As most of you I was looking for a way to break into open source and didn't know where to begin. Then one day I came by a post on social media talking about Outreachy.
What is Outreachy
Outreachy is an organization that provides paid internships to people who are underrepresented in the tech industry of their country.
Outreachy's goal is to diversify open source by supporting those who face systemic bias.
What does Outreachy offer?
The organization offers projects from different companies that sum up to a 3 month paid internship. The reward is a 7000$USD stipend for selected applicants.
How to apply
Outreachy runs two cohorts a year, if you miss the application window you will have to wait up to 6 months to apply again. To get started you will need to sign up for their mailing list on the Outreachy website to get notified when the application dates are open.
Initial application
The initial phase begins with a series of essays each applicant has to answer to check your eligibility. Reading the website instructions will show exactly what the mentors are looking for. They insist on not using AI as they want to know your real lived experiences dealing with biases and underrepresentation you have faced in tech. Try to be early in your application and dont wait till the last day as there are thousands of applicants who apply each year and only so many can be chosen to move on to the next phase.
The waiting phase
Once you hit submit there is a waiting period of a few weeks where the organizers will review the essays and make their selections. Do not be scared, just be patient! In the meantime, you can check the Outreachy website for dates on when the initial applicant list will be released.
Choosing the right project
Once you are approved you have now moved into the contribution phase. You need to choose 1 or 2 projects that you think suit your skills. There are a variety and you will find the right fit for you. My advice would be to choose something you are really passionate about.
Once you have picked a project, join the chat rooms and discussion boards to start getting involved. Reach out to your project mentors and ask questions that will help you figure out your first tasks.
Onboarding
You've chosen your project and you are now ready to get started. More than likely the project you selected will have provided their preferred communication channels. Join them!
Once you are in the channels and chat rooms Introduce yourself! Share your background, why you’re interested in this specific project, and what you hope to learn. Dont just jump into solving issues and fixing bugs. Instead look for pages and write ups that guide you. At fedora where i'm currently onboarding these pages include a "good first issues" page that will lay out what kind of tasks you will need to show interest in and get selected for before you can start contributing.
Remember that the mentors will always be there to show you the way when you are stating your journey.
Good Luck
Outreachy is competitive and you will need to be proactive in your chosen projects to stand out, You dont need to be an expert but you do need to show you are available and excited to get involved for the various tasks given to you. The rest is up to your own hard work and dedication!
Leave a comment below with any questions or experiences with the Outreachy application phase!
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