Reflecting on the Hackathon for Social Good

My first encounter with Women Who Code (WWCode) was at an event in Barcelona. Driven by curiosity, I attended and was profoundly impressed by the sheer number of participants, predominantly women. The atmosphere was electric, filled with smart, inspiring individuals; it was truly awe-inspiring. At that time, I had no coding experience. However, my passion for building things and conceptualizing innovative ideas meant it was only a matter of time before I delved into coding. Fast forward to September 2023, I had just completed my diploma project in software development. Merely five days later, I came across an announcement for a hackathon aimed at social good. I was immediately intrigued and decided to embrace the challenge!

Expectations and Aspirations for the Hackathon

Entering the hackathon, I was somewhat anxious due to my unfamiliarity with such events. I aimed to keep an open mind and set minimal expectations. Nonetheless, I was eager to engage in teamwork, a domain I felt I lacked experience in. Additionally, I'm passionate about projects that contribute positively to society; making a meaningful impact through my work is paramount to me. My goals were threefold: to experience teamwork, create a compelling project for my portfolio that aligns with my values and technical skill set, and to challenge myself.

Team Formation and Project Selection

The Slack community was instrumental. I introduced myself with a friendly post and spent time engaging with other participants, welcoming the diverse and talented women from around the globe. By messaging participants seeking team members, I eventually formed a five-person team. Each member brought unique skills and responsibilities to the table. We chose our project topic collectively after a thorough discovery phase.

Research and Development Process

We endeavored to mirror the process of developing a real product as closely as possible, utilizing tools like JIRA and FigJam. Alongside our project manager and scrum master, we meticulously planned each step. Our work was segmented into sprint phases: discovery, ideation, design & prototyping, and product delivery, although we had to forgo testing due to time constraints. During the discovery phase, we explored various challenges outlined in the brief, using chatbots to sketch out a rough map of where we were heading. The ideation phase involved an in-depth workshop to brainstorm potential solutions. Each member proposed several ideas, and after a vote, we rallied behind the most motivating concept—an Inclusive AI-Powered Mentorship Platform. This concept advanced to the prototyping stage, where we began design and development. Although we couldn't complete our MVP, we succeeded in crafting a detailed presentation and a series of videos that encapsulated our vision, our process, and the potential impact of our platform.

Challenges and Learnings

The intensity of the hackathon was the most challenging aspect for me. We aimed to deliver as much functionality as possible within the tight deadline. The opportunity to meet incredible people was invaluable. We were all about creating tech that makes a difference, but it was also about the journey—figuring things out together, learning a ton, and having a blast while we were at it. Every step, from dreaming up ideas to putting those first designs together, was a reminder of how cool it is to build something as a team, especially when it’s something that could change the game in education, empowerment, or helping our planet. The hackathon significantly boosted my confidence as a front-end developer and helped me combat imposter syndrome.

Advice for Hackathon Newbies

My advice is twofold: be prepared to work hard but also ensure you take time to rest. I highly recommend participating, whether you already have a project idea or not. Hackathons are fun, enriching experiences that offer extensive learning opportunities and the chance to meet like-minded individuals, many of whom may be at similar stages in their tech careers. Finding a community where you feel a sense of belonging and support is crucial.

A Sad Note

Unfortunately, Women Who Code no longer exists. Nonetheless, the impact it had on my journey and countless others remains invaluable.

A heartfelt thank you to all organizations that encourage women to enter tech. Your support and initiatives are invaluable in fostering diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the tech industry. Programs like these provide essential opportunities and resources, helping to break barriers and inspire the next generation of female tech leaders.

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