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Student Experience

From classroom learning to professional development: how students grow through real-world software engineering

Transformation Through Authentic Work​

Students enter Opening Skills and Solutions with varying levels of programming experience but share a common goal: becoming professional developers. Through sustained work on real products with actual clients, they develop both technical expertise and professional confidence.

Technical Skills Development​

Industry-Standard Practices​

Students gain proficiency in the tools and workflows that define modern software development:

  • Version control systems like Git and collaborative development on GitHub
  • Code review processes that ensure quality and promote learning
  • Testing methodologies for reliable, maintainable software
  • Deployment practices using modern CI/CD approaches
  • Documentation standards for sustainable open source projects

Real-World Problem Solving​

Working with authentic client requirements teaches students to navigate the complexity of professional development:

  • Translating business needs into technical solutions
  • Making architectural decisions with long-term consequences
  • Debugging issues in production environments
  • Balancing feature requests with technical constraints
  • Managing technical debt and refactoring legacy code

Professional Growth​

Portfolio Building​

Every contribution becomes part of a public portfolio that demonstrates real-world capabilities to potential employers and graduate programs. Students graduate with:

  • Production code in active use by real organizations
  • Open source contributions visible to the global developer community
  • Client testimonials validating their professional impact
  • Technical documentation showcasing communication skills

Network Development​

Direct engagement with open source communities, industry professionals, and fellow developers creates lasting professional relationships that extend far beyond the academic program.

Communication Skills​

Working with clients develops crucial professional communication abilities:

  • Requirements gathering through active listening and clarification
  • Progress reporting that builds confidence and manages expectations
  • Technical explanation to non-technical stakeholders
  • Collaborative problem-solving in team environments

Confidence Through Experience​

  • Authentic Responsibility Students work as professional developers with real accountability to clients, teammates, and product quality. This authentic responsibility builds confidence that can't be replicated in classroom simulations.
  • Iterative Learning Semester-long engagements allow students to see the full development lifecycle while building deep expertise in specific products and technologies.
  • Mistake Recovery The supportive environment of faculty oversight and near-peer mentorship allows students to learn from real mistakes without career-ending consequences.

Career Preparation​

  • Immediate Impact Graduates enter the workforce with proven experience rather than theoretical knowledge. They start careers as experienced developers, not entry-level programmers learning professional practices for the first time.
  • Industry Recognition Employers value candidates who understand collaborative development, client communication, and open source contribution. Our graduates stand out in competitive job markets.
  • Continued Growth The foundation built through Opening Skills and Solutions supports continued learning and advancement throughout professional careers.

Getting Started​

Application Process​

We focus on motivation and learning potential rather than existing expertise. Successful candidates demonstrate:

  • Curiosity about software development and problem-solving
  • Commitment to sustained effort and professional growth
  • Collaboration skills for effective teamwork
  • Communication abilities for client interaction

Preparation​

While we don't require extensive programming experience, students benefit from:

  • Basic familiarity with at least one programming language
  • Understanding of fundamental computer science concepts
  • Experience with collaborative tools like Git (helpful but not required)
  • Interest in open source software and community contribution

Ready to apply? Learn about Getting Involved → and start your journey as a professional developer.

Want the details? Review our Team Structure → and How It Works → pages.