Life as a Rust Project Contributor

Join Jane Losare-Lusby as she takes you on a journey through her experiences as a contributor to the Rust project. Starting with her early work on Clippy, Jane has navigated various roles, including error-handling project group lead, member of the Library and Style teams, and as a board member of the Rust Foundation. After a brief hiatus to work on Truffle and June, she returned to contribute to the Rust Compiler team, where she is now focused on the development of locally stored metrics. In this talk, Jane will share personal insights on navigating challenges such as impostor syndrome, conflict resolution, burnout, and isolation. Jane will offer practical advice for newcomers looking to contribute to Rust, highlighting the importance of mentorship and connection, the dynamics of various Rust teams, and how to turn an idea—like her current metrics initiative—into a meaningful contribution. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started, this talk will provide valuable perspectives on how to find your place and make an impact in the Rust community.