[Soc-coordination] mentoring programs in Debian

[Lucas Nussbaum]

Hi,

On 12/03/13 at 21:56 +0100, Ana Guerrero wrote:
> On Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 07:50:27PM +0100, Lucas Nussbaum wrote:
> > On 12/03/13 at 14:14 +0100, Ana Guerrero wrote:
> ..
> > > 
> > > This kind of mentoring "let's package this new software stack" (and create
> > > a team to maintain it, when it doesn't exist) doesn't need to happen inside
> > > the GSoC, it can happen already in Debian.
> > 
> > Nothing really needs to happen inside GSoC. But GSoC provide several
> > advantages:
> > - there's a rigid framework (deadlines, etc) that help the student organize
> >   and focus
> > - the student gets paid by Google
> > - the student gets to mention both Debian and Google on his CV, which is
> >   probably seen positively by future recruiters.
> 
> Yeah, and also the GSoC have a huge disadvantage, it is available only to a tiny
> small percentage of the population who have the privilege of getting a higher
> education, then only if their school load and life responsibilities allow them
> to participate in the program.
> 
> It would also be good for us to encourage our own programs to a wider and diverse
> population, instead of relying exclusively on the rules set by a non-free-software
> company. And assuming that students want non-free-software companies on their CV.
> 
> Your whole point here somehow seems to be against this internship idea While
> you seemed to agree previously that all of these internship-like things
> (GSoC, NM, team-trainee, ...) are good.

You wrote:
> This kind of mentoring "let's package this new software stack" [..] doesn't need
> to happen inside the GSoC, it can happen already in Debian.

I agree that this kind of mentoring can happen already in Debian, but
that's not a reason not to do it in GSoC. I was pointing that GSoC
offers several advantages that might not be easy to offer in other
programs.

I think that it would be better to talk about "mentoring schemes" rather
than "internship-like things". I'm not sure if it's a cultural issue,
but in my mind, internship go with "working full time".

I think that it's good to have a wide variety of "mentoring schemes", to
address different needs and possibilities, in terms of available time,
of status, of focus, etc.

And I also think that in terms of internship programs (=~ "full-time
work inside the project during the summer"), we should explore joining
other programs and/or creating our own.

Lucas