Open Source: A Pathway To Personal and Professional Growth

Open source can go beyond philanthropy: it’s a gateway to exponential learning, expanding your professional network, and propelling your software engineering career to the next level. In this article, I’ll explain why contributing to open-source projects is an excellent investment and share how to begin making your mark in the community.

Why Invest Time in Open Source?

Great, you’re still here! That means you’re curious about the open-source world and how it can shape your future. Before diving into how to contribute, let’s discuss why it’s worth your time, especially since many of us begin contributing during our time.

Open source isn’t just a philosophy or a community-driven mindset; it’s much more than that. It’s a vibrant, advanced software industry where powerful companies and brilliant minds converge to build, innovate, and drive progress.

Open Source: A Modern Pillar of Software Engineering

Open source often carries the misconception of being a volunteer-driven side hustle, but that’s far from the truth. It’s a critical element of the global software industry, embraced by tech giants and startups alike. Microsoft, once an open-source skeptic, is now a staunch advocate. IBM’s acquisition of Red Hat, the largest open-source company, for 34 billion dollars highlights the industry’s power and value.

While the feel-good factor of helping others is undoubtedly there, open-source is also a sophisticated, high-demand industry. Many of today’s best practices — code reviews, automated testing, software documentation, and issue tracking — trace their origins back to the open-source world. Major organizations like Microsoft, PayPal, and Adobe have adopted inner-source practices, which essentially bring open-source methodologies inside their organizations.

Some of the most significant software advancements, like databases (the most popular ones are open-source) and infrastructure tools like Kubernetes, have their roots in the open-source community.

Open source connects people globally through shared methodologies, cutting-edge techniques, and a mission to build better software. Open-source components are woven into the very fabric of modern software development — making it hard to imagine the tech world without them.

Six Reasons To Contribute To Open Source

If you’re still wondering whether it’s worth the effort, let’s explore six compelling reasons why participating in open source can boost your career and broaden your horizons:

1. Learn From the Best

By diving into open-source projects, you gain access to some of the most skilled engineers in the world. Experts from companies like IBM, Google, Red Hat, and more will review your code. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the tech industry.

2. Expand Your Experience

Contributing to open source provides unique experiences, allowing you to collaborate on global, distributed projects that impact the world. Whether you’re an entry-level developer seeking growth or a senior engineer honing your skills, open source offers unparalleled learning opportunities.

3. Grow Your Network

Working on open-source projects connects you with professionals from diverse backgrounds and organizations. These connections can lead to new job opportunities, collaborative ventures, or even the creation of your own company.

4. Boost Communication Skills

Open-source work requires more than just coding — it demands effective communication. Engaging with the community, defending proposals, and leading discussions help refine your soft skills. It is especially relevant if you’re aiming for leadership roles like Staff Engineer or Principal Engineer, where influence and communication are key.

5. Improve Language Skills

Open-source projects provide non-native English speakers an excellent opportunity to practice and improve their English skills. Moreover, contributing internationally exposes you to other languages, helping you bridge communication gaps and break the ice in global interactions. Personally, open-source has allowed me to improve my English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

6. Stand Out Professionally

The best job offers often come not from searching but from being sought after. Contributing to open-source makes you a part of a minor, elite group of engineers. Out of the millions of Java developers, how many are core contributors to the Java platform itself? That number is minimal, giving you an edge in the industry.

In summary, contributing to open source enhances your influence as a software engineer, gives you access to unique opportunities, and helps you realize that code is just a part of the bigger picture.

How To Start Contributing

Contributing to open source takes time, especially if you aim to become a committer. It takes discipline, patience, and a willingness to learn constantly. But the good news is, it’s achievable. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Choose a Project You’re Passionate About

The first step is finding a project that excites you, whether it’s something you use at work, want to learn more about or enjoy. Open-source contributions require long-term commitment, so pick a project you won’t mind spending time on regularly.

2. Introduce Yourself

Once you’ve chosen a project, join the community through mailing lists, Slack, Discord, or other platforms. Introduce yourself and express your interest in helping.

3. Observe

Before diving in, take the time to understand the project’s workflow. Watch how PRs are handled, read through the comments, and familiarize yourself with the code style and community dynamics.

4. Read the Documentation

The documentation provides a window into the minds of the engineers who built the project. Reading it will help you understand the project profoundly and inspire you to contribute by improving the docs, especially if you notice areas that need clarification.

5. Be a Steward, Not Just a Contributor

Adding new features is exciting, but maintaining and improving existing code is just as important. Embrace your role as a project steward and focus on reducing complexity rather than adding unnecessary functionality.

6. Take on the Unloved Tasks

Every project has tasks nobody wants to do, such as updating documentation, adding tests, or cleaning up old code. These contributions are invaluable and great for getting your foot in the door.

7. Contribute Beyond Code

Not all contributions are code-related. You can help with tutorials, articles, workshops, or even handle social media. Open-source is more than just writing code — it’s about building a community.

Recommended Projects To Start With

If you’re unsure where to start, consider contributing to one of these projects:

• Jakarta EE
• MicroProfile
• Jakarta Data
• Jakarta NoSQL
• MicroStream

These are just a few projects I’m personally involved with, and I’d be happy to guide you along the way. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Conclusion

Open source is a game-changer — not only in terms of technology but also in the opportunities it creates. It has transformed my life, allowing me to travel the world, meet incredible people, and build long-lasting friendships. The open-source community has become like family, from RV trips across the US to parachuting adventures and museum visits.

Open source can do the same for you. It’s more than just code; it’s about building connections, mastering new skills, and making an impact far beyond your desk.

If you’re nearby or at any open-source event, let me know! I’d love to meet up and share experiences.