Tech events are invaluable for anyone looking to deepen their tech skills, expand their network, or gain insights into industry trends.
For women entering or growing in tech, these events are fantastic avenues to learn from other professionals, exchange ideas, and possibly even find new opportunities. Here’s how you can make the most of these gatherings
Define Your Goals
Going into a tech event with clear objectives can help you focus on what matters. Whether you’re there to learn specific skills, connect with potential mentors, or explore job prospects, having a goal in mind allows you to prioritise sessions, conversations, and contacts.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want to learn?
- Who do I hope to meet?
- Which companies or speakers are must-sees?
Setting clear intentions also helps you stay motivated throughout the day, even when schedules become demanding.
Be intentional with your networking
Networking can be intimidating, but it’s often the most valuable part of tech events. Meeting new people in the industry can open doors to collaborations, mentorship, and even job opportunities. Here are some tips for more effective networking:
- Start online. Engage with event hashtags, comment on posts, and connect with speakers or attendees on LinkedIn beforehand. This can ease introductions when you meet in person.
- Prioritise quality over quantity. Instead of rushing to collect business cards, aim for meaningful conversations. It’s more beneficial to make a lasting impression on a few people than to meet dozens superficially.
- Follow up. After the event, reconnect with people you met on LinkedIn, mentioning specifics from your conversation to personalize your message.
Leverage Social Media
Social media is an excellent tool for staying engaged with event happenings and connecting with people who couldn’t attend in person.
- Live-tweet insights. Share memorable quotes, key takeaways, or valuable resources from the event using the event hashtag. This also helps you interact with others who are attending or following the event.
- Connect post-event. Continue networking by engaging with posts from other attendees, especially those you didn’t get a chance to meet. Commenting on their insights can spark meaningful connections even after the event ends.
This active engagement can expand your professional network and give you more visibility in the tech community.
Attend workshops
Tech events often feature workshops and hands-on sessions that are perfect for building new skills. If there’s a specific area of tech you want to improve, such as coding, cybersecurity, or data science, prioritise sessions that allow you to learn directly from experts. Practical learning opportunities will deepen your knowledge and give you tangible takeaways to apply in your career.
Know that you can’t do it all
Tech events can be overwhelming, especially large conferences. Remember, it’s perfectly fine not to attend every session. Trying to absorb everything can lead to burnout, which makes it harder to retain information or enjoy the event. Focus on what aligns with your goals and make peace with missing some sessions.
To make the most of what you do attend:
- Take notes. Write down key insights from each session to review later.
- Be present. Engage fully with each session instead of worrying about the next one. This way, you’ll gain more from fewer, well-chosen experiences.
Seek out a mentor
One of the greatest assets you can gain from a tech event is mentorship. Many experienced professionals attend events to give back, and you may find someone who is open to mentoring or guiding you in your career journey.
- Attend smaller networking sessions. These provide a more intimate setting where mentorship opportunities are more likely to arise.
- Ask meaningful questions. When you meet someone you’d like to learn from, show genuine interest in their career and expertise. Ask about their experiences, career challenges, and insights.
Connect on LinkedIn
After the event, follow up with speakers, workshop leaders, and new contacts by connecting with them on LinkedIn. When sending connection requests, personalise your message by mentioning the event and something specific about your interaction. This can strengthen your professional relationships and increase the chance that they’ll remember you in the future.
Recap and Reflect
Take time after the event to review your notes and reflect on what you learned. This will reinforce key takeaways and allow you to set actionable goals based on what you experienced.
Ask yourself:
- What were my biggest takeaways?
- How can I apply what I learned to my current projects or career goals?
- Who do I want to reconnect with?
This reflection process helps cement your learning and makes the event experience more impactful in the long run.
Getting the most out of tech events takes a bit of planning, but the potential rewards are well worth the effort. By setting goals, networking strategically, and following up, you can walk away with new skills, valuable insights, and professional connections that will support your tech career journey.
