Open source as a way to jumpstart your career
Learning about deep learning
In my second-to-last year of college, I took a deep learning class and for the first time, encountered open source models on Hugging Face. I was amazed by the power of these models. I was also amazed by how easy it was to use them. Slap some 50 lines of code and bam, you have a working model.
For our final project, we were tasked to use SAM (Segment Anything) to segment images into different objects.
It's nothing complex, but it made coding very fun. I found myself looking into other models such as Stable Diffusion which I used to generate images. Although it would take very long to load on my Macbook Air, it was still incredibly enjoyable to play around with.
For the first time in many years, I found myself curious and filled with wonder. How many times in your life do you get to experience that?
You know what I mean? When was the last time you were this excited about learning?
Use the most advanced tools that is openly available
One of the biggest advantages of open source is that you can access powerful, real-world tools and tech without any barriers. Before I discovered open-source models, I assumed advanced machine learning tools would be locked behind paywalls or company doors. But on Hugging Face, everything was there for me to try—no fees, no permission required.
By experimenting with SAM and Stable Diffusion, I got hands-on experience with machine learning that went far beyond theoretical knowledge. This isn’t something you can get from textbook examples or isolated exercises. With open source, you’re diving straight into tools that industry professionals use daily.
Focusing on Practical Projects
Learning by doing beats reading about it any day, and open source forces you to get your hands dirty. Unlike coding exercises or bootcamp projects, open source lets you work on real-world software with real users and real impact. My first open-source project—a UI for Microsoft’s AutoGen—was a perfect example. At the time, AutoGen only worked through the command line, which limited its accessibility. So I built a simple, 100-line UI to make it easier for people to use.
This wasn’t a classroom assignment or a hypothetical app—it was something people actually needed. And as soon as I shared it on GitHub, the positive response showed me how powerful open source can be for learning. Getting feedback from actual users, seeing how they engaged with the tool, and making improvements based on their needs—all of that pushed my skills forward faster than any coding class could. Real-world projects reveal the gaps in your knowledge and help you fill them fast.
Build a Public Portfolio
Finally, open-source contributions don’t just disappear into the void; they’re visible, public proof of what you can do. Every time you push a project to GitHub, you’re essentially adding to your portfolio. Unlike typical resumes or coding certifications, open-source contributions show exactly what you’ve built and how you think through real problems.
My AutoGen UI project wasn’t some massive software launch, but it quickly gained traction on GitHub. It picked up stars, received messages of encouragement, and showed me that even small projects have an impact when they solve real issues. These open-source contributions are out there for anyone to see, and that visibility is invaluable for career-building. Potential employers, collaborators, or just people with similar interests can see your work and recognize your abilities.
Having projects like this in the open does more for your credibility than any list of skills on a resume. You’re building a reputation based on what you’ve actually done, not what you claim you can do. And in a field like software, that public track record matters. Open source lets you show—not tell—what you’re capable of.
For anyone just starting out: jump into open source. Whether you’re contributing to existing projects or starting your own, you’ll be learning faster, building real connections, and gaining hands-on experience that no classroom or coding exercise can match.