My $0.02: * Pick a project you use and like. This way you will already be familiar with some aspects of the projects and you will have an idea for what works a

My $0.02: * Pick a project you use and like. This way you will already be familiar with some aspects of the projects and you will have an idea for what works and what doesn't. You will be able to use your improvements for yourself. * It's easier to contribute to a small project than a larger one. Larger projects are usually more complex and require understanding more code. If a smaller project has less people involved with it, it will be easier for you to get to know everyone and for everyone to get to know you. * It's also easier to contribute to newer projects. Older projects usually have strict guidelines that can take a while to get used to. They often have internal politics that come into play. Finally newer projects have a lot of "low hanging fruits", simple things that anybody can fix. You can start with commits that fix docs or clarify the code with additional comments. Contribute some unit tests, etc. As you familiarize yourself with the code and the process, you will be able to fix larger bugs and even implement new features.