The Ultimate Outreachy Guide: Insider Tips No One Shares

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Outreachy and How It Works

2. Preparing for the Application Phase

3. The Initial Application Phase

4. Contribution Phase – The Most Important Step

5. Joining and Engaging with the Community

6. Submitting the Final Application

7. The Internship Phase – What to Expect

8. Final Thoughts: Lessons from Experienced Applicants

Are you interested in applying for the Outreachy internship program but unsure where to start?

This guide will walk you through every step, from understanding what Outreachy is to maximizing your chances of getting selected.

Outreachy provides remote, paid internships in open-source projects for people from underrepresented groups in tech. The program runs twice a year (May-August & December-March) and is open to applicants worldwide.

By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear roadmap to navigate the application process successfully.

1. Understanding Outreachy and How It Works

Outreachy is a diversity-focused internship program that provides opportunities for individuals facing systemic bias in the tech industry. Interns work remotely with open source organizations and receive mentorship throughout the program.

Key Features of Outreachy:

✅ Open to beginners and experienced contributors.
✅ No formal degree or prior open-source experience required.
✅ Paid internship (~$7,000 USD stipend).
✅ Remote, flexible working hours.
✅ Open to developers, designers, writers, researchers, and more.

🔗 Official Website: https://www.outreachy.org

Why Apply for Outreachy?

• Gain real-world experience in open-source projects.

• Work with experienced mentors.

• Expand your professional network.

• Get paid while contributing to impactful projects.

Outreachy Timeline: Key Phases

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2. Preparing for the Application Phase

Before applying, familiarize yourself with Outreachy:

• Read Outreachy's official website and FAQ section.

• Subscribe to their mailing list to get reminders about deadlines.

• Follow Outreachy on Twitter/X and LinkedIn for real-time updates.

• 📺 Watch previous interns share experiences on YouTube: Watch now!

3. The Initial Application Phase

During this phase, you'll answer a few questions to determine your eligibility. The most crucial part is writing four short essays (~200 words each).

Essay Questions (Examples from Outreachy)

1. How are you underrepresented in tech?

2. What systemic bias would you face in your country’s tech industry?

3. Does your learning environment lack diversity?

4. What discrimination have you faced while learning tech?

Tips for Writing Strong Essays:

✅ Be honest and specific about your experiences.
✅ Provide real-life examples of bias or discrimination you’ve faced.
✅ Keep it concise but impactful — 200 words per essay isn’t much!
✅ Write your essays in Google Docs or another text editor first, then copy and paste when submitting.

ⓘ The YouTube guide below will help you create a strong initial application.

💡 Pro Tip: Also watch this video for essay tips: How to write a great Outreachy essay application

⏳ Submission Tip: Apply early! Outreachy applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so don’t wait until the last day.

4. Contribution Phase – The Most Important Step

Once your application is accepted, you enter the Contribution Phase (28-30 days). This is where you prove your ability to work with an open source project.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Browse available projects on the Outreachy website.

2. Pick a project that aligns with your skills and interests:

   • Check the required skills and see if they match your expertise.

   • Look for projects related to your long-term career goals.

   • Consider past experiences: Have you worked with a similar tech stack before?

3. Read the project description carefully (some projects have specific requirements).

   🛠 Contribution Types Include:

   • Writing code (Python, JavaScript, Java, etc.).

   • Creating designs (UI/UX, illustrations).

   • Writing documentation (technical writing).

   • Conducting user research.

💡 Pro Tip: You can contribute to multiple projects, but prioritize quality over quantity. Some projects have issue trackers. Start with 'Good First Issues' to get familiar.

4. Join the Project’s Community:

   • Introduce yourself, but don’t stop there — stay active!

   • Attend community calls or town halls (some happen every 2–3 weeks).

   • Read the project's documentation and roadmap.

Keep going! In the next step, you'll learn more about the contribution phase and how to stay active in your chosen project.

5. Joining and Engaging with the Community

Every project has a communication channel (Slack, Matrix, GitHub, etc.).

Best Practices for Community Engagement

• Introduce yourself properly. Example:

  “Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I’m an open-source enthusiast and software engineer excited to contribute to this project!”

• Read pinned messages & documentation before asking questions.

• Engage actively: Ask thoughtful questions, help others, and show initiative.

• Follow community guidelines and be respectful.

💡 Watch: How to communicate effectively in open source communities

Record your Contributions

• To be considered for the internship phase, you are required to record a contribution while working on community projects.

  

• To view your recorded contributions, go to your dashboard and click the “My Participation” button, as shown in the image below. This will display all your contributions across different projects.

  

• Ensure you submit your final application before the contribution phase deadline. Additionally, you’ll need to write essays on the following topics (don’t worry, Outreachy offers tips to help you):

  1. Past experience with this community.

  2. Past experience with other communities.

  3. Relevant Projects.

  4. (Optional) Please describe which Google Summer of Code communities and projects you are applying for, and provide mentor contact information.

  5. Outreachy internship project timeline.

Note: You must record and submit a final application for every project you contribute to in order to be considered for the internship phase.

6. Submitting the Final Application

At the end of the contribution phase, you need to submit a final application for each project you contributed to.

Final Application Checklist:

✅ List your contributions (code commits, designs, documentation, etc.).
✅ Write the required essays (similar to the initial phase).
✅ Submit before the deadline!

⚠️ Important: If you don’t submit a final application, you won’t be considered for the internship.

7. The Internship Phase – What to Expect

If selected, 🎉congratulations! You’re now an Outreachy intern!

What Happens Next?

✅ You’ll have an internship orientation to meet mentors and learn project expectations.
✅ You’ll work closely with your mentor on a structured timeline.
✅ You’ll have weekly check-ins and progress updates.
✅ You’ll document your learning through blog posts.

💼 Real-world experience: Your work will be used by real people in open source communities!

If not selected, don’t be discouraged! Many successful Outreachy interns applied multiple times before getting accepted. Keep contributing to open source, and apply again!

8. Final Thoughts: Lessons from Experienced Applicants

Key Takeaways:

• Start early – The contribution phase is intense.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions – Outreachy is designed to help you learn.

• Quality over quantity – A few well-done contributions are better than many rushed ones.

• Be persistent – If you don’t get selected, try again next round!

The Most Valuable Part of Outreachy?

Even if you don’t get selected, you will:

• Build technical and communication skills.

• Gain confidence in working with open source communities.

• Expand your professional network.

The Current Outreachy Program Has Ended. What Should You Do?

1. Subscribe to Outreachy updates for future cycles.

2. Start exploring open source projects and continue contributing.

3. Apply again with confidence!

Your Outreachy journey starts now!

👉 Have questions? Drop a comment below or reach out to me!