Can you tell me about your journey to becoming a core contributor of freeCodeCamp?

[raisedadead]

Hi Mrugesh!

I am [redacted], a CSE sophomore at [redacted]. I like programming a lot and I always keep learning new things. I have a lot of questions for you.

I found you on a GitHub issue I created at Freecodecamp. I saw [redacted] and you are also a core contributor at FCC. I felt like I may have found the guy I was looking for. Because I wanna reach where you are in a year or so.

After learning so many things (C, C++, Python, Java, Android Dev, Javascript, Node, MongoDB etc ) I have finally decided what I want to do in future. I want to develop on MERN stack. The same stack FCC is built on. I am yet to learn React but I will start after I complete some of FCC projects.

This is vacation time for me and I am utilizing every minute of it. In last 15 days, I have completed a Node course. I built a site for Quotes still in development. I have completed 4 API Projects in FCC. I am learning ES6 and writing blogs about it. I also want to learn Android Development (I love android) so I am slowly learning that also. My goal is to get Android Associate Developer certificate. Did I tell you that I also want to learn CSS in depth?

Okay so now you know that I am interested in a lot of things and I will never be able to complete one thing because of that.

I want you to guide me here to become a core contributor at FCC. Tell me about your journey of becoming core contributor at FCC.

Thank you for reading my long mail. I am eagerly waiting for your reply.

[raisedadead]

Hi,

First of all thanks a lot for those kind words. I am humbled by them.

And congratulations on all those achievements. I am amazed to know that you have had the time to explore so many things while juggling classes. I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.

Now, coming to your query:

I started with freeCodeCamp back in Nov' 2015 and a believe I herd about it somewhere online (perhaps Quora, do not remember exactly). While I was already a full time developer then, it was interesting to look at the curriculum and the algorithm challenges.

Until then I do not think I have had done any meaningful contribution to Open Source in general.

I found this project to be really interesting, and an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. I am not sure if you have had a chance to look at my full work profile from the past, but JavaScript in general was new ground for me.

So, I started contributing in small steps at first, fixing typos and challenge tests. Here is the timeline, and trust me I have had my share of rejected requests as well.

But I tried to be active in the chat rooms and the tracker, primarily. The chatter around code interested me, and I like helping fellow contributors.

I guess, from my work and contribution to the community, at around Jan'2016 I was invited to join the Core Team by Rex, he was an amazing and prolific mentor to me in those days.

I said, I would love to be able to help.

They, took me onboard and I was greeted with a warm welcome from everyone on the team. Trust me everyone of them has been a real awesome of a person and peer. I have had to learn so much from them.

I have gotten a chance to speak to some of the members on a regular basis.

Its funny that very very few of us have actually met in person. I for one have never met anyone IRL. But that's the beauty of how it works. LOL.

Anyways thats my story so far and yup, I love to do what I do. I have a full time day job. But helping the community is one of my passions. It excites me.

We are always very open to contributors, and love to help anyone and everyone interested in contributing.

Thanks a lot for getting in touch with me. Catch you soon!

Cheers,
Mrugesh