You might have heard about open source and the Outreachy program at a local meetup you attended, through a conversation with a friend, or perhaps through a social media post. Since then, your interest in open source has heightened, and applying to the Outreachy internship program feels right. If this is your situation, you're heading in the right direction. Contributing to open source is an excellent way to gain practical experience and enhance your resume. This article will provide guidance and helpful tips if you hope to apply for the Outreachy program.

What is Outreachy?

Outreachy is an internship program that offers three-month paid internships with free and open-source software projects. It aims to support individuals who are typically underrepresented in the tech industry by providing them with opportunities to contribute to open source projects.

Who is eligible to apply?

To apply for the internship program, you need to meet certain criteria such as:

• You must be 18 years of age or older.

• You must be available for a full-time internship, working 30 hours per week.

• You must have permission to work in your country of residence. Other eligibility rules can be found on the Outreachy website.

The Three Stages of The Outreachy Internship Program:

The Outreachy internship process consists of three stages: the initial application, the contribution phase, and the final application. This section will cover each stage in detail.

Initial application Stage

This is where you kickstart the process by submitting your application. The application consists of questions such as essay questions. The application is designed to assess your eligibility and to get to know you better. Starting early, ideally within the first week of the application period, can help alleviate chances. When writing your essays, be clear and authentic.

Here are some important points to remember:

Outreachy operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting your application early is crucial.

Keep your essays brief and straightforward. Be specific and genuine in sharing your stories.

If your initial application is approved, you'll receive an email inviting you to the contribution stage.

Contribution Stage

Upon approval of your initial application, you enter the contribution stage. Here, Outreachy publishes a list of participating organizations and their projects. You're free to choose any project of interest to you. While you have the freedom to select multiple projects, it's recommended to focus on one to three projects. This approach allows you to dedicate ample time and energy to each project, and to give your best performance.

During this stage, your first step would be to carefully assess the list of participating organizations. Take the time to read the details of each project, and check its objectives, requirements, and the skills it demands. Some projects may require skills such as coding, user research, and technical writing, among others. By understanding the scope and nature of each project, you can make informed decisions about where to direct your efforts and contribute meaningfully.

Here are some helpful tips:

Choose a project that matches your skill set.

• You will find several projects listed on the project page. Each of these projects has its goals and required skill levels for interns. Carefully select a project that resonates with your interests and career objectives. Opting for a project that aligns with your career goals not only helps you gain new skills but also boosts your resume, especially if you're accepted as an intern. Once you've selected a project, commit to it and actively engage with the project's community.

  

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Join the project's community channels early to introduce yourself and express your interest.

• When introducing yourself, express your interest in a particular project. In cases where organizations list multiple projects, specify the project you're interested in. Early engagement with a project prevents missed opportunities to contribute, especially when there's high interest in the same project by many applicants. If you delay, you may see a message indicating that the project is closed due to a large number of applicants.

• Remain active in the community communication channels by actively joining discussions, offering assistance to others with their inquiries, and reaching out for help when facing challenges. Engaging in these activities not only enriches your experience but also enables you to connect with individuals from various backgrounds.

  

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Communicate with the mentors early.

• Many projects attract high interest from applicants; notify the project's mentor that you are interested. Be involved in the community and contribute. During this stage, discuss any project-related questions with mentors about the project, propose new ideas you may have, and complete your tasks on time. Most importantly, be respectful of your mentor's time when requesting feedback or assistance, since they may have many queries to address, and many of them work full-time.

  

image source: Istock

Contribute to projects.

• Outreachy requires you to contribute to at least one project before applying. Keep track of all of your project contributions, as you will need to submit the URLs to be recorded. Projects may utilise different platforms for their issue tracking, such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Typically, issues are labelled with tags like "outreachy" or "good first issue." Ensure you familiarise yourself with the medium used by the project you're contributing to.

Requesting help:

• If you encounter difficulty while working on a project or some error that persists despite several attempts to resolve them, seek assistance within the community. When seeking help in the community channel, articulate your objective clearly and pinpoint where you're facing difficulties. You can tag mentors if you believe they are best suited to address your specific concern.

  

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Final Application

• You are expected to record contributions to apply to the projects you desire to intern with. This includes a summary of your contributions during the contribution period and a showcase of relevant projects that demonstrate your possession of the required skills. Some organisations may require you to write a proposed timeline outlining the work you intend to accomplish during the internship.

  

Avoid submitting your final application late as you could forget to document some of your contributions.

Intern Selection Stage

Outreachy announces the results approximately one month after the final application deadline. If you get selected as an intern, congratulations to you! It's a significant achievement and a cause for celebration! You're about to embark on an exciting journey filled with learning opportunities, professional growth, and meaningful contributions to open source.

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What if?

What if you didn't get accepted as an intern? Don't let it discourage you if you don't secure a spot in this round. Embrace the experience as an opportunity for growth. Remember, you can always apply for the next round of the Outreachy program. The skills and knowledge you acquired during the contribution phase are invaluable assets that will continue to benefit you on your journey. Each Outreachy round presents a chance to refine your approach and showcase your capabilities, so stay motivated and keep pursuing your goals. Your persistence and dedication will undoubtedly pay off in the future rounds.

In conclusion, engaging in open-source contributions presents a remarkable avenue for refining your skills, gaining hands-on experience with real-life projects, and expanding your network by connecting with industry experts. Outreachy catalyzes this journey, offering a structured program to facilitate your participation. Throughout this article, we've navigated through the various stages of the Outreachy process, equipping you with valuable insights and practical tips to maximise your chances of success. See you at the top.