Hey there! I am Kiran Amin Panjwani, a Beta Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador from DHA Suffa University in Karachi, Pakistan. As an aspiring web developer and community builder, I am passionate about web development, open-source contributions, and helping my peers with my knowledge. In this blog post, I will share my experience and knowledge about how you can contribute to Microsoft repositories like Microsoft's Learn Docs and Academic content.
Microsoft technologies such as Azure, Microsoft 365, GitHub, and Microsoft repositories have always fascinated me. However, my enthusiasm extends beyond just using these technologies. I am passionate about open-source development, a thriving community that fosters collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. Open-source development is a place where developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts worldwide work together on projects and software that are free and open to everyone. Anyone who is passionate about technology is welcome to contribute to this community, whether by fixing bugs, adding new features, or improving documentation. The opportunities for growth and learning in this community are vast, and contributing to open-source projects can help individuals build valuable experience, develop their skills, and establish a professional network. What's more, the high-quality software produced by this community benefits society as a whole. Working alongside like-minded individuals dedicated to making technology accessible and useful to everyone is an incredible opportunity that the open-source community provides.
The most popular platform used for contributions worldwide is GitHub. GitHub is a web-based platform that provides tools for developers to collaborate on projects, share code, and manage versions of their codebase, and it has become an essential tool for individuals and organizations of all sizes. GitHub has over 56 million registered users and hosts over 100 million repositories. Users can create and manage repositories, which are a storage space for code that can be accessed by multiple users, with just a few clicks, making it an ideal tool for students looking to collaborate on projects or accelerate their careers by contributing to open-source software. GitHub also provides extensive documentation and tutorials to help users get started, making it accessible even to those with limited programming experience. Additionally, GitHub enables users to track changes made to the codebase over time, making it easier to identify and address any issues or bugs that arise. If you do not have a GitHub account yet, you are encouraged to sign up today.
If you're passionate about technology, eager to learn, and looking to make a valuable contribution, be sure to check out 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭'𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.
This platform provides comprehensive access to technical and academic content, including learning modules, projects, and documentation that cover various topics related to Microsoft technologies. By exploring the repository, you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and stay updated with the latest trends in the industry. Additionally, the Microsoft Academic Content Repository is a collaborative space where everyone interested in technology can contribute their own projects and documentation. By adding your own work to the repository, you can help others learn and grow, while also improving your own skills and building your portfolio.
And if you want to see an example of a project in action, you can check out my Tracker Expense project on the repository by clicking on the link below: (https://github.com/microsoft/AcademicContent/blob/main/league-content/web-mobile.md).
This project was designed to help users understand and implement the basic functions of JavaScript, along with the deployment of Azure Static Web Apps. It also teaches users how to use local storage to save data. By adding this project to the repository, I helped newcomers understand front-end development and the implementation of Azure Static Web Apps. So don't hesitate to explore the Microsoft Academic Content Repository to enhance your skills and learn something new.
In addition to providing access to technical and academic content, the Microsoft Learn Student Program offers students a unique opportunity to contribute to their learning modules on a broader scale. As an MLSA, you can participate in the Bug Bash program, a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador initiative that helps identify and report bugs or issues related to Microsoft's products and services. The program involves a group of students collaborating to identify and report bugs in specific products or services, such as Microsoft Teams or Windows. By doing so, students help Microsoft improve the quality of its products, services, and learning modules by identifying and addressing/reporting issues on GitHub.
Participating in the Bug Bash program is an excellent way for students to learn about software development, testing, and bug reporting while interacting with other students and professionals in the technology industry. It provides them with valuable skills and experience that can help them in their careers. The program even offers rewards to the winners who find and report the most bugs, incentivizing students to get involved and make a difference. If you're interested in joining the program, you can visit the official website to learn how to get started or check out the Readme.md provided in their GitHub repository:
Additionally, Microsoft offers various learning modules that you can access to improve your skills and learn new technologies simultaneously. These modules cover a wide range of topics and are designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the technology industry. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance your career, these modules can help you reach your goals.
As an MLSA, I had the opportunity to participate in the Bug Bash program and contribute to the improvement of Microsoft's learning modules. During this time, I identified and reported two bugs in the Microsoft Azure Static Web Apps documentation. If you're interested in seeing the issues I found, you can check them out through these links: [https://github.com/microsoft/studentambassadors/issues/27], [https://github.com/microsoft/studentambassadors/issues/21].
If you're curious about other issues that students have found and reported, you can explore them through this link: [https://github.com/microsoft/studentambassadors/issues]. It's always interesting to see the variety of bugs that have been identified, as well as the creative solutions that have been suggested to fix them. Through the Bug Bash program, students have the chance to make a real impact and contribute to the development of cutting-edge technology.
In addition to Bug Bash Program and Microsoft's Academic Content Repository, there are a few other exciting resources that students can take advantage of to further their knowledge and skills in the world of technology. One such resource is the Open-Source Show on Microsoft Learn. This show is designed to provide students with insights into the world of open-source technology and how it is shaping the future of software development. The show features expert guests who share their experiences and best practices for building open-source software solutions. By tuning in, students can gain valuable insights and learn new skills that they can apply in their own projects.
Another resource that can benefit students is Open-Source Thursdays on Microsoft Reactor. This program offers students the opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded individuals on open-source projects. Each Thursday, students can join the Reactor's virtual space and work on different open-source projects under the guidance of expert mentors. This program provides students with a supportive environment to learn new skills, build their portfolios, and connect with other professionals in the tech industry. By working on open-source projects, students can gain practical experience, hone their skills, and contribute to the community.
In conclusion, contributing to open-source projects is an excellent way for students to learn and grow as developers, while also making technology accessible and useful to everyone. It provides them with a unique perspective on the industry and the various technologies used in software development, enhancing their understanding of the software development lifecycle and helping them build a diverse skill set that is highly sought after in the tech industry.
Contributing to Microsoft's open-source projects can be an especially rewarding experience that boosts confidence and gives back to the community. Microsoft plays an important role in providing numerous opportunities to students to learn from experts and peers. Microsoft repositories, such as the Academic Content Repository, and programs like "Bug Bash," "Open-Source Thursdays," and "Open-Source Show on Microsoft Learn" are excellent opportunities for students to gain invaluable experience and the skills required to understand the workings of big organizations and their frameworks. By collaborating with like-minded individuals and working together to make a difference, students can establish a professional network and create a meaningful impact on society.
Why not leverage these opportunities to jumpstart your tech career and create a meaningful impact by seizing them and exploring where your passion for technology can lead you?
Updated Oct 17, 2023
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