Creativity is something we all have within us, no matter what our job roles are or what our individual strengths and skills might be. Whether we’re more physical, artistic, musical, or cerebral, we all connect with this spark that allows us to create something unique, either from scratch or by recombining existing elements. Great creators usually cultivate their creativity more than others, but we all have what it takes to unleash something new. And just like creativity is a very human trait, so is the desire to build something that benefits others, something that improves and enhances their lives and makes their days brighter.
For those who might not be familiar with Arionkoder Hackathons, they are intense, time-bound events where teams of Arionics come together to solve problems, develop new ideas, and create innovative solutions with different themes for each edition, such as no/low code, AI, internal projects, healthcare, or retail. It’s a fun and competitive environment where creativity and collaboration are key, and it’s a very fertile ground to awaken and exercise creativity and empower us to create useful solutions, which is one of the reasons I sign up the moment I see the inscriptions open.
But there are more reasons why I love these events. Hackathons have given me the great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who also chase these goals, both as team members and as judges and mentors. The diverse perspectives that they bring to the table are incredibly enriching, both professionally and personally, and lead me out of my comfort zone toward the extraordinary. I’m fascinated by their strengths and skills, and I find inspiration in our complementary visions. It’s an opportunity to see things from different angles, fostering empathy and understanding, and a great reminder that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Their skills aren’t the only reason I want to work with them, though. I’m always excited to reconnect with my hackathon team for who they are. My team has remained mostly unchanged since the beginning of the hackathons, and that’s allowed for an ease of working together, a familiarity that I cherish. At first, as someone without a technical background, I wondered how I might help rather than hinder my teammates. But together, we found a way to make it work: my main contributions are in the idea development phase where we all collaborate, then supporting them during the actual development and focusing mostly on the user we envision for our product, and finally showcasing our work. We’ve built a close relationship based on trust and teamwork values.
Then, there’s the thrill of the challenge itself. Hackathons push me to think about topics that may not have been a focus before. We strive to break the mold, push the limits and bring the future into the present. It’s exciting to be part of an era where what we create can become a cornerstone for others! And of course, the satisfaction of solving a problem and bringing something new into existence is immensely rewarding, especially when there’s a possibility that what we’ve created will actually grow and develop thanks to Arionkoder.
So, why do I love participating in hackathons? It’s the creativity, the collaboration, the challenge, and the chance to make a difference. But most of all, it’s the community building: creating a sense of belonging and togetherness that drives us in the quest for the extraordinary. If you haven’t experienced it yet, I invite you to join in on our next edition with an open mind, ready to flow and experiment. Who knows? You might just discover a new passion or uncover a talent you didn’t know you had!