My first tech conference, JSConf 🇨🇴
TL;DR I was really fortunate to attend a tech conference, and even better in my home town. I learned a lot, met wonderful people and am looking forward to participating more in these kinds of events.When I started working as web developer I didn’t realize the benefits of being a part of a community, or even better how amazing it is to build one. At JSConf Colombia I had the opportunity to meet really kind and talented people. Everyone I met was wiling to spend a couple minutes explaining what they do and how they do it.
Some people think that going to a conference is a waste of money, but what it really is, is an investment. You’ll get in return 2 valuable things:
Learn about cool technology, and new stuff. In this industry everything evolves really fast, and keeping up to date is hard. Workshops give you the opportunity to practice a new tool with someone that has already struggled with it. Talks can give you insights on different approaches to tackle problems, or inspiration to build upon.
Meet wonderful people. It’s impossible to talk with everybody at the conference, but you’ll learn a lot from everyone you decide to talk with. Be willing to listen and open to learn, you’ll be surprised by all of the ideas and projects your peers have.
I also think that it is important to make mention of the necessity of taking full advantage of these spaces. As I mentioned, for me there are two main takeaways, but these can be hindered by some behaviors I noticed during the conference.
Get out of your comfort zone 🏃
Yes, you can go to a tech conference and not talk with anyone. Or go with a group of friends and only talk with them. This is fine, but you are missing the opportunity to meet marvelous people and learn from new perspectives.
Don’t work during the conference 💻
I know it’s hard to disconnect from work when you have your computer and an internet connection, but you are not focusing on your work nor on the conference. If it is something that can’t be put off during the time you’re at the conference, just skip some talks. You always can join the conference after, and you’ll enjoy it a lot more.
Use phones appropriately📱
I found that many people don’t bother to put their phones on silent, and this is extremely disrespectful. Someone took the time to prepare valuable content, but distracting notification noises can detract from the learning experience.
If you have the opportunity to go to a conference, take it. If you have the opportunity to attend JSConf do it — it is awesome! You will find enlightening content, delicious snacks, and a really passionate community of developers.
I’m biased when talking about how great the conference was because it was my first one, and it was in Colombia 🇨🇴, but hearing how happy the visitors were speaks to the fantastic work Catherine, Naranjita, David and Adrián did organizing the event. I’m looking forward to getting more involved in the community and participating in more events.