On August 11th, I took a big step as I officially became a Mentor Advocate with Outreachy. Reflecting on my transformative journey, progressing from an Outreachy intern to a mentor, and now taking on the role of an Organizer, I can’t help but feel like I’m living a dream. Being a part of the team that once altered the course of my life feels surreal. As I set forth on this new chapter, I’m thrilled to be working with the remarkable dream team comprising Anna, Sage, Omotola and Karen.
A little bit about my role as an Outreachy mentor advocate. Drawing from my firsthand experience as a former Outreachy mentor, I’ll be dedicating myself to supporting both current mentors and individuals interested in becoming mentors themselves. My goal is to guide mentors through every phase of the Outreachy internship program, leveraging my insights to enhance their experience. Moreover, I’ll be a vocal advocate for refining Outreachy’s processes to better accommodate and empower mentors.
During my initial two weeks as an Outreachy Organizer, I participated in two engaging coffee chat sessions. These sessions involved sharing the platform with fellow mentors, as we discussed the advantages of being an Outreachy mentor and how to become one. These discussions were very enlightening, affording me the opportunity to absorb the diverse perspectives of other mentors as they recounted their mentoring journeys and the hurdles they encountered.
In concluding the activities for the May 2023 cohort, Omotola organized an intern celebration chat. This event served as a platform for both interns and mentors to celebrate a successful internship period. The atmosphere was very positive and filled with gratitude, as both interns and mentors expressed their commendations and shared their triumphs. I was privileged to deliver a brief speech on behalf of the Organizers that brought the event to a close.
I also underwent a well-structured onboarding process into the Outreachy organization, immersing myself in the workflow of the Outreachy team. Anna, my primary mentor throughout onboarding, has been an absolute delight. Their meticulous guidance provided me with an understanding of Outreachy’s inner workings, making it easier for me to navigate. There was comprehensive documentation for most of the Outreachy processes, so there was never a moment where I felt overwhelmed with the amount of information I was supposed to retain.
Spending time shadowing Anna and Omotola as they onboarded new application reviewers was amazing. Just seeing them in action and how much they genuinely enjoyed working together was truly inspiring. They had this natural flow in their teamwork, and you could just feel the excitement they had for what they were doing. It was really nice to watch them guide the new reviewers through everything with such attention to detail.
Another thing that struck me was Outreachy’s unwavering commitment to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) across all facets of its operations. Whether it’s note-taking, meetings, or tools they use everyday, Outreachy not only promotes the use of FOSS but wholeheartedly practices it.
Beyond the onboarding process, I had the privilege of learning about Outreachy’s roots through a conversation with Karen Sandler, the Executive Director of the Software Freedom Conservancy, and the Outreachy team. Learning about the program’s evolution from the GNOME Outreach Program for Women to its present form as a platform for underrepresented and marginalized groups was truly inspiring. Additionally, during our one-on-one, Anna shared valuable insights into the inception of the FOSS movement and its history.
Reflecting on my month as a part of the Outreachy team, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I’m excited about what lies ahead and the chance to make contributions to Outreachy’s continued success. I am incredibly grateful for the impact it has had on my life. I eagerly look forward to playing an essential role in advancing Outreachy’s mission.
Tilda's Thoughts 