Leap year, leap forward? What steps are you taking towards new skills, new connections and new careers this February? The tech marketplace in Chicago has dozens of options for you to take a step (or leap) into 2016. A few of our favorites include the weekly speaker series at Groupon, casual coffee chats with Girl Develop It and the mad-dash from pitches to presentations that is Startup Weekend.
Geekfest: How to Make Networking Suck Less: Groupon hosts a weekly lunch series, Geekfest, with topics that range from the deeply technical to the superficial. In this talk, tech and non-tech folks can learn how to make networking suck less and work better. (Groupon, 600 W Chicago Ave, February 2, noon. Free)
Software Apprenticeships: Learn from the Leaders: If you’re an engineer, CTO, technical recruiter or developer seeking their first gig, hear from tech leaders at organizations like Enova, Trunk Club, and Dev Mynd on how they structured their apprentice programs. It's a great opportunity to learn about best practices and avoid pitfalls. (Dev Bootcamp, 351 W Hubbard St, February 3, 6pm. Free)
Code & Coffee with Girl Develop It: Join Girl Develop It (men are welcome too!) for a casual work night. There will be coffee and code in addition to conversation and camaraderie. This month’s meetup is at EdTech company eSpark Learning. (eSpark Learning, 833 W Jackson Blvd, February 9, 6pm. Free)
RailsBridge: RailsBridge is a free one-day workshop for people who identify as women or gender non-binary (men can attend as guests), and is a great way to dip your toes into coding in a super safe, supportive environment. (Chicago Innovation Exchange, 1452 E 53rd St, February 13, 10am. Free)
Chicago Founders’ Stories: GoHealth’s Brandon Cruz: Looking for that startup inspiration? Jump into this ongoing speaker series that features prominent Chicago tech founders. This month: GoHealth’s Brandon Cruz at startup city hub 1871. (1871, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, February 17, 6pm. Free)
Startup Weekend: This “hackathon” is a multi-day experience open to developers, designers, researchers, entrepreneurs and community members. Bring an idea, wear comfy clothes, and be prepared to work feverishly through the night. (TechNexus, 20 N Upper Wacker Drive, February 26, 6pm to February 28, 8pm. $99)