helps prevent feeling overwhelmed in college.
Google Ads Breakthrough
- Google's ad system revolutionized online advertising by focusing on relevance and user clicks.
- The cost-per-click (CPC) model proved more effective than traditional banner ads.