Java Champion Elder Moraes Lessons to Level up Your Career!

Introduction

In a recent, insightful interview, Java Champion and Red Hat Advocate Elder Moraes shared invaluable advice for developers looking to elevate their careers. He covered everything from the importance of sharing knowledge to the power of mentorship and open source contribution. Here’s a breakdown of the key lessons:

1. Start Sharing What You Know

“My first step for this answer is sharing what you know,” Elder emphasizes. He encourages developers to move beyond being known only within their company. The key is to make your expertise accessible to the broader market. Sharing knowledge isn’t just about teaching; it’s also about learning more yourself. As Elder stated, “The one that teaches learns more than the other.” By explaining concepts to others, you reinforce your own understanding and uncover nuances you might have missed.

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone Has Something to Share: Even if you’re a beginner, you know more than someone who hasn’t started yet. “Everything that you learn, you can teach from the point that you just learn because I’m sure some people will benefit from it,” Elder noted.
• Find Your Voice: Your unique perspective is valuable. “When you do it on a daily basis…you try to create your voice,” Elder explains, noting that even when teaching the same topic, different people connect with different approaches.
• Start Small: Don’t aim for massive articles or videos right away. “You can start by…share in five minutes; hey, I just learned how to use this API; can I share with you?” he suggested, and also, “I can write two paragraphs on my LinkedIn, on my blog post or whatever.”

2. Build Habits, Don’t Rely on Motivation

Elder warns against relying solely on motivation. “There are things in life that we need to do, whether we have a motivation or not.” He encourages developers to focus on having a clear “why” behind their actions to stay on track. As Elder stated, “Above the motivation, you need to have a reason. What’s your dream? What do you want?”

Key Takeaways:

• Find Your ‘Why’: Having a strong reason for sharing or learning is more powerful than relying on fluctuating motivation.
• Start Small and Be Consistent: Don’t overwhelm yourself. “Start with babe steps,” he advises, emphasizing that consistent small actions lead to significant progress over time.
• Add 1% Daily: “If you can grow up 1% a day, in one year man you are flying,” he said, highlighting the power of incremental progress.

3. The Power of Reciprocity Through Knowledge Sharing

Sharing knowledge isn’t just about altruism; it builds an ecosystem of reciprocity. “When I share my knowledge with you… I create in you a kind of reciprocity,” Elder stated. This willingness to help others creates an environment where people are more likely to assist you in return.

Key Takeaways:

• Create an Ecosystem: When you share your knowledge, you build relationships, and those people will be willing to help you in the future.
• Teaching Reinforces Learning: “The process of helping others to learn something will make me to learn even more,” says Elder, underscoring that teaching solidifies your own understanding of the subject.
• Build Authority: Sharing knowledge positions you as an expert in your field.

4. Mentorship: Buying Time

“Paying a mentor is like buying time,” Elder stated. He emphasized that mentors can guide you, warn you about obstacles, and teach you shortcuts, accelerating your growth. He shares his experience with his first mentor, saying “it was like growing 15 years in three”.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Is Not a Replacement: While AI tools are powerful, they lack the human skill of understanding abstract feelings and giving tailored advice. “Until these days, I can only see humans having this kind of ability to look to this abstract feeling, pains, and so on and give advice that really would help,” says Elder.
• Mentors Provide Experience: “It’s something that comes from the experience, it does not come just by the full amount of content that is available,” he said, highlighting the value of lived experience.
• Invest in Mentorship: It’s worth the cost and more effective than courses.

5. The Importance of Community

“For me, community is something that if you are not involved with some kind of community you are really missing a lot of results for you and for your career,” Elder states. He highlights that community isn’t just about taking, but about giving.

Key Takeaways:

• Community Accelerates Growth: “Community will make you not only go further but also go faster,” Elder explained, noting you benefit from the knowledge and experience of the entire group.
• Give to Get: “The way of getting involved with a community is by giving your time, giving your help, giving your knowledge,” he advised.
• Join Relevant Groups: Find a community with shared desires and challenges, where everyone will work towards common goals.

6. Embrace Open Source

“Open source is the fastest way for you to work on the main companies around the world,” Elder says, highlighting how it can fast-track your career.

Key Takeaways:

• Get Noticed: “The first place that I look is on our committee on our committers list.” Elder mentioned, quoting hiring managers.
• Start with a Relevant Project: Don’t just choose any project; pick one that aligns with your interests and skills. “Pick one that is relevant for you,” he advised.
• Start Small, Be Consistent: Begin by fixing typos, documentation, or tackling “good first issues” to learn the codebase and processes.

7. Speak English

“English is the language of software engineering, period,” Elder emphasized. He noted that while there are great resources in other languages, English is the international language of software development.

Key Takeaways:

• Access Global Opportunities: A good understanding of English is important if you want an international career.
• Get Access to More Content: You’ll have access to more resources, solutions, and communities.
• Start in English: Focus on sharing and learning in English.

Final Thoughts

Elder Moraes’ interview is a treasure trove of actionable advice for developers. By sharing knowledge, building habits, engaging with communities, contributing to open source and embracing the English language, you can take charge of your career and achieve your goals. As Elder himself pointed out, “Sometimes [successful people] just didn’t stop.” Consistency, combined with a clear “why,” is the key to unlocking your potential as a developer.