Benefit of joining Communities as a student
I wrote a LinkedIn post about maximizing opportunities and communities as a university student, and I had multiple requests for more information about communities that students may join while on campus.
You can find that Linkedin post here
Some of the advantages of being a part of a community are:
- You can ask questions and receive assistance.
- You can readily obtain mentorship or guidance.
- You'll get informed about upcoming events, workshops, bootcamps, and career opportunities in your area.
- You'll be able to establish a profitable network.
- You get the opportunity to work on community projects.
There are so many advantages to being a part of the IT community that I can't list them all.
These are some of the communities I'm familiar with or have participated in in the past, there are a whole bunch of them out there. These communities are diverse in terms of fields, groups, and gender. Some are student-only communities, while others are general communities that anyone can be a part of.
Google Developer Student Club:
This is a Google community for developers, although it is aimed towards students. In Nigeria, there are over 80 Google Developer Student Clubs (DSCs) at universities, colleges, and polytechnics. DSCs are designed to support students, undergraduates, and postgraduates who want to learn more about programming and other Google developer tools. You can find out if your college or university has a DSC here.
Facebook Developer Circles:
Developer Circles on Facebook bring together developers to discuss common interests such as open-source technology, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things. Participate in local gatherings, cooperate in Facebook Groups, and stay up to date on the latest Facebook features. Find out if your school has a circle or apply using this link.
She Code Africa:
She Code Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and empowering young African women and girls in the field of technology. They host a variety of online and offline events, such as boot camps, fireside chats, webinars, mentorship programs, and more. Check to see if there is a chapter near you and join using this link.
Friends of Figma:
This group(formally known as Figma Africa) is for designers who want to network, connect, and improve their design talents, Open to everyone; from advanced practitioners to aspiring novices. They organize meetups on a regular basis and share a wealth of relevant information, tools, and community updates. To improve your design skills, join the community here.
Enactus:
Enactus is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering students to make a difference in the world through entrepreneurship. A community of students, academics, and business leaders dedicated to transforming lives and shaping a better, more sustainable world through the power of entrepreneurship. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, the Sustainable Development Goals, or simply making a difference in the world. This is intended for you. Here you can find the closest chapter to you.
Ingressive For Good ( formally known as ingressive):
The Ingressive For Good (I4G) Network is an African network for practicing and aspiring technologists. The community provides training, skills, and tools that are necessary for a successful profession, business, and higher earning potential. You can inquire around to see if Ingressive is on your campus or apply to have it brought in. Check here.
Did you know?
That as a student, you are eligible to get the GitHub Student Developer Pack. The GitHub Student Developer Pack gives you access to more than 100 premium developer tools for free. Get your pack here.
Please feel free to suggest a community you know in the comments section, and it will be included in the list.
I hope you find this article helpful.
Thanks for reading!
