Are you interested in breaking into open source while getting paid to learn? The Outreachy internship program might be your gateway. This guide will walk you through every step of the application process, from initial research to final submission, sharing insights from my personal experience along the way.
Understanding Outreachy
Outreachy provides remote, paid internships in open source for people who face systemic bias or discrimination in the technology industry of their country. The program runs twice a year (May-August & December-March) and welcomes applicants from around the world.
What makes Outreachy special is its focus on diversity and inclusion. The program actively seeks participants from underrepresented groups in tech, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable experience while earning a stipend (approximately $7,000 USD).
Before You Apply: Preparation
While you can certainly apply to Outreachy when applications open without prior preparation, taking some time to prepare beforehand can give you an advantage. Don’t worry if you’re discovering Outreachy just as applications open – you can still put together a strong application
Start by thoroughly exploring the Outreachy website. The site contains extensive documentation that will help you understand the program’s structure, eligibility requirements, and timeline. Pay special attention to the Applicant Guide – it’s a goldmine of information that will guide you throughout the entire process.
As stated on their website: “You should fill out an initial application, regardless of your experience level.” Outreachy is designed to welcome newcomers to open source, so don’t be intimidated if you’re just getting started.
One of the most important preparation steps is to set up your development environment based on your interests. Whether you’re into coding, documentation, design, or any other area, having your tools ready will allow you to hit the ground running when the contribution period begins.
The Initial Application
When applications open, you’ll need to create an account on the Outreachy website and complete the initial application form. This first phase involves answering several essay questions about your background and experiences with systemic bias.
From my experience, I’ve found that the following approach works well for the essays:
- Write from your heart. Outreachy is about giving opportunities to underrepresented people, so you have space to be real and raw. As they mention on their website, they’re not particularly focused on perfect English grammar but rather on the content of your application.
- The application forms have word limits, so I recommend writing in a word processor where you can see your word count. This helps ensure you don’t exceed the limits while fully expressing your thoughts.
- If you’re preparing before the application opens, you can find the essay questions in the applicant guide. Having your essays ready in advance can save you valuable time when the application period begins.
- When you’re ready to submit, don’t rush but also don’t wait until the last minute. Make sure you’re comfortable with everything before submitting. However, try to submit as early as possible, as successful applications are often selected on a first-come, first-served basis (after meeting quality standards).
Selecting the Right Projects
After your initial application is approved, you’ll enter the project exploration phase. This is when you’ll browse through the available projects and decide which ones you’d like to contribute to.
The project selection process deserves careful consideration. Each project has its own requirements, technologies, and community culture. Take time to read through project descriptions thoroughly and evaluate how well they align with your skills and interests.
When selecting projects, consider:
- Do you have the required technical skills, or are you willing to learn them?
- Does the project focus on an area that genuinely interests you?
- Are the mentors active and responsive in the communication channels?
- Does the project have clear documentation to help newcomers get started?
In my experience, it’s best to limit yourself to 2 or 3 projects at most. This allows you to dedicate sufficient time and energy to each one, rather than spreading yourself too thin across multiple projects.
The Contribution Phase
The contribution phase is the heart of the Outreachy application process. During this approximately one-month period, you’ll actively contribute to your chosen projects and interact with the communities.
Making First Contact
When you’ve selected your projects, the first step is to join the project’s communication channels (Slack, IRC, Matrix, Discord, etc.) and introduce yourself. A good introduction is concise yet informative, giving mentors and community members context about who you are and why you’re interested in their project.
After introducing yourself, take time to read through the project’s documentation, code of conduct, and contribution guidelines. This shows respect for the community’s processes and helps you avoid simple mistakes that might create a negative first impression.
Contributing Effectively
During the contribution stage, each project has sponsors/mentors that will guide you on what the project requires. My advice here is to focus on quality over quantity. Take things one at a time, finish each task completely, and then move on to the next. Don’t try to juggle multiple contributions simultaneously, as this often leads to incomplete work.
Look for issues labeled “good first issue,” “newcomer-friendly,” or “Outreachy” to get started. Before claiming any issue, make sure you understand what’s required and check if someone else is already working on it. Then, politely ask if you can work on the issue and wait for confirmation before beginning.
When making your contributions:
- Follow the project’s contribution guidelines exactly. Each project has its own workflow and conventions.
- Test your changes thoroughly before submitting them for review.
- Write clear commit messages and pull request descriptions that explain what you did and why.
- Be responsive to feedback and make requested changes promptly.
- Remember, the quality of your contributions is much more important than the quantity. It’s better to complete one or two tasks well than to start five tasks and not finish any of them.
Recording Your Contributions
As you make contributions, you’ll need to record them on the Outreachy website. This is a crucial step that many applicants overlook.
To record your contributions:
- Log into your Outreachy dashboard
- Click on “My Participation”
- Find the project you contributed to
- Add details about your contributions
For each contribution, include:
- A description of what you did
- Links to your pull requests, issues, or other evidence of your work
- What you learned from the experience
- Any challenges you faced and how you overcame them
These records are essential because they demonstrate your engagement with the project and provide evidence of your skills and work ethic.
Preparing Your Final Application
As the contribution period comes to an end, you’ll need to submit a final application for each project you contributed to. Applicants are required to create a final application for each Outreachy project they apply to, and only those who have recorded a contribution to a project will be able to create a final application for that project.
The Outreachy website encourages applicants to “submit their final application at least a day before the deadline.” You can edit your final application until the deadline, so it’s better to submit early and refine later than to risk missing the deadline entirely.
To create your final application, go to the Outreachy project list, click the link for your project, and look for the link to ‘record your contributions and create a final application’ on the project details page.
The final application asks four main questions:
- Past experience with this community: Describe your experience with this free software community before the Outreachy application period, both as a user and contributor.
- Past experience with other communities: Share your experiences with other free software communities before this Outreachy application period.
- Relevant Projects: Describe any personal, work, or school projects that helped you develop skills relevant to this project. Explain what knowledge you gained and include links where possible.
- (Optional) Google Summer of Code information: If applicable, describe which Google Summer of Code communities and projects you’re applying for, and provide mentor contact information.
- Outreachy internship project timeline: Break down your project into smaller tasks that can be accomplished over the course of the internship. Review the project description carefully to understand the provided tasks and milestones. Create a timeline outlining the tasks you plan to work on, possibly organizing them by weeks. Include milestones for sharing drafts of your work with mentors and the community at least every two weeks.
When writing your final application, be honest about your experience level and what you’ve learned during the contribution period. Mentors value growth and enthusiasm as much as pre-existing skills.
What to Expect If Selected
If your application is successful, congratulations! You’ll be notified about your selection and will begin the onboarding process for your internship.
During the internship period, you’ll:
- Work remotely on your project for approximately 40 hours per week
- Receive a stipend of around $7,000 USD
- Have regular check-ins with your mentor
- Document your progress through blog posts
- Become part of a supportive community of interns and mentors
The internship experience is not just about completing tasks; it’s about growing as a contributor to open source and developing both technical and communication skills that will benefit you throughout your career.
If Not Selected
If you aren’t selected for an internship, don’t be discouraged. Many successful Outreachy interns applied multiple times before being accepted.
The experience you gain during the application process is valuable regardless of the outcome. You’ll have:
- Made real contributions to open source projects
- Expanded your technical skills
- Connected with open source communities
- Learned how to navigate collaborative development environments
Continue contributing to the projects that interested you, maintain the connections you’ve made, and consider applying again in the next round with the additional experience under your belt.
Final Words
Throughout my journey with Outreachy, I’ve learned that success in the program comes from a combination of preparation, persistence, and genuine engagement with the communities. Here are some final tips to keep in mind:
Be authentic in your interactions with the community. Open source is fundamentally about people working together, and building genuine relationships is as important as technical skills.
Manage your time wisely, especially during the contribution phase. Set aside regular time each day or week to work on your contributions, communicate with mentors, and record your progress.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you’re stuck, but do try to find answers in the documentation first. This shows respect for others’ time while demonstrating your problem-solving initiative.
Remember that everyone in open source was a beginner at some point. The communities participating in Outreachy understand this and are generally welcoming to newcomers who show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
The Outreachy journey is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re selected for an internship or not, the skills and connections you gain through the application process are invaluable steps in your open source journey.
Good luck, and may your Outreachy experience open doors to exciting opportunities in the world of open source!