Nov 18 2020

How Community Drives Culture at Facebook’s London Office

This post was published before the Facebook company became Meta. For the most recent Meta Careers blog posts, visit our blog homepage.
London is widely known as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and is often described as one of the most cosmopolitan. That is what draws people from all over the world to move here.
The Facebook company’s London office also reflects a cosmopolitan energy. We aim to be as diverse as the billions of people who use Facebook products, which helps us better serve the people and communities who use our apps and technology each day. From building products to following your passions and growing your career, you’ll find a community based in multiculturalism and diverse perspectives in London.
We talked with three people to hear more about what led them to Facebook and how they’ve found their community in Facebook's London office.

Making a lasting impact

Nasia N., a data engineer on the Community Integrity team, moved from Berlin to work at Facebook. Her team helps combat bad behaviors across apps, creating a safer experience for everyone. She’s been at Facebook longer than in any previous role and she largely credits that to never getting bored.
"Nasia sitting in a chair next to a plant"
Nasia N. is a data engineer on the Community Integrity team where she focuses on misrepresentation across Facebook Products
“I was referred to Facebook through a friend. At the time, I was working as a data consultant in Berlin. I didn’t think I’d be hired but that wasn’t going to stop me from trying. I was successful in the interview process, and I now work on the Facebook London team. We’re working on creating solutions for tough challenges. It’s inspiring to see how the work I’m doing is really helping people, and that we’re having a positive impact on the way the world interacts with social platforms.
My team works on misrepresentation issues across Facebook and Instagram. We identify bad actors who are impersonating people and reduce harm to others by removing them from the platform. The work we’re doing inspires me because I really believe we can change things. That we can have a positive impact on social media by trying to create a safer space for the billions of people who use our products.
I’ve grown to love London. I’ve been here for two and a half years and I still learn something new every day. Everyone on my team is very close and we often have virtual brainstorms and collaborate on solving problems. Those moments are really the best parts of my day.
When I’m not working, I enjoy acting classes. I’m certified as a coach and work with other women to help them boost their confidence. I also practice yoga and enjoy cycling and I like to stay active. To me, it’s the perfect way to boost creativity.”

Following your passions

Now a UX research manager on the WhatsApp team, Aaron M. relocated to London from Bangkok. Wondering what drove his decision? A strong pull to work on a product where he could make an impact. He also found a sense of belonging in the London office.
"Aaron kneeling down on the roof of a small boat in China"
Aaron M., a UX research manager on the WhatsApp team where he works on challenges related to integrity, explores the local culture in Vietnam
“I’ve always had a passion for travel. Which is why when recruiters for WhatsApp’s Integrity team reached out to me, I decided to explore the opportunity. What really sold me was the chance to work on a product where I could make a huge difference in preventing harm for the billions of people who use WhatsApp. So I moved from my home of four years in Bangkok, to London, and I’m so glad I did.
What I discovered is that Facebook’s London office is incredibly diverse, and there are plenty of opportunities to find and build your community. I get to meet teammates from all over the world and there isn’t one dominating group or ethnicity. We have an international perspective on things, and the office is reflective of that. The culture of the London office is a perfect mix: it’s not so big that it’s overwhelming, but it’s big enough that you can find people with similar interests and create your own community. People are really encouraged to explore the things they’re passionate about. For me, that’s wildlife conservation. I even started an employee group focused on conservation and learned that a lot of other people shared my passion.
Since we’ve all been working from home, maintaining relationships and cultivating new ones has been challenging, but Facebook helps us stay connected through digital events, virtual team happy hours, and game nights. If you’ve ever been curious about living abroad or experiencing a different culture, you should do it. I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to expand my horizons and perspectives.”

Building with purpose


"Valery at a standing desk in front of two computer monitors"
Valery B. is a software engineer on the WhatsApp team where he focuses on Payments
Valery B. is a software engineer on the WhatsApp team. At Facebook’s London office, he has found both the opportunity to work on something his grandma would be proud of, and also a way to give back by mentoring others on the team.
“I was living in Ukraine with my wife and daughter. There was a lot of unrest in the country, and especially in my city. We knew we needed to move. The opportunity to join Facebook truly couldn't have come at a better time.
I originally started on the Facebook Ads team, but after a few years, I was ready for change. I wanted to build something that my grandma would understand and could find value in, and I found that with WhatsApp. Today, I work on the Payments team. There are a lot of nuances when it comes to things like financial regulations in different countries, but we have the autonomy to make decisions to build the best product possible. From a technical perspective, it’s not always immediately clear what we need to do, but we have freedom to figure it out. Our goal is to create a product where people can send money to each other in a way that’s as easy, reliable, and fast as sending a WhatsApp message.
I didn’t know much about personal growth and mentoring before I joined Facebook. The companies I worked at previously didn’t have those resources so I had to figure it out myself. After spending time here with my managers and mentors, I developed an interest in giving back and sharing that experience with others at Facebook. During my first year here, I became a mentor and have mentored many people over the years.
London is a great city, and I’ve had opportunities to do a lot of interesting work. My team is also very friendly and collaborative, and even while working from home, we’re taking the time to stay connected and socialise virtually.”

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