[raphlinus]

I vouched for your comment but suffice it to say it doesn't match my experience. Being on the right team and having the right project makes a lot of difference. Way too many meetings is definitely a common problem at Google but you also don't have to be completely passive and helpless about it either.

In any case, glad you have found your niche in academia! Working with students is indeed rewarding - I've gotten to do some through Summer of Code, but academia is definitely a better place if that's your passion.