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Becoming a Google Developer Students Club Lead: The Application Journey.

By Cornelius Lochipi May 7, 2024 7 Min Read

Let’s explore more about the Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC). You will learn more about the application process, the benefits of being a leader, and how you can step up to empower your community with technology. Let’s dive in!

Highlights

  1. GDSC Leads are university leaders who foster learning and connection through clubs, workshops, and projects, offering professional and network growth, and community learning.
  2. They are responsible for hosting events, reporting activities, assembling a core team, participating in campaigns, and adhering to the code of conduct.
  3. To become a GDSC Lead, check for existing clubs, gain experience, and apply within the designated timeline for your region, aiming to make a positive community impact.

What is GDSC?

GDSC, short for Google Developer Student Clubs, is a technical club within university campuses. It’s backed by Google and focuses on promoting technical activities like workshops, hackathons, and guest speaker sessions. Members also gain access to study materials and Google Cloud credits to share with fellow students. 

Who is a GDSC lead?

GDSC Leads are passionate leaders at their universities who are dedicated to helping their peers learn and connect. As a GDSC Lead, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Start or Grow a Club: Work with your university to establish a student club. Create a core team and select a faculty advisor to support your initiatives.
  • Host Workshops: Grow student knowledge of developer products and platforms through hands-on workshops and events.
  • Build Projects: Identify local partners to collaborate with and lead project-building activities.

What are the benefits of being one?

As the leader, you will have lots of benefits that can propel you to become a great one, both professionally and in your technical skills. Below are some of the benefits:

  • Professional Growth: Access community management training and technical knowledge. Receive invitations to selected Google events.
  • Network Growth: Connect with a global network of student leaders, professional community organizers, industry experts, and Google.
  • Community Learning: Receive dedicated support to help educate and expand the community both online and in-person.

Lead responsibilities

Lead Responsibilities

As a GDSC Lead, you will:

  • Host Events: Ideally, organize at least one event per month or a total of four events throughout the year.
  • Report Activities: Regularly update the event platform with your club’s activities.
  • Assemble a Core Team: Recruit and lead a core team to support organizing events and workshops.
  • Participate in Program Campaigns: Engage in program campaigns and events.
  • Meet with the regional lead and community manager. Seek guidance and mentorship from experienced leaders.
  • Adhere to the Community Organizer Code of Conduct.

How to become a Lead

Check to see if there’s an existing Google Developer Student Club on your campus. If there is, determine whether you’ll start a new club or contribute to an existing one.

Participate in or help organize an event with an existing club near you to gain practical experience.

Application

Let’s discuss the interview process for becoming a GDSC lead. This is the most important part, and you should take note and prepare well.

Eligibility Check

Before anything else, you’ll need to submit an application to join GDSC. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, which typically include being a student at the university where the GDSC operates. Some clubs may have additional requirements, so check their specific guidelines.

Video selection

In the first step into interviewing, you would be asked to answer an essay question and record a video explaining why you’re the best candidate. You should talk about yourself and your experience in a 2-minute video.

Online Test

After the first selection, you will be moved to the next phase of the interview. This phase would be slightly technical and slightly behavioral.

On-on-one interview

If you clear both of the rounds, then you will be finally invited to a one-on-one video interview that will last around 20 to 30 minutes. This will be done on Google Meet.

Interview tips

Here are some tips for your GDSC lead interview:

  1. Profile Strength: Ensure your GitHub and LinkedIn profiles are impressive.
  2. Technical Basics: Brush up on fundamental technical concepts like object-oriented programming.
  3. Highlight Achievements: Emphasize your accomplishments during the introduction.
  4. “Tell Me About Yourself”: Prepare a compelling answer for this common question.
  5. Unique Project: Discuss a challenging and distinctive project you’ve worked on.
  6. Decision-Making Skills: Be ready for situation-based questions.
  7. Future Plans: Share your vision for campus activities if you become the leader.

Application timeline

North America, Europe, Pakistan, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Turkey, Central Asia, and the Caucasus: applications are open from the beginning of March to mid-June or end-June each year.

India: Applications are open from mid-February to the end of March each year.

Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, ASEAN, Taiwan, and Hong Kong: Applications are open from early April each year to the end of May.

Apply now!

Learn more about the GDSC Lead role and apply on the Google Developer Student Clubs website. Feel free to explore any of your previous GDSC leads for inspiration and guidance.

To become a GDSC Lead is not just about the role—it’s about making a positive impact in your community!

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us via the button link below. Good luck with your application!

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Software Engineer | Technical Writer

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