From Open Source to AI-Powered Software Development: Breaking into Tech and Building What’s Next
Overview
Abstract
Breaking into the technology industry requires more than technical knowledge—it takes practical experience, collaboration, and the ability to continuously adapt to emerging tools and technologies. Open-source development and hackathons provide valuable opportunities for aspiring software engineers to build real-world projects, collaborate with developers, and demonstrate their skills beyond the classroom.
In this seminar, Parth Panchal will share his journey from contributing to open-source healthcare projects through Google Summer of Code with OpenMRS to working as a Software Engineer at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies. The talk will explore strategies for getting started with open-source contributions, making the most of hackathons, building a strong technical portfolio, and navigating the software engineering job market. It will also examine how AI-powered development tools are changing the way software is built, from accelerating coding and debugging to improving productivity and developer workflows. Attendees will leave with practical insights and actionable strategies to strengthen their skills, contribute to real-world projects, and prepare for an evolving technology industry.
Biography
Parth Panchal is a Software Engineer at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, with experience in Android development, healthcare technology, and AI-powered software solutions. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from San Francisco State University and is passionate about open-source development and emerging technologies. As a Google Summer of Code 2024 contributor with OpenMRS, he worked on offline-capable healthcare applications in collaboration with the global open-source community. He also judges & mentors students at hackathons, including HackMIT and UC Berkeley AI hackathons, encouraging collaborative problem-solving and innovation. His interests include developer tools, applied AI, and building software that addresses real-world challenges.