Unlocking success: Insider tips from an Elastic Gold Contributor with Tomasz Dzierżanowski
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Tomasz Dzierżanowski (Tom D) is the founder of toughcoding.net and is a passionate educator and experienced software engineer specializing in Elasticsearch. With years of experience in the field, he demystifies complex technical concepts through engaging YouTube tutorials, in-depth blog articles, and practical code examples, empowering developers of all levels to master Elasticsearch. Get to know more about his journey, and learn how you could also become an Elastic Gold Contributor.
1. Can you describe your journey to becoming a Gold Contributor in the Elastic Contributor Program? What motivated you to start, and what kept you going?
I started a blog at toughcoding.net in 2023, along with a YouTube channel. I posted multiple videos and articles, and some of them were related to Elasticsearch, so I contacted the Elastic team to propose that they include my articles in a newsletter that they were sending to people. I got an answer from Ully Sampaio, Community & DevRel program manager at Elastic, who told me about a new alternative for a newsletter called the Elastic Contribution Program.
It was fully aligned with my activity and interests, so I decided to post videos and articles for the program. At the same time, people started to appreciate my content by giving positive comments and likes, which became a great motivation to post on a regular basis.
2. What are some of the most valuable skills or knowledge you have gained from participating in the program? How have these benefited you in your personal or professional life?
It pushed me to explore undocumented corner cases. I also tried all the authentication methods in Elasticsearch. On a daily basis, I stick to certain solutions and do not necessarily have time to explore new things. To maintain my goal of posting weekly about Elastic, I needed to explore new topics for video tutorials and knowledge articles constantly.
4. What advice would you give to new members who are just starting out in the Elastic Contributor Program? Are there any strategies or resources that you found particularly helpful?
Consistency is the key. Establish a realistic publishing schedule that allows you to maintain quality and avoid burnout. Follow your own interests, so your content has a chance to be unique. Additionally, try to answer common problems so that you learn more and get quicker feedback.
5. How would you encourage someone who is considering joining the Elastic Contributor Program? What aspects of the program do you find most rewarding and worthwhile?
The most efficient way of learning is teaching. Therefore, if you start sharing knowledge, you are not only helping others but also deepening your own expertise. The Elastic Contribution Program is a great opportunity to find people like you who share a similar passion and skill set.
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