How to Advance Your Career by Contributing to Open Source Projects

In a recent Slack discussion, someone said: "The problem with open source contribution is that it privileges those who have time to do it." First, that's the opportunity of open source, not the problem. Second, everyone has the time—and I would say the civic duty if they use it—to contribute something. And last: Yeah, that's right. It's just like people who have the time to play clubs and pubs every Friday night and practice their chops in their bedroom are privileged to be able to be discovered by an A&R talent scout and get a record deal.

As a professional software developer, if you are going to hone your craft anyway, you might as well do it in a way that contributes to a greater civic good and your own portable, public reputation.