I've been working for about a year now, starting with a job where I was outsourced. Now, I'm on my second job as a solo software engineer at a local e-commerce store. Since I don't have senior developers around to guide me through technical topics like system design, design patterns, or tech stack trade-offs, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to focus on open source projects to learn from contributors. Currently, I'm mostly Googling solutions, asking questions on Reddit, and reaching out to various AI tools to fill in my knowledge gaps. I can imagine it might be challenging to get hands-on support from contributors since they likely have their own commitments. What do you think? Is it a good way to gain practical experience?
2 Answers
The best way to learn solo is to experiment actively with the technology that interests you. Set up your local environment, build small projects, and explore open-source applications that use those technologies to see how they're structured. Think of it as diving into the deep end rather than just skimming the surface.
Open source isn't a job, so don't expect mentorship to be part of the package. However, many maintainers are friendly and might answer questions if you approach them respectfully. Look for projects that label issues as 'good first issue'—these are typically easier and a great way to dip your toes in. Just remember, you’ll often be on your own when it comes to making contributions, so be prepared to figure things out yourself.
That's great to know! I hope to get pointers on concepts like design patterns or code improvements. I guess I'll just have to dig in and search for advice on specific topics.
I get the concept of hands-on learning, but I want to pair that with an understanding of design principles and system architecture. Any tips on connecting these big ideas with practical implementation?