First Talk @ Wild West Hackin' Fest

I just gave my first talk at Wild West Hackin' Fest.  Thanks for letting me present. :)

My spouse pestered me to submit a paper.  So I submitted a half thought out idea of telling how a stay-at-home-mom ended up in info sec.  I never expected in a million years that my topic would be chosen.  I found out in June.  I wanted to cancel, but before I could, my spouse took to Twitter and told everyone that I'd been accepted.  So, I felt like I had to do this talk.  I was scared, though, so I avoided writing anything like a plague.  I had an idea of what I wanted to say - a direction I wanted to go in.  I think that I failed in that respect.  I told part of the story.  I didn't say everything that I wanted to say.

If the talk belongs to me- not sure of the etiquette surrounding talks considering this was my first talk ever.  I might record it as it's meant to be - when I'm not so nervous.  I won't be on camera - it would just be my voice, and maybe slides.  I requested that they not record it - they kindly obliged.

I'm slightly disappointed in myself, but also feel a little accomplished because I was brave enough to speak in front of people.  I never thought I had it in me.  I used to sing in front of crowds, but that's different because you're singing someone else's story - you're not expressing your own ideas.  You also get swept away in the music - for me - it's like the room drops away and I'm just left with the music.  Speaking on the other hand terrifies me.  Weird, I know.

I see some women on Twitter noting why they are afraid to give talks - they're afraid that they won't have anything to say.  To them - you probably have something much more important to talk about than being a mom who becomes an info sec pro.  I talked about my kids during the talk for heaven's sake.  Your journeys, experience, thoughts help people more than you realize.  I've seen some of the incredible things that these young women have been up to, and don't understand why they can't see how awesome they are.  My suggestion is - give it a shot - you might surprise yourself.

The people here at Wild West Hackin' Fest were so kind to me when the talk was over.  They told me I did well - not sure I actually believe that they were sincere, but I didn't hear anything negative.  Not saying no one said anything negative, but if they did, I didn't hear it.  Submit your papers - be heard.  Inspire other people.