Tech Week Grand Rapids: Career Strategies in an Uncertain World
Details
Tech Week Grand Rapids: Career Strategies in an Uncertain World
HAS HEART Coffee Shop (22 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
Wednesday September 17 2025, 8am - 10am
Grab a cup of coffee while local experts deliver lightning talks on how to navigate and stand out in today's job market.
RSVP
Space will be limited for this event; registration is required. If you RSVP for this event via Meetup only, you have not registered for the event.
LOCATION
HAS HEART is located in Veteran’s Park at Sheldon and Fulton, just east of the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
PARKING
Street parking pricing and hours vary depending on location; details can be found on the City of Grand Rapids website.
DESCRIPTION
Join us for an inspiring morning event during Tech Week Grand Rapids!
Are you a college student, job seeker, or mid-career professional looking to confidently launch or pivot into a career in the tech industry? Sip on a delicious cup of locally-crafted coffee as we hear from local experts sharing job strategies, creative ways to gain experience, and tips for navigating today’s challenging job market.
HOST
Wimee is a lovable robot puppet that loves to make new friends and help kids increase their literacy and storytelling skills. He is best known as the host of his show, Wimee’s Words. Wimee has a great sense of humor and enjoys playing with words, learning new things, and meeting new people! Check out his show and download the Wimee’s World app at wimee.tv.
FEATURED LIGHTNING TALKS
"Break In or Break Out”
TJ Scott, Amway
Proven tactics for getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers while managing ejection letters, ghosting, and all the things that make job searching a soul crushing experience these days.
"Experience That Speaks Louder Than a Degree"
Geraldo Gonzalez, Aztech/Code on Wheels
Creative paths to gaining real-world experience: freelancing, open-source, bootcamps, and more.
"Hottest Tech Skills for 2026 and Beyond"
Christy Ennis-Kloote & Jim Becher, Augusto Digital
Where the growth is: The hottest skills for the jobs of the future.
"Navigating Discomfort"
Lydia Kauffman, Carnevale & Tech Collaborative
How showing up in-person, embracing vulnerability, and honing soft skills can give you a winning edge.
“A Non-Developer in a Developers World”
Nora Bylsma, Array of Engineers
Explores how a non-developer makes a living in the tech industry. Project management, marketing, and operations are essential to the tech industry, highlighting dynamic career paths for those without coding backgrounds.
ORGANIZERS
GRWEBDEV SPONSORS
SCHEDULE
- 8:00am - 8:15am … Welcome
- 8:15am - 9:15am … Lightning Talks
- 9:15am - 10:00am … Q&A + Networking
Tech Week Grand Rapids: Career Strategies in an Uncertain World