Contributing to Open Source Changes a Career

24/11/2025

Contributing to Open Source Changes a Career

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Contributing to open source is not just about writing code in public.
It’s something that can transform the way you learn, collaborate… and sometimes your entire path as a developer.


This year, while preparing Hacktoberfest with the Galsen DEV community, I had the chance to guide dozens of developers through their very first contributions.
And what I observed reminded me of how powerful open source can be as a growth engine.


Here are five reasons why.

Forces you to learn better and faster

When you contribute to an open source project, you’re exposed to real code.
Not tutorial code — actual, production-level code written by experienced developers: structured, tested, documented.


You discover:

  • - real-world patterns and conventions that no course ever teaches,
  • - architecture decisions explained through discussions,
  • - and sometimes… a bit of chaos too (which is part of the learning process).

Every PR and every review becomes an opportunity to learn something you would have never discovered alone.

You learn how to collaborate (for real)

You can be “good” while coding alone.
But in open source, you become better by working with others.


You discuss ideas, explain your reasoning, learn clarity, diplomacy, precision and you receive feedback that pushes you forward.


During Hacktoberfest, I saw developers ask questions on issues and solve real problems, especially on the GalsenDev221/map project, an open-source initiative to map and connect the Senegalese tech community

You help others (and that feeling is priceless)

One day, you merge a PR.
A few weeks later, someone tells you: "Thank you, your contribution helped me."


That’s the moment you understand what open source really is : building something bigger than yourself, together. It creates a sense of impact that few personal projects can offer.

Gives you visibility and opportunities

Recruiters, CTOs, lead developers, they all look at : your PRs, your repos, your ability to collaborate and your consistency over time.


Where a resume says "I know React", your GitHub shows how you use it, and how you solve real problems.

What I learned while guiding developers this year

As a lead/organizer within the Galsen DEV community, I realized that:

  • - Most developers are blocked not by the technical part, but by fear and uncertainty.
  • - Clear issues change everything.
  • - Good documentation is worth 10 hours of training.
  • - And most importantly: beginners can contribute to documentation, tests, small fixes, translations, README improvements…

Conclusion

Contributing to open source is not reserved for an elite.
It’s accessible, human, educational, and deeply rewarding.


You don’t need to create the next React to bring value. A small fix, a clarified README, or a simple improvement can help dozens of people.


And it might be the beginning of a new chapter in your career 🚀

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