  Quantum computing (QC) is an emerging computing paradigm with potential to
revolutionize the field of computing. QC is a field that is quickly developing
globally and has high barriers of entry. In this paper we explore both
successful contributors to the field as well as wider QC community with the
goal of understanding the backgrounds and training that helped them succeed. We
gather data on 148 contributors to open-source quantum computing projects
hosted on GitHub and survey 46 members of QC community. Our findings show that
QC practitioners and enthusiasts have diverse backgrounds, with most of them
having a PhD and trained in physics or computer science. We observe a lack of
educational resources on quantum computing. Our goal for these findings is to
start a conversation about how best to prepare the next generation of QC
researchers and practitioners.
