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Aric Pandya
Aric Pandya

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How to become an open-source contributor ?

Last year, I used to scroll through LinkedIn and see people building open-source projects, getting internships, and making their first pull requests.
And I kept thinking to myself:

"Bhai, mujhe bhi karna hai... par start kahan se karun?"

I knew how to code, but open-source felt like a big scary world. GitHub looked like NASA’s dashboard. πŸ˜…

But this year, I found out that GirlScript Summer of Code (GSSoC) 2025 is back β€” and it’s more beginner-friendly than ever thanks to their brand-new app:
πŸ‘‰ Insights by Smartly πŸ“²

πŸ”§ What is GSSoC?
Girlscript Summer of Code is one of India’s biggest open-source programs. It's designed for beginners and experts alike who want to contribute to real-world projects, grow their skills, and network with awesome people.

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🎯 3 Roles You Can Apply For
You can choose one of the following:

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’» Contributor β€” Learn, Code, and Contribute to real projects
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Mentor β€” Guide newcomers and support project contributors
πŸ› οΈ Project Admin β€” Submit and lead your own open-source project

πŸ“² How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how I applied in just 5 steps:

  1. Install Insights by Smartly from the Play Store
  2. Select your role (Contributor / Mentor / Project Admin)
  3. Fill in your basic details β€” name, email, GitHub/LinkedIn, etc.
  4. Mention your tech stack & experience β€” languages, tools, past PRs
  5. Answer why you want to join GSSoC β€” share your motivation, passion & goals

🧠 Pro Tip: Be honest and clear. They’re looking for potential, not perfection!

🏷️ Use My Referral Code!
If you're applying, consider using my referral code:
9c0701df-5b38-4725-9e5b-ec234fccfb0b
This helps support me as a Campus Ambassador πŸ™

Your work makes open-source accessible to thousands of students like me ❀️

πŸ’¬ Have Questions?

Feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or comment below.
Let’s grow together, build real projects, and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. 🌱

πŸš€ Let’s GSSoC 2025 !

opensource #gssoc2025 #girlscript #devto #techforgood #developerjourney #firstpr

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