4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (UTC)

The Student Zone is a beginner-friendly, virtual event where experts will teach you how to build amazing projects - all using C# and .NET! This year, our experts will walk you through building powerful web apps and AI-infused applications. Then, we'll bring in .NET hiring managers, interns, and more to give you up-to-date career advice. Tune in on November 18, ask questions live, and train with the experts! AGENDA | Speaker | Timing | Title | Abstract | | -------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Japhlet Nwamu, Krishna Regulavalasa | 60 minutes | From Code to Cloud: Building a Personal Portfolio with .NET & GitHub Codespaces | Join us for an engaging session where we dive into the world of GitHub Codespaces and .NET development. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to create, customize, and deploy your own portfolio website using the GitHub Codespaces template for .NET. This session is perfect for developers of all levels looking to showcase their tech skills. By the end of this session, you'll have a fully functional portfolio site and a solid understanding of how to leverage GitHub Codespaces for your future projects. | | Bruno Capuano, Olanrewaju Oyinbooke | 60 minutes | Dive into the Future: .NET and AI! | Get ready for a cool session with the latest in .NET technology! This session is your ticket to understanding the amazing features and updates of the .NET platform. Experience the integration of advanced AI capabilities within the .NET ecosystem. Plus, get an exclusive look at .NET Aspire – the revolutionary stack that's transforming cloud-native development and making Azure deployments smoother than ever. | | Rubal Virdi | 15-20 minutes | Navigating Your Early Career in Tech: Tips from a Recruiter | Join us for an insightful interview with Rubal, an early-in-career recruiter, as we dive into essential tips and strategies for aspiring software developers. In this session, Rubal will share valuable advice on crafting standout resumes, acing interviews, and making a strong impression in the tech industry. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to navigate your early career with confidence. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insider insights and ask your burning questions! | | Jeff Schwartz | 15-20 minutes | .NET Interview Insights: Tips from a Hiring Manager | Join us for an engaging interview with Jeff, an experienced .NET hiring manager, as he shares his expert advice for aspiring .NET software engineers. In this session, Jeff will discuss the key skills he looks for in candidates, the types of questions he typically asks during interviews, and his top tips for standing out in the competitive job market. Whether you're preparing for your first .NET role or looking to advance your career, this session will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you succeed. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned professional and get your questions answered! | | Mikelle Rogers | 15-20 minutes | Day in the Life of a .NET Engineer: Insights from Mikelle | Join us for an interview with Mikelle, an early-in-profession .NET developer, as she shares her journey from securing her current role as a software engineer to her initial experience learning .NET. In this session, Mikelle will discuss her path to becoming a .NET developer, including the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to overcome them. She will also provide insights into her day-to-day experiences on the job, offering a glimpse into the life of a software engineer. Whether you're just starting out or looking to learn more about the .NET field, this session will provide valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from someone who has successfully navigated the early stages of a .NET career! | | Heather Walicki | 15-20 minutes | Switching Gears: Heather's Path to .NET Development | Join us for an interview with Heather, a career-changer and Software Engineering Manager at Geocaching HQ. In this session, Heather will share her unique journey transitioning into software development and becoming a .NET developer. We'll also discuss her current role at Geocaching HQ and provide insights into her day-to-day work. Heather will also offer valuable tips and advice for others considering a career switch into the tech industry. Whether you're contemplating a career change or looking to learn more about the .NET field, this session will provide you with practical guidance and inspiration. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from someone who has successfully navigated a significant career transition! | | Victor Olet | 15-20 minutes | Accelerating HPC Workloads with Azure Batch and .NET | Join Victor as he explores the exciting intersection of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and cloud automation through Azure Batch with .NET. Drawing from both his PhD research and professional experience, Victor will demonstrate how to automate and scale complex workloads. Learn how he leverages Azure Batch to orchestrate parallel computing workflows efficiently with C#/.NET applications —ensuring cost-effective resource management, error handling, and seamless cloud operations. Whether you're new to HPC or looking to enhance your skills in automating large-scale tasks, this session offers practical insights into bridging academic research with real-world cloud computing solutions. | | Nicklas Olsen | 15-20 minutes | My Journey as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador | Join this session to hear Nicklas's story as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador and discover how it helped him get involved in the tech community and to build a network in the IT world. Learn about his experiences with writing blogs, giving talks, and how these activities played a key role in his growth. If you're a student interested in joining the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program but unsure how it can help you, this session is for you. |

4:00 AM - 8:00 AM (UTC)

The Student Zone is a beginner-friendly, virtual event where experts will teach you how to build amazing projects - all using C# and .NET! This year, our experts will walk you through building powerful web apps and AI-infused applications. Then, we'll bring in .NET hiring managers, interns, and more to give you up-to-date career advice. Tune in live to ask questions and train with the experts! AGENDA | Speaker | Timing | Title | Abstract | | -------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Japhlet Nwamu, Krishna Regulavalasa | 60 minutes | From Code to Cloud: Building a Personal Portfolio with .NET & GitHub Codespaces | Join us for an engaging session where we dive into the world of GitHub Codespaces and .NET development. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to create, customize, and deploy your own portfolio website using the GitHub Codespaces template for .NET. This session is perfect for developers of all levels looking to showcase their tech skills. By the end of this session, you'll have a fully functional portfolio site and a solid understanding of how to leverage GitHub Codespaces for your future projects. | | Bruno Capuano, Olanrewaju Oyinbooke | 60 minutes | Dive into the Future: .NET and AI! | Get ready for a cool session with the latest in .NET technology! This session is your ticket to understanding the amazing features and updates of the .NET platform. Experience the integration of advanced AI capabilities within the .NET ecosystem. Plus, get an exclusive look at .NET Aspire – the revolutionary stack that's transforming cloud-native development and making Azure deployments smoother than ever. | | Rubal Virdi | 15-20 minutes | Navigating Your Early Career in Tech: Tips from a Recruiter | Join us for an insightful interview with Rubal, an early-in-career recruiter, as we dive into essential tips and strategies for aspiring software developers. In this session, Rubal will share valuable advice on crafting standout resumes, acing interviews, and making a strong impression in the tech industry. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to navigate your early career with confidence. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insider insights and ask your burning questions! | | Jeff Schwartz | 15-20 minutes | .NET Interview Insights: Tips from a Hiring Manager | Join us for an engaging interview with Jeff, an experienced .NET hiring manager, as he shares his expert advice for aspiring .NET software engineers. In this session, Jeff will discuss the key skills he looks for in candidates, the types of questions he typically asks during interviews, and his top tips for standing out in the competitive job market. Whether you're preparing for your first .NET role or looking to advance your career, this session will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you succeed. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned professional and get your questions answered! | | Mikelle Rogers | 15-20 minutes | Day in the Life of a .NET Engineer: Insights from Mikelle | Join us for an interview with Mikelle, an early-in-profession .NET developer, as she shares her journey from securing her current role as a software engineer to her initial experience learning .NET. In this session, Mikelle will discuss her path to becoming a .NET developer, including the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to overcome them. She will also provide insights into her day-to-day experiences on the job, offering a glimpse into the life of a software engineer. Whether you're just starting out or looking to learn more about the .NET field, this session will provide valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from someone who has successfully navigated the early stages of a .NET career! | | Heather Walicki | 15-20 minutes | Switching Gears: Heather's Path to .NET Development | Join us for an interview with Heather, a career-changer and Software Engineering Manager at Geocaching HQ. In this session, Heather will share her unique journey transitioning into software development and becoming a .NET developer. We'll also discuss her current role at Geocaching HQ and provide insights into her day-to-day work. Heather will also offer valuable tips and advice for others considering a career switch into the tech industry. Whether you're contemplating a career change or looking to learn more about the .NET field, this session will provide you with practical guidance and inspiration. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from someone who has successfully navigated a significant career transition! | | Victor Olet | 15-20 minutes | Accelerating HPC Workloads with Azure Batch and .NET | Join Victor as he explores the exciting intersection of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and cloud automation through Azure Batch with .NET. Drawing from both his PhD research and professional experience, Victor will demonstrate how to automate and scale complex workloads. Learn how he leverages Azure Batch to orchestrate parallel computing workflows efficiently with C#/.NET applications —ensuring cost-effective resource management, error handling, and seamless cloud operations. Whether you're new to HPC or looking to enhance your skills in automating large-scale tasks, this session offers practical insights into bridging academic research with real-world cloud computing solutions. | | Nicklas Olsen | 15-20 minutes | My Journey as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador | Join this session to hear Nicklas's story as a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador and discover how it helped him get involved in the tech community and to build a network in the IT world. Learn about his experiences with writing blogs, giving talks, and how these activities played a key role in his growth. If you're a student interested in joining the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program but unsure how it can help you, this session is for you. |