I have been seeing some heated debates on Facebook, Twitter lately. Some developers argue that a Github profile, readme with streaks, stats is pointless. “Recruiters don’t care about your Github profile”, “Just write good code”,.etc
I, DISAGREE, with all my respect to senior devs & all out there.
What is a Github Profile?
Github profiles are just your Github profile. They serve as a profile for your code space on internet, showcasing your work, contributions, and interests.
Why polish your Github profile?
Most people create polished GitHub profiles to showcase their skills to potential employers. But that’s just scratching the surface. The real value goes much deeper than impressing recruiters.
My perspective
My Github profile is literally, my reflection. The achievements, the stats, the streak on contributions. It represents my journey, in actions.
It tracks my learning, when I have learned something and getting used to it, I can finally put it on my profile. Seeing something new there just let me know that I have earned it.
Stats & Stars
The Github Readme Stats let me see my progress like my contributions counts, my stars, my code changes,.. and that all means something to me. I love when I see it at like, a few and grows to more later. Yes, numbers ain’t that matters, but they do tell a story to me.
Github stars are a form of social proof that the project is valuable to others and it’s being recognized by the community. I love the feeling when there is someone staring my repository, it validates that my project solves a problem for another developer out there.
Streaks: Gamify your growth
The Github Streaks is how I gamify my coding life. A streak helps me remain my habit of coding by forcing myself to code, or at least do something everyday. By that, I would be building consistency and discipline. I understand that not everyday I’m going to do at my peak, but the least thing is I showed up. I don’t wait, I don’t let motivation decides when I code or not, I will just code.
It’s not about showing off to others, it’s me! It pushes me to do at least a line of code, fix a small typo, a bug, or even write something!
Having the consistency and discipline to code regularly has been invaluable. It has helped me win myself, not waiting for something to do, not relying on motivation but JUST DO IT. This has been a magical thing for me that I love doing something in my desk now, everyday. From the main work for Minecraft Marketplace, to personal projects, then writing,.. Everything has been impacted positively.
Lazy days? Do small tasks! Not everything has to be huge, just small ones can keep you moving forward. Not a big step? Just a small one is enough. As long as you are moving then you are making progress. That’s how I think.
So are the critics wrong?
Nope. They are not entirely wrong, a flashy Github is not going to drive you anywhere. Your main professional skills and experiences matter more in the long run, and matter the most I believe.
But, stop. People are going too fast and forgot to look around, it’s not just about the code. It’s about showing the ambition, the passion, the consistency, and the discipline to keep going. It’s about building a personal brand that reflects who you are as a developer.
For myself, I have been using it to tell myself a story of my evolution. I see myself from a no-one who literally can’t think what I can do to write down, into someone seeing what should I select to write about. It’s a journey of self-discovery and growth.
The Bottom Line
Building a Github profile is not about vanity or impressing others. It’s about creating a system for yourself to keeps shaping your character. A friendly, authentic profile helps you connect with other developers and tells your story.
Shout out to Pybash1, whose inspired me to write things down and share my thoughts. I hope this article helps you see the value in crafting your own profile, not just for others, but for yourself.
In the end, it’s not just about what others think. It’s about you, your journey, and your growth. Ignore the critics—focus on your own path and keep building!