What is Google Summer of Code?

The Google Summer of Code, often abbreviated to GSoC, is an international online mentoring program focused on introducing new contributors to open-source software development. GSoC contributors work on a 12+ week programming project with the guidance of mentors from their open-source organization during the summer. As of 2022, the program is open to anyone aged 18 or over, no longer just students and recent graduates.

For anything regarding application procedure, timeline, and such common facts head over to GSoC

It is not an internship at Google, or anything working with Google. Make sure your relative doesn't post it on social groups.

How did you start contributing to Open Source projects?

In my 12^th standard, I got to know about open-source and various open-source programs because of Kunal Kushwaha then I get acquainted with Github Platform and Open Source Development. After understanding it, I started looking for good first issues not specifically for GSoC but in general luckily I found some issues in Fabric8 Kubernetes Client and Chaos Monkey for Spring Boot and I contributed to them and made my skills stronger, also got to know how to understand the codebase of large projects. I think working on open source projects helps me as much as it helps the project!

How did you choose the right Organization?

This is the most crucial decision you've to make. You've to put your time and efforts in doing so, go through the GSoC archive of past organizations and find those that interest you more and are related to your tech stack, If you only know about 30-40% of it you’re good to go, all the other tech stacks mentioned learn while you’re contributing, and join their communication channel, engaged with the community. Or if you're already contributing to some projects then ask the project maintainers, are they planning to apply this year.

In my case, due to Kubernetes Client, I got to know that they've another project which is going to apply this year and I just chose it. Luckily, that organization was selected, and in April I’d some good contributions to my organization and I got selected. By diving deep into the org idea list, you can filter the first wave of students running for projects intersecting with your tech stack.

My journey without a college

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” — Colin Powell

My journey started in December 2020, when I was in 12^th standard. I started learning about the fundamentals of computer science side by side with regular studies because I’ve so much interest in computers, and in march 2021 when the exams were postponed to May due to covid, I got a lot of free time, so I devoted my full time to learn the technical stuff, explored various fields and I got to know about open-source and various open-source programs.

But due to some financial issues, I couldn't go to college, but I get motivation from Kunal bhaiya because in most of the videos he said that one of his friends had no degree still he’s doing great and I continued my self-study.

Now talking about selecting in GSoC: As we all know that this year Google made a lot of changes to its program and one of the major changes is that anyone can now participate irrespective of if you’re in college, not in college, if you already graduated anyone who is above 18 can apply, and I've been privileged to be able to get this opportunity this year because of this rule changed. I want to thank my mentors Marc Nuri, Rohan Kumar, and Sun Tan for their guidance without them I wouldn't be able to reach this point.

Contributions and Pre-proposal phase

This is the process that requires dedication more than anything. In the beginning, I don't know much about container technologies then I started learning about these technologies. I read the documentation of the project, understand the project and the purpose it's trying to serve, and how JKube fits in the overall workflow of a Java developer working with container technologies.

After learning and understanding the project, I start contributing to it. For the whole month, I tried to have as many conversations with the project mentors as possible and didn’t even look at any other project. I always try to challenge myself 1 step ahead of issues.

You can write a max of 3 proposals but I would recommend you to make at most 2 proposals, and your prior contributions are more important than your proposal. Most organizations have a specific template so follow that template and share your draft with the community and ask them for feedback.

During this phase, I also reached out to my mentors, asking what they would like to see in the proposal. I started writing my proposal a few days before the proposal submission phase started. It is better to submit the proposal early so that the mentors can have enough time to look at your proposal and give valuable feedback.

Key Points

• Communication skills are way more important than technical ones

• Don't hesitate to ask question

• Help others, be active in the community

• Quality matters more than Quantity

• Be open-minded to learn new things

• Don't rush, be patient

What was your mindset?

When I got to know that it's so competitive and I only knew some basic things nothing high-tech, I lose confidence but I decided doesn’t matter whatever it is, I’ll apply and if don't get selected, I’ll apply again next year. Fortunately, I got selected. if you don’t get selected don't be demotivated work on your skills and apply again.

My Experience with Eclipse Community

My involvement with the Eclipse community has surely enhanced my programming and communication skills. Everyone tries to help each other out. The community is really helpful. Open Source projects are designed, implemented, and maintained in a way that always teaches you how an enterprise-level project should perform in a real sense. It provides a feeling of truly working in the industry. It also helped me develop qualities like teamwork and sticking to coding standards otherwise, I think I wouldn't be able to develop these skills easily.

If you want to start your open-source journey with us please give a read to How to contribute to Eclipse JKube. We'd love to accept your patches! Since we ♥︎♥︎ LOVE ♥︎♥︎ Contributors and Contributions.