Insights from LFX Mentorship with Akanksha

Sep 17, 2024

Podcast Episode with Akanksha Rani on LFX Mentorship

Introduction

  • Host: Sajjan
  • Guest: Akanksha Rani
  • Focus: LFX Mentorship program
    • Akanksha is a B.Tech student in Electronics and Communication Engineering, specializing in AI.
    • Software Engineering intern at Microsoft.
    • Previous LFX Mentee in 2023.

What is LFX Mentorship?

  • LFX Mentorship is an open source program by the Linux Foundation.
  • Similar to other programs like GSoC and Outreachy but lesser-known.
  • Aims to provide students with open source experiences.

Parent Organization

  • Linux Foundation: oversees various partner organizations for open source projects.
  • Examples of organizations under LFX:
    • Hyperledger (Blockchain)
    • CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation)
  • All projects are listed on one site for easy access.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to all: first-year students, graduates, and working professionals.
  • Skills matter more than educational level.
  • Individuals with career gaps can also apply.

LFX vs GSoC

  • GSoC is more popular but has a more complex application process.
  • LFX is user-friendly, especially for beginners.
  • GSoC requires one proposal and has many organizations; LFX requires a cover letter and essays, with a limited number of organizations.
  • LFX includes non-code projects, while GSoC has fewer.
  • Stipend for both programs varies; LFX offers $3000 for India.

Stipend Information

  • LFX offers:
    • Part-time internship: $3000 for 6 months.
    • Full-time internship: up to $6600 depending on the country.

Application Process

  1. Visit LFX mentorship site.
  2. Research and choose projects (up to 3 proposals).
  3. Submit resume, cover letter, and essays.
  4. Keep active and participate in project calls.

Key Components of Application

  • Resume: Tailor it to the project’s tech stack.
  • Essays: Answer questions authentically; avoid exaggeration.
  • Cover Letter: Summarize relevant experiences and technical skills.

Interview Process

  • Interview calls may take time (up to 15 days after application).
  • Mentors conduct the interviews; some may not require an interview if you're well-qualified.
  • Active participation in project calls can enhance your chances.

Contributions in LFX

  • Akanksha contributed to Hyperledger projects:
    1. Documentation Standards: Technical writing and research.
    2. Mentor-Mentee Onboarding Program: Focused on frontend, UI/UX, Golang, and Markdown.
    3. Conducted research on popular Hyperledger YouTube videos and integrated them into the website.

Personal and Technical Growth

  • International exposure and understanding of global work environments.
  • Improved communication and confidence.
  • Gained practical experience in Google Analytics and UI/UX design.

Impact on Microsoft Interview

  • Experiences from LFX and prior research helped during the interview process.
  • Publication of research work adds credibility.
  • Importance of not exaggerating claims in resumes; be prepared to discuss everything mentioned in-depth.

Conclusion

  • Akanksha encourages students to reach out on LinkedIn for more information.
  • Resources and links will be shared in the episode description.