Name: Thriving in Open Source: Finding Joy, Avoiding Burnout, and Carving Your Own Path - Sandeep Kanabar, Gen
Start: 2025-06-25T14:10:00-0600
End: 2025-06-25T14:50:00-0600

June 23 - 25, 2025
Denver, Colorado
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Note: The schedule is subject to change.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Timing of sessions and room locations are subject to change.

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:10pm - 2:50pm MDT

Bluebird Ballroom 2E

Open source contribution is often portrayed as a straightforward journey starting with "good first issues," but the reality is far more nuanced and personal. In this heartfelt talk, I'll share my transformative journey from an overwhelmed beginner to a purposeful contributor, highlighting how I discovered sustainable joy in open source development. Through personal stories and lessons learned, I'll discuss navigating common pitfalls like contributor fatigue, the "what's in it for me" mindset, and the good-first-issue trap. I'll share how local meet-ups, in-person conferences, and finding my passion in accessibility—particularly through my work with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing working group—helped me carve a meaningful path. This talk will provide practical insights for contributors seeking to build a fulfilling, long-term relationship with open source while maintaining their well-being and making a genuine impact on the community.

Note: I'm deaf and this talk reflects my own journey in open source. I'm okay to present this as lightning talk as well.

Speakers

Sandeep Kanabar

Lead Software Engineer | CHAOSS Asia WG, Gen (formerly NortonLifeLock)

Hailing from India, Sandeep is a passionate software engineer working at Gen (formerly NortonLifeLock), a global leader in CyberSecurity. A frequent meetup speaker, Sandeep enjoys sharing his lessons with the community. He's a staunch advocate for open-source, diversity and inclusion... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:10pm - 2:50pm MDT
Bluebird Ballroom 2E

Wildcard, Open Source Leadership

Audience Experience Level Any

Open Source Summit North America 2025

Sandeep Kanabar

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