How to get more involved as a CS major
Edited: January 8th, 2016
It’s a new year, and more chances for you to be involved!
One year ago, I would have been asking the same question. CS is so broad that it’s basically up to you to find what you enjoy. This might take some time, but after a while, you’ll figure out how to narrow your interests!
Before we begin, a huge note:
This is really a basic guide. *
If you really want to be involved, you need to go out of your way and really search yourself.
*** I am no where near an expert in CS yet, but I wanted to share what tips I have done to learn about different opportunities.
Be proactive, not reactive.
Anyways, here are several resources:
Talk
Yes. Talking to people really helps. This is the basis of your journey. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you find more inspiring. Many people would be honored to be asked about their journey in tech. You’ll also find many people want to help you, and you might even gain another friend that might help you down the road. This means, you’ll have to speak, e-mail, and ask questions.
Talking will also help you gain a foot in the door for a company. Talk to people, and you’ll find not only will it help you with your communication skills, but also be your main resource.
No question is stupid as well. Ask questions so that you’ll learn. I found that in the beginning, I would just nod and pretend like I knew what people were talking about.
Do not do that! Be confident, and ask. Some people might even be glad you decided to be honest.
Be proactive.
Once you meet people, ask for their e-mail, and follow up!
Keep talking to people you find interesting, and try to gain a lasting relationship with someone. In other words, ask questions, but also be there for the other person. Don’t gain “one-time” friends.
Facebook Groups
Find groups that interest you and get involved. Again, going back to the first point.
Do your best to talk, and participate.
I highly encourage you to follow Hackathon Hackers. This is a huge facebook group that constantly posts tech related posts with many subgroups that you can join as well. You’ll be able to find interesting links to further help your tech journey.
Go to Hackathons
Hackathons can be 24- 36 hour events that you can attend to come together with other people and create something awesome.
Read the link for more details about what hackathons are.
If you’re not sure what really happens, I suggest you go anyways.
Make sure to read the website, and bring a laptop. Someone will help you out. :)
Two places I highly suggest you start at are:
Major Hacking League: Find something close to you!
And, if you have the opportunity, participate at HackingEDU (when sign ups start again)!
HackingEDU is the largest education hackathon in the world currently.
Go to Conferences
You can usually find these on Eventbrite.
Find local events within the area that are related to tech.
Find something in particular to you. However, even if you don’t know the subject, it doesn’t hurt to go. A lot of people are excited to teach you about new technologies.
If you aren’t sure about what the website is talking about, look it up and learn yourself. Then, attend if you find it interesting enough.
If you are a student, you can usually get in on a discount, or for free.
Here are several in the bay area:
Ubiquity 2016: Internet of Things Conference
Google I/O (Check back in the Spring): Google’s huge conference
WWDC 2016 (In the beginning of Summer): Apple’s conference
Intel Developer Week Forum 2016: In the late Summer
There is also:
WeCode 2016: for women in CS at Harvard (Scholarships end Jan. 15th!)
Find a Mentor
Find someone who can help you on your journey. Not step-by-step, but along side you or to help answer questions.
Cassidy Williams writes a Medium post about how to find a mentor. I highly suggest you read this.
Volunteer
Volunteer your time. This means, join an non-profit organization that teaches coding, volunteering at a hackathon, etc.
If you volunteer your time, not only will it be a humbling experience, but you’ll also meet more like-minded people.
How do you find those? Find someone who does volunteer somewhere and ask! :)
Meetup
Find groups close to you. I live in the bay area so there are plenty of study groups, or interview prep events always going on. It just takes some time to research.
Subscribe to different e-mails & listen to podcasts
Find people who inspire you and have newsletters. I highly suggest subscribing to Devpost. Neal Shyam posts many different resources you could click and read up about.
There is also the Devpost Commit, a podcast that you can listen to.
There are plenty others, but you’ll have to search.
Find an Internship / Join a fellowship
Getting an internship will not only allow you to gain real world experience, but you can also gain friends, long lasting connections, or know what you enjoy or dislike more.
If you’re in college:
Check out Cassidy William’s Getting a Gig post (fellowships included in the link).
Google is your best friend. Aside from talking.
When you don’t know something?
Google.
Google everything that you find curious.
REMEMBER: You are on YOUR OWN journey.
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!
Good luck on your journey! :)
If you have any more questions or want me to add something else, feel free to reach out to me: tina.fcook@gmail.com
