I had the opportunity to be one of the speakers for the Hashnode Bootcamp Fall 2023.
It was fascinating to see the range of knowledge and the different styles of presentations, all of which were insightful.
The Hashnode community's size and supportive nature might not be surprising, but experiencing it firsthand was both humbling and deeply appreciated. Thank you, everyone 🙏.
To be honest, nerves got the better of me during the presentation, and I was unable to cover all the points and details I had planned. I wrote this post to explain what I didn't do during the talk.
Connections = Opportunities
My name is Rafael Hernandez, a web developer and Spanish translations lead at freeCodeCamp.
On social platforms like Twitter, and during the Hashnode Bootcamp, I've seen many discuss job opportunities they've discovered. Many, including myself, have gotten opportunities from contributing to open source.
In March 2019, freeCodeCamp's founder, Quincy Larson, announced plans to revamp the curriculum. I started a project called "Learn Responsive Web Design by Building a Piano" right away. This was my first open-source project for freeCodeCamp.
The journey took about a year, filled with pull requests, merges, and other Git challenges. However, with the guidance of Kris, a freeCodeCamp teammate, I navigated through.
In October 2020, Quincy shared plans to translate freeCodeCamp's resources into Spanish on Twitter. He later invited me to join the translation project—a delightful surprise.
Kris had recommended me to Quincy, validating the notion that connections lead to opportunities, especially in open-source.
The Unique Advantage of Open Source
"Why open-source?" one may think. While connections and opportunities can be found elsewhere, open-source provides a unique platform. Whether you're a newbie coder, a junior developer, or a seasoned expert, it's a realm where everyone can forge valuable connections.
Open source isn't just about coding. It needs designers, writers, accessibility experts, and more. Its inclusivity is its specialty.
Imagine open-source as a spacious coworking lounge, contrasting a multi-story corporate structure. Here, collaboration is spontaneous and boundaries are blurred—a true concrete representation of community spirit.
To me, that's the essence of open-source: a fertile ground for nurturing relationships and unlocking latent opportunities.
I've witnessed this attribute at freeCodeCamp. Stories from contributors and podcast guests affirm this sentiment. In one instance, I interviewed Joe Previte, who introduced a revealing concept: "Pick Up What They Put Down."
Shawn's (swyx) post resonates with this attribute. To grow, immerse yourself in expert content, engage, give feedback, and share insights. Ensure your engagement originates from genuine passion, always crediting the author.
Adapting this to open-source:
Deeply engage with community contributors. Respond to their queries, give feedback, share insights, and stay passionate. Always acknowledge and interact with them.
Why is this effective? Shawn explains, "There is a VERY high chance that you will get feedback on your blog post or demo or tweet or whatever, directly from them" Respectable members will recognize your growth and eagerness. As a result, you'll foster connections, paving the way for opportunities.
Recap
My journey from being a web developer to a Spanish translations lead at freeCodeCamp, encouraged through valuable connections and opportunities found in open-source, solidifies the notion that connections equate to opportunities.
Embracing the concept of "Pick Up What They Put Down," as shared by Joe Previte, Shawn's (swyx) post, we should actively engage with community content, provide constructive feedback, and share our insights. This proactive involvement not only enhances our skills but also fortifies our connections, paving the way for many opportunities.
Thanks to Daniela Passos 🙏 for the invitation and to the Hashnode community 🙌