357: Being a Developer Advocate at ServiceNow with Chuck Tomasi
Sep 10, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Chuck Tomasi, a Developer Advocate at ServiceNow and author of Podcasting for Dummies, shares invaluable career insights. He emphasizes the importance of making mistakes early and cultivating relationships for long-term success. Chuck humorously dives into the naming quirks of software releases while reflecting on the emotional journeys of developers. He highlights the vital role of Developer Advocates in bridging communities and offering communication strategies tailored to diverse audiences. Flexibility over rigid planning is repeated as a key to thriving in the fast-paced tech world.
Having a clear career purpose rather than a rigid plan fosters adaptability and enhances job satisfaction in the tech industry.
Developer advocates serve as essential connectors between developers and product teams, utilizing their technical and communication skills to enhance community engagement.
Deep dives
Embracing Career Purpose Over Rigid Plans
Having a career purpose rather than a detailed career plan can lead to greater fulfillment and adaptability. This approach allows individuals to remain flexible in the face of changing opportunities and challenges, reducing the risk of disappointment. A career purpose that focuses on doing what one loves and positively impacting lives provides a broader framework within which to navigate one’s professional journey. This perspective is particularly valuable in the tech industry, where rapid advancements and shifts often render specific career plans obsolete.
The Role and Importance of Developer Advocacy
Developer advocates play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the developer community and product teams, focusing on content creation and community building. They help developers understand new features and gather feedback from the ecosystem to inform product development. This role requires a mix of technical expertise and effective communication skills to resonate with developers while conveying product information. By acting as intermediaries, developer advocates enhance community engagement and facilitate a better understanding of product offerings.
The Value of Relationships in Career Progression
Building and maintaining relationships throughout one’s career is essential for success, particularly in the tech industry where community involvement can lead to opportunities. Networking within relevant communities—whether through meetups, online forums, or social media—helps individuals gain visibility and recognition. Establishing connections can also provide a support system for sharing challenges and successes, making it easier to navigate career developments. Those who cultivate relationships are often better positioned to advance rapidly in their careers and access unadvertised job opportunities.
Learning from Experience and Adapting to Change
Adapting to change and being open to new opportunities is a crucial aspect of career development, especially in the fast-evolving tech landscape. Reflecting on one's journey reveals that many positions may not have existed a short time before being filled, highlighting the importance of flexibility. It's beneficial to regularly review and adjust career goals in response to personal and professional changes, rather than adhering strictly to an original plan. Consideration of one’s passions and the impact on others can guide career choices and foster a sense of purpose throughout one’s professional life.
Chuck Tomasi is a Developer Advocate at ServiceNow. He loves to share what he has learned with the developer community through blogs, videos, live streams, podcasts and books.
Top 3 Career Tips
1. The best time to make mistakes is early in your career.
2. You need to learn how to deal with senior management.
3. Invest in building and developing relationships.
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