Merge pull request #2556 from appwrite/tessa-opensource-blog

Tessa opensource blog

Author: tessamero

src/routes/blog/post/from-student-to-developer-how-open-source-can-launch-your-career/+page.markdoc

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+---
+layout: post
+title: From student to developer - How open source can launch your career
+description: Discover how contributing to open source projects can transform your journey from student to professional developer.
+cover: /images/blog/from-student-to-developer/cover.png
+timeToRead: 5
+date: 2025-11-01
+author: tessa
+category: open-source
+featured: false
+---
+
+You might still be a student, still learning, or still wondering where you belong in tech.  
+
+You scroll through GitHub, see contributors building amazing things, and it feels like they are miles ahead.  
+
+But here is the truth: **every great developer you admire once made their first pull request too.**  
+And that first contribution was not their end point. It was their beginning.
+
+# What Is Hacktoberfest?
+
+Hacktoberfest is a month-long celebration of open source.  
+Each October, developers from all over the world make their first contributions, fixing bugs, improving documentation, or adding new features to projects that anyone can use.  
+
+For many, it is their first step into real-world collaboration.  
+It is how they gain hands-on experience, connect with other developers, and start building the foundation of their careers.  
+
+But whether you joined Hacktoberfest or contributed to an open source project on your own, the message is the same:  
+**you have already started your journey.**
+
+# This is the start of your story
+
+Your first pull request, no matter how small, proves something powerful.  
+You can collaborate, communicate, and contribute to something bigger than yourself.
+
+My story started with open source back in 2011-2012, where I joined a community and helped out in different areas. This has led me to endless opportunities and helped me land jobs.
+
+That is what open source really gives you:  
+- Real-world teamwork in global, asynchronous environments  
+- Peer reviews and mentorship from experienced engineers  
+- Communication practice through documentation and issue discussions  
+- A public record of your progress and growth  
+
+Every contribution, even one, builds credibility. It is your foundation.
+
+The practice of collaboration with global teams in open source helped me with personal growth and improved my communication skills that prepared me for professional careers. Without open source, I don't know where I'd be now.
+
+# Quality > Quantity
+
+As someone who has interviewed developers, I do not care how many PRs you have made. I care about *what they show.*  
+
+One thoughtful, well-written contribution tells me:  
+- You understand the project context  
+- You respect guidelines and feedback  
+- You collaborate professionally in reviews  
+- You care about the craft of software  
+
+AI tools can assist you, but your thought process, curiosity, and voice are what make your work stand out.  Don't get me wrong, AI is a HUGE help and can write better code than experienced engineers. But make sure you understand what it's doing.
+**That is what employers notice.**
+
+# Your GitHub is your portfolio
+
+Do not just treat GitHub as a storage space. It is your portfolio.  
+Curate it like one.  
+
+Add open source work to your resume or LinkedIn profile.  
+Be specific:  
+> Improved database query efficiency by 30% through indexing optimization.
+
+A clean, consistent GitHub profile says more about your skills than any list of buzzwords.  
+Visibility matters. Your next opportunity might begin with someone reviewing your code.
+
+# Learn and build in public
+
+Share your journey online, not just your wins but what you learned.  
+Even a simple post like:  
+> I just merged my first pull request! Here is what I learned about React hooks.  
+
+This is not self-promotion. It is reflection.  
+It helps others who are starting out feel less alone, and it helps future employers see your growth mindset.
+
+# Grow beyond code
+
+Writing great code is important, but so is helping others write theirs.  
+Try:  
+- Reviewing pull requests from new contributors  
+- Writing documentation or tutorials  
+- Answering questions in community chats  
+
+These are leadership skills in disguise.  
+And the same qualities that make someone a great open source contributor, empathy, clarity, and initiative, make them a great teammate too.
+
+# Keep going
+
+Whether you joined Hacktoberfest or just submitted your first contribution this week, do not stop now.  
+
+Your journey has already begun.  
+Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep building.  
+
+Because open source is not just about code. It is about people, opportunity, and growth.  
+And the next great creator, maintainer, or innovator might be **you.**
+
+# Watch my talk
+
+If you want to go deeper into this topic, you can watch the Hacktoberfest Closing Ceremony talk where I also share my journey, **“How Open Source Can Help You Build Your Career,”** here:  
+🎥 [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5EN8hHVRvQ)