My first developer conference: RubyConf!
I'm thrilled to share my incredible experience at RubyConf 2023 and why I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially for fellow junior developers. Thanks to the Scholars & Guides Program by Ruby Central, I secured a scholarship to attend this remarkable conference held in San Diego, CA.

The Scholars and Guides Program is a mentorship initiative for aspiring Rubyists looking to deepen their knowledge of the Ruby programming language, enhance their professional skills, and navigate Ruby Central conferences like RubyConf and RailsConf. Ruby Central provides scholarships specifically for developers new to the Ruby community, aiming to build important professional connections. While the program welcomes community members interested in learning Ruby, it strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented tech communities. Each scholar is paired with a Guide who serves as a mentor, offering valuable insights and advice on Ruby programming and the developer profession, creating a rewarding conference experience. Explore the various conference scholarship offerings by Ruby Central here.

As a recent career switcher and a junior developer fresh from boot camp, I was excited about attending my first dev conference. I knew several people who had been to RubyConf 2022, and they spoke so highly of the program I was delighted to have the opportunity to go as a scholar.

Conf Scholar Experience

Connecting with fellow Scholars and my Guide before and during RubyConf via Slack, LinkedIn, and Discourse allowed for resource-sharing and networking before, during, and after the event. My Guide, reaching out proactively before the conference, offered unwavering support. A recent addition to Scholar requirements is a mini-project, an opportunity to present any subject or research to your program peers or a larger audience at the 5-minute Lightning Talks. Ideas include community awareness, ongoing projects, passion research, or learning new coding skills. These projects facilitate skill growth and inspire others through your findings.

Attending a conference can be overwhelming. To ease the conference experience, I planned my goals and agenda, including prioritized talks, speakers, and activities. Then, I collaborated with my Guide for feedback and support.

As a past RubyConf attendee and speaker, my Guide shared insider gems like the "MINSWAN" principle, emphasizing the friendly atmosphere fostered by "Matz is nice, so we are nice." This notion was held during my lightning talk, where, amidst confessing my nerves, the audience erupted in cheers and applause, showcasing a remarkably supportive community. Many fellow scholars also embraced the opportunity to participate in lightning talks, and you can catch those here.

While I won't summarize all the conference talks, you can watch them on Ruby Central's YouTube channel here. They were diverse and entertaining, and although a lot of it went over my head, a thread I noticed during the event was a message of curiosity and playfulness in coding, and that was an unexpected albeit refreshing encouragement.

Takeaways from a First-Timer's Perspective

1. Embrace the unfamiliar during talks; take notes and create action items for post-conference exploration, adding a dynamic layer to your learning journey.
2. Get to know your fellow Rubyists! Take advantage of the "Hallway Track,” meaning you should set aside time to chat spontaneously with others in the hallway between scheduled talks.
3. For career changers, refine your pitch and connect with others for inspiring insights on unconventional paths in software engineering.
4. Explore a new city, engage in social events, and consider trying the tradition of karaoke – it's incredibly enjoyable if you're up for a late night! Embrace new experiences with your conference buddies, as you may discover surprising things about yourself during this time.
5. Collect fun swag—stickers, bags, t-shirts, and more—if you're into it!

Thank You, Ruby community & Ruby Central!

In conclusion, RubyConf was a wonderful experience, and I hope to return as a Guide or Volunteer someday. A heartfelt thank you to the welcoming Ruby community and Ruby Central team, the incredible RubyConf organizers, and my fellow Scholars & Guides!

** Photos taken by Harmony Haft, San Diego Conference Photography