Google Code-In 2017 Experience with Systers

Introducing myself as a 12th standard student, Born and brought up in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, myself Vatsal Kulshreshtha, age 17 years, is a Google Code-In 2017 participant.

I am Apple iOS app developer and in July 2017, Apple invited me for training in Bengaluru, India. I have also made an online shopping app for my Mom’s jewellery store in Jaipur. Also I have some experience in the field of video editing, animation, designing.

My interest in coding was developed when I was in Class 10, I was very happy when my father gifted me a Mac to code and make application. In October 2017, my cousin brother introduced Google Code-In (GCI) to me.

And now, Google Code-in is about to end and it’s nostalgic. This platform is already getting me into the depth of this emotion. Reliving those past few weeks memories, I would like to share my wonderful experience with Systers orgaisation and Google Code-in

What is Google Code-In ?

Google Code-in (GCI) is an annual programming competition hosted by Google Inc. that allows pre-university students to complete tasks specified by various, partnering open source organizations like Systers.

My Journey

After Google announced the names of organisations which are participating in GCI 2017, I was just scrolling the list and I saw Systers organisation, it was the only organisation who would give tasks related to iOS. I think that was the time I understood that I can also be a part of such an awesome community. The best part of GCI is that, anyone can participate even if he/she doesn’t know how to code as all organisations have tasks related to documentation/training, outreach/research, User Interface, quality assurance.

On 28 November 2017, 10:30 p.m. the competition begun, my focus was to do tasks for one organisation only i.e. Systers. From the very beginning of my teenage, I wanted to do something for the women and girls of the world which is related to technology and Systers is the best platform for me to do something in favour of women and the girls.

What is Systers?

Anita Borg created Systers in 1987 when she and 12 other women launched a small electronic mailing list for women in “systems.” Her goal was to “increase the number of women in computer science and make the environments in which women work more conducive to their continued participation in the field.”

Systers provides a private, safe online forum for women involved in technical aspects of computing. Our members gain support by networking, sharing advice and experiences, and collaborating on various projects. We welcome women of all ages and at any stage of their studies or careers.

Project on which we are working in Google Code-In 2017.

PowerUp

PowerUp is a female empowerment educational mobile game app that will allow young girls to learn about reproductive health and self-esteem by navigating the life of their avatar!

Github Repository links;

PowerUp Android

PowerUp iOS

In starting , I had a little bit knowledge about Java and I realised that I can also start doing some tasks related to android to learn more about Java. Once, one of my android task got approved, I realised that I should do more android related tasks and for which Systers Mentors supported me a lot, I faced some problems which were related to git commands but my mentor were always there to help me come out of these tough situations.

On 2, December 2017, I saw my name in the leaders list of Systers Community and that was a self inspiration for me. In Google Code-In, there are also very interesting tasks related to designing, research, documentation which says to design dresses for avatar, make a marketing campaign for PowerUp for which I have made a mock for a marketing website and I have also done a task which says to find inconsistencies between PowerUp iOS and PowerUp Android and make a document, that was quite a interesting task for me and I have also made videos, animations, infographics for PowerUp and Systers organisation. I accepted every task as a new challenge for me and that’s why I am able to complete more than 60 tasks for Systers organisation till now.

This would not have been possible without Systers Mentors, they supported me at every stage. Whenever I felt weak and wanted to give up a task, they were always there to guided and encourage me to learn about new things. They have showered their love and care for everyone in the community. Being a teenager, I think every teenager always wanted appreciation for the work he/she did, and I got buckets full of encouragement and appreciation from all Systers mentors and my parents which boosted my moral.

I have learnt many new things by participating in GCI 2017 like, now I am comfortable with android development, I have learnt a lot about GitHub and git commands which I think many newcomer are not able to understand it quickly, I helped a lot of people/participants during GCI by joining Systers Open Source Slack community. That’s all can’t be possible without Systers Mentors.

Systers has been a true personification of the famous quote by Einstein “The only source of knowledge is experience” and today I feel blessed to be able to owe my sincere gratitude to all the people out there for giving me their valuable advises and experiences which proved to be tremendously helpful throughout these past 7 weeks. I truly appreciate the confidence you showed in me by giving me this opportunity in the form of various tasks.

I still have a long way to go, but I am already so far from where I used to be and I completely owe this to all Systers Members.