report from railsconf

This past week I was fortunate to attend my first major conference as a software developer, under the RailsConf 2016 Opportunity Scholars & Guides program. Look at these cuties!

Here’s me with my awesome guide Jason:

And some sticker swag:

Laptop before/after pic.twitter.com/sIp9Gid4L1

— Mary Dickson Diaz (@marythought) May 8, 2016

The conference food was just ok but the cake was on point:

I tried to fit in as many talks as I could, and I’ll post my favorite talks in a few weeks when the conference recordings are available. If you can’t wait, here’s two great ones available now:

• Rspec & Rails 5 (aka the “Make Ruby Great Again” talk) by Justin Searls
• Keynote by Nickolas Means: “The Original Skunk Works“

For now I just want to highlight some of the inspirational people I got to meet:

Saron Yitbarek (Code Newbie) and Nadia Odunayo, co-hosts of Ruby Book Club. Nadia gave a great talk about “code hospitality” I’m still thinking about.

Ahhhh these two incredibly inspiring #womenintech I’ll read w/e they tell me to @saronyitbarek @nodunayo #railsconf pic.twitter.com/1JRxRy15fH

— Mary Dickson Diaz (@marythought) May 6, 2016

Coraline, creator of the Contributor Covenant, talks legacy code base, and was inducted as a Ruby Hero:

“Your first legacy codebase” with @CoralineAda #railsconf pic.twitter.com/2QRWZXopH0

— Mary Dickson Diaz (@marythought) May 4, 2016

I am so honored. Thanks to everyone who supports me, you make my work possible and worthwhile. ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/FjaDK68ttz

— Coraline Ada Ehmke (@CoralineAda) May 5, 2016

Sarah Mei, as RailsConf 2016 program chair, helped recruit a phenomenal, diverse group of speakers, and provided a great experience for conference attendees.

Thank you @sarahmei for all your work with the Ruby community and #railsconf pic.twitter.com/CUA0aY5FVg

— Schneems (@schneems) May 6, 2016

I got to thank and snap a picture with Michael Hartl (of the Rails Tutorial and Learn Enough Society)

New friends!

Stephanie brought Stroopwaffle from The Netherlands, because she is smart.

Thanks for bringing these awesome treats to #railsconf @stephaniecodes!! It didn’t last long 😋 pic.twitter.com/6Ucp38VSfJ

— Mike Virata-Stone (@smellsblue) May 7, 2016

Hayley sold us all on Rails Camp:

.@HayleyCAnderson talks up @railscamp during ☇ talks #railsconf #wanttogotothere pic.twitter.com/5QokZlryN8

— Mary Dickson Diaz (@marythought) May 5, 2016

Plus many more excellent developers from right here in Seattle and around the world, including some expecting and new dev moms and parents, from whom I took copious notes for future developments.

I had a blast! It was especially great to be a part of the scholars & guides group, because it provided a familiar set of faces with whom I was able to get to know over the three days. Lots of women and developers of color in this group, which helped make me feel at home and welcome all week. I’m grateful to RailsConf for the opportunity and to my job for giving me the time and space to be here, and full of love for the Ruby/Rails community. Next year in Phoenix!