Experience in the Hacking Community
This is my story in the overwhelming community of Developers helping out each other in a selfless manner.
I have not started very early in the hacking/development field. I spent my first two years of College just roaming around. In my fourth semester, I worked with a few dev projected and learned HTML, CSS, and the basics of JS and created a Portfolio Site and Blog Site where I kept my Phone Reviews, blah blah blah.
Then I got to know about the Microsoft Student Partner program. I applied for it. Prepared the required videos, answered the question. Stated about the situation that my college being new (eventually, we are the first batch XD.), lacks a dev community or a team that can help others to grow. I got selected in it and got to come across a beautiful community. To be honest, you need to have some sort of validation to make people listen to you or make them attend your events. MLSA gave me that platform to approach my fellow classmates and juniors. I arranged a few events.
Eventually, I got a chance to arrange and manage a Hackathon from Techno India Group. This was by far the biggest opportunity for me. The team was small. So, all of the five-team members had a huge responsibility. I got o know more about Github. Learn git, git Kraken, a fair bit of PHP, more about JavaScript, and got a huge knowledge of Event Management, Communication, and Branding. I was a total noob, all of my teammates without even knowing who I am, helped me day and night to get me better at things. It was a huge support. The hackathon was a big success. Students from all over India participated and we successfully managed the COmmunity Bonding, Prototyping, Result Declaration and gave away all the prizes, swags, and gifts. This event gave me one of the biggest confidence to pursue my interest in this field.
From then, I got involved in participating and arranging many Events, Coding Competitions in the Hacking Community.
I came to know about the regular events from MLH a few months ago. Till then I thought MLH was only offering their fellowship that was almost a dream for me. I am currently participating in the MLH Local Hack Day and if I keep aside the beautiful, event, interaction with the speakers, exciting games that are being played, it is helping me immensely in making more and more relevant projects and gaining knowledge. And, working with my guild is playing a great part in improving my collaborative skills.
This is indeed a great community. There comes a certain point in every Hacking/Dev enthusiast's life when Stack Overflow bows down and the community takes out of the problem. Lastly, Enjoyed, Enjoying and will Enjoy much much more…