I am excited that i have been accepted into the AWS Community Builders program under the Cloud Operations category. It’s an amazing opportunity, and i am eager to contribute to the AWS community.
I have over 20 years of experience in IT and since 2014 i work mostly with AWS and i am holding a number of AWS Certifications. During my career i have worked in a number of complex projects both in private and public sector. In my previous role, i was a member of AWS subject matter experts team, who could be contacted on an adhoc basis to provide advice or guidance to specific problems. Also during all those years, I was helping to grow the careers of our future talent and others who were re-skilling.
I thought that by joining the AWS Community Builder Program, would be great, as i could be part of a community of like-minded people, i could learn more but at at the same i could share my knowledge.
So in January, i started with my application, i filled all the required information regarding my blog posts, code repos, AWS areas of interests, why i wanted join and what i could bring to the community etc. Then i saved my progress so that i could review it. After going through my application (again and again) and checking my responses, i felt confident and clicked on the Submit button!! I was greeted with a message saying “Thank you” and that i would be notified in about 8 weeks time if i was successful or not.
About 6 weeks later, an email landed in my Inbox, starting with Congratulations… A moment filled with joy and excitement..
After this small intro about me and application process, let’s move on and give you some more details about the program.
What is the AWS Community Builder program?
The AWS Community Builders program offers technical resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to AWS technical enthusiasts and emerging thought leaders who are passionate about sharing knowledge and connecting with the technical community. Interested AWS builders should apply to the program to build relationships with AWS product teams, AWS Heroes, and the AWS community. Throughout the program, AWS subject matter experts will provide informative webinars, share insights — including information about the latest services — as well as best practices for creating technical content, increasing reach, and sharing AWS knowledge across online and in-person communities. The program will accept a limited number of members per year.
How to apply
Applications are open twice a year by AWS and everyone can apply by visiting the AWS Community Builder page. Applications are reviewed twice a year. If the application form for the program is closed, you can add your name to the waitlist to be notified when opens again.
Any individual who is 18 or older and passionate about building on AWS can apply to join the AWS Community Builders program. The application process is open to AWS technical builders worldwide, and all interested individuals are welcome and encouraged to apply. The AWS Community Builders program seeks applicants from all regions, demographics, and underrepresented communities.
During the application process you are going to be asked about a lot things about yourself, your experience and your involvement in the AWS Community.
You need to have a passion about AWS and like to share your knowledge. Whether that is about helping people to up-skill or help them solve technical problems they are facing.
While there is no single specific criterion for being accepted into the program, emphasis is placed on evidence and accuracy of technical content that helps other AWS-focused builders, such as blog posts, videos, open source contributions, and presentations. You need to be able to share links to showcase your code, your blog posts, your experience and the most important bit. Your passion for AWS. They are looking for people eager to share their excitement and passion for all things AWS.
“AWS enthusiasts and emerging thought leaders who are passionate about sharing knowledge and connecting with the technical community”
Benefits of becoming an AWS Community Builder
AWS Community Builders members will receive:
- Access to AWS product teams and information about new services and features via weekly webinars
- Learning from AWS subject matter experts on a variety of non-technical topics, including content creation and support for submitting CFPs and securing speaking engagements
- Opportunities to connect with and learn from like-minded developers
- Access to a fantastic Slack channel. You will be assigned to one channel but you can participate in all of others channels as well.
- AWS Promotional Credits and other helpful resources to support content creation and community-based work
- A few surprises!
And the most important. You are now a member of an amazing community!!!
What you have to do if you are selected
Celebrate!! Honestly, it feels amazing to become a member of AWS Community Builders. This a great opportunity to learn more and contribute at the same time. Personally i am in a constant learning journey. And i like giving back.
Then you need to think which is the best way for you to contribute and start sharing your knowledge and passion for AWS.
Here are some examples how you can get involved:
- Start your own blog or use a platform like dev.to or medium.com. Use your blogging skills to review services, share your experience from projects you have been involved, create step by step guides, etc. For example you can write a guide about how you automate deployments using Cloudformation/Terraform and Service Catalog to deploy products. How to use the Well Architected Framework (WAF) to secure and optimize your infrastructure, etc.
- If you had plans to become a YouTuber, this is your chance. You can now start your own channel to showcase demos, new AWS releases or talk about the AWS services. The type of content you can create and share is endless.
- Build things in the cloud. If you like writing code and automating things, keep doing it. Upload your code in Github/Gitlab and share it with the AWS community.
- Meetup Groups. If you enjoy speaking in public this a great opportunity. Identify the AWS topics you’re knowledgeable/experienced and discuss/showcase them in the relevant groups.
What if you don’t get accepted?
The program is competitive, which means that not everyone will be accepted on their first application. It could come as a disappointment but applications are open twice a year, so there will be more opportunities. But, DON’T give up. Instead use this time to prepare and better support your application for next time.
