Want to Connect with Expert Software Engineers Worldwide? Tips from Yolande!

Hey everyone,

During a recent insightful chat that Bruno hosted with the fantastic Yolande Poirier, we got some really valuable advice on building a strong professional network, especially crucial if you’re aiming for an international career as a software engineer. I wanted to share some key takeaways that resonated with me.

One of Yolande’s major points was to get to know the community managers within the software development technologies you use. Think of them as central figures in communities around languages, frameworks, and tools. As Yolande put it, “You may meet community manager at conference,” and these folks can be amazing resources! They often highlight interesting projects, articles, and contributors on their company’s platforms, like websites and blogs – a great way to get your work seen. Plus, they frequently run champion programs that can connect you with other talented engineers. So, start identifying who these community managers are in your tech stack and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself.

Yolande also emphasized finding your “influencers” in the software engineering world. But don’t just focus on the most famous names. She explained that an “influencer can mean anybody who can influence, that has content that can be relevant to others in the community.” Your mission? Discover what these developers, architects, and thought leaders are sharing and start engaging with their content.

Here’s a pro tip Yolande shared: when you see engineers presenting at online meetups or conferences, connect with them afterwards! “As speakers are more open to connecting at that time,” she mentioned. It’s a fantastic opportunity to grow your network with like-minded individuals.

So, your takeaway for this week? Start researching community managers and influential software engineers in your areas of interest. A simple, genuine connection can really open doors in your international career journey!

Best,

Pedro Cavalero