'Students and Startups' (and their mutual appreciation for noodle crafts)

Last night, Momentous had the opportunity (read: good fortune) to participate in The Code Factory’s ‘Students and Startups’ event, which brings together the hiring and the desiring. 

Based at the always-cool downtown location of The Code Factory, the evening kicked off with introductions from both respective pools of attendees. (Think ‘tell me about yourself’ in a first date, while the breadsticks slowly get picked at).

The wonderful thing behind the man-with-the-plan Ian Graham’s vision for the event is that he understands both sides of the equation. Students need experience, want to build contacts, and strive to understand the market they will soon compete in. By the same token, startups (Momentous was kindly admitted under this loosely-accurate title) are seeking new talent (aka fresh blood), who are passionate, eager to learn, and can bring fresh perspective and ideas to a company.

The evening progressed into teambuilding games, which are inherently bonding among individuals, but the results of which were all the more impressive when organized around strangers. It was fun to witness just how fast teams can bond when put to the test, even after only two minutes of knowing each other. (This should resonate for managers of teams that have known each other or worked together for months – just THINK what you can do!) 

Always the host-with-the-most, Ian soon flipped students to other tables, allowing for different performance results and team makeup, but also for optimal exposure for all respective parties to each other.

What else would really apply pressure on a rainy Monday evening in May? Spaghetti and tape structures, of course! Taking us back to basics, Ian provided each table with 20 strings of uncooked spaghetti, a roll of masking tape, and a marshmallow. With 20 minutes on the clock, we had to compete to create the highest free-standing structure that could then hold the weight of the marshmallow. NOT EASY! 

In the end, the enduring memory is not of the last spaghetti structure left standing (and that’s NOT because my own was not the winner…), but of the strong performers among each team, and the fresh faces sure to have an impact on the Ottawa tech community in the near future.

Lessons learned:

1. If you are a business (startup or otherwise), do not think for a moment that students are the ones lucky enough to meet YOU. That attitude may blind you from the raw talent sitting right in front of you, and will definitely limit the scope of your community influence or presence – these students are the next great minds, and their knowing about you can only strengthen your brand. Students are simply professionals missing just one job title. Don’t think that yours makes you untouchable - check yourself.


2. Teambuilding can be an instantaneous phenomenon, and can materialize among the least familiar of strangers. It can effectively demonstrate in a matter of minutes how an individual problem solves, communicates, cooperates, delegates, and ultimately performs in a team dynamic. Teambuilding games are also a great reminder (to students and professionals alike) of the need to build your team, and not just sit people in cublicles next to each other and call them one.


3. Spaghetti structures did not go out of style, nor lose their inherent challenges, since last being built in the fifth grade. Do not underestimate their value.


4. For his appreciation of the mutually beneficial relationship at play in the room, Ian Graham deserves a world of thanks. More meetups like his should be more closely stitched through the fabric of the Ottawa tech community.


5. Momentous is always happy to meet the next brilliant tech mind (especially when we’re hiring!)