Company
Date Published
Author
Melissa Gurney Greene
Word count
1237
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

As software developers consider new career paths, becoming a developer advocate or technical pre-sales professional can be a great way to use their technical skills to help others. However, this role requires strong public speaking and advocacy skills, which can be developed through practice and experience. The author, who has transitioned from various roles including help desk, implementation, systems architecture, and technical marketing, shares four steps to develop these skills: practicing at home by recording presentations and watching videos of oneself, practicing in front of people such as through karaoke or user groups, finding a mentor to collaborate with, and continuing to practice and ask for feedback. By following these steps, individuals can build confidence and stage presence, ultimately becoming effective presenters and advocates.