One faithful day, I received an email from Outreachy notifying me that my initial application was approved. I couldn't contain my excitement. It was the best news of the season! The process of writing those essays was tough, and I have to admit, I struggled with impostor syndrome. I am super grateful to Outreachy for this opportunity to explore Open-Source.
Now that I have reached the contribution stage, a whole new chapter awaits me. I am tasked with picking a project that aligns with my skills and interests. Having read what this stage was about from the Outreachy website, I was a bit nervous about which project to pick.
Firstly I wrote down projects that matched my skillset in Frontend development using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, technical writing, video editing, and social media management. Then I visited each project link, read about them and what they require from their contributors, and then their websites.
Among the projects, one stood out to me - Wagtail. The name itself had a cool and intriguing ring to it. What drew me in even more was the fact that it was a CMS project that used my dream backend framework - Django.
I also loved the fact that it was a CMS project and worked with my dream backend framework - Django. I read about the Accessibility features documentation project and went further to research Wagtail to know more about them and the solutions they provide.
As I dug deeper, I realized that I was a perfect fit for this project. My skills aligned well with what the project required. Eager to get started, I joined the GitHub discussion channel and Slack for Wagtail. To my pleasant surprise, everything was well-documented. The project had organized guides, useful links, and a wonderful supportive community. It felt like I had stumbled upon a goldmine. All I had to do was follow the well-laid-out steps, and I knew I would be on the right track. Even a detailed introduction guide was given :). I finally set up my working environment and I am glad I chose this project.
The Outreachy Contribution stage ensures that you are never alone in your journey. Everyone is there to support and guide you.
In conclusion, the Outreachy Contribution stage is a time of collaboration, self-discovery, and growth. I am ready to embrace the challenges and explore the world of Open-Source.