Hackathons:
Hackathons – these mysterious tech gatherings had always intrigued me, but I was hesitant to participate. The fear of being the least experienced, without a university degree, held me back. However, curiosity and a desire to connect with like-minded individuals drove me to take the plunge. Little did I know that this journey would be a rollercoaster of motivation, the hackathon itself, and invaluable lessons learned.
Motivation: The Drive to Connect
My motivation to attend my first hackathon was simple yet powerful. I wanted to connect with fellow tech enthusiasts, to discover kindred spirits who shared my passion for all things related to technology. The idea of being part of a community where we could learn from one another and collaborate on exciting projects filled me with anticipation and eagerness. The prospect of working side by side with like-minded individuals was a powerful motivator that spurred me to take the plunge into the hackathon world.
The Hackathon Unveiled: A Surprising Encounter
When I walked into the hackathon venue, I was in for a pleasant surprise. It turned out that my initial concerns were completely unfounded. This wasn’t a gathering of tech wizards armed with fancy degrees; it was a diverse group of people, including many who had never written a line of code before. This unexpected twist of fate meant that I became the go-to person for coding expertise, all set to play a pivotal role in our team’s endeavours.
As I began to understand the situation better, I felt a blend of happiness and duty. I saw the chance not just to use my coding skills but also to teach my teammates who were new to this. It was an opportunity to learn together, help one another, and make something important despite our different experiences. This unexpected change made our hackathon adventure even more special, creating a stronger sense of teamwork and meaning.
Creating Amidst Ambitious Goals
The hackathon’s agenda was undeniably ambitious, and it felt like we had a mountain to climb in the limited time we had. But that didn’t deter us. We huddled together as a team and, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose, we dove headfirst into the challenge. We were aware that crafting something truly impactful might be an uphill battle, but our commitment and passion propelled us forward, undeterred by the obstacles that lay ahead.
With each passing moment, we learned, experimented, and made progress. There were moments of frustration, yes, but those were quickly overshadowed by the exhilaration of our collective effort. It was a thrilling journey where every small step forward felt like a significant victory.
No Trophy, No Problem: The True Win
As the hackathon neared its conclusion, we could look back with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that we had given it our all. While we may not have claimed any top prize, the experience itself was the true reward. It was a reminder that in the face of ambitious goals and tight deadlines, determination, teamwork, and a shared purpose can lead to extraordinary results.
The hackathon’s motto, “Flern,” perfectly encapsulated my journey. I embarked on this adventure with a thirst for knowledge, learning as I went along, and forming connections with fellow enthusiasts who shared my passion. Participating in my first hackathon allowed me to transcend my initial fears, engage with remarkable individuals from diverse backgrounds, and contribute my coding skills to a project that, although not an award-winner, filled me with pride. Above all, it reinforced the idea that in the world of technology, it’s not about your background or the accolades you collect; it’s the journey of learning, growing, and connecting with like-minded souls that truly counts.
You can reach Suan at:
www.suanchoi.dev