Tech Talks
Tech Talks are presentation-style events where speakers share insights, stories, or technical deep dives on topics in computer science, software, startups, and beyond. They’re a great way to expose students to real-world experience, industry perspectives, and cool ideas outside of the classroom.
Tech Talks can feature guest professionals, faculty, or students, and they can be structured as one-off presentations or a lineup of shorter talks.
🧩 What They Are
- A series of tech-focused presentations, often followed by Q&A or informal discussion
- Can take the form of:
- A single long-form talk (30–45 minutes)
- Multiple short talks (5–15 minutes each)
- Lightning talk nights with student speakers
- Works well in classrooms, lecture halls, or online formats
📌 Examples
-
25 Years in Silicon Valley (2024–2025)
A one-speaker event featuring a tech professional sharing career lessons and startup experience. -
Tech Talk Night (2022–2023)
A multi-speaker night with diverse topics and shorter presentations — kept students engaged by varying pace and content. -
Lightning Talk Night (2022–2023)
Student-led lightning talks — quick, accessible, and often creative or niche topics.
⚠️ Things to Consider
Shorter Talks Keep People Engaged
- Attention spans vary, especially during evening events
- Events with multiple shorter talks make it easier for students to stay invested — and offer more variety
Aim For Accesible Explanations
- A large % of our participating membership is lower year standing students who need explanations of topics to be accesible