I got an email a few days ago that made my day. I had been accepted into the Data track of the AWS Community Builders.
This initiative may just look like another badge for a lot of folks. But for me, it means a lot more: months of studying, trying new things, and sharing what I learn with other people.
After I told folks the news, a lot of them asked me the same thing: "What helped you get in?"
There is no one secret, to tell the truth. But one thing was really important: always sharing technical information. One of the best things I did on my trip was to write about my experiences with databases, cloud architectures, and AWS services on Dev.to.
In this article, I want to talk about what I accomplished, what made my application stand out, and what I would tell anyone who wishes to apply to the program in the future.
What is the AWS Community Builders Program?
Before diving into my journey, let's clarify what this program is. The AWS Community Builders program is designed to recognize and support technical community leaders who are passionate about sharing knowledge and connecting with others about AWS technologies.
It provides builders with technical resources, mentorship, $500 in AWS credits, exam vouchers, and a direct line to AWS product teams. It’s not just about what you know; it’s about how you help others learn.
Where I Started: My Background
At first, I focused mainly on getting AWS certifications. But after a while, I realized that passing an exam is really just the starting point. To truly understand the cloud, I needed hands-on experience—working through real database problems, experimenting, sometimes breaking things, and figuring out how they work.
Along the way, I also started documenting what I learned so others could benefit from the same experiences.
The Turning Point: Writing on Dev.to
At some point, I realized that simply learning new things wasn’t enough. I was spending hours troubleshooting systems, experimenting with databases, and figuring out how different AWS services worked together—but most of those lessons stayed in my own notes.
That’s when I started sharing what I learned on Dev.to.
Instead of writing simple notes for myself, I began turning real troubleshooting sessions into structured tutorials. Whenever I solved a problem, I tried to explain the process step by step—what went wrong, what I tried, and what finally worked.
Another place where I learned a lot was AWS re:Post. I started helping people who were facing real problems with AWS services. Sometimes the questions were about databases, sometimes about architecture or infrastructure.
When I encountered an interesting problem there, I didn’t just answer it and move on. I often recreated the scenario in AWS, tested different solutions, and then wrote a detailed article on Dev.to so that the solution could help more people facing the same issue.
Because I applied to the Data track of the AWS Community Builders, many of my articles naturally focused on data-related topics, such as:
- AWS DocumentDB — exploring how managed NoSQL databases work in AWS
- MongoDB migrations — the challenges of moving on-premise data to the cloud
- Database architecture — designing systems for high availability and scalability
- Cloud infrastructure — automating data workloads and deployments
Over time, something interesting happened. Writing about these topics didn’t just help others—it also helped me understand them much more deeply. Explaining a solution forces you to truly understand it.
One thing I learned along the way is this:
Don’t just write about what a service is. Write about the problem you solved with it.
That’s the kind of knowledge the cloud community values most.
Community Contribution & Engagement
A significant part of my journey consisted of writing articles; however, I quickly realized that being "constructive" wasn't just about producing content.
Being a member of a community is also an important element. Answering questions posted in online forums, participating in online discussions, and trying to help with challenging database configurations also gave me new experiences.
What Actually Matters When Applying?
If you are planning to apply for the next cohort, here are the four pillars that I believe made my application stand out:
I can't speak for the critics, but in my experience, four elements seem to be the most important:
Technical Information
High-quality blog posts, GitHub repositories, or films that indicate how deep your technical knowledge is and how much practical experience you have.
Consistency:
One article soon before the deadline won't do anything. If you post content regularly over a few months, it demonstrates you're actively participating.
Real-World Experience:
Your information is considerably more useful if you explain how you use AWS services to solve real problems, especially difficulties with infrastructure or data.
Community Impact:
Last but not least, your content should be useful to individuals. People talking about your ideas, leaving comments, and using them prove that your effort is helpful to the community.
My Advice for Aspiring Builders
If you’re thinking about applying to the AWS Community Builders, my biggest advice is simple: start sharing what you learn.
You don’t need to be an expert in everything. In fact, many of the articles I wrote started with something I had just learned while working on a real problem. Instead of keeping that knowledge to myself, I turned those experiences into tutorials and shared them with the community.
One thing that helped me a lot was writing about real challenges. Explaining how you solved a problem—whether it’s a database migration, an architecture decision, or a troubleshooting process—creates content that is actually useful for others.
Another important thing is consistency. You don’t need to publish something every week, but sharing your learning journey over time shows that you’re actively contributing to the ecosystem.
Finally, try to engage with the community whenever you can. Platforms like Dev.to or AWS re:Post are great places to both learn from others and help people solve real problems.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to get accepted into the program. The real value comes from learning in public and helping others along the way.
A New Beginning
Becoming an AWS Community Builder is a milestone, but more importantly, it’s a beginning. It’s an invitation to learn more, share more, and connect with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Are you planning to apply for the next round? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the process!
Top comments (1)
This is well detailed!
And you're right, if you're looking to becoming an AWS Community Builder, you need to start documenting your work. I had only three projects focused on AWS services and it was well constructed and here I am, an AWS Community Builder.
Good luck to everyone looking to apply ☺️💯