New Blog Post: Reflecting on My Outreachy Journey: Growth, Challenges, and New Beginnings

content/en/blog/2025/outreachy-internship.md

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+---
+title: Reflecting on my Outreachy Journey
+linkTitle: Outreachy Internship
+date: 2025-03-11
+author: '[Richard Chukwu](https://github.com/richardchukwu)'
+issue: 6488
+sig: Contributor Experience
+cSpell:ignore: # are but Chukwu here Marylia Outreachy that the
+---
+
+Hello world! I’m Richard Chukwu, a Computer Engineering graduate from the
+[University of Benin](https://www.uniben.edu), Nigeria. My journey into tech has
+been fueled by a blend of curiosity and an unwavering commitment to growth.
+These are the pillars that not only uphold my personal values but also form the
+foundation of my professional aspirations.
+
+I still remember the nervous excitement I felt when I received the
+[email](https://x.com/RichardChukwu_/status/1862390957217333461) confirming my
+selection for
+[Outreachy](https://richardchukwu.hashnode.dev/outreachy-internship-introduction-first-day-of-my-internship#heading-determination).
+It was a moment of validation, but also one filled with uncertainty. Could I
+truly make an impact in open source? Would I be able to contribute meaningfully
+to a project as vast and complex as OpenTelemetry? Now, as I wrap up this
+incredible journey, I can say with confidence that the experience has been
+transformative in ways I never imagined.
+
+## Overcoming Fear: Imposter Syndrome Didn’t Win
+
+One of my biggest fears stepping into Outreachy was imposter syndrome.
+OpenTelemetry is a widely used project, and I worried about keeping up with
+seasoned contributors. However, I quickly realized that the open source
+community thrives on collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning. My mentor
+and the community members were incredibly supportive, always willing to guide me
+when I felt stuck. I learned that asking questions and seeking help is not a
+weakness—it’s how we grow.
+
+## A Highlight: Seeing My Work Make an Impact
+
+One of the most fulfilling moments of my internship was when my
+[first major contribution](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-erlang/pull/825)—a
+detailed setup guide for OpenTelemetry Erlang contributors was merged. What
+seemed like a simple task at first turned into a deep dive into improving
+developer onboarding, documenting tribal knowledge, and making contributions
+more accessible. Seeing community members reference my work and use it to get
+started was an incredibly rewarding feeling. It reminded me why I love open
+source—it's about creating something that empowers others.
+
+## Growth in Skills and Confidence
+
+This internship stretched my technical and communication skills in ways I hadn’t
+expected. On the technical side, I gained a deeper understanding of:
+
+- OpenTelemetry’s instrumentation and architecture.
+- Observability and its role in modern distributed systems.
+- Documentation best practices and how to bridge the gap between technical
+  complexity and accessibility.
+
+On the communication side, I learned how to:
+
+- Engage in meaningful discussions in GitHub issues and PRs.
+- Synthesize feedback from multiple contributors and maintainers.
+- Document processes in a way that is both clear and effective for a global
+  audience.
+
+Most importantly, Outreachy gave me the confidence to contribute to open source
+projects beyond this internship. I now see myself as part of the broader open
+source ecosystem, and I’m excited to continue making meaningful contributions.
+
+## Project Contributions and Future Directions
+
+During my tenure, I completed the creation of the
+[setup guide for the development of OpenTelemetry](https://github.com/open-telemetry/sig-contributor-experience/issues/31)
+and contributed to refining existing documentation. Moving forward, I aim to
+continue my involvement with the OpenTelemetry community, focusing on expanding
+resources that facilitate contributor engagement.
+
+## The Role of My Mentor
+
+My mentor, [Marylia Gutierrez](https://github.com/maryliag), played a crucial
+role in my journey. She not only provided guidance on technical issues but also
+encouraged me to think critically and independently. She fostered a welcoming
+environment where I felt comfortable experimenting, failing, and learning from
+my mistakes. Her patience and willingness to share knowledge made a lasting
+impact on me.
+
+## What’s Next?
+
+As I complete my Outreachy internship with CNCF OpenTelemetry, I’m looking ahead
+to my next steps. I want to continue working in cloud native technologies and
+observability, contributing to open source projects that improve developer
+experience and system reliability. I’m actively seeking opportunities where I
+can apply my skills, whether it’s in open source advocacy, cloud engineering, or
+observability solutions.
+
+To anyone considering [Outreachy](https://www.outreachy.org/), I say: go for it!
+This internship has been a gateway to new opportunities, networks, and a deeper
+belief in my abilities. I’m grateful for the experience and excited for what the
+future holds.
+
+If you’d like to chat about open source contributions, cloud native technology,
+or potential opportunities,
+[let’s connect](https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardchukwu1/)!