Alumni, recruiters, and teachers have each highlighted how important a portfolio is to getting hired. At a recent alumni event, I had the chance to talk to alums about resources they would recommend to build a portfolio in addition to the work that we do in class. Alums recommended Hack Oregon, Free Code Camp, and StartUp Weekend.
StartUp Weekend Mission Statement:
StartUp Weekend: In just 54 hours, you will experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressure that makeup life at a startup. As you learn how to create a real company, you’ll meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors who are ready to help you get started. What does participation look like:
Day 1: Meet, Pitch & Team Up Dinner & Networking 60 Seconds to Pitch Choose Your Project Build a Team
Day 2: Learn & Work Learn from the Best – local mentors provide coaching Get to Work – resources and support in place to make things happen in a short period.
Day 3: Present & Choose Present in Front of Panel Judges Celebrate!!
Code Guild Alums recommend StartUp Weekend because:
I actually talked directly to Sheri, the Code Guild director, about StartUp Weekend because she was the StartUp Weekend Portland organizer for years. She said: “I recommend Startup Weekend because it’s a great opportunity to get a Minimum Viable Product on your portfolio in just 54 hours, meet a team of programmers that you may wish to continue to code with after the weekend. This will offer more portfolio opportunity that includes teamwork skills + code for your portfolio. The weekend is sponsored by companies that are hiring tech talent and using the weekend as a way to recruit. It also is an exhilarating weekend that often leaves participants feeling great about what they were able to accomplish; it can be a great confidence booster.”