In this interview, Isotta Peira shares her journey into the WordPress ecosystem, which began in 2019 when she needed a website for her culinary events business. Initially unsure about managing a site, she gradually grew more confident and involved in the WordPress community. Since joining Automattic in 2022, Isotta has contributed significantly, especially through her work with the WordPress Community Team and initiatives like the post-event Attendee survey translation project. She offers valuable insights into the importance of community engagement, mentorship, and the future direction of WordPress development, while encouraging new contributors to get involved and make an impact.
Can you share your first experience with WordPress, and what made you choose it?
I got involved with WordPress and its community in 2019 when I needed a website for my culinary events business. I wasn’t confident about creating a website on my own at first, so I hired a professional. They built the site but also taught me how to manage it, and gradually, I gained confidence and started to enjoy learning about plugins and automation. I was intimidated by forums for a long time, though, until I joined Automattic in 2022. As part of the onboarding process, I spent my first two weeks supporting the wordpress.org forums, and it was such a formative experience! I’m grateful for Automattic’s practice of requiring every employee to spend the first two weeks of their first year, and then at least one week each year, supporting the forums, no matter what projects they usually work on.
How did you start contributing to open-source projects, and what was your first contribution to the WordPress community?
Before joining Automattic, I had no experience with open-source projects. As mentioned earlier, my first contribution was on the wordpress.org forums during my onboarding, but right after that, I fully immersed myself in contributing to the WordPress Community Team. I began supporting event organizers worldwide, assisting with orientation, admin tasks, and mentoring. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I feel very privileged and proud to have the opportunity to participate in such an impactful project.
What are some important projects or contributions you have made within the WordPress ecosystem?
I believe every contribution to the WordPress ecosystem is important and impactful, and I’m proud of all the ways I’ve been able to support the project. Recently, I initiated a project to update the post-event Attendee survey and make it available in multiple languages. This is something our community has always wanted but never had. I’m particularly proud to be part of this initiative, which will allow us to include more non-English speakers and give them the chance to share feedback. If you’d like to help translate the survey, please visit this post.
Which areas do you think need new energy and focus right now, and why? (Accessibility, plugins, themes, performance, etc.)
All areas of WordPress need constant fresh energy and new perspectives to ensure the project’s sustainability. We encourage everyone to check out the latest experiment on contributor dashboards to see which projects need the most help. Find what resonates with you and join in! More details here: WordPress Contribution Health Dashboards – An Experiment.
What advice would you give to developers who are new to WordPress or open source?
I would encourage them to join the Contributor Mentorship Cohorts! By enrolling in the program, they’ll be paired with experienced contributors who will guide them through the WordPress ecosystem, helping them build confidence in contributing on their own. Plus, they’ll have the opportunity to connect with both new and seasoned contributors, which is a great way to expand your network and knowledge. It’s a fantastic way to get involved and make a meaningful impact. More information here.
How do you keep up with the latest trends in WordPress development, and what resources would you suggest for new developers who want to get involved?
To keep up with WordPress trends, I recommend the WordPress Developer Blog, Core Dev Chats, listening to the WP Briefing podcast, and attending WordCamps and other WordPress Events. For new developers, the first steps would be exploring the WordPress Developer Handbook, joining Make WordPress Slack, and keeping an eye on the WordPress Roadmap and the Project page to learn about upcoming releases and contribution opportunities. As mentioned earlier, I also strongly recommend joining the Contributor Mentorship Cohorts!
In your opinion, what are the best ways to engage and attract new developers to the WordPress community, and how can we make the onboarding process more welcoming and inclusive?
To engage and attract new developers to the WordPress community, I believe we should collaborate more with students and educational institutions. Partnering with universities and coding boot camps can introduce WordPress to students early in their careers, giving them the opportunity to contribute and learn in a real-world setting. Additionally, we can make the onboarding process more welcoming by enhancing mentorship programs like the Contributor Mentorship Cohorts and creating more beginner-friendly resources. Fostering a supportive environment, with guidance from experienced contributors, will help new developers feel included and confident in their contributions.
