Google Women Techmakers Scholar- a title for lifetime

It started with an urge. An urge to do something substantial to motivate and empower women around. Being a struggling woman in tech and finding myself to be the only or one of the feeble female voices on the table (with it’s own pros and cons), I strongly sensed a need to create a local community to bring more women to the table.

Searching about opportunities I came across this wonderful program managed by Google to encourage more women in Computer Science. Through the Women Techmakers Scholars Program — formerly the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program — Google is furthering Dr. Anita Borg’s vision of creating gender equality in the field of computer science by encouraging women to excel in computing and technology and become active leaders and role models in the field. The first ever time I was reading about exemplary past scholars, I never knew one day I’d find my name there. Without thinking much of the consequences I decided to give it a shot.

The application usually consists of one’s personal information, academic transcripts, resume and essay answers to a couple of questions like what motivates you to be a woman in tech and what contributions would you like to make. Some regions also demand a letter of recommendation. It is important that the application stands out for your own self in a very lucid manner- your potential, your experience, your views and your vision. I applied and didn’t think much of the application much until one fine day an email popped up from a Google employee mentioning that my application got shortlisted for the interview! It was one of the moments I cherish till date. Sometimes the best comes unexpectedly they say.

The interview date collided with an exam for me but the coordinators were helpful enough to get it rescheduled. The interview lasted for about 40–45 minutes and this was my first ever commendable interaction with a Google employee! The interview was pretty smooth and indeed made me think a lot about my vision and goals.

Having being selected for a Deep learning summer school at Tsinghua university, China, I headed for the program and the results weren’t much on my mind. I was recalled about it one day and was worried since Gmail doesn’t update quickly without a VPN in China for very obvious reasons. I rushed to check my inbox. The moment was as if the Gmail was waiting for my login-there was my congratulations e-mail from Google Women Techmakers in my inbox two days ago.

The excitement was at it’s peak. A great scholars retreat at Google office-S.Korea was hosted from August 29-September 1 ’17. In this time I came across best minds across whole of Asia-Pacific ranging from undergrad, grad and Ph.Ds It was more than an opportunity to share your story, know inspiring stories of success and failure and earn connections for lifetime. I found role-models around me. I discovered hundreds of ways led by people to awesomeness. The retreat spoke about opportunities as a scholar and also gave insights about upcoming Google projects and what it is like to interview at Google.

The experience will stay forever close to my heart also for the fact that it was my birthday on Sep 2 which was celebrated in amazing company. I actually didn’t hope the celebrations happening but the scholars made it happen for me! It was the most memorable birthday celebration so far.

The retreat didn’t mark end of the program, it was the beginning rather. We received a lot of opportunities as invites to Google Developers’ Day-India, Grace Hopper Conference-India, international women’s day celebrations , Google I/O summit, etc. The scholars also receive additional financial support to strengthen their own initiatives for a social good.

Well, what did I get back? Apart from the prestigious monetary reward, sponsored trip to Seoul and bags full of schwag, it was the motivation, the trill and the strong network that I consider a blessing. It definitely is one of the events to have impacted me as an individual. It empowered me in a true sense and motivated me to spread the wave of empowerment. One major takeaway was the belief of initiating a change. I always looked outside for a change to begin but the truth is it can start from you. You yourself can be the changemaker and give life to your idea of making a difference rather than waiting for someone else to do it. It also gave me stellar friends doing amazing in their lives. Attending great conferences and ransacking the globe with their talent.

I truly feel blessed to have been a part of this program to have introduced me to this community of changemakers.