Exploring Career Opportunities in Open Source

Sometimes, evaluating an end goal before beginning a journey can be good, especially as regards to career. And if you’re wondering what the next 1 - 3 years look like for someone committed to open source, then I’m happy to explore with you some interesting career opportunities in the open source community and share my story as well.

I was in a tech conference some years back, and during a chit-chat/mingle session before the speakers came on stage, the phrase “open source” was flying around, literally. I got confused and I was having another small chat with myself in my mind, what exactly is open source?

Could it be the company got sponsored by the public? As in “open source?” Haha! I had no idea what everyone was talking about and I was eager to begin the training so that I could learn from the speakers.

So, if you feel confused right now, I understand you and have shared in that struggle. But If it doesn’t refer to the source of a public donation or sponsorship, what is it then?

What is open source?

Open source is a community-driven approach to software development where the source code is made freely available for anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute, using an open source licence.

Contributing to open source projects allows you to be part of a global community, enhancing your skills, connecting with like-minds and making a positive impact.

There’s more!

Open source is characterised by inclusivity, open communication, collaboration, problem solving, mentorship, and career development. You enjoy the opportunity of improving your skill while solving a real life software problem that helps users. Being guided by senior contributors and mentors, and getting recognition within the community, without the pressure from a boss or feeling left out.

Let’s explore some careers in open source

Open source provides several career opportunities and internships; and you don’t have to be a coder to benefit from the opportunities it offers. Let’s dig in and explore the possibilities of these career opportunities and their responsibilities briefly.

1. Software Development:

Contributing to open source projects offers hands-on experience in software development. Developers can hone their coding skills, collaborate with peers globally, and gain visibility within the tech community. Contributions to prominent projects can lead to job offers, freelance opportunities, internship and networking prospects.

2. Community Engagement:

Open source projects rely on strong community engagement and management, hence making community management a great career path in open source. Community managers facilitate communication, organize events, and foster a welcoming environment for contributors. This is typical of my role at HOT as a “Tech Community Engagement Intern”. Some qualities that can help you excel in this role are interpersonal skills, communication, empathy, respect of other people’s input, leadership qualities, and an understanding of the project’s objectives.

3. Technical Writing and Documentation:

Clear documentation is essential for the success of open source projects and Technical writers play a pivotal role in crafting comprehensive guides, tutorials, and documentation for open source contributors. Writers with expertise in technology can bridge the gap between developers and end-users, enhancing the project’s usability and accessibility. This is another great career path to consider in open source.

4. Quality Assurance and Testing:

Open source projects require rigorous testing to ensure reliability and functionality. QA professionals contribute by designing test cases, identifying bugs, and improving software quality. This role offers opportunities to collaborate with developers, automate testing processes, and implement best practices in software testing.

5. Project Management and Coordination:

Managing open source projects involves overseeing timelines, priorities, and resource allocation. Project managers, often called Product Owners, facilitate collaboration among contributors, resolve conflicts, and ensure adherence to project goals. Organizational skills, communication abilities, and technical knowledge are essential for effective project management.

6. Open Source Advocacy:

Open source advocates promote the benefits of open source software and foster adoption within communities. Advocates engage with developers, organizations, and policymakers to champion open source initiatives. This role may involve public speaking, community outreach, and strategic partnerships to advance the open source movement.

Conclusion:

Begin your journey in open source today by joining an inclusive and welcoming community, HOT Tech Working Group, and by contributing to HOTOSM open source projects. Check out this video guide on how to contribute to OpenStreetMap using the HOT Tasking Manager, as a complete beginner. Or visit the HOT Github page to select “beginner friendly issues” to contribute to.

Happy Contributing! 🎉