Building Open Source Opportunities for Students in Tech (BOOST): A Follow-Up Study with BOOST Graduates

Building Open Source Opportunities for Students in Tech (BOOST) is a new and innovative capstone project at Green River College (GRC) that was designed in response to pandemic-era challenges and inequities in computer science internships. Developed in partnership with Mentors in Tech (MinT) and CodeDay, BOOST pairs students with industry mentors to complete open source software projects within a capstone course sequence. Students work 10–15 hours weekly, both in class and with mentors, gaining technical training, professional guidance, and a paid, flexible experience — experience that is critical for adult learners, low-income students, and others who face barriers to traditional internships.

BOOST now has graduates who have been in the workforce for one to three years, presenting an opportunity for greater insight into the ways in which participating in BOOST as an undergraduate can influence their performance and experience in the workforce. As such, this study follows up on our prior BOOST evaluation, seeking to understand in what ways, if at all, the BOOST model impacted the workforce experience of its graduates, including (a) applying for, interviewing for, and/or landing jobs, including in their field of study; (b) providing work-based experience that was representative of the work they encountered in their jobs; (c) creating the conditions for graduates to experience promotions within their workplace; and (d) other impacts identified by graduates.

Graduates interviewed for this study consistently described BOOST as one of the most workplace-relevant elements of their degree. They reported that the open source projects mirrored the complexity of industry work, requiring them to collaborate, manage tasks, and adopt professional problem-solving approaches. Many highlighted that the capstone was the closest academic experience to “real-world” employment, giving them confidence to contribute quickly in their first jobs. Several noted the value of showcasing their open source projects on resumes and in interviews, with some securing jobs or promotions directly because of the skills and experiences gained.

Importantly, graduates credited BOOST with both technical proficiency and soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and project management, that set them apart from peers. Many felt the experience accelerated their career trajectory, with some reporting faster promotion rates than colleagues who lacked comparable real-world preparation. Overall, findings suggest BOOST effectively bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, offering an equitable alternative to traditional internships that positions GRC graduates for long-term career success.

The Building Open Source Opportunities for Students in Tech (BOOST) initiative was formerly referred to and written about as the TechConnect Capstone (TCC). TCC and BOOST represent the same work but under different names.