My First Hackathon: Vennela Gadde — Director of Logistics
I attended my first hackathon during my freshman year of college at Rutgers University, which was HackRU Fall 2015. Initially, I felt very apprehensive about attending a hackathon when I literally had ZERO experience in the tech world outside of my Introduction to Computer Science course. Additionally, the idea of spending an entire weekend with computer science students felt less than ideal. I was discouraged by many of the computer science students I initially met, because many of them fit the stereotype of a “typical CS major”. They were mostly male, closed off, and unwilling to work with other people because of their high egos. As a female who is very outgoing and did not quite fit the “CS mold” I saw around me, I questioned why I was even a computer science major in the first place. I felt like I didn’t fit in.
That immediately changed the minute I walked into the College Avenue Multipurpose Room — where HackRU took place that semester — and absorbed the energy of hundreds of excited students who were eager to hang out with their friends, build a cool project, attend workshops about different technologies, and meet new people.
A huge problem that deters many people from even thinking about trying computer science, programming, tech, etc. are the stereotypes that surround the discipline. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten comments from people such as “ Wow, you’re comp sci? You must be really smart!” or “ How does it feel to code in your room every night alone?” and even “You’re a girl in comp sci?”
First off, literally ANYONE can learn computer science and how to program. You do not need to have this innate talent to learn how to build apps. By no means do I consider myself a genius — I work hard, I play hard, and I am motivated to learn more about technology. It really is not about how much technical experience you came into college with, but how much work you’re willing to put in to get to where you want want in life. If you go to a hackathon with an open mind and you are willing to put in the time to learn what you need to learn to build your project, you will get far. I promise you.
Second of all, whether you’re in tech or not, if you chose to work alone, you are building a boundary that prevents you from gaining insight on different problem solving skills. You’re just missing out on meeting someone who can shape your life for the better. Back to the context of hackathons: yes you can work alone, but you can make the most out of your hackathon experience just by asking the person next to work to work on a project together.
Lastly, your gender or race should NEVER be a factor in deciding how you want to change the world, and it sure as hell should not be the reason why you feel like you are not capable of doing what your heart desires. And back to hackathons — if your heart wants to attend one, then just go for it!
HackRU is meant to support every type of person who wants to personally grow and achieve their technical goals. We are here so that we can build your confidence, strengthen your aspiration to learn, and most importantly to prove that we are ALL here to help one another.
Ever since I joined the HackRU community, I started to believe in myself. I stopped focusing on the people who supported the stereotype and instead found students I’m proud to be friends with. They remind me of why I wanted to be a part of a rapidly changing and fascinating field where you’re always learning and being mind blown by the endless possibilities of what our future holds.
If you’re debating whether to go to HackRU because you’re not sure if you’ll gain anything, go anyway. I promise you that you will. Break the stereotypes. Learn that you are capable of doing ANYTHING you want. Find people who motivate you to learn. Find the people who you can call home.
With lots of love,
Vennela
Vennela Gadde is the Director of Logistics for HackRU XII. She is a sophomore at Rutgers University, studying computer science with a minor in business administration. Her heart is happy when she is spending time in nature, teaching kids, eating yummy food, traveling, and singing/dancing with friends and family.
