From Quiet Contributor to Conference Speaker: How I Took the Leap

Introduction

When I first joined the Drupal community, I was content with quietly making small contributions—fixing bugs, participating in online forums, and helping out behind the scenes. I admired the talented speakers and panelists at DrupalCon and was inspired by their work, but I never imagined stepping into their shoes. Over time, though, something shifted. My confidence grew, and so did my role within the community.

Here’s how I transformed from a quiet contributor to a conference speaker—and how you can, too.

1. Start Small, Learn Big 🌱

My journey began with small, consistent contributions. I attended local meetups, tested modules, and joined discussions online. Each small action gave me a sense of accomplishment and helped me connect with the broader Drupal community.

What I learned along the way is that no contribution is too small. Every bug fix, every comment in a forum thread, and every module test added value—not just to the projects I worked on but also to my own knowledge and confidence.

This iterative growth mirrored the open-source ethos of Drupal: collaboration, learning, and giving back.

2. Find Your Voice 🎤

Finding my voice started with observation.

When I volunteered at DrupalCon Europe, I initially took on a shadower role, watching experienced volunteers coordinate and manage sessions. Through this, I gained a deeper understanding of how events like DrupalCon work.

One pivotal moment was becoming a session reviewer. This role pushed me to connect with Drupal professionals, share my ideas, and collaborate with industry leaders. The feedback I received was invaluable, and the encouragement I got from the community was transformative.

Soon, I was inspired to propose a session for a local Drupal conference. The confidence I had built by volunteering and participating made this leap possible.

3. Embrace the Opportunity 💪

When my first session was accepted, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. Public speaking was new to me, but I knew it was an essential step in my growth.

I poured weeks into preparing, practicing, and refining my presentation. With guidance and feedback from the Drupal community, I developed the skills I needed to share my insights effectively.

The experience was transformational. Not only did I deliver a talk I was proud of, but it also opened the door to more speaking opportunities—helping me grow as a professional and as a community member.

4. From Speaker to Panelist 🎙️

As I gained more speaking experience, I was invited to join a panel discussion at a regional Drupal event. Panel sessions challenged me to think on my feet and engage in real-time dialogue with other experts.

What I loved most about being a panelist was how it echoed the collaborative spirit of Drupal itself. Sharing experiences, learning from others, and contributing to broader conversations made it a uniquely rewarding experience.

5. The Journey Continues ✨

Looking back, my journey from a quiet contributor to a conference speaker and panelist has been of incredible personal and professional growth. It’s shown me that anyone can make an impact in the Drupal community—no matter where they start.

The key is to take small, intentional steps, find your voice, and embrace opportunities as they arise. The Drupal community is one of the most supportive and welcoming spaces, and there’s always room for new voices.

If you’re starting out like I once was, I encourage you to take that first step—whether it’s attending a local meetup, writing a blog post, or submitting a session proposal. The journey may surprise you, and the community will be there to support you every step of the way.

At Axelerant, we believe in empowering individuals to grow within the Drupal ecosystem. Whether you're a contributor, speaker, or aspiring leader, we are here to help.

Remember, the biggest leaps start with the smallest steps. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll find yourself speaking at DrupalCon, inspiring the next generation of community leaders! 🌍🚀