What are the best ways to ensure your open source contributions are valuable?

Yes, open source can be a good way to improve your skills and get extra visibility. But actually, I disagree with it being an effective way. Most open-source projects require you to be quite skilled in order to contribute. On top of that, there is the time needed to do so. A developer with a normal full-time job has little time and energy to spare. And lastly, though companies do care, even if you are an open-source contributor, the will put you through the same technical interviews as everyone else. I think Junior/Mid-level devs are better off working on things that have a more direct impact on their skills. Such as technical interviews.

other than interest, you can also choose ones you already use. Maybe the library you use needs a documentation update or a bug fix. Add a contribution, and give back 👍

Contributing to open source projects like FastAPI (my current personal favorite) offers a multitude of benefits that enrich both the individual and the broader developer ecosystem. Open source contributions facilitate skill development by providing a real-world context for problem-solving, debugging, and learning new technologies. Unlike academic exercises, these are live projects used by many, so the learning curve can be both challenging and rewarding.

Contributing to open source shouldn't be seen as scary. We should as well remember that open source contribution can also be on something not on the code itself, it's a good way to improve your other skills like documentation or communication. When contributing, you should look at a project you are interested or that you need for other projects. To get a good contribution, you should look at what the problem you are solving in the context of the repository. Like any project, it's with time that you will understand the code or the domain. Like everywhere, always be friendly, whatever the maintainer response because everyone can have a bad day.

- Look for projects that match your skills and goals. If you are a beginner, you might want to choose a project that is beginner-friendly. - Read the project's documentation, code, and issues to understand how it works and what kind of help it needs.

One thing to keep in mind is that it's not your project. Like said here, it's important to be respectful to project maintainers and other contributors. On the other hand, don't let this stop you from contributing - your help is welcome! Just remember to follow the rules. Also, try to do as much as you can to make it easy on the maintainer's side. Keep the style, document it properly, etc. Your help should be just that - help, not trouble.

- Every project has its own rules for contributors. Make sure to read and follow them to avoid any conflicts or errors. - Ask questions if you are unsure about anything, and be respectful to other contributors and maintainers.

When I first think about contributing to open source, the idea can be daunting. The projects often seem large and complex, and I might worry that I don't have enough expertise to make a meaningful impact. That's why I like to start small. Making a minor contribution, such as fixing a bug or improving documentation, allows me to familiarize myself with the project's codebase and procedures without feeling overwhelmed. It's much easier to understand a small piece of the project than to grasp the entire architecture all at once.

This is the thing which most people overlook. Even if you make a small change, but if it creates value for the project, it's worth it.

- If you are new to open source, start with small and simple tasks. Look for issues labeled as "good first issue" or "beginner". - Ask for feedback from other contributors and maintainers, and be open to learning from your mistakes.

- Documentation and testing are important aspects of open source software. Make sure to document and test your code thoroughly. - This will help other contributors and users understand your work, and prevent or fix any errors or bugs.

Best thing about open source is you learn a lot while contributing in terms of constructive feedback. That's the reason I love open source. You get more exposure to how things work than you get while pursuing a degree.

- Open source software is based on collaboration. Be open to feedback and collaboration from other contributors and maintainers. - Listen to their suggestions, and be willing to revise or update your contribution if needed.

- Open source software is constantly evolving. Stay updated on the project's progress and look for ways to help. - Explore other projects that interest you, and expand your knowledge and skills.

My tips for contributing to open source 1️⃣ Focus on packages you already use 2️⃣ Focus on smaller project 3️⃣ Don’t try to force it 4️⃣ Focus getting small change through 5️⃣ Have fun - you are giving up your free time!

- Share examples of your experiences contributing to open source projects. What did you learn from those experiences? - Discuss the importance of community in open source software development, and how being part of a community can enhance your skills and knowledge.