I have been recently recognized as a Google Developer Expert (GDE) on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) technologies.

First of all, what is a GDE?
It is a person who does not work at Google, and who is recognized for his activity and expertise on a Google technology. So it’s a recognition on a technical expertise and on an activity in the community on the subject.

How did it happen for me?

For some time, I have been a Google Cloud referent for the Quarkus framework. I’m the one who created and maintains the Google Cloud Functions as well as a set of community extensions on the Google Cloud Services (Storage, Pub/Sub, BigQuery, …). For the development and maintenance of these extensions, I work in collaboration with the development team of Google Cloud libraries.

In August, my contact in the Google Cloud Libraries team, nominated me for a Google Open Source Peer Bonus award. A recognition of my work in OpenSource on Google technologies, and my involvement in the community. When I discussed this with him, I told him how important the recognition aspect of the award is for me (more than the money that goes with it): even if my company, Zenika, gives me a few days from time to time to participate in OpenSource, it is most often a personal investment of time and energy. For me, recognition is the best salary ;). I then told him about the GDE program, and he proposed, with great pleasure, to nominate and support me in the program.

So, after being proposed by a Googler, here I am in the GDE selection process, which has three steps:

• Step 1: the creation of a profile in a dedicated platform, with details of the different contributions and their impacts: article writings, talks in meetups and conferences, OpenSource participations, … After submission of the profile, someone will evaluate it, and, if it is relevant, we move on.
• Step 2: Interview with a member of the GDE community. For me, this was the most important and interesting step. An interview by a peer, to understand the motivations behind my application, the impact I have on Google technologies in the community, and my fit with the program. A nice and rewarding exchange with a GDE in my geographic area.
• Step 3: interview with a Googler: quick interview with a Google employee member of the program for a final validation of my profile.

More information about the GDE program on the official website: Experts Program.

And on August 30th I officially become GDE!

Being a GDE brings benefits and some duties.

Among the benefits:

• Being recognized as an expert, for me on GCP technologies. This gives weight on the topic if needed.
• Having access to a community of nearly 1000 experts around the world, and having dedicated contacts at Google.
• Having various event opportunities: GDG, DevFest, blogging, mentoring, …
• Having access to specific Google Groups on the technology in question: for me GCP insiders, but I can’t tell you more, professional secrecy required ;).

And as duties? not much actually. I am not affiliated with Google in any way, the only thing is that I have to report in a dedicated platform what I do as a GDE. Every year, my status will be reviewed according to what I report on this platform, so, according to my activity in the community. The goal is for GDEs to remain active experts on the subject.

Let’s talk about it next year 😉