Pathways to Tech ft. Former Hinge CPO by Headstarter 🎉
- Date
- 2023-12-20
- Host
- Headstarter Events
About this event
Breaking into tech can feel opaque from the outside. This event is built to make it clearer, more human, and far more practical—through an in-person conversation with a former Chief Product Officer at Hinge and a room full of people actively thinking about their next move in tech. Whether you're exploring your first role, trying to understand what product leadership really looks like, or looking to meet ambitious people in the local tech community, this is a strong place to start. Expect real perspective, useful career insight, and the kind of networking that happens more naturally when everyone is there for a shared reason. About the Event Pathways to Tech ft. Former Hinge CPO by Headstarter is an in-person community event focused on careers, growth, and connection in tech. At its core, this is a chance to hear directly from someone who has operated at a high level in product while also meeting peers who are navigating similar questions about where they fit in the industry. The event brings together a few things that matter a lot when you're building a career: access to experience, exposure to different paths, and conversations with people who care about tech in a serious way. Instead of trying to package tech as a mystery or a buzzword, the format centers on practical insight and candid discussion. Because this is hosted by Headstarter, the event also has a community feel to it. It is not just about listening passively to a talk and leaving. It is designed to help people meet, ask better questions, and come away with a clearer sense of what the path into tech can actually look like. If you have ever wondered how careers in product and tech evolve over time—from early opportunities to leadership-level decision-making—this event gives you a real-world lens on those questions. What to Expect You can expect a mix of speaker insight, community conversation, and networking. The featured draw is the opportunity to hear from a former Hinge CPO, which means attendees should come ready for a perspective shaped by real product leadership experience rather than abstract advice. The flow will likely feel social and approachable while still being substantive. This is the kind of event where people come to learn something useful, ask thoughtful questions, and meet others who are actively engaged in tech. What the evening may include: A featured talk or fireside-style conversation focused on pathways into tech, product thinking, and career development Audience Q&A where you can hear the questions other attendees are asking about roles, growth, and decision-making in the industry Open networking time to connect with other students, early-career professionals, builders, and community members Peer-to-peer conversations that can lead to new introductions, follow-up chats, or fresh perspective on your own next steps This event is tagged across tech, community, networking, meetup, and social, which gives a good sense of the atmosphere. It should feel both professional and welcoming: structured enough to be worth your time, relaxed enough that starting conversations does not feel forced. Why Attend There is real value in hearing from someone who has held one of the most influential roles in product at a well-known tech company. For people figuring out how to enter tech—or how to grow within it—that kind of perspective can sharpen your understanding of what skills matter, how teams work, and how careers develop beyond job titles. You are also getting something many online resources cannot provide: context. Blog posts and short-form career advice can be useful, but they rarely let you ask follow-up questions, read the room, or compare your own assumptions with what experienced operators and peers are seeing right now. Attending can help you: Get a clearer picture of tech career paths, especially around product and adjacent roles Learn how experienced leaders think about growth, decision-making, and navigating the industry Build your network in a more organic way by meeting people in person around a shared interest Pressure-test your own plans and questions through conversation rather than guessing in isolation Leave with momentum, whether that means a new idea, a useful contact, or better clarity on what to pursue next For many attendees, the biggest benefit will be a stronger sense that tech is not one narrow road. There are multiple entry points, different timelines, and many ways to contribute. Events like this help make those possibilities visible. Practical Details Location: In person Date: Wednesday, December 20 Time: 6:00 PM EST Because this is an in-person evening event, it is a good fit for people who want face-to-face conversation rather than another virtual panel. If networking matters to you, arriving on time will help you catch both the structured portion and the more casual interactions before and after. A few simple ways to make the most of it: Come with 2-3 thoughtful questions about careers, product, or breaking into tech Be ready to introduce yourself clearly in a sentence or two Leave space to stay after the formal portion for conversations with other attendees If you are exploring opportunities, think about the specific perspective you want to gain from being in the room If you care about tech, career growth, and meeting people who are serious about building in this space, this event offers a high-value reason to show up in person on a Wednesday night.
Who should attend
This is for people who want a more concrete, connected view of what a future in tech can look like. - You are **exploring a path into tech** and want insight that goes beyond generic online advice. - You are **interested in product, startups, or tech leadership** and want to hear how someone at the CPO level thinks about growth, teams, and decision-making. - You are a **student, recent graduate, or early-career professional** looking for practical perspective and a stronger network. - You want to **meet ambitious, curious people in person** rather than only consuming content from a distance. - You are **career-switching or testing your next move** and need clearer signals on where your skills might fit. - You value events that are both **substantive and social**—where you can learn something useful and leave having made real connections. If you have been looking for a room where tech feels more accessible, conversations feel easier to start, and the insights are grounded in real experience, you will likely feel at home here.