Obsession is the word that defines successful people in the world of information technology. Google, being one of the big names in this field, has something interactive to offer to students who are at the peak of their technological madness–or at least getting there. It’s what Google Summer of Code is all about. Google Summer of Code invites qualified student-developers to submit an elaborated software-coding idea they want to develop. This is reviewed by participating mentoring organizations and the eligible ones are given the chance to develop the codes with mentors from these corresponding organizations. From Google:

“Google Summer of Code is a global program that offers student developers stipends to write code for various open source software projects. We have worked with several open source, free software, and technology-related groups to identify and fund several projects over a three month period. Since its inception in 2005, the program has brought together nearly 2500 successful student participants and 2500 mentors from 98 countries worldwide, all for the love of code.

Through Google Summer of Code, accepted student applicants are paired with a mentor or mentors from the participating projects, thus gaining exposure to real-world software development scenarios and the opportunity for employment in areas related to their academic pursuits. In turn, the participating projects are able to more easily identify and bring in new developers. Best of all, more source code is created and released for the use and benefit of all.”

The program is held annually with participants ages 18 and above. They are given stipends/rewards to finish a requested open source, free software and other codes over the course of summer. It was first held on the summer of 2005.

If you are a student who wants to learn from professionals and gain first-hand exposure, this is perhaps what you’re looking for. The program is designed to help students broaden their knowledge in their chosen fields and perhaps find an employment on the string of the same endeavor.