🧠 My First Ever Tech Talk – From Code to Stage
Hi friends 👋
I recently gave my first ever tech talk (yaaay 🥹) at a Google Developer Group (GDG) event! The talk was titled:
"Beyond the Code: How Engineers Can Drive Product and Business Impact."
…and I still can’t believe it actually happened.
🌱 How It Started
It all began when a friend (who clearly believes in me more than I do 😅) recommended me for a talk slot at a GDG event. I wasn’t actively looking to speak at an event, but when the opportunity landed in my inbox, something clicked.
I’ve been on this journey of transitioning from a “just code” engineer to someone who cares deeply about product thinking and business impact. So I thought—why not talk about that?
🎯 The Prep
The preparation was equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking.
- I started by jotting down stories from work—especially around things I did at the product company that weren’t just about writing code.
- I structured my talk around real-life examples and learnings that helped me evolve from a developer to a product-minded engineer.
- I even added memes (because what’s a tech talk without memes?) and references like Bob the Builder to keep things light yet relatable.
- Slides? Polished. Practice? Loads. Panic? Definitely. 😅
I spent countless evenings rehearsing, rewriting lines, and questioning my life choices. But in the end—it came together.
🎤 The Talk
And then came the actual day.
Standing on that stage, mic clipped on, looking at a room full of developers—I felt the adrenaline and fear blend into this surreal sense of purpose.
It went better than I imagined.
People came up to me later to say they connected with the stories. That they hadn’t thought about engineering and product this way before. Some even took notes. 🥹
🎁 Goodies (aka Speaker Perks)
GDG folks are the sweetest! They sent over a speaker kit that included:
- A really cool desk mat (yes, I’m using it proudly),
- Stickers,
- Swag,
- And lots of appreciation.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything—but this made it feel all the more special.
💭 Final Thoughts
I never thought I’d enjoy public speaking. But this experience showed me that when you speak from experience and from the heart—it lands.
To anyone thinking, “Should I do it?” — say yes. You’ll figure the rest out.
🔗 What’s Next?
If you found this talk interesting, you’ll love the deep dive I wrote on the same topic:
👉 Beyond the Code: How Engineers Can Drive Product and Business Impact
Xx,
Kiara