Quick takeaways

• Contributing to open source projects provides valuable opportunities to improve coding skills, make connections in the software community, and enhance employability.

• Don't overlook local companies when seeking job opportunities. Smaller companies and startups are often open to hiring young interns and provide a great learning experience. Working with smaller teams allows you to get involved in a variety of projects and gain diverse skills. It's also a chance to make connections in your local community and build a foundation for your career.

• Understanding software design principles and development workflows is crucial for working on production systems. Learning how to integrate and deploy code, work with pipelines, write tests, and adopt agile development strategies will make you more attractive to employers. It's important to broaden your knowledge beyond just writing code and gain experience working with teams and ensuring reliable releases.

Deep dives