In the tech space, getting a job is not totally based on how good you are at the technical side of things, but rather your positioning. This means being able to put yourself out there and show employers how your skills and experience can benefit their company.
It is the goal of 90%-if not 100%-of geeks who are in tech to get hired, but without stepping out to the public that is nearly impossible.
As you read, I will share my journey on how I got into open source and secured my first international role as a software engineer at OpenSauced by contributing to their open source projects.*
My Background and Passion
My desire to know how the web works has always been my driving force. So from the day I was given my first mobile phone (Nokia s2) in the year 2010, I took it upon myself to explore this little gadget at my disposal.
In 2020, during the covid 19 pandemic, I started learning the basics of the web (HTML, CSS & Javascript) with a friend (a graphic designer) who also was trying to transition into UI/UX design. Luckily, I got my first job at Softkodesllc which didn’t last long due to my lack of experience. So I kept on learning until I got into open source.
How I got to know about open source
In a Twitter space by @ShawnBasquiat(The HUNT) was the first place I heard about open source and ways to contribute to open source. Then I ran into a video on YouTube talking about how to make your first contributions to open source projects.
The life-changing move I took that led to the AHA! moment
After listening to the talks and tips from the space, I decided to set a 30-days target for myself to make contributions to open source projects in the month of August 2022. I got my first PR up on the 3rd of the same month https://github.com/open-sauced/hot/pull/285.
The second and third PR followed on the 4th
At first, I was confused about how to start, but when I took up the courage to pick up my first issue, it all started making sense 😇😇😇. I got a warm welcome on my first contribution which resulted in me wanting to make more and more contributions to the same project 🔥🔥 (all thanks to @bdougieyo).
The AHA! moment
Shortly after my contributions, I got a message from the CEO of OpenSauced.
It all seemed like magic to me at first 😊😊...but it was reality! My first step towards working in public earned me a Software Engineering role 🍕🍕
That's my short story on how I got hired making open-source contributions 💫💫
Tips
If you are looking to get started with open source, here are some tips to get started:
Choose a Project that Aligns with Your Interests: Start by identifying open-source projects that align with your passions and skills. Whether it's web development, machine learning, or design, finding a project that excites you will keep you motivated and engaged.
Start Small and Contribute: Begin by tackling small tasks or bugs within the project. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the codebase and workflow. Look for "good first issue" or "beginner-friendly" tags that indicate suitable tasks for newcomers.
Engage with the Community: Join the project's community forums, mailing lists, or chat channels. Introduce yourself, ask questions, and seek guidance from experienced contributors. Engaging with the community not only helps you learn but also opens doors to collaboration and mentorship opportunities.
Read Documentation and Code: Invest time in understanding the project's documentation and codebase. Familiarize yourself with the project's structure, coding conventions, and guidelines. This knowledge will help you navigate the code more efficiently and contribute effectively.
Embrace Feedback and Learn from Others: Open source is a collaborative environment, so be open to feedback from experienced contributors. Take constructive criticism positively and use it to improve your skills. Learning from others' code and approaches will also broaden your understanding of best practices.
With these few tips listed, you can kick-start your journey into open source.
If you find this article helpful, then click on the follow button to get more updates and helpful resources on JavaScript, Reactjs, and Next.js. You can also follow me on Twitter @OgDev-01 to get useful resources and tech trends or on OpenSauced to see what contributions I've been making and the ones I highlight! Stay saucy! 🍕🍕
_This is not fiction. However, this piece does not guarantee the desired result you might need. It is designed to point you toward the right path. And as it was coined in Fiedler’s Contingency Theory _
There is no one best way to get things done.
Hence, there is a need for a contingency plan
Top comments (81)
Thank you for sharing your own experience with open source!
I had a great experience with open source projects too and I shared my experience on my blog post:
💰 How did I earn money to fix an issue from an Open Source Software (OSS)? Ever wondered if you can turn your passion for OSS into a revenue stream? This riveting post details one coder's journey to monetize their expertise, offering valuable tips, techniques, and motivation for anyone looking to follow a similar path.
Contributing to open source projects is a great way to learn new skills, build your portfolio, and get noticed by potential employers. Here are some tips on how to get hired by contributing to open source projects:
Choose the right projects. When you're first starting out, it's a good idea to choose projects that are well-maintained and have a active community. This will give you the best chance of getting your contributions accepted and getting feedback from other developers.
Start small. Don't try to tackle a big project right away. Start with small tasks, such as fixing bugs or adding documentation. This will help you get a feel for the project and the community.
Be helpful. When you're contributing to a project, be helpful and responsive to feedback. This will show potential employers that you're a team player and that you're willing to learn.
Get involved in the community. In addition to contributing to the code, get involved in the community by participating in discussions, answering questions, and helping out other developers. This will help you build relationships with other developers and make yourself more visible to potential employers.
Promote your work. Once you've made some contributions, be sure to promote your work on your resume, your portfolio, and your social media profiles. This will help potential employers find you and learn more about your skills.
Here are some additional tips:
Look for projects that are relevant to your interests and skills. This will make the work more enjoyable and you'll be more likely to stick with it.
Find projects that have a clear vision and a well-defined roadmap. This will give you a better sense of what you're working towards and help you stay motivated.
Communicate regularly with the project's maintainers and other contributors. This will help you get feedback on your work and stay up-to-date on the project's progress.
Be patient. It takes time to build a reputation as a valuable contributor. Don't get discouraged if you don't get your first pull request accepted right away. Just keep working hard and eventually you'll be rewarded.
Thank you for sharing your experience in contributing open source project.
Actually, I am now looking for a open-source project to which I can contribute.
I'd love to connect with you learn from your experience in this field.
Best.
Great!. Dms are open🍕🍕
What is your telegram handle, or discord?
Discord
.ogdevI sent FR to you.
My discord handle is golddy0611
Request accepted!
i sent you fr in discord
I like also interested to contribute id love also to connect
Discord renz
If anyone here is looking for an open source project to contribute to check out murmurations.network - the decentralised data sharing project. We've built a bunch of open source tools and services to help make data open and interoperable between different websites and networks, and are now looking to roll out some Wordpress tools to make it easy for WP Admins to share data between Wordpress sites... we'd love more people to contribute and even become part of the core team :)
hey, I am interested. How can I contact you ? I want to know more about the project.
murmurations.network/contact/
Best cover image I've seen all day, haha! 🍕
Good content too! Congrats on getting the gig and awesome list of tips. 🙌
Thanks @michaeltharrington 😊😊
Great read.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been an Open source enthusiast for far too long now, I need to really dive in and make contributions for real now.
Open source is really a fun way of gathering experience as well
You can start from here dev.to/opensauced/open-source-101-...
Thanks
Will do
Dude, congratulations.
I've got two questions for you?
thank you
Remember that contribution, good times!
You made the process easy for me @0vortex . Thanks 🍕 😊
Very happy to see you do the same for others! 🍕
After reading this blog, I went on my quest to put myself out there. I checked out few repos that has beginner friendly, good for first time issues. But all of them are already assigned/ taken up by someone else.
How can I get the issue assigned to me / how do I get myself a issue to work on ?
Help me out here pls
Hey @tharapearlly, the best good first issues is the one you created yourself. Try going through the product and understand the project itself, and In the process of testing and understanding the product, you'll get your good first issue. Also remember to go through the projects contribution guide to understand how to assign issues to yourself🍕
Okay, that's a good advice. Let me try that.
Thanks 😊
Not only does contributing to open source projects get you exposure in the industry, but you’re also doing good by helping to improve these projects for others. So much of what we do for a living is built on open source software, it’s important to remember that we all play a part in helping that work to continue for future generations.
Getting hired by contributing to open source projects can be a valuable way to showcase your skills, collaborate with a diverse community, and demonstrate your passion for software development. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of getting hired through open source contributions: Research and identify open source projects that align with your interests, skills like virtual assistant for lawyers , and the technologies you want to work with. Look for projects that have an active community and are welcoming to newcomers. Begin by tackling smaller tasks or issues within the project. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the codebase, understand the project's workflow, and gain credibility within the community. Join the project's communication channels, such as mailing lists, forums, or chat platforms, and introduce yourself. Ask questions, seek guidance, and contribute to discussions. Building relationships with the project's maintainers and other contributors can help you gain visibility and demonstrate your commitment.