Kate Anastasia Le | Contributing Writer
MIAMI — ShellHacks, Florida’s largest collegiate hackathon, drew more than 1,400 participants to Florida International University (FIU) this year. The hybrid event encouraged creativity, connected students with recruiters and delivered a weekend of high-energy technology.
From idea to prototype
Over three days, students joined workshops, career fairs and maker spaces. The goal: turn ideas into working prototypes in just 48 hours.
Recruiters from Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Netflix and GitHub were not only at their booths but also on stage, sharing insights and scouting for talent among students.
Google representatives also spoke about internship and early-career hiring opportunities. Speakers emphasized the importance of preparing strong application materials, showcasing skills through real-world projects and keeping an open mindset when working on teams.
They encouraged students to use hackathons as a chance to test ideas, sharpen coding skills and build products in a high-pressure but supportive environment.
Google representatives speak on stage during a sponsor session at ShellHacks | Kate Anastasia Le
Voices from participants
“This is a chance to meet recruiters and collaborate with talented hackers from across Florida. I learned a lot from feedback from developers and judges,” said Furkan Emir Tellioglu, a third-year computer science student at FIU.
While FIU students valued the chance to learn and network, past winners emphasized the importance of preparation and ideas.
“To win, you have to start preparing early — and the idea is the most important factor, even though technical skills matter too,” said Tran Thi Minh Thy, a 2024 ShellHacks winner from Florida State University and recent computer science graduate.
Students with excitement before the ShellHacks opening ceremony | Kate Anastasia Le
Weekend atmosphere
From opening day, long lines of students checked in, picked up badges and lanyards, and filled the halls like a festival. Volunteers guided newcomers to team-forming areas, where many groups were formed on the spot.
Throughout the weekend, some students coded through the night in the ballrooms, while others took advantage of the sleeping room on campus to rest for a few hours before returning to their projects.
By the final day, FIU’s ballrooms and dining areas were packed as teams polished demos and prepared to pitch to the judges.
Participants gather before the end of hacking time at ShellHacks | Kate Anastasia Le
Benefits of joining a hackathon
For many, ShellHacks is more than a coding competition. It is a chance to build soft skills and expand professional networks. In just 48 hours, participants must collaborate, delegate roles and communicate effectively — skills critical in the workplace.
Hackathons also let students experience the real-life product development process under intense deadlines. It is a safe space to experiment, solve problems quickly, and get direct feedback from mentors and recruiters before entering the professional tech world.
Meeting major recruiters on site also opens doors to internships and full-time roles, especially for students who know how to network and present their projects clearly.
Students line up to check in for ShellHacks at FIU before the opening ceremony | Kate Anastasia Le
Industry voices
Sponsors say hackathons give students hands-on learning that classrooms rarely match. Timothy Brown of Assurant said: “Events like ShellHacks compress trial-and-error, creativity and learning into just one weekend. They offer real-world value that’s hard to recreate in a lecture hall.”
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