Are you an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in engineering, computer science, IT, or a related field? Are you looking to apply your training and certifications to real-life scenarios or enhance your technical skills, if yes, this article is for you.

In the months of September and October last year 2023, an impressive 100,000 students from 700 educational campuses across India completed the Google Cloud Computing Foundations course. The course was essential as it equipped them with valuable generative AI skills applicable to professional endeavours.

The success of these students can be attributed to the assistance provided by Google Cloud Study Jams, community-led study groups conducted by Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC). These study groups serve as collaborative learning environments where aspiring developers gain hands-on training in various Google Cloud technologies. The topics covered range from containerizing applications to data engineering, machine learning, and AI, and they are customizable to cater to different skill levels and group needs.

The impact of these study jam events in India was significant for both students and facilitators:

For Students – Acquired foundational and technical skills crucial for their future careers.
Student Facilitators – Had the opportunity to earn a relevant Google Cloud certification and valuable leadership experience among their peers.

The process involved a comprehensive train-the-trainer program initiated by the Google Developer Student Clubs team in India. Student facilitators, nominated from each educational institution affiliated with GDSC, received training from Google Cloud Developer Advocate Romin Irani. This program focused on generative AI and cloud computing basics, delivered through a series of live sessions.

Equipped with this knowledge, the student facilitators were made to take charge of managing the learning experience for students at their respective campuses. The training material, available to anyone, included Google Cloud Computing Foundations, covering fundamental aspects of cloud computing such as infrastructure, networking, security, data, and AI and ML. Additionally, the Arcade, a gamified learning experience, provided gen AI technical labs, with participants in India engaging in prompt engineering games.

The flexibility of the program allowed student facilitators to choose their preferred traiing approach. Some acted as troubleshooters while students worked through the training independently, while others conducted digital or in-person sessions. Many facilitators adopted a hybrid approach, combining various methods to suit the needs of their groups.

Himanshu Jagdale, a Cloud Facilitator, shared his experience: “Being a Cloud Facilitator in Google Cloud Study Jams was a game-changer for my certification journey. It not only deepened my understanding of Google Cloud but also allowed me to share knowledge and collaborate with other facilitators who really helped me during my Associate Cloud Engineer certification.”

Participant Adarsh Rawat also praised the program, stating, “The Google Cloud Study Jam program was immensely beneficial to me. The hands-on labs and modules assisted me in building concepts and covering the certification syllabus.”

For students passionate about technology, joining a Google Developer Student Club provides an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded individuals. With over 2100 clubs worldwide, students can find out about upcoming study jam opportunities and enhance their skills.

For ongoing upskilling on Google Cloud, The Arcade offers a no-cost platform with new games regularly published. This not only facilitates learning of hands-on technical skills but also allows participants to accumulate points for exciting Google Cloud swag. Additionally, Google Cloud Skills Boost provides on-demand, role-based training for individuals seeking to build skills and validate knowledge at their own pace and convenience. With a range of training options for in-demand job roles, students can explore opportunities from introductory to advanced levels.

Criteria For Joining GDSC

1. You must have a minimum of one year left until graduation
2. Enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university
Commit to program for one year.
3. You must be passionate about creating impact in community.
4. A technical understanding of computer programming and/or software engineering is needed.
5. You should have experience with event planning or leading a team
6. Have connection to the local developer community.

How To Become A Lead

1. Check if there’s a current Google Developer Student Club on your campus to determine if you’ll start or grow a club. We encourage you to participate or help organize an event to gain practical experience with an existing club near you!
2. Read the Community Organizer Code of Conduct.
3. Submit your GDSC Lead application here.
4. We’ll review your submission and get back to you as soon as possible by email.

As I conclude, Google’s initiatives has over the years empowered students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering a community of skilled and motivated individuals ready to tackle the challenges of the evolving tech landscape.