So You Want to Be an Outreachy Intern?
Your Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Application Season
So you want to be an Outreachy Intern? Great you're in the right place! Congratulations on taking the first step towards a rewarding journey in the world of open source and technology.
The Outreachy Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for individuals from underrepresented groups to immerse themselves in open source projects, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to the advancement of technology. In this guide, I'll walk you through the entire process of applying for the Outreachy program, covering everything from eligibility criteria to submitting a final application. So If you're someone who is interested in applying to the Outreachy Program, then this is the guide for YOU. Let's get started!
Understanding Outreachy
Outreachy is a paid, remote program offering internships in open source and open science.The internship occurs twice a year from May to August and from December to March, with application periods from mid-January to late January and early August to mid-August. Participants currently receive a stipend of $7000USD and work on projects spanning programming, research, user experience, documentation, graphical design, data science, user advocacy, and event planning. This diversity of projects caters to both beginners and experts, fostering an environment where any applicant can make valuable contributions to the open source community.
Eligibility
The Outreachy Internship has different eligibility requirements based on the time at which you are applying but applicants must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
Minimum requirements:
You must be at least 18 years of age by the internship period.
Be from an underrepresented background in your country's technology industry.
You must be available for a full-time internship(30hrs/week).
Rules of the Outreachy Program
Along with minimum requirements the Outreachy Program also has some rules for student and non-student applicants. These include:
Rules Concerning Past/Current/Future Internships:
Applicants can apply multiple times to Outreachy but can only be accepted once.
You must NOT have been a past Outreachy, Outreach Program for Women, or Google Summer of Code intern. ALL Google Summer of Code interns are ineligible for Outreachy even if you did not successfully finish your Google Summer of Code internship
NO other internships are allowed during the Outreachy period, including unpaid ones.
Current internships must be disclosed on the application.
Rules for People with Jobs:
NO full-time job or contracting position is allowed during the internship period.
Part-time jobs may be allowed with organizer approval.
Applicants must disclose current jobs on the application.
Rules Concerning Application Period for Non-Students/Students:
Non-students are eligible for either internship cohort.
Students must have 42 consecutive days free from school and exams during the internship.
Different rules apply based on the university's hemisphere and term schedules.
Students must apply to the correct internship cohort based on their university's location and term dates.
Rules for Students on Visas:
Visa must allow for 30 hours of work per week.
Accommodations may be made for students on certain visas, such as F-1, regarding internship dates.
Documentation for CPT application can be provided upon selection.
These rules of eligibility are subject to change for future rounds so ensure that you keep updated on these changes, by checking out the Outreachy Website.
\I will do my best to keep this article as updated as possible*
Applying to Outreachy
There are three parts to the Outreachy application process: the initial application, the contribution period and the final application:
The Initial Application Period
During the initial application period, applicants are required to fill out an application with several pages of questions along with six essay questions. In order to prepare to complete the initial application, ensure you follow these best practices:
- Check Application Period:
- Visit the Outreachy website to determine when the application period opens.
- Prepare Materials:
Gather necessary documents such as school/program calendar, employment contract or any other document that states your obligations during the internship period.
Ensure availability aligns with the requirement of contributing at least 30 hours per week to the internship.
- Prepare Essay Answers:
Plan responses to essay questions in advance. You can do this by checking the Outreachy Website for the six essay questions.
Essays are limited to 1000 characters each and cover specific topics related to your background and experiences.
- Create an Account and Begin Application:
Set aside uninterrupted time to fill out the online application, as there is no save option.
- Submit Your Application:
Complete the online application in one sitting.
Include details from required documents and complete your essay responses.
- Await your Application Results:
After submission, Outreachy organizers will review your applications alongside your essays.
Results of Initial Application will be announced on the specified date.
During this time, feel free to learn more about the world of open source and open science or connect with Outreachy Alums.
- Check Your Email on Results Day:
Accepted applicants are notified via email on the specified results day/time.
Unsuccessful applicants will not receive an email notification.
- Entering the Contribution Period
- After acceptance of your initial application, you will enter your contribution period.
- What if I'm not accepted?
Ask Outreachy Organizers for feedback on why your application was rejected.
Check out the projects going on this application period and take this opportunity to get familiar with some of the communities.
Try again next application period.
The Contribution Period
Once your initial application is approved, the contribution period will open. Your steps leading up to this date and your steps after will therefore be essential in ensuring that your final application is accepted. This is what you want to do during this period:
Access Application Insights:
Explore past Outreachy interns' experiences and application processes.
Refer to blog posts and resources shared by former interns for valuable insights.
Resource Recommendations:
Utilize recommended resources for learning about contributing to open-source/open science projects.
Enhance your skillset in areas commonly sought by Outreachy projects, such as Python, Git, and Documentation.
Select a Project:
After your initial application is approved, explore available internship projects on the Outreachy Projects Page.
Consider projects aligning with personal passion, rather than solely focusing on the number of interns accepted.
Limit your selection to one or two projects.
Engage with Projects:
Connect with project mentors via email or project forums.
Familiarize yourself with project tools, documentation, and open tasks.
Brush up on your skills if needed during this period.
Begin contributions early and maintain communication with mentors as often as you can.
Making Contributions:
Understand the concept of contribution in open source.
You are required to make at least one contribution to an Outreachy project.
Record contributions on the Outreachy website before submitting a final application.
Seek guidance from mentors if facing challenges during contribution.
Accept feedback and use it to level up your work!
Recording Contributions:
Contributions must be recorded on the Outreachy website.
Edit recorded contributions as needed as you prepare to submit your final application.
Getting Help:
Seek help from mentors or community if stuck for an extended period.
Utilize public community channels if private inquiries are unanswered.
Embrace feedback and revisions during contribution review.
Contribution Quantity:
One contribution is mandatory, but multiple contributions strengthen the application.
Multiple contributions may also be required for some projects.
Start with small contributions and progress to more complex tasks.
Consistent communication and engagement with mentors are valued.
Post-Contribution Period:
After contributions are recorded and complete applicants will be required to prepare a final application.
Please note: Applicants are encouraged to continue contributing even after the official contribution period ends.
The Final Application
As the contribution period comes to an end, it is imperative that you prepare to submit your final application. Applicants are required to create a final application for each Outreachy project they apply to by recording a contribution to the project. It is advised that you submit the final application at least a day before the deadline with the ability to edit until the deadline. The final application is submitted through the Outreachy website and consists of four questions around the following topics:
Past experience with the community: Detail your prior involvement with the free software community, both as a user and a contributor.
Past experience with other communities: Describe involvement with other free software communities before the Outreachy application period.
Relevant projects: Explain any relevant personal, work, or school projects that have contributed to gaining skills applicable to the project, including insights gained and relevant links.
(Optional) Google Summer of Code application: If applying to Google Summer of Code during the May to August internship round, provide information on the communities and projects applied to , along with mentor contact details. Leave this section blank if not applying to Google Summer of Code or if the application is for the December to March internship period.
Outreachy Internship Project Timeline: You are required to collaborate with your mentor to outline a timeline for the Outreachy internship project, accounting for any time commitments during the internship round. If still working on contributions and needing more time, this section can be left blank and edited later.
Conclusion
After you've completed your final application, the wait for the internship acceptance deadline begins. During this period, you are encouraged to stay engaged and continue contributing to the open source community of the projects you applied for. Your efforts during the contribution period have already demonstrated your dedication and capability, and will serve as a testament to your commitment to making a difference but doing a little extra can not only help you gain more experience but could also contribute to you receiving your acceptance!
As anticipation builds, remember to stay connected with mentors, explore new projects, and keep honing your skills. Every contribution you make brings you closer to your goals and enriches the open source ecosystem as a whole. I wish you all the best as you wait for the results of your application. Regardless of the outcome, know that your journey in the world of open source has only just begun, and there are countless opportunities ahead. Keep striving, keep learning, and keep contributing – the possibilities are endless!