How Outreachy Helped Me Embrace Community and Grow

As the contribution phase of Outreachy draws to a close, I find myself sitting back and reflecting on this wild, rewarding journey. How it started, what I expected, what I’ve learned, and most importantly, how I’ve grown.

This wasn’t my first Outreachy rodeo. It’s my third. And you know what they say—third time’s the charm, right?

My First and Second Attempts: The Struggle Was Real

Let’s rewind a bit. My first attempt was... well, let’s just say it was a weird one. Before I explain how that went off track, it’s important to mention something about me: I have almost-crippling social anxiety. Anything involving engaging with a group of strangers is a horror movie for me.

When I first got into tech, I had this cinematic image in my head of mysterious figures in black hoodies typing away in a dark basement, hacking into systems, or building amazing apps. That’s what drew me in. I thought, “Yes! This is it. No people, just code.” 😅

Reality check? It was nothing like that.

Since diving into the tech world, I’ve had to do more socializing than I ever imagined. Talking to real people, asking questions, explaining myself, collaborating—it’s been a massive shift. And with every new endeavor comes a new adjustment period.

During my first Outreachy try, I didn’t say a word. Literally. I joined a project, found the technical details, and just started contributing… Silently. Never introduced myself, never asked questions, never engaged. And, well… you can probably guess how that went.

On my second go, I decided to focus on improving my communication skills. But I swung too far in the other direction and forgot about the whole contribution part. I missed the deadline entirely.

Third Time: Finding Balance

This time around, I decided to be intentional about both contributions and communication. I spent a full week reading through the available projects before finding one that truly resonated with me: Fedora.

And let me tell you, this experience has been different.

How It’s Been Going

It’s honestly been amazing.

I was hesitant at first (hello, social anxiety), but I took a deep breath and jumped in. From the moment I joined, I felt something rare—welcomed. It was like there was a built-in welcome committee. People were there to greet me, ask about my interests, and point me to resources. I didn’t have to wander around awkwardly or overthink how to ask for help. Help found me.

For someone like me, who once stayed on a bus past my stop just because I was too shy to shout “stop” from the back (true story 😅), this was a huge deal.

But Fedora changed something in me. I saw how open and inclusive the community was, and it slowly made me more open too. I started engaging in conversations, helping out other newcomers, and even welcoming others the way I was welcomed. That was a big moment of growth.

What I’ve Learnt

The biggest lesson: Collaboration over competition.

Sure, we’re all technically applying for the same role. But the vibe in the Fedora community is nothing like a race, it’s more like a family. People genuinely want to help each other. We share resources, give feedback, encourage one another, and sometimes just chat about random things to blow off steam.

There’s a shared understanding that this process can be overwhelming. And our mentor? She’s a gem. She reminds us that feeling overwhelmed is normal. We don’t have to power through a billion tasks. It’s quality over quantity. Show up, do your best, and take your time—your sincerity will shine through.

I’ve learned from my fellow contributors too. One person in our group took up the challenge to write a short blog post every day during the phase. Through her posts, I’ve learnt random but fascinating facts, discovered more about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and picked up practical lessons about time and task management.

Hopes for What Comes Next

No matter the outcome of the final selection, I want to stay in the Fedora community. I want to keep connecting with the amazing people I’ve met, and hopefully collaborate on an online DEI panel to promote inclusive spaces in tech.

This experience has been more than just an application process. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, growth, and genuine human connection. And I’m so excited to see where it leads next.

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If you’re someone who’s tried and failed before, whether it’s Outreachy or something else, this is your reminder that failure isn’t the end. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find your rhythm, your people, and your voice.

Third time really can be the charm. 🌟