Julia Furst, Global Technologist at Veeam and CNCF Ambassador, is making waves in the cloud-native world by championing mentorship and accessible learning pathways. In just two years, Julia transitioned from a marketing background to technology, understanding the importance of practical guidance in a complex ecosystem. At KubeCon, she’s eager to connect with community members and share insights into the CNCF landscape’s many entry points.
Julia also brings a unique focus on open-source licensing, a critical area for cloud-native contributors who may overlook its importance. Her background in law allows her to provide a fresh perspective on how licensing impacts project contributions and compliance.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Entry points for newcomers: Documentation and localization contributions are accessible ways to start with open source.
- Project exploration tips: Focus on one project at a time, starting with basics like Minikube for Kubernetes.
- Engaging with maintainers: Use community Slack channels to ask questions and get direct guidance.
- Learning through practice: Building small projects and debugging are essential to hands-on learning.
- Understanding open-source licensing: Knowledge of licensing is valuable for long-term contributors and can minimize compliance risks.
This episode is sponsored by OVHcloud.
Bart
In this episode of The Landscape, I spoke with Julia First Morgado, one of the CNCF’s most active ambassadors and a content creator in the cloud-native ecosystem. Julia devotes her time to mentoring others in cloud-native, and her enthusiasm for learning is contagious. This podcast is brought to you by OVHcloud, the global cloud provider offering industry-leading performance and cost-effective solutions, from managed Kubernetes to private registries. Now, let’s dive into the conversation with Julia.
Julia
My name is Julia First Morgado, and I’m a Global Technologist at Veeam, where we focus on backup solutions. I’m also a CNCF Ambassador and an AWS Container Hero. I participate in other programs, including Google Women Techmakers and Girl Code. I mentor people regularly, and I transitioned into tech from a non-technical background just two years ago. I used to work in marketing and got into tech through a coding bootcamp. If anyone’s interested, there’s a talk on YouTube where I discuss my journey. It wasn’t easy, but if you’re watching and want to get into tech, it’s possible.
Bart
What’s your focus as a CNCF Ambassador? Some people are maintainers, while others create content. What do you do?
Julia
I think I inspire people—especially beginners and those just starting out in cloud-native. I show them that it’s possible to get involved, whether through open-source contributions, documentation, or localization. I often connect beginners with others in the community who can mentor them. I also create content that explains cloud-native technologies in simpler terms, so they’re easier to understand.
Bart
Which projects are you most excited about in the CNCF landscape?
Julia
Kubernetes is one I work with the most. I’ve also started learning more about Argo CD and Backstage. In my role, I don’t need to use these open-source projects, but I explore them in my personal time. I like to see how they help companies, create small projects with them, and debug issues as I go—it’s a great way to learn. If I have questions, I’ll ask in Slack channels, as engaging with maintainers can lead to a lot of growth.
Bart
With over 200 projects in the CNCF landscape, it can feel overwhelming. What’s your approach for exploring new projects? Do you listen to podcasts or watch videos?
Julia
I’m lucky to have a friend and CNCF Ambassador, Mauricio Latimer, who has been mentoring me. He started me off with Kubernetes basics, like Minikube, and helped me build from there. It’s important to remember that cloud-native is a marathon, not a sprint. I’d recommend finding someone knowledgeable to guide you or give you tips. Community support is invaluable, and blogs or YouTube can also be helpful.
Bart
There’s so much happening in this space. What trends are you following most closely?
Julia
I’m interested in open-source licensing. Not many people know this, but I went to law school, so I’m exploring how my legal background can connect with tech. Open-source licensing is complex, and many lawyers focus on it, so I’m diving into that. With so much to learn, though, it’s important to take it slow to avoid burnout.
Bart
If people want to reach out to you, what’s the best way?
Julia
They can connect with me on social media or find my email on my website. I’m always happy to mentor and answer questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Bart
Thank you, Julia! Enjoy the rest of your time at KubeCon.