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The Hackers Handbook

/4 min read

This is a handbook curated for first-timers participating in hackathons. (Regularly Updated)

This blog is a curation of multiple brilliant hackers (all mentioned below)

This handbook is not limited to your first hackathon, I still follow most of what I am going to mention below.

Follow my **J.O.K.E.R **principal

#1 Join

The Discord, Slack, or whatever discussion platform the hackathon has set up for you. This is a key place that will answer most of your questions and open doors to opportunities during and after the hackathon.

Note: If you have ended up in multiple teams before the hackathon starts. Unless you are participating in all of them, Inform the other teams about your leave, so they can look for someone else.

#2 Observe

You will have questions right when you join the platform.

What is discord? How does this whole thing work? But I don't have a team?. Take a deep breath and Observe what's happening around the chats.

Chances are what you were gonna ask is already answered a few scrolls up.

whatisthisplace.jpg

Here's a breakdown of what to do before moving to #3:

  • Read the FAQ section of the hackathon.

  • Check out the help channel in the hackathon platform and see if someone else asked the same question previously (you can and should use search tool too)

  • Attend the opening ceremony of the hackathon. They are made for an easy walkthrough of the hackathon, platform, submission and you are free to ask any questions during the ceremony.

Always, Always watch the opening ceremony

#2.1 Ask, for real.

It is so easy, Yet so powerful. A lot of beginners hesitate to ask, get confused later, and end up dropping from the hackathon. No question is dumb, so feel free to ask the organizers or mentors of the hackathon any technical or non-technical question.

I as a hackathon mentor can say we are just waiting for your questions.

But

What is silly is asking to ask a question.Don't just say Hello or Don't ask to ask

Remember to check out the FAQ or quick google search before asking,

A little googling never hurts

Together they save you and others time.

Asking the right questions and observing the event go hand-in-hand, and with time you learn to pick the right one.

AOA.jpg

You will learn what to observe and what to ask only when #Join in the first place (See how it's all connected ;)

#3 (K)Connect

This is the biggest career asset you get from the event. Invest it right and it'll open doors to uncountable opportunities.

Every hackathon has people from around the globe with a variety of skills and experience. Some may have achieved what you want, some could be future leaders of the community. You can connect with them, ask them questions to help your career, learn some tips, and more, all for free!

Stick to the team, after the hackathon.

Even if your hackathon is done, be with your team. Talk tech, go off-topic, Join other hackathons with them, Upskill together.

They will add value to your career and so will you to theirs.

#4

Explore

#5 Relax

Too many things happen at a hackathon simultaneously for you to absorb. Exploring is great, but you cannot try everything in one hackathon.

There are workshops, mini-events, giveaways, talks, AMAs, and Your own hackathon project.

Take a break, fix your schedule on selected events, enjoy the hackathon like a college fest

enjoy the hackathon like a college fest

Big Thanks to these veteran hackers for adding their ideas, experience and tips in this handbook