My journey to the WE Program by TalentSprint, supported by Google
Hello everyone, I am Radhika Bansal, a second-year engineering student pursuing my B. Tech in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW).
I was one of the 250 girls selected from all over India out of 28000+ applications for cohort 4 of the WE program. Through this blog, I will be discussing the entire application process in detail. Additionally, I will be sharing my personal experience in this program.
So, if you are someone who is interested in applying for the coming cohort, you are at the right place 😉
Application link for 2023 (Cohort 5): https://we.talentsprint.com/
What is the WE Program? 🤔
The WE program is a two-year-long educational program designed to prepare women engineering students for software engineering positions in the industry. The goal of the program is to address the imbalance of gender representation in the technology field. As part of the program, students receive a full scholarship, as well as an additional cash scholarship of Rs 1,00,000.
The program offers a variety of opportunities for students to learn and grow, including mentoring from both academic experts and employees at Google. Selected candidates have a chance to work on real-world projects and develop the skills they need to become professional software engineers. Additionally, students participate in offline boot camps, providing them an opportunity to work on their networking skills.
I am grateful to be a part of cohort 4 of this program. This program has enabled me to “take charge of my destiny”.
Eligibility Criteria:
To apply for this program you must be
- A woman student currently in the first year of engineering.
- Pursuing a degree in B.E./B.Tech, specializing in IT/CSE/ECE/EEE/Math.
- Scored over 70% in both class X and XII.
- Ready to invest your time and commitment.
Timeline:
As per my experience in 2022, the application opened in February. Selection rounds went on for the next month. Onboarding and Introductory sessions were held in the first week of April.
Each of the four rounds were eliminatory in nature so put your best foot forward in all of them.
APPLICATION PROCESS
[1] Application Form
The form is very simple and asks only for your basic details. After completing and submitting the application if you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive an email with login credentials to move on to the other rounds. You’ll be intimated about detailed timings of all rounds on the portal and via email.
[2] Aptitude Test
The first step in the selection process is a proctored aptitude test, which includes 50 multiple-choice questions on topics such as permutation and combination, probability, profit and loss, and basic math. The test is 60 minutes long, with no negative marking. After the test, applicants will receive an email informing them if they have qualified for the next round.
I would highly advise you to practice the sample tests provided by TalentSprint and try to complete them within an hour. This will give you a very good insight into the type of questions and the pace you should maintain.
Initially, I was disappointed as I did not receive an email for the next round of the process while all my friends did. I was feeling uncertain about myself, but then a few days later, I received my email. My point is that, don’t give up and have faith in yourself. Even if things don’t go as planned, there’s always a chance that things can change for the better.
[3] English Versant Test
The next round is the English Versant Test, which assesses English speaking, typing, listening, and comprehension skills. To prepare for this round, practice with sample tests to get a sense of what to expect. Be sure to take the test in a quiet environment with no distractions as it is a proctored, timed test. Clarity of speech and listening carefully to the questions are important. Additionally, having a good typing speed can be beneficial.
[4] Coding Interview Test
After passing the second round, you’ll receive an email about the details of the coding round. This involves basic programming questions, and you can choose the language of your choice to code in (Python, Java, C++, or C). TalentSprint provides basic study material in Python for this round. The level of questions is relatively simple as the program is intended for first-year students.
The test also includes give-output-type questions. To prepare for this round, practice the sample coding questions provided and make sure to have a stable internet connection during the test. If you’re confident in your answers, submit the test. It was our own speculation that time taken might be a factor in selection if many people get the questions correct, but no one was sure so don’t rush unnecessarily.
[5] Personal Interview Round
The final step to becoming a WE scholar is a personal interview. It’s likely to be a new experience for a first-year student. You will be asked to schedule the interview by choosing a suitable time slot. My interview was short. It consisted of some basic questions about myself, gauging my interest in the program, checking if I was really up for the commitment, a small discussion about my coding experience and how the coding round was for me. The questions can vary depending on the interviewer.
To prepare, make sure you have a stable internet connection, dress formally, sit straight, and avoid any distractions in your surroundings. Listen carefully to the questions and answer accordingly. In case you get an opportunity, have some questions in mind that you would like to ask the interviewer.
The overall application process was smooth. The support email was active throughout and responded to any doubts that we had.
My Experience in the Program
So far, we’ve had the opportunity to learn and discover a lot through this program. The mentors are incredibly supportive and encourage us to reach our full potential. In addition to developing technical skills, the program also places an emphasis on communication and professional development. We have the opportunity to have one-on-one mentoring sessions with individuals from Google and attend offline boot camps.
Recently, our cohort participated in a 2-week boot camp in Hyderabad where we learned three new programming languages, improved our presentation skills, and took classes on Machine Learning and the Internet of Things, as well as sessions on enhancing our professional skills and LinkedIn profiles. We also had the chance to visit the Google office in Hyderabad. In addition to receiving guidance from our mentors, we also had the opportunity to connect with our program coordinators from both Google and TalentSprint and interact with them.
Google also organized a virtual Immersion Week for us, which was a week-long program filled with engaging sessions on career development, personal growth, and hands-on workshops led by professionals at Google.
We also had the opportunity to work on projects with other students and receive guidance from mentors. Through this program, we have been able to perfect our resumes, deepen our understanding of data structures and algorithms, and develop a strong network of aspiring women engineers and leading professionals at top companies. This network also keeps us informed of upcoming opportunities and the latest trends in technology.
So I’ll just say have faith in yourself, don’t be nervous, and keep in mind that this is a great opportunity. For any further doubts, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. Good luck!! 👍
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