Every day, as students and developers, we rely on a vast ecosystem of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
While we are all active users, a significant gap exists between using these tools and contributing back to them.
This talk is a guide to shifting one's mindset from a passive consumer to an active and confident contributor, ready to make their first mark on the open-source world.
As a student and active FOSS contributor, I aim to illustrate the GitHub workflow for beginners to help them land their first successful Pull Request.
By the end, attendees will have a clear plan and confidence to make their first real contribution to open source.
A clear understanding of why contributing to open source is a career game-changer for building real-world skills and a portfolio that stands out.
The confidence to contribute without fear, knowing how the standard open-source collaboration model is designed to be safe and beginner-friendly.
A step-by-step mental roadmap of the entire contribution process, from finding a project to getting your change approved.
An actionable list of resources and a clear strategy to find your first beginner-friendly project right away.
The insight to see valuable contribution opportunities everywhere, recognizing that can make a huge impact through documentation, testing, and community support, not just code.