10-17, 11:30–12:00 (Europe/Lisbon), Auditorium
In this talk, I'll delve into my year as an open source intern at Pydantic, offering insights from my experience at a quality-driven, community-centric company. I'll provide tips for aspiring contributors and discuss the value of early career development through open source involvement.
Two years ago, I was introduced to Pydantic, the most widely used data validation library for Python. I was using it in the context of data validation for APIs, and to say it was a game changer would be an understatement - I readily fell head over heels for the tool. Since that day, my role has evolved from an enthusiastic user to a passionate contributor. I started interning at Pydantic in fall of 2023, and I transitioned to a full-time role in June of 2024, once I graduated with my undergraduate degree.
In this talk, I aim to offer valuable insights derived from my distinctive experience as an open source intern. Initially, I will explore the pivotal role of open source work in early career development, highlighting its capacity to facilitate rapid acquisition of best coding practices through immersion, foster leadership and organizational proficiencies, and refine communication skills both within a company and with the broader open source community. Subsequently, I will provide practical guidance for aspiring open source contributors and interns, encompassing strategies for identifying suitable projects, making impactful first impressions, and effectively navigating the intricacies of the open source community.
Attendees will emerge from this session equipped with a comprehensive grasp of the transformative potential of open source engagement in early career development, along with actionable advice for initiating their journey as open source contributors or interns. My ultimate aspiration is to inspire individuals to embrace the opportunities presented by open source work, while also advocating for organizations to recognize and leverage the unique contributions that open source interns can offer to their teams.
Beginner
What are the main topics of your talk? –Pydantic, open source development, internships, early career growth
Hi! My name is Sydney. I just finished my last year of undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where I graduated with my BS in computer science. Over the past year, I worked part-time as an open source development intern at Pydantic, and I’ve since transitioned to a full-time role with the company.
Ever since I was 15, I've been working for small startup companies. Two years ago, I was introduced to Pydantic in the context of data validation for API requests and responses. To say it was a game changer would be an understatement - I readily fell head over heels for the tool. Since that day, my role has evolved from an enthusiastic user to a passionate contributor. I've really found my groove at Pydantic, where I've had the opportunity to make significant open source contributions and help others do the same.
In my free time, I love to run, cook / bake, and listen to podcasts!