Why Every Developer Must Contribute to Open Source

Dan Abramov, a well-known developer in the JavaScript community, got hired by Facebook after they noticed his impressive open-source contributions, especially to the React ecosystem. 

Another good example of why every developer should contribute to open source is Mohamed Said. He was an active open-source contributor to the PHP web framework Laravel, submitting bug fixes and feature enhancements in his free time. His work got noticed by Laravel’s creator, Taylor Otwell, who offered him a job in 2016 as the first official Laravel employee.

In simple terms, contributing to an open source project is a way to build your CV which speaks more than a PDF. A recruiter can evaluate your skills from your contributions and can help you land a as you will have an edge over your competitors.

However, contributing to an open-source project is beyond building a portfolio. The skills you develop, the network you build and the recognition you get are unmatched!

Contributing to Open Source goes beyond building a CV

As per the report from Digital Ocean, 35% of developers who contribute to open source said they’ve gained enhanced skills from their contributions, 19% said they’ve encountered networking opportunities, and 11% even found job opportunities.

Open-source contributions also provide unique learning opportunities. As GitHub’s 2021 State of the Octoverse report highlights, mentorship in open-source communities results in a 46% improvement in productivity on these projects.

(Source: GitHub)

The benefits of open source contribution are widely recognised in developer communities, and you eventually feel good about the contributions you made. On Reddit, one user shared: “It’s fun, and you can work on an exciting project with a community of like-minded people. You’re doing something that benefits hundreds, thousands, or even millions of other people, and you can feel good about yourself.”

That’s where the real contribution starts. You don’t spend hours or even days just for the sake of doing it. You will find senior developers who are already placed at very high positions in big tech companies and still contributing to open-source projects. 

Why? Because they find such projects exciting and shaping the future. Another developer on Reddit emphasised the personal growth aspect: “I find giving back personally meaningful. I wouldn’t be where I am without help from others – from the most trivial solution some random stranger posted on StackOverflow, to the professor who refused to give up on me when I could barely wrap my mind around a for loop. We all make each other better.”

Moreover, open source contribution allows developers to solve real-world problems and make a tangible impact. Some open-source projects are targeted at solving critical issues in areas like security and healthcare. Contributing to such projects means directly impacting and improving software used by millions of people worldwide.

But wait. Not all contributors are unpaid. The open source market is hotter than ever and companies will pay you to contribute to the open source project. The majority of Linux kernel developers are not volunteers working for free. Instead, they are professionals employed by major software and hardware companies worldwide, who compensate them for their contributions. 

Since 2005, the kernel has received input from over 14,000 contributors representing more than 1,300 different companies. Currently, only about 8% of contributions come from unpaid developers. These unpaid contributors possess highly sought-after skills, often leading to job offers from companies that specifically hire individuals to work on the kernel.

Apart from contributing to open-source communities, there’s another way to improve your skill set, network with developers and land a job –  Hackathons. 

Hackathons Are Also Important

Hackathons are the best way to tackle real-world problems. You meet new people and build connections in developer communities and if you perform well, there are pretty high chances that it will help you land a job. 

Brij Patel started participating in hackathons as a strategy to win free food. After seven attempts, he finally won his first hackathon. This victory marked a turning point in his career. At one of the hackathons, Patel met a Thomson Reuters recruiter, which led to three internships with the company. These internships eventually culminated in a full-time role at Thomson Reuters.

A team of students from the International IIT, Bangalore, showcased their skills at the Hilti Mobile App Hackathon in Malaysia, competing against 200 teams from 26 countries. Their victory in this international event led to immediate internship offers from Hilti within 24 hours of winning. These internships subsequently turned into full-time job offers upon completion.

In my opinion, contributing to open-source projects and participating in hackathons are the best ways to get into software development. The combination of both ensures you face real-life problems, build a practical portfolio, and give you an edge over the competition.