A year to my Technical Talks - reflections and my learnings

My journey as a Technical Speaker at various Technical Community Events.

As I look back on the past year, it's hard to believe how far this journey of giving technical talks has taken me. From the nervous excitement of my first talk to the confidence gained after a year of sharing insights, it's been a remarkable experience. Before diving into the highlights and lessons learned, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the audiences, conference and meetup organizers, and fellow speakers who have been part of this incredible journey. In this post, I'll take you through the highlights of talks I've given over the past year, sharing the challenges, memorable moments, and key takeaways. Additionally, I'll reflect on the broader lessons and personal growth in the 'My Learnings' section.

I have given talks at the following events: - AWS Community Day Aurangabad, AWS User Group Pune Meetup, AWS Cloud Club Student Symposium Pune, null Pune Security Meetup, Cloudnloud Tech Community and AWS User Group Bangalore, SecurityBoat’s SB Meetup, SecConf 2023 by Thoughtworks, Amity University Noida, First-year and Third Year Induction Program. Also, I received an invitation to speak at AWS Community Day Philippines, from AWS User Group Philippines.

Let's dive in!

SecurityBoat’s SB Meetup?

Date: 27 November, 2023

Kicking off my journey at SecurityBoat ’s SB Meetup, I delved into AWS Security, exploring the incident response. Addressing the intricacies, I encountered a unique challenge, as it was my first talk. Navigating through this hurdle was a learning experience in itself. Thank you Ninad Mathpati Sir for his guidance and for giving me this opportunity and Gaurav Ahire Sir and Varad Sir for their support. It was a turning point and my journey to technical speaking started.?

Cloud Computing Club - MIT ADTU?

Date: 29 March 2023

After I became AWS Cloud Captain, I took the stage at my University for my second talk, delving into the fundamentals of AWS and Cloud Native Security. Thanks to Rajani Sajjan Mam and our incredible team at Cloud Computing Club for orchestrating such a seamless event.

Techies Talk - Virtual Meetup?

Date: 13 May, 2023

At the 'Techies Talk' event hosted by the Cloudnloud Tech Community and AWS Data User Group Bangalore, I had the privilege to present my talk. The audience, their enthusiasm, and active participation created a lively atmosphere, contributing to the success of the Meetup. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the 'Techies Talk' event, especially Vijayalakshmi Bakthavachalam Ma’am and the dedicated team at Cloudnloud Tech Community and AWS Data User Group Bangalore.

Null Pune Security Meetup?

Date: 24 June, 2023

My fourth talk took place at the Null Security Meetup, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers, Dev Dua Sir and Ali Sir, and the entire team Null Pune and Payatu for making this event possible. Their dedication and effort in organizing the Null Security Meetup created a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to such a well-coordinated and impactful event.?

TY Induction Program at MIT School of Computing, MIT ADT University, Pune.

Date: 18 July, 2023

2 days, 2 sessions, 2 specializations students at MIT ADT University, Pune.?

It was great to talk and present at the TY Induction Program at MIT School of Computing, MIT ADT University, Pune. It was genuinely heartwarming to see the students' excitement as they delved into the world of Amazon Web Services, learning about cloud computing, and cybersecurity, and actively participating in AWS Cloud Clubs, which filled me with joy. I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the Director MIT-SOC, Dr. Rajneeshkaur Sachdeo Mam, and our esteemed HODs, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. Shraddha Phansalkar Ma'am and Dr. Ganesh Pathak Sir for this induction program. I am immensely grateful and thankful to Dr. Mohd Shafi Pathan (Ph.D) Sir and Dr. Rajani Sajjan Ma'am for their support and this great opportunity to interact and share my knowledge and expertise with my juniors.

?Received an invitation to speak at AWS Community Day Philippines?

I was thrilled and deeply honored to have been invited to speak at AWS Community Day Philippines! This is a fantastic opportunity to share my passion for AWS. This is a huge motivation for me.?

Unfortunately, due to some constraints and issues, I couldn't attend in person and deliver my talk, but I am grateful beyond words for the invitation. I am grateful to AWS User Group Philippines, Raphael Francis Quisumbing, and Joshua Arvin Lat for extending this opportunity to me.

AWS Cloud Club Monthly Meeting

In our AWS Cloud Club Captains Monthly Meet, I presented a short demo on AWS Inspector Service. Thanks to Tracy Wang for the opportunity to present at our monthly meeting.

AWS Community Day Aurangabad?

Date: 17 September, 2023

My seventh talk at AWS Community Day Aurangabad was organized by AWS User Group Aurangabad (Chh. Sambhajinagar) .

Thank you to all attendees for engaging with my session on AWS Security Incident Response. Heartfelt gratitude to Toshal Khawale Sir and Ashutosh S. Bhakare Sir. Kudos to the AWS User Group Aurangabad organizers, volunteers, and audience for making this event a resounding success. It was great to see an enthusiastic crowd of 400+ attendees. Thank you Toshal Khawale Sir for guiding me always!!

Talk 10: Amity University, Noida

Date: 12 October, 2023

At the Amity University session focused on 'Securing Cloud Infrastructure,' I had the privilege of delivering my tenth talk.?Thanks to Prof. Shweta Bharadwaj Mam and Shubham Tiwari for the invitation.

AWS User Group Pune Meetup?

Date: 28 October, 2023?

In this technical talk, at the AWS User Group Pune Meetup at Blazeclan Technologies.?A special thanks to Dheeraj Choudhary Sir, Vishal Alhat ?? Sir for giving me this opportunity. Vishal Alhat ?? Sir and Dheeraj Choudhary Sir, your contributions to the AWS Community are inspiring. Your guidance has played a key role in shaping me. It's AWSome to learn from you both. It was great to see 85+ attendees at the meetup.

SecConf 2023 - by Thoughtworks

At SecConf 2023, hosted by 思特沃克软件技术（中国）有限公司 , I had the privilege of delivering my ninth talk.? It was an honor to be the youngest speaker at the conference. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers of SecCOnf 2023, especially the team at ThoughtWorks Harinee Muralinath Ma'am, Prasanth G Sir, Sudhamsh Kandukuri Sir, for making this event possible. Their dedication and meticulous planning played a crucial role in creating a platform for meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange. I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to such a prestigious and forward-thinking conference.

AWS Cloud Club Student Symposium

Date: 03 November, 2023

My Learnings

Each conference brought its unique challenges — different audience demographics, diverse formats, and occasionally, technical glitches. Adapting on the fly became a skill I honed. Whether it was adjusting my talk to suit the audience or dealing with unexpected issues during a live demo, I found that staying flexible was key to delivering successful talks.

The tech landscape evolves at a rapid pace, and preparing for talks forced me to stay on the cutting edge. I learned to enjoy the process of continuous learning, diving into new technologies and industry trends. This commitment not only enhanced my talks but also kept me personally invigorated in the ever-changing world of technology.

When I embarked on this journey a year ago, I was no stranger to imposter syndrome. The fear of not being "expert" enough to speak on technical topics loomed large. However, I quickly learned that embracing vulnerability and acknowledging my uncertainties allowed for genuine connections with my audience. It's okay not to have all the answers, and sharing my learning process has often resonated more than presenting a polished facade.

Conveying complex technical concepts to varied audiences demanded clarity and simplicity. I discovered the power of storytelling and relatable analogies in making information accessible. Learning to adapt my communication style to suit different levels of expertise among my audience was a significant revelation.

Receiving feedback, both positive and constructive, became an integral part of my growth. I learned to appreciate the diverse perspectives of my audience and use their insights to refine my presentations. Constructive criticism, though initially challenging to hear, proved invaluable in shaping my talks for the better.

Confidence, I realized, is a journey rather than a destination. Over the year, I witnessed a transformation in my self-assurance as a speaker. Practice, preparation, and positive affirmations played crucial roles in building and maintaining confidence on stage.

Conferences offered not only a platform to share my insights but also a space to connect with like-minded individuals. Networking became a powerful tool, leading to collaborations, new opportunities, and a sense of belonging within the broader tech community.

Balancing the demands of preparing for talks alongside other responsibilities required careful time management. I developed strategies to prioritize tasks efficiently, ensuring I could deliver quality presentations while meeting other commitments.

Striking the right balance between technical depth and accessibility was an ongoing challenge. I learned to gauge the expertise level of my audience and tailor my content accordingly, ensuring that both beginners and seasoned professionals found value in my talks.

Beyond the technical aspects, this year of giving talks became a journey of personal growth. I discovered strengths and resilience within myself that I hadn't fully recognized. The experience not only enhanced my professional skills but also contributed significantly to my overall self-development.

I would like to thank Jen Looper Tracy Wang Nayoung Miller Won Curtis Evans Stephen Howell Amazon Web Services (AWS) for AWS Cloud Captain Program. Gratitude for everything.

I am now open to new internship roles in the domain of AWS Cloud Architecting, Cloud security, and DevSecOps. Looking forward to the support from the community!!

Thank you,

Sankalp Sandeep Paranjpe

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/sankalp-s-paranjpe/