Please tell us about yourself, and where you are from.

I’m Emma Saroyan, a Developer Advocate from Yerevan, Armenia. Since graduating from university, I’ve been working with tech startups and actively contributing to open-source communities by mentoring, giving talks, and organising meetups.

How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies?

I love traveling, especially to the US and Europe, and immersing myself in new cultures and experiences.

Any exercises you do regularly?

I take long walks, in nature and around the city. Occasionally I also go swimming.

Any Social Media channels of yours we should be aware of?

I’m active on LinkedIn and Mastodon.

Best music, best song?

I like Charles Aznavour, especially “She”.

Best drink? Non-alcoholic or alcoholic?

I always order hot chocolate wherever I go, and I love making it at home too.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

My ideal weekend involves exploring new places on day trips with my friend, and spending quality time with my family.

What’s still on your bucket list?

Traveling to Japan, especially Tokyo, is still on my bucket list. I’ve heard it’s one of the most innovative countries in the world.

What is the best advice you ever got?

Think about the best people you want to be surrounded with, and be that person.

When did you start using PostgreSQL, and why?

I started using PostgreSQL in my first job, where I had to quickly set up a small database. PostgreSQL was the best choice because it’s free and open-source.

Do you remember which version of PostgreSQL you started with?

Version 13.

Have you studied at a university? If yes, was it related to computers? Did your study help you with your current job?

I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the American University of Armenia. During my degree I took a databases course where I learned how to design and use databases which was essential knowledge for my jobs after graduating.

How do you contribute to PostgreSQL?

As a developer advocate I contribute by building and nurturing the Postgres community. I am the founder and organizer of the PG Armenia User Group in Yerevan where we have monthly meetups and conferences. Find us on Meetup and LinkedIn.

Any contributions to PostgreSQL which do not involve writing code?

In addition to organizing the PG Armenia User Group, I serve on the PgUS Diversity Committee, and speak about Postgres at conferences.

Which skills are a must have for a PostgreSQL developer/user?

The ability to learn, collaborate, and share knowledge with the community through mentorships, blogging, speaking at conferences, and networking at meetups.

Which PostgreSQL conferences do you visit? Do you submit talks?

I have spoken at PGConf.NYC 2024 and PGConf.EU 2024. I’m looking forward to attending and speaking at future PGConfs, PGDays, and PUG meetups!

Do you think PostgreSQL has a high entry barrier?

In my experience, PostgreSQL is simple to set up and use so the barrier to entry for users is low. For developers looking to contribute to the PostgreSQL code, the quality standard of patches is high. But newcomers are always welcome and we have many experienced community members who are ready to help.

What is your advice for people who want to start PostgreSQL developing - as in, contributing to the project. Where and how should they start?

I recommend meeting with the PG community, through your local PUG, or attending a PG conference where you can introduce yourself to the maintainers and speak with users.

Do you think PostgreSQL will be here for many years in the future?

Yes, because PostgreSQL has a welcoming community with talented contributors and committed community members.

SQL versus NoSQL databases?

Of course SQL, especially PostgreSQL!

What other places do you hang out?

I use Telegram to keep in touch with the Postgres community, and Slack and Discord for other open source communities.

Which other Open Source projects are you involved or interested in?

I am a DISC Steering Committee member of NumFOCUS, an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing open-source scientific computing projects. I am also involved with the Python community.

Anything else you like to add?

I’d like to thank Andreas for this wonderful interview!

I’m always looking to connect with potential speakers for my PUG meetups. I’m co-organizing PGDay Armenia for 2025 this fall. Follow me on LinkedIn to be kept up to date, and reach out to me if you’re interested in speaking or getting involved!