It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that career building is incredibly important, especially for student developers. This is why people are always on the lookout for opportunities that will help them gain new knowledge and improve their skills. And while internships are valuable, let’s not forget about hackathons.
Now, this may be a surprise to you, but participating in hackathons can actually help build your career and can potentially open up opportunities for you in the future. This is especially true if you’re looking to start a career in tech.
So how exactly do they help? If you want to know the answer to this question, read on as we break down how participating in hackathons can help build your career!
What is a Hackathon?
Hackathons are hosted by tech companies or organizations wherein participants gather and compete to work on a project within a limited period. Depending on the event, these can get rather intense, with competitors working rapidly to finish the tasks assigned to them. These tasks are called “hacks'', which is how these events got their name. The hacks differ depending on the organizers but usually involve participants working on a mobile app or new software.
Aside from the hack itself, organizers also put together workshops and talks for the people participating in the event. This is why hackathons are often considered a great learning resource for people looking to further their knowledge in their respective fields.
Do Employers Care About Hackathons?
Employers are always on the lookout for fresh talent that stands out from the rest. This is why listing hackathons on your resume will be beneficial, as it indicates that you are both skilled and passionate about engineering and technology. This is especially true if you’ve managed to win a couple of hackathons.
Participating in these events also shows your potential employers that you can work under immense pressure and meet strict deadlines. Both of these things are incredibly valuable in the fast-paced world of tech and should help you land an interview.
How Do You Put Hackathons On Your Resume?
You can add the hackathon under the projects section of your resume. If you’ve joined more than three, just choose the three that best represent your skills so that your resume doesn’t become cluttered. The important thing to add here is an accurate description of the project built during the hackathon and your role on the team you were on.
It’s also important to note that you can still include hackathons even if you didn’t win. If you are precise about your contributions, employers should see value in it regardless of the final result of the competition.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped shed some light on how hackathons can help you build your career. Now, you shouldn’t be participating in hackathons solely so you can put it on your resume. While that is great, don’t forget that the point of a hackathon is to learn and develop your skills in an environment that fosters creativity and ingenuity. At the end of the day, the skills you pick up are infinitely more important than anything else.
If you’re thinking about organizing or participating in a hackathon, we can help you out. Hackathon.com is the largest online hackathon community in the world. We’ve connected over 2000 hackathon organizers with our 10 million member innovators from all over the world. For more information on what we do, visit our website today!
