A Guide to Finding Tech Opportunities during COVID-19
With the possibility of COVID-19 lasting into 2021, those seeking opportunities in technology have to shift their plans and adapt to unprecedented cancellations or rescheduled dates. However, quarantine doesn’t necessarily mean the end to finding ways to advance your growth and learning in technology. Here are a few ways to find more tech opportunities during a global pandemic:
Stay on the lookout for virtual hackathons
While hackathons have almost always been in-person events, many hackathons are shifting to an online platform to continue their events. Not only will you be able to code from the comfort of your own home, but you’ll likely save so much more time and money without having to travel out of town for an in-person hackathon. Websites like Major League Hacking, Devpost, or Hack Club list virtual hackathons, including all-female or high school events.
Use this time to work on your resumé
Having an updated resumé is extremely important, especially if you’re talking to recruiters and interviewers who want to learn more about your background and experience in tech. Even if you don’t have work experience, you can still add things like volunteer work or club positions onto your resumé. It’s important to make sure you polish and highlight the most relevant experience you have throughout each position that you apply for. For instance, a company hiring a software developer might be looking for different experience than a company hiring a more design-based position, such as a UI designer.
Start building a portfolio
While a resumé provides more of a written list of your experiences, keeping a portfolio to showcase your work allows others to literally see exactly what kind of work you’ve done within those experiences. Companies will often use your portfolio to judge whether or not your work will fit the kind of job or position you’re applying for. Now that quarantine has allowed for more time to spend at home, try spending some time working on your portfolio! Spend some time displaying any projects you’ve done in the past, such as your work from hackathons, or create new projects to showcase to others.
Though our first instincts are often to fret about cancellations of events and programs, we have to remember that life can still go on in quarantine. Albeit virtually, tech opportunities — including internships and jobs — are still out there for you to find. Remember to not lose faith and to continue your search for ways to grow in your tech experience.
Written by: Melanie Kuo
