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Ask HN: What value has going to tech conferences provided for you?
I've been wondering if I should start going to more in my city or not.
I've tried going before and I felt like it was mostly a lot of people there who just wanted to feel part of the industry and network. I did not meet a lot of people working on interesting projects or attempting new things. This is fine, this is good for inclusivity. I'm just not sure if being there was a good use of hard-earned money and limited time when I have work to do and projects I want to work on.
I've met a girl recently who graduated from General Assembly said 'yeah, he's so and so from Google and he follows me on Twitter' after they briefly met at a conference. She was bothered that I didn't find it a big deal, that I wasn't impressed by it. Is this really a big deal if a person follows you on social media anymore? Especially if you are not building stuff and/or posting interesting content?
I'm not Elon Musk or Steve Jobs or _____ myself. I'm pretty ordinary compared to them, i'm a n00b in the HN world too. I'm not ashamed of that, I'm trying to learn more all the time from people a lot more experienced than me.
I'm rambling. Please enlighten me if I am missing out on big opportunities for learning and expansion.
- core-questions 8y ago> I'm just not sure if being there was a good use of hard-earned money and limited time when I have work to do and projects I want to work on. If you already know what you want/need to do, and how, and have a customer for it (or an employer), then there's not much value. It's more if you want to find new solutions, consulting services, or hawk such things; or to look for new employment.
- rblion 8y ago> It's more if you want to find new solutions, consulting services, or hawk such things; or to look for new employment. Consulting services - what do you mean by that? To build connections for your business? I can understand the employment part for sure. Also, seeing lectures/talks but I can watch things on YouTube and discuss it with friends in the industry or here. I think going to a MeetUp would be best since it's free, about learning by doing, there is networking, free food sometimes. Would meet my 'tribe' there more than anywhere else I think.
- core-questions 8y ago> Consulting services - what do you mean by that? To build connections for your business? More like to find local consultants in your area to hire, if that's something you want.
- paulskah 8y agoMy advice may sound controversial but… do go to the events to speak, not just attend. People will treat you differently when you speak. I'm sure you're passionate about some things and there are plenty of events in your neighborhood you can share this passion. I know it may sound scary, so start small. When you go to an event to just listen, you have to do all the work to strike up a conversation. When you speak, you do the work on stage but later on, people strike conversations with you. Try it :)