Applying to Google Summer of Code: Top Tips from a Multi-Year GSoC Mentor
Dos and Don'ts from over five years within the GSoC program. Part 1 in a series of Google Summer of Code topics: this time, advice for Contributors on crafting proposals.
Thinking of applying to Google Summer of Code?
During the GSoC ‘25 application season, I put together a post to help early-career technologists and researchers better understand what GSoC is, how to approach the application, and why it matters for career growth. This advice blends personal experience with mentoring lessons from open-source and innovation spaces.
Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or exploring structured project opportunities with mentorship, this post covers practical strategies for putting together a compelling proposal—and approaching GSoC as more than just a summer internship.
For more on early-career advice, as well as mentoring and guiding others, consider following the newsletter for From Here to There: Strategy and Mentorship for Innovators.
There, our team covers the “full stack” of innovation, from senior leadership and vision setting, to project management and team leadership, to first-timer primers and other early career discussions.
Thanks for reading! I'm Jesse, a data scientist, strategist & founder, and interdisciplinary researcher & exploring how we lead, learn, and innovate in complex times. On this Substack, I write across a few core themes:
Leadership & Innovation Strategy — navigating vision, decision-making, and team dynamics
Data Science, AI & Ethics — building from my MSc DS, this is my main technical area at the nexus of emerging AI, human-centered technologies and responsible systems
Mentorship & Early Career Growth — advice and frameworks for changemakers at every stage
Projects & Dispatches — updates from JOPRO and other research and product endeavors
Reflections & Media — commentary on culture, books, ideas, and the future we're building
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🧭 You can also find my work with JOPRO, From Here to There, and Data x Direction
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