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We wanted to make something fun and silly. We like RowdyHacks to be a fun and chillax event, while also still supporting the community, Zuniga added. While we were brainstorming, I thought dinosaurs would be really cool.

Perhaps its fortunate the team wasnt inspired by a different Spielberg film about dinosaurs.

Hackers will have the opportunity to attend workshops and engage with mentors who have professional experience across a variety of computer science fields. These sessions will help students gain experience and expand their skillsets. Those trying to land jobs or internships will find that RowdyHacks provides invaluable networking and recruiting opportunities for students and recruiters, says RowdyHacks Director Meira (Mei) Sullum, a junior computer science major.

Its a really great way to get your foot in the door to directly talk to a recruiter, she said. Just showing up at an event like this is showing recruiters that youre putting in that extra effort, so it helps you stand out. Usually, recruiters end up reaching out afterwards at hackathons. Its a very good way to find companies and internships.

As part of its 10-year strategic plan, UTSA aims for 75% of its undergraduate students to participate in some type of experiential learning by the time they graduate.

Besides the experiential learning and professional development opportunities at the event, one of the key draws of RowdyHacks is that its fun. As logistics lead, ensuring that RowdyHacks is indeed a good time is one of Murrays primary responsibilities.

Theres two sides to hackathons: Theres doing the actual project and then theres also that hackathon experience, which is going there, learning, being there for the vibes. Its going to be a good time, he said. I really like it when I see people showing up and realizing we have Pad Thai from local restaurants or plenty of snacks. Having that experience and having people see the fruit of all the work that weve been doing is super rewarding. I cant wait to see it this weekend.

This years event will be the second RowdyHacks held at San Pedro I. Organizers are hoping to build upon last years successes and utilize the space to its full potential.

This year were really trying to perfect that formula and put on the best event we can for 500 hackers, Murray said.

However, in a bid to prioritize quality over size, the organizers for this years event decided to limit participation to roughly 500 students, approximately what it was last year.

Of course, 500 students from Texas and beyond is by no means a small event, nor does limiting the number of registrants imply that the event wont expand in the future, Zuniga notes.

RowdyHacks is the biggest hackathon in San Antonio, he said. When people from other universities think of RowdyHacks, they think of San Antonio; when they think of San Antonio, they think of RowdyHacks. Although were big right now, were only looking to grow.

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Programmers and paleontologists alike to compete at ninth annual RowdyHacks - The University of Texas at San Antonio