What’s it like to win the Google Lime Scholarship?

Nandita Gupta, a recent graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the few people around the world who was selected for the Google Lime Scholarship 2020. A highly driven individual, she is passionate about using technology to create a positive impact in her community and firmly believes that technology has the power to amplify the voices of people around her. 

A scholarship offered by Google in partnership with Lime Connect, the Google Lime Scholarship aims to help university students with disabilities pursue their education in the field of Computer Science. Students in the US who are chosen for this scholarship will receive 10,000 USD and those studying in Canada will receive 5,000 CAD for the year 2021-22. 

To learn more about this scholarship, click here!

Read on to learn more about Nandita’s story!

Key Takeaways From The Interview

• Nandita Gupta’s Background
• Major accomplishments
• What made Nandita’s application stand out?
• Previous rejections
• Advice for future applicants

INTERVIEW

1. Could you tell us about your story?

Hi! I’m Nandita and I’m a graduate student studying Human-Computer Interaction at Georgia Tech. I have a weird journey within UX and a  background in Electrical Engineering. I worked for a couple of years in manufacturing where I wore different hats a Product Manager, UX Researcher, and Engineer. My experiences were very fulfilling and the stakes were much higher in this field as I was designing and programming for safety in addition to user experience. 

In those 3 years, I found my passion for UX. So, I quit my job and took the plunge to go back to school for HCI, with a focus on accessibility. I’ve learned a lot in the past year and every day has been amazing. My work focuses on digital accessibility. No matter what role we are in, I believe it’s really important to bring different voices to the table. I’m always going to be that person on the team who will look at the process and products from an inclusive lens, to include as many people in the process as possible. Leadership is not only about leading a team — sometimes, it means being a voice for others who are not being heard. 

2. What are some of your major accomplishments?

• Faces of Inclusive Excellence 2020

• 2020 Diversity Champion Award: Accessibility 
• Google Lime Scholar 2020
• Influential Women in Manufacturing 2019, Putman Media.
• Bagley College of Engineering, Student Hall of Fame

More information on my website at https://www.iamnandita.com/about

3. In your opinion, what made your application stand out? 

I was genuine and honest about my story, and I tried to communicate it in the most effective way possible. I am also blessed to have some amazing mentors who guided me through the process and also wrote the letter of recommendation for me. I’m sure there were so many amazing applicants who applied and I am grateful for my selection!

4. Have you been rejected from any scholarship in the past? 

I have been rejected by MANY scholarships even though I applied to numerous ones, including the Women’s Techmaker Scholarship, WMWare Scholarship, etc.

5. Any advice you would like to give future applicants? 

Be genuine and share your story! You need to show them, through words (depending on the application) who you truly are, and I believe that is the key to these scholarship applications. I would also highly recommend asking others (friends, family, mentors) to read your essays and give you feedback. It is important to get different perspectives on your writing, to ensure that you are communicating effectively.

Nandita Gupta’s story emphasizes the fact that no matter how many hurdles one may come across, with dedication and hard work, one can always overcome them and achieve one’s goals. Despite facing many difficulties along the way, she still persevered and was ultimately able to overcome them and pursue her passion. We hope this article has given you an insight into the Google Lime Scholarship and the application process involved. 

What are you waiting for? Apply now!

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