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What Is a Developer Advocate?

A developer advocate is a new breed of a technical evangelist. While the role of a traditional evangelist has been around for many years, the developer advocate is specifically focused on developers and their needs.

As the world of technology continues to evolve, companies are starting to see the value in having someone who can act as a liaison between developers and the company itself. So what exactly does a developer advocate do? And more importantly, what qualities does the ideal candidate possess?

What Is a Developer Advocate?

A developer advocate is a technical evangelist with a focus on developers. They are responsible for promoting a company’s products or services to the developer community and ensuring that developers have a positive experience with the company’s offerings.

What More Does a Developer Advocate Do?

Many businesses are starting to see the value in having someone who can act as a liaison between developers and the company itself. In some cases, you might also be involved in developing new features or products based on feedback from the developer community.

A developer advocate might also be responsible for creating and maintaining documentation, samples, and other resources that developers can use to learn about and use the company’s products or services.

What Are the Qualities of an Ideal Developer Advocate?

The ideal candidate for a developer advocate role possesses many qualities. Here are ten of the most important:

  • Excellent communication skills: Must be able to clearly and concisely communicate complex ideas to a non-technical audience.
  • A passion for technology: Genuinely excited about the products or services they are promoting.
  • An ability to build relationships: A developer advocate must be able to build strong relationships with both developers and colleagues.
  • A willingness to learn: Open to learning new technologies and concepts.
  • A desire to help others: Motivated by a desire to help others succeed.
  • Patience. When dealing with difficult situations and people patience is a virtue.
  • A sense of humor. Must be able to laugh at themselves and the situation, even when things are stressful.
  • Thick skin: Able to handle criticism and rejection.
  • Flexibility and adaptability: The world of technology is constantly changing, and a developer advocate must be able to change with it.
  • Knowledgeable about the latest trends in technology. 
  • Able to build relationships easily with people from all walks of life.
  • Self-motivated and driven: A developer advocate must be able to work independently with little supervision.
  • Possess a “growth mindset”: A developer advocate is always looking for ways to improve their skill set and grow in their role.

How To Become a Developer Advocate

Pursuing a career as a developer advocate can be very rewarding. Not only will you get to work with some of the latest technologies, but you’ll also have the opportunity to build relationships with people from all over the world. If you have what it takes to become an ideal candidate for this role, then don’t hesitate to pursue it.

Schooling Needed for This Occupation

A degree in computer science is not always necessary, but it will give you a solid foundation of knowledge to work with. In some cases, a company might be willing to train you on the specific technologies that they use.

However, if you want to increase your chances of landing a developer advocate job, then getting a degree or certification in computer science is always recommended. Some companies may also require training on their specific technologies however having a degree or certification from an accredited university will help tremendously.

What Developer Advocates Earn

The average salary for a developer advocate is $120,000 per year. However, salaries can range from $80,000 to $200,000 per year depending on experience and location.

Where Developer Advocates Work

Developer advocates typically work in the office but some companies offer remote positions as well. Keep in mind that working remotely might limit your opportunities to attend conferences and meetups which are often essential for networking purposes.

Are You the Ideal Candidate?

If you’re interested in becoming a developer advocate, the first step is to assess whether you have the qualities that are necessary for success in this role. If you think you have what it takes, then don’t hesitate to pursue a career in this exciting and growing field.

The ideal candidate for this role possesses many qualities, but some of the most important are excellent communication skills, strong technical background, and the ability to speak the language of both developers and non-developers alike.

In Closing.

There you have it! Everything you need to know about developer advocates including what they do, what qualities they possess, and how to become one yourself. If you’re passionate about technology and helping others then this just might be the perfect career path for you.

So what are you waiting for? Start pursuing your dream job today! Check out our job board for the latest developer advocate openings. And be sure to check back often as new positions are added daily.