2026 Starts Here: Career Panel + Job Search Deep-Dive with Jerome Hardaway

Let's kick off 2026 the right way. 🚀
ReactATL is teaming up with REFACTR.TECH, ATL JavaScript, and Modern Web for our first event of the year—and we're going all-in on the topic that's on everyone's mind: getting hired in 2026's (let's be real, tough) job market.
Whether you're actively searching, planning your next move, or just want to know what's actually working right now, this night is for you.

## 🎤 The Current State of the Job Search (Career Panel)

Hear real talk from people on both sides of the hiring table—recruiters, hiring managers, and engineers who've navigated this market successfully. We're covering:

• What's actually happening in hiring right now
• The skills and signals that get you noticed
• How to stand out when everyone's trying to stand out

Panelists:

• Calypso Hernandez – Executive Operations & Strategy Lead at This Dot Labs (Moderator)
• Kelly Vaughn – Sr. Engineering Manager at Zapier
• Debi Creasman – Managing Partner at Insure Technology
• More panelists to be announced

## 💼 A Detailed and Systematic Approach to Getting a Software Engineering Job

After the panel, Jerome Hardaway (Founder of Vets Who Code) is taking the stage for a deep-dive workshop on his critically acclaimed job search framework.
This isn't generic LinkedIn advice. Jerome walks through a step-by-step, actually-actionable roadmap covering:

• Optimizing your GitHub and LinkedIn presence
• How to highlight your experience (even if it's non-traditional)
• Networking with intention, not desperation
• The mindset and systems that actually work

If you've ever thought "I just need someone to tell me exactly what to do," this is that session.

## 📅 Agenda

6:30 PM – Doors open, food & drinks, networking
7:00 PM – Career panel: The Current State of the Job Search
7:45 PM – Deep-dive with Jerome Hardaway
8:30 PM – Wrap

## 🍕 Good to Know

• Food & drinks provided (because we're not monsters)
• Parking: Metered street parking on Spring St and surrounding streets. Paid garages nearby include Tech Square Deck
• Transit-friendly: Near MARTA Midtown station

See you February 17th. Let's start this year strong. 💪