Today, I share my thrilling experience of cracking Google Summer of Code (GSoC) for the Julia programming language. In this blog post, I'll take you through my journey of preparing for GSoC 2023, selecting the right organisation, and my activities during the community bonding week. Let's dive in!
Starting Early and Researching Organisations:
As soon as GSoC 2023 was announced, I began researching various organisations planning to participate in the program. I cherry-picked organisations that not only aligned with my skills and interests but would also allow me to make a meaningful impact in the community. It felt like a treasure hunt, except instead of gold💎, I was seeking the perfect match for my skills and interests.
Reaching Out to Potential Mentors:
With my research done, I put on my networking hat and reached out to potential mentors to initiate communication and express my interest in contributing to their projects. This initial contact allowed me to establish a connection, gather more information about the projects, and discuss my potential contributions. The mentor's guidance was invaluable in helping me understand project requirements, refining my ideas and ultimately developing a strong project proposal.
Submission and Selection:
After putting in meticulous effort, I submitted my GSoC application with confidence. The anticipation during the selection period was palpable, and when the acceptance email arrived, it was a moment of pure joy🎊. Getting selected for GSoC validated my dedication and hard work, motivating me for the exciting journey ahead.
Week 0 (Community Bonding):
With the community bonding period going on, we had google organised events like QnA session and contributor summits. I also had a video call with my mentor to discuss the project in detail and plan upcoming weeks. We went over the project milestones and expectations, ensuring a clear understanding of what was expected from me.
Conclusion:
Cracking GSoC for Julia has been an incredible journey, starting from thorough research and selecting the right organisation to the exciting community bonding period. I'm thrilled to be a part of the Julia community and look forward to contributing meaningfully to the project during GSoC 2023.
Remember, early preparation, effective communication, and proactive engagement are key to succeeding in GSoC. Best of luck to all future GSoC aspirants, and may your journey be as rewarding as mine!
If you're interested in following my progress or connecting with me, please feel free to reach out!
Github: Hetarth02
LinkedIn: Hetarth Shah
Website: Portfolio
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more updates as I continue to contribute to the Julia community during GSoC.