August 29, 2025 at 06:00 PM [UPCOMING]
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a groundbreaking open standard developed by Anthropic that redefines how large language models (LLMs) interact with external tools, data sources, and applications. Acting as a universal communication layer, MCP introduces a standardized way for AI models to understand and perform complex tasks using tools, data, and prompts exposed by MCP servers.
Think of MCP as the USB-C of AI—a common interface that simplifies connections, promotes interoperability, and eliminates the need for custom integrations across different systems. This transforms LLMs from passive responders into capable agents that can fetch data, trigger workflows, and interact with software environments with contextual awareness and consistency. By exposing resources (data), tools (functions/actions), and prompts (instructions), MCP enables seamless and secure communication between models and services, unlocking scalable, modular, and intelligent AI workflows.
Some key takeaways for participants of the session include:
- Works Everywhere: MCP enables different AI tools and platforms to connect and work together seamlessly, just like plugging in a USB device.
- Smarter AI: It helps AI models understand and use information better, so they can do more useful things.
- Easier for Developers: Building AI applications becomes simpler because MCP provides a standard way to connect with tools, reducing the need for lots of custom code.
Come ready to learn how to take your AI development to the next level.
June 20, 2025 at 06:00 PM
You’re a strong engineer. You write clean, scalable code, hit your goals, and your team is crushing it. But so is everyone else. In a squad full of A-players, how do you rise above the noise? How do you go from being a reliable contributor to someone who changes the game? In this talk, we’ll cut through the generic advice and dive into what it really takes to stand out on a high-performing engineering team. We’ll cover how to
- Earn trust and visibility with engineering leaders
- Drive impact beyond your individual contributions
- Level up your influence across teams and functions
- Make strategic moves that accelerate your growth
Whether you’re aiming for senior roles, leadership opportunities, or just more recognition for your impact, you’ll leave with actionable steps to raise the bar—not just for yourself, but for your entire team.
May 16, 2025 at 06:00 PM
Are you a developer curious about the world of product management? Do you find yourself wondering what product managers really do, and how their work impacts your own? This event is designed specifically for developers seeking a clear and practical understanding of the product management role. We'll cut through the jargon and explore the core responsibilities, key skills, and the critical intersection of business, technology, and user experience.
Join us for a deep dive into the product management lifecycle, covering essential frameworks like user research, roadmapping, and prioritization. You’ll learn how product managers collaborate with development teams, how to develop a product mindset, and how you, as a developer, can effectively contribute to and influence product decisions. We'll also address common misconceptions about product management and discuss pathways for developers considering a transition into this exciting field.
April 04, 2025 at 06:00 PM
If you're familiar with frameworks, you'll know that they each have their own method for getting and setting data and causing the screen to update. This screen update from a data update is called a 'rerender'. How can you get your code to be more portable and support multiple frameworks?
In this talk, we'll explore how TanStack Form is able to adapt to multiple frameworks using a centralized store mechanism that allows for cross-framework rendering. This session will be a live codebase exploration, so questions are welcomed and encouraged
February 21, 2025 at 06:00 PM
Wondering how you can save time in your development process or give your applications an extra boost in features? This session highlights artificial intelligence (AI) features that developers can leverage in business applications or use to enhance existing applications with AI capabilities. For instance, AI can assist with data categorization, grouping, auto-completion, and test data generation.
We'll explore how end users can use OpenAI as a SQL Agent to retrieve data from SQL and integrate it in your applications. In addition, we'll get an overview of the Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) AI Framework for accessing data from Enterprise Systems and from company knowledge bases.
January 10, 2025 at 06:00 PM
Are you interested in the intersection of how storytelling and engineering build world renowned products?
Product Marketers are the key decision makers that drive millions and billions of users adoption and usage for products you use in your daily life such as Instagram, Airbnb, and Amazon.
In this session we will hear from Kendall Camp, Product Marketer at Microsoft. He’ll give his tips on how to break into Product Marketing Management (PMM) for “Big Tech” and how to pass that interview.
November 15, 2024 at 06:00 PM
In this workshop, you’ll get tools and strategies needed to successfully navigate the evolving job market. Whether you're an entry-level coder, a seasoned developer looking to pivot, or a tech pro seeking remote opportunities, this session will provide you with actionable insights to advance your career.
Participants will learn how to identify and leverage local and remote job opportunities, refine their personal brand, and build a compelling resume that stands out in a competitive market. With a focus on practical skills and networking tactics, attendees will leave the workshop with a roadmap to securing their next role in tech!
Topics Covered:
- Finding Job Opportunities accessible in the Central Valley and Beyond
- Explore how to identify growing sectors in tech.
- Understand the importance of aligning your skills with the current job market demands.
- Networking for Tech Professionals
- Discover effective networking strategies tailored to tech talent.
- Learn how to build meaningful connections within local tech meetups, online communities, and LinkedIn.
- Tips on creating and nurturing relationships that lead to job referrals and career growth.
- Building a Standout Tech Resume
- Hands-on tips for crafting a resume that highlights your skills and achievements.
- Learn how to tailor your resume for tech positions
- Debunking the ATS myths! (applicant tracking systems)
- Understand how to showcase both technical skills and soft skills to attract tech recruiters.
- Mastering the Tech Interview
- Strategies to prep for technical and behavioral interviews.
- Learn how to effectively communicate your technical knowledge during coding challenges and whiteboard sessions.
- Discover common tech interview questions and techniques to handle tricky scenarios with confidence.
- Pivoting in Your Tech Career
- Insight on how to transition into tech or from one tech discipline to another (e.g., from software development to data science).
- Understand how to identify transferable skills and reframe your experience for a new role.
- Explore strategies for continuous learning and upskilling to remain competitive in the tech landscape.
- Finding and Thriving in Remote Tech Jobs
- Learn how to search for remote job opportunities and identify the best platforms for tech talent.
- Tips on succeeding in remote interviews and positioning yourself for a remote-first role.
- Best practices for staying productive, collaborative, and visible as a remote worker.
Who Should Attend:
- Anyone interested in learning how the hiring process happens from the other side.
- Job seekers looking to advance or pivot in their tech career.
- Individuals interested in exploring remote work or freelance opportunities in tech.
Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Gain clarity on their career path and next steps.
- Have an actionable job search plan customized to their tech skills.
- Be equipped with networking, resume, and interview strategies to confidently navigate the job market.
Chance to Win: Attendees will be entered in a raffle to win a free email course, From Resume Refresh to Interview Ready: Your 4-Week Job Search Roadmap (several winners to be awarded!)
October 04, 2024 at 06:00 PM
Ready to revolutionize the way you code? Chat Oriented Programming (CHOP) is a new coding paradigm that allows developers to leverage AI and natural language interactions to streamline their development workflow.
In this talk we'll cover:
- The Basics of CHOP: Understand the core principles of chat-oriented programming and how it leverages AI to help you understand and write code.
- Live Coding: See firsthand how chat-oriented programming can be used to generate code, write documentation, automate repetitive tasks, and help you debug in real-time.
- Q&A: Get your questions answered about CHOP.