Hey there!
Introduction: A Long-Awaited Opportunity
Last Saturday marked a significant milestone for me as I attended my very first in-person coding meetup, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of amazing!
Now, before I dive into the details, let me provide a bit of context. I’ve been on my coding journey for a couple of years now now (2.5, to be exact), but due to the unfortunate circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person gatherings were scarce, especially where I resided—in rural Japan, where reaching a city meant a daunting three-hour drive. So, you can imagine my excitement when the opportunity finally presented itself.
The Unforgettable Venue: Cybozu’s Office
The atmosphere at the meetup was buzzing with enthusiasm and a shared passion for coding. What struck me the most was the diverse array of people I encountered—each with their unique backgrounds and experiences, yet all united by a common love for technology. The venue itself added an extra layer of excitement to the experience. Situated on the 35th floor of the Osaka Twin Towers North building in Umeda, we found ourselves amidst the technological innovation of Japan. Hosting the event at the Cybozu office, a leading tech company in Japan, provided us with not just a space to code in, but an environment brimming with inspiration. It was a privilege to gather in such a place, courtesy of Cybozu’s generosity and support for the developer community.
Diving into Discussions: Exploring New Technologies
Throughout the event, we delved into discussions about cutting-edge technologies that were entirely new to me. From Astro, which is a web framework for building content-driven websites, to Hygraph – a headless CMS with a GraphQL-native API-first approach. And the best part? We didn’t just stop at listening. Thanks to the guidance of seasoned professionals present at the meetup, we got some hands-on coding experience.
Building Connections: Networking and Community
Reflecting on the meetup, I can’t help but emphasize the value of attending such events. Beyond the knowledge gained, it’s the connections made and the sense of community that truly stood out to me. It’s a reminder that in the world of coding, collaboration and continuous learning are the keys to growth.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
So, to anyone who’s even remotely considering attending a coding meetup or any event aligned with your interests, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap. Trust me; it’s an investment in yourself that pays dividends beyond measure.
If you’re curious to catch a glimpse of my experience, I’m putting together a short video documenting the highlights of the meetup. It will soon be up on my YouTube channel here.
Until next time, let’s go HARD in the CODE!
Zach (WebDevJapan)
P.S.
A sample blog using the technologies we learned can be seen here.
If you’re interested in joining a meetup check out the Osaka Web Developers Meetup Group.
