Have you ever considered contributing to Open Source? I did consider it, and it took me more than 3 years to make my first pull request. I’d like to share my experience of contributing to open source: why I did it, what I expected, what I learned, and what others shared with me. I’d like to offer you easy starting points and help you take that first step down the rabbit hole of open source.

Objectives Sharing my Open Source experience to encourage people to start contributing. Offering easy entry points for a smooth start.

Detailed Abstract

Down the rabbit hole (7 min) Short introduction of my transitioning story. How I transitioned from teacher/street-artist into data science person and open source contributor. Explanation of why I found contributing to open source so appealing, and what blocked me for more than three years. Also telling my experience full of doubt, lack of confidence, and fear of failure.

Learnings (3 min) I’ll address what I’ve learned, and am still learning. What can a novice learn, and what you cannot learn as a data person. Why it’s worth contributing to open source projects in general.

Blockers (3 min) What held me back for more than 3 years? What held other people I’ve talked to from making the first steps.

How to find a perfect hole? (12 min) Listing practical tips and tricks for different types of blockers - lack of confidence, lack of experience in coding, overchoice of projects and issues.

Q&A (5 min)