My LFX Mentorship Experience with Prometheus: Open Source Dream Come True!
Hey everyone! I’m Sachin Sahu, and I’m still buzzing from my incredible journey as an LFX mentee with Prometheus. As someone who’s always been passionate about coding, I was itching to contribute to something bigger than personal projects. Open source was always on my to-do list, but I never got the chance to dive in until the LFX Mentorship program opened the door to learning from experienced developers and making a real impact.
Landing My Dream Mentorship
I first heard about LFX from LinkedIn and initially ignored it, thinking it wasn’t for beginners like me with no open-source experience. However, after reaching out to a few LFX graduates on LinkedIn and reading blogs on the LFX website, I decided to apply. I found the ‘CNCF — Prometheus: Client_golang CI/CD improvements’ project, which aligned perfectly with my past experience. I applied with my CV and cover letter, highlighting my relevant experience and genuine enthusiasm for open source. I even proposed an estimated timeline and ideas for the project. The application process was smooth, and after a few weeks, I received the fantastic news — I was selected 🎉
Mentorship Magic: My Guiding Stars
My mentors, Kemal Akkoyun and Arthur Silva Sens, were incredible. They provided multiple resources to get familiar with the codebase and patiently answered all my questions, no matter how basic. When faced with tough challenges, they guided me through the problem-solving process, helping me develop critical thinking skills and explore different approaches. This collaborative spirit extended to the entire Prometheus community, who were always willing to lend a hand and share their expertise.
Weekly Meetings: A Launchpad for Learning
The weekly meetings with my mentors were a highlight of the program. We discussed my progress, tackled any roadblocks, and brainstormed the next steps. Their constructive feedback on my code was invaluable, helping me improve my coding practices and project management skills. We also had fun conversations about career opportunities, college stories, and how my mentors got into open source, making our relationship friendly and beyond just technical discussions.
From Newbie to Contributor: My Project Journey
I had the privilege of working on the Client_golang project, Prometheus’ instrumentation library for Go applications. To gain a deeper understanding of the Prometheus ecosystem, I experimented with these projects locally. Thanks to the excellent documentation, it wasn’t a particularly difficult experience. Initially, I struggled to grasp the project’s purpose and its widespread popularity. It was only after my mentors shared videos about observability and common pitfalls that I began to appreciate the project’s significance.
My initial tasks involved familiarizing myself with Golang and the project’s codebase. I started with easy pull requests to understand the contribution guidelines. As I gained confidence, I took on more challenging tasks such as drafting proposal documents, seeking feedback on the mailing list, and reviewing PRs. Working with GitHub Actions was initially confusing, but my mentors guided me through the process, encouraging me to find solutions independently. This was an incredible learning experience!
The Power of Open Source Contribution
There’s nothing quite like seeing your code integrated into a real-world project used by developers globally! Knowing that my contributions are making a difference in the open-source community is incredibly motivating. The LFX Mentorship program wasn’t just about coding — I made valuable connections with people from all over the world who share my passion for open source. These connections will be a huge asset in my coding journey. The most important skill for open source development is patience, as contributors come from different countries and time zones.
Calling All Aspiring Mentees!
If you’re looking to take your coding skills to the next level and make a real impact, I highly recommend applying for the LFX Mentorship program! Here are some key takeaways from my experience:
- Choose a project that aligns with your interests and skill set: Research the projects offered by the LFX program and find one that excites you.
- Craft a compelling application: Highlight your relevant skills, open-source experience (not required tho!), and enthusiasm for the chosen project.
- Actively engage with your mentors and the community: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, participate in discussions, and seek help when needed.
In summary, my journey through the LFX Mentorship Program has been both challenging and rewarding. Navigating the open-source landscape as a newcomer can be overwhelming, but with the right resources and guidance from my awesome mentors, it becomes an exciting adventure. The mentorship also taught me the value of persistence and continuous learning.
Despite the initial struggles, the sense of achievement from contributing to a large-scale project was immensely rewarding. I’m now more confident in tackling real-world engineering problems and contributing to the open-source community. As I graduate from the program, I look forward to continuing my exploration of the open-source world!
Thank you for reading! For any queries, feel free to connect on LinkedIn! 😄
