Everyone has heard stories of remote jobs through open source contributions.(talk of tech - town right !) In today’s blog, we’re excited to share a tech talk that’s truly inspiring. It features Dinesh Talwadker, a second-year computer science student from Ahmedabad, India. Instead of following the usual path of coding challenges and endless job applications, he’s built a career by making strategic contributions to open source.
Through his work in open source, Dinesh has received not one, not two, but three remote job offers. His philosophy is simple: "Skipped “grind culture” - no Leetcode, no job boards" For Dinesh, open source isn’t just a way to improve coding skills; it’s a smart approach to shaping a successful career.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into Dinesh’s journey, from his humble beginnings as a coding newbie to becoming a key player in open source projects. His story serves as a valuable lesson for anyone looking to use open source to grow professionally and personally.
Dinesh’s Journey: From Beginner to Open Source Advocate
Dinesh’s open source journey didn’t start with advanced projects or big-name contributions. It all began with the Girl Script Summer of Code, a program that’s perfect for beginners. He openly acknowledges that the program is beginner-friendly, and it was here that he started making his first real contributions to open source. Even though he was just starting out with coding, Dinesh was determined to make a difference. He didn’t just stop at contributing; he became a maintainer for the program and even mentored other newcomers. This proactive approach earned him recognition, and soon, he was invited to join the core team, where he took charge of managing a website for 27,000 contributors. This was a pivotal moment in his journey, as it gave him the experience and visibility he needed to grow as a key contributor in the open-source community.
Dinesh emphasizes that success in open source isn’t about making small, insignificant changes like updating README files. Instead, it’s about identifying opportunities to make substantial contributions that can drive change. He said that he “stalked” organizations to see if they were funded, non-profits, or if their projects were in line with his interests. By focusing on organizations that had a real need for contributors and where he could learn and grow, he was able to make targeted, impactful contributions.
He built a shipments app at Delemate, featuring tracking, delivery estimates, payments, inventory management, and in-app chat. He has also worked with Ambar, California, US remotely where he engineered a centralized achievement recognition web platform and integrated it with Discord. He also started his start up, Sanity Esports where he is leading technical teams to build an open source tournament management platform for gamers.
Open Source Programs: Your Launchpad
These are some excellent recommendations for anyone looking to get started with open source. Here are a few programs that can help you kickstart your journey:
Girl Script Summer of Code – This is an excellent program for beginners. While it may not have the same prestige as other programs, it’s a great way to get started and make your first real contributions.
Summer of Bitcoin – If you're interested in web3 technologies and Rust, this program is perfect for you. While it’s more competitive, it offers good pay and solid job prospects.
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) – the OG open source program. You must have heard about it if not go and check out our blog post on GSoC. He suggests getting involved with organizations that aren’t as well-known or don’t have as much traffic. By engaging early around November or December, you can get a head start.
Outreachy – This program is aimed at underrepresented groups in tech, offering an easier entry point. It also provides opportunities for technical writers, not just coders.
Google Summer of Docs – For those interested in technical writing, this is an ideal program to join.
Do this to get a job through Open Source !
One of the biggest benefits of open source is that it can open doors to real job opportunities. He shares some tips on how to use your open source contributions to land a job:
Target Recently Funded Startups – Startups that have recently received funding are more likely to be hiring. Dinesh recommends keeping an eye on funding lists from organizations like Y Combinator (YC) or Antler. These startups often look for passionate developers who are actively contributing to open source.
Personalized Outreach – When reaching out to decision-makers at companies, be sure to personalize your message. Don’t send generic, mass-produced messages. Instead, research the company’s projects and suggest improvements or new ideas. This shows genuine interest and can help you stand out.
Ask Directly About Jobs – Don’t hesitate to ask whether your contributions could lead to an internship or job opportunity. Being upfront about your intentions can help you get a clear answer.
Use X / Twitter – Twitter / X is a powerful platform for networking and job hunting. He recommends being active and posting high-quality content about the projects you’ve worked on or the contributions you’ve made. Posting consistently will help you gain visibility.
Follow Twitter Bots – Use bots that curate job opportunities from startups or venture capital lists. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest openings.
Join Discord Communities – He tells how he met several web3 founders through Discord, so don’t underestimate the power of joining relevant communities. These can be great places for networking and discovering job opportunities.
Internship at Zerops: Real-World Application
Currently, Dinesh is interning at Zerops, a cloud deployment company. He worked as a contributor first. Then, he spoke to one of its employees on Discord and landed this remote internship. He says his major contributions were in document writing. (Cool Right : Contributor -> Intern) His internship is diverse and covers many different aspects of software development. He writes SDKs in multiple languages, including Rust, Elixir, TypeScript, and Golang, and creates technical documentation for cloud deployment. This hands-on experience has given him a wealth of knowledge, which he credits for his rapid learning and growth.
Dinesh shares that his learning curve was steepest when he was working directly with a company or team on real-world projects. The exposure to different tools, programming languages, and technical challenges has been invaluable in shaping his career.
Q&A Session
During the Q&A session, Dinesh answered some common questions about open source contributions and career growth. Here are some of the key takeaways for you:
Question: How do I build a network as a beginner?
Answer: Attend offline tech events like meetups, hackathons, and seminars. Face-to-face networking is far more effective than online interactions. Instead of just connecting on LinkedIn, engage in conversations, ask about projects, and exchange contact information.
Question: Where should I start if I’m a complete beginner?
Answer: Start with programs like Girl Script Summer of Code or using resources like goodfirstissue.dev to find issues that are beginner-friendly.
Question: What skills do I need to start contributing?
Answer: If you have basic knowledge of Git and Github, you are good to go !
Question: How do I choose the right tech stack?
Answer: The tech stack should align with the problem you’re solving. For example, if you’re building a high-performance application, C++ might be the right choice. Think of the tech stack as a toolkit that helps you achieve your project’s goals.
Question: What technologies have the most opportunities in both open source and the job market?
Answer: While the answer is subjective, He suggests looking into Next.js for web development and TensorFlow for machine learning. These technologies are widely used and offer plenty of opportunities for growth.
Question: How do I get started with a new repository?
Answer: First, read the README and CONTRIBUTING.md files to understand the project. Instead of directly asking maintainers for help, try to figure things out yourself or through community forums.
Question: How many hours a day should I dedicate to open source?
Answer: It’s important to contribute at a sustainable pace. Dinesh recommends consistency over intensity. Don’t burn out by trying to contribute a lot all at once.
Question: How do I avoid FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in tech?
Answer: Dinesh advises balancing your life between constants (things you always make time for, like coding and studies) and variables (new technologies or areas of interest). This way, you can explore new things without feeling overwhelmed.
Question: What legal aspects do I need to know when running a startup?
Answer: Dinesh’s startup has a legal team that handles matters like trademarks and NDAs. He learned most of what he knows by watching YouTube tutorials.
Conclusion: The Power of Strategic Open Source
Dinesh Talwadker’s journey is a powerful example of how strategic open source contributions can lead to career success. His story proves that with the right approach, anyone can leverage open source to gain hands-on experience, build a strong network, and land meaningful job opportunities.
His advice is simple: embrace open source, make valuable contributions, and learn as you go. Open source isn’t just about adding code to repositories, it’s about building real-world skills and creating opportunities for the future.
Want to learn more? Check out the full video on TechKareer’s YouTube channel.