What are you giving thanks for this November? Perhaps the abundance of free (or cheap) tech events around Chicago? We live in a city with an extensive calendar of options for those looking to get into tech, build some stuff, learn new skills or meet new people. Join your fellow Chicago technologists (or soon-to-be, wannabe, sort-of-part-time technologists) for hackathons, design workshops and cozy fireside chats. Squeeze it all in before everyone goes on Thanksgiving break.
Design 101: Tips and Tricks: Join Aly Fluckey, a developer at tech company 2CheckOut, for a talk that will illuminate basic design principles and offer tips and tricks of designing for the web. This event is for beginner developers or those looking to learn a little more about what design can do. (Dev Bootcamp, 351 W Hubbard St, November 4, 6pm. Free.)
Open Source, Open Mic: This “open mic” night is for developers, by developers. "Lightning talks" will focus on open source software and ways to get involved. Join in to listen (or contribute) over beer, pizza and cupcakes at trading tech firm DRW. (DRW, 540 W Madison St, November 5, 5:30pm. Free.)
Building Your Brand in Tech: Attend this talk at Dev Bootcamp if you’re looking to start a career or build a career in the tech industry. The event will be led by Heather Corallo, a Chicago-based technical talent strategist, recruiter and leadership trainer. She’s looked at thousands of resumes and can tell you what not to do. (Dev Bootcamp, 351 W Hubbard St, November 11, 6pm. Free.)
Startup Weekend Global Battle: Startup Weekend bills itself as the biggest startup competition in the world with the motto “No talk. All action.” Show up at TechNexus to pitch an idea or join an existing team to work around the clock all weekend on a project. Presentations and judging take place Sunday night. (TechNexus, 20 N Upper Wacker Drive, Friday, November 13-15. $25-$99.)
Fireside Chat with Charles Adler, Co-Founder of Kickstarter: Chicago Innovation Exchange in Hyde Park is hosting the Kickstarter co-founder (and Head of Design) for a casual conversation about work experience and career trajectory. Find out how Adler created and shaped the world's largest crowdfunding platform. (Chicago Innovation Exchange, 1452 E 53rd St, November 16, 5:30pm. Free.)