One of the most shocking things I’ve learned as a mentor to newbie developers is that a good number of them do not know about tech conferences or meet-ups. And the ones who are familiar with them do not know how to find them.
I want to change that!
Technology conferences are important for many reasons a few being:
Networking
Although it’s been said, many times many ways, networking is one of the fastest ways to get a job in the United States. In 2019 Julia Freeland Fisher wrote, “Research shows that 70% of all jobs are not published publicly on job sites and as much as 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections.” What’s scary about this is that because social networks are relatively homogenous, those in power are likely to continue to hire or help get hired mostly those that look like them. This is a huge problem for tech as there is a serious lack of diversity in many areas. Promoting diverse networking events ensures that access to jobs goes to everyone.
The tech world can be an intimidating place for newbies.
It can be very overwhelming to get into the tech field. There are so many routes that you can take, from coding and becoming a WordPress developer to a non-technical role like graphic design or project management. While having a lot of opportunities are a great thing, narrowing down those can be anything but. That’s where tech conferences and meet-ups come into play. Speaking with those who have already made the journey can help you in amazing ways: guidance to the right role, free to low-cost resources, and just a shoulder to lean on when things get tough.
Here are three tech networking organizations you should join and three upcoming tech conferences you should go to, to help your tech journey.
Tech Networking Organizations
TechAfterFive is a networking event that pairs tech professionals from different stages of their careers. Whether you are a newbie looking to learn more about the industry or an experienced tech professional looking to make more friends, TechAfterFive does it all. Their motto is, “we create meaningful connections through live, face-to-face networking events.” As the name suggests, the meetups are after work for those who may be working or studying during the day.
Tech in Motion is a networking event created by Motion Recruitment, an IT staffing agency. They have been planning networking events since 2011 and boast one of the largest networking events in the United States. Another great thing about them is that their events vary in subject matter. Some past ones included: Forbes 30 Under 30 tech panel, and a wearable tech fashion show at NYC fashion week.
WordPress has a group on meetup.com (which is also a great place to type in your location and find local tech meetups nearby!). These groups meet all over the world and all year long. They have meetings for WordPress beginners and experts. If the main group is too broad for you, there are subcategories where you can join one close to you. This is one of the best WordPress networking organizations if you want to get into more WordPress development or meet mentors in the field.
Tech conferences
Austin, Texas March 11, 2022 – March 20, 2022
Before getting into the technology field, I thought that SXSW was a music festival only. SXSW is a conference that deals with technology and film, culture, and music. So, it is a great place to not only find your tech niche but to learn about a wide variety of things. SXSW has a little of something for everyone in each field. The awesome musical guests that perform are a plus as well.
Worldwide Various Dates Throughout the Year
WordCamp is a series of different volunteer-run tech conferences. They focus on WordPress users, but the events have a wide variety of ideas that are discussed. Having so many events all over the world makes it easier for developers in different places to also have meaningful meetups. They also make organizing them a simple process for those who may not have one nearby. So, if you’re interested in hosting or attending one, they are worth checking out.
New Orleans, LA July 2022 (exact dates in July still pending)
WPCampus is a WordPress-focused conference that fosters education, networking, and a better understanding of building tech for higher education. Accessibility is a big focus for the conference, so they make sure everyone is educated and more enlightened about making content everyone can consume. They also have fun activities and provide refreshments. They are one of the best conferences for bridging gaps in higher learning tech.
We recognize the importance of tech conferences and meetups so, in addition to this article, we will post upcoming events in the quick links of our newsletter. Fostering a diverse network from beginner to intermediate developers ensures that our community learns and grows forever.
