Hey, Folks Glad to see you all here! I will let you all know my views on open source programs. Firstly let's see what Open Source Programs are about.
What are Open Source Programs? 🤔
Many Organizations and Communities which are inclined towards Open source arrange their programs. Every Organization has its own structure, rules, and timeline. We will discuss the general structure of programs
It may be different for some programs. For more details about a specific program, you can visit their website and you will get all details there.
Structure of Programs? 🕛️
The organization or community taking program will open registration forms for the program. There are different roles like Project Admin, Mentor, Participants. Project Admins are those who bring their own projects to the program so participants can contribute to them. Mentors will be paired with projects based on their tech stack. Mentors will help participants in making their contributions to the project. As these programs are inclined towards beginners to participate mentors play a big role in these programs.
In some programs there are also selection criteria. You will be selected on basis of your responses in form.
What are the selection criteria for programs in general? Will they see my technical skills? ✅
These programs are beginner-friendly which means that they will not judge you on basis of your skills.
Yes but that also depends on which role you are applying for. We will discuss for participant role as mentors must have some experience of previous open-source programs.
Generally, in the form, one question is asked: "Why do you want to participate in our program?" This answer must be inclusive. That should express your interest and excitement to participate in the program. Don't worry you don't need to write a whole essay just a few lines will make your work done.
I am a beginner should I participate? 😕
Yes, you must participate in these programs. Even if you don't know how to code that doesn't matter. These programs don't have any prerequisites for contributions. For example, if you want to contribute to a project in which a website is created using HTML, CSS, and JS so you don't need to be a PRO for contributing to that project. If you selected that project then while setting up the project, while reading discussions on the project you will learn so many things on your own which no one can teach you. You can keep your learning side by side which will help you in both ways for giving your best contributions and also leveling yourself UP. You will come to know about amazing people during this time. That will help you in making real connections. And if you are stuck at some phase then mentors are there to help you even project admins also help you in getting started that's the main objective behind these programs. There are uncountable benefits of programs. Believe me, you will enjoy them a lot and learn new things. You will get involved in the community. Community plays a big in role an individual's success.
I repeat you don't need to be PRO for giving your contributions.
How should I look at these programs ? 💭
You might have notice I don't mentioned about swags anywhere till now. The reason behind this is honestly I don't do all these for swags. It don't mean that you should not take swags you should take it. You deserve them but that should not be end goal behind participation. Don't take Open Source as a competition take it as collaboration. Take these programs as chance to get involved in community, create your own network, work on your personal brand ultimately that is going to help you.
What is right time for getting started with Open-Source ?
I think the moment when you get this question in your mind is the right time to start. Because if you not started now then already you have lost few moments. So I will just say start doing things you will learn on the way.
Let's Get Started
Will participating in these programs help me in doing great contributions ? Can I contribute to some real world project ? 🤔
I will say each and every contribution matters in Open Source. Even if that is adding a semicolon or writing 100 lines of code. Because that semicolon can stop the application from running. So don't worry about what type of contributions you are doing. Eventually you will get familiar with all these things as you get connected with community. Don't think if you are not able to contribute to big project like NODE or React you are not good. Even contributing to a small personal project of your friend is also important as you are helping someone in short you are adding value to community. So I will say Keep adding value to community in form of small contributions that will inspire you to make a great contribution one day which will be used by 1000 of peoples.
Please ensure you are not spamming as that will create a negative remark towards you.
What if I am not selected in these programs? Should I need to learn more? 😢
Don't worry even if you are not selected it don't mean that you can't give your contributions. You can still give your contribution as the name itself says OPEN-SOURCE. I suggest don't let the selection or rejection impact your learning or contributions.
Learning is never ending process that must be go on 🚀
What should I learn as preparation for these programs ?
I strongly advise you to learn GitHub workflow. Don't search for many tutorials and keep watching them. Just go for one video which has everything explained in it and that's it don't even search in YouTube for Git & GitHub Tutorials use google afterwards if you stuck into any issue. You can also approach anyone whom you know as I am sure they will be happy to help you.
I am planning something like Hands-On-Demo of GitHub workflow. That will help you in getting started and rest you need to explore by your own. It will be kind of website guide.
Conclusion
I hope you will like this content and will have great Fun + Learning 💥
If this content helped you then please share these on socials as these will help others in getting started. Sharing things in public is also considered as contribution to community so take it as a chance to add your contribution. ( Tag Me 😉 😅 )