Open Source Odyssey: A Guide to Success in Your Outreachy Application🌻

Published in

Codess.Cafe

9 min readJan 23, 2024

Navigating the landscape of open-source programs and taking that first step towards contributing can be a daunting task. However, the journey is incredibly rewarding. The beauty of open source lies in its global community that offers unparalleled support.💙

Hello readers, I am Nikhila K S, a proud alum of the Outreachy program, from the May 2023 internship period. In this blog, I aim to shed light on the complete application process for Outreachy and answer some common questions such as :

What’s the program’s purpose? Who’s eligible to apply? What exactly does the application entail? I’ll guide you through these questions and cap it off by sharing essential guidelines and tips to ease your application journey.

Content of this blog :

1.What is Outreachy?
2. Eligibility Criteria
3. Timeline
4. How to apply?
5. Phase 1: Initial application
6. Phase 2: Contribution period
7. Internship period
8. Frequently asked questions

Let's start simple — What is the meaning of open source, and what is an open source program?

Open source refers to software or projects where the original code or design is made freely accessible to the public and can be modified and shared by anyone. This openness fosters collaboration, innovation, and community-driven development.

Famous examples of open-source projects include: Linux Operating System, Mozilla Firefox, Python Programming Language, TensorFlow, and many more organizations.

Open-source programs are developed to encourage collaboration, transparency, and community involvement in open-source project development.

💠 What is Outreachy?

Outreachy is an open-source program and a pioneering initiative that seeks to bridge the gap of underrepresentation in free and open-source software projects. The program orchestrates three-month paid internships, specifically designed for individuals who belong to communities that are traditionally marginalized within these projects.

Outreachy opens the doors for folks to join the world of open and free software. It’s not just about diving in; they also offer financial help along the way. The main goal? To make tech more diverse and fair. By working on real projects and teaming up with others, Outreachy helps folks who aren’t usually represented in tech to shine. It’s all about breaking down barriers and making sure everyone’s voice is heard in the tech world.

💠Eligibility

Outreachy is open to applicants around the world.
They invite people who face systemic bias or discrimination in the technology industry of their country.

💠Timeline

For the May-August internship period
1. Intern applications are accepted from mid-January to early February.
2. The internship project list will be finalized in early March.
3. Mentors can sign up starting in January.
4. The contribution period starts from March to April.
5. Internships run from late May to late August.

For the December-March internship period
1. Intern applications are accepted from early August to late August.
2. The internship project list will be finalized in late September.
3. Mentors can sign up starting in early August.
4. Internships run from early December to early March.

💠Initial Application

The initial application round for the Outreachy program involves a series of questions designed to assess your eligibility. The form contains questions asking for your availability, country of residence, country of work, and other commitments during the internship period. Other questions related to visa and time-zone are also asked. These questions are option-based or one-word answers.

To be eligible, we need to be available for 30 hours per week, during the internship. Some projects allow for a 5-week extension upon approval from the mentor, but they are not necessary to be shown. These questions are accompanied by four essay prompts.

The essay questions, each with a character limit of 1000, are as follows:

1. Are you a member of an underrepresented group in the technology industry of your country? How do you experience underrepresentation?
2. If you were to apply for a job in the technology industry of your country, what systemic biases or discrimination do you anticipate encountering?
3. Does your learning environment have a limited number of individuals who share your identity or background? Please provide specific details.
4. What systemic biases or discrimination have you encountered while developing your skills?

TIPS →
- Starting from 2023, Outreachy has adopted a first-come, first-served approach, underscoring the importance of submitting your application as early as possible.
- You cannot save your initial application. You have to fill it out all at once. Before you fill out the initial application, write answers to the four essay questions. Keep your answers in a personal document for future applications. Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
- Try to be genuine and answer the question to the point. Take your time to write down the answers.
- Outreachy has mentioned some points that can be considered while drafting your application which can be found here.

If you are selected in the application round, you will receive a mail inviting you for the contribution period.

💠Contribution Period

Once the contribution period commences, Outreachy publishes a comprehensive list of participating companies and their projects for the year. As contributors, we have the freedom to explore these projects and choose the one we are interested in contributing to. Each project description includes the specific tasks that contributors are expected to complete.

To make the most of the contribution period, consider the following tips:

Embrace your confidence and acknowledge that you possess unique strengths and abilities, just like everyone else. (Don’t be afraid; open source Communities are very welcoming; you won't be judged even if you are an absolute beginner 💜. Even I was an absolute beginner, you never know what’s in store for you in the future, so give your best 😊)
Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the project you select to ensure a deeper understanding of its requirements and objectives.
Take help! (Requesting for help (if needed) shows curiosity to learn, you won’t be judged🌻). If you find it difficult to understand the project or are stuck at some point, it is better to ask for help in the community. While requesting help in the community channel, clearly mention what was your aim, and where you got stuck. You can tag your mentors if you feel they would be the best to answer that particular doubt.
When submitting pull requests (PRs), ensure that they are well-defined and accompanied by clear comments, outlining the work you have accomplished. This practice helps provide transparency and clarity about your contributions.

Let me share one of my PR screenshots:

Pro Tip :

Stay engaged in the community communication channels by actively participating in discussions, assisting others with their queries, and seeking help when you encounter obstacles. By doing so, you will not only find enjoyment in the experience but also have the opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and learn about their unique skills, which can be truly fascinating.🎉
Take your time to select the project you are interested in (The contribution period lasts for 1 month, it would be better to select a project within 1 to 2 weeks at max). Once selected, try to stick to it, and stay active in its community.

By following these suggestions, you can maximize your engagement during the contribution period and make meaningful contributions to the chosen project.👏🏻

💠Final Application and Results

Once the contribution period concludes, we are required to submit an application for the projects we desire to intern with. This application includes essential details and documents such as a proposed timeline outlining the work we intend to accomplish during the internship, a summary of our contributions during the contribution period, and a showcase of relevant projects demonstrating our possession of the required skills.

Approximately a month later, Outreachy announces the outcomes. In August 2023, a total of 63 interns were selected for the program.

I take immense pride in being chosen as one of the interns for the August 2023 cohort. It was an incredibly overwhelming moment for me.

Outreachy was like a thrilling roller coaster ride for me — a journey packed with ups and downs and unforgettable moments. Throughout the program, I soaked up loads of learning, saw a big boost in my speaking skills, and saw my confidence hit new heights.

I genuinely believe that if you’re considering it, giving Outreachy a try could be an amazing decision. It’s a chance to grow, learn, and experience something truly special.💫

Connect with me → My Socials
Outreachy Website → https://www.outreachy.org/

FAQs(Frequently asked questions)

1. In how many projects can we contribute?
Ans: There is no limit, you can select and contribute to as many projects as possible, but it is suggested to choose at max 2.

2. Does the number of PRs created matter?
Ans: No, you won't be judged based on the number of PRs(pull requests), but on the quality of your PR.
Remember QUALITY >>>>>> QUANTITY.

3. Am not into tech, can I still participate?
Ans: Yes you should give it a try, some projects look for interns who are into designing and writing.

4. How to select a project?
Ans: You can select projects based on your interest in the tech stack. If you can't find projects corresponding to your tech stack, you can explore projects that require knowledge of the basics of any other tech stack. The tech stack of projects and the level of skill required will be mentioned for every project.

5. I am an absolute beginner; should I try?
Ans: Definitely, don’t let such thoughts stop you from exploring Open source. Be open-minded, you will learn something new and unique things for sure. Embrace every opportunity you receive. Unfortunately, if you are not selected as an intern, the learnings from the application process will help you navigate the process in the upcoming years.🌺

6. What’s the stipend offered?
Ans: The total internship stipend offered was USD 7,000. Interns will receive it in two parts. USD 3,000 after the Mid-term evaluation and USD 4,000 at the end of the internship period after final evaluations.

7. Could you recommend specific technologies that might increase my chances of being selected?
Ans: Many organizations participate in Outreachy, and the projects cover a wide range of technologies, so it’s good to explore various tech areas that interest you rather than focusing on just one.

8. Which organizations are involved in Outreachy? And what technologies are used for the projects?
Ans: The organization that will participate in the next internship period can’t be predicted as such. Still, organizations and their projects in the previous cohorts can be checked here → https://www.outreachy.org/past-projects/. Several organizations and their projects have been regular participants, and you can track their recurring involvement.

If you have any doubts feel free to comment below.

Good luck, Champ !!