The Initial Steps

The Initial Steps

Unlike the typical advice of starting early, I began exploring GSoC organizations in October but didn’t take any immediate action. By January, I decided to revisit the organizations I had shortlisted and start contributing. However, I found it difficult to take the first step. The vastness of open-source projects can be overwhelming, and figuring out where to begin was challenging. I joined the Slack and Discord channels of a few organizations but didn’t dive into coding or making pull requests....

The Turning Point

As February approached and the announcement of new organizations was imminent, I started losing hope of being selected for GSoC this year. However, I devised a strategy to focus on newer organizations, anticipating less competition compared to the established ones. Despite not having made significant progress by then, I was determined to give it my best shot....

The Challenges and Learning

US OSPO provided us with five initial assignments, which I found quite challenging at first. However, as I persevered, I gradually became more comfortable with the tasks and gained a deeper understanding of US OSPO’s project. The support from my mentor was invaluable during this phase, helping me complete the assignments and build my confidence....

The Selection Process

In April, just a few days before the acceptance announcements, my mentor informed me that Google would likely select two projects from US OSPO, and mine was ranked third. This news was a bit disheartening, but I wasn’t too disappointed. I knew I hadn’t given my 100%, and the knowledge and experience I gained were invaluable for future attempts....

Reflection

Participating in GSoC 2024 has been an extraordinary experience. It taught me the importance of perseverance, flexibility, and the value of mentorship. Despite the initial setbacks and self-doubt, the journey culminated in success, proving that it’s never too late to start and give your best....