I just got back from DC after attending the STARS Celebration 2014, which was...well you'll see.
Obviously as a part of STARS I was invited to attend the conference with my school; however my coordinators didn't exactly tell me I was helping run the event until I got there. That's okay because they did they same thing to the girl I was with. I don't have any problem with volunteering and running tech events because that's what I do, but to not be told that until I got there is honestly very annoying.
So anyways the Celebration is a major event for STARS Computing Corps, a national organization that works to get college CS/IT students engaged in a community atmosphere to use their skills to benefit others. Normal activities involve outreach in the form of workshops and camps to local K-12 youth as well as mentoring and tutoring other college students struggling in CS/IT. It's all very feel-good typical outreach.
As I was stuck running the event instead of participating as an actual student, I didn't exactly have the freedom to attend any of the panels. Not a problem, as most of the panels were geared towards very minimal skill sets. For a community that prides itself and new and innovating ways to do what we do, I don't think any of us needed a workshop on Scratch and how to teach middle school students. However the DARPA and other Cyber Security tracts, the things students like us can benefit from, were pretty cool (as described by my coworker). There were also more useful panels on how to publish a research paper or tips on fundraising, but other than that the panels were very uninteresting, and those that were ended up being cancelled (why?).
Now for speakers, the one and only Ruthe Farmer gave a keynote! Being a member of NCWIT and a former Aspirations in Computing winner, being able to meet up with her and hear her give a talk in person was so awesome! She even sat with me and my coworker (another NCWIT winner) during breakfast.
So anyways the Celebration is a major event for STARS Computing Corps, a national organization that works to get college CS/IT students engaged in a community atmosphere to use their skills to benefit others. Normal activities involve outreach in the form of workshops and camps to local K-12 youth as well as mentoring and tutoring other college students struggling in CS/IT. It's all very feel-good typical outreach.
As I was stuck running the event instead of participating as an actual student, I didn't exactly have the freedom to attend any of the panels. Not a problem, as most of the panels were geared towards very minimal skill sets. For a community that prides itself and new and innovating ways to do what we do, I don't think any of us needed a workshop on Scratch and how to teach middle school students. However the DARPA and other Cyber Security tracts, the things students like us can benefit from, were pretty cool (as described by my coworker). There were also more useful panels on how to publish a research paper or tips on fundraising, but other than that the panels were very uninteresting, and those that were ended up being cancelled (why?).
Now for speakers, the one and only Ruthe Farmer gave a keynote! Being a member of NCWIT and a former Aspirations in Computing winner, being able to meet up with her and hear her give a talk in person was so awesome! She even sat with me and my coworker (another NCWIT winner) during breakfast.
We also ran the "Leadership" panel, which was basically just a required event where every student plays icebreakers. Don't have any pictures but you get the idea.
One of my major complaints with the conference was that there were no industry professionals. They even had a whole slot on the schedule for a career expo and fair, but they only had 2 tables which were for Google and ITology. Yes, having Google is awesome, but she was only one poor recruiter having to talk to over 200 students because there were no other companies to talk to. That was super sad. How can you have a tech conference without any technology professionals? This was not thought out and very poorly run.
One of my major complaints with the conference was that there were no industry professionals. They even had a whole slot on the schedule for a career expo and fair, but they only had 2 tables which were for Google and ITology. Yes, having Google is awesome, but she was only one poor recruiter having to talk to over 200 students because there were no other companies to talk to. That was super sad. How can you have a tech conference without any technology professionals? This was not thought out and very poorly run.
Besides just the poor running of the conference itself, workplace drama happened! Yaaaayy! I won't go into it too much for obvious reasons.
Speaking of unprofessional, let's talk about what is appropriate business dress. When the dress code at the event states business casual/dressy, that does not mean polos. This means button downs, slacks, skirts, and dresses. The amount of OTHER COLLEGE STUDENTS I saw wearing t-shirts and shorts was beyond disgusting. You are at a professional event being treated like professional adults, act like it please! That's just so embarrassing.
Anyways, but what was really good was the food. The desserts we were served were beyond amazing, I weighed myself after I got back home and found that I gained 3 pounds. It's okay, I made it back to the gym this morning.
Speaking of unprofessional, let's talk about what is appropriate business dress. When the dress code at the event states business casual/dressy, that does not mean polos. This means button downs, slacks, skirts, and dresses. The amount of OTHER COLLEGE STUDENTS I saw wearing t-shirts and shorts was beyond disgusting. You are at a professional event being treated like professional adults, act like it please! That's just so embarrassing.
Anyways, but what was really good was the food. The desserts we were served were beyond amazing, I weighed myself after I got back home and found that I gained 3 pounds. It's okay, I made it back to the gym this morning.
Our hotel was also very nice; it was probably the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in. The view from the roof was so pretty!
Also, Ruthe gave me a Sphero :D
So to wrap up the conference, it was kind of lame and I got nothing beneficial from it. Oh well, maybe 2015 one in Charlotte will be better.