
The State of Developer Education
Join us as we level up the next generation of technologists! Welcome to The State of Developer Education, a podcast by Major League Hacking. We explore how developers should and are educated to help you - the next generation - prepare for the real world. I'm your host Jonathan Gottfried, co-founder, hacker, entrepreneur, and hobbyist baker.
Latest episodes

Oct 26, 2023 • 50min
Understanding the Importance of Security in Software Development with Randall Degges, Head of Developer Relations and Community at Snyk
The Importance of Security in Software Development with Randall Degges, Head of Developer Relations and Community at Snyk In today’s episode, Jon sits down with Randall Degges, Head of Developer Relations and Community at Snyk, to unpack the niche world of security software engineering. Starting his career as a college drop out, Randall Degges is now a self-proclaimed “happy programmer” who has been writing software for over twenty years. Together, he and Jon unpack the disconnect between general software engineering and the world of security, demystifying security programming and exploring how we can make security tools and developer education more accessible for everyone. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdegges/ Website: https://snyk.io/ Episode resourcesSnykJohn Carmack Rob PikeIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyMajor League Hacking is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Oct 19, 2023 • 46min
What Make a Hackathon Successful with Brandon Kessler, CEO and Founder of Devpost
Brandon Kessler, CEO and Founder of Devpost, shares his journey from music to tech entrepreneurship, driven by a passion for community building. He highlights the elements that make hackathons successful, including fostering competition, collaboration, and ongoing engagement. The conversation dives into how AI is transforming the hackathon landscape, streamlining coding processes and enhancing participant experiences. Kessler also discusses the importance of adaptability in Developer Relations in the wake of economic shifts, emphasizing long-term developer relationships.

11 snips
Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Evolving Landscape of Computer Science Education with Mike Zamansky
Mike Szymanski, an influential voice in computer science education in NYC, discusses the disconnect between classroom teaching and industry requirements, the challenges faced by coding boot camps, the disparity in teaching methods between K-12 teachers and college professors, the importance of hackathons in CS education, and the excitement and concerns regarding the evolving landscape of CS education.

Oct 5, 2023 • 48min
Challenges of Developer Advocacy with Katie Hoesley, Senior Developer Advocate at BigCommerce
Join Jon as he interviews Katie Hoesley, Senior Developer Advocate at BigCommerce. In this episode, they delve into the challenges that beginner developers face and explore how to creatively bridge the gap between technical leaders and the next generation of technologists. Drawing from her liberal arts background, Katie emphasizes the importance of creativity, communication, and community in developer advocacy. Don’t miss out on their insightful discussion where they unpack the complexities of measuring the ROI of developer marketing the importance of relationships in DevRel, and much more!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiehoesley Website: https://www.bigcommerce.co.uk/ Episode resourcesHack Reactor Lee RobIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyMajor League Hacking is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Sep 28, 2023 • 40min
Bridging the Developer Education Gap: Exploring Low-Code with Adam Reynolds, Lead Product Evangelist of Coherent
In this week's episode, Jon interviews Adam Reynolds, Lead Product Evangelist at Coherent. Join them as they discuss Adam’s journey from full-stack development into the world of low-code development. Analyzing the pros and cons, their conversation centers around exploring the potential of low-code development in simplifying and speeding up application development while making it more accessible to a range of different audiences. Join them as they ponder the potential power of low-code platforms to bridge the developer education gap and empower a wider range of individuals to build applications.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellolowcode/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelloLowCode Website: https://coherent.zngly.com/view-all/ Episode resources:Coherent Nikola TeslaIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyMajor League Hacking is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Sep 21, 2023 • 50min
From Self-Taught to Open Source: Navigating the Developer Landscape with Jacob Herrington, Product Manager at Walmart
On this week’s episode, Jon talks to Jacob Herrington about his unconventional journey from a self-taught developer and college drop-out to a Product Manager at Walmart. Their discussion touches upon the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a non-linear path into the world of software engineering, the impact open-source had on Jacob’s developer journey, and how the rise of tech communities is dismantling the systemic privileges that previously churned out “white-tech dudes”. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobherrington/ Website: https://careers.walmart.com/ Episode resourcesEAST at Arkansas High SchoolWalmart Careers If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyMajor League Hacking is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Sep 15, 2023 • 44min
Reducing Onboarding Friction for Developers with Jordan Violet and Colin McKibben
In this episode of The State of Developer Education, Jon is joined by Jordan Violet, Head of Developer Relations at SailPoint, and Colin McKibben, Developer Advocate for Workflows and Event Triggers at SailPoint. Jordan and Colin share the pivotal moments on their journeys into DevRel that shaped their passions for programming and developer relations. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the unequivocal need for frictionless onboarding experiences coupled with uninhibited, open access to resources in developer education. They further introduce their conceptual framework, the Developer’s Hierarchy of Needs, demonstrating its utility as a tool for fostering a positive, enriching developer experience. Episode resourcesJordan’s LinkedInColin’s LinkedInSailPointIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyMajor League Hacking is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

10 snips
Sep 7, 2023 • 44min
Decoding Data Science: Nick Singh on Practical Learning, SQL, ChatGPT, & Winning Hackathons
Nick Singh, Founder and CEO of DataLemur and bestselling author of 'Ace the Data Science Interview', discusses the evolving nature of becoming a data scientist, importance of practical learning, and strategies for winning hackathons.

9 snips
Aug 31, 2023 • 42min
Beyond Code: Insights on Community, Frameworks, and Growth with Scott Spence of OES Technology
Scott Spence, a Developer Advocate Consultant at OES Technology, shares insights on web development, the Svelte framework, working with other developers, and the benefits of using Storyblok.

10 snips
Aug 24, 2023 • 44min
The Importance of Understanding Databases in Developer Education with Denis Magda of Yugabyte
Denis Magda, Director of Developer Relations at Yugabyte, talks about the importance of understanding databases, comprehending programming languages, and being involved in open source communities. He emphasizes the significance of practical education and hands-on labs for developers.