From contributor to Elastician: João Neto

Every decision and inaction shapes our future. This guiding principle, coupled with my deep community engagement and consistent contributions, formed the foundation of my technical expertise. The knowledge and skills gained and shared through these experiences were instrumental in my successful transition to becoming an Elastician. 

My interactions within the community and the technical skills I developed directly prepared me for this position, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship where my contributions fostered community growth, and in turn, paved my path to Elastic.

I believe that networking was highly important in my career because, believe me, the biggest opportunities I have had as an Elastic specialist have come from people who knew me and knew the work I did within the community. And in 2024, I received the “Elastic Excellence Award Certificate” as a runner-up for Certified Professional of the Year 2023.

I believe my collaboration with major Elastic partners and my extensive technical knowledge were key factors in my approval for Elastic's selection process.

The transition did not happen overnight; I applied about three times before being approved. However, I always trusted in God's plan, believing that my approval came at the right time and for the right role. I feel very fulfilled working as a customer architect and was recognized as the Customer Architect Rookie of the Year at SKO 2025. With each new client interaction and each internal meeting, I feel like I am part of the team and an important person who can contribute to Elastic's growth, not just another number within the company. In my team, everyone has an active voice; we innovate, discuss problems to find solutions, and avoid blaming others.

Since I first became interested in Elastic's solutions, I have consistently received support from Elasticians. I want to especially acknowledge Ully Sampaio, Priscilla Parodi, and Kelly Costa, as they have been instrumental in my journey. Becoming a Community Organizer in 2019 significantly increased my visibility in the market and allowed Elastic to help shape me into the professional I am today.

One aspect I have always admired about Elastic is the commitment to providing events for the community, such as Meetups, that are designed solely for the purpose of sharing knowledge. The most remarkable thing is that these events truly focus on the community; they are not sales events. Instead, they are enjoyable gatherings featuring swag, games, and ample networking opportunities, all while effectively showcasing our solutions!

First of all, never give up! This journey won't be easy; it requires hard work, extensive studying, and careful planning, but it's worth it! I feel completely fulfilled working here.

Secondly, it's important to show the people close to you how significant this dream is to you. I believe I wouldn't have achieved this goal in my life without the support of my family and friends, especially my wife and my mom.

Last but not least, don’t listen to those who doubt your dreams. You may encounter people who say negative things about your aspirations or try to convince you otherwise. I hope this doesn't happen to you, but if it does, as it did to me, my advice is to put a smile on your face and say: “Thank you for your advice; I appreciate it, but this is my dream. And I want to pursue it for myself.”

If João's journey inspired you, join our Contributor Program and get recognized for your achievements. 

Do you also dream of working at Elastic? Check out open roles.