Why Some Programmers Aren’t Thrilled About Company Hackathons

In the tech world, the idea of a “hackathon” might sound exciting to some but leave others rolling their eyes. Imagine being in a room of developers and suddenly declaring that you dislike hackathons—it could be as controversial as the debate over pineapple pizza! While hackathons are intended to bolster company spirit and innovation, many programmers believe these events could use some improvements.

Why Hackathons Sometimes Fall Short

The Rush to Finish

Think of a hackathon like a school project, where you’re given only one night to complete everything. Some programmers find this rush creates a scenario primed for sloppy work. As Mira Welner, a bioinformatics engineer put it, “It’s not possible to do something better in 24 hours than what you could do giving a week’s worth of work to it.” This hurried atmosphere can lead many to feel like they’re just coloring outside the lines in a hurry rather than producing quality work.

Work Masquerading as Play

There are times when hackathons feel more like a trick than a treat—a workplace event dressed up as innovation but really just an extra work assignment in disguise. Mira Welner mentioned feeling this way when asked to re-code a script overnight. It’s like being told that cleaning your room is a ‘fun game’, only to realize it’s still just cleaning.

Overworking Without Reward

Much like cramming for an important exam, programmers often push themselves to their mental and physical limits during hackathons. The reality check comes when only a small handful of participants win, leaving most feeling like their hard work was for naught. As explained by Sumedh Barde from Simbian, these events can result in a crash in morale when all that effort seemingly vanishes into thin air.

The Personal Toll of Hackathons

Late Nights Away from Family

For many, hackathons are like sleepovers without the sleep—fun for a night, but exhausting and often at the expense of personal time. As seasoned software architect Dave Taubler noted, the demands of hackathons can take a toll on family life, leaving some feeling they’d rather be at home watching a movie with loved ones than coding late into the night.

The Networking Dilemma

Despite these drawbacks, hackathons aren’t without benefits, especially for newcomers. They can serve as crucial opportunities for networking, akin to meeting friends during the first week at a new school. If you’re novel to the industry, this article outlines how companies can better align with developers’ needs during these events.

Making Hackathons Work for Everyone

Aligning with Everyday Tasks

To truly make hackathons enjoyable, they need to resonate with programmers’ usual activities. Dave Taubler suggests integrating them into regular work schedules, much like having soccer practice during gym class. When they’re tied to daily routines and goals, they become less of an anomaly and more of an exciting opportunity for creativity.

Setting Clear Goals

Defining a specific purpose for hackathons, such as testing company software for vulnerabilities or developing a new tool, adds clarity and direction. By doing so, programmers can see real-world applications of their efforts, making hackathons a more valuable experience for all involved.

In conclusion, hackathons have the potential to be positive and engaging events, but they need some adjustments to align better with programmers’ day-to-day realities. By incorporating these insights, entrepreneurs and small business owners can create hackathons that are both productive and enjoyable for their teams.