South by Southwest Conference or School?
I’m debating with myself… should I go to the South by Southwest conferece (and parties) or go to school? If I decide to go, I’ll have to fork over about $1200 in hotel/airfare/etc and cut two days of school. My dad says no, but I’m confident that if all of my blog readers emailed him, he would change his mind. Just kidding!
Just a year ago, I cut three days of school to go to the Oreilly Web 2.0 conference. It was a crappy conference and I learned absolutely nothing, but the friends I made were priceless. Matter of fact, if I hadn’t cut those three days of school to go to the Web 2.0 conference, you probably wouldn’t be reading my blog.
Which brings me to the question: SXSW or school? Will I meet awesome people or will I just get bounced out of every party because I’m underage? I’ll let you guys vote on this one.
PS – I gave you an “other” option in case you have something better to suggest.
Jessica Mah is a 17 year old entrepreneur, blogger, and sophomore in college. She’s currently the founder of a startup, managing editor at Startupism.com, and Jessicamah.com. In her free time, she enjoys the prospect of being an underage angel investor while partying like a rock star.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
You should go to SXSW. It will be an incredible experience and you will meet alot of cool people outside of the panels. It will be my first time going and I am excited because I want to meet the faces behind the tweets I read.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I’m torn on this one. If you have the budget for it, and somewhere to stay, then I say throw caution to the wind and go to SXSW.
However, if you’re under 21 and can’t enjoy the parties, you might be missing the full SXSW experience, so I’m not sure what to say exactly.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I agree with Phillip and the points in your post that are pro going – the people you meet outside the panels in the hallways and various events (it’s not just about the drinking) are invaluable and arguably are better than the conference itself which is also really good.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
LOL… Texas.
The network *is* priceless and you can sip my beer lil girl.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
at 17, and running companies, going to SXSW would be *priceless* for you. the connections and the panels will be amazingly helpful. And, you’ll be able to do any homework or biz stuff on your flights.
come on! it’s amazing!
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
No question – SxSW hands down. Besides, its the annual geek spring break…
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
The contacts at almost any conference are the real value, and you’d be sure to make many of them.
I’d vote for cutting school if you can swing the cash, even with the uncertainty of access to some of the evening events. From the look of the sessions, your mind will be full of new and worthwhile ideas and your address book with new friends.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
SXSW: The most fun you’ve never had! I personally haven’t had the pleasure of going before, but I have friends who HAVE and they said it will be an experience they’ll never forget! Yah you’ll meet lots of people which is fun (i guess lol) but the amount of stuff to do is endless
GO!!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
You should go to SXSW so I can meet you!
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
[...] friend Jessica Mah is debating whether to attend SXSW this week. She was up for Northern Voice and enjoyed it. It [...]
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Just go.
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go.
Life’s short. Bring your fake id.
That help?
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
go go go! 3 days of school is negligible ! see you in austin!
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Definitely SXSW. This will be my 4th year and it is the one week I look forward to the most. First half of the conference is techhy-meet people stuff and the second half is parties/bands/parties. It’s awesome
If you do go you should check out my site http://sched.org to help you plan your trip. Don’t stay strictly on a schedule, but it’s nice to have a narrowed down list of stuff to do.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
STAY IN SCHOOL
DONT BE COOL
LEARN YOUR MATH
TAKE A BATH
LETS GO TO COFFEE
OR MAYBE MARTINS THIS WEEK?
love,
you know who
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
You should totally go to SXSW, it’s all about the interactive sessions, the people and the atmosphere – the parties and music are all just a big bonus!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Beer, nerds, bbq and a conference – all in one place. How can you resist?
March 4th, 2008 at 11:06 am
This is going to be my first SXSW and I’m really looking forward to it. If you’re there, I’ll interview you for Intruders.tv Canada.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I would say, if you can decide for yourself what you want out of the conference (contacts in field x, learning about field y, conversations about z aspect of a business or personal goals), and compare it to the learning you do for school, and weigh it in with the cost involved compared to what you won’t be able to do in the future with that money because you spent it on SXSW, then go for it. If you’re going *only* because everyone says it’s a good time and you don’t actually know what you want out of it, you may get caught in mirroring what they all do instead of doing what would actually be valuable for you.
I was all ready to be a schoolmarm/party-poop and say you should go to school, but the reality is that any experience for you will be insightful and thought-provoking. Determining how to pin down what you want out of an experience, is a great skill as well.
Also, have serious backup plans if the drinking thing becomes an issue. That said, with a party like that in town I doubt there’s much lockdown, but I’ve never been so I also can’t say.