GDSC (Google Developer Student Clubs) Lead Application Process, Perks, Referral & Stepwise guide to ace the GDSC Leads Interview

A lot of students from tech, computer science or related backgrounds are going on about GDSCs these days, after all the applications for becoming a GDSC Lead are open right now (Deadline: 31 March 2023).

Having been a GDSC Lead myself, I can assure you, the next few mins you read this article, won’t be a waste! So, for starters…

What is a GDSC?

Google Developer Student Clubs, also known as GDSCs are university-based student community groups focused on Google developer technologies. The GDSC program, started in 2019, aims to empower student developers in universities to grow as leaders and impact their student communities through technology. There are more than 350 GDSCs in India alone and many more in several renowned universities across the globe. These are simply hubs where students from different tech-based undergraduate and graduate programs, with an interest in leading communities of developers, bring together more students to learn the latest in technologies like Android App Development, Google Cloud, Flutter, Firebase and so much more.

TLDR?

To sum it up, their goal is to equip & empower students to impact their communities through technology.

GDSCs are for:
1. University students interested in Google developer technologies.
2. Students from all undergraduate or graduate programs with an interest in growing as a developer are welcome.
3. By joining a GDSC, students grow their knowledge in a peer-to-peer learning environment and build solutions for local businesses and their community.

What is a GDSC Lead?

In simple words, GDSC Leads are like the centre of a hub or the leaders of a cool tech guild that’s all about tech events and workshops. The generic roles and responsibilities of a GDSC Lead include:

1. Setting up a club, forming a core team and finding a suitable faculty advisor after seeking permission from your campus authorities. You need not set up a club from scratch if your campus already has a GDSC. (Find GDSCs near you).
2. Spread the word and grow chapter strength and student knowledge on developer products and platforms by hosting free hands-on workshops and events (ideally once a month and at least once every 3 months). Students from nearby colleges with no GDSCs can also attend workshops at your GDSC or join your chapter virtually.
3. Identify local partners (communities/businesses/NGOs) to work with and lead project building activities that solve real-world problems in your local ecosystem.

GDSC Leads helps their peers bridge the gap between theory and practice in understanding the intersections between social groups, technology and user behaviour.

A lot of times, GDSC Leads also form collaborations with other communities, like GDGs (Google Developer Groups), WTMAs (WomenTech Makers), MLSA (Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors) Club, IBM Z, GitHub Campus Experts etc. to bring in more technically rich experiences to their community.

Why become a GDSC Lead? Perks and Benefits

There are many tangible and intangible benefits of becoming a GDSC Lead.

A Golden Opportunity Steve Kornacki GIF

1. Several chances to attend select summits/workshops as well as host many virtual or in-person workshops/programs/events powered by Google, and a chance to nominate yourself or your team members to become facilitators for Android Study Jams, Flutter Festival, Explore ML, Google Crowdsource and a lot more.
2. Chances to receive technical and management mentorship from Google’s Developer Ecosystem through The Buddy Program (an experienced developer is assigned as a mentor to the Lead ) or Facilitator Training/Induction programs where Google Engineers come and train students.
3. More autonomy compared to other campus-specific clubs/societies and space to explore and hone your own leadership skills while growing a community and developing professional relationships with people in your own chapter as well as other developer communities around you.
4. Free access to several Educational platforms/Community Management tools such as the Google Cloud Platform or the Community Leads Portal (CLP) - A wholesome platform with a plethora of tech and non-tech resources curated especially for the development of GDSC Leads and GDG Organizers or Bevy - A platform that can host virtual sessions for a very large number of attendees, with a lot of cool features like RSVP tickets, breakout rooms etc.
5. Peer-to-peer learning and chances to apply your learnings from the different workshops and programs, to build your own solutions for real-world local or global problems around you.
6. Goodies & rewards, time and again! Previously, Google sent out Leads’ Onboarding Kits at the beginning of GDSC terms and Leads’ & Core Team’s Thankyou Kits in the end, with Google goodies like T-shirts, stickers, headphones etc (Note: The goodies differ based on time and region). There are more rewards for students attending programs conducted by GDSCs.
7. Along with goodies, GDSC Leads and their community members also receive discounts on various certification exams, such as AAD (Android Associate Developer Certification) or Google Cloud Certifications etc.
8. Networking opportunities. Connect with a global network of current and past GDSC Leads, GDEs (Google Developer Experts) and Industry Experts from different technical domains, professional community organizers and DevRel (Developer Relations) Engineers, and Googlers from all around the world.

Google Developers Delhi Meet Up: 2 April, 2022, Sheraton Hotel, Saket, New Delhi

If you’re a first-time Lead at your campus like me, you’ll not only get to become a gamechanger on your campus by bringing such a wide range of opportunities to your college/university single-handedly, but you’ll also gain exposure to building teams and communities from scratch, event management, its various aspects like marketing/PR, wholesome personality development and a ton of great memories!

If you’ve read until so far, I bet you want to apply by now, right? So let’s dive into the details of “How to become a GDSC Lead?”

Eligibility Criteria to become a GDSC Lead

1. Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university.
2. Have a minimum of one year left until graduation and can commit to the GDSC program for one year.

Note: You don’t have to be from totally computer science based courses like B.E/B.Tech/BCA. Google communities are super inclusive! Students from unconventional courses with not a very strong CS background like B.Voc, B.A, BS/BSc etc. can also become Leads, just like I did :)

Along with the above-mentioned criteria, a desirable Lead should be

1. Passionate about creating impact in their community
2. Have a decent technical understanding of computer programming and related concepts (Including DSA & Dev).
3. Have some experience with event planning or leading a team/group.
4. Have awareness about, and connections with the local developer communities around them.
5. Someone who knows and understands when and how to delegate tasks, be quick on their feet and has a never give up attitude.

Does this sound like you? So let’s find out “How to become a GDSC Lead?”

GDSC Leads Application Process & Secret Tips

Source: Promo Kit by GDSC India.

The application process to become a Google Developer Student Clubs Lead is divided into 3 stages: Application Form, Diagnostic Test and Interview.

Stage 1: GDSC Leads Application Form (Apply at gdsc.advocu.com)

The application form may change every year but usually, it has a pattern very similar to MLSA Applications and consists of:

a) GDSC Lead Referral Code: Usually, at the very beginning of the form, you’re asked for a referral code (optional). This is only for applicants who already have a GDSC at their campus and the code can only be shared by your previous Lead.

#Tip: Referrals from a Lead from another campus in the same university are also valid (I am living proof that it works!) Hit up current Leads on Instagram/LinkedIn. For the 2022 Leads application, I was given a referral that will work for any first time GDSC applicant from a college that never had a GDSC before. Want a referral? Hit me up on LinkedIn.

b) General Details: Here you’ll be asked for your personal details, university/campus details (only for first time GDSC Lead applicants) and your socials/blogs.

#Tip: Make sure to mention your GitHub/Blogsites/Portfolio even if they’re not as attractive as you’d want them to be. It takes a while for them to review your application, you can always give your socials and portfolio a touch up even after you’ve submitted the links. Don’t forget to show off your projects and leadership skills there!

c) GDSC Leads Application Essay Questions: Usually there are 2–3 questions like “What motivated you to become a GDSC Lead?”, “Why are you the best fit to become a GDSC Lead at your campus?”, “What excites you about technology?” or something along the same lines. The questions change every year.

#Tip: Brag truthfully about what you’ve done so far, even if it isn’t much, and write more about your aspirations and what all you wish to accomplish as a Lead. I wrote about how I wish to bridge the gap between technical and semi-technical courses at my college and start a brand new coding and development culture.

Don’t lie about yourself but don’t be too humble either. Brag about your accomplishments and why they matter.

d) GDSC Leads Application Video: You have to submit a 1.5–2 mins video talking about yourself and your motivation behind becoming a GDSC Lead. This video is one of the make it or break it elements of your application.

#Tip: Ask your favorite professors to record quick 2 liner recommendations for you and add those in the video as well, add text balloons to save time speaking about trivial things (like your college/course name), increase the speed if needed, trim-cut-shorten and finally upload!

The quality of your application form decides whether you’ll get to stage 2 or not, hence, you must be super careful at this stage.

Mistakes to avoid while filling your GDSC Lead Application: Don’t wait until the last day to perfect your video editing and essays. Prepare them well in advance, and avoid last-minute changes.

A good application is far better than a perfect application that missed the deadline.

I missed my application deadline because my video was not uploading timely, but luckily, the deadline got extended for India region. Luck may not work every time in your favour so fill out the application well in advance in order to avoid last-minute chaos.

If your application went through, you should be receiving more emails from the GDSC team about the next steps and information regarding the Diagnostic Test.

Stage 2: The Diagnostic Test

The diagnostic test is a new stage in the application process introduced in 2023 itself. So, not much is known yet about the pattern of this test other than the fact that it’ll be online and of qualifying nature (i.e. you need to clear this test to be eligible for the next round).

It is advised that you should prepare yourself in:

1. The basics of programming, logic and aptitude. But don’t spend too much time just on your coding and dev skills for this test.
2. Google Developer Technologies. You don’t necessarily have to learn all the know-how’s of each technology, but it’d be better if you at least know the applications and usage of major ones. Such as knowing what is GCP, Firebase, Flutter etc. and where or what they are used for.
3. Leadership aptitude and how to be a team player. There might be some questions to assess your emotional intelligence as a leader. It is important to know the difference between the ways of thinking of a person who is a one man army, and one who can lead others and be a team player.

Note: The contents of this test are something know one knows about right now, so it’s better to go well prepared and not trust word of mouth/a singular source about what the test would entail, unless the source is the GDSC Program team itself.

Stage 3: Interview

The interview round can range from 20 mins to an hour depending on how much you and your interviewer(s) have stuff to talk about. There may be one or more interviewers, but they’re all quite friendly.

#Tip: They don’t really assess your coding/technical skills as the same has been done in the diagnostic test already and many applicants are beginners in the field. So be fearless but polite, try to befriend them and talk about your high school/college projects and experiences so far.

#Pro-Tip: When asked what excites you about becoming a GDSC Lead or what your plans are, focus less on personal goals and more on community goals. If you have already worked in a GDSC and are applying to be a Lead now, you can also ask your GDSC’s former lead to give you inputs about how your contributions helped GDSC in the previous year.

Lastly, don’t lose faith in yourself throughout the whole process!

And that’s it!

If you made it through the whole process successfully, around 1–1.5 months later, you’ll receive something like the email shown below! Show them off on LinkedIn, twitter or other socials like I did (My GDSC Lead Acceptance LinkedIn post).

Why is it important to post on socials?

Posting on LinkedIn will help other new GDSC Leads from different campuses find and connect with you which will help you a ton in future collaborations.

If you liked this blog, do tap on the clap icon below! :)

Also, if you wish to talk more about GDSC Leads Application or life as a GDSC Lead in general, feel free to hit me up on:
LinkedIn |Twitter |Email