Hackathons have proven to be one of the most fulfilling experiences you can participate in because of the different opportunities that come about.
With an open playing field to create innovative solutions that transform lives and change experiences for thousands (or even millions), these types of events will always be worth participating in. For those that play their cards right and immerse themselves in the solution creation process, the benefits one can stand to gain are immense.
If you’re looking for a practical application that will test your core abilities and allow you to use your critical thinking, then this is a sign that you should enter a hackathon ASAP. You may be apprehensive about the idea because you assume that these events require some sort of coding experience from participants…
But here’s the thing: it’s still possible to participate in and win a hackathon even if you’ve never written a single line of code in your life!
Wait, You Can Do That?
Absolutely!
Although some coding ability is definitely shared among most hackathon participants, it isn’t a fundamental skill for creating winning solutions. Sure, many of those that attend these events are aspiring coders or computer scientists—but the fact of the matter is that non-coders can absolutely get value out of attending a hackathon.
So, What Can You Do?
At this point, you’re probably wondering about how you can help a hackathon team if you don’t possess coding skills. Fortunately, there are many different ways non-coders like yourself can contribute to a project:
- Presenter: If you have amazing communication skills and a knack for public speaking and connecting to an audience, then you can definitely help your hackathon team by presenting. As a presenter, you’ll be expected to craft a powerful, concise, and effective pitch for your judges and audience that effectively demonstrates the overall value and creativity of your project!
- Project Manager: Every team of busy coders will always need someone to keep them in the loop and steer them in the right direction amid the chaos of the solution development process. In the project management role, you’ll be responsible for ensuring your team stays on track to finish your project on time.
- Designer: Got an eye for design and superb graphic output but don’t code? You can definitely fill in the role of being your team’s designer. With your skills, you can assist your hackathon team by crafting detailed mockups and infographics while creating wireframes that your teammates will use as a roadmap.
How Can You Benefit from All of This?
When you stake your claim in an open challenge to revolutionize processes or craft solutions for pressing issues, you set yourself up to enjoy an assortment of benefits. If you’re wondering about the advantages once you join a hackathon without any coding knowledge, here are a few to look forward to:
- You Can Punch up Your Resume: When you have the title “Hackathon participant” in your resumé, many recruiters are bound to take notice of your application and see you as a high-value candidate.
- You Can Catch the Eye of a Recruiter: Think about it, if you’re the only non-coder in a sea of code-breathing hackathon participants, you’ll stand out—especially in the eyes of recruiters. By joining an event without a common non-requirement in your skillset, you’ll be able to demonstrate your usefulness, ability to adapt, and grit.
- You Can Add Awards to Your Collection: Another reason to join a hackathon is that it is a fantastic opportunity to add something memorable to your trophy cabinet!
Join A Hackathon Today
Although the perceived need to be a coder to participate in hackathons is pretty common, the fact of the matter is that you don’t have to have those skills to pave the way for innovative solutions. If joining an event is on the horizon, but you don’t exactly know how you’d fit in the puzzle of a dedicated team, just keep this guide in mind.
Are you keen on playing your part as a non-coder in a team of coders creating solutions for humanity? Sign up for Hackathon.com’s newsletter to be first in the know of virtual and in-person events, hackathon news and take part in the largest hackathon community online! You might even find a teammate to connect with.
