My Journey to Outreachy: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Growth.

Hi there! I’m Chineta Adinnu, and I’m thrilled to share my journey as I begin my Outreachy internship with Mozilla Firefox. This opportunity marks an exciting new chapter, and I couldn’t be more eager to dive in.

I discovered coding during a very dark period in my life. I had recently lost a job and felt deeply uncertain about my future. Learning frontend development gave me hope, a renewed sense of purpose, and excitement for what lay ahead. It has since become more than just a skill—it’s my way of building meaningful solutions and making a positive impact.

When I’m not coding, you’ll often find me blogging or exploring new technologies. In my downtime, I recharge with good books, Korean series, reality shows, documentaries, and podcasts, and spend quality time with my family.

My Core Values

Throughout my life, three values have remained central to who I am: persistence, empathy, and growth.

Persistence
Life hasn’t been without its challenges. From losing my job during the lockdown to the heartbreaking loss of my parents two years ago, and more recently, battling self-doubt during the Outreachy contribution phase, I’ve faced moments that tested my resolve and in those times, persistence became my lifeline.

It’s the reason I kept going when life felt overwhelming. Whether it was learning a new skill from scratch or simply choosing to get up and try again each day, persistence taught me that even small steps forward can lead to big changes. It’s a constant reminder to never give up, no matter how tough the journey gets.
Empathy

Empathy has been a cornerstone of how I connect with people, both professionally and personally. Over the years, I’ve learned how powerful it is to listen, understand, and truly make people feel heard.

Whether it's offering a friend a listening ear or simply being there to support someone, empathy reminds me of the importance of human connection. It’s about meeting people where they are and offering kindness, both in code and in life.
Growth
I strive for growth in every area of my life. Transitioning into software development wasn’t just about picking up new skills—it was about embracing the discomfort of starting over and choosing to learn from every experience, even the tough ones.

Personally, growth has meant being open to change, whether it’s learning to adapt to life’s unexpected twists or taking time to reflect on how far I’ve come. It’s about becoming a better version of myself—not just as a developer but as a friend, a loved one, and a person.

Why I Applied to Outreachy

Outreachy caught my attention because of its dedication to creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech. However, my motivation wasn’t just about landing an internship—it was about proving something to myself.

This wasn’t my first time applying. I had applied twice before and didn’t make it to the contribution stage. When I decided to apply again, I didn’t have high expectations. Deep down, I thought, This isn’t for someone like me. I’m not good enough to make it. That voice of self-doubt was relentless, but something within me refused to give up.

I knew I had valuable skills and perspectives to offer, even if I didn’t fully believe it at first. Gradually, I worked through my doubts, step by step, working through the application phase and then the contribution phase. There were moments of frustration, and the anxiety that came with the fear of rejection was crazy, but I chose to persist.

The contribution phase was challenging, but mentors like Carla and Julien provided invaluable guidance. Their thorough code reviews and constructive feedback helped me make corrections and adapt quickly, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

When I finally received the email confirming my acceptance as an Outreachy intern with Mozilla Firefox, it felt surreal. It wasn’t just validation of the hard work I’d put in—it was a reminder that I am capable of so much more than I often give myself credit for. It taught me the power of resilience and that sometimes, the third time really is the charm.

My Project with Mozilla Firefox

As part of my Outreachy internship, I’ll be working on an exciting project with Mozilla Firefox to enhance their performance comparison tool. This tool plays a vital role in helping engineers detect performance regressions before they reach production. By allowing engineers to run performance tests and compare results before and after code changes, it ensures that software remains efficient and reliable.

During my internship, I’ll collaborate with mentors to develop a new search feature for the tool. This feature will allow users to search for content related to patches, such as bug numbers, summaries, and authors. It’s an important addition that will improve the tool’s usability and make it easier for engineers to find the information they need.

I chose this project because it aligns with my passion for creating solutions that make people's work easier and more efficient. Performance in software development is a critical area, and contributing to a tool that ensures smooth and optimized experiences is both exciting and fulfilling. Knowing that my work will have an impact on a tool used by engineers worldwide is incredibly motivating, and I can’t wait to get started.

What This Opportunity Means to Me

Joining Outreachy is more than an internship; it’s a chance to grow, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to open-source projects. It’s a platform to refine my technical skills while being part of a supportive community that values diversity and inclusivity. It’s a reminder that persistence and self-belief can open doors I never thought possible.

To anyone considering applying to Outreachy or pursuing any big goal: believe in yourself, even when it feels impossible. You might be closer to success than you realize.

Here’s to an exciting journey ahead!🥂