Meet the Team: Michal Kobylarz — Director of Logistics
My first exposure to hackathons was in high school and I can honestly say I was intimidated. I wasn’t new to throwing myself into environments where I was inexperienced, but this was a whole new world. What calmed me down quite a bit was the friendly registration table that wasn’t only welcoming, but made me aware of the various beginner activities. Nonetheless, I entered the venue and the fear came back as everyone seemed to be “in the zone” sort of like a sports team locker room before a game. It only took me a few minutes to realize that I could grab a snack, find a place I felt like I could make my own and start working on my own project.
Hackathons are a breeding ground for innovation, networking, and being recognized by fellow peers and visiting companies. Most importantly, they allow individuals of different technical capacities to collaborate and create literally whatever their minds desire. What drives me is the ability to create either a web app or to dive into hardware hacking even if it is your first time. Don’t know how? Well, Google is a developer’s best friend.
Everyone fears new beginnings. The fear of attending the first club meeting or speaking up in class scares individuals on a daily basis. Hackathons need to be aware of the beginner culture and welcoming everyone. Even though it might be hard for beginners to work on a project, they should have access to various social and learning experiences throughout the night. My first hackathon not only held various social events, but also made sure that we were eating well (who doesn’t love cookies and milk at midnight).
My start was quite overwhelming, but it has shaped me into a person who analyzes everyday life. Sometimes I’ll sit on the bus and analyze a system for optimizing dining hall hours instead of spending a couple of minutes looking for a table. That’s simply what the hacker culture will do to you. It tends to make everyday occurrences a bit more interesting.
My involvement with HackRU comes purely from the fact that I want beginners and experts to feel at home, side by side. Logistics focuses heavily on making sure the event runs smoothly and without hiccups that make first timers feel out of place. We’ve all been in uncomfortable spots and the more we can eliminate, the more people will enjoy the experience. I want to make sure everyone is included and feels welcome throughout the event.
Logistics allows me to work on the set up of the venue, busing, and the general interactions throughout the event. I feel that logistics is vital in welcoming beginners and making sure that there aren’t any “behind the scene” issues that affect a hackers’ experience. A welcoming and functional environment is the answer to a memorable hackathon experience. Whether you’re fully immersed in terminal or just opening Eclipse, a hackathon is the place to start and opens up the door to learning and growth.
Michal, Come Say Hi!
