University Programs for Google
Brooklyn, New York
History and Women’s Studies majors 2012
At Google, Turcios now leads student outreach efforts in parts of the U.S. and Latin America. For him, this means making Google a more accessible place for those who come from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds. Outside of Google, he is working on growing the young minority vote through his role as a millennial advisory board member to the Andrew Goodman Foundation.
How does your time at SPU connect to the work you’re doing today?
I’ve said before that SPU taught me to think critically, but I’d now add that it also taught me to think empathetically. At Google, we work on solving big problems using data. However, when I approach issues like the lack of diversity in tech, I know that it’s not just the numbers that are of importance — it’s the experiences, stories, and histories of the people we are talking about. SPU was definitely the beginning of me understanding how to approach tough problems in nuanced ways.
Who made a difference in your SPU education?
One professor in particular who shaped me tremendously is Dr. Mike Hamilton of the History Department. He taught what I consider to be the best course I took at SPU called U.S. Women’s History. It’s an incredible class that reveals how much of what we understand as “American history” is actually only a small part of the truth, especially when considering who’s left out (women, people of color, etc). Professor Hamilton awakened a real longing for justice and truth in me, and it makes sense that he later allowed me to independently study feminism in the Latin community.
What advice do you have for students about life after graduation?
Allow what makes you eccentric to guide your career trajectory.
