The motivation behind ThinkMentors is to address the challenges that individuals face when trying to learn and master new technologies on their own, without proper guidance and direction. Many online resources, such as tutorials and blog posts, tend to focus on basic concepts and toy examples, which may not be representative of real-world scenarios. Our approach enables individuals to learn from real-world examples and projects that can be used to benefit end users, rather than spending time on insignificant or irrelevant tasks.

Traditional courses are usually designed for larger groups of students, taught by instructors who follow a predetermined curriculum. In contrast, ThinkMentors offers a more adaptive and focused experience for a smaller group of highly motivated individuals. By working together towards a common objective in a productive and professional environment, participants receive hands-on guidance to solve real-world problems.

ThinkMentors is designed for individuals who are interested in using technology to solve real-world problems. The program is beneficial for self-motivated individuals regardless of their academic background, including undergraduates, PhDs in computer science, or those with no formal education in computer science. As long as they are willing to put in the effort and follow the guidance of experienced mentors carefully, anyone can benefit from ThinkMentors.

The program will be initially offered for free. There is expected to be a time commitment from participants in order to continue and meet all deliverables as part of the professional working environment experience. Participants will be provided with cloud computing resources to assist them in the activities related to the mentorship programs.

Projects will be related to existing opensource projects. Here are few examples: 1) Extending existing open-source projects by adding new features or functionality (e.g. add single-sign on to Overleaf or LabelStudio), 2) Re-implementing open-source projects using better technology stack or improved architecture (e.g. Kimai or Akaunting). Developing end-products or applications that utilize open-source technology and libraries (e.g. Website creator or PWA multi-model GenAI chat)

After you click "Join Chat", it will take you to the page where you can download Element chat client for mobile or access web client on Desktop. 1) You must choose "I already have an account", 2) then edit the chat server to be "m.beyond.cc", 3) click "Continue with BeyondCloud Login"

This mentorship program is quite different from class or course-based programs. You should be working more independently, self-learn and have hands-on experience. In case you encounter a problem and could not find a solution by yourself, you can post a question on the chat where mentors and other team members can provide help or guidance.

ThinkMentors is designed to accommodate busy schedules.The mentorship program offers flexibility, allowing you to engage with mentors and work on projects at a pace that suits your availability. However you should allocate at least 5-10 hours per week for the program.

To hit the ground running and maximize your experience in this mentorship program, start by familiarizing yourself with basic Git commands and diving into Docker concepts like images, containers, Dockerfiles, and Docker Compose. If you have prior experience with Linux commands, that will really ramp up your learning pace! This foundational knowledge will help you navigate hands-on projects more smoothly, ensuring you're ready to tackle new challenges with confidence.

The ideal learning mindset for the ThinkMentors program combines a growth mindset with proactive learning. A growth mindset involves viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, developing resilience in the face of setbacks, and persisting through difficulties. Proactive learners actively seek out new knowledge, stay curious, and apply their skills to tackle real-world problems.By adopting this mindset, you'll be better equipped to overcome obstacles, learn from your mistakes, and reach your full potential in the program.