In a previous post, we explained how the idea of creating "Can Engineers Save the Planet?" was born. Also, we detailed the process of designing and giving shape to the talk. Now is the moment to explain, how we delivered the talk, starting with Codemotion.
In a previous post, we explained how the idea of creating "Can Engineers Save the Planet?" was born. Also, we detailed the process of designing and giving shape to the talk. Now is the moment to explain, how we delivered the talk, starting with Codemotion.
You are probably already familiar with Codemotion, but in case of you are not, we're going to explain it a little. Codemotion is one of the biggest IT communities worldwide, and here below you can find some numbers about how 2023 edition went:
The organizers have published a short recap video of the 2023 edition. We recommend watching it to form your own idea about what the importance of the event.
We visited the venue the day before our talk to check the stage, we thought it would be good to keep our nervousness under control. We attended a fantastic live coding session made by Stanimira Vlaeva, and we noticed how big the screen on the stage was. Just like a movie theater!
The following day, it was our turn. We did a sound check and everything was ready to go! We delivered our talk to approximately 55-60 attendees, including some Celonaut (which is how we call ourselves, BTW you can become one too) who were supporting us (thanks buddies)
Even though we were nervous, the nervousness disappeared as the session progressed. As a curiosity, near our feet there was a status monitor, counting down the remaining time to finish the talk on time. Changing from Green - Yellow - Red. But in the end, we managed to finish on time. After the talk, some people surrounded us, asking questions about Process Mining and Celonis, and we received good feedback from the audience, so we can conclude it was a successful experience. For us and Celonis as a company.
Of course you can check how it went yourself since the [talk was recorded] (in Spanish).
At Codemotion there are many booths for all the companies sponsoring the event. All of them organized activities to attract the developer's attention (wheels of fortune, hooks to pick up toys, quizzes with prizes...).
One of our objectives was also to let the developer community know more about our company:
A well-organized group of Celonauts participated by turns organizing events to attract the developers. Our Codemotion's Celonauts team shared a lot of energy and effort, was amazing to see all of us working together and gathering the developer's feedback.
These are some facts we all learned (and we gathered in a funny quiz the second day, giving clues about all of them):
Codemotion was held in a large movie theater, each hour 5 conferences were held, so you must choose which room to go to.
There were many interesting talks those days, I was present at these ones:
Impressive Tips&Tricks to enhance the developer Experience (specially opening your APIs to other communities). Based on the Spotify experience, but could be applied internally too. Cooking a big DX.
Introducing the main problems to work with accessibility (of course, front), and the impressive work to enable real accessibility for everyone. Turning Awareness into Action: How to Make a Real Difference in Accessibility.
It solved many questions about the usage of GraalVM (of course, Java) but opened it to other languages. So interesting how to optimize your apps and its impact into the performance. GraalVM - the virtual machine for all your programs.
I agree with Rory about his exposition of the problems to access the first job for a Junior Developer (not all that glitters is gold), how to start, select and decide your role. The Junior Developer Crisis.
The experience of being a speaker at Codemotion included a dinner with all the speakers of the event. This dinner was held at the end of the first day, so there were people who had already delivered their session and others waiting to deliver it the next day (as was my case).
It was quite an experience to go to dinner and share my feelings with all the other speakers. At dinner, there were about 50 people. Many of them were veteran speakers, who are practically full-time dedicated to speaking engagements and outreach. In fact, several had already met at previous events so they were eager to catch up, talking about their latest talks. On the other side, there were people like me who were attending as speakers for the first time at a major event and were nervous because their turn would come the next day.
Sharing those feelings with other speakers was a huge boost of energy. With those of them who had already delivered their session that day (exultant, rested, sure of themselves and already liberated), and with those who would do it the next day (nervous, wanting to go to the hotel soon to continue rehearsing or rereading, not at all sure of themselves, with a great impostor syndrome đ).
Out of that dinner grew our âsmall speaker support groupâ the next day. We all turn to each other's talks to give each other encouragement and feedback. We felt like a group that was beginning to walk in this world, and not so alone anymore.
I felt privileged for the support (and the resources) I received from Celonis to prepare and deliver my session. I learned that other speakers had come in their car, completely independently, and they prepared everything without any support from their company's communication department.
We will never forget that many speakers are doing their best to attend, being their organizers, giving everything on the way (maximum respect).
I encourage all the Celonauts to suggest a speech at an event and ask for help in the organization, you will feel supported all the way.
