How to Gain Practical Tech Experience Through Hackathons (Without a Traditional Tech Job)
Why Are Hackathons More Important Than Ever in 2025?
Breaking into the tech industry in 2025 is more competitive than ever. The days of rapid hiring and skyrocketing salaries that defined the 2020-2021 tech boom have faded, replaced by a more cautious and selective job market. Many companies are still hiring, but they are prioritising experienced candidates and specialised skills over generalist knowledge.
For those without formal experience, this shift can feel discouraging. However, there are still effective ways to gain hands-on experience, build credibility, and make yourself a strong candidate—without waiting for a job offer. One of the best ways to do this is by participating in hackathons.
My Hackathon Journey: A Success Story
Despite my initial hesitation, I joined ETHAmsterdam, a Web3 hackathon, knowing my skills as a data analyst could add value. That decision paid off—we built DAOra, a decentralised project management tool, and made history as the first all-women team to win ETHAmsterdam in the Netherlands!
What made it even more special was that more than half of our team had never met before the hackathon. Yet, we collaborated seamlessly, proving that diverse skills and fresh perspectives drive innovation.
A few months later, we reunited—this time in Miami—where we won another hackathon! With new teammates and fresh challenges, the experience reinforced the power of community, collaboration, and stepping out of your comfort zone.
If you’ve ever considered joining a hackathon but felt unsure, go for it. You might just build something amazing—and win in more ways than one.
My team and I presenting our project on the ETHGlobal stage, after being selected as finalists.
What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon is an event where teams collaborate to create a technology-based solution to a problem within a limited time (often 24-48 hours). The goal is to learn, build, and innovate, and while coding is a key component, hackathons are not just for developers. Teams also need:
Product managers to define the vision
Designers to create user-friendly interfaces
Data analysts to make sense of information
Writers and communicators to pitch and present ideas
Even if you have no coding experience, you can still bring value to a team and gain practical experience in the process.
How Hackathons Can Help You Break Into Tech
1. Gain Real-World Experience
Instead of spending months working on personal projects alone, hackathons allow you to collaborate with a team and build something meaningful in just a few days. This mimics the fast-paced, problem-solving environment of real tech jobs.
2. Build a Portfolio That Stands Out
Recruiters and hiring managers look for evidence of practical skills. A strong hackathon project demonstrates that you can work in a team, solve problems, and execute ideas—qualities that many junior candidates struggle to prove.
3. Learn New Skills Quickly
Since hackathons are time-limited, they push you to learn and apply skills rapidly. Whether it’s coding, UI/UX design, data analysis, or even public speaking (for presentations), you’ll leave the event with new, tangible experience.
4. Grow Your Network in the Tech Community
Tech is a network-driven industry. The people you meet at a hackathon—mentors, teammates, judges—could become future co-workers, hiring managers, or collaborators. Many companies actively scout hackathons for new talent.
5. Increase Your Confidence and Visibility
Many beginners hesitate to apply for jobs because they feel they lack experience. A hackathon gives you a safe space to experiment, fail, learn, and grow. Winning or even just participating can boost your confidence and establish your presence in the industry.
How to Join a Hackathon (Even If You Have No Experience)
1. Find a Beginner-Friendly Hackathon
You don’t have to be an expert to participate! Many hackathons welcome newcomers and focus on learning rather than competition. Here’s where to look:
Devpost – A platform listing global hackathons.
Major League Hacking (MLH) – Great for students and beginners.
Local meetups & tech communities – Many host beginner-friendly hackathons.
2. Join a Team (You Don’t Need to Code!)
Hackathon teams need more than just developers. You can contribute as a:
Problem solver – Help define the challenge and brainstorm ideas.
Data analyst – Analyse trends and present insights.
UI/UX designer – Create user-friendly prototypes.
Project manager – Keep the team organised and on track.
Presenter – Help with storytelling and pitching ideas.
If you don’t have technical skills yet, highlight your strengths and join a team looking for those abilities.
3. Learn the Basics (But Don’t Stress About It)
You don’t need to be an expert, but knowing some fundamentals can help. Consider learning:
No-code tools (Bubble, Webflow) – Great for building projects quickly.
Figma – Useful for UI/UX design.
SQL & Data Analysis – Helpful for making sense of information.
Basic programming (HTML/CSS, Python, JavaScript) – A little goes a long way!
Free resources like freeCodeCamp, Coursera, and Kaggle can give you a head start.
4. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
If you’ve never worked on a tech project before, hackathons are the perfect opportunity to push yourself. Speak up, ask questions, and contribute—even small ideas can be valuable.
5. Use the Experience to Land Your First Tech Job
After the hackathon, don’t let your project go to waste!
Add it to your portfolio or GitHub.
Write about it on LinkedIn to showcase your experience.
Mention it in job applications and interviews—it counts as real-world experience!