At the end of every year, I sit down and write a retrospective. Not to impress anyone but to remember who I was and what it took to move forward.
And somehow, every year feels like it surpasses the last.

Just 1% improvement every day every year.

My old retrospectives:

• 2021

• 2022,

• 2023 (I decided not to post it, maybe I will later!)

• 2024

This year felt like 10, but here are my top takeaways this year:

2025: From Rejections to Momentum

2025 didn’t start with clarity. It started with uncertainty. This was the year I truly understood how difficult it is to switch job and how quickly life can change when you refuse to stop showing up.

The Season of Waiting

Job hunting in 2025 tested me in ways I didn’t expect.

Applications went out daily. Interviews came and disappeared.
Some processes went multiple rounds only to end in silence.

There were weeks when I questioned everything:

• My skills

• My experience

• My decisions

Doing “all the right things” didn’t guarantee progress and that’s the hardest part no one prepares you for.

What hurt the most wasn’t rejection it was not knowing.
Not knowing if the next application would be the one.
Not knowing if I was close or completely off track.

When Persistence Finally Met Timing

Then something shifted, Not overnight, Not dramatically.

One opportunity turned into two.

After months of uncertainty, I was fortunate enough to secure two polar roles a moment that reminded me how unpredictable effort can be. The same skills that were once questioned suddenly became valuable.

It wasn’t luck alone.
It was patience meeting preparation.

Working With Google Gemini Student Ambassador Program

One of the most fulfilling experiences this year was working with the Google Gemini Student Ambassador Program.

Being part of an initiative connected to Google meant more than just a role it was about:

• Building student communities

• Creating meaningful developer engagement

• Learning how large-scale programs actually operate

It challenged me to think beyond execution and into impact.

Your life is a movie. Do it for the plot.

Imposter syndrome hits every ambitious person I know. One way to combat it? View your life as a movie still unfolding. Keep adding scenes. Make sure you balance it.

Life outtakes this year: Career and personal life

Joining One of the Best Startups in Australia

Alongside that, I had the opportunity to work with one of the most exciting startups in Australia. Fast-paced, High ownership, Real responsibility.

Startups teach you things no textbook or course ever will:

• Decision-making under pressure

• Wearing multiple hats

• Building while still learning

It sharpened me technically and mentally.

Travel That Meant More Than Just Locations

2025 also gave me moments of joy I’ll never forget.

✈️ Thailand, a company trip that reminded me how rewarding it is to build alongside people who believe in you.

🇬🇧 England is a deeply personal milestone.
I finally met someone special in person for the first time.

What made it special wasn’t the place it was the moment.
After months of conversations, support, and shared dreams, the meeting felt like life gently saying, “You’re exactly where you need to be.”

What This Year Taught Me

1. Struggle Doesn’t Mean You’re Behind

Sometimes it just means you’re early.

2. Opportunities Can Stack Quickly

Months of nothing can turn into multiple “yes” moments fast.

3. Gratitude Hits Differently After Hard Seasons

Wins feel deeper when they follow doubt.

4. Growth Isn’t Linear. It’s Honest

Some days you’re building momentum.
Some day,s you’re rebuilding belief.

Both count.

Looking Back With Gratitude

2025 wasn’t just about jobs.

It was about:

• Learning patience without certainty

• Trusting myself during quiet seasons

• Staying disciplined when results were delayed

• Appreciating progress when it finally arrived

I didn’t just grow professionally.
I grew emotionally, mentally, and personally.

Here’s to 2025 🥂

The year that tested me.
The year that rewarded persistence.
The year that reminded me how quickly life can change.

From struggling to get a job
→ to working two roles
→ to collaborating with Google programs
→ to contributing to a top Australian startup
→ to traveling across countries
→ to meeting the person who means the most to me.

Here’s to continuing the journey with humility, hunger, and hope. 🚀

It takes a lot of courage

As a solo founder, Program manager, and Data engineer at one point I started enjoying things, and then I realized I was not alone in the journey. The world outside is a tough space, grind yourself now or regret it later.

My friends across the globe have supported me in countless ways: angel investments, engineering fixes, listening to burnout tears, or sharing 💖.

Here’s to 2025 :)

I’m incredibly excited to share that my LinkedIn network officially crossed 13,000 amazing members! 🙌

It’s been such an inspiring journey from sharing data engineering insights, Open-source projects, and career stories to connecting with brilliant minds around the world. Every like, share, and comment has made this milestone possible, and I just want to say thank you for being part of it. 💙

And that’s not all together, reached over 629,000 impressions and 115,000 members discovered on LinkedIn!

🎁 13K Giveaway: Free Perplexity Comet + Pro Access

I’m giving away exclusive access to the Perplexity Comet Browser, the next-generation AI browsing experience, along with Perplexity Pro access for smarter research, discovery, and productivity. 🚀

Here’s how to join:
1️⃣ Click here → Comet Browser

If you’re someone who loves learning, researching, or just exploring smarter AI tools, this one’s for you. You can claim your exclusive access here 👇🏻

Get Free Comet Browser

🎉 People I Sponsored & Contributors

Big thanks to the amazing people who contributed this week! Your support makes everything possible. ( “@Sanya, @Medha, @aditya” are the winners this week.)

🚀 Want to be sponsored next week?

Here’s how you can participate and potentially be featured/sponsored:

• Visit our main project: recode-website to browse issues, documentation improvements, new tutorials, etc.

• Make a meaningful contribution (code, docs, tutorial, bug fix) following our contribution guidelines. GitHub Docs

• Keep an eye on your status via the leaderboard:

  

• Track your rank, see how you compare, and aim to climb!

• Every week, we review the leaderboard, contributions, impact and select contributors worth sponsoring/featuring.

Thank you again for all the love and support. Here’s to the next milestone and many more shared wins ahead! 🥂 Let’s get connected on LinkedIn.

With gratitude,
Sanjay Viswanathan
Data Engineer | Creator | Tech Enthusiast

This week, Recode officially crossed 1,000+ commits and 107 forks!
Our community continues to grow stronger every day, powered by amazing contributions from developers across the world. 🌍

Hacktoberfest & Open Source Energy

Hacktoberfest has always been about more than just code; it’s a celebration of collaboration, learning, and community spirit.
This milestone perfectly reflects how powerful it can be when developers come together to build something meaningful.

From fixing bugs to reviewing PRs and improving documentation, every contribution matters, and we couldn’t have done this without YOU! ❤️

🌟 What Makes Recode Special?

• 🏆 Weekly Leaderboard Sponsorships: recognize and reward top contributors.

• 🌱 Beginner-Friendly OSS: perfect for those starting their open-source journey.

• 🤝 Supportive Community: collaborate, learn, and grow together.

💡 Want to Contribute?

Start your open-source journey today!

We do GitHub sponsorship weekly for the topper on the organization leaderboard.
🔗 Contribute to the Recode Website Repository

📚 In Case You Missed It

Check out some of our recent highlights:

• Leadership & Open Source Talk

• Data Engineering, AI & Product Management Insights

  

❤️ Thank You, Recode Contributors

You are the reason this community thrives. Every pull request, every idea, and every discussion helps shape the future of Recode Hive.

Let’s keep the momentum going and make this Hacktoberfest one to remember! 🎃

🌟 What’s New in 2025

Hacktoberfest 2025 doubles down on quality over quantity. Six accepted contributions will complete the challenge—but this year, more types of work count. Code, docs, design, tutorials, translation, testing—if it makes open source stronger, it matters.

Register for Hactoberfest

Core Values

• Everyone is welcome – Whether you’re a first-time contributor or a maintainer, there’s space for you.

• Quantity is fun, quality is key – It’s not about quick wins, it’s about impact.

• Short-term action, long-term impact – Your work this October will shape projects for years to come.

📌 How to Participate

You can Contribute here

1. Register anytime between September 15 – October 31.

2. Contribute six pull/merge requests (PR/MRs) on GitHub or GitLab between October 1 – October 31.

3. Make sure your PR/MR is in a repository with the “hacktoberfest” topic or has the “hacktoberfest-accepted” label.

4. Contributions must be accepted by maintainers and pass a 7-day review period.

🎁 Rewards

• 🏅 Holopin Digital Badge – Unlocks at registration and levels up with each accepted PR/MR.

• 👕 Exclusive T-Shirt – For the first 10,000 Super Contributors who complete six accepted PR/MRs.

• 🌱 Treenation Contribution – Reforestation support made for every T-shirt earned.

Badges must be claimed before December 15—watch your inbox for Holopin emails.

🛡️ Keeping Quality High

Hacktoberfest has strong anti-spam measures to protect maintainers and keep contributions meaningful:

• Spam or low-quality PR/MRs will be flagged and won’t count.

• Draft PR/MRs don’t count until ready for review.

• Repositories designed for trivial contributions will be excluded.

💡 Beyond Code: Ways to Contribute

Open source thrives on more than just commits. You can:

• Improve documentation

• Write or translate tutorials and blog posts

• Design graphics or videos

• Test user experience

• Organize or promote community events

Beginner Contribution Repo

📣 Join the Movement

Hacktoberfest isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of what we can create together. Whether you’re fixing a bug, writing docs, or sharing knowledge, every contribution shapes the future of open source.

👉 Register now and start contributing October 1: hacktoberfest.com

Let’s build something lasting. 🌐💙

✅ Stay tuned for more updates on AI tools, startups, and opportunities that will shape your journey as a student, professional, or innovator.

Let’s build the future of AI—together.

With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com

I don’t usually show up in your inbox on a Sunday—but today’s not just any Sunday.

This Special Edition of recodehive is stacked with hidden gems that are already using to raise faster, build smarter, and spot opportunities before anyone else. So check it out.

🎓 Google Gemini AI Pro Free Ends Soon

Google is empowering students in India with 1 year of free Gemini AI Pro Plan access. If you’re 18+ and enrolled in higher education, this is your chance to access premium AI-powered learning tools.

✨ What’s included?

• Free Gemini AI Pro for 1 year

• 2TB cloud storage across Gmail Drive & Google Photos

• Exclusive access to NotebookLM and Google Flow AI with 1000 creative video credits.

⚠️ Important: Sign up before 30 Sept 2025 using your student email.

👉 Activate Offer Here

🚀 Startup Spotlight: Unleash Live

Unleash Live is transforming industries with AI-powered video analytics. Their platform empowers organizations to capture, analyze, and act on video data in real time.

🔹 Key Use Cases:

• Infrastructure inspections (drones & IoT feeds)

• Smart city monitoring & traffic management

With a focus on real-time insights, Unleash Live bridges the gap between vision AI and decision-making at scale, helping businesses increase efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Learn More

🎤 Event Recap – Open Source Journey

This week, I had the privilege of speaking at DSAC IT VCE, leading a hands-on session titled “Commit Your First Open Source Journey.”

✨ Highlights:

• Guided 50+ students through their first steps in Open Source.

📚 If you missed the session, you can explore the materials here:
🔗 Session Resources

🔗 Resources

• 📚 Google Gemini AI Student Offer

• 🌐 Unleash Live Official Site

• 📝 More insights at RecodeHive

✅ Stay tuned for more updates on AI tools, startups, and opportunities that will shape your journey as a student, professional, or innovator.

Let’s build the future of AI—together.

With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com

In this week’s tutorial, I will walk you through how to use Bolt.New, a powerful AI coding assistant that lets you build full-stack web apps from a single prompt. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dev, this tool can fast-track your development process.

🧑‍💻 Mastering Vibe Coding with Bolt.New

🛠 Key Features Covered:

• 1M free tokens- use the link below

• Import of your GitHub repos

• AI-generated code, pages, and db integration

• Superbase, Netlify, and Figma integrations

• Automatic GitHub Action & Wakatime setup

🔎 My Use Cases:
I built an interview preparation portal just by prompting “Create a different preparation interview page.” Bolt.Newly generated technical categories, resource links, and practice sections—ready to deploy! Super fast, which usually takes a daytime

💡 Why It Matters:
Vibe coding allows developers to skip boilerplate and focus on solving problems and building unique features. This AI-first approach is redefining how web apps are built.

“You can now spend less time setting up and more time shipping. That’s what modern dev is all about.” — Sanjay

👉 Try Bolt.New Today

Get Bolt.new

🧠 AI Spotlight: Perplexity Comet

Perplexity’s Comet is not just a browser—it's your new AI-powered digital sidekick. Still in invitation-only beta, this game-changing browser assistant combines search, automation, and productivity in one interface.

✨ What It Can Do:

• Automate email replies, inbox filtering, and task handling

• Voice-command browsing and task management

• Personalized homepage filtering news, topics & interests

• Seamless bookmark, extension, and profile migration

• Smart scheduling (Google Calendar integration coming)

• Referral-based access with extended query limits

🚀 Why This Is Big:
Comet is positioned to take on traditional search engines by blending browsing and AI assistance into one workflow. It’s ideal for creators, developers, and productivity power-users.

🔍 Quote of the Week:

“Comet is not just a browser—it’s an AI that thinks with you. A Google killer? Maybe.” — RecodeHive Analysis

🧪 Limited trial access available. Ask your dev network for an invite!

🔁 Community Perks

🎁 Want to Contribute to RecodeHive?
We’re building a global open-source community. Active contributors get access to exclusive sponsor perks, and active contributors get GitHub Sponsorship.

👉 Join the RecodeHive Repo 👉 See people we sponsored

🌟 Google Student Ambassador Program

The program is closing soon, so don’t forget to apply for this program.

✅ Represent Gemini AI on campus
✅ Run 200+ Gemini prompts every month
✅ Organize AI events, workshops & challenges
✅ Share monthly insights and community reports
✅ Build awareness and spark AI conversations

Apply Now

🧠 Re: code Smarter. Build Faster. Live Freely.
Until next week,
— Team Re: code

Subscribe now

If you've been thinking about applying for the Google Student Ambassador Program — this is your final reminder.
Applications close soon. Don’t miss your chance to represent Google Gemini AI on your campus and shape the future of tech from the front lines.

This is more than a title — it's a transformational leadership journey. And I want you to be part of it. ✨

Apply Now

🌟 Google Student Ambassador Program?

Google is selecting 3 Ambassadors from each of 1500+ colleges across India to:

✅ Represent Gemini AI on campus
✅ Run 200+ Gemini prompts every month
✅ Organize AI events, workshops & challenges
✅ Share monthly insights and community reports
✅ Build awareness and spark AI conversations

🎁 What’s in It for You?

Being an Ambassador comes with exclusive perks:

🎓 Certification and rewards from Google
🏅 Ambassador Badge for your resume & LinkedIn
🤝 Mentorship with Google experts
🧢 Swag & Gemini merch
✨ Invites to Google events & meetups
💡 Access to the Gemini AI Champion Course

I’ve personally grown through Google communities like Crowdsourcing, and this is your moment to do the same — but bigger.

📝 Who Can Apply?

You're eligible if you:

✔ Are 18+ and enrolled in a college in India
✔ Can commit 5–7 hours/week from July to Dec 2025
✔ Have strong communication skills
✔ Are passionate about tech and building communities

Official Website

🎥 Must-Watch: Get Ahead Before You Apply

I’ve shared 2 short videos to help you stand out:

1️⃣ How to Prepare for the Ambassador Role
Get tips on building a community, running events, and making a real impact.

2️⃣ Step-by-Step Registration Guide
Avoid mistakes. Learn exactly how to fill the form, showcase your passion, and boost your chances.

🎯 Pro Tip: For the final question, you can submit a video, doc, or project link. Make it authentic, creative, and easy to access.

⏳ Time’s Almost Up

📅 Deadline: Closing Soon
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted initially. Others will receive final decisions by mid Aug.

Apply Now

Let’s build the future of AI—together.

With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com

Two years ago, I started a Pinterest board during COVID — no plans, no growth hacks — just posting quotes that made me feel less alone.

Fast forward to today…
🚨 I just crossed 410,000+ Impressions
…on a page I forgot existed. 🤯

Now? Posting has become a daily habit. Traffic keeps rising. And the best part? It’s fun and super low effort. Here’s the behind-the-scenes…

🔥 What Sparked the Growth?

No viral dance, no paid ads — just a few smart moves:

✅ Daily motivation that people actually want to save
✅ Aesthetic pins (Canva is your best friend!)
✅ Consistent posting (1–2 pins a day — that’s it)
✅ Pinterest SEO (yes, it’s real — and it works)
✅ Tailwind for scheduling (hello automation)

🚀 The Stats Today

• 410K+ Impressions

• 305K+ Total Audience

• 13K+ Engaged Users

• 1.4K+ Saves (aka people loved the content)

• 154+ Clicks to my link — totally organic!

All this without spending a single dollar 💸

💭 Why Should You Care?

Pinterest is a goldmine for passive growth if you’re:

• A creator or freelancer

• Running a blog, YouTube, or small biz

• Trying to build a personal brand

• Or just love sharing aesthetic content

Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest is a search engine, not a feed — your content works for months, even years. 🙌

🧠 Lesson Learned

“Don’t underestimate small habits. One pin a day turned into half a million views.”

If you’ve been thinking of starting something — Pinterest, blog, YouTube — start it messy. Start it now. You never know what’ll grow. 🌱

Get the Free Tool

👉 Check out my Pinterest here → au.pinterest.com

If you're curious how to get started or want my free Pinterest starter kit (templates + guide) — comment Pin and I’ll send it your way!

Let’s grow,
Sanjay Viswanathan
Data Engineer by day. Creator by heart.

🎥 Video 1: How to Prepare for the Ambassador Role

👉 Watch Here

This video shows:

• The real impact of being a Google AI Ambassador.

• Tips on building a strong community on your campus.

• 🎁 What’s in it for you?

  • 🏅 Ambassador Badge to flaunt on your resume.

  • 🎓 Official Certification and rewards from Google.

  • 🤝 Mentorship and interaction with Google experts.

  • 🧢 Exclusive swag and Gemini merch.

  • ✨ Invites to Google events & meetups.

  • 💡 Enrollment into the Gemini AI Champion Course.

Apply now

🎥 Video 2: Step-by-Step Registration Guide

👉 Watch Here

This video breaks down the entire registration process. You’ll learn how to:

• Fill out the application form like a pro.

• Avoid common mistakes that could cost your selection.

• Make your profile stand out.

💡 Quick Tip for Applicants:
Your application video or project submission is your ticket to success.

Watch these guides and create something that truly represents your passion for AI and community building for Google in your campus.

Apply here

🔗 Resources & Links

🌐 Full details: Google-student-ambassador

📝 To Register: Google Gemini CA Registration

⚙️Official site: https://aiskillshouse.com (Under maintenance now)

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s newsletter, which will have end-to-end FAQ’s and details. Remember, never stop engaging.
With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan

Are you passionate about tech, building communities, and making a difference on your campus? Then this is your chance to shine again! 🌟

Note! This newsletter is intended to bring the latest updates, like the campus expert program, and help you to become the next leader in scaling up communities, having coding skills alone won’t help to secure a job in the coming years due to the AI, Agentic times. Working in this kind of community helps you build people skills.

In the last post, I discussed about Google Campus ambassador program. Here we gonna discuss about GitHub Campus Expert program. This is pure community info updates, and I personally verified the program is directly managed by GitHub and Google.

The GitHub Campus Experts Program empowers student leaders to build and support technical communities at their universities. As a Campus Expert, you’ll gain valuable skills, collaborate with GitHub, and help shape the future of developer education.

Official GitHub form

🚀 Why Apply for GitHub CE Program?

By joining the Campus Experts program, you’ll get:

1. 🎓 Training in leadership, communication, and community management

2. 🤝 Support from GitHub and access to exclusive resources

3. 🎤 A chance to lead initiatives, host events, and amplify tech learning

4. 🌍 Global recognition as a GitHub Student Leader

✨ My Story: From Applicant to Campus Expert

Over 8,000 students applied to the GitHub Campus Experts Program in 2021.
Only 84 were selected in this round.
I’m incredibly humbled to be one of them. 🙌

This wasn’t just a form-and-done deal. The application process is intense and highly selective—only 250 students globally have become Campus Experts in the last five years. Applications open just twice a year—in February and August—and the process is designed to deeply understand who you are as a leader and a changemaker.

📝 What the Process Looks Like

1. Application Form:
   I had to reflect on the real challenges my campus community faces and explain what kind of opportunities I want to build for my peers. This wasn't just about accomplishments—it was about vision and community impact.

2. Video Resume:
   After clearing the form, I was invited to submit a personal video answering core questions:

3. Six-Week Training:
   Now begins the real journey—a six-week intensive training in:

   • 🗣️ Public Speaking

   • 🧠 Community Analysis

   • ✍️ Technical Writing

   • 🧑‍💻 Software Development

   • 📝 And most importantly, crafting a Community Proposal

4. Swag time 🎁

   Upon completing the 6-week training, you will get swag from GitHub 👇🏻

   

This program isn’t just about prestige—it’s about learning how to serve, lead, and build something lasting in the developer ecosystem. And for that, the form was everything—your chance to tell a story that matters.

✅ How to check you are Eligible?

To apply, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a GitHub user for 6+ months

• Be enrolled in a formal higher education institution

• Have at least 1 year left before graduation

• Be verified through the GitHub Student Developer Pack

• Not enrolled in the GitHub Campus Advisors Program

📝 How to Apply for GitHub CE

Step 1: Submit an Application Form

• Go to: education.github.com/campus_experts

• Click "Become a Campus Expert."

• If applications are open, click "Apply Now" and complete the form

• Submit before the deadline (Applications open in February & August)

💡 Tip: Highlight the challenges your student community faces and the opportunities you want to create.

First process is very you are a student, so you need to enable the GitHub Student Developer pack for this. Watch this video to learn how to apply the Developer Pack and get verified.

Step 2: Submit a Video Resume ( Once you have selected on Step 1)

• After your application is reviewed, you'll receive an email with instructions

• Record a simple webcam video sharing your story:

• Upload your video through the link provided in the email.

⏳ Timeline

• 🗓 Application Opens: February & August(Every Year)

• 📩 Submit Form: Within 1 month of opening (ends in Aug mid)

• 🎥 Submit Video: 2 weeks after the form closes (Sept end)

• ✅ Final Decision: 1 week after video submission (around Oct end)

So, overall it will take 3 months to get your application reviewed by November of this year, you will get updates about your final selection and training.

💬 Need Help?

Have questions or accessibility concerns? Reach out to the GitHub Education Team or reach out to me via LinkedIn. I opened my DM for this.

📢 Be the change your campus needs. Start your journey to becoming a GitHub Campus Expert and build a legacy that inspires hundreds.

🔗 Useful Resources & Links

🎓 GitHub Campus Experts Program

• 📘 Official Docs: Understand the full process of becoming a GitHub Campus Expert
  👉 docs.github.com/.../applying-to-be-a-github-campus-expert

• 🌐 Program Site: Application portal, program details, and eligibility
  👉 githubcampus.expert

👉 Applications are open soon. Be ready!

Apply Now

📺 Video Resource

• ▶️ Watch: Learn more about the Campus Experts’ journey through this video series👉 YouTube – GitHub Campus Experts Overview

🤝 Join Developer Communities

• 💬 Recode Hive GitHub Community: Want to collaborate or contribute? Join us!
  👉 Request to Join

🛍️ Swag & Goodies

• 🛒 The GitHub Shop: Get official GitHub swag and merchandise

  👉 thegithubshop.com

One More thing ✨

I’m happy to provide a free GitHub profile review for a limited people. You can go the the mentioned link and apply coupon code “recode50” to get the session free (Only 50 free 50 Slots available). This profile review can help you get personalised feedback on improving the GitHub landing page and get selected for the Campus Expert Program

Stay tuned—and never stop building.
With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com

This is your moment to shine.✨

Note! This is an Exclusive Newsletter for you, don’t share.

In the upcoming Newsletter, I will provide more details.

Google has launched the Google Student Ambassador Program, a national initiative to bring the power of Gemini AI to college campuses across India. This is your chance to lead the AI movement, represent Google at your university, and join a growing network of student leaders shaping the future of tech.

Register Now

🎁 What’s in it for you?

I hope you read my yesterday’s newsletter on how the Google crowdsource community changed my perspective on open source and collaboration. This isn’t just another title. It's your gateway to becoming a standout student leader with real-world exposure:

• 🏅 Ambassador Badge to flaunt on your resume.

• 🎓 Official Certification and rewards from Google.

• 🤝 Mentorship and interaction with Google experts.

• 🧢 Exclusive swag and Gemini merch.

• ✨ Invites to Google events & meetups.

• 💡 Enrollment into the Gemini AI Champion Course.

Read my Journey with Google Communities

🌟 What is the Google Student Ambassador Program?

As a Gemini Student Ambassador, you will:

• Be the voice of Google Gemini at your college.

• Run 200+ Gemini prompts every month.

• Host AI workshops and events on campus.

• Share monthly insights, reports, and community activities.

• Spread Gemini AI fandom across your peers.

✅ Are You Eligible?

We’re looking for student leaders who:

• Are 18+ years old.

• Are currently enrolled in a college/university in India.

• Can commit 5–7 hours per week for 6 months.

• Have a passion for technology and community building.

• Are strong communicators and team players.

⏳ Hurry! Applications Close soon

📩 Note: Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next steps first, and all others will receive a decision email by the end of Aug.

Be the leader who brings AI innovation to your campus.
Let’s build the future together—with Google Gemini.

Limited Spots

🎖️Reward Structure

Here’s how the reward categories will be during the Student Ambassador Program:

🙋🏻‍♂️Got Questions & What happens next?

We know you might have more questions—and that’s totally okay!
But here’s what we say for now: Don’t overthink it.

Last date to apply:

Pro Tip: For the last question in your application form, you can upload a video, image, document, or link — whatever format best captures your idea. Just make sure it clearly showcases your creativity and is easy for us to access.

Just apply for the program using the link below and take the first step towards becoming a Google Student Ambassador.

Apply now

👨‍🎓 About the Program (Summary)

Q1. What is the program all about?
As a Google Student Ambassador, you'll lead the AI movement on your campus. Host events, spark conversations, and help your peers explore Google Gemini—all while gaining leadership, tech, and community-building experience.

Q2. Who can apply?
We’re selecting 3 ambassadors from each of n colleges across India. Want to know if your college is on the list? Head to the registration page and check!

Q3. How much time is required?
You’ll need to dedicate around 5–6 hours per week. The program runs from July to December 2025—so plan accordingly.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s newsletter, which will have end-to-end FAQ’s and details. Remember, never stop engaging.
With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com

Why is being part of a developer community so important?

It's simple: we're stronger together. Communities are where you find mentors, collaborators, and friends. They are places to learn from others, share your own knowledge, and get the support you need to grow. Below is the screenshot of one such community invite I was part of in 2016.

This changed my course of action. Click on the image to learn more about it.

From Contributor to Community Manager: You can do it too!

My journey from a contributor to building and managing open-source communities wasn't an overnight success. When I first made a pull request on GitHub in early 2017.

It started with small contributions, a willingness to learn, and a desire to connect with others. Here's how you can start your own journey:

• 💡 Join platforms like GitHub, Discord, or Reddit focused on your interests.

• 🛠️ Contribute to beginner-friendly projects (check out good first issues).

• 🌱 Attend or volunteer at local hackathons and events.

• 🤝 Connect with people. You don’t need a title to make an impact—just intention.

🌟 Your effort today might be someone’s inspiration tomorrow.

I've always believed in the power of open source and the incredible things that can happen when people come together to learn and build. That's why I've dedicated so much of my time to being a Google ML Facilitator and a former GitHub Campus Expert.

It all started with a single contribution: just a pull request, a few hours of my time, and a curious heart 💖. I had no idea that this moment would open doors to incredible opportunities—mentorship, leadership, and friendships that transcend borders and financial freedom.

It All Started From a University Campus 🎓

No fancy title. No master plan. Just a willingness to try.
So if you’re reading this and wondering, “Can I do this too?”
The answer is YES. A thousand times, yes.

So, Where Did It Take Me ?🤔

Because I chose to show up, contribute, and stay curious…

• I became a GitHub Campus Expert and a Google ML Facilitator

• I gave over 100 talks on Machine Learning, Open Source, and Developer Advocacy

• I mentored and taught over 100,000 people in tech

• I was invited to Google’s offices in California and Singapore

• I discovered freedom—intellectually, financially, and emotionally

• And most importantly—I found my tribe 🌐

Then this happened, one invitation to the California office and the Singapore Office.

✨ From Student to Global Tech Ambassador

My journey into developer communities truly accelerated when I was selected as a GitHub Campus Expert and later as a Google Explore ML Facilitator.

As a GitHub Campus Expert, I completed 6 weeks of training on diversity, inclusion, and open-source leadership. I organized events across Australian universities, empowering students to contribute and collaborate on open source.

Let’s co-create something impactful for the tech community 💡

🚀 One More Thing…

I’ve got a surprise coming 🎁 I want to inspire you to take that first step. Get involved, make your first contribution, and see where the journey takes you. You might be surprised at what you can achieve.

I'm thrilled to announce that I’m collaborating with Google on something very special. We’ll be launching it tomorrow—and trust me, you won’t want to miss it!

Join the GitHub Organisation

Stay tuned—and never stop building.
With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com

You're not alone — but you're not stuck either. 🎙️

We're thrilled to launch our very first episode of “The Comeback Code” — a podcast dedicated to helping you reset, recharge, and rise when life feels off-key.

Our debut guest? None other than Omar (aka Afro Trance) — a Sydney-based DJ, who is a creative powerhouse with roots in Morocco and dreams louder than beats at a festival.

🎧 Listen now

In this powerful, heartfelt conversation, we dive deep into:

• 🚧 His rock bottom moments — and the bounce back.

• 🎶 How music became his therapy and purpose.

• 💬 Real talk on toxic positivity vs staying grounded.

• 🧗‍♂️ Turning setbacks into setups.

• 🔁 Daily self-talk and mental rewiring.

• 💡 Advice for anyone feeling lost, rejected, or stuck.

“You don’t need to be positive all the time. You just need to be real, and keep moving. The rest finds you.” – Omar

This isn’t your typical motivational chat — this is raw, real, and relatable. Whether you’re navigating a breakup, creative burnout, or career detour, this episode is your frequency reset button.

🎧 Life’s Offbeat? Hit Play on Your Comeback.

Job rejections. Unexpected detours. Nothing going as planned?
This podcast is for you. Tune into Omar’s story of setbacks, self-talk, and starting over — and find your rhythm again.

With rhythm & resilience,
Sanjay Viswanathan

📩 You Finally Landed the Job — What Now?
You’ve been grinding for weeks—maybe months.
Resume: polished.
Interviews: nailed.
Offer: signed.

You popped some champagne 🍾, updated your LinkedIn, and finally breathed.

But then the panic hits:
“How do I make sure I don’t fumble this opportunity?”

Let’s be honest—getting the job is only half the game.
What separates the good from the great is how you ramp up and establish your value in the first 90 days.

💥 The Job Hunter’s Guide to Ramp Like a Pro

Whether you’re stepping into your first tech job or your fifth, here are the 4 pillars that will fast-track your success from day one.

🚀 Pillar 1: Learn the Big Picture First

Don’t just learn the code. Learn the business.
Too many engineers hyper-focus on repo structure, CI/CD, and ticket workflows.

But hiring managers want to see that you get the why behind the what.

Ask these during onboarding:

• What does our team drive for the business?

• Are we saving money, making money, or keeping systems alive?

• Why are we investing in this product now?

📌 Job hunter tip: Ask these same questions in your final interviews. It shows you think long-term.

🛠️ Pillar 2: Build Credibility with Small Wins

Don’t shoot for architectural glory on Day 3. You don’t need to launch a feature to stand out.

Fix:

• Outdated docs

• Slow CI jobs

• Tiny UX annoyances

These paper cuts have been irritating the team for months. You solve one = instant respect.

🎯 Even before you join: Ask in interviews:

“What are some small but painful bugs or inefficiencies the team’s been tolerating?”

It shows empathy and initiative. Two traits everyone wants in a teammate.

🤝 Pillar 3: Clarify Expectations Early — Then Exceed Them

Ask your new manager:

• “What does success look like at 30, 60, 90 days?”

• “Who should I build strong relationships with?”

• “What’s one thing previous hires did well during onboarding?”

Then don’t just follow the plan. Own it. Expand it.
Notice missing monitoring? Write a proposal.
No onboarding guide? Draft a version.

🎯 Before you join: Ask,

“What support do new hires typically receive during onboarding?”
It signals that you’re planning your own success.

🌐 Pillar 4: Build Your Network, Not Just Your Terminal History

You can't ship software without people. Period.

Meet:

• PMs for product context

• Designers for user empathy

• Data/DevOps for visibility into dependencies

• Support reps for customer pain points

Ask every new person:

“What do you wish someone told you when you joined?”
“Who else should I talk to?”

📌 Pro move: During the interview process, try to meet 1 cross-functional stakeholder. It shows leadership-level thinking.

🚫 What Not to Do After Getting the Job

🔻 Perfectionism: Waiting to “understand everything” before contributing.
🔻 Hero mode: Proposing a redesign of the architecture in Week 1.
🔻 Hiding: Hoping to figure it all out alone.
🔻 Judging: Assuming decisions are dumb without asking why.

🧠 Subtle Power Moves While Ramping

📓 Keep a glossary of acronyms, tools, and systems
📈 Reflect weekly: What am I learning? What’s still fuzzy?
💬 Match the team’s style (Slack vs Notion vs meetings)
🧐 Ask thoughtful questions, not lazy ones:

“I saw X and Y in the code/docs, but Z still feels unclear. Am I missing something?”

✅ TL;DR: How to Be the New Hire Everyone Wants to Work With

• Start with business understanding, not just code

• Earn trust through real, useful contributions

• Take initiative early, and make gaps disappear

• Connect with people across functions, not just in engineering

• Avoid early-career traps like hero syndrome or perfection paralysis

This is your momentum window. Nail it, and you’ll ride that wave for the rest of your tenure (and possibly your next role too).

🧭 Your Job-Hunting Action Plan

Before you accept an offer
☐ Ask what the first 30/60/90 days look like
☐ Ask what past new hires did right (or wrong)
☐ Ask who you’ll work with outside your team
☐ Ask how your team impacts the bottom line

After you start
☐ Deliver 1 unsexy but high-value fix
☐ Propose a helpful doc, dashboard, or checklist
☐ Book 5 intro chats across the org
☐ Keep a ramp-up log to track learnings and questions

🗳️ Your Turn

This newsletter is your invitation to collaborate with me, contribute to Recode Hive, and even get a chance to sponsor the project if it aligns with your goals or mission. Let’s co-create something impactful for the tech community 💡

Join the GitHub Organisation

📬 If this helped you, forward it to a fellow job hunter or new Joinee.
📈 More playbooks like this at RecodeHive.com
💬 Want us to cover resume teardown? Live coding prep? Emotional burnout?

Until next week,
— Sanjay @ RecodeHive

👀 PS: New podcast drops next week — Deep Dive into Product-Savvy Engineering
📚 Plus, short quizzes to boost your retention and confidence.

After a bit of a break, I’m back with awesome open-source updates! 🚀
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been quietly building something special — a community-driven platform on GitHub. It’s more than just a website; it’s a space to learn, build, and grow together.

This newsletter is your invitation to collaborate with me, contribute to Recode Hive, and even get a chance to sponsor the project if it aligns with your goals or mission. Let’s co-create something impactful for the tech community 💡

Join the GitHub Organisation

🧠 Core Skills Over Hard Skills

Technical skills are not enough.
No matter your job title or years of experience, if you can't communicate effectively, you're limiting your potential. That’s why I created this organization: you'll meet people from all around the world here. Make sure to connect with them and follow them on LinkedIn.

Why Does It Matter?

Whether it’s Slack, GitHub, or Discord, you need to communicate clearly and concisely. And one secret weapon? Markdown. It helps your message land better — no one likes reading a wall of text!

So I will be teaching you through the newsletter the best practice on open source and work on production-level repositories even if you are a beginner.

📘 Markdown Pro Tip: GitHub Alerts

If you want your content to stand out on GitHub, use alert boxes! They're great for drawing attention to essential messages.

Here’s how to use them:

> [!NOTE]

> Highlights information that users should take into account, even when skimming.

> [!TIP]

> Optional information to help a user be more successful.

> [!IMPORTANT]

> Crucial information necessary for users to succeed.

> [!WARNING]

> Critical content demanding immediate user attention due to potential risks.

> [!CAUTION]

> Negative potential consequences of an action.

💡 Want to see this in action?

Read this article + video: The GitHub Markdown feature you MUST know!

🌍 Behind the Scenes: My Digital Nomad Journey

Since 2012, I’ve been a Digital Nomad—coding from beaches, cafes and across the world 🌴

THEN: My “Command Centre”

Before this lifestyle shift, I was glued to my home setup — triple screens, LEDs, all the tech.
Looked cool? Yes.
Productive? Not always.

NOW: How to get started with Recode Hive?

This is an early stage of development for the Recode Hive. Watch the video below to understand more. 👇🏻

Recode Hive - Introduction Video - Watch Video

🗳️ Your Turn

These are the people I have sponsored so far, sometime its not just sponsorship, I do provide free mentorship to the people who do more active contributions.

Which repository would you like to start with?

Let me know in the comments 👇

Warm Regards,

Sanjay Viswanathan

At the end of every year, I sit down and write a retrospective. And somehow, every year feels like it surpasses the last. Just 1% improvement every day, every year.

My old retrospectives:

• 2021

• 2022, 2023 (I decided not to post it, maybe I will later!)

• 2024

This year felt like 10, but here are my top takeaways this year:

Away from Home building the best version of yourself.

Sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zone and leaving behind the familiar is exactly what we need to grow. Being away from home isn't just about exploring new places—it's about discovering parts of yourself you never knew existed.

📌 Challenges? Plenty.
📌 Opportunities? Countless.
📌 Growth? Unmeasurable.

Each day is a chance to learn, adapt, and thrive—both professionally and personally. From navigating new environments to meeting inspiring people, this journey is shaping me into the best version of myself.

What i have been observed is the students migrate to new country and try to stick with their own communities, I’m not telling to stay away from your community, but let yourself explore the culture and friendship across borders. This let you to observe the life in different perspectives.

Being average is mediocre. Think bigger and push harder

Life is about pursuing what truly matters to you. It doesn’t have to be grand, but it should ignite your passion. Whether it’s bringing joy to your family, encouraging healthier habits in your community, or creating spaces where people can connect—it all counts. People often fail when they try to bring major change in a go, it never works like that, maybe 1% changes every day, at the end of the year you will be a different person.

There’s no better feeling than waking up genuinely excited for life. As Sam Kolder wisely said: Do what makes you come alive.

“They” are not always right.

They said I wont be able to be successful, they said I’m wasting time working in India, then I choose to do so. They told me to give up, but I made more progress in the last six months than comparing last two years. They said I couldn’t build a organization, i build one sitting 1000 miles away and scaled up with 70k people and generated $20k USD. This comes with a cost of something i love, maybe i prioritized too much about my career, this is a great realization for me to balance work-life.

Trust yourself. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities you create. Show up, stay in motion, and let the improbable become possible. Again the success terms varies according to people, for some it will money, growth etc., for me in 2024 it is explore what I’m good at, pursue it and build something which others couldn’t do it.

Find a mentor, it’s easy in this online world, they need not be famous one, it can be anyone who is living your life now, or find the best 5 people and copy them. Redefine your circle, did you know your average salary is the average salary of your 5 best friends/5?

Your life is a movie. Do it for the plot.

Imposter syndrome hits every ambitious person I know. One way to combat it? View your life as a movie still unfolding. Keep adding scenes.

🌟 I got my first Job in Australia after Graduation!
🎉 Completed 3 Years in Sydney (This can be a survival movie plot 🎬😂)
🎙️ Launched my first podcast!
🏀Tried new sports: Basketball & Golf ⛳
🏊‍♂️ Rediscovered my hobbies — Swimming
🚶‍♂️Found a new routine: Daily walks & GitHub Streaks 😄
📈 Scaled up my Content Curation — 1M Impressions in a 6-month time-frame.
🌍👨‍💻 Influenced over 70k developers around the globe.
✈️ 60+ Live Events across countries!📈
📈 Made 2 New Mentors Ali, Vinh Giang

What an amazing journey so far! 🚀

Life outtakes this year:

The definition of smart = the ability to get what you want out of life

Not everyone knows what they want in life and that’s okay.

If you know what you want to do with your life, then you are almost sorted, the cloudy brains are no longer there.

Everything compounds

Habits, relationships, and knowledge—all grow exponentially. The key is showing up consistently. Over the last eight months, I’ve experienced more growth than in a decade of building communities and exploring my skills to the max. I’ve worked over 12 jobs, failed upwards, and now I’m building my third community and co-founding a startup. It's still hard, but it gets easier every day, remember one step at a time.

Keep betting on yourself to increase your luck surface area

I wrote about the concept of

• Secured $20K USD for the organization via outreach.

• Made a best Canadian friend in Australia:😋

• Connected with Developers around 35+ countries.

The world is smaller than you think.🌍 Trust your gut and keep showing up.

Fitness is a pretty good proxy for success

Many of my successful friends often maintain fitness routines. Maintaining a certain physique requires discipline that often spills into other areas—clean homes, skincare routines, and startups that eventually find PMF.

Everything is hard. Choose your hard.

• Working out is hard; being out of shape is harder.

• Working a tough job is hard; being broke is harder.

Choose your hard.

Operate on your own timeline

Success isn’t linear. Some friends are getting married and having kids; Here I’m figuring out the basics of relationships and finding my career path. It’s alright, what is important is a curiosity to learn and explore more, it won’t even take some time to outsmart the exciting one.

It takes a lot of courage

As a solo founder, Program manager, and Data engineer at one point I started enjoying things, and then I realized I was not alone in the journey. The world outside is a tough space, grind yourself now or regret it later. My friends across the globe have supported me in countless ways: angel investments, engineering fixes, listening to burnout tears, or sharing 💖.

Here’s to 2025 :)

Inspired by Rachael Annabelle

I hope this finds you well and ready for a weekend filled with curiosity and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned data scientist, a tech enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good brain teaser, there’s something here for everyone. Grab your favourite beverage, get comfy, and let’s dive into this week’s edition!

🔍 Data Science Nugget: Did You Know?

Did you know that by 2025, the world will be producing 463 exabytes of data each day? That’s enough to fill over 200 million DVDs daily! This incredible volume of data is why data science has become such a crucial field. The insights we can extract from this data are shaping everything from how we shop to how we interact with the world around us.

Netflix & Machine Learning: Netflix saves around $1 billion annually thanks to its machine learning-powered recommendation engine. Every time you find that perfect show to binge-watch, there’s a sophisticated algorithm working behind the scenes to make it happen!

🎁 Join the Giveaway!

Enter here: Giveaway Link

I'm thrilled to share an incredible milestone with you — 10,000 followers! This community has been an amazing source of support and inspiration, and I’m so grateful for every connection, conversation, and shared learning along the way. To celebrate, I’m hosting a special Giveaway to give back to you all!

Enter to Win

1. Top 1 Winner: 🎧 BoAt Airdopes

2. Top 25 Winners: 🎓 Free ATS Resume Review (valued at $25)

3. Next 25 Winners: 💼 Free 1:1 Career Consultation (valued at $50)

Announcement: Winners will be revealed tomorrow at 5 PM IST. The swag will be shipped! or if you don’t want to participate in Giveaway leave feedback over here and lucky draw to GitHub Sponsorship

📘 Check Out My New Data Science Book!

I'm thrilled to announce the release of my new book, "Data Science Handbook" (About Book: This book is packed with insights, practical examples, and step-by-step guides that will take you from a beginner to a data science pro. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, this book has something for everyone.)

For Limited time, you can use coupon code “recode” to get it free.

🎉 Special Announcement: Ask Me Anything!

This weekend, I’m opening the floor to you! Ask me anything — whether it’s about data science, the latest trends in AI, or just life in general. I’ll be answering the first 50 questions, so get creative and hit me with your best shot!

📚 What’s Next?

Next week, we’re diving into the world of Deep Learning. Expect a deep dive into neural networks, real-world applications, and how you can start experimenting with these powerful tools. I’ll also be sharing some of my favorite resources to get you started.

💌 Let’s Chat!

I love hearing from you.

Thank you for being part of our community. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts on this edition of [Newsletter Name]. Feel free to contact us with any comments, suggestions, or ideas for future content.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to connect with us at Sanjay@recodehive.com. In the next newsletter, I will talk about how to automate your resume for each job application and beat the ATS.

Until next time, stay inspired!

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I'm Sanjay Viswanathan, Program Manager at GS, and this newsletter is your go-to source for career advice and the latest industry updates. 🎓✨ Let’s kick off 2024 strong and crack that tricky interview question that keeps everyone on their toes: "Why should we hire you?"

🌈 Why Do They Even Ask This Question?

Imagine: you’re in the interview hot seat, and here it comes, "Why should we hire you?" 😬💥 Don't sweat it! They’re trying to see if you're the perfect fit and get a quick preview of what you bring to the table. Think of it as your mini elevator pitch—your chance to shine! 🌟

Fear not! We're here to save the day and make this tricky question a piece of cake (with some witty frosting on top! ).

🍰 The Secret Ingredients for a Winning Answer

Show Off Your Skills & Experience

Bring the heat with skills that match the job, and back them up with examples! 📈📚

Example:
"Why hire me? Because I’m a PPC whiz! At my last gig, I boosted ad spend ROI by 12% in just 3 months."

Explain How You’ll Make the Company Shine

Whether it’s generating leads or making clients happy, show how your skills will make a real impact. 🌞💼

Example:
"Need some event magic? I've got the wand! 🪄 I planned over 30 events in my last role, averaging 50+ participants per event."

Highlight Your Unique Skills

Stand out by showcasing the skills only you can bring! 🤹‍♀️✨

Example:
"Media connections? I’ve got them covered! With access to top influencers, I’ll boost your PR like never before."

Do Your Homework

Show you've researched the company. They'll see you as the empathetic problem-solver they need! 🕵️🔍

Example:
"I noticed your paid ads could use a boost. How about reworking those pillar pages? 💡📊 I’ve got ideas ready to roll!"

Serve Up Quantifiable Achievements

Numbers talk—so let them! Stats and data pack a punch. 📊🥇

Example:
"Efficiency? That’s my middle name! I managed conference room schedules and calls, and introduced a task system that boosted productivity by 39%."

Read More prompts here

📖 Craft Your Story with Honesty

Everyone has areas for improvement, and that’s okay! Acknowledge any gaps, then focus on your strengths. 💪

Example:
"While I’m new to team management, my project leadership skills and empathy will help me succeed as a manager." 👥🌟

Other important things that you should keep in mind:
Humans are naturally drawn to stories, and your pitch should be structured as a story as well. At a high level, it should consist of 3 parts:

Embracing Imperfections and Highlighting Strengths
It's only natural to recognize that you might not meet every criterion for the job. There will inevitably be areas where you lack experience or skills. But how can you still position yourself as the ideal candidate?

The key lies in acknowledging these shortcomings and redirecting the focus towards your strengths.

Sample Answer: While I may not have extensive experience in managing a team, I want to emphasize my track record of successfully leading projects. My strong organizational skills, coupled with a genuine sense of empathy, make me confident that I can excel as a manager and contribute significantly to the team."

Now, Let's Keep It Real!

Need Help?

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to connect with us at Sanjay@recodehive.com. In the next newsletter, I will talk about how to automate your resume for each job application and beat the ATS.

Get Free Resume Review

You can use the code `recode100` at checkout to get it for free.

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