Everything You Need to Know About Hackathons by Rajnandini Tiwari

Ever wondered what happens when a group of passionate coders, a tight deadline, and an unlimited supply of coffee come together? The result is a hackathon; a place where innovation happens, ideas come to life, and careers get a serious boost.

Today, we dive into the world of hackathons through the journey of Rajnandini Tiwari, a third-year BCA student who has won more than 8 hackathons, including the prestigious Smart India Hackathon. With a strong love for clean code and user-friendly designs, Rajnandini has expertise in frontend development, data science, and AI. Her story is not just about winning hackathons but about learning, networking, and finding opportunities in unexpected places.

How Rajnandini Got into Coding

Like many students, her first introduction to coding happened in school. She started with HTML in Class 6 or 7, later learning SQL and Python in Class 11. Initially, she had plans to pursue a career in biology, but a deeper interest in SQL made her shift gears and choose computer science instead.

However, she faced challenges while picking a college because she did not have mathematics in Class 11 and 12. Eventually, she enrolled in a BCA program in Ranchi from ICFAI University Jharkhand, specializing in data science and AI. Unfortunately, she realized that the tech culture in her college and city was not very strong. This pushed her to look beyond her college for learning opportunities and tech communities.

The Hackathon Journey: From First Competition to National-Level Wins

Hackathons played a crucial role in shaping her technical skills and confidence. Her journey in hackathons is full of learning, problem-solving, and teamwork.

First Hackathon: Learning the Basics

Her first-ever hackathon was a 24-hour event at VIT Ranchi. Since she was not confident in her coding skills yet, she focused on UI/UX design. Her team created a paper-based design before developing the frontend of the project. Despite being beginners, they managed to win third place! ( yes her first hackathon, and she won, Crazy isn’t ? )

Their project aimed to digitize local vendors by creating a web app with integrated maps. They used HTML, CSS, and Django to build the platform.

Smart India Hackathon: The Biggest Challenge

The Smart India Hackathon was a completely different level of competition. It was a national event with thousands of teams across the country competing.

• The process started with choosing a problem statement from a list of 180+ options.

• Her team picked harder problem statements that fewer teams were working on.

• The final round was held in Chennai, where they had 48 hours to build their solution.

• Their project involved using AI and satellite imagery to automate road verification for the rural ministry.

• Data analysis played a crucial role in their project, giving them an advantage over competitors.

This strategic approach helped them win the hackathon, making it one of Rajnandini’s biggest achievements.

The Most Fun Hackathon: IIT Bombay Experience

One of her most exciting hackathons was at IIT Bombay. Due to some miscommunication, her team missed the initial brief and ended up with just 3-4 hours to build a working project. Despite the challenge, they successfully developed a tool using YOLO (You Only Look Once) to detect if someone was actively working at their desk. This experience taught her the importance of quick thinking and adaptability. (although she didn't win it, but it was a fun experience for her)

Where to Find Hackathons

She discovered hackathons through platforms like Unstop and Devfolio. As she participated in more competitions, she started receiving emails and invites for upcoming hackathons.

Technical Skills Gained from Hackathons

Hackathons allowed her to learn and apply new technologies on the go. Some of the key technologies she worked with include:

• OpenCV

• TypeScript

• Angular

• Firebase

• Django

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript

• Azure (for maps)

• AI tools for image analysis

• Data analysis techniques

She primarily learned these through YouTube tutorials, documentation, and discussions with peers.

Networking and Exposure: The Hidden Perks of Hackathons

One of the biggest benefits of participating in hackathons is the networking opportunities. Rajnandini attended hackathons in Delhi and Bangalore, where she met tech enthusiasts, industry experts, and company representatives. This exposure helped her understand the difference between tech cultures in smaller cities versus major tech hubs. In cities like Delhi and Bangalore, students get better opportunities and companies are actively looking for engineers.

She also started leveraging social media platforms like Twitter to stay updated with hackathon opportunities and connect with tech communities.

Internship Offers Through Hackathons

Hackathons are not just about winning prizes, they can also help in getting internships.

• Delhi Internship Offer: She received an internship opportunity in Delhi through a hackathon but decided not to take it.

• Cybersecurity Internship: She got an internship offer from a cybersecurity company after participating in another hackathon.

• Nomad Coder Internship: This internship came from a Twitter connection with the founder of Nomad Coder. ( No interview, direct joining )

This highlights how hackathons open doors to real-world job and internship opportunities.

Tips for Winning Hackathons

She has shared some key strategies for succeeding in hackathons and being the top rankers in any hackathons for you:

• Make Your Proposal Stand Out: A well-prepared PPT presentation is crucial. Include a business/revenue model to show your project’s real-world value.

• Focus on the Core Problem: Don’t get distracted by unnecessary features. Keep your solution simple and effective.

• Be Ready to Learn on the Spot: Many times, you might need to learn a new framework or API quickly during the event. Stay flexible.

• Prioritize a Working Solution: It’s better to have fewer, well-functioning features than many half-baked ones.

• Leverage Social Media: Sharing your hackathon journey on Twitter can help you connect with recruiters, developers, and mentors.

• Hustle and Stay Consistent: Hard work and persistence matter more than anything else.

Teamwork and Collaboration: A Key to Success

Hackathons taught Rajnandini how to work in a team effectively.

• Her teams would divide tasks based on individual strengths.

• They used Git for version control to ensure smooth collaboration.

• She learned how to handle real-world project challenges and work in a structured environment.

These experiences prepared her for corporate life, helping her adapt to team-based projects in her internships.

Internship Experience: Applying Skills in the Real World

In her current internship, she works on Angular, TypeScript, and Firebase. Their product will be launched soon featuring a web platform to learn, test and apply for jobs at the same place. She has learned:

• Time Management: Delivering projects on tight deadlines.

• Using AI Tools: AI assistants like ChatGPT help her find quick solutions.

• Debugging and Problem-Solving: Understanding complex issues in real-world applications.

She relies on browser extensions, AI tools, documentation, and YouTube tutorials to improve her work efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Rajnandini’s story proves that students from tier-3 colleges can still succeed if they are willing to work hard, learn constantly, and seek opportunities beyond their immediate environment. Her experiences have fueled her dream of starting her own company someday. Unlike many, she doesn’t idolize existing companies, she wants to build something unique.

Her journey is a reminder that hackathons are more than just competitions; they are stepping stones to bigger opportunities in tech. If you’re looking to grow in tech, start participating in hackathons today, you never know where they might take you!

For more inspiring tech stories, interviews, and career tips, stay tuned to the TechKareer YouTube channel!