Aspiring Speakers – Feedback and Testimonials

Here is some feedback and testimonials from our members.

All completely free resource for the tech community. If you’d like to join the Aspiring Speakers group you can do so here

I have started speaking in other Java User Groups

…an excellent place to start

“This group has started me on the road to being more confident in public speaking. Even just doing small talks has improved my confidence and also made me question and re-affirm my own knowledge. The feedback has always been constructive and helpful. It’s a friendly group and an excellent place to start for getting in front of people and improving yourself!”

Chris Melikian – Mizuho

I’m so glad I joined… 

“I’m so glad I joined the aspiring women’s group. It’s been a great opportunity to learn from a lot of well respected and knowledgeable people in both tech and public speaking! Since joining the group I’ve ventured into doing more tech talks and I’ve received some extremely useful feedback. I’m really looking forward to giving more talks.”

Riyanat Shittu – Yoox-Net-A-Porter

learn from their experience, and be inspired by them

I really enjoyed yesterday’s Q&A session with Maria. Thank you very much for giving us privileged access to other women in the technology industry, get to learn from their experience, and be inspired by them.

Solange U. Gasengayire – Codurance

…I can’t wait to get on a stage.

“It’s given me loads more confidence – it’s one thing for your friend and mentor to tell you that you’re good at this stuff, it’s another thing to hear it from external parties who aren’t as invested in me. I can’t wait to get on a stage.”

Helen Scott – Jetbrains

…I have also enjoyed the mentorship scheme

“Knowing that I’m not the only one that struggles with public speaking and working with others in the group to improve my presentation skills has been really helpful. I have also enjoyed the mentorship scheme and have benefited from mentors as well as helping new members get their first talk done. It has been a fun experience!”

…a great way to jumpstart your speaking journey

…an amazing opportunity on my journey to my first conference slot.

“The aspiring speaker groups have been an amazing opportunity on my journey to my first conference slot. It’s been great to meet with other speakers in a safe space to practice and get feedback on talks in advance. I’ve also learned a lot from the regular Q&A sessions that they have with established speakers. Learning practical tips and finding out more about their journey has been inspiring!”

…focused practise, immediate feedback during Q and A and expert-led post-speech seminar

The combination of focused practise, immediate feedback during Q and A and expert-led post-speech seminar makes the Aspiring Speakers group a highly effective means by which to improve your public speaking skills. It is little recognised in our profession how important public speaking and teaching are for improving your craft as a software developer. 

 

Tom Spencer – Codurance

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…if Tech is your sector, this is the place for you.

“I really enjoy being part of the speaking group. It gives me a chance to practice showcasing my ideas to a very experienced audience. On top of regular practice, you also network with some very driven people. If Tech is your sector, this is the place for you.”

 

 

Krystian Bucko – University of Essex

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…the aspiring speakers community is supportive and empowering.

“Having not given a talk before, it felt like a great place to be encouraged to start and aim higher as we all go along. Since joining I have had the fortune to be the buddy of new speakers too and this has been rich and rewarding. The effort and care invested by Barry and Dom at RecWorks is truly inspiring! Good humans.”

 

Mag Leahy – Freelance Technical Team Lead and Coach

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…an amazing opportunity to practice public speaking.

“I have found the Aspiring Womens Speaker group an amazing opportunity to practice public speaking for my career and personal life in a safe environment. I have already done two lightning talks, and find the feedback a boost in confidence for future talks.”

 

Sam Burden – Marketing Executive

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…a great place to get & give feedback….

“When you give talks, then you need feedback to get better. The Aspiring Speakers group is that place where I get feedback on my talks. I’m also happy to give feedback on other talks. Together, we‘re all better off in the end!”

 

Karsten Silz- Contractor

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…a great framework to practice and strengthen your talk.

“I set out a goal for myself to be a better story teller, and I have to say without the help from RecWorks Aspiring Speakers, it would have been impossible to do so. They have all types of talks, from lightining to short to a conference talk, and it gives such a great framework to practice and strengthen your talk. Not to mention that everyone is super friendly and the feedback that you get after the talk is just pure gold!”

 

Amr Gawish – Senior Software Engineer

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…an excellent platform to start my community works and build my career in speaking.

The Aspiring Speaker group and Meet-a-mentor are such great initiatives that have remarkable positive impacts on the global communities. This group has given me an excellent platform to start my community works and build my career in speaking, by providing me opportunity to be part of the workshops and round-table discussion sessions with world-renowned speakers. This friendly and supportive group has always provided me constructive feedback on my every talk and helped me to grow the speaking as well as professional career what I have been aiming towards.”

 

If you’d like to join the Aspiring Speakers group you can do so here