Open Source Stories: Gabrielle, Node.js Evangelist @ Microsoft
Gabrielle Crevecoeur, Open Source Developer Evangelist at Microsoft, talks about getting into Node.js, working with Arduinos and how Myspace was her first introduction to coding.
What do you do at Microsoft?
I am currently at open source developer evangelist. My focus as a developer evangelist is Node.js, and I have decided to see what you can do with Node.js and hardware versus sticking with web design. I figured it’s a new way to bring together hardware and coding — it’s something I’ve never done before I was really into it.
What exactly is a developer evangelist?
A developer evangelist is someone who builds cool things — because we do cool things — and we show people the cool things that we build. We’re all about creating a sense of technology in the community — and not just Microsoft technology. It could be anything, and we’re here to show people this is what technology can do for you. You don’t have to use Microsoft technology, but here’s something cool you can do with us.
Did you learn Node.js during school?
I’ve always done JavaScript. I learned during school and also taught myself through internships. But I didn’t learn Node.js itself until I started working.
How did you ramp up so quickly on Node.js?
There’s a book called “Node.js in Action,” so I read that book. I would do a lot of tutorials online and it’s all about practice. Eventually you have to start building stuff — the more you build something, the more that things make sense to you. That was really it — a lot of practice.
Was there anyone that influenced your career path when you were growing up?
I didn’t have a mentor or anyone that pushed me towards computer science. It all started in sixth grade and my best friend showed me a webpage she had built — that webpage was Myspace. So I made a Myspace page too. Eventually, I wanted to have the coolest profile out of everybody, so I started tweaking the code on my page. So my first introduction to coding was Myspace. At the time, I didn’t think of it as a job — I didn’t know it was something you could turn into a career. My mom had always told me I was really good with computer, but I didn’t want to go into the field… at first. It wasn’t until I got to college that I decided to take programming as an elective, and from there, I fell back in love with it and decided to make it my career.
Since you’ve been involved with Node.js, what have you discovered about open source?
What I really like about open source is more so the community than anything else. It’s so easy to reach out to the open source community and get help anywhere. I’ve met some great people and there are a million and one things that people are doing in open source that you can incorporate into your own projects. And when you need help, everybody posts on GitHub, and you can reach out to anyone. People can be so helpful in open source. I’ve never seen anything so open — literally — to different ideas of what you can do with their work. It’s awesome.
It’s so easy to reach out to the open source community and get help anywhere. I’ve met some great people and there are a million and one things that people are doing in open source that you can incorporate into your own projects.
As a developer, the learning never ends. What are some things you’ve learned so far from Node.js?
I’m learning that there are a ton of different frameworks for using Node.js — with Arduinos and Raspberry Pis for different projects. The hardware portion can be so hard… but it’s different. My Arduino project, for example — the basis of it is Node. but it does have a little bit of C++ in it. It’s really interesting how much knowledge you can gain from dealing with hardware because it’s almost endless. Hardware, at the point, isn’t just software anymore. You’re doing electrical engineering with this new concept. You’re brought into a whole different world. It’s exciting, because I feel like it’s a great way to connect developers with hardware — because we don’t always have the opportunity to do so.
Last but not least… how did you get such an awesome job?
I didn’t find the role — it found me. A recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn and I thought to myself if she had reached out to the right person. I didn’t even know what a developer evangelist was at the time. When I did get around to my interview and got to learning more about developer evangelism, I grew to be really interested in the position. The day before the recruiter reached out to me, Microsoft was at the job fair at my school. I didn’t even try because I didn’t think I would get it. And then the next day the recruiter reached out. I guess that was fate — I should’ve known right then.
Quick Bytes
Favorite Coding Environment & Tools: Visual Studio Code and JavaScript
Favorite Late-Night Coding Snack: Apples at home, Hi-Chews at the office
Favorite Swag: Microsoft hoodie pillows!
Role Models: Maria Naggaga Nakanwagi, Paul De Carlo, Jeremy Foster, Stacey Mulcahy, Jennifer Marsman
You can find Gabrielle on Twitter as well as at the upcoming OSCON conference. Her personal website is at: www.nowayshecodes.com/.
