What can you learn from participating in hackathons for software engineering?

The best way to learn is to collaborate. You might finish dozens of course, and yet find it challenging to work in real-time which is why it is super important to get that real-time experience and simply get better.

You can pair with senior engineers to learn how to write top-down code, instead of bottom-up practiced by junior engineers where they hack parts of the solution and then try to stitch it all together later. The problem with bottom up coding is you may end up with mismatching parts that won't fit together. Same as what happens with puzzles. Instead in top-down, you start with design based on what your goal and constraints are. Then hash out all the edge cases, write tests to test these edge cases. Then review your design with a senior engineer. Then figure out what subset to implement in an MVP and write method signatures and interfaces classes first. Then implement test and ship. Then add the extensions and ship incremental improvements.

Participating in hackathons accelerates software skills. These competitions teach rapid problem-solving, foster teamwork, and spark innovation. Exposure to new technologies enhances adaptability, while honing communication skills and networking opportunities extend beyond coding prowess. Join the next hackathon to elevate your software engineering mastery.

Presenting a developed project in a hackathon to judges or peers during a hackathon hones presentation and pitching skills by articulating one's ideas, showcasing their work, and effectively communicating the value of their solution.

Hackathon are an opportunity to : Embrace a new team and work with them Find a role that represents you the most within a team Scale your teamwork and communication skills because not only that you are in a new team, but this team will only last 24 hours haha Improve your time management because you have a short deadline with a team that you barley know

With working remotely most of the time, if you can put yourself in the position where you're face-to-face with unfamiliar people or people you don't usually work with, I'd say jump at it. There is nothing more fulfilling then throwing yourself in the deep end and connecting with complete strangers. Observe other peoples solutions and connect with them, they probably share same interests and a Hackathon can be a great ice breaker. Another good thing here is the effort that goes in can have rewards for your long term portfolio, making this the best thing for beginners or recent grads.

Yes! The creativity and innovation, such an integral part of your involvement. From my experience here the highlight of hackathons is the creative process: brainstorming, idea generation, and skill assessment are crucial. The right idea contributes to 80% of success. Some good tips: - Know your team's skills to choose the right project scope, but avoid attempting the impossible. - Developing complex solutions in just two days isn't realistic or believable (no one expects you to, well they shouldn't it's just not realistic).

They're all about fun, collaboration and learning which should be your main takeaways. Whether or not you and your team completed, don't hesitate to showcase your work! Sharing can lead to valuable feedback, recognition from your hackathon involvement, and is a great chance to gain fresh insights through reflecting on your experience. Reflecting on decisions, team discussions and achievements post hackathon, to me, is one of the most valuable parts.

I'd probably say here that you shouldn't hesitate in raising questions early on. While perseverance is admirable, remember that hackathons come with time constraints, so it's not the ideal moment to stubbornly tackle every challenge solo. Many hackathons offer dedicated mentors, and your teammates are also great resources to tap into for help and insights.