Mind the Gap
Demystify the world of technology and empower the next generation of innovators, with Google. Partner with Google to plan a Mind the Gap event in your community.
Demystify the world of technology and empower the next generation of innovators, with Google. Partner with Google to plan a Mind the Gap event in your community.
Overview
The path to a tech career can feel intimidating and out of reach, especially for middle and high school students. Mind the Gap is a global, Google-hosted program that builds a bridge, connecting these students with Google professionals to demystify the process and empower them to pursue careers in tech. Our mission is to help the students of today become the next generation of innovators.
At Mind the Gap events, students participate in fun, interactive sessions led by a variety of Google employees, from software engineers to program managers, who provide a behind-the-scenes look at high-tech careers. The goal is to spark curiosity and show students how a path forward in STEM can potentially open the door to a career in technology.
What to expect at our events
Mind the Gap events are thoughtfully designed to inspire and empower students through hands-on, engaging experiences that bring computer science and tech careers to life. By combining interactive learning, real-world applications, and exposure to industry professionals, these events help students build confidence, spark curiosity, and envision themselves pursuing a career in STEM. Whether they’re exploring AI concepts or hearing from role models in the field, students gain valuable exposure to how computer science can shape their futures.
Students get to jump into the driver’s seat and experience what it’s like to solve real-world problems using technology. Our workshops are fun, collaborative, and designed to showcase the creative side of computer science, including through the lens of AI Literacy. No advanced coding skills are required, students are encouraged to bring their curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Students connect with Google employees from a wide range of roles and backgrounds to learn about the variety of careers available in tech. From software engineers and UX designers, students discover that building innovative technologies requires diverse teams with many different skill sets. These informal meet-and-greets are a chance to ask Google professionals questions, explore career paths, and gain real-world insights.
Google professionals share powerful personal stories about their journeys into tech, the exciting projects they’re working on, and how they’re using technology to solve real-world problems. These keynote-style talks and panel discussions offer big-picture inspiration and include candid Q&A sessions where students can ask questions and dive deeper into what a tech career looks like day-to-day.
FAQs
Mind the Gap events are organized by dedicated Googlers who volunteer their time to create a meaningful and memorable experience for students. These volunteers come from teams across Google, including Research, Cloud, Search, YouTube and more!
The core audience for Mind the Gap is middle and high school students, as we aim to support young people in a critical discovery phase as they explore their interests and consider future careers.
Secondary audiences include educators, guidance counselors, principals and administrators, as well as after school program leaders, who play a key role in supporting students' learning journeys.
We typically recommend providing 1–2 months’ notice before your preferred event date. This allows ample time to coordinate details and ensure a smooth, successful experience.
Event duration can vary based on your students’ availability and your school or afterschool’s schedule. Most Mind the Gap events typically run between 1.5 to 3 hours.
Absolutely! If a Mind the Gap event is scheduled on a Google campus, we offer free transportation and catering for both students and chaperones. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your event.
While Mind the Gap events are primarily designed for middle and high school students, we occasionally make exceptions for early college students. Feel free to reach out to discuss your upcoming event!
No. While Mind the Gap does host events on Google campuses, we also collaborate with schools and afterschool program coordinators to organize events at schools, afterschool programs, community centers, and even virtually.
Absolutely! Mind the Gap is designed to be inclusive of all students and schools, regardless of prior exposure to computer science.