Everybody Struggles

So it has been two weeks since I started my internship at Wikimedia, working with Future Audience team. Working with a team full of great engineers and with years of experience can be a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time working for a large organization. My team has been supportive in assisting me whenever I had any issue.

As someone who struggled with asking for help and tries to figure out things by myself, I realized that asking for assistance especially when I got stuck on something isn’t a sign of weakness but a step towards growth and learning. I’m grateful for the support I’ve been receiving so far, especially from my mentor. I am learning to embrace the process, even when it’s uncomfortable. Because in the end, struggling isn’t a setback but part of the journey.

I’ve also been learning how to communicate effectively in a remote team. With everyone working in different time zones, we had to set up an availability sheet so team members know when colleagues are available. Tools like Phabricator, Slack, and regular stand-up meets have helped me understand how open source work is organized and how important asynchronous communication is.

Being part of Wikimedia Future Audience team our mission is reaching those who without our efforts wouldn’t be Wikipedia readers or contributors. There is one word that I’ve learnt and has really stuck with me since I started my internship and has been Knowledge Equity.

Knowledge Equity means that everyone should be able to benefit from knowledge creation and sharing, regardless of their background, location, gender, or socioeconomic status. It’s about making sure people feel represented and they feel empowered to contribute their own knowledge.

Looking back at the past two weeks, I’m amazed at how much I’ve already learned, not just technical terms, but also about open source culture and values. I’m excited to continue contributing, growing, and connecting with this incredible community. I know the journey won’t always be smooth, but I’ve come to appreciate that everybody struggles, and that’s okay as long as we keep learning. :)