Pathways to Tech Ft. AI Founder (Hiring), 2 Google Software Engineers, Nickelodeon SVP on Feb 15th on Zoom 🎉
- Date
- 2024-02-15
- Host
- Headstarter Events
About this event
If you're trying to break into tech, grow your career, or understand where AI is creating real opportunities right now, this conversation is built for you. On Thursday, February 15 at 6:00 PM EST, you'll hear directly from people who have built careers at major companies and are actively working at the center of software, leadership, and AI. This event brings together a rare mix of perspectives: an AI founder who is hiring, two Google software engineers, and a Nickelodeon SVP. That means you'll get practical insight from people who have seen tech from multiple angles, from startups and engineering teams to executive leadership and media. About the Event Pathways to Tech is a career-focused event designed to make the tech industry feel more accessible, more understandable, and more actionable. Instead of vague advice, the focus here is on real career paths: how people got in, how they built momentum, what skills mattered, and what they would tell someone trying to do it now. The speaker mix matters. You'll hear from people working in software engineering at one of the world's most recognized tech companies, from a founder building in AI and hiring, and from a senior executive with leadership experience at a major entertainment brand. Together, those perspectives can help you see that there isn't just one route into tech. Expect a format that balances story, strategy, and practical guidance. This is not just about inspirational journeys; it's about understanding the decisions, tradeoffs, and opportunities behind them. Whether you're early in your career or thinking about your next move, the event is designed to help you leave with clearer direction. Because this is an in-person event, you'll also have the chance to experience the energy of a live room. That matters for asking better questions, meeting peers, and having the kinds of side conversations that often lead to new ideas, introductions, and next steps. What to Expect The evening will center on candid conversation about careers in tech, software engineering, leadership, and AI. Expect speakers to share how they entered the field, how they navigated challenges, and what the work actually looks like from the inside. You can expect discussion across topics like: Breaking into software and tech roles Building a career at large companies Moving between technical and leadership tracks What AI opportunities look like today Hiring signals and what teams pay attention to How community and network can shape your path With an AI founder in the mix, this event should also be especially useful for anyone curious about what hiring looks like in fast-moving companies. That perspective can help attendees understand not just how to learn skills, but how to position themselves for real opportunities. The presence of two Google software engineers adds another layer of value. You'll get insight into engineering careers from people doing the work day to day, which can be useful whether you're exploring coding for the first time, preparing for interviews, or trying to understand the difference between learning tech and working in it professionally. The Nickelodeon SVP perspective broadens the conversation beyond traditional startup or engineering narratives. It highlights how tech thinking, product-mindedness, and leadership show up across industries, including media and large organizations. Why Attend A lot of career events talk about tech in general terms. This one stands out because the mix of speakers creates a more complete picture of the field. You are not hearing from one kind of operator or one kind of company; you're hearing from people who represent different parts of the ecosystem. That matters if you're trying to figure out where you fit. Maybe you want to join a startup, maybe you want the structure of a large company, or maybe you want to understand how technical skills connect to leadership over time. This event can help you compare those paths more clearly. You should also attend if you value practical guidance over polished narratives. Hearing from someone who is actively hiring can sharpen how you think about readiness, applications, and standing out. Hearing from engineers can help demystify the day-to-day reality of software roles. Hearing from an executive can help you think longer term about growth and scope. Some of the most useful takeaways may be the ones that help you ask better questions about your own path, such as: What skills are worth prioritizing right now? What does a realistic first step into tech look like? How do careers grow after you get your foot in the door? Where does AI create opportunity, and where does it create noise? How should you think about building credibility, experience, and community? If you leave with sharper career direction, a stronger sense of what the industry actually values, and a few meaningful connections, that is time well spent. Practical Details This event takes place in person on Thursday, February 15 at 6:00 PM EST. If you're someone who learns best through live conversation and direct access to speakers and peers, the in-person format is a major advantage. Come ready to listen actively, take notes, and think about the questions that matter most to your own next step. Because the event brings together perspectives across AI, software engineering, and senior leadership, it will be especially useful if you arrive with a clear sense of what you want to learn. The title mentions Zoom, but the listed event format is in person, so attendees should pay close attention to the official event details and updates when planning. If you're considering attending, it's smart to confirm logistics ahead of time and be prepared for the live format. If you're serious about tech and want grounded insight from people who have actually built careers in it, this is a strong room to be in. The combination of hiring insight, engineering experience, and executive perspective makes this an especially relevant event for people looking for practical direction rather than generic advice.
Who should attend
If you're looking for clearer direction in tech and want to hear from people who have actually built careers in it, this event is likely a strong fit. - You're a student, recent graduate, or career switcher trying to understand what realistic pathways into tech look like and which first steps make the most sense. - You're interested in **software engineering** and want direct insight from engineers at Google about career growth, expectations, and how technical roles work in practice. - You're curious about **AI** not just as a trend, but as a career area with real hiring demand, and you want to hear from a founder who is actively building and hiring. - You're early in your career and want to learn how professionals navigated different environments, from startups to large companies to executive leadership roles. - You're someone who benefits from hearing multiple perspectives before making your next move, whether that's learning to code, applying for roles, building projects, or expanding your network. - You value in-person conversations and want the chance to meet other ambitious people in tech, ask sharper questions, and leave with more clarity than you had when you arrived.