Digital Strategy and Innovation Program

Sometimes learning is going down a path and realising, hey this isn’t for me. Some think of these pivots you have to do in your learning journey as inevitable battle scars. Projects you had to scrap because you did not have the skills, team, market, or time. But maybe you can learn faster and contribute towards something in the process.

The story of the vase builder is a great illustration of the benefits of participating in open source projects, especially for those looking to enhance their skills, network, and resume. This story can be related to learning and growth in the context of contributing to open source projects.

The Story of the Vase Builder

Imagine a potter tasked with creating 30 vases in 30 days. There are two approaches they might take:

1. Perfectionism Approach: The potter spends the entire month perfecting a single vase, focusing on making it flawless. They research extensively, plan meticulously, and work carefully. By the end of the month, they have a single, beautifully crafted vase. While this vase is a masterpiece, the potter’s skills have only been applied to one design, one set of challenges.
2. Experimental Approach: The potter decides to create a new vase each day. Each day, they design, mould, and finish a vase, facing and overcoming new challenges daily. Some vases turn out beautifully, while others are less successful. However, each vase teaches them something new about materials, design, techniques, and their own creative process. By the end of the month, they have 30 vases and a wealth of diverse experiences and lessons learned.

Relation to Open Source Projects

• Rapid Skill Development: Just like creating a new vase each day, contributing to different aspects of various open source projects can rapidly enhance your skills. You learn from real-world applications, different challenges, and diverse problem-solving techniques.
• Learning from Failure: In open source, not every contribution will be perfect or even used. But each attempt teaches something valuable. This mirrors the potter who learns from every vase, even the imperfect ones.
• Networking and Teamwork: Working with different teams and contributors in open source projects is akin to a potter engaging with different designers or clients, broadening their perspective and connections.
• Resume Building: Each vase (or project) adds to the potter’s (or your) portfolio, showcasing versatility and commitment. In open source, each contribution is a testament to your skills and willingness to engage in collaborative, real-world problem-solving.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Just as the potter adapts to different vase designs, working on open source projects requires adapting to different technologies, methodologies, and team dynamics.

Conclusion

Participating in open source projects is like the journey of the vase builder. It’s about embracing experimentation, learning through diverse experiences, and growing rapidly through practical engagement. It’s an invaluable pathway for personal and professional development, much like the potter who emerges from the 30 days with a wealth of experience and a diverse portfolio.