Contributor to Community Leader
How a Simple Contribution Turned into a Lifelong Mission ✅
I want to share something close to my heart—my journey in the developer community and why it changed the course of my career (and life). It’s been a winding road, from a Software Engineer to a Data Engineer and now a Program Manager.
Why is being part of a developer community so important?
It's simple: we're stronger together. Communities are where you find mentors, collaborators, and friends. They are places to learn from others, share your own knowledge, and get the support you need to grow. Below is the screenshot of one such community invite I was part of in 2016.
This changed my course of action. Click on the image to learn more about it.
From Contributor to Community Manager: You can do it too!
My journey from a contributor to building and managing open-source communities wasn't an overnight success. When I first made a pull request on GitHub in early 2017.
It started with small contributions, a willingness to learn, and a desire to connect with others. Here's how you can start your own journey:
💡 Join platforms like GitHub, Discord, or Reddit focused on your interests.
🛠️ Contribute to beginner-friendly projects (check out good first issues).
🌱 Attend or volunteer at local hackathons and events.
🤝 Connect with people. You don’t need a title to make an impact—just intention.
🌟 Your effort today might be someone’s inspiration tomorrow.
I've always believed in the power of open source and the incredible things that can happen when people come together to learn and build. That's why I've dedicated so much of my time to being a Google ML Facilitator and a former GitHub Campus Expert.
It all started with a single contribution: just a pull request, a few hours of my time, and a curious heart 💖. I had no idea that this moment would open doors to incredible opportunities—mentorship, leadership, and friendships that transcend borders and financial freedom.
It All Started From a University Campus 🎓
No fancy title. No master plan. Just a willingness to try.
So if you’re reading this and wondering, “Can I do this too?”
The answer is YES. A thousand times, yes.
So, Where Did It Take Me ?🤔
Because I chose to show up, contribute, and stay curious…
I became a GitHub Campus Expert and a Google ML Facilitator
I gave over 100 talks on Machine Learning, Open Source, and Developer Advocacy
I mentored and taught over 100,000 people in tech
I was invited to Google’s offices in California and Singapore
I discovered freedom—intellectually, financially, and emotionally
And most importantly—I found my tribe 🌐
Then this happened, one invitation to the California office and the Singapore Office.
✨ From Student to Global Tech Ambassador
My journey into developer communities truly accelerated when I was selected as a GitHub Campus Expert and later as a Google Explore ML Facilitator.
As a GitHub Campus Expert, I completed 6 weeks of training on diversity, inclusion, and open-source leadership. I organized events across Australian universities, empowering students to contribute and collaborate on open source.
Let’s co-create something impactful for the tech community 💡
🚀 One More Thing…
I’ve got a surprise coming 🎁 I want to inspire you to take that first step. Get involved, make your first contribution, and see where the journey takes you. You might be surprised at what you can achieve.
I'm thrilled to announce that I’m collaborating with Google on something very special. We’ll be launching it tomorrow—and trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
Stay tuned—and never stop building.
With gratitude,
Sanjay Kanakkot Viswanathan
GitHub | RecodeHive.com