How to Become an AWS Community Builder
Tags: aws, community, howto
Published: 2022-01-12 07:59:35

## Table of Contents
- [Introduction](#introduction)
- [Application Process](#application-process)
- [Benefits of the Program](#benefits-of-the-program)
- [What is the Criteria](#what-is-the-criteria)
- [Conclusion](#conclusion)
- [References](#references)

## Introduction
AWS has started a community builder program from 2020. It is a great way to show our community contribution skills around AWS and it's services.

Community contributions and willingness to share knowledge back to the community is the key to get chosen for the AWS community builder program.

I felt this is the right time to share my views about the program, as the application process has just started and hence writing this blog post. 

So In this article, I want to discuss the process and what it takes to make a successful community builder application. So it may help people who are really interested in enrolling for the program.


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## Application Process
Enroll yourself in the waiting list during the time when the application process is not open. So once the application process opens, you get an email to apply for the program
Visit the [AWS community Builder](https://aws.amazon.com/developer/community/community-builders/) page to enroll yourself.

Also go through the FAQs in the Community Builder Page to get to know more about it.

If you're already decided to apply [visit the page here](https://amazonmr.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b89ma6QvizVPjWC?=CB2022-AWS) to proceed.

Applications will be reviewed twice a year, and applicants who are accepted into the program will be invited on a twice-yearly basis. 

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## Benefits of the Program
- Access to AWS product teams and information about new services and features
- Mentorship from AWS subject matter experts on a variety of topics
- AWS Promotional Credits and other helpful resources to support content creation
- Opportunities to connect with and learn from like-minded developers
- We get to know various community builders across the world through slack.
- Special access to AWS virtual conference sessions
- 500 USD AWS account credit
- Swag kit
- Cloudy Academy yearly access
- AWS certification voucher

If you ask me about *_my favourite benefit_*, then I would choose the slack connect with AWS SMEs, certification voucher and access to special virtual conferences about AWS services, which may not be available for the general public. Also happy for the special Swag Kit.

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## What is the Criteria 
This program is *_for those who are willing to share knowledge back to the community_* via blog posts, developer conferences, YouTube videos and GitHub repositories useful to the community.
Also we have to note that, our contributions related to anything on Cloud (not a specific provider) and DevOps technology can be shared in the application

As clearly stated in the Community builder page
>
- While there is no single specific criterion for being accepted into the program, applications will generally be reviewed for evidence and accuracy of technical content, such as blog posts, open source contributions, and presentations;
- online knowledge sharing, such as posts to AWS Forums, Stack Overflow, Reddit, and related Slack channels; and community organization efforts, such as hosting AWS User Groups, Meetups, and other community-based events.

As part of the application process last year, I've shared the below contributions,
- Blogs I wrote on [dev.to/chefgs](https://dev.to/chefgs)
- [GitHub contributions](https://github.com/chefgs) for Cloud related solutions 

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## Conclusion
Hope this blog post helped to understand how to make a successful community builder application.
DM me on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/saravanan-gnanaguru-1941a919/) If you have any clarification regarding the process.

Happy Applying and All the best!!

## References 
- [AWS Community Builder Page](https://aws.amazon.com/developer/community/community-builders/)
- Key People from AWS
  - [Jason Dunn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrobertdunn/) - AWS Community Builders Program Manager
  - [Shafraz Rahim](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shafrazrahim/) - Developer Community Program Manager, APJ