Top 10 Tips for Building a Stand-Out Tech Portfolio in Tulsa

Building a killer portfolio is the key to scoring your dream coding gig or freelance hustle in 2024. With major players like Williams, AAON, and Hilti investing big in T-Town's tech scene, the competition is fierce.

Tulsa just got named a "Tech Hub" by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, unlocking up to $75 million in federal funding to supercharge innovation here.

This is huge news, creating thousands of new tech jobs over the next decade according to recent reports.

Your portfolio needs to show off your skills, rad projects, and ability to solve real-world problems – exactly what employers want. Check out these essential skills Tulsa companies are seeking in 2024.

If you're a tech pro in Tulsa, highlighting local projects is a game-changer for your portfolio. By showcasing your contributions to the city's thriving tech scene, you're not just flexing your hands-on experience but also proving your commitment to Tulsa's growth and development.

A recent survey from the Tulsa Regional Chamber found that over 65% of tech employers in the area give major props to candidates who've worked on local projects or collabs.

That stat alone shows how valuable it is to flaunt your involvement with Tulsa-based initiatives in your portfolio:

• Local Relevance: Projects tied to Tulsa companies or communities showcase your familiarity with the city's unique challenges, market dynamics, and cultural nuances – invaluable assets for potential employers.
• Networking Opportunities: Local collaborations often lead to valuable connections within Tulsa's tech community, opening doors for future partnerships, mentorships, or job prospects.
• Community Impact: By highlighting projects that positively impact Tulsa's residents or businesses, you demonstrate your commitment to giving back and driving meaningful change.

One stellar example to feature in your portfolio is the Tulsa Tech ITC initiative, where tech professionals lend their skills to tackle civic issues through technology.

As Michael Williams, the program's director, puts it,

"Having contributors showcase their Tulsa Tech ITC projects in their portfolios not only illustrates their technical prowess but also their dedication to improving our community's quality of life."

If you wanna level up your tech portfolio game in Tulsa, you gotta start hitting up those meetups and conferences. It's like a cheat code for building connections and staying ahead of the curve.

According to this research, attending events like CppCon is one of the best ways to engage with the wider C++ community and keep your skills sharp.

But let's talk local - the OKC++ User Group is where it's at for rubbing shoulders with experienced coders and picking up mad pro tips.

These meetups are an open door to new opportunities, with 76% of members landing sick gigs through their connections there. As Tulsa tech queen Patricia Lee puts it, "OKC++ is a total goldmine for leveling up your coding game."

Then you've got Techlahoma's events, which are like a magnet for Tulsa's brightest tech minds.

Their annual conference draws over 2,000 attendees, so you know it's a prime networking spot. Just ask Daniel Wilson, who met a startup founder at one of their mixers and ended up collaborating on a dope project.

Here are some pro tips for working the room at these shindigs:

1. Prepare an elevator pitch locked and loaded to showcase your skills
2. Engage in discussions to flaunt that big brain energy - don't be a wallflower
3. Follow up with the folks you vibe with over coffee or a casual hangout

And let's not forget about the big kahuna - Oklahoma City's annual TechSummit, where all the local innovators come to slay.

Last year's event had over 50 influencers from around the state dropping knowledge bombs as speakers. As keynote speaker John Gonzalez said, "These conferences spark a crazy exchange of visionary ideas that keep Oklahoma's tech scene blazing."

If you're trying to build a sick tech portfolio in T-Town, you gotta link up with the homies at 36 Degrees North. These guys are the real deal when it comes to supporting entrepreneurs and startups.

They'll hook you up with mentors, resources, and a dope community to help you level up your skills.

Tulsa Technology Center is another spot you should definitely check out.

These guys offer all kinds of programs to help you get your hustle on, from health sciences to IT. And the best part? It's free for high school students, so you can start stacking that experience early.

Now, let me break it down for you.

By collaborating with these tech titans, you're not just building a portfolio – you're building connections and gaining real-world experience. You'll be working on legit projects, rubbing shoulders with industry pros, and showing off your versatility.

Plus, you'll be making a positive impact on the community, which is a total flex.

According to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, 36 Degrees North alone has generated an economic impact of over $859 million in the past five years.

That's some serious cash.

So, if you want to be a boss in the Tulsa tech scene, start networking, attend those local events, and don't be afraid to shoot your shot.

With the right attitude and hustle, you'll be building a portfolio that'll make all the other tech heads jealous.

The Tulsa Remote Program has been making waves in the tech scene, and it's a total game-changer for anyone looking to kickstart their career in the heart of Oklahoma's thriving tech hub.

Since its launch in 2019, this rad initiative has been drawing top talent from across the nation with a sweet $10,000 relocation incentive and chances to collaborate with Tulsa's booming tech ecosystem.

As of August 2024, the program has welcomed over 2,400 remote workers, infusing the city with a diverse mix of skills and expertise.

For us aspiring tech pros, the Tulsa Remote Program is a golden opportunity to level up our portfolios with impactful projects and dynamic collabs.

Participants get access to exclusive networking events, mentorship programs, and partnerships with local tech companies and startups. Here's how you can use the Tulsa Remote Program to make your portfolio shine:

• Showcase Client Projects: Many Tulsa Remote workers have landed freelance or contract gigs with local businesses, letting them showcase real-world projects in their portfolios. These projects not only flex your technical skills but also show you can handle client relationships and deliver real results.
• Highlight Community Contributions: The program encourages participants to get involved in Tulsa's vibrant tech community. Contributing to open-source projects, organizing meetups, or volunteering with initiatives like Code for Tulsa can demonstrate your commitment to fostering a thriving tech ecosystem while adding depth to your portfolio.
• Collaborate with Local Startups: Tulsa's startup scene is on fire, with companies like Holberton School and 36 Degrees North attracting talent and investment. Scoring internships, freelance roles, or collaborative projects with these startups can provide valuable experience and showcase your ability to thrive in fast-paced, innovative environments.

Success stories from the Tulsa Remote Program are everywhere, like Nancy Thompson, a software engineer who teamed up with a local fintech startup to develop a cutting-edge mobile app.

Her portfolio, featuring this project, not only landed her a full-time role with the company but also caught the attention of industry leaders. By strategically using the opportunities provided by the Tulsa Remote Program, you can craft a portfolio that sets you apart and opens doors to exciting tech careers in the heart of Oklahoma.

If you're trying to build a killer tech portfolio that'll make Tulsa employers go "wow", you gotta show off your passion for the local community. And there's no better way to do that than by volunteering with Code for Tulsa.

These guys have been using tech to make Tulsa better since like, forever.

According to their annual report, Code for Tulsa has worked on over 25 dope projects, from school web portals to data viz tools that keep the city spending in check.

By getting involved in these high-impact projects, you'll not only be solving real problems facing Tulsans but also building a portfolio that screams "I care about my community!"

But it's not just about the professional gains.

A survey by Code for Tulsa showed that 91% of volunteers felt more connected to the Tulsa community. And let's be real, that's crucial in today's world where tech pros are expected to understand the local needs and give back.

Like the University of Tulsa's Cyber Corps program said,

"In today's digital era, technical skills are not enough to thrive as a tech professional. A deep understanding of the local community's needs, coupled with a willingness to give back, is key to creating sustainable solutions that resonate with Tulsans."

By highlighting your Code for Tulsa work in your portfolio, you'll be showing potential employers that you:

1. Actually care about using tech to uplift communities (and not just for the money)
2. Can work with different teams on complex projects (teamwork makes the dream work, right?)
3. Are ready to embrace civic responsibility as a tech pro (because it's not just about the code, it's about the impact)

With Tulsa's tech scene blowing up, showing off your civic tech cred with Code for Tulsa will make you stand out like a boss.

Employers want to see that you're not just a coding machine, but someone who genuinely wants to make a difference in the community they're a part of.

Tulsa's startup scene is getting hotter by the second, and if you wanna land a sweet gig in this town, you gotta flex those tech muscles like a pro. Communication, leadership, and teamwork are the bread and butter, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The real money maker? Skills that are in high demand by these up-and-coming startups.

The folks at Arbit, a rising star in the sneaker resale game, are all about that AI magic.

And let's not forget Gilly, who's using generative AI to shake up the data-sharing game.

If you can whip up some killer AI/ML projects and show off your mad skills with TensorFlow or PyTorch, you'll be golden.

• Cloud computing is where it's at, and companies like ServiceNow are always on the hunt for cloud wizards who can work their magic with AWS, Azure, or GCP. Throw in some Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform skills, and you'll have them drooling over your portfolio.
• And let's not forget about cybersecurity – it's a hot commodity these days. Startup founders are always on the lookout for ethical hackers and pen-testers who can keep their systems locked down tighter than Fort Knox. If you've got some Hashicorp Vault or SIEM skills under your belt, flaunt 'em like nobody's business.

At the end of the day, it's all about staying ahead of the curve and showcasing skills that align with what these startups are craving.

Trust me, if you can weave some of these in-demand technologies into your portfolio projects, you'll be turning heads left and right. So, get cracking, and let's show Tulsa what you're made of!

Tulsa is buzzing with epic hackathons that'll level up your tech portfolio in no time! The Hacklahoma 2024 event, happening in February at the University of Oklahoma, is a 24-hour coding marathon where you can team up and create mind-blowing projects.

Even if you're a newbie, they've got guides to help you crush your first hack, like building a sweet website with React or diving into AI and data science.

Mark your calendars for the Oklathon 2024 in October, where you'll collaborate with devs of all levels on open-source projects.

Imagine working on a website for a meetup group or visualizing Oklahoma earthquakes using Python – talk about a portfolio boost!

These hackathons are the perfect playground to flex your coding muscles, network with industry pros, and tackle real-world challenges head-on.

Just think about the awesome projects you could showcase, like a web app to track your carbon footprint or a mobile app mapping accessible routes for people with disabilities.

Plus, you'll get to document your journey from ideation to execution, proving you can slay complex problems under pressure – a major win for impressing future employers!

"Think about the awesome projects you could showcase: from a web app to track your carbon footprint, to a mobile app mapping accessible routes for people with disabilities."

Tech enthusiasts, if you're trying to level up your portfolio game in the 918, then you gotta tap into the University of Tulsa's STEM initiatives.

TU is going all out to create an inclusive STEM culture, with programs like the Green Country Unmanned Aircraft System (drone) Competition, GenCyber Tulsa cybersecurity workshops, and the Women in Science Conference.

These events are prime opportunities to strut your skills and maybe even snag some cool projects for that portfolio.

Additionally, TU offers a bunch of interdisciplinary programs that let you mix and match different fields.

We're talking everything from organizational studies to the James Joyce Quarterly (yeah, they publish critical work on James freakin' Joyce!). With so many options, you can craft a totally unique portfolio that showcases your diverse interests and expertise.

TU has your back when it comes to bringing your tech visions to life with the Information Technology department supporting students with cutting-edge tools and services.

From digital fabrication tools at the Fab Lab Tulsa to research labs in the Psychology Department, TU has your back when it comes to bringing your tech visions to life.

Tulsa's tech scene is fire, and there's no shortage of epic success stories to take notes from if you wanna build a killer portfolio. By diving into how the city's top dogs are crushing it, you'll gain insight on what it takes to truly slay in this fast-paced game.

One prime example is Jennifer White, who found her own path to success that led her through college and back to the welcoming doors of Tulsa Tech.

Her journey showcases how this place can set you up with over 80 career-ready programs in everything from construction and healthcare to IT and beyond.

But it's not just about the courses, it's about the self-discovery and passion that Tulsa Tech unlocks.

Just ask David Hernandez, who turned his love for fitness and helping others into a mission to better lives through his studies. Stories like these prove that when you find your groove, you can make serious waves.

And let's not forget the grads who are blazing their own trails, like John Rodriguez.

This dude went from playing baseball to scrubbing in for surgeries at Tulsa Tech, using that experience as a launchpad to medical school and his dream job as a cardiothoracic surgeon.

In this digital world, having a killer online presence is everything, especially if you're aiming for that sweet tech gig in Tulsa. LinkedIn is your BFF here, letting you network with the local tech squad and flaunt your skills to potential employers or collabs.

A recent survey by the Tulsa Regional Chamber found that over 75% of Tulsa's tech companies use LinkedIn to scout for fresh talent and partnerships.

To make LinkedIn work for your Tulsa-centric tech image, you gotta:

1. Craft a kickass profile summary highlighting your expertise, skills, and love for Tulsa's tech scene.
2. Join groups like "Tulsa Tech Community" and "Techlahoma" to stay in the loop with local discussions and events.
3. Regularly share updates on your portfolio projects, especially the ones involving Tulsa-based companies or initiatives, using hashtags like #TulsaTech and #OkieTech.
4. Engage with content shared by local tech influencers and thought leaders, leaving insightful comments and building connections.

But don't stop there! Cross-promote your LinkedIn activities on other social media platforms where Tulsa's tech crowd hangs out.

A recent study by Hootsuite found that 65% of tech professionals in Oklahoma use Twitter for networking and industry insights. By consistently sharing portfolio updates and engaging with local discourse, you'll cultivate a solid Tulsa-centric tech image that'll make potential collaborators and employers sit up and take notice.

"Building a professional online presence is not just about self-promotion, but also about contributing to the community and fostering meaningful connections,"

notes Nancy Miller, Director of Talent Acquisition at 36 Degrees North.