How GSoC 2023 Can Be Your Chance to Work on Real-World 🌍 Open-Source Projects and Get Paid 💵
Have you heard of GSoC or Google Summer of Code? It's an amazing program 🌟 sponsored by Google that offers students from all around the 🌎 the chance to work on open-source projects every year and get paid 💵 for it.
📈 Over the years, GSoC has mentored more than 18,000 new contributors through 746 open-source organizations since 2005. These organizations are eager to teach newcomers 📚 about their communities and the excitement of open-source development.
By participating in GSoC, you'll have the chance to work on real-world projects with experienced mentors and contribute to the open-source community. It's a great way to gain practical experience, learn new skills 🤹, and make a meaningful impact.
Here's how it works:
📅 Google opens applications for open-source organizations to apply. (January 23 - February 7)
🔍 Google then selects the organizations that will participate in GSoC 2023. This year, 172 open-source projects have been selected, including 18 new organizations. (February 22)
💻 Each organization selected for GSoC has project ideas based on various tech stacks like web development, Android, machine learning, AR/VR, and more.
🔎 Students interested in participating in GSoC go through the list of projects and identify the ones they want to apply for. (February 22 - March 19)
🤝 Students then contact the mentors associated with those projects to discuss the details and seek guidance. (February 22 - March 19)
📝 Once students have a clear idea of what they want to work on, they submit a project proposal to the organization. This is the most important step, as it outlines the student's plan for the project and their expected outcomes. (March 20 - April 4)
🔎 After receiving all the proposals, the organizations review them and select the students they want to work with. (April 4 - May 3)
🎉 Finally, the organizations release the list of selected students, who then begin working with their mentors to complete their projects over the summer. (May 4)
👉 Check out the full GSoC 2023 timeline here.
GSoC eligibility criteria 2023, the applicant :
📆Must be at least 18 years old at the time of registration.
🎓Must be a student (enrolled in any course/degree) or an open-source beginner.
💼Must be eligible to work in their country of residence during the duration of the program.
🌍Must be a resident of a country not currently embargoed by the United States.
Tips for getting selected in GSoC:
🔥Choose a project you're passionate about: pick a project that aligns with your interests and skills, and one that you're genuinely passionate about.
🗣️Talk to your mentor: Reach out to them early on and make sure you're on the same page. Show them that you're committed and willing to work hard, and ask for feedback along the way.
📝Write a strong proposal: Your proposal is the most important part of the application process. So, make sure it's well-written and clearly outlines your plan for the project.
🤝Participate in the community: Get involved with the open-source community related to your project. Participate in forums, attend events, and contribute to relevant discussions. This will help you build connections, learn more about the project, and show that you're interested and invested in the project.
So if you're a student 👨🎓 who is interested in technology, and coding, or just want to learn some new skills this summer, GSoC might be right for you. Whether you're a seasoned coder or just starting out, 🌞 GSoC is a great way to get involved and make a difference ✨ in the world of open-source software.
Resources:
All about GSoC YouTube video (thanks to Shivam): https://youtu.be/qudrqu7GFmY
GSoC official site: https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/
Long-form video (Rahul shares his experience as a past GSoC'er and gives tips): https://www.youtube.com/live/uYVock-iWro?feature=share