4 Reasons to Attend a Hackathon
Hackathons are an excellent way to network, create, and learn concepts that will bolster your capabilities and career options. But before we can dive into why you should attend them, you’ll need a brief understanding of the meaning of a hackathon.
The term “Hackathon” is the combination of “Hack” and “Marathon”. Despite the name, most hackathons aren’t long intense coding competitions, but rather a hub of events and workshops where designers, engineers, and programmers come together to create something entirely new.
Whether you’re an experienced veteran or completely new to coding, here are 4 reasons why you should attend a hackathon.
It’s a fantastic learning opportunity.
Nowadays, hackathons usually make sure they have something for every skill level. The more established hackathons have tons of workshops, covering anything from an introduction to Python to implementing neural networks.
Workshops are an excellent way to learn the basics of a specific skill quickly, and workshop leaders are usually knowledgeable people with extensive experience on the subject. Often hackathon workshops provide kits or access to software that you can keep and tinker with!
The energy and atmosphere at a hackathon will not only get your creative juices flowing but the hands-on approach at these gatherings will help you learn faster. The best way to learn is by doing. What better way is there than to work together with a team in a set amount of time to solve a problem? (or just create something fun!).
Beyond programming, top hackathon project submissions often require the skills of designers, engineers, and people who can plan the business/finance side of things, so it’s a good place for many people from different backgrounds with a shared interest in technology to put their knowledge into action. Of course, such experiences can also prove valuable for your resume.
Great way to make friends and network.
Whether you go with a group of friends or solo, during these few days, you will have lots of opportunities to get to know people during food breaks, game events, or just by randomly working near each other. Being in a close environment where everyone is working on a common theme or towards a common goal serves as an excellent icebreaker.
If you’re in high school, meeting students in university can be immensely useful, especially if they’re studying at a school or field you are considering. Think about it, you could meet your next LinkedIn connection or future roommate through a hackathon!
Hackathons are often sponsored by many companies and organizations. The groups will usually send a representative to the event and they’ll hold a booth to answer questions and give out their branded swag (typically stickers, pens, and discounts).
Don’t feel shy to go up to them and ask questions, that’s what they are there for! Getting to know these people will often be a huge leg-up if you ever get interviewed at their company and sometimes they can even point you in the right direction for a high school or college internship.
Here are some companies that are promoting jobs/internships to hackers attending Major League Hacking hackathons. You never know when networking could come in handy in your academic or professional career.
Chance to win hackathon prizes!
Hackathon prizes come in all shapes and sizes - from Arduino kits to game consoles to even tablets and laptops! Although the better prizes are usually in a more competitive category, hackathons typically have many categories, each with different prizes.
Even if you’re a beginner, there are plenty of ways to get cool prizes at hackathons. Firstly, some hackathons are specifically designed for those with little to no programming experience. In these situations, you’ll be competing against other hackers on a level playing field and have a significantly higher chance of winning the top prizes!
Additionally, hackathons don’t just give out prizes for projects, but during contests and games throughout the event as well. Trying to make the tallest tower of cups, designing the best logo, or just winning a scavenger hunt (very popular in virtual hackathons) are just some of the ways you can win prizes without submitting a project. If you’re planning on hosting a hackathon, here are some fun prize ideas MLH came up with!
Easy Access
One of the best things about a hackathon is almost all of them are free! A hackathon is a well-organized event with free food and swag, awesome networking opportunities, and a chance to win great prizes, all for free. Who wouldn’t want to go?
There’s just one caveat: most hackathons will typically have an application process because they can only accommodate a certain number of people and want those who are attending to get the most out of the hackathon as possible.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual hackathons have dramatically risen in popularity. Although there is something lost from the in-person experience, virtual hackathons do have their own advantages. Since you don’t need to physically be there, you can participate in hackathons based in a different province, state, or country from the comfort of your home.
This can greatly increase the number of hackathons you can attend each year and can be a great way to meet people from all over the world. Also, since virtual hackathons don’t need to spend money on venues or food, they can invest a lot more into prizes and swag!
Struggling to balance life as a student? Check out this video about the 5 best apps to help you stay organized as a student!
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