What to Expect at a Hackathon

The AT&T Hackathon was a 24-hour event held at Launch Fishers, located in an upscale suburb of Indianapolis. This venue, having recently expanded to support more startups, hosted participants tasked with addressing civic challenges. The goal was to devise innovative tech solutions aimed at assisting lawmakers, law enforcement, and emergency services in tackling Indiana's substance abuse issues. With the State Police Drug Lab and Marion County Emergency Services providing critical data, participants had the freedom to explore additional sources of information.

For a more in-depth exploration of my experiences and insights from the hackathon, you can read my article on CMSWire, where I emphasize two primary benefits that contribute to an improved customer experience.

The Benefits of Hackathons for Marketers

Hackathons create an environment that encourages inquiry and experimentation without the fear of failure or budget constraints. Participants can utilize various programming languages and frameworks to explore functionalities until they arrive at a viable app solution. The iterative nature of web development and app programming is akin to engineering processes that rely heavily on trial and error.

Additionally, hackathons provide an opportunity to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. For instance, my team comprised students from different Indiana universities, majoring in disciplines like marketing, business, and computer science. I even met a participant enrolled in a software boot camp, such as General Assembly.

This diversity brings forth another significant advantage: the cultivation of humility. Participants quickly realize that possessing all the answers is unrealistic. For example, despite my prior experience with Meteor.JS, a JavaScript framework, I lacked deep proficiency in developer coding. However, this gap did not hinder our progress. My teammates and I collaborated effectively to troubleshoot and refine our programming code, ultimately resulting in a functioning app by the end of the hackathon, despite some setbacks.

Through this experience, I learned that while preparation is essential, the true value of hackathons lies in the ability to deploy frameworks under tight deadlines.

As one of the older participants at 47 years old, I found that my age afforded me a unique perspective, allowing me to contribute meaningful insights during team discussions. Hackathons provide marketers with a clearer understanding of the development process, transcending what can be conveyed in words alone. Working alongside cross-functional teams and combining existing skill sets with a desire to learn enhances the overall experience.

Moreover, I was surprised to realize how much my years of experience could benefit others. My younger teammates often sought my input on running an analytics company, highlighting the importance of mentorship in these collaborative environments.

There are numerous hackathons available for marketers to explore, and participation isn't limited to academic settings. For instance, ChicagoHack hosts weekly hackathons every Tuesday, bringing together developers and interested individuals to explore the latest data sources. Cities like Chicago are tapping into open data to inspire developers to create apps that enhance community living.

By engaging in hackathons or similar gatherings with tech professionals, marketers can gain valuable insights into real-world applications without incurring significant costs or exerting excessive effort.

This first video showcases "5 Lessons I Learned from 5 Hackathons," offering valuable insights into the unique learning experiences derived from participating in such events.

In the second video, "Developer Essentials for a Successful Hackathon" by Sumit Saha, viewers can learn key strategies for making the most of their hackathon experience.