From Java Developer to Developer Advocate: Security, Communication, Mentorship, and Community #23

How do you build a career that combines deep technical expertise in Java with a passion for cybersecurity? What does it take to transition from a senior software engineer to a globally recognized Developer Advocate, community leader, and even a Captain in the Air Force Reserve?

In this episode of the Java Rockstar Career series, we sit down with Brian Vermeer, a Java Champion and Staff Developer Advocate at Snyk. Brian shares his incredible journey, from his early days rediscovering Java after a deep dive into functional programming to becoming a leading voice in the DevSecOps community.

Learn why he believes mentorship is essential at every career stage, how to navigate complex cross-cultural communication, and what security concepts every senior developer must master. Brian also breaks down what it takes to become a developer advocate, how to handle rejection when submitting talks, and why building a strong network is the ultimate career accelerator.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introducing Brian Vermeer: Java Champion, Dev Advocate & Air Force Captain
02:07 - Brian's Career Trajectory: From Functional Programming to Java
03:19 - The Critical Role of a Mentor for a Junior Developer
07:24 - How to Start Your Public Speaking Journey
10:34 - How to Handle Rejection from Conference CFPs (Call for Papers)
14:53 - Why Mentorship is Crucial at Every Career Stage
17:53 - The Art of Communication: Understanding How People Work and Connect
21:27 - Navigating Cross-Cultural Communication with "The Culture Map"
31:18 - Essential Security Concepts Every Senior Java Developer Must Master
38:18 - How to Transition from Senior Developer to Developer Advocate
41:32 - The Role of Luck vs. Action in Your Career Growth
44:09 - A Day in the Life of a Staff Developer Advocate at Snyk
51:50 - What is Snyk and How Does It Help Developers?
55:48 - What to Do When the Latest Library Version Has a Vulnerability
1:09:57 - A Practical Strategy to Make Your Java Applications Secure
1:13:40 - Lessons Learned from Running a Java User Group (JUG)
1:17:37 - The Experience of Being a Captain in the Royal Netherlands Air Force
1:24:17 - Top Book Recommendations for Developers' Career Growth
1:27:48 - The Final Career Lesson: The Power of Your Professional Network

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Brian Vermeer is a Staff Developer Advocate at Snyk, a Java Champion, and an experienced software engineer. He is a leader in the global Java community, with roles at the Virtual JUG, NLJUG, and the Foojay community platform. Combining his expertise in Java and functional programming with a passion for cybersecurity, Brian is a frequent speaker at international conferences. He also serves as a Captain and Executive Officer in the Royal Netherlands Air Force Reserve.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Book - The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: A guide to understanding and navigating cultural differences in communication.
Book - No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer: An inside look at the unique culture that drives Netflix's success.
Book - Effective Java by Joshua Bloch: A must-read book for any serious Java developer, filled with best practices.
Security Tool - Snyk: A developer security platform that helps you find and fix vulnerabilities in your code, dependencies, containers, and infrastructure as code.
P.S. Want to accelerate your career even faster? Join our free weekly live sessions for intermediate and senior Java developers. Register here: https://javachallengers.com/weekly-li...

To contact Brian, you can use the following:
Twitter: https://x.com/BrianVerm
LinkedIn:   / brianvermeer  

Also, to practice your skills to make applications secure, you can access the learning platform from Snyk here:
https://learn.snyk.io/user/learning-p...

If you're watching this, you're likely interested in career growth. If you're an intermediate or senior Java developer, I invite you to a free Career Diagnosis Session. During this session, I’ll help you identify the gaps in your career and outline actionable steps to achieve your goals.
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