If you work in data science, distributed systems, or related fields, J: On The Beach is a can’t-miss event. With talks and workshops covering everything from the latest machine learning frameworks to scalable cloud architectures, it’s a prime opportunity to level up your skills and connect with other professionals.
But tech conferences can also be overwhelming, with so many potential sessions to attend and people to meet. To ensure you get full value out of J: On The Beach, some planning and intentionality is key. Here are some tips to make the most of the experience:
Have a Purpose In Mind
Why are you attending J On The Beach? To learn about specific new technologies? To get exposed to different problem-solving approaches in your field? To network, explore potential job opportunities, or maybe you need some beach time? It’s probably a combination of reasons. Get clarity on your goals before arriving so you can prioritize accordingly and formulate a plan. Also, keep in mind you’ll need to purchase your workshop tickets before the day of the event.
Do Your Homework
Review the schedule of talks, workshops, and other activities ahead of time. Identify the can’t-miss sessions most relevant to your aims. But also leave some open time to spontaneously check out anything that piques your interest. If there is an interesting but maybe too advanced presentation, use YouTube to do a little prep work so you can follow along. At the end of their presentations, each speaker should have a few minutes for questions. If they don’t, most of their socials are listed on the website for you to reach. You could approach the speaker immediately after their talk. They are usually quite open to speaking with the audience.
Jot Down Some Notes
With so much information coming at you in talks and hallway conversations, it’s easy to forget great ideas soon after. You might have your fully-charged laptop with you for the workshops, but carry a notebook and a pen for those quick thoughts. Jot down key points you’ll want to reference later. The session videos will be posted online eventually on our youtube channel, but your live notes will help capture insights you thought about at the moment. I hate it when I can’t remember some interesting topic that a new friend mentioned.
Network Network Network
Meeting new people is one of the biggest benefits of conferences. Decide if you want to connect with potential employers, learn from recognised experts, or find new friends with similar interests. All the sponsors are currently hiring, so be sure to drop by their stands and get to know their existing staff, ask how they enjoy working for the company, and apply to any of their exciting opportunities. Don’t forget to grab plenty of swag while you’re there!
Once you know your networking priorities, you can seek out the right people and conversation starters. The fancy coffee stand will likely have a line, so feel free to use that as an excuse to talk to your fellow conference goers. Remember to live by the PACMAN rule: when standing as a group of people, always leave room for 1 person to join your group. The techy pub quiz, karaoke, and closing social are all great opportunities to meet new and interesting people too!
Get Out Of Your Conference Zone
While the learning and networking opportunities are invaluable, conferences are also a chance to detach from your normal routine and experience something new. Even participate in the Lightning Talk Challenge for a chance to present on the main stage! Malaga offers the perfect setting to unwind between sessions - take a stroll along sandy beaches, explore historic sites, and savor the local cuisine. These diversions will help you stay refreshed and mentally engaged throughout the conference.
Share Your Experience
After J On The Beach, be sure to share key takeaways with folks who didn’t attend. You can write up a summary blog post, or schedule a team knowledge-sharing session. Spreading the knowledge multiplies the event’s impact and reinforces what you learned. If you post about the conference, be sure to tag your post using #JOTB25!
With purposeful planning and an open mind, J: On The Beach can be a catalyzing experience that boosts your skills and professional network. By being intentional about your goals and remaining balanced, you’ll return home energized with new ideas to improve how you approach your daily technical challenges.
See you On The Beach!
