January started out with a slow defrost. Feedback 1 reviews had been carried over from the previous month, and we needed to follow up with mentors about updating and completing their submissions. This involved reviewing feedback reports, checking for clarity and completeness, and reaching out where additional detail was needed.
I also worked on updating all internship week email templates to reflect recent changes to our blogging process and intern chat schedules. These updates were necessary to ensure that interns and mentors receive accurate, up-to-date guidance throughout the internship period.
The revised emails now incorporate:
- The updated report workflow
- Adjusted chat schedules
- Clearer expectations around participation and deadlines
These changes help reduce confusion, team overhead and support smoother coordination across cohorts.
I implemented these updates in the Outreachy website repository and submitted them as a pull request:
[Link to PR]
Alongside this, we began early discussions about the May 2026 cohort, particularly in light of the upcoming GSoC 2026 program. These conversations focused on timelines, capacity, and how overlapping program cycles might affect mentor availability. An official announcement will be released soon.
Overall, January’s work focused on improving and updating our existing processes, early cohort planning, and clearer communication materials, helping to support both interns and mentors more effectively.
Tilda's Thoughts 