What's A Firebase Developer Advocate
Tags: webdev, javascript, beginners, podcast
Published: 2024-07-01 12:00:06


Original: https://codingcat.dev/podcast/what-is-a-firebase-developer-advocate

{% youtube https://youtu.be/Vkna7b_IUYU %}

## Introduction and Guest Introduction

* **Welcome and Context:** The hosts welcome viewers to the Coding Cat.dev podcast sponsored by Cloudinary and Algolia, noting fresh content post-Google I/O.
* **Guest Introduction:** Andrea, a developer relations engineer at Firebase, is introduced and provides an overview of her role.

## Andrea's Career Path

* **Educational Background:** Andrea shares her educational background in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a focus on CS.
* **Early Career:** She details her early work experience at Cisco focusing on networking, and at Yahoo working on frontend development using React Native.

## Transition to Google and Firebase

* **Joining Google:** Andrea discusses her joining Google five and a half years ago, starting with the Firebase console team.
* **Role Evolution:** She highlights her shift to different product teams within Firebase, focusing on remote config and predictions before moving into DevRel during COVID-19.

## Developer Relations Engineer Role

* **Role Responsibilities:** Andrea explains what it means to be a developer relations engineer, from interacting with developers to relaying feedback to the product team.
* **Day-to-Day Work:** She describes the nature of her work, including working on content creation, mentoring, and organizing training events.

## Google I/O and Firebase

* **Google I/O Planning:** The hosts discuss the stress and detailed planning that goes into preparing for Google I/O, from content creation to documentation.
* **Examples of Work:** Andrea provides specifics about her involvement, like mentoring engineers and reviewing documentation for new product releases.

## Conferences and Presentations

* **Conference Experience:** Andrea explains the preparation involved in giving presentations at conferences and the difference between virtual and in-person experiences.
* **Content Creation:** Discusses the challenges and joys of creating new technical content, particularly in terms of introducing new features like Firebase Data Connect.

## Firebase Data Connect

* **Product Overview:** An introduction to Firebase Data Connect, a new SQL database feature, which simplifies database queries through schema creation.
* **Content Involvement:** Andrea's role in working with the product team to create educational materials and blog posts about utilizing Data Connect.

## Interacting with the Community

* **Community Engagement:** The importance of events like North America Connect for gathering feedback and engaging directly with Firebase users.
* **Feedback Importance:** Highlights the value of receiving direct user feedback to improve Firebase products.

## Personal Enjoyment in DevRel

* **Interactions and Feedback:** Andrea emphasizes her passion for interacting with developers and other teams, finding it the most rewarding part of her role.
* **Content Creation:** She also enjoys the creative aspects of content creation, from writing to video production.

## Challenges and AI in DevRel

* **Workload and AI:** Discusses the potential use of AI to assist in task management but stresses maintaining personal touch and creativity in content creation.
* **Future Considerations:** Reflects on how AI could help streamline certain aspects of her work without losing the human element.

## Highlights of Google I/O Experience

* **Personal Highlights:** Andrea fondly recalls meeting her colleagues and other attendees in person, underscoring the value of in-person interactions.
* **Event Excitement:** Mentions specific moments of excitement, such as the unveiling of new Firebase features and team engagements.