The benefits of speaking at tech conferences (even if you aren't an expert)

Coding Chats episode 68 - Paulina Dubas shares her experiences and insights on the importance of public speaking at conferences, the challenges engineers face in communication, and the benefits of networking within the tech community. She discusses the significance of understanding AI in the workplace, the ongoing issues of gender balance in tech, and the value of an MBA for engineers transitioning into business roles. The conversation emphasizes the need for inclusivity and the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to foster growth in the industry.

Chapters

00:00 The Benefits of Speaking at Conferences

05:07 Overcoming Public Speaking Challenges

09:04 Key Lessons for Aspiring Speakers

10:49 Navigating AI in the Workplace

14:48 The Gender Balance in Tech

22:07 Creating Inclusive Workplaces

24:48 Consulting vs. Product Roles

27:32 The Value of an MBA for Engineers34:28 Exploring Related Content

Paulina's Links

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinadubas/

website : https://paulinadubas.com/

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@PaulinaDubas

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways

It's beneficial to be involved in the community and put yourself out there.

Public speaking helps deepen your understanding of topics.

Overcoming the fear of public speaking can enhance communication skills.

Networking at conferences can lead to valuable connections.

You don't need to be an expert to speak at conferences.

Starting small can build confidence for larger speaking engagements.

AI tools need proper processes and training for effective use.

Banning AI tools is a temporary solution that can lead to bigger issues.

Gender balance in tech starts from early education and cultural perceptions.

Consulting roles provide diverse experiences that accelerate learning.