Internship Spotlight: Meta, Operations Program Manager Summer Intern
About Gabriel: Gabriel Alvarez was born and raised in Mexico City. The oldest of three brothers, he studied Chemical Engineering following the footsteps of his father, and grandfather. After university, he worked at a strategic management consulting firm focused on the energy industry for four years, doing a little bit of everything, from financial valuations to market entry strategies. Looking to pivot away from strategic work into implementation he joined Scale AI as an Operations Program Manager. As a part of Scale he worked on accelerating the development of AI applications across multiple industries through operational efficiency in data labeling. He developed a strong skill set across data analytics, product, and operations. He chose UCLA Anderson for its strong academic focus on technology and deep connections within the industry.
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a Global Operations Intern at Meta, specifically within the Regulatory Readiness Operations team in Austin, Texas. This experience was both professionally and personally rewarding, providing me with invaluable insights into the intricate processes of a global tech giant and the vibrant culture of one of America’s most exciting cities.
The internship comprised two major projects, each offering a unique set of challenges and learning opportunities. The first project involved setting up processes and roles necessary for Global Operations to meet compliance commitments with various regulatory bodies worldwide. Navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance across different jurisdictions was an excellent opportunity to understand the critical importance of regulatory readiness in the tech industry. My second project focused on developing the processes and metrics our team would use to monitor and report their work, which involved close collaboration with data scientists and leveraging Meta’s internal products to build effective workflows. This project was particularly exciting because it allowed me to apply analytical skills and gain hands-on experience with advanced data tools. Working with talented data scientists helped me appreciate the importance of precision and clarity in data reporting, which is crucial for informed decision-making and continuous improvement within the organization.
The primary skills I used over the summer include:
Collaboration: I worked with multiple teams across Global Operations, product, and engineering to set up compliance processes, coordinated with data scientists to develop metrics and reporting frameworks for monitoring team performance, and engaged in regular cross-functional meetings to ensure alignment and effective communication.
Analytical Thinking: I analyzed regulatory requirements to design compliant operational processes, developed and implemented metrics to evaluate team performance and ensure adherence to compliance standards, and utilized Meta’s internal data tools to create workflows and reporting mechanisms that provided actionable insights.
Project Management: I led the setup of processes and roles necessary for Global Operations to fulfill compliance commitments, managed timelines and deliverables for the creation of monitoring and reporting systems, and ensured all project milestones were met by coordinating efforts across different teams and stakeholders.
Throughout my internship, I was deeply impressed by Meta’s culture. The company genuinely lives and breathes its values, emphasizing open communication, collaboration, and innovation. The supportive environment fostered creativity and encouraged me to take ownership of my projects. Additionally, Meta’s commitment to work-life balance was evident in every aspect of the workplace culture. Despite the demanding nature of the projects, there was always a focus on ensuring employees had the time and flexibility to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“Build Awesome Things” is a fundamental value at Meta. This value drives the company to create innovative and impactful products that make a difference in people’s lives. My projects involved setting up processes and metrics to ensure compliance and efficiency, reflecting Meta’s commitment to excellence. The emphasis on building awesome things was evident in the high standards set for every task and the drive to exceed expectations. This value inspires employees to push the boundaries of what’s possible and continuously strive for innovation and quality.
- Student Blogger: Gabriel Alvarez ’25
- Undergrad: Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de Mexico ’18
- Pre-MBA: Operations Program Manager at Scale AI
- Leadership@Anderson: President of Anderson Onboarding Committee, EVP of Operations at Andertech, VP of Prospective Student Affairs at Admissions Ambassador Corps, VP of Admissions at Latin American Business Association